The Evolution of Mindi O’Brien
Being a competitor is tough. The dieting, the long
hours in the gym, the seeming seclusion from the rest of society. The physical and emotional drain can take its toll. Imagine now that you have gone through all of the hard work to enter a competition, only to find that your body type does not necessarily fit any of the divisions you enter. This is the experience of Mindi O’Brien. After having bounced around every division from bodybuilding to fitness, she has finally found a home as a physique competitor. I spoke with Mindi about everything from her career to family, and how perseverance and a strong support system have made all the difference.
Tell me about yourself. (Where you are from, what do you do, family, marital status, what you like to do for fun, etc.)
My name is Mindi O’Brien. Not only am I an IFBB Pro (FITNESS AND WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE), I am a mother of a 20 year old son, Alex,a professional fitness coach/trainer, a wife and business owner of TEAMOBRIEN FITNESS.
I live in St. Catharine’s Ontario, Canada.
For fun I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, hiking, going to the movies, hanging out at my cottage, going to comedy clubs... I love to laugh!
What is something that you would like people to know about you that wouldn't be in your website bio?
I am very shy. I am very quiet until I get to know you....
Most people when they meet me are surprised at how small/little I am. In photos I appear to be way bigger than what I am. I am only 5’4.5 and weigh 122lbs.
The obvious: how did you get into the fitness lifestyle?
I have been a competitive athlete all of my life.( I was competitive all through public school/high school in track and field and competed in gymnastics for over 15 yrs.) My first competition was when I was 22 yrs old and a single mother of a 3.5 yr old son. I wanted to be a positive role model for my son, so that was the drive behind me wanting to compete....living a healthy lifestyle and following through with a plan... start to finish.
I was fortunate to work with some of the best coaches that helped me develop many skills at a young age(joining my first gym at the age of 11 with my dad) that carried over into my adult life and into the sport of fitness. I learned determination, discipline, commitment, sacrifice, mental toughness, confidence and a positive mental attitude. For me, training for fitness competitions provided me with great personal satisfaction and helped me develop some “softer qualities”-patience, humility, expression of feelings, faith in my training plan and belief in yourself, accepting responsibility and a sense of enjoyment and fun. I believe learning all of these abilities have transferred into my private and professional life (allowing me to be a better parent), a better spouse, a better coach and business partner.
How many shows have you done? How do you approach contest prep?
I started competing in Fitness back in 1996. I competed at the 2000 WNSO Fitness Canada Pageant and placed 4th overall. The feedback that I received from the judges was that compared to the other competitors I carried too much muscle. My husband convinced me to go back the following day and compete in the MUSCLEMANIA Bodybuilding Competition to see how I would do. That morning, my husband spent about 10 minutes teaching me how to hit the mandatory poses. After pre-judging, I spent the afternoon re-choreographing my fitness routine to incorporate and display some bodybuilding poses. I ended up winning the MUSCLEMANIA 
women’s heavy weight overall title. It was a blast, but that was the only bodybuilding show that I have ever done.
That title has followed me my entire IFBB PROFESSIONAL FITNESS career....Some highlights about my competitive career to date:
I won the 2004 Canadian Fitness Championships with unanimous first-place scores, and one month later made my professional debut at the SW USA Pro Cup, winning that competition with unanimous first-place scores over a field of veteran world class competitors. At that time, I was the only Canadian competitor that had ever won an IFBB professional fitness competition event-let alone on my first time out!! Since then, I have competed professionally many times, with appearances representing Canada at 6 consecutive Fitness Olympia (qualified for 7-but sat out due to an injury) and 6 Arnold Classic Fitness International competitions, the two most prestigious fitness competitions in the world.
After a 2 year break from competing due to a severe back injury I have made a comeback to the competitive world, but am now competing in the Women’s Physique Division. (I competed at the 2013 Toronto Pro show-placing 3rd, placed 2nd at the New Orleans Pro show and placed 4th at the Chicago Wings of Strength Pro show winning the best poser award. I am currently leading the field with the highest points accumulated for the Olympia Points Standing, and hope to qualify for the 2013 Olympia.
Some other highlights: Two-time North American FVF Fitness & Strength Challenge Champion, a two time TSN Fitness Series Champion, WNSO Musclemania Bodybuilding Champion, 2005 MVP Canadian CBBF fitness award, the Horizon Award- for the most promising IFBB Professional fitness newcomer, and was also awarded the 2006 IFBB overall best fitness competitor GeneX Award.
It’s funny now when I look back to where I started...I feel that I have finally found a category where I can present my physique properly and be rewarded for my hard work.
After every show I go back to the drawing board. I assess all of my photos from the day of the show and analyze my physique. I use my off-season training to make the necessary improvements to my physique and I don't sway from my contest weight too much. This allows me the opportunity to prepare for a contest a lot faster and a lot easier. After taking 2 years off from competing, it only took me 5 weeks to prep for the Toronto Pro show....
I am constantly setting new goals for myself. daily, weekly, monthly goals. I believe there is always room for improvement in every aspect of my life...family, work, competing, etc...I find that I am a lot more productive and much happier knowing that I have worked hard to achieve my goals.
What is your favorite part of being a competitor? Least favorite?
My favorite part of competing is stepping out on stage knowing that I have worked hard during the off season and made the appropriate changes/improvements. I also love meeting new people and spending time with other competitors who I've met over the years...it's like a big party/reunion every time I compete. The part that I least like about competing is having to apply the competition tan. It's tedious, smells horrible and standing there naked and freezing cold is not much of a party!
Do you have any funny stories about training or competition?
My first fitness competition was in 1996 at the Pickering Town Centre. The show took place in the middle of the mall on a tiny little stage. I think there were about 12-15 competitors and I think I placed 2nd overall. The stage was so tiny that I had to re-choreograph my fitness routine the day of the show. I remember there being 3 rounds-swim wear (I bought my suit off of the rack!!!), sports wear and then there was the dreaded question round. I was being trained by my friend at the time and we had practiced the question round with me removing the microphone from the stand...when I tried to remove the mic, it wouldn't release, so I remember grabbing the MC's mic and continued on with my answer...that was a very uncomfortable and a very embarrassing moment!!! Although the competition took place in a mall and I did almost everything incorrectly, I definitely caught the fitness bug.....
What is the backstage atmosphere like at a show?
From my experience competing as a pro, the atmosphere back stage is usually very relaxed and the girls are all so nice. We all help each other out and we support and encourage one another.
As an amateur, I did run into a few uncomfortable situations where girls were very catty and tried to sabotage other competitors.
What lengths do you think competitors go to gain an edge in your sport?
Professional athletes need to maintain their competitive edge by living a healthy lifestyle. They practice getting adequate rest, follow a proper nutritional and natural supplementation program and follow a sport specific workout programs during off season and contest season.
As a competitive athlete, this quote is relative to all fitness, figure, physique, bikini or bodybuilding competitors:
"Competitive bodybuilders must come to realize and accept that they will be judged based not only on how they look when standing alone, but how they look in comparison to the other athletes on stage that day and at that particular time.
The higher up you go, the more this becomes evident. It doesn't matter what you looked like in the gym 2 weeks out, whether this is the best condition you've ever been in or if all your supporters think that the show was yours to win or lose. It only matters how you measure up to the rest of the field...
Bodybuilding is about creating the illusion of reality and convincing the judges that your physique is far above the other competitors with regards to symmetry, conditioning, muscularity and stage presence. In other words, those individuals that have the least amount of weaknesses will be the ones, most likely, that come out victorious."
-- IFBB Pro Lisa Bavington
I couldn’t have said it better.
What is your favorite cheat food? What is your favorite supplement?
My favorite cheat/treat meal would be a chicken focaccia Mediterranean sandwich with sweet potato fries or sushi... (at Jack Astors or Johnny Rocco’s)
My favorite supplement is a good whey protein, fish oil, multi-vitamin, glutamine and probiotics. I have recently been using BeautyBum (by BeautyFit -- a revolutionary Anti-Cellulite Fat Eliminator complex) and love it!
Was there one event or circumstance in your life that changed you as a person?
Being only 18 years old and finding out I was pregnant 8 months into my pregnancy was definitely a life changing experience for me. At that moment, my entire life changed... all for the better!
How do you approach your physical appearance (cover up, show it off, dress up, dress down)? What do you feel are the advantages and disadvantages of having a physique like yours?
I feel most comfortable dressed in comfy clothes. Most people are very complimentary about my appearance. I sometimes get the odd look of disgust or disapproval. I don’t really care... I love what I do and I have come to realize that life is too short to care about what others think. I do it for me... the gym is my sanctuary and lifting weights and setting goals for myself keep me motivated in all aspects of my life.
Do you see yourself as a role model for those living a fit lifestyle?
My job as a coach and as an experienced athlete is to place training and competition in a healthy perspective and acknowledge that learning comes from both winning and losing.
I encourage and help develop and create a balance in his/her life. (time for work, school, family and relaxation) I try to emphasize fun, participation and self improvement.
I try to place emphasis on encouraging the individual to do their best and letting the journey be the reward. (if you can teach them to focus on the journey, as opposed to only on how they look, the outcome will be so much more rewarding…not for just one day of the year, but for a lifetime.)
Who are your role models?
My mom is my superhero, my expert-in-everything and is my very best friend.
She instilled in me a toughness and a perseverance and just a never-quit mentality.
Where have your travels for competition brought you? Where is your favorite place to travel?
I have travelled all over the United States and competed in Spain.
Some of my favorite places that I have visited are: Spain-it’s such a beautiful country , California and Las Vegas.
How has your lifestyle affected your relationships? That can be with friends, family, significant other, etc.
For me, this has been a learning experience. I think that most athletes often become unbalanced in their approach to training. I used to just focus all of my attention on the upcoming competition and I have neglected my work or family and friends in order to feel the need to train or prep for my show.
I eventually realized that this type of an extreme lifestyle took a toll on me emotionally and physically. I used to overanalyze and criticize my training, my physique etc. Now I have learned to create more of a balance in my life. Since finding that balance, I feel healthier, happier and am able to spend more time with family and friends, and have allowed quiet times for myself to help me reflect and feel grateful for each day.
I am very lucky to have such an incredible support system. My husband Dennis and I have been together for 17 years and he has been a HUGE part of my fitness career. He is not only my husband, but he is my coach, business partner and my best friend. He has believed in me and my dreams since the beginning... I am truly blessed.
My son Alex says that he is honored and inspired that I am a professional athlete. Alex has witnessed my struggles and triumphs... He has learned to set goals for himself, he is interested in eating clean, working out, and he strives for self improvement. Alex and Dennis are the two most important people in my life. As long as I have their support, I will continue doing what I love to do!
What do you think is the perception is of women in the fitness industry versus the reality?
The bodybuilding world is looked at as an “EXTREME” sport or lifestyle. Most people don’t really understand or even imagine why we do what we do. Some people have a negative reflection on it. The negative reflection is that you then become the epitome of their own personal failures. Example: EVERYONE has tried a diet and EVERYONE has joined a gym... More than 95% of people have failed and never achieved their goal.
What does the future hold for you?
As long as I have the passion and the desire to train and compete, I will continue to compete.
Thanks again for cooperating with the process.
Thank you soooo much Derek and RX Girl for this great opportunity... It’s greatly appreciated.
I would like to thank my coaches, Dennis Beitler and Mike Davies, also my sponsor, Monika from Sassy & Fit Boutique, my family and friends for all their support.
Mindi serves as a true inspiration for all women in the fitness industry. Whether a lifer or a newcomer, all competitors must dig deep within themselves to stay motivated and persevere. To make a conscious choice to compete is a commitment that is worth seeing through to the end, just to see the transformation in both body and mind. Mindi exemplifies the positive qualities of leading a fit, healthy lifestyle.
Photo Credits:
Photos were taken by PAUL BUCETA
The photo on the beach was taken by DENNIS BEITLER.
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