December 1, 2006

Meet Andrea Millar – Canadian Classic II Figure Champion and the IDFA’s Newest Pro

The IDFA (International Drug-Free Athletics) is Canada’s newest and most promising physique organization. (We wrote extensively on the history of the organization and its founders, Shaun Campbell and Desmona Cole, on our sister site, SeriousAboutMuscle.com. You can find that article here.) Their first Canadian Classic event was held in 2005 and was felt by most to be a resounding success. They held their second competition, the Toronto Classic, in June of 2006. Again, reports said it was a very good show. Therefore, when their third event rolled around on November 4, the Canadian Classic II, we weren’t about to miss it.

So, we attended the November event, which was held in the Glenn Gould Studio in downtown Toronto, and we thought it to be an exceptional show in terms of the promotion and presentation. Furthermore, it brought to the forefront some talented new competitors who are making their mark on the Canadian physique stage. One of them was Andrea Millar, the Canadian Classic II’s Open class figure champion – a win that also qualified her to be an IDFA pro.

I met and talked with Andrea at length in the afternoon, after the prejudging but before the finals; we both had no idea that she would emerge the winner. Listening to Andrea, I found her story inspiring – it’s one that proves that achievements can happen at any age, and that you can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles if you have goals and stick to them.

Andrea is 41 years old and the mother of two boys who are 17 and 12 respectively. Obviously, balancing motherhood and a figure career is impressive enough, but what is more remarkable is how she ended up on the physique stage at all, and how fast she’s progressed, given that she had numerous roadblocks in her way.

Andrea only started training for figure about one year ago, and she never competed until the spring of 2006. She had done some physique activity in the years before, but nothing that gave her a real head start. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Andrea explains, "In high school I fell into the wrong crowd and pretty much wasted those years partying. I met my husband shortly after high school. We partied well together and ending up marrying; that was when I decided to grow up, but, unfortunately, he didn’t. I worked at two jobs to pay the bills and pretty much support his habit. I ended up spending 12 years with a verbally abusive, alcoholic husband. I read recently that it takes abused women an average of seven attempts to leave those relationships; it only took me two."

Obviously, Andrea knew it was time to move on from her marriage, but she was then in her thirties, and the impact of a divorce and the prospect of raising two boys alone would obviously weigh heavily on anyone. Still, she made the move and sums up that decision by matter-of-factly stating, "I left with no self-esteem, but two beautiful boys."

If that wasn’t difficult enough, one of her sons was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and this was something that they had to work on to overcome. At this point in her life, obviously the last thing on Andrea’s mind was to exercise and get into shape. Instead, her real goal was simply to raise her family and turn her living situation around – and she has. "I look back and I am proud of my accomplishments," she says. "And you know what? You’re allowed to be proud of yourself! [My son] has finally overcome [ADHD] and I am very proud of him today. My other son is now a cadet and had the recent honour of escorting those that were laying wreaths at the Remembrance Day parade."

But while Andrea’s family situation improved, her physical condition didn’t follow suit – at least not yet. But, like others, Andrea had realized that she wanted to improve that aspect of her life and she needed to get into shape. Andrea explains, "I’m 5’2" and I was pushing 140 pounds. I had to do something about that! I joined the Dragonboat team at the office four years ago. About three years, ago I started playing volleyball on a women’s league and I took up downhill skiing. Two years ago, I met my wonderful boyfriend John online. Just pure dumb luck, I guess, but I can certainly envision growing old with him – what a gem! Last November, he took me to my first figure show in London, Ontario, and I had already had comments from him and other friends about the changes they were seeing in me as a result of the circuit training routine from the Dragonboat that I was duplicating at home. I knew I could do figure, so I purchased a home gym and started training seriously then. My first show was the figure division of the OPA Stratford Championships held on April 29, 2006 – I placed second in the Short category and second in the over-35 Masters category. I was hooked."

With Andrea now focused on figure, she competed several more times. Her next competition was the regional-level OPA South-Central Championships, placing seventh there, and she followed it up with third place at the IDFA Toronto Classic and fourth place at the OPA Provincial Championships. Then there was the competition that firmed up in her mind that she was on the road to something good – she won the Open division at the IDFA Canadian Classic II on November 4, which also allowed her to turn pro in that organization (the IDFA’s first pro show is schedule for the fall of 2007). Andrea’s win hasn’t caused her to rest on her laurels, though. On November 25 she also competed in the OPA Western Ontario Figure Championships and took first place in the Short category.

Obviously, Andrea’s had a great first year. She went from simply trying out competition to winning two shows in only six months! And in 2007, she plans to compete in many competitions. Furthermore, she’s now also running her own business called Andrea’s Body Solutions. Andrea says succinctly, "I want to make a difference!"

Indeed, I believe Andrea can make a difference; in fact, she already has by making all the changes in her own life to get herself to where she is today. And without a doubt, the experiences she’s had and her positive outlook on life can help other people make changes in their lives too. Overcoming obstacles the way she has can be an inspiration to those who don’t believe they are capable. Andrea explains, "My boyfriend is the most supportive and encouraging person I know. I love him dearly. It’s nice to have the lifestyle in common. But can you believe he actually said that I inspire him!"

...Doug Schneider
das@seriousaboutfitness.com

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