ADELA GARCIA
MS. FITNESS OLYMPIA
2004, 2006, 2007

ADELA GARCIA 2007 Fitness Olympia Champion *Photograph courtesy of Weider Publications

IFBBPRO.com - Where were you born?
Adela - I was born in Cabrera, Dominican Republic, and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico along with my two brothers.

IFBBPRO.com - Where were you educated?
Adela - I attended Francisco Oller Catano High School in Puerto Rico and later, went to Illinois State University.

IFBBPRO.com - Where do your currently live?
Adela - Pflugerville, Texas, USA

IFBBPRO.com - What are your thoughts on career?
Adela - I have a degree in Criminal Justice from the Illinois State University but my passion is fitness. I am a Professional Fitness athlete and Personal Trainer who enjoys helping other women achieve their competitive goals. I also enjoy working with people who simply want to get in shape and change their lifestyle.

IFBBPRO.com - What is your athletic background?
Adela - Actually, I came into the sport of fitness with little athletic background. The only sports I played were volleyball, basketball and softball.

IFBBPRO.com - What inspired you to start physique training?
Adela - I remember looking at photographs in the magazines back in the 90’s and I fell in love with Mia Finnegan’s physique. Her overall body conditioning, particularly her abs, was very impressive. When the National Physique Committee of the USA - the NPC - incorporated Women’s Fitness as a sport discipline, and as more and more inspiring physiques took to the competitive stage, I made the decision to train and to compete in the new sport of fitness.

IFBBPRO.com - What do you remember about your first amateur competition?
Adela - It was a real eye-opener and learning experience. I didn’t know what I was doing. I did my own diet, my own suits, and traveled to North Carolina for the Armed Forces Europa show where I placed second. Most importantly, I met some wonderful people who would later provide the guidance I needed to be a better athlete and competitor.

IFBBPRO.com - How did you feel after your first amateur win?
Adela - Well, my first amateur win was the Short Class and Overall at the 1999 NPC USA Fitness Championships. I went to that contest ready for an IFBB Pro Card. Since, in those days, the top two finalists were being award a pro card, my goal was to place in the top two in my class. I wasn’t expecting to win my class, let alone the overall. I wasn’t even sure if it was possible for me to win a show since I didn’t have a background in gymnastics and it appeared that most of the winners were gymnasts.

ADELA GARCIA 2006 Fitness Olympia Champion *Photograph courtesy of Weider Publications

IFBBPRO.com - What are your thoughts on your Overall win at the 1999 NPC USA Fitness Championships?
Adela - I was on cloud nine. I couldn’t believe that I’d won both my class AND the overall. I knew that I was competing against the best amateurs in the USA. One of the overall winners was Jenny Hendershott. Her routines were amazing and I thought she was going to win. When they called my name, I couldn’t believe it. That moment completely changed the way I saw myself as a competitor. I used to be somewhat intimidated by my competition, but I learned that we have to always strive for more than we think we deserve. That moment changed my life for the better about the way I saw myself as a competitor and as a person.

IFBBPRO.com - What do you remember about your first professional competition?
Adela - My first professional contest was the 2000 Fitness International. It was like a dream come true. I recall being at the show in 1997; sitting in the audience and telling myself that I was going to be on that stage one day and that I was going to meet Arnold. The promoter, Jim Lorimer, was wonderful to the athletes and he still is. Knowing that I was chosen out of hundreds of other applicants to compete on that stage was an honor. I was excited to step on stage with competitors such as Susie Curry, Jenny Worth, Timea Majorova and Mandy Blank … competitors I used to watch and dream about competing against. Such an honor.

IFBBPRO.com - How did you feel after your first professional win?
Adela - I won the New York Pro show in 2002. My first win definately opened doors for me and provided the opportunity to be thought of as a serious contender for bigger titles. I continued making improvements in certain areas. I knew that I needed a better routine to place higher at the Fitness International or Fitness Olympia. I competed in almost every pro show to gain valuable experience and get my name out there.

IFBBPRO.com - What are your thoughts on your 2004 Fitness Olympia win?
Adela - Wow! I feel like crying at this moment. I never thought of myself as being a champion in the first place; nevertheless being an Olympia Champion. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a dancer but we didn’t have the money for classes. I used to dance and do acrobatic’s with my brothers back in the Dominican Republic and that helped me a little bit to be athletic. I never thought of myself as being so accomplished when it came to fitness. I started competing because the girls looked good and I wanted to look like that. I remember standing on stage and they started calling the top six. After Susie Curry retired, Kelly Ryan had always placed second to her, so the assumption was that Kelly was going to win. My name was always mentioned as a top three finalist, but not as the winner. When they called Kelly in third place, Jenny Hendershott and I turned to each other, holding back tears because we knew it was between us. I was numb, nervous, anxious, excited. Oh lord!  When they called Jenny in second place, I was momentarily lost. I couldn’t believe I had just won the Fitness Olympia … that I was the 2004 Fitness Olympia Champion. The little girl from the Dominican Republic had overcome her barriers to be the first Latina to win the Fitness Olympia. I still reminisce about that moment with a great deal of pride. It taught me to believe in my dreams and to work hard to make them become a reality.

ADELA GARCIA 2004 Fitness Olympia Champion *Photograph courtesy of Weider Publications

IFBBPRO.com - What are your thoughts on your 2006 Fitness Olympia win?
Adela - It was a comeback win for me. I had a really bad year in 2005 and placed second at the Fitness International and third at the Fitness Olympia. I was devastated and I couldn’t understand why I went from 1st to 3rd. I was very happy for Jenny Hendershott’s win, but sad for me. I had to sit back and find myself again. In 2005, I got divorced and moved from Illinois to Texas and then to Florida. My mind was not 100% focused on defending my title and it cost me. At first, I was sad and mad at myself but when you fall, you have to get up and come back stronger. That’s what I did after a less than stellar 2005. I used my loss as motivation and trained harder.

IFBBPRO.COM - Your thoughts on your 2007 Fitness Olympia win?
Adela - I learned that it was possible to remain the Champion as long as you’ve worked harder than the competition. If you want to keep that #1 spot, you’ve got to work at least twice as hard as your competition.

IFBBPRO.com - Any disappointments that you care to share?
Adela - Generally speaking, I’m disappointed over what I believe is a lack of recognition in our sport for the female athlete. I’d like to see more fitness athletes in the magazines and a bigger purse at the Olympia.

IFBBPRO.com - How do you handle disappointments?
Adela - That’s simple … I use disappointments like fuel to make things better.

IFBBPRO.com - Do have any training or nutrition (including dieting) tips you wish to share?
Adela - The main thing when trying to achieve goals, specifically fitness, is to be consistent and motivated.  It’s important to set goals, both short- and long-term goals, that are attainable.  It’s important to be patient and to realize that changing your body doesn’t happen overnight.  It’s about a lifestyle change and when you combine a good nutrition and exercise program you’ll obtain the body that you desire.  Nutrition: I eat between 4-6 meals per day consisting of good lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

IFBBPRO.com - What’s your favorite food?
Adela - Dominican and Puerto Rican food, cheesecake, trail mix, cookies, sushi, and all my diet food as well. I really enjoy food.

IFBBPRO.com - What’s your least favorite food?
Adela - Mexican.

IFBBPRO.COM - What’s your favorite movie(s)?
Adela - Nacho Libre, Gladiator, Blades of Glory. Favorite actor(s)? Will Ferrell. Favorite actress(es)? I like them all.

IFBBPRO.com - What’s your favorite TV show(s)?
Adela - Do You Think You Can Dance.

ADELA GARCIA *Photograph by Mike Neveux

IFBBPRO.com - What types of music do you like?
Adela - I love Latin music, but it mainly depends on how I’m feeling. Sometimes I like to listen to some gangster music to get motivation. Favorite song(s)? "Pegate un poco mas" by Ricky Martin.

IFBBPRO.com - Do you have any pet peeves?
Adela - Dirtiness

IFBBPRO.com - Do you play a musical instrument?
Adela - No, but I can pretend to know how to play.

IFBBPRO.com - Do you have a hobby or hobbies?
Adela - I don’t really have a hobby.

IFBBPRO.com - How do you spend your leisure time?
Adela - Watching a good movie at home with my dogs. Spending time with my family talking about old times and laughing.

IFBBPRO.com - What are your short-term goals?
Adela - I’m working on breaking Susie’s [Curry] record and winning the Fitness Olympia five times. It’s a personal goal of mine. Long-term goals? Have a family and be remembered. I really get upset when people don’t know who Susie Curry is in the industry, especially people that become part of the fitness industry. That’s where the recognition is missing for the fitness athlete and somehow I would love to change that.

IFBBPRO.com - What are your thoughts on the IFBB Professional League?
Adela - They continue to make the sport better. I’ve been in the industry for 12 years and I’ve seen how things have changed. Still, I’d like to see more promotion of female athletes. Otherwise, I’m proud to be a member of the IFBB Pro League.

IFBBPRO.com - Do you have any thoughts on competitive fitness – past, present and future?
Adela - In the past, fitness was more popular and competitive. In the present, a lot of competitors still believe they need to be gymnasts to compete in fitness and instead, choose to compete in figure. I feel that competitive fitness is dying. It’s sad for me to say that because I don’t want to see fitness go away. In the future, I see the numbers continuing to drop in fitness and I see figure taking over as an easier route for women to compete.

IFBBPRO.com - Do you have a mentor? Individuals you looked/look up to?
Adela - My mother … if not for her, I most definitely wouldn’t be where I am today. People who supported/support you who you’d like to thank (including sponsors)? I’d like to thank GNC for giving me the opportunity to be part of their team. I have been a sponsored athlete since 2003. I love working with GNC and I’m thankful for the opportunity. I’d also like to thank my managers, Debbie and J.M. Manion, for believing in me, especially for the mental coaching over the years. They’re a huge and absolutely invaluable part of my team, not only as managers but also, like family.

ADELA GARCIA *Photograph by Mike Neveux

I’d like to thank Renzo Coste, the person behind my routines. He does the music and choreography. He’s been great to me. Jagware makes my suits to perfection. We’ve been working together since 2002 and I’ll work with them until I retire. Without my Jan Tana tan, I wouldn’t step onstage. Jan always goes that extra mile to make me look perfect. Without Mike Davies’ training and nutrition guidance, I wouldn’t look the same on the competitive stage. He knows my physique so well that if something is wrong, he can fix it right away. He’s been a mentor to me as well. Sylvia Tremblay designed my routine outfit for the 2007 Fitness Olympia and it is working on my outfit for 2008. When it comes to design, she’ll create exactly what you’re looking for.

IFBBPRO.com - Do you have a life motto or “words to live by”? A philosophy of life?
Adela - To overcome all of my fears and achieve great things.

IFBBPRO.com - What would you like to do when you retire from competitive fitness?
Adela - I’d love to have a family. I’d also love to continue my involvement with the IFBB Pro League and make sure people know about competitive fitness and how fitness can change your life. I’ll also continue promoting O.F.F [Overcome Fitness Fears with Adela], created by Jenny Hendershott. We want to reach out to and touch not only athletes, but anyone in search of a better, more healthy and fit lifestyle. You can get information about our camps by www.adelafitness.com.

IFBBPRO.com - Any final thoughts?
Adela - I’d like to thank the magazines - FLEX, MUSCLE & FITNESS, NPC NEWS, IRONMAN, MD, OXYGEN - for the opportunity to be featured in their pages. My special thanks to the Weiders and Jim Manion for the great job they do to advance professional bodybuilding, fitness and figure. I am a proud Olympia Champion and I’m thankful to be part of the IFBB Professional League. See you soon on the competitive stage.

ADELA GARCIA, 2008 Fitness Olympia Champion with 2008 Ms. Olympia Iris Kyle *Photograph by JM Manion

ADELA GARCIA, 2008 Fitness Olympia Champion with 2008 Figure Olympia Champion Jenny Lynn and 2008 Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler *Photograph by JM Manion

This entry was posted on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 am and is filed under Features.