Mother, fitness enthusiast and physiotherapist RoAnna McLenahan has a lot of experience staying fit.
Along with helping to operate the Lacombe Physiotherapy Clinic, McLenahan is a judge director for International Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness (INBF) Canada and a pro-bodybuilder in the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF).
“I’ve always been interested in fitness and I’ve worked out pretty much as long as I can remember,” said McLenahan.
“I love the push, I love the determination, the self-discipline, working for your own achievements, putting that work in.”
She began her first competition in 1996, when a friend and gym owner asked her to compete and offered to train her. She fell in love with the showmanship and the idea of working to a goal. In 2011, she got back into the bodybuilding world and has been doing various shows and competitions since.
“The final thing that really got me motivated in the more recent years was that I was turning 40. I wanted to do something that was getting myself out there and was inspirational,” she said.
“When you’re turning 40, you want to do something great and push yourself to those limits, because you feel like you’re getting just a little bit older, and want to make sure you’re living your life to the fullest.”
McLenahan is a strictly natural bodybuilder.
She and the leagues she competes in are completely drug-free. This is a very important aspect of McLenahan’s training and philosophy.
“I wanted to make sure that I did this in the most healthy way and that I was going to promote healthy, drug-free training,” explained McLenahan on her return to the bodybuilding world.
She was extremely athletic all her life.
Gymnastics, skating and general fitness interests have driven her to always be setting goals for herself. She said that she most enjoyed sports where a specific goal was laid out, could be reached and then changed into a new goal.
“Even my career, I’m working in fitness and health and proper movement. We’re always promoting fitness, strengthening, doing something that you enjoy,” she said.
“Being a physiotherapist is a great transition (from bodybuilding). That’s where my drive to make sure I’m doing things the healthiest way possible comes from. It’s a great marriage – my career, my sport, my pastimes – it all works together.”
McLenahan said that her family is a very important part of her fitness training.
She and her husband are very active together, working out and strength training together.
Her kids motivate her to continue and show her support through the strict and difficult lifestyle required for bodybuilding.
McLenahan emphasized the importance of having family support through strict dieting and intense training.
“I’m one of the owners of Lacombe physio so I work a lot. With my family, the kids are active and we do all kinds of sports together. My husband works out with me all the time. Family keeps me busy the rest of the time – that’s pretty much all I can fit in! They help me a lot.”
McLenahan’s passion for fitness and health is seen in her dedication to her profession.
“We want people healthy and active. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone get out of that non-functional state and getting their life back. It’s one of the best jobs in the world.”