Andrea Shaw
3X Ms. Olympia Needs an 11-Win Dynasty!
Interview by Ron Harris
Simply because the Mr. Olympia contest featured a number of males who dominated the occasion for a collection of years, the Ms. Olympia has additionally had just a few ladies that stored an iron grip on the title and created dynasties. Within the Eighties and into the early Nineteen Nineties, Cory Everson earned six Ms. Olympia titles. Her successor Lenda Murray would garner eight, and the winningest Ms. Olympia up to now has been Iris Kyle with a staggering 10 Ms. Olympia wins. The competition was discontinued in 2014 over considerations the ladies had been changing into excessively muscular. When it was resurrected by Jake Wooden and slotted to return in 2020, all of us questioned who would emerge as the brand new champion, and would she be capable of maintain on to the title for a number of years? That lady turned out to be Michigan’s Andrea Shaw, and up to now she has received the Ms. Olympia all three years since its return. Now she is getting ready for what she hopes shall be her fourth win in November in Orlando. I just lately caught up with Andrea to debate her sport plan to ascertain her personal dynasty during which her final aim is to beat the all-time document and win the Ms. Olympia 11 instances.
Wanting again at your contest historical past, you began off in Determine, turned professional in Ladies’s Physique, did just one contest in that division, and positioned second on the 2019 Chicago Professional in your first look in Ladies’s Bodybuilding per week later, then acquired seventh on the Wings of Energy. The Ms. Olympia wouldn’t return till the next 12 months, however do you assume you had been able to win? Might you perhaps have another Olympia title if the present had been held that 12 months?
No, I positively wasn’t prepared but. Bodybuilding was nonetheless new to me. I acquired thrown into it, so to talk. I went from Ladies’s Physique to bodybuilding in a single week, so I needed to shift gears actually fast. Sure, I did get second place, however I used to be nonetheless studying tips on how to be a feminine bodybuilder. I knew I wanted time, however I didn’t need to go up the chance to leap into bodybuilding whereas I used to be already in form and a number of other high champions from that division together with Lenda Murray had inspired me to do it. The Rising Phoenix was the equal of the Ms. Olympia at the moment, and I knew that having positioned second on the Chicago Professional put me in a great place to throw my hat within the ring and see how I might do.
You bought beat by six ladies at that 2019 Rising Phoenix, however not one in all them has overwhelmed you since then, appropriate?
Appropriate.
The present document of Ms. Olympia titles is held by Iris Kyle at 10, and Lenda Murray has eight wins. You by no means acquired the possibility to compete in opposition to both one. Who do you want you had, and at your finest, do you assume you’d beat both or each of them at their finest?
That may be a name for the judges to make, as a result of all three of us have such totally different seems to be. Lenda was extra streamlined, whereas Iris introduced intense, loopy conditioning. I really feel like I’ve slightly extra mass than both of them. I can assure you I might make high three!
For those who might have competed in any period of ladies’s bodybuilding apart from the present one, is there a bunch of ladies you’d have liked to have competed with?
Sure, I liked that period within the final couple of years earlier than they did away with the Ms. Olympia, 2012 to 2014. Iris and Alina Popa had been superb again then. I competed in opposition to Yaxeni Oriquen in 2020, nevertheless it wasn’t the identical Yaxeni from years previous. I’ve watched movies from these years many instances. The ladies had a whole lot of enjoyable up there and you would sense the camaraderie. I additionally would have preferred to have competed with them on the Ms. Worldwide, which was the opposite massive present in ladies’s bodybuilding for a few years. Iris and Yaxeni each received that present many instances. (Notice: Iris Kyle received the Ms. Worldwide seven instances, whereas Yaxeni Oriquen earned 5 titles.)
You’re the first Ms. Olympia champion because the present returned in 2020 after being gone for 5 years. Because the ambassador of the title, does it hassle you that the occasion wasn’t held for half a decade?
A bit of bit, solely as a result of I felt a whole lot of strain going into my first Ms. Olympia in 2020. At that time, lots of people had been questioning who would take the lead when it comes to the usual for ladies’s bodybuilding in spite of everything these years away? I acquired so labored up about that towards the tip I used to be doing extreme quantities of cardio to ensure my conditioning was the very best it might presumably be. The day earlier than I flew out to Phoenix for that 12 months’s Rising Phoenix, I used to be up till 2:00 a.m. doing cardio. I used to be so exhausted that I nearly acquired right into a automobile accident driving to my coach’s home. I in all probability ought to have chilled out, however I felt a lot strain as a result of the Olympia was again and there was no defending champion. The title was vast open, and the very best lady would win. I actually needed to be that lady! You would possibly recall that Iris Kyle was there in 2020 and was presupposed to compete however acquired very sick on the final minute and needed to go to the hospital. I actually needed her to compete as a result of clearly she’s a legend, however well being has to return first.
You’ve received two titles in Orlando and one in Las Vegas. If the Olympia was going to be in a type of cities for the remainder of your profession, which one would you decide?
I get requested that quite a bit, and I’m torn on this one! I actually like Orlando. I’m not a gambler, so there’s not a lot I can do in Vegas except for competing. Tim Gardner is an effective buddy of mine, and he runs the Olympia Expo. I do know we are able to get much more our bodies into the expo within the Las Vegas location. I additionally liked that stage on the Planet Hollywood on the Zappos Theater. It was a real theater stage that I felt match the large scope of the Olympia completely.
The Rising Phoenix present is 5 weeks out from the Ms. Olympia this 12 months. Is it often nearer to the Olympia or farther aside?
The primary 12 months I received it, it was solely 11 or 12 days away, however since then it’s been 5 – 6 weeks earlier than the Olympia. No strain! I used to be on a excessive from successful, however I used to be nonetheless nervous as a result of it was my first Ms. Olympia and the primary one which had been held in six years. I like having it 5 weeks earlier than. I get slightly break. For 3 days after the present I’ll nonetheless prepare, however I’ll eat extra liberally earlier than I leap again on the food regimen. However I by no means cease the coaching or the cardio. I can even take a mini trip to reset, which has labored out nicely these final three years. I went to Tampa final 12 months, and upstate Michigan the 12 months earlier than. I like that. It lets me decompress, refocus, and get my head again into it. It additionally lets me refine just a few issues earlier than I get on the Olympia stage.
Do you peak 100% for the Rising Phoenix, or save one thing for the O?
The aim is at all times to peak for each. 5 weeks is an ideal period of time to have the ability to do a very good depletion and cargo once more.
In that facet it’s higher that the Rising Phoenix isn’t per week or two earlier than, as a result of a whole lot of rivals discover it laborious to peak once more so quickly since there may be often a rebound after peaking.
Precisely. It’s golden!
Have you learnt what kind of automobile the Rising Phoenix present is giving the winner this 12 months?
I don’t. But when I might make a request, I might love a Mustang. I’m a Chevy woman, however I’m curious to see the bells and whistles on the Mustang.
Which automobiles have you ever received up to now?
Final 12 months I received a Chevy Silverado Excessive Nation, which I didn’t assume I would love. Now I like that truck and I’m not eliminating it, I received a C8 Corvette in 2021, and a Camaro ZL1 in 2020. I offered the Camaro. I want an even bigger home with a three- or four-car storage!
Proper now, the 2 most dominant Olympia champs are Cydney Gillon in Determine with six wins and Chris Bumstead with 4 Traditional Physique Olympia titles. You advised me in our final interview that your final aim is 11 Ms. Olympia titles for the all-time document. I think about it may very well be intimidating desirous about having to beat each different high feminine bodybuilder on this planet eight extra instances. Do you strive to consider it when it comes to taking it one 12 months and one win at a time?
I’ve to remain in a very good psychological house with it. I additionally want to stay injury-free. These are the 2 keys to longevity on this sport. So long as I nonetheless have that fireside and keenness to go after it, I do know I can do it. Contest preps take quite a bit. They’re very time-consuming with the quantity of hours you spend coaching, doing cardio, getting ready your meals, working towards your posing, and all whereas touring. For the final two years, I’ve traveled most weekends up till 4 weeks out from the Olympia. That’s not best, however I’ve been capable of navigate my approach by means of it. This 12 months I’m going to dial it again and never journey so near the present. However yeah, I actually do need 11 Ms. Olympia titles. I imply, why not? Proper now, I’m taking it one 12 months at a time, and let’s pray that I get there.
You talked about staying injury-free. Guys are sometimes tearing pecs, biceps, and quads. What do you attribute your standing as being injury-free to? You’ve by no means had a significant damage, but you could have three Olympia titles, appropriate?
Appropriate. I be sure that at a sure level within the prep, round eight weeks out, I’ll solely carry reasonably heavy. No extra heavy weights. Reps are the place it’s at. I would do 30 reps per set for higher physique. For decrease physique, it may very well be 50, 60, 70 reps. It seems like quite a bit, nevertheless it actually helps dial me in. Achieved correctly and utilizing supersets at instances as nicely, it additionally provides in slightly extra of the cardio factor to your coaching. I attempt to hold a very good tempo and be out of the fitness center in 45 minutes. I’m not in there for hours simply hammering away. It’s a matter of creating certain you’re environment friendly along with your time, and that your restoration matches your depth in relation to coaching. I get physique work completed fairly often, and it’s not simply therapeutic massage. The individual that I take advantage of goes into Graston Method, cupping, myofascial launch, and numerous different methods to assist restoration. That’s a key part for me as a result of I want that fascia to be unfastened. I’ll do that thrice per week for 3 to 4 hours at a time. At instances I go to sleep throughout the session, however by no means after they’re utilizing these Graston instruments to get in there. These aren’t enjoyable massages. There’s a function to them. Generally it’s simply on one physique half, like legs as an example. With three leg days per week, that’s a should. I attempt to get these completed on the times I prepare legs. Just lately I additionally employed an organization that can do passive stretching for me thrice per week for half-hour every. Consideration to restoration is simply as necessary, or perhaps much more necessary than what you do within the fitness center.
I need to take a minute and provides some recognition to Mutant, your sponsor. When I attempt to bear in mind the final time I noticed a feminine bodybuilder with a strong complement contract and showing of their adverts, I need to say it was nicely over 20 years in the past. They proudly and prominently characteristic you. Do you assume that took some guts on their half, as a result of they may have simply as simply used a Bikini or Wellness professional, however they selected to have the very best feminine bodybuilder on the planet representing their model.
At one level, I believed the times of feminine bodybuilders getting good complement contracts with high manufacturers had been lengthy gone. I used to be hopeful, however I additionally knew that being essentially the most muscular of the ladies’s divisions, it wasn’t seemingly. However with Mutant, I really feel like they went with somebody who stood out and who would signify the corporate nicely. After assembly the proprietor, Jim, who’s an incredible man, it solidified my choice that I didn’t simply need to work for them, I needed to work with them in the long run. Mutant is extra like a household than an organization. I might name any of them up proper now if I wanted something. They took a danger with me, however they’d been watching me for some time. They needed to see how I dealt with myself in individual and on social media. They acknowledged a excessive degree of integrity in me, and I noticed that in Mutant as nicely. Shawn Ray additionally performed a job in bringing me on board.
Are you able to give me your high three favourite Mutant merchandise?
Their EAAs and magnesium are go-to restoration dietary supplements for me. GEAAR is cool as a result of it’s additionally acquired arginine which boosts the absorption of the important aminos. Meal consistency can also be tremendous necessary for bodybuilding so I’m an enormous fan of FLEX FOOD, which is a whole meal prepared each time I want it.
I’m curious, you haven’t been overwhelmed since 2019 and it’s laborious to search out flaws in your physique. What points of your physique are you continue to making an attempt to enhance on, and what adjustments if any have you ever made to your coaching to make these occur?
My legs are nonetheless the world that I really feel want essentially the most enchancment. I additionally concentrate on abs, as I believe any good competitor would agree your midsection can by no means be too good. The tighter you can also make your waistline, the higher your total physique will look. However I do put a whole lot of work into my legs; the quads, glutes, hamstrings. Usually I might solely do three leg days per week whereas I used to be in prep. This final low season, which I want to name “enchancment season,” I did that each one 12 months spherical. I toggle forwards and backwards between totally different variations of leg presses and lunges. I don’t squat a lot anymore. My coach, IFBB Professional John Simmons, feels I’ve sufficient mass in my decrease physique and don’t want any extra. We do every kind of leg presses: vertical, 35-degree, and horizontal. For lunges we do curtsy lunges, strolling lunges, single leg, elevated, and aspect lunges. We fluctuate it as a lot as potential to maintain my physique guessing.
I’m assuming you do these leg exercises each different day?
Yeah, that’s usually what I do. I prepare six days per week though I want seven. I did that for therefore lengthy that it feels bizarre to take a time without work, however my coach tries to get me to do this. I begin my time without work very early with my exercises. I’m up between 3:30 and 4:30 and on the fitness center by 5 or 5:30 a.m. I do all my errands and different work later. I additionally love the truth that the fitness center is empty and quiet at the moment with no distractions. I by no means have to attend for somebody to take a selfie or movie their set on any tools I need to use. I get in, do the work, and get out.
That’s all I’ve for you as we speak, Andrea. You’re on observe to win one other Rising Phoenix and one other Ms. Olympia. With all due respect to your fellow rivals, I don’t see you being overwhelmed any time quickly.
Thanks a lot, Ron.
@mutantnation code ANDREAS20
Website online: www.msolympiaandreashaw.com
‘Mutant is extra like a household than an organization. I might name any of them up proper now if I wanted something. They acknowledged a excessive degree of integrity in me, and I noticed that in Mutant as nicely. Shawn Ray additionally performed a job in bringing me on board.’ -3X Ms. Olympia Andrea Shaw
Contest Historical past
2018 NPC Nationals – Physique C Class, Second Place
2019 Toronto Professional – 11th Place, Physique
2019 Chicago Professional – Second, Bodybuilding
2019 Rising Phoenix – Seventh, Bodybuilding
2020 Omaha Professional – Bodybuilding Winner
2020 Rising Phoenix – Bodybuilding Winner
2020 Ms. Olympia – Winner
2021 Rising Phoenix – Bodybuilding Winner
2021 Ms. Olympia – Winner
2022 Rising Phoenix – Bodybuilding Winner
2022 Ms. Olympia – Winner
Ron Harris acquired his begin within the bodybuilding trade throughout the eight years he labored in Los Angeles as Affiliate Producer for ESPN’s “American Muscle Journal” present within the Nineteen Nineties. Since 1992 he has revealed practically 5,000 articles in bodybuilding and health magazines, making him essentially the most prolific bodybuilding author ever. Ron has been coaching because the age of 14 and competing as a bodybuilder since 1989. He lives along with his spouse and two youngsters within the Boston space. Fb Instagram
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