| Archives March 1, 2010

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Allison Ethier has been
competing in fitness for 11 years. This shot was taken backstage at the 2009 IFBB Arnold
Amateur competition.
(Photo Mar. 2009 by Doug Schneider) |
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Allison Ethier Interviewed
Days Before the Arnold
Theres a lot to be said for longevity. Canadas
Allison Ethier has been competing in fitness for longer than Ive been covering it. I
started in 2000, and by that time, Allison was well on the way to becoming a household
name.
Allisons competitive past is long and decorated, but
its only in recent years that she has set her sights on turning pro in the IFBB.
That transition from amateur to pro came last September at the 2009 IFBB North American
Championships, where she won the overall title in fitness. Since then shes competed
in one pro competition, the 2009 IFBB Atlantic City Pro, placing a respectable ninth.
Allison is currently preparing for her second pro competition, which happens to be one of
the biggest anywhere: the 2010 Fitness International thats part of the Arnold Sports
Festival held annually in March in Columbus, Ohio, USA. To compete professionally at the
Arnold Sports Festival means youre one of the very best pros have to apply
and only a select number each year are invited. The majority of the professional
competitors on the IFBBs pro circuit never get to compete at the Arnold.
Despite her hectic schedule, particularly with the
competitions fast approaching, I was able to catch up with Allison in February for an
interview as she was putting into place her final preparations. I wanted to learn a little
more about her history in the fitness industry and, also, to find out whats she
planning for the Arnold and beyond. Here is what she said:
Doug Schneider: How many years ago did you start
competing in fitness, and what was your first contest?
Allison Ethier: It was 11 years ago that I decided
that I would start in fitness competitions. At the time, besides bodybuilding, there were
no other categories other than fitness. How times have changed!
My first contest was the 1998 New Brunswick Fitness &
Bodybuilding Championships. Garry Bartlett was my representative for New Brunswick to the
CBBF. After my first show, I received a highlight in MuscleMag. It was very
inspiring, so I continued to compete in shows throughout university, and into my teaching
career.
DS: What are some of the names of people
competing back then?
AE: In my first two years of competing with the
CBBF, there were Jen Jewel, Melanie Hiscock. Kary Odiatu, Denise Maffioli, Liz Curtis,
Stefanie Worsfold, Martha Lombardo, Nadya Castellas, Ocean Bloom, Chantal Dicaire, and
Carla Viberg. I did go to the nationals in 1999, and I am sure there were girls there that
I competed with who are still competing in the CBBF today. I had switched from the CBBF to
Fitness American and WNSO around 2000, so there are a number of girls whom I have stayed
in contact with over the years, and I still today speak to a lot of them on a regular
basis.

Allison and fellow Canadian competitor, Sylvia
Tremblay.
DS: Youre one of the few remaining.
Whats kept you in this so long?
AE: The love of the sport and staying in shape.
There have been many changes over the years. Not just to fitness, but also the addition of
so many different categories of competition, and federations.
I have always seen fitness as a hobby, but the friendships
I have made over the years definitely kept me going. When a show would come up, it was not
just about the competition, it was more about spending a weekend away with my girlfriends.
People who were just like me. We all understood immediately what each other had to do to
get there. Competing is the one place where I feel totally myself, totally at ease to be
me.
DS: Have you ever taken any years off from
competing?
AE: Only when I was pregnant, plus six months. I was
back onstage six months after having my son. Next time I wont push it so quickly. I
enjoyed being pregnant; however, once Id had my son, I wanted my body back right
away. I did not work out while pregnant and gained 50 pounds, so when the baby came I
welcomed the gym again.
DS: You attained IFBB professional status last
year. What are your goals as a pro?
AE: To learn. To watch. To experience. I see being
in this federation as a massive possibility for personal growth. Not just as an athlete,
but mentally as well. There are so many smart individuals that I would not have access to
otherwise. All the girls in fitness have fought to be where they are, and I just want to
learn from them. Having achieved this goal of the pro card allows me to move on and set
further goals to achieve.
DS: Youve been invited to the Fitness
International thats part of the Arnold Sports Festival. This is one of the most
prestigious competitions in the world. How does it make you feel to be invited?
AE: Proud, as only so many Canadians have made it to
this level. Accomplished, as it has been a long road to get to this point. Humbled, as I
know there were many who were more than qualified to compete at the show, and applied, but
did not receive an invite. Contented, that I know that I am ready for this next stage of
my career.

Allison performing at the 2008 Arnold Amateur.
DS: Compared to previous competitions, are you
doing anything different for this one?
AE: Not too much different. I am trying to diet more
slowly to preserve my muscle, as I am not a big girl. I can get lean but I am out-muscled
by the other girls. I am working on my symmetry, bringing up my upper back and shoulders.
My routine is still going to be a killer I did it
through once the other day. I think I need a third lung! I make sure I know my routine in
and out, backwards and forwards, upside down I am going for a great performance. I
always want to put my best product on the floor.
DS: Youre not just a competitor, but a
mother, wife, and schoolteacher. How do you balance all that and still compete the way you
do in fitness?
AE: I dont have a lot of downtime. I have very
little personal time, and TV watching is very sparse. Housework and other daily chores
tend to get the "good enough" stamp of approval. I have been more reflective of
this lately. How does one find the balance? There are times when I think I am not going to
get it all done, but somehow, what is important gets done, and what isnt can wait.
But sometimes it waits for a while.
DS: How many more years do you think youll
compete?
AE: I am taking it show by show. Competing might not
be my main focus anymore. Sure, I would love to be on the Arnold and Olympia stages every
year, but I also have other goals in the industry that I would like to achieve. I would
like to be the host at events, start personal training for others, give nutrition advice,
and help guide girls who would like to compete. I know it can be very hard to find the
information to get started, and that is what I would like to be able to do. I want to be a
teacher for those who want to compete, and help them achieve that goal.
I do want to expand my family as well. As the saying goes,
"You can have everything you want in this life, just not all at the same time."
In order to maintain balance, I will have to make some choices.
DS: Since youve got such great longevity in
this sport, what kind of advice can you give to someone who is just starting out in
fitness or figure, so they can stay in it for the long term?
AE: I dont think anyone should get into the
industry, or even competition, thinking that they are going to have a supplement contract
and be a superstar after one show. Competing should be for the experience of the
competition and that is it. If anything else does come out of it, consider it to be a
bonus.
DS: Thank you very much for this interview,
Allison, and good luck at the Fitness International!
AE: Thank you.
The Arnold Sports Festival will be held March 4-7, 2010.
Results of the Fitness International and all the IFBB professional events can be found at IFBBPro.com. |