March 1, 2010

Allison Ethier Interviewed – Days Before the Arnold

There’s a lot to be said for longevity. Canada’s Allison Ethier has been competing in fitness for longer than I’ve been covering it. I started in 2000, and by that time, Allison was well on the way to becoming a household name.

Allison’s competitive past is long and decorated, but it’s 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 she’s 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 that’s part of the Arnold Sports Festival held annually in March in Columbus, Ohio, USA. To compete professionally at the Arnold Sports Festival means you’re 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 IFBB’s 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 what’s 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: You’re one of the few remaining. What’s 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 won’t push it so quickly. I enjoyed being pregnant; however, once I’d 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: You’ve been invited to the Fitness International that’s 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: You’re 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 don’t 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 isn’t can wait. But sometimes it waits for a while.

DS: How many more years do you think you’ll 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 you’ve 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 don’t 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.