Andrea Shaw, the eminent Ms. Olympia titleholder, stands as an embodiment of aspiration and accomplishment within the bodybuilding arena. In a recent tête-à-tête with Ron Harris of Muscular Development, she provided a glimpse into the determination, ethos, and regimented practices that have underpinned her three-time championship triumph. Additionally, in an intriguing speculative segment, Shaw weighed in on potential matchups against bodybuilding luminaries, Iris Kyle and Lenda Murray.
The Odyssey of Ms. Olympia: Triumphs and Tribulations
Since its inception in 1965, the Mr. Olympia contest has been the zenith of male bodybuilding. However, it wasn’t until 15 years later, in 1980, that the stage was set for female bodybuilders with the introduction of the Ms. Olympia contest. Yet, the journey of this title has been punctuated with challenges. The division faced discontinuation in 2014, only to experience a revival in 2020 under the custodianship of Jake Wood, the acclaimed Rising Phoenix promoter. This heralded a new dawn for female bodybuilders and marked the onset of Shaw’s unparalleled reign.
Andrea Shaw: An Epoch in Bodybuilding
The year 2020 wasn’t just monumental for the Ms. Olympia division, but it was also the year Andrea Shaw emerged as a dominant force, showcasing an unparalleled form that won her the prestigious title. Her ensuing victories in the subsequent editions have cemented her status as one of the most impactful athletes of her era.
Industry Veterans Laud Shaw’s Meteoric Rise
Shaw’s prowess hasn’t merely captivated fans; it has also elicited acclaim from the very stalwarts of the industry. Notable figures like Chris Cormier and judge Terrick El Guindy, in a candid session on Olympia TV’s YouTube platform, eulogized her unmatched potential and unwavering mindset. Both concurred that Shaw’s trajectory suggests she might be poised to shatter records, possibly accumulating the most victories in the history of her category.
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Andrea Shaw’s Formula for Success: Aligning Recovery with Training Intensity
In the realm of bodybuilding, where the pursuit of excellence often walks hand in hand with physical strain, Andrea Shaw has emerged as a shining example of injury-free triumph. A craft honed through tough training sessions and competitive on-stage showdowns, Shaw’s approach hinges on a delicate equilibrium. Precisely eight weeks ahead of her performances, she strategically transitions away from heavy lifting, immersing herself in volume training. This calculated shift underscores a core principle: the recuperative vigor must seamlessly match the rigors of the workout routine. For Shaw, this method isn’t just about winning; it’s about sustaining a balanced well-being in the face of rigorous demands.
“Absolutely, [one day at a time]. I still want to make sure I stay in a good mental space with it. Obviously, I still want to make sure I remain injury-free. Those things are what add to the longevity in this sport. As long as I’m still in a good mental space and I have that fire and that passion to go after it. You know, a prep takes a lot. It does. It’s very time-consuming with the amount of hours you have to practice. The routine, the posing, preparing the food, all while sometimes still traveling right.”
“Correct [no major injuries]. Well I make sure at a certain point during the prep I make sure to lift moderately heavy until a certain point. And after, once we hit the eight-week mark, I’m not lifting heavy. I’m lifting more moderate weights and the reps are where it’s at for me. Sometimes it’s 30 reps, sometimes for lower body it may be 50,60,70 reps, which seems like a lot but yeah. I really go after that because it really helps to dial me in,” added Shaw.
Emulating Dorian Yates: Shaw’s Swift and Efficient Gym Regimen
Just as Dorian Yates was known for his succinct, yet impactful training sessions, Andrea Shaw has adopted a similar ethos. For Shaw, less is more. She endeavors to complete her workouts within a 45-minute window, embodying efficiency. In this focused timeframe, Shaw ensures that every minute counts, taking cues from Yates’s famed training methodology.
“If you do it the right way it can add a little bit of a cardio element to training, that with supersets. There’s a lot that can be done in a short amount of time. I try to be in and out of the gym in 45 minutes. So I’m not in there for hours just hammering, hammering hammering. It’s a matter of making sure you’re efficient with your time and making sure your recovery matches your training intensity.”
Andrea Shaw’s Recovery Ritual: Embracing Myofascial Release
Andrea Shaw doesn’t just emphasize her training; her post-workout rituals hold equal weight. She champions the benefits of ‘myofascial release’, a technique aimed at soothing muscle tightness and trigger points. To achieve this, Shaw incorporates various methods into her recovery regimen, including massage, cupping, and cool-tempered rolling. Such practices underline her holistic approach to bodybuilding, where healing and recovery are as paramount as rigorous training sessions.
A lot of people look at me crazy when I tell them I get body work done. Bodywork is not just massage, I don’t know where that notion came from. The person that I use, we go into Graston, cupping, cool-tempered rolling, as well as some of the yes more myofascial release techniques. Those are key components for me. I need that fascia to be loose and I will get that done sometimes three, or four hours at a time,” Andrea Shaw said.
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Shaw Reflects on the 2020 Ms. Olympia’s Resurgence: The Weight of Expectations
When the Ms. Olympia made its much-anticipated return in 2020, Andrea Shaw found herself amidst a whirlwind of expectations and spotlight. In retrospect, she concedes the weight of the moment, acknowledging the immense pressure she felt to not only participate but to dominate and succeed. Her candid reflection offers a glimpse into the mental battles athletes often face behind the scenes, juxtaposed against their physical feats.
“Yeah, a little. Only because I felt a lot of pressure going into it. Because at that point, it was like who is really going to take the lead and the charge for what the industry standard will be. So yeah, I felt a lot of pressure, like a lot of pressure. To the point where I was doing probably excessive amounts of cardio at that point.”
“Iris was slated to come, Iris was slated to come that year in 2020. Sheended up getting sick and from what I remember, that night, she may have gone to the hospital,” explained Shaw. “She didn’t quite feel like she could get up that strength to do it. I know she had the heart to do it. She really did not look like she was in good shape.”
Shaw’s Dream Rivals: A Collision of Titans with Kyle, Murray, Popa, and Oriquen
In a hypothetical world where time barriers dissolve, Andrea Shaw reveals her dream lineup of competitors. Topping her list are the legends of the sport: Iris Kyle and Lenda Murray. But her wishful thinking doesn’t stop there. Elina Popa and Yaxeni Oriquen are also formidable adversaries Shaw envisions herself against. This fantasy matchup, albeit a dream, sheds light on Shaw’s respect for the sport’s greats and her ambition to be counted among them.
“I mean that would be a call for the judges to make, I mean we all have such different looks. Lenda was a little more streamlined. Iris brought intense crazy conditioning, I feel like I have a little more mass than the both of them. So yeah, that would be a tough call. I think we would definitely make the top three [at Olympia]. I can probably guarantee you that.”
“So I definitely would have wanted to get on stage with Elna Popa, Iris, I mean I competed with Yaxeni [Oriquen], from when she was competing then. Yeah, after looking over videos, they just had a different era but they had fun. I would have loved to have gotten a shot at a Ms. International title at the Arnold,” said Andrea Shaw.
Shaw on the Perks of Rising Phoenix and Her Growing Car Collection from Wins
Andrea Shaw has a clear fondness for the scheduling of the Rising Phoenix competitions, valuing their closeness to the Olympia event date. This logistical advantage undoubtedly plays a role in her strategic preparation. But beyond the arena’s accolades and title victories, Shaw has an interesting side note to her success: a burgeoning collection of cars she’s acquired as prizes from various contests. The tally of vehicles underscores not only her dominance in the sport but also the unique rewards that come with it.
“Yeah [Rising Phoenix] is usually about five weeks [before Olympia] except for the first year. The first year we had like 12 or 11 days. No pressure. I was riding the high from the Rising Phoenix win, so it wasn’t as much pressure but I was still nervous because it was the first one right. I liked that. I liked the window of the five weeks. Number one, I get a break. A little small break of like three days. I still train but I get to eat a little more liberally for those three days and then I jump back on the diet.”
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Shaw’s Triumphant Trophies: From Titles to Vehicles
In addition to her glittering accolades in the bodybuilding world, Andrea Shaw boasts a trio of impressive vehicular prizes. To date, her wins have garnered her a luxurious Silverado High Country, a sleek Corvette, and a powerful Camaro. These vehicular trophies serve as a tangible testament to her prowess and dominance in the sport, each car symbolizing a unique chapter of her illustrious career.
“I’m curious to see what are the bells and whistles [for the next Rising Phoenix]. Last year, I won a Chevy Silverado High Country, which I didn’t think I would like but I am not getting rid of that truck. I love it. I won a Corvette, a C8 Corvette in 2021 and then I won a Camaro z01 in 2020.”
Andrea Shaw on the Weight of Championship Expectations
Even as reigning champion, Andrea Shaw is no stranger to the weighty expectations that come with being a premier bodybuilder. However, for Shaw, the cornerstone of her rigorous training regime hinges on her recovery prowess. She firmly believes that the depth of her recuperation determines the intensity of her training sessions throughout the competitive season.
The Road to Olympia 2023
The bodybuilding community is eagerly anticipating this year’s Olympia showdown, set to illuminate the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from November 2nd to 5th. All eyes are set on Shaw as enthusiasts and rivals alike are keen to see the renewed physique she showcases, aiming to clinch her fourth consecutive title.
For an in-depth dive into Shaw’s preparations and insights, catch the full interview on the Muscular Development YouTube channel:
Overview
As reigning Ms. Olympia, Andrea Shaw underscores the significance of recovery in her demanding training regimen. She believes her recuperation depth directly influences her training intensity. With the Olympia 2023 approaching from November 2-5 in Orlando, the bodybuilding community keenly awaits to see if Shaw can capture her fourth title. For a detailed insight, refer to the full interview on the Muscular Development YouTube channel.
Featured Image @Muscular Development (YouTube) ,@mzprettymuscle (Instagram)