Fitness Model Interview:Allison Ethier |
The Interview: 1. What's your background? How did you get started in the fitness industry? I have participated in gymnastics and cheerleading throughout my junior/high/university years and continued to be athletic through these sports. When university ended, there is little for an ex-gymnast/cheerleader/dancer to participate in and one day I saw a competition on TV and thought to myself, "that is something I would like to try". After about a year, I decided to research it a bit and then entered a local competition for fitness. There was myself and another girl competing. The results ended up being published in Musclemag in Gary Bartlett's - Canadian Corner. I was hooked.I have participated in gymnastics and cheerleading throughout my junior/high/university years and continued to be athletic through these sports. When university ended, there is little for an ex-gymnast/cheerleader/dancer to participate in and one day I saw a competition on TV and thought to myself, "that is something I would like to try". 2. What do you feel is your biggest fitness-related accomplishment? So far, my biggest accomplishment would have been contacting Oxygen and getting my first layout in their magazine. It was April 2002 Issue. I am sure my previous competition experience helped open the door for me, but it was doing all by myself that makes me the most proud. 3. Is fitness modeling/competition your full-time job? If not, what else do you do? Fitness is not my first priority right now. I am a teacher and at least this year, it will be taking priority. I have to make sure my students are being taken care of before I plan anything for fitness. This year at FAP Nationals 2002 I did not perform as well as I am capable of as teaching is my first profession. Some girls only do fitness, I am a regular person that just happens to perform with fitness. My time management is what keeps things afloat. I do also have my own website. I love answering questions that women have about training and dieting. It is www.allisonethier.com. Though it is tough to always get back to them in a regular period of time, I do eventually get to all of them. 4. What are your immediate and long-term goals? My immediate goal is to place among the top 5 at the Fitness Universe and win the Fitness Canada this year. I will be doing a few shows leading up to these to help work out the rough spots in my new routine. I will also be practicing the swimsuit round this time. I don't normally but this is my weakness and I must work on it in order to improve. 5. Please describe a typical day for you. What is your daily routine like? A typical day is working out at 5:30am, come home, get dressed, eat and go to school by 7:30. I plan my meals ahead of time so eating is not an issue. I teach until 3:30. After that it depends. Usually more planning for the next day and if I am training for a show, it is back to the gym for another hour or so. Supper is at 6:30pm and I am usually in bed by 8:30pm/9pm. 6. Please describe your normal diet. How do you eat to stay in shape? A normal diet for me consists of about 1500-1600 Calories/day. I eat 5 meals a day every 2-2.5 hours. I eat a diet strong in protein, some carbs - the first 3 meals and try to limit them after 3pm. I do eat junk food whenever if I am not training for a show and if I am everything is pretty clean, natural and measured. I do eat pizza once a week up to 3 weeks out from my show. A girl has to look forward to something. 7. What is your training routine like? I do a 5 day split training program. I work each bodypart once within these 5 days with the 5th day being cardio/rest. I do shoulders, biceps/triceps/chest, back/ and a day of glutes. I do 15 reps/3 sets and at least 3-5 exercises depending on the bodypart. I do at least 30-45 mins of cardio everyday with a second cardio session when training for a show. I also practice my routine every second day, 3X/week for at least an hour. 8. What supplements do you use? I only use protein powder and maybe the odd protein bar. I find in order to get enough protein the shakes with water are a great way to supplement your diet. I use a protein powder than is low in carbs. You don't need any extra sugars especially when training for a show. 9. How do you motivate yourself to get/stay in shape? I always listen to my walkman. Some days are tough, as my students really gave me a challenging day - I teach grades 9 and 10 math. I find that releasing myself with music really makes the rest of my day enjoyable. I am also more pleasant to be around when I come home at night. 10. If someone you knew asked you how to lose weight and get into shape quickly, what would you tell them? The easier thing I can recommend is start getting yourself into the gym and on a proper weight training and cardio program. People always try to eat healthy and this does not work. Start with getting your body moving first, then once this is established, you are more likely to want to eat healthy rather than going cold turkey. 11. Is there anything else you'd like to say? Most recently I did not do as well as people expected at the FAP Nationals. I don't want people to think that I am disappointed about this, because I am not even close to being disappointed. I did as well as I could under the circumstance this year, and I don't want anyone to count me out as a competitor and potential champion. I am still young and I am only 26. Most girls or women only excel when they hit their 30s. I do have while and I don't want anyone to count me out. I have only begun.
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