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This month we would like to welcome Canadian Fitness Champion Allison Ethier. She has appeared in most fitness magazines including Oxygen and Musclemag. Allison continues to build her fitness resume with recent top finishes at the Fitness America Pageant, Fame Pro Fitness Championships and the Fitness Universe Pageant. With over 30 competitions under her belt, Allison continues with her career as a high school math teacher. You heard it right. She has a full time job teaching high school math in the Eastern Townships in Quebec, Canada. Allison also finds time to balance her career and her favorite sport with being a mom and wife. Find out how she does it as OSXFitness.com is proud to welcome Allison Ethier. TBM: To start things off, why don't you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little about your self. Allison: Welcome to my Profile. I am fitness competitor of 8 years, a high school math teacher, mother, wife (sorry taken), soon to be trainer, and Slimquick sponsored athlete. I have been involved in gymnastics, then discovered a love for cheerleading, and then when that ended, knew that fitness was the next competitive step for me. Finding the balance, between work, home and competing is tough, but somehow I have made it work.
Allison: Very active. Always outside, running around, playing with friends, socializing. I loved being a kid. I had participated in various sports, but always had a passion for gymnastics, so that is where I got my start with being athletic, and strong. Gymnastics can be a very disciplined life, and when I hit junior high, I realized I liked hanging out with my friends too much, and switched over to cheerleading. Still an athletic sport, now there was a 'spotlight' component, where you have to engage the crowd. Loved the adrenaline rush that went along with that performance, so I continued with cheerleading throughout my university career. Eventually that had to come to an end, and that is when I discovered fitness.
TBM: What were the reasons that you began training? Allison: When my cheerleading ended, and I transferred schools, I had gained weight and the idea of training in order to maintain my weight was not appealing or motivating. I knew that fitness was something that I wanted to try, and without many resources, I registered for a show, trained, did my own diet, and won. There was only 2 girls in the show ( myself and the other competitor) but it set the stage for future shows. I was instantly hooked.
Allison: My very first show. Loved every minute of it. The training was tough, but the day of, made all the work worth it.
Allison: My mother was a little leary at first, as she thought that I was not eating enough. When the weight comes off, it can be a little disconcerning for a parent. However, now she sees the volume of food that I eat, and often asks why I do certain things, so that she may adapt it to her lifestyle. My close friends, were always supportive, and would make jokes about my diet and such, but when they say the final product or came to a show they were impressed. My husband is always supportive, but I do negotiate which shows I will be doing as it is not always fair to be so self-absorbed. This sport can be very selfish, and you have to give and take. Many relationships do not last because of it.
Allison: Probably over 30 shows, but I have not really counted. Each show is another chance to improve, and once I feel that I have stopped improving then it will be time to find another sport to occupy my time. Placings....some highlights... 2005 Fitness Universe Pageant - 2nd runner-up, 1st in routine
Allison: 1. Have moral support system at home. Even if it is just one person. You need someone to pick you up and push you forward on those days you just don't want to. 2. Watch a show, and talk to competitors. They will be helpful (not all but most), and give you the resources, and a perspective on the competition experience. It does cost money to compete. 3. Give yourself plenty of time. Read everything, and plan a year in advance to compete for the first time so that you have time to work on your physique, figure out what to do with your diet, and all the other aspects, such as swimsuit selection, the walk, your hair, tanning, presentation, if you are doing a routine, the costume, expenses, what is your budget? So many things to consider that you should give time to learn, and then adapt as the show draws closer. It is better to have too much time than not enough.
Allison: I think girls over 18 for the figure division, as it deals more with the presentation of the body, however, if they are younger I see no problem competing in the fitness round only - no swimsuit. Being fit, and athletic should not have an age requirement.
Allison: The judging. It is too subjective. We need more objective criteria.
Allison: Oxygen, Muscle and Fitness Hers, Musclemag, Natural Muscle, WNSO Fitness Mag, and Max Muscle.
Allison: Very. They always ask when I return, "How did you do? Did you win?" They are really uninterested in anything else but first place. Although I try to keep the conversation about me to a minimum as teenagers will do anything to get off the topic they are supposed to be learning about.
Allison: All the time. But they don't always take my advice.
Allison: Completely untrue. If anything stop killing yourself with cardio, and hit the weights. Much more effectively and you will actually spend less time in the gym.
Allison: Not yet. I don't know if my schedule allows for it. After working all day, and then taking care of my son and having some time with my husband, it is hard to find the time. However, I am looking into starting personal training for my students and maybe fellow teachers in my school. I feel certification is necessary in order to be credible.
Allison: Yes, injury. And the impact that they gymnastics takes on my body. It is hard to make a routine up year after year, and top what I did last year. When I cannot do that I know it will be time to move on. The judges (unfortunately) look for improvement and compare you to what you did last time. It is hard as basically not only am I trying to beat everyone else, but myself as well.
TBM: Would you ever consider moving to the figure division? It is a little less taxing on the joints. Allison: Exactly. I do take each year and see which divisions I would like to compete. Some organizations do allow for cross overs at the same shows while others don't. It is a great way to compete without the routine, but nothing beats the intensity and crowd reaction to a good routine. I would miss fitness terribly for that reason.
Allison: You ask the million dollar question. I have not decided on my competitions yet, as there are so many that I want to compete in. I did make a list and there are 18 shows that I would like to do. Obviously I cannot do that many so I will have to try to limit myself between 5-7 shows for the year. I want to compete a lot this year, and perhaps next as I know that I may not have that many shows (or years) in me to compete. Plus I am getting older, and do want to have another child ;)
TBM: Can we expect to see you in the states any time soon? Allison: Sure. I will be going to the Arnold Classic to watch friends compete, and visit with the 'girls'. Love the fact that I am not competing and am able to sit back and absorb the atmosphere.
Allison: They can contact me at contactallison@yahoo.ca or through my website at www.allisonethier.com and I do have a MySpace Page - www.myspace.com/allisonethier I do take a few days to get back to everyone, but I try to answer all my emails.
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