Erin Stern Not Competing at the Olympia
IFBB pro and two-time Figure Olympia winner Erin Stern speaks exclusively to Oxygen about her decision not to compete in the 2014 Figure Olympia.
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Erin Stern announced exclusively to Oxygen Magazine that she won’t compete in the 2014 Figure Olympia.
Although Erin qualified for the competition, the two-time Figure Olympia winner decided to take some time off. “I have been competing as an amateur since late 2008,” Erin said. “I’ve done up to six shows a year since then. It’s a lot. It’s not that I feel that my body won’t respond, it’s just that my bones ache!” she joked.
The 34-year-old will instead channel her energy into her passion, which is to educate, empower and enrich the lives of people through health and fitness. “Competing has given me a platform to reach a large amount of people. Now I feel like I can start doing good.” Erin’s long-term goal is to give people ways to overcome their excuses, to build their self-esteem and change the way they talk to themselves. “As women, we look in the mirror and pick out our perceived flaws, and it’s just a matter of tweaking that mindset and becoming the best person we can possibly become.”
Although Erin is taking a break from the stage, that competitive drive still burns; she’s just channeling that energy in a different direction for now. “It’s important to keep that competitive outlet, so I’m toying with the idea of doing some powerlifting competitions. I’m benching 165 pounds for reps, I’m squatting 225 for reps, and I just deadlifted almost 300 pounds. My strength is good,” she said.
And her speed is still good. The former Junior All-American in track and field, who missed the Olympics qualifying standard in high jump by three centimeters is looking to return to the sport. “I could really be top five in Master’s track and field.”
Erin will still be in Vegas in September with her sponsor, Dymatize.