BEN YOSEF: Congratulations to you on such an amazing showing at the IPL SoCal show! You crushed it! It has been a couple of months now since the show. Take me back to that day and what it was like for you. How were you feeling on the morning of the show?

MERRILL NORRDIN: Oh my goodness! Thank you so much! I still can’t believe it! What a day that was! To be honest, I had so many emotions running through me! Since this was my first prep and show experience, I really didn’t know how the day was going to turn out! I was nervous, excited, a bit emotional and hungry!

BEN: Well, you handled the day like a true professional. AND not only BECAME an IPL Professional in three classes, but also won your first Pro title! This entire issue is dedicated to the IPL Evening Gown division, so let’s get into that. But we will definitely have to bring you back to talk Bikini.

     What was is it about the IPL Evening Gown division that captured your interest when deciding to enter this contest? And what was it like to hit the stage for the fist time in Evening Gown, for the Masters 40+ class?

MERRILL: Yeah, it was kind of an amazing day all around! As for Evening Gown, to be honest, I was on the fence about doing it! But I am so glad I ended up doing it! I had been looking through photos and videos of past comps and the ladies on stage just looked so sexy and confident. Sexier than in their bikinis, believe it or not! So I just thought if I am going to do this, do it all!

     I knew that my back was my strength. So getting a gown with a low back and a “wow” color was what I wanted! As soon as I put on that dress, there was a total transformation for me! I felt strong and sexy! I knew I could bring it on stage too! I channeled my inner sex kitten, if you will. I held my breath and went for it! Hearing my husband and my friends cheering me on made me work that stage even more!

BEN: Love it! You definitely came alive during the Evening Gown division. You would then head into the Open, where you would snag anther win and Pro Card. What was it like competing in the Open? Were you feeling tons of momentum and confidence after just winning in 40+? And what was it like to take your second win in the Evening Gown division?

MERRILL: Yeah, I was definitely feeling awesome after that first Evening Gown class! Not too shabby for a forty-three-year-old mama of three! Winning the Open was amazing and my Pro Card on top of that! Honestly, all of this was so unexpected. I woke up that morning not even thinking about winning. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t forget my posing and not to fall! The ladies all looked phenomenal in their gowns, so it was an honor to win.

BEN: Finally, you would make your Pro Debut in Masters Evening Gown, winning your first IPL Pro title! Was it a tough decision for you to hit the Pro stage or was it just par for the course? And what was it like earning that final win?

MERRILL: The whole experience was so humbling and unexpected. I just remember being on stage standing arm in arm with my teammate Ana and Hiral, who both looked incredible, and couldn’t believe it! It was all so surreal! I think that is the theme for the whole day for me! It wasn’t a tough decision per se. It wasn’t something that I even thought was possible that day! I just remember you asking me if I wanted to enter the Masters Pro division, and everyone was cheering and clapping for me. So I went for it!