IFBB Fitness Pro Sylvia Tremblay has been competing for thirteen years but this year will be her first as an IFBB Pro. Next Friday, she’ll take the Fitness International stage and compete against some of the world’s best fitness competitors during the Arnold Sports Festival. I caught up with the high flying Canadian one week out from her pro debut.
Name: Sylvia Tremblay
From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Years Competing: 13 years
How did you get started in Fitness?
It was 1996 when I saw my very first fitness competition on TV – The Fitness Olympia. I was amazed by the level of athleticism and shape the girls had. At that time we didn’t have fitness competitions here in Quebec but I was still really interested in this sport. In April 1997 I learned that CBBF would have there first fitness competition in Quebec. 6 weeks later I was on stage competing for the first time! I thought it was going to be my one and only show, look what happened!
What made you switch from competing in other organizations to the IFBB?
Good question. I think I was just ready for it. When I started 13 years ago I was competing with CBBF which is the Canadian federation related to IFBB. At that time I was very small shape wise and I didn’t have the muscle maturity that I have now so I decided to take my chance with other organizations. In 2008, I felt I had finally achieved the look they were
looking for so I decided to give it a try. I was also ready for my pro card.
As a past Arnold Amateur champ what advice do you have for the other amateur fitness competitors competing in the Arnold?
Stay focused on your goals and never let anyone tell you that you can’t make it. Believe in yourself and never give up, work, work, work as hard as you can.
What’s your a typical day like for you?
I get up at 6am, do my morning cardio, then I eat and go to my computer to have a look and reply my customer’s e-mails.
All morning I work on creating, designing and sewing suits. In the afternoon I go to the gym for my training and routine practice and get back home for more work that will continue in the evening very often.
I eat every 3 hours and go to bed around 10pm
What can fans expect to see from you on the Arnold stage?
I worked hard to bring my physique to a higher level. I will be leaner and will bring a fuller look.
What is your goal for the show?
People have to know one thing about me and it’s that I’ve always been competitive only against myself and kick my own butt to get better each time I step on stage… But my personal goal this time would be to qualify for the Olympia.
Did you do your own choreography for your routine?
With 12 years of dance background I’m not too bad at creating my own routines and the one I will present at the Arnold, I also choreographed it myself. Over the years I have received some outside help for some parts of my routines and I worked with different choreographers. For example, to build the Flamenco routine I had last year I was helped by a professional
Flamenco dancer.
Any hints as to what your routine will include?
I’m bringing an entertaining and high energy routine. I will do mixture of everything I do best. Of course dance and few gymnastic moves. I love my routine and I can’t wait to show on stage. I hope people will enjoy watching as much as I will have fun doing it.
You mentioned working on suits – will you be wearing a suit you designed?
For sure!
What’s the biggest challenge for a competitor outside the United States?
There are a few challenges but I would say that it’s difficult to keep up with the diet while traveling as we can’t bring all the food we need on the plane. Not everything is allowed across the borders.
Any one you’d like to thank?
There are so many people I would like to thank. First, all my friend and family for their great and constant support. My fiancé Jean-Francois, Christian Maurice and Mike Davis.
Thanks Sylvia and good luck next week!
