Spotlight On IFBB Womens Physique Pro: Andrea Holliday

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Published on Friday, 12 July 2013 16:02

Written by Andrea Holliday

Spotlight On IFBB Womens Physique Pro: Andrea Holliday

Category you compete in: IFBB Womens Physique

Date of birth: 04/16/78

Hometown: Gardendale, Alabama

Career: Owner of Holliday Muscle and Fitness, Personal Trainer, Contest Prep Coach, Published Fitness Model, Affiliate for Six Pack Bags and Muscle Egg

Competition history: 

2008 Clash at the Capston, Figure, Class B, 2nd Place

2008 NPC AL State, Figure, Class D, 1st Place

2009 Nationals, Figure, Class F, 4th Place

2010 North American, Figure, Class F, 3rd Place

2010 Nationals, Figure, Class F, No place

2011 Rest Year

2012 Atlantic Championships, Figure, Class D, 1st Place

2012 Junior USA, Figure, Class F, 7th Place

2012 Southeastern Golds Classis, WPD, 1st Place

2012 Team Universe, WPD, Pro Card, 3rd Place

2013 Chicago Pro Debut, IFBB Womens Physique, 5th Place

Next competition: 2013 Tampa Pro

In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal?

Motivation and confidence is SO very important when it comes to accomplishing what you want out of life. You have to believe in yourself, you have to believe that nothing is greater or stronger than your own will power to want and achieve something. You have to have confidence in your own abilities that you can get the job done! It’s called….Not giving up!!!

In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top? 

This is a unique question I’ve never been asked before. It does take lots of HARD WORK, and yes, genetics play a huge factor into reaching the top. However, let me say this, no one person is PERFECT. We ALL have our individual flaws and areas that need improvement. That’s what off season is for! :) To work on these areas and improve for the next year. I remember when I first started competing back in 2008, my then trainer, Greg Hasberry, would tell me “Girl, we gotta work on them shoulders”. LOL! I had NONE. Now, I get asked on a daily basis…”How do I get those shoulders of yours”? It’s a matter of getting your head right and realizing that you CAN accomplish anything, if you work hard and set your mind to it!

What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you? 

Some motivational strategies that have worked for me is finding other women that inspire and motivate me…and following their journey. Whether it be through their personal website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, magazines, etc. Social media is a fabulous thing, yes? I think that in order to succeed in this industry, you have to have the drive in your blood. Sure, everyone has days where they feel tired, defeated and hungry! LOL! But I’ve never had a problem making myself go to the gym. I’ve been training since I was 15 years old and I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I wasn’t lifting. The hunger and drive is there, so I find myself wanting to encourage and uplift others when I’m in the gym. I get asked a lot of questions during my training sessions, so I take that time to encourage others and let them know THEIR dreams CAN come true too! 

Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve?

After not placing at Nationals in 2010, where I had come off a 3rd place finish at the 2010 North Americans, my confidence was shot. I looked to family and friends to uplift me. Some were there, some were not. But I got through it. It was rough and I had to take a step back and re-evaluate why I was competing to begin with. I chose to take 2011 off from competing to see if I was TRULY passionate about the sport and to see where my heart was. That time off was good for me. I felt a healing take place that I desperately needed. I didn’t feel very confident going into the JR USA in 2012, but placed well, despite me not being too sure of myself. You must always believe that you are “good enough”!!! :)

What do you find the most challenging about competing?

The biggest challenge I have with competing is prep (leg day and cardio). I have really bad feet, from 10 years as a ballerina, and developed a condition called Morton’s Neuroma in my left foot at the age of 13. After working with a coach that had me running twice a day, for 6 days a week, I developed Plantar Fasciitis in both feet, which let to Achilles Tendinitis. I was adamant on doing what my coach said to do…so I just kept running, in spite of me knowing better. I love doing cardio, but unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult for me to even ride a bike anymore. Hard lesson learned. But I’m wiser and able to help others because of my injuries. Now I know “what not to do”. 

When I first began competing, I would look at other competitors and think “I wasn’t good enough”. Then I realized that I am my own competition. It’s simply a matter of being better than I was the last time I stepped on stage and improving with every show. 

What are your top 5 key strategies for success?

My top strategies for success are:

1. Balance: When I first started competing, I would stay at the gym and be totally focused on food prep, eating on time, training and cardio. As I’ve become a more experienced competitor, I’ve found that balance is so important. My family and friends support me and making time for them has become a huge priority for me. 

2. A Strong Mind/Will Power: This is very important and is something I teach my clients. Your mind controls everything. When I find myself craving something, I picture myself standing on stage. Is that snack worth it? Negative! When I’m tired and don’t think I can do another rep, I picture myself being on that stage, flexing for the judges. You can control anything if you can control yourself.

3. Confidence: You must believe in yourself and in your own abilities! Set a goal for yourself and have confidence that you CAN achieve it! Practice, practice, practice!!! I cannot say it enough! Know your routine and posing so well that you don’t even have to think about what you are doing on that stage. If you do this, your confidence WILL show!!!

4. Loving Heart: Life is way too short to live an unhappy life. I don’t look at other as my competition. I look at them through loving eyes…as a human, who has feelings and emotions. For they are not my competition, I am. I’ve found so many wonderful people in this industry and I’m so grateful for their friendship. That is more important than a placing or trophy any day of the week!

5. Gratitude: I am grateful for many things. My family, friends, my health. Being on stage is an honor, not everyone gets to do these things. So be grateful for your health and the ones around you that support you and help make your dreams a reality! Choose to be a happy person! Look for the good in people! I promise, when you change the way you look at the world, the world will look at YOU differently. 

What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it?

My favorite protein powder is Species Isolyze. I like it because it taste amazing and it is digested easily. It has zero fat and zero carbs in it. I would definitely recommend the vanilla peanut butter! It’s different than other proteins powders because it’s cold filtration system that separates the whey protein without damaging it. You get the maximum results! Amazing huh? 

Favorite Inspirational Quote: 

If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you. 

~T. Alan Armstrong

In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to?

I want to give a shout out and tremendous THANK YOU to my man….Stephen. His love, support and encouragement has made a tremendous impact on my career. Thank you love! 

I want to give a *very special* thank you to my mentor and posing coach, Debbie Bramwell…as well as Chris Carter. They have gone above and beyond to help and support me and I am truly honored to be a part of their lives! Without them, I’d be lost! They are some of the most positive and best people I know, and I owe so much of my success to them. 

I’d also like to thank my family for their support. As well as my sponsor, LightWeight Athletics! Thank you to the entire state of Alabama…all the promoters here and judges that have stood behind me and rooted me on….Morris Pruett, Ron Wedgeworth, Michelle Wedgeworth, Chris Caudy, Cindy Caudy, Stacey Seals, Melonie Seals, Chris Carter, Holly Carter, Greg Hasberry….Your support means so much! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!!!

Special thanks to all my friends, fans and clients for their support! You know who you are!! :) Amanda Springer, you ROCK!!! 

www.hollidaymuscle.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holliday-Muscle-and-Fitness/167293149971758

https://twitter.com/HollidayMUSCLE

http://instagram.com/andreahollidayifbbpro

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