I've had the pleasure of knowing Andrea for some years now. I met her through my sister who she use to work with. Andrea is an immediate inspiration to many of us who have known her. I really enjoy her enthusiastic personality and energy for life. Andrea is driven and tough yet personable. She was perfect to interview for this series. After reading a bit about her, you'll see why...· You currently work in finance at Lincoln Financial Group – can you tell how us long you’ve been there and a bit about your position?
I have been working for Lincoln Financial Group for 13 years and have had several positions ranging from customer service to sales to relationship management. My current position involves managing projects for the relationship management team. My team works with consultants who help plan sponsors (institutions) look for the best fit for their retirement (401k/403b) plan.
· You also were a national level figure competitor and ranked powerlifter in the past. Who or what inspired you to participate and compete in this sport?
When I was 26, I met a man (Fairfax Hackley) who worked with Arnold Schawrzenager back in the past and said I had the shape for figure shows and that I should try it out. He was involved in the Fitness/Figure/Bodybuilding Circuit so he had set me up with a lot of introductions. Once I started winning regionally, I decided that I wanted to compete at the National Level, which was even more challenging. That took the competition to a whole new level.
What were your proudest moments during this time?
My proudest moment at a regional was winning first place and overall in the NPC Empire State Kim Klein Fitness/Figure Championship. The second proudest moment was making the “top 5” selection at the NPC Pittsburgh Show.
Where there any particular challenges you faced?
The biggest struggle for any competitor is the constant dedication to dieting and training. Everything that you put in your mouth was weighed, measured and on a schedule (also, there is no drinking alcohol). The longer I competed, the more critical I was of my body and sometimes that can affect your mindset and confidence.
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Can you share some of your achievements over the years in this sport?
§ 2002 LA Fitness Bencfh Press Champion
§ 2003 North American Bodybuilding championships – Womens Shape and Figure – 1st place§ 2006 NPC National Figure championships – 3rd place
§ 2006 Jim Rockwell/Powerhouse Gym Rochester Bodybulding Fitness and Figure Championships – 1st place
§ Philadelphia Championship Greenwood Classic – 2nd Place
§ 2007 NPC Gaspari Nutrition Junior USA 5th Place
§ WNPC – 1st place 148 weight class – September 2010
§ WNPF – 1st place 132 weight class – December 2010 (Deadlift 320 lbs, squat 290 lbs, bench 150 lbs)
· Wow, that is pretty impressive! For those of us who barely have enough energy to get off the couch, how did you manage juggling bodybuilding, working at Lincoln Financial and personal training?
To be honest, it was a lot of work. I would do my cardio from 5:00am to 5:45am, go to work from 8:00am to 5:00pm, go home to train myself (another 45 minutes of lifting and another 45 minutes of cardio) and then train clients afterwards. Then I would go to bed and start all over again the next day. I had such a drive to help people be healthy and feel good about themselves.
· And now you are currently a nutritional consultant. How did you transition into this?
I started learning a lot about nutrition when I studied under my last coach for four years John Sheaffer. I saw how he was able to transform his client’s bodies and became so intrigued that I started sitting in on all of his client consultations. Overtime, I was able to take what I learned as a figure competitor, power lifter and trainer and apply it to the average person. It is amazing; the smallest changes in your nutrition can have a HUGE positive effect. I saw people struggle with “diets” so I changed the way I spoke about getting in shape and eating better by giving people a nutrition plan and performance goals, versus purely aesthetic goals. Aesthetic goals are simply a byproduct. I also do not let my clients get on the scale – we use a measuring tape measure progress by how their clothes fit. There is so much information in the market that people get overwhelmed – I keep it simple for my clients.
· How would you describe your personality?
Who are two closest people to you and why?
Andrea and I have share a love for fitness and health and are in the process of making that passion a national, and eventually international, business.
What are your current passions in life? What motivates you?
Helping people feel good naked motivates me to provide my nutritional advice at a larger scale then it is today. There is nothing better than helping people feel good every day of their lives whether it is through nutrition, physical training or life coaching. I like to surround myself with positive people who want more in life than to just focus on themselves. I attend inspirational seminars and try to find ways to help people live a more balanced life. Now that I have put my figure and powerlifting days behind me, it is time to give that knowledge to others and serve a greater purpose in life.
An Amazingly Inspirational Woman - Thanks to Andrea and Enjoy your Spirit for Living!
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