Cindy “Rodeo” Steedle is one of the biggest sweethearts that I’ve ever known. She gives completely and unselfishly to others and her positive attitude keeps herself and everyone in the immediate vicinity energized and ready for anything. She has survived cancer, turning that triumph into a life of promoting health and physical fitness lifestyles for not only herself but for everyone. She was one of twenty five beautiful women competing for Bret Michaels's heart on season one of VH1’s “Rock Of Love with Bret Michaels” and made an appearance in season two to help Bret with one of his challenges for the girls. She can also be seen this summer starring on VH1’s “I Love Money.”

Cindy recently took the time to talk with T.E.N. about her life both public and private, the obesity problem in the United States and giving us a sample of what went on in a certain episode of “ROL” season one that was really, really hot! Maybe I should have shared…

 T.E.N. - Hello Cindy, how are you?
Cindy “Rodeo” Steedle- I’m good. How are you doin?

TEN – You made it through the traffic okay?
CRS- It was construction. I cannot believe out of all days…ya know?

 TEN- At least we’re finally getting together to talk.

CRS- Can you believe it? (Laughs that signature “Rodeo” laugh) You’re probably goin; “Damn, I’m glad she’s finally able to talk to me!”

 TEN- Well you’re a very busy girl.

CRS- Today I just booked my fortieth birthday party at the concert hall. It’s a huge concert hall here in Georgia. I have three bands coming in town to sing for me. Bruce Turgon from the band Foreigner is actually working with Seventh Rize writing a song in tribute to me. Can you believe that? It’s like “Wholey Moley, I can’t believe it’s the guys from Foreigner are fans of mine!

 TEN- When is that gonna happen?

CRS- They are doing it now and I’m going to be on the cover for the Seventh Rize cd. I can’t believe how many fans that I have!

 

TEN- How have you adjusted to your new found fame?
CRS- I think it’s great but I’m still Cindy. I’m gonna stay real to everyone and to myself. It’s crazy now because the volume people, Troy, that are comin at me is unreal! And they’re like “Cindy, you’re so down to earth. That’s why we love ya!”  And I said “Well that’s how I’m gonna keep it.”

TEN- I hope you never change.

CRS- Hell, I ain’t changin! (Laughs) I can’t. I put my pants on like everyone else. A lot of the other girls have changed but not me.
CRS- So, whatcha gonna ask me?

TEN- Before we talk about the “Rock Of Love” stuff, can we talk about Cindy Steedle and your lifestyle of physical fitness?
CRS- Yeah!

TEN- When did you become committed to your fitness training?
CRS- In 2004.

TEN- You’re also a cancer survivor.
CRS- Yes, eleven years.

TEN- Great and that kind of progressed into “Competitive body building” right?
CRS- Well it progressed into losing seventy pounds and into a “figure competitor” not a “body builder.” There is such a big difference and people get it confused a lot. A lot of body builders take steroids which makes the women look big. That’s not me. I have a more toned build to me but, more soft and sexy look. That’s a figure competitor.

TEN- Absolutely! I’m not gonna argue that at all…wow!
CRS- (Laughing) thank you!

TEN- What’s your daily routine?
CRS- I get up around six o’clock in the morning and then get my son up for school…cook breakfast then take him to school. I go train at 8:05 a.m. and train for an hour Monday-Friday. On Mondays, I cook my meals for Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, I cook my meals for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I eat chicken, fish, beef, a lot of veggies and I drink at least a gallon and a half on water a day. I also do cardio at least twice a day. Or, I’m out and about helping with charity events or I’m going to schools helping the kids work out. I’m currently helping cheerleaders prepare for competition.

TEN- You’ve used your influence in promoting children’s fitness as well. Why is that?
CRS- Well, because the obesity has grown seventy percent in this country and what I am trying to do is better the health of kids and it has to start in the home. It has to do a lot with the family. A lot of times, people forget how quick and easy simple foods can be made for kids. I’m trying to teach the parents to slow down and cook a thirty minute meal for these kids. You can’t always take them to the drive thru! That’s where everybody’s getting their kids food because they’re tired but they need to take time because they are the biggest influence on these kids. They (the kids) watch their parents and how they eat. That’s the easiest thing is go for the fast food and get their kids meals so they don’t have to cook and they can rest. That’s where a lot of the problems are. And, they get junk food in the house and you just can’t do that.

TEN- I’m guilty as anybody. I’m about forty pounds over weight.
CRS- Do you know what you need? You need my diet!

TEN- You’re absolutely right. I was gonna ask you about that. Tell me about your diet programs.
CRS- On my website, I have a program that people can purchase for both men and women and I have a little thing for kids too. For men, guys need a lot of protein. You want to gain your muscle. A lot of people will starve them selves and eat three a day. You need to eat six times a day! If you eat more…you’ll lose more weight and build your muscle that you need to build. I work with vegetarians too. I design meal plans for everybody because everybody’s an individual. This is good for women to know too. A lot of times women cannot digest protein and carbs together but I teach women how to separate their carbs and separate their proteins. If you do that and eat your six meals a day…women will drop the weight! Men can drop weight easily. You guys’ metabolisms are a heck of a lot better than women’s. I’m tellin you it is. You guys can digest carbs and proteins together easily. I tell men to eat a lot more protein…a lot more meat.

TEN- You also have a product line as well like sausage and barbeque sauce.
CRS- Yeah, I have a barbeque sauce that is all natural and organic. It’s made mainly with water but when you cook with it…it thickens. The sodium is extremely low and the sugar is good even if you’re a diabetic. You just can’t drink the whole freakin bottle. I’m getting good responses off of it. I do have sausage but now we’re gonna put shredded beef in with my barbeque sauce. That’s gonna start really soon…both beef and pork together. And that’s on my website as well.

 
TEN- You also have clothing products too.
CRS-I do have baseball caps. I had designed one for myself when I would go and compete and I put “Trouble” on the front and “Rodeo” on the back and that’s what I have now on my baseball caps. I have little t-shirts that we’re makin up now with a photo of me in my “Daisy Dukes” and my cowboy hat on the front and I’ll be launching them tomorrow. I also have sweatshirts that are on sale now because it’s getting warmer outside.

 

TEN- Can we talk about “Rock Of Love 1&2?”
CRS - Oh yeah!

TEN- How did you become involved with the show?
CRS- Okay, on “ROL #1” a person located me in a fitness magazine and contacted my sister Linda, who also is my manager, and she said to me “Cindy, you need to do this!” So, I called out there (L.A.) then went out there and BAM…I landed it! I had a great time doing it. We had a great time in the interview. I don’t know if any of ya saw the casting but if they did…they’ll get a kick out of it! (Laughs)

TEN- I was gonna ask you about that. That was kinda…pretty…revealing!
CRS- (Busts out laughing) well ya know, when you’re thirty-nine years old thing happen! (Still laughing) I’m a very sexual person. I admit it. (Still laughing)

TEN- It’s like “Okay, rewind…okay, rewind!”
CRS- I know, I know. I can’t help it! When you have “multiples” ya just can’t help it! (Laughs)

TEN- So are you in a relationship now or just playin it cool?
CRS- No, actually I’m just playin it cool. I’m not looking; I just want to have fun. I don’t want to be tied down right now. I want to give my fans my full undivided attention and I don not want someone to get upset if someone hugs me or anything like that. But, ya know, when I do make appearances, I do have the “Win a date with Rodeo” fan contest. But, if someone comes along and if God wants that to happen then He’s gonna let that happen.

TEN- The “Talk Dirty To Me” episode was crazy.
CRS- Oh…you mean in the…

TEN- Yeah, when you were on the phone with Bret…
CRS- Oh, you mean the phone sex? You know, I had never done that before in my life!

TEN- Then where did that come from?
CRS- You know what? Bret and I “just connected” and he told me that “I gave him what he wanted to hear.” Any man that I’m gonna be involved with…I’m gonna let them know exactly what I wanna do! And I let him know exactly what I wanted to do! I won…I kept him up! (Laughs) He said that was some good stuff and that he would do it all over again. It was fun and I had a great time.

TEN- Then in the recording studio…
CRS- Oh, I had a great time doin that too. We had a blast! Who wouldn’t want Bret Michaels playin “bongos” on their butt? I can guarantee you that if he was around me today he would say; “Rodeo, can I play bongos on your butt?” (Laughs) Now, everywhere I go, Troy…everybody wants to play “bongos” on my butt!

TEN- Is there any way that I can get a sample of what you were doing on the phone or in the studio?
CRS- Oh my…God! (Laughs) Golly, what did I say to him? Oh my goodness. Oh yeah, I told him about how much that I wanted to go down on him and then I started breathing really heavy to him. I pretended that I was in a field on a blanket with him. But, nobody else heard that and they were like “What in the world did you do because your body was getting into it!”  When you talk to a man…ya got to get “into it” ya know? Ya gotta use the body language.

TEN- You spoke “Loud and Clear!”
CRS- You know you really like somebody when a man kisses ya and you get a little arch in your back and he takes his hand and rubs your bottom. That’s when you know you’ve got a good man. That and he’s a good kisser. I can’t stand the “dry mouth.” Ya gotta have a “wet mouth.” Please don’t give me a damn cow kissin thing…I would back you up. Long kisses are the best! I love that!

TEN- You mean long, passionate ones?

CRS- (Laughs) Troy, you really wanna start talkin like this? I’ll getcha goin!

TEN- Uh…I’ll move on for now.
CRS- (Laughing) Move on…move on. You might be getting a bulge down there. You might need to move on.

TEN- Wow…
CRS- (Still laughing) I’m sorry, Troy.

TEN- During season one; you seem to have two sides to you. You had a “rock solid exterior like when you broke up the fight between Lacey and Dallas and then you had a “really soft, sensitive interior” that made you decide to leave and go back home to your son.
CRS- Well my “hard side” is that I do not like people insulting other people or disrespecting other people or hurting anybody. I had no choice but to break up that fight because Lacey was about ready to hurt Dallas. Those stairs were steel and Jes and Brandy B were tryin to get Lacey off of her and I said “You guys step back!”  Well I guess the whole world saw the move where I put her in a “lock” and put my knee behind her back. That was the only way I could get her off. Then I carried her up the stairs and walked away. That’s how I handled it. Now, my “soft side” my child comes first. And that is with anybody! I even told Bret “If my son needed me or if my family or any of his kids needed me. If I was gonna travel with him, I would walk away no matter what. And, I would do it again because I only have one son. I lost a little girl while I was pregnant before and I promised that I would always be there for my son. I had never been away from my son for as long as I had been and it was getting to me. He wasn’t feeling good and when he told me that he wasn’t feeling good…that got me. He had that vomiting virus and was getting dehydrated and really sick. I had to come home to my baby.

TEN- What was it like when you returned home and got to hold him again?
CRS- Oh, it was incredible. He’s my whole world. He is all that I have! Anybody that has a child knows and anybody that has lost a child and is granted a gift of another child know how precious that life is. I am just hoping that if a man comes into my life, they will respect me enough to know that my son comes first. Even if they had kids…the kids would come first. I wouldn’t mind havin another kid at all. 

TEN- Do you think that you’ll ever find the “special someone?”
CRS- Ya know…I hope so. I really do. I hope someone sweeps me off of my feet. They’ve got to be into sports and they have to be into tools because I have my own shed and it’s full of Craftsman tools. I kid you not. I’m a romantic person and very passionate but I do like to do my own construction and I like to rehab homes. That’s what I love to do.

TEN- And, you like to ride motorcycles too.
CRS- I love riding motorcycles.

TEN- One of your pictures on your Myspace shows you doing a wheelie on a Kawasaki ZX7.
CRS- I love motorcycles! I love shooting guns. I love anything like that. Riding horses and playing football…I’m a sports freak!

TEN- If you would have stayed on the show, do you think that it would have ended with you and Bret?
CRS- Yes!

TEN- Why?
CRS- He told me that he wanted to keep me. He said “You are the one that I wanted to keep to the end.” He didn’t expect me and I know that I would have won the whole thing. I know I would have. I’m a “rocker”…he respects me and I can have fun and still take care of kids and him as well. I have no clue to where we stand, I just know that we’re very good friends and I think that’s where it begins. With all of the stuff on the show, people ask me if I’ve slept with him and the answer’s “No.” What I do on T.V. is what I did on T.V.  What I do off screen is my business. Even the note that he gave me the night that I left was incredible. I have never shared it with anyone else. I’ve had a lot of offers but that’s between Bret and me.

TEN- What is one of your fondest memories from doing the show?
CRS- My fondest memory is sitting on the couch and how Bret and I connected when we started talking about family. He was telling me about his mom and cancer and everything and I lived with cancer. We talked about the kids. We connected in a very, very good way. Plus, my grandmother had just died from being diabetic and he’s a diabetic. I know everything about how I would need to take care of him. I worry about him because of all of the partying and stuff like that. He gets really tired and need rest.

But sitting on the couch and when I first kissed him. He had to kiss me again because he was so nervous. The camera crew said “You guys gotta do that again,” So I had to kiss him all over again. I got to kiss him twice before any of the other girls did!

TEN- What’s your opinion of the controversy around the ending of season one. There were rumors that Jes supposedly had a boyfriend and Heather denies saying that she would share Bret and maybe some of the stuff was scripted.
CRS- There was nothing scripted. Ya know if Jes had a boyfriend, then Jes had a boyfriend. A lot of people come on that show to get promoted and just for promotions. I believe that Heather did care for him. She’s a pretty person and a nice person…I just hated that she got the “Bret” tattooed on her neck. That she’s gonna have to live with the rest of her life unless she gets it removed. She’s a strong headed person and I knew if he didn’t choose her that she was gonna react that way because she was devastated. I was kind of confused because I thought Bret would have chosen Heather because she’s older but he chose Jes and she’s younger. I was confused on the whole issue actually.

TEN- Yeah, but you got to come back on Season Two.
CRS- When they asked me back I was like “Oh my God!” I was really surprised. It was great because he had a beautiful horse for me and I got out there before any of the girls got there and I rode around and Bret and I talked and had a great time. I missed him and he missed me too.

TEN- Big John told me about a surprise birthday party that you threw for him last year.
CRS- We had a great time. He came down and Tattoo Tony came down and we partied hard! I love Big John to death, he’s a sweetie!

TEN- Tell me something disturbing about yourself that you’ve never told anyone before.
CRS- (Super long pause) I really don’t have anything disturbing. (Laughs) Unless someone really pisses me off and then I’ll knock the shit out of them! What I don’t like is someone being called a bitch. When I’m called a bitch…I have thrown a girl over a car. I have done that. It was at a party and I just don’t like people calling other people bitches. I just don’t. When she called me a bitch, I actually picked her up and threw her completely over a car. This was when I was eighteen years old. That I’ve never shared with anybody. She pissed me off! I don’t like the “C” word either. I’ll never do that again. I’ll never throw somebody else over a car. But you know what? She never did it again!

TEN- Can you talk about your new show?
CRS- I wish I could but I’m not sure if I can.

TEN- Is there anything else that you want to add or say?
CRS- I just want everyone to continue to support me because I love everybody and I’m real and I do answer my emails on Myspace. I’m loyal to everybody and please continue to check me out at www.cindyrodeosteedle.com and www.myspace.com/cindyrodeo if anybody wants to book me please go to bookrodeo@gmail.com and my manager is Linda Carmical. She’s a sweetheart. I love her to death! And, I wanna thank you Troy for talking to me.

TEN- The pleasure’s all mine!

 

I want to thank Cindy for her time with this extra long interview and Linda Carmical for setting the interview up and making it happen.