Looking for some fitness motivation to get you back into the gym and in shape? Welcome to Fitness Focus! INSCMagazine’s fitness and motivation feature column
Fitness Focus! will feature some of today’s hottest Instagram fitness models, fitfluencers and trainers, in the realm of lifestyle,modeling and fitness motivation, with a touch of style, class, quality in-depth writing and eye-catching images.
If you’re a woman, at this point in your life, you are fully entrenched with starting a family or deep into your career. At this point you are firm and confident in what you want in life on both a personal and professional level.
More than likely, you have kids that are now teenagers, a nice suburban house a loving husband or are out in the dating scene trying to find your own proverbial Mr. Big. While not all forty-something women are out hunting for Prince Charming, many are channeling their inner Carrie Bradshaw in being comfortable in their own femininity.
Sadly, that is not always the case as life often drives us down a different path. Whatever the reason, sometimes things don’t work out and we go thru bad and toxic relationships that turn abusive and dangerous. Every woman at one one point has go thru this in one form or another and thanks to the #MeToo cultural revolution of female empowerment there is now a greater awareness for sexual assault and gender equality.
If there is one modern-day Wonder Woman who has been through proverbial hell and back it is Jacksonville, Florida-born, Houston, Texas-based fitness trainer and model, Andrea Dyan. A towering and stunning goddess, Andrea has overcome an abusive marriage to forge her own path in raising five children and become one of the hottest fitness models and trainers today.
At 5’9 and an athletic and curvy figure to die for, Andrea can certainly give Gal Gadot a run for her money in both fitness and beauty. Below is my Q and A with Andrea as we talk about fitness, working out, her personal fitness journey and why she is a true #MeToo-age Wonder Woman.
Who Is She?
Name: Andrea Dyan
Age: 45
Height: 5’9
Birthplace: Jacksonville, FL
Measurements: 36D-26-36
Notable Publications/Media/Fitness Certifications(if any): Moonstruck Model Magazine, Fedora magazine, Amazon. Certified Personal Trainer (American Sports & Fitness Association)
Social Media Links: Facebook:@modelandreadyan | Instagram:@model_andy1 | Model Mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/3872729
What does “Fitness Focus” mean to you?To me, the primary word here is “focus”. Focus means what is of importance to you and you choose to give it your undivided attention to obtain a favorable result. Fitness just happened to be what I diverted my attention to and gave it my all. Fitness was for me to reverse time and turn back the clock, so to speak, to get myself healthy and happy again. Once I made fitness a habit, I enjoyed the process and adopted a healthy outlet to my daily regiment.
Define “fitness and focus” in your own words? Fitness can be different for everyone. Some people just want to have a little activity in their life, while others may have more specific weight goals or choose to engaged in body physique competitions. This is why I strongly believe Fitness can be for everyone. For me personally, Fitness is a combination of all of these.
I compete in the bikini class division and I love to be physically active, but in reality these two are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Focus particularly plays a large part when I compete. Competing is much more intense with your fitness & nutrition routine. I try my best to live a balanced life and fluctuate my fitness level according to my specific goals set throughout the year.
As a self-proclaimed Wonder Woman? Are you a closet comic book geek? Actually, I am not self proclaimed at all. Wonder Woman has been my nickname for many years before the recent surge of the popularity for the comic book character. Initially, I was bestowed this nickname based solely on physical resemblance, but through the years I earned all the other characteristics Wonder Woman is known for.
At first it was because I was a mom who did it all. Being a mom of 5, I was a swim team mom, a dance mom, a soccer mom, a Cheer mom, a Girl Scout mom, a homeroom mom, a reader to the classroom mom, etc. I did the budgets, the shopping, ran the kids to their appointments and tackled finishing my college degrees. I also started my own embroidery business that was successful for 7 years, before I decided to turn to Fitness and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
I realize there are not many people that can fill my shoes but I am grateful, thankful and blessed for everything in my life. I wouldn’t say I’m a comic book geek. I have a very busy life with little downtime to be reading comic books, but I do love the character and have several memorabilia pieces of her hanging in my house to remind me each day I wake to be a Wonder Woman each and every day!
How many times did you see Wonder Woman? Justice League? Wonder Woman the movie, I saw a handful of times. The old Wonder Woman TV series i use to watch religiously when I was growing up. I am still waiting to see Justice League, but my 63 hour work weeks haven’t permitted much time for that.
Gal Gadot or Lynda Carter? If you had a chance to hang out with either, who would it be?They are both amazing ladies of strength, but Lynda Carter is my primary icon for Wonder Woman and who I have been compared to throughout the years. I think Gal did an amazing job portraying the character of beauty and strength. It is important to remember that beauty comes from the heart and strength from the mind.
Tell us all a little about you?I am a single mother of 5 wonderful children ranging in age from 10-20. I have 2 Bachelor of Science degrees, one for Biology (major)/Geology (minor) and the other in Business. I wear many hats and never let just one thing define me, most of all age. I am a certified personal trainer, but also work on a luxury bus as an attendant (similar to an airline stewardess). I also model Fitness, glamour, and fashion. I love what I do!
I am an optimistic person and love to inspire and encourage others. I believe in collecting experiences and memories over materialistic things. I want to live my life saying “I’m glad I did” rather than “I wish I had”. I like to make the impossible possible through hard work and dedication.
To give you some background about me, here is an excerpt from my essay to compete in the transformation category a couple of years ago: Ok so here it is to share with the world. Once again, I’m putting something very personal to me out here on social media. This is my essay that I submitted to the NSL to compete in the TRANSFORMATION category. I’m sharing it to help others know that anything is possible and everyone starts somewhere.
Due to the personal nature of my journey, I do brush over a few specifics. As I grow, I am learning to become more comfortable with specific details.
Without further ado here it is and sorry for the long post:
Transformation: Houston 3/12/16I stopped listening to those that told me I can’t and started believing in I can. Just because I am a mother of 5 children and over 40 years old does not limit me. I am able to achieve anything that I set my mind to. It took me a long time to realize this, but I’m glad I finally came to this realization.
I made the decision to get fit just prior to my 40th birthday. It was something I felt I needed to do for myself and my family. I had a lot of adversity in my life at that time that deeply saddened me and I began to evaluate what was most important to me. My kids will always be the most important thing to me. I knew how much they relied on me and in order for me to be everything they needed, I knew I had to stop neglecting myself so that I could be around a long time to enjoy life with them.
I began my fitness journey over 210 lbs. I was then wearing size 16-18 clothes. Like most people, I focused on the number on the scale. I threw out an arbitrary number (50 lbs) and placed my goals and progress on social media to help me stay accountable. I challenged myself to 100 consecutive days at the gym and made fitness and nutrition my habit.
I tracked everything I did and read many fitness & nutrition articles for guidance. I finally achieved my 50 lb weight loss and decided to keep going and found a trainer who helped me transform my body even more with weight training and now entered the competition world July of 2015. It is beyond my wildest dreams!
I feel better in my 40’s than I ever did anytime during my 30’s. Fitness helped me get rid of my high blood pressure and I no longer take medication for it. I kicked my addiction to caffeine to the curb and no longer experience the hives I use to get from it. I am happier and healthier from making the commitment to get fit. I have empowered myself along the way and have been a shining example to my kids who now recognize the importance of diet & exercise.
On this journey, I have had many people encourage me and support me in my effort to build a better me and I have inspired others to begin their own journey. The power to change things lies within yourself and the commitment you are willing to make to your quest in life. I encourage others to just make the commitment to take that 1st step because we all have to start somewhere no matter how big or small. We all have to believe in ourselves!
New beginnings are on the horizon for me and I am excited about each new day and the possibilities it will bring! Progress is made each and every day! The beast has been ignited within! I am stronger, healthier and happier with my new lifestyle. My kids are so supportive of my journey and proud of what I am achieving! I am down to a size 2 in clothing, but the way I look and feel is priceless to me! There is always room to improve, you just have to be willing to do the work! These lessons are invaluable and are worth their weight in gold! Keep going!
What is your opinion of “shamers” online and how do you deal with them? I haven’t had any experience with shamers. I believe in being kind to one another. We are all entitled to a difference of opinion, but trying to be public ally mean to someone else is really just a reflection of that person’s self esteem/happiness. I do what makes me happy. I don’t need permission or to give an explanation to anyone about what I choose to do. I’m an independent woman and let things that don’t matter have zero impact on me.
Any new projects and magazine spreads coming in 2018? Yes! I’m always working on something but since it’s in the works right now, it’s top secret! 
With summer now here what fashion and fitness tips do you see being big this season? I love summer fitness because I love to get my sweat on, increasing my core temperature and burn calories. Plyometric workouts are excellent for leaning out! In the Texas summertime heat, you can’t go wrong with short shorts and a tank, but I also love to have a bikini on hand if the opportunity occurs to take a dip in the pool or detour to the beach.
What kind of model are you (IG, glamour, fashion, etc?)I model a little of everything. I’m blessed to still be modeling after all these years. I began modeling as an early teen and would do runway modeling for the local department stores and boutiques. I modeled for Page Parkes for a few years before I got married and started a family. Modeling was abandoned for several years before I found my way back to it. Since then, I’ve done catalog modeling and I’m on Amazon. I have always loved modeling. It’s a great creative outlet for me.
Thoughts on the rise in popularity of fitness models on IG?I’m all about empowerment! Whatever makes people feel happy and it is a healthy creative form of expression, I say do it!
Pumpkin spice, Salted Caramel or Peppermint Mocha?None of that, thank you! Way too many calories!
What fashion and fitness tips and trends do you have for looking good and staying in shape in 2018? I love free weights! It was the single thing that changed my body the most when I decided to get healthy by my 40th birthday. Prior to free weights, I focused on changing my nutrition and did a ton of cardio but the free weights was what actually gave my body shape! It took my body to the next level and I was able to lose 80+ pounds.
Hot swimsuit trends to watch for in 2018? Honestly, I don’t follow the trends. I just buy/wear what I like.
String bikini, thong, two-piece or bodysuit, which do you prefer? I like all of them! I think if you are confident in what you are wearing, you can rock it!
Best/worst pickup line you’ve heard? Ugh! I delete those from my memory as soon as possible! No time to focus on negativity.
What attracts you most to a man? His values. Is family important to him? How does he treat his own mother? Is he a giver or a taker? Is he humble? Is he kind to others? Of course, if he plays the guitar on top of all the right answers to the previous questions, that seals the deal.
What is THE one hot fashion item that you must have/or get this season? Well this question is not geared to me at all because I don’t give a damn about a fashion item. I’d much rather have an adventure to experience. I like to go,see and do things.
Athleisure? Fashion or fitness fad?I think if your going to wear athletic clothes then you should do something active in them.
What is your workout and fitness secret to staying in shape? Remove toxic people from your life to eliminate/reduce stress. Stress increases cortisol levels in your body and increases weight gain and blood pressure. I had way too much of this in my life during my 20 year marriage. Get lots of rest. Drink nothing less than 1 gallon of water each day and eat clean. Be active no matter what is going on in your life.
Don’t let your excuses be your crutch to why you can’t. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. You just have to want it. Remember that you are your own worst enemy so it’s important to encourage yourself and to celebrate your milestones. Your body will achieve what your mind believes so stay positive!
What’s on your workout playlist music wise? All hip-hop music for my workouts.
What would you say is your best feature? it’s a toss up between my eyes and my legs (I’m a tall 5’9 and in heels, I tower over most men).
What areas do people ignore, and should focus on while working out? In the gym, I tell my clients why they are doing a particular movement and demonstrate the movement so they can see which muscle group they are working on and how it should look and feel.
Fave music? I love so many kinds of music ranging from classic rock to classical.
What advice would you give to women aspiring to get into modeling?Be smart about it. Do what you are comfortable with. Check a photographer’s credentials out first. Be selective on who you shoot with. Practice, observe and network with other model and photographers. Have a good attitude and be reliable and on time. Show up to a shoot or runway show ready to give your best! Most of all work for it, you are entitled to nothing.
Special thanks to Ms. Andrea Dyan for her time and assistance during this Fitness Focus! Q and A feature. Email us at inscribermagazine@theinscribermag.com if you feel that you have the look of being our next Fitness Focus girl.
Social Media Links: Facebook | @TheInscriberDigitialMagazine and @inscmagazineglamourgirl | Twitter:@TheInscriberMag|Instagram:@theinscribermag