Allison Ethier: Math teacher and Mommy!

Posted by admin on March 30, 2009

Allison Ethier is bodybuilding.com’s newest spokesmodel. Not only is she a seasoned athlete and national winner, but she is a mother and a math teacher.

Here is an awesome, up close interview with our Fitness Role Model of the month.

1. How old were you when you first started competing?
20 years of age.

2. Who was your role model then?
No one really, I did not know the girls names. Now I know all the competitors names and although I don’t have one favorite, there are characteristics of each that I admire.

3. How did winning both the Fitness Canada and America titles feel?
Justification for all my previous year’s of hard work. It was a long time coming and many hours in gym.

- Did you sense that was your year? Did you prepare differently?
I finally believed that I was worth the success that would come with the win of the shows. I had always known I was a contender but never thought that I was worth it and would self-sabotages myself when the time came to perform. This year was a turning point in my self esteem to believe I was worth the effort.

4. How did you meet your husband? Do you guys workout together?
I workout at 4:30 am he is not interested in joining me then. He plays golf and that is pretty much his exercise routine. With a sport like this being selfish at times is part of the preparation, and one ego in the house is enough. We met in high school – so we are high school sweethearts. I have known him for over 16 years, even though we only got married 3 years ago.

5. How old is your baby and what was your secret to losing your body weight before nationals? Do you want any more kids?
Definitely want more kids. My little guy is 21 months. Times flies. Secret – breastfeeding, and eating well. After taking almost 2 years off, returning to the gym I had a renewed sense of motivation.

6. What is your favorite motivational quote?
To have what you’ve never had you must do what you’ve never done – Theodore Roosevelt.

7. What inspires you to train hard?
The hope that I will become an IFBB pro fitness competitor – this is my next goal.

8. What is your favorite ‘cheat food’? Are you very strict on your diet?
I guess that would be a tough question to answer. I do eat well all the time as I am so busy as I think to myself why ‘waste’ the calories on something that I don’t have time to sit down and truly enjoy. I do enjoy all kinds of breads and cheeses, but before a show a cheat meal for me is an egg salad sandwich, and maybe some yogurt. I really don’t cheat as I know the food will always be there tomorrow.

9. What is your favorite body part? How do you train that body part?
It used to be shoulders, but now it is back.
I like to train really heavy as I need to build up some size.

10. Favorite color?
Green.

11. Favorite song to listen to when getting ready for the gym.
In the morning in is silence, or talk radio. Then as I warm up then I get into the hip/hop rap stuff.

12. Favorite fitness friend/competitor (whom you are closest to)
I have too many. I stay in touch with many girls – I cannot simply name just one.

13. What is your favorite color to wear to the gym?
None really. Just something warm, right now it is winter, and I am cold all the time. Getting into a cold car, brrrrrr, there is nothing fun in that.

14. What exercise works best for you? Training one muscle/day?
Circuit Training? Push/Pull?
I use a variety as I get bored. I do work one muscle group per 4 days, and then have a day off and repeat. I do have to work my routine practice in there as well, and make sure that I do not overtrain.
Full body, push/pull or even upper/lower body have worked well for me.

15. What is the question most asked?
People hear that I am from Canada – and they want to hear me say, ‘about’.

16. When are you competing again?
End of Feb at the Arnold Amateur in the fitness division. (she JUST WON!!)

17. Who are you sponsored by? What supplements do you use?
Slimquick Extreme - I use only this female fat burner, and a whey protein.

18. What is ONE big myth in the fitness industry?
That you will compete in a show, and get ‘discovered’

19. How long have you been a math teacher? Do you inspire the kids and faculty to be in shape? Have you hosted any programs in your local area?
I have been teaching for 7 years. I like the different lifestyles, as fitness is for me and my personal development and teaching is my professional life. My schedule is quite heavy and really don’t have time to do much else, after training, school preparations, meeting, having a home life, and maybe some time for myself. Fitness is only my hobby but a full time one.
Everyone here (students and staff) know what I do, and are welcomed to ask questions, but I although I would like to do more with my staff and my students, there are simply not enough hours in the day.

20. What do you enjoy doing to wind down your day?
Watch TV, or read before bed. Oh..how do I love getting into bed at night.

21. What is your favorite television show?
Cheesy but America’s Next Top model or Funniest home videos – I like to laugh.

22. How many calories do you eat per day?
Dieting phase – around 1400-1600 – off season maybe around 2200? I am very busy and need to think. The no carb diet is not for me.

23. Do you write down everything you eat?
Yes, for preparations for a show. I need to know what helps me lose the weight and what slows me down. Off season I just think that if I eat some thing bad today, I probably should not eat that much tomorrow. Day on day off kinda mentality.

24. What is your five year plan?
IFBB Pro Fitness card, another baby, and maybe a change in professions. Teaching is wonderful, but I feel I could be doing more. There are some changes that are happening that I am not happy about, and this might be a good time to follow what makes me….very happy….and that is fitness and all things related.

ae1 At the Arnold Classic in 2008