April 1, 2007

Meet Dionne Sinclair – 39 Years Old, a Mother of Three, and a Newly Crowned IDFA Figure Pro

When I attended the IDFA’s Canadian Classic II show last November, there was one competitor in the figure category whom I noticed right from the start. She had not only a great physique, but the onstage charm and charisma to go with it too. The competitor was Dionne Sinclair, and, following the prejudging, I was pretty sure she was going to win.

However, as those who follow figure know, the judging is highly subjective and final placings are tough to predict. Dionne didn’t win that competition; rather, she ended up in second place. In fact, she placed second at a number of events last year, which is why she nicknamed her 2006 competitive season, "Always a bridesmaid, but never a bride." (The winner of Dionne’s division in the Canadian Classic II was the amazing Andrea Millar, who is 41 years old and also has an interesting story to tell. We profiled Andrea last December.)

Nevertheless, Dionne shouldn’t feel bad. She looked great at the Canadian Classic II, and a second-place finish is still something to be proud of. Besides, placing was good enough to allow Dionne to enter the professional ranks of the IDFA, and it was certainly enough to get her noticed in order to be featured here.

Dionne Sinclair, who is from Ottawa, Canada, has a surprising competitive history – surprising because it’s quite short. In 2005, Dionne attended a local physique-type event with her husband, simply to watch. She was intrigued by the spectacle, and her husband suggested that she should try to compete. That was all it took.

Dionne started weight training at the local Goodlife gym in January 2006, and by April she felt ready to compete. She entered and won the over-35 Masters bodybuilding category at the annual Ottawa Championships. She decided after that event, however, that she wanted to pursue competitive figure rather than bodybuilding – it seemed more her style.

So, in June, Dionne competed in the IDFA’s Toronto Classic. She placed first in the Masters figure category, which, as I mentioned, is for women over 35, and she placed second in the Novice figure category, which is open to women of all ages – impressive! In October, she competed again, but this time with the FAME organization. She placed second in the Open figure category at their Halloween Mayhem event in Hamilton, narrowly missing getting her pro card with that organization. Her next event was, of course, the Canadian Classic II where I first saw her.

Dionne’s accomplishments in figure came swiftly; however, she doesn’t really have a transformation-type story or something similar to tell. Although she only started weight training in January of 2006 in order to develop her physique for that first show, Dionne has always kept herself in shape and has long considered herself to be "athletic." For example, she used to take part in track and field in high school.

Dionne has also always watched what she eats, and she consistently maintains a healthy lifestyle. According to Dionne, "I eat healthy and watch my fat intake all year. I prepare most of my meals at home and there’s not much eating out. As well, being from the Islands, I tend to like fresh foods. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and spices – lots and lots of spices." (When Dionne says "the Islands," she’s referring to her birthplace of Kingston, Jamaica. In fact, Dionne told me, "I was born at Kingston Public hospital, the only member of my family to be born in a hospital. The rest were born at home.")

So, although Dionne doesn’t have a transformation tale, she has made impressive strides in her first competitive year, and there is no doubt that she’s an inspiration to other mothers who are looking to either compete or simply get into great shape. Furthermore, Dionne looks a lot younger than her age. As a matter of fact, when I spoke to her following the prejudging at the Canadian Classic II, I was quite taken aback when she told me that she was 39 – I would have guessed that she was 10 years younger. However, I was even more surprised when she told me that she had three children. What words of encouragement does this 39-year-old mother of three who has a newfound interest in competing have for other mothers her age looking to do the same? Dionne says, "It's never too late to start exercising and eating healthy. If you adopt exercise and nutrition as a way of life, then it becomes part of who you are and what you do. I see so many women my age who look amazing. We are in the best shape of our lives!"

Dionne is proof that regular exercise and healthy eating is a surefire prescription for looking young and feeling great. Furthermore, she has nowhere near finished competing yet. The 2007 competitive year is upon us and Dionne’s anxious to put on her posing suit again. However, she’ll be more cautious with her plans this year. Says Dionne, "I will be competing in FAME in Toronto in June, and I will also be doing the IDFA pro show this November. I will be keeping my options open for other shows to do; however, I will limit the number of competitions I enter. If I am not prepared to go onstage, I will not go."

Even if Dionne is more selective about her stage appearances and doesn’t compete as often, she is still bound to get noticed now and in the future. Dionne has the kind of attractive, healthy, natural look that many women who weight train aspire to. She’s a role model for other women, particularly mothers who want to get into great shape, as well as for her own children, too. Obviously, they’re thrilled to see their mom compete against, and often beat, women nearly half her age!

...Doug Schneider
das@seriousaboutfitness.com

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