2 Women, 2 Life Challenges and the Journey to the OPA Stage

Introducing Team T&E

As some of you may know…my father suffered a massive hemorraghic stroke in early February and died on February 20. It was sudden and unexpected. He had always been in perfect health and was only 69 years old. We were very close so the sudden nature of his death made me start thinking about my own life and what it is that I want to do with my life right now…or, more particularly, what I don’t want to do.

Until now, I was planning to compete in the Toronto Pro Super Show & Ontario Championships (IFBB Pro Figure) on June 17 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre . But after my father died I realized that what really excites me these days is training—I want is to pour all my expertise and energy into helping train another upcoming athlete to compete.

Also, I want share the whole journey with all of you, step by step—give you an insider’s view of what it takes to prepare for this kind of commitment, as well as the secret things you need to know in order to do well.

Exciting or what?!

I was sure excited. But then I realized I had to pick someone to train for the show. Hmm. What to do?

Then the epiphany arrived! *Waauhhhhhh!* (In case you don’t know, that’s me making the sound of angels singing. And, yes, I do that in person. Really.)

Enter Eftihia Ellinas. You can call her “E” for short.

Efthia and I began working together last year.  She competed in her first show in July, which was an International Drug Free Athletics (IDFA) show. She won First and Overall. So she’d already had a taste of competing, and she liked it.

I suggested she consider trying an Ontario Physique Association (OPA) show. It’s a competitive stream and I felt she had what it took to do it and do it well. She entered her first OPA show in November at the London Western Ontario Championships and placed Second in her class. This means she qualified for the provincials, which will take place on June 18, 2011.

But the main reason I chose Eftihia or “E” is because she’s passionate, honest, driven and reliable, and she has faced life challenges many of you may be able to relate to.

Eftihia’s story (in her own words):

How Cancer and a Lousy Boyfriend Inspired Me to Get Fit

When I was living in Whistler, BC, I went to the doctor for my regular check up. A few weeks after my annual exam, the doctor told me that my tests had come back abnormal.

They found cancer cells in my cervix.

I was far from home (Ontario), so I had to go through three operations without any family around me. The first “less invasive” operation was unsuccessful, which meant I had to go back to have the cancer removed.

During this time, I was trying to get out of a dangerous relationship. My ex-boyfriend was an abusive alcoholic. Yep, I was having a hell of time.

I realized I needed to surround myself with support, so I left the abusive guy and got on a plane back to Ontario.

One month later, the Vancouver hospital phoned to tell me that they had not removed all the cancerous tissue. So, I went for operation number four, but this time at least I had my mother by my side. I also took some meds. Around March 2010, I went for my yearly check-up. All tests came back clear. Yay!

Because of the whole cancer and abusive boyfriend thing, I found myself turning away from world—hiding and trying to be invisible. Why? I felt ugly, lonely, sad and powerless…over my own body and life.

But many years back, before I went to B.C., I remembered that I used to love working out, and the gym was where I had always felt the most safe and comfortable.

Enter Tammy as my fitness and wellness coach.

It was so great to see and feel my body change and transform while I was working with Tammy. I decided I didn’t want to be invisible anymore. The thought of competing was still scary and unknown, but I wanted to do it–for myself. I was tired of hiding. It was time for me to step out of the ashes and spread my wings, just like the mythical phoenix bird.

Tammy helped me train for the IDFA show and surprise! I won not only first in my class but I won Overall Novice Figure in July 2010.

With encouragement from Tammy and my new-found confidence, I competed in the OPA qualifier November 2010 and came second in my class. This qualified me for the provincials in June 2011.

So, if you do the math, in just nine short months of training I achieved a first place win, an overall and a second place trophy. What this means to me, is that anyone who is really committed has a good shot at making their dreams happen in this arena if they want to. That includes you.

Other things I learned from this? Tenacity, strength, determination, power, beauty, self-discipline, self-love, a new dream, an ability I never knew I had or wanted, a future, and most important—the value of family. They have stood by me through the hardest moments, supported me through sickness and helped me to achieve my dream.

Enter Team T& E!!

So here’s how it’s going to work.

Tuesdays: Every Tuesday E and I (Tammy) will blog from a coach and client perspective on E’s progress, success, challenges etc. I will provide my coaching insights and guidance but, more important, you will hear from E how she is doing, how she is feeling and what is going on in her life as she goes through this challenging process.

We’re both hoping this will inspire you to decide that now is the time to take a leap yourself. Start that fat loss plan! Prep for a show! Improve your fitness and your life! It doesn’t have to be extreme—any positive changes are great.

Thursdays: Not only will you get to follow along with me (T) and Eftihia (E) but you will be provided with useful information on Thursdays (and perhaps on other random days when I find time) that will help you to be successful on your own quest. I will post recipes, training tips and educational articles.

So come along for the ride! It’s going to be amazing. You’ll even get to watch E physically transform her body—we’ll be posting photos.

Tomorrow (Tuesday): E and I will do photo and measurement updates. We will do this bi-monthly at first. Then, as we get closer to the show, we’ll post photos weekly. I promise nothing will be censored. You’ll get to see the good, the bad and the ugly!

Stay tuned friends. The excitement starts Tuesday March 8, 2011.

Believe to Achieve!

Tammy