Erin Stern’s Operation Orlando – The Final Hours

IFBB Figure Pro Erin Stern was the runner-up at this year’s Figure International event. She’s come close a few times but we’re not playing horse shoes or hand grenades. Erin’s mission for the weekend? Leave with her first pro win but isn’t that every woman’s goal? Check out the latest update from Erin as she works on a few final touches.

Hours ’til go-time..

I haven’t moved everything to Tampa yet, so I’m spending the rest of my prep in this small town. I haven’t gotten on a treadmill or other type of cardio equipment since I changed gyms before the Arnold. I have wanted to but the movement of the machines is “crunchy.” (If you can picture the Tin Man from “Wizard of Oz,” it’s like that). Even if I wanted to get on a machine, the cardio equipment is arranged in a circle, facing center…so, you have “slow-motion lady” on the elliptical, “karaoke guy” on the stair climber, and “emo-teen” on the cross-trainer. We’re all facing each other and you can’t focus your gaze straight ahead, because it looks like you’re staring…so everyone sort of looks down… So, I have been running at the track, the park, or the stadium.

My outlook for this show is different – I have been doing a lot of visualization and watching youtube videos of pageants, and “how-to” videos on posing/stage presence. I have also been studying make-up techniques, and now understand that “too much is never enough” is the wrong motto for any competitor to have. So, I’m not bringing the fire engine red lipstick or the uber-dark eye shadow.

All of the exterior polish certainly helps, but true shine must come from within. I have been critical and hard on myself, in every aspect. Even when friends and family believed in me, I doubted myself, and felt I could do better. While this is a fantastic trait to have in the gym, it won’t work on stage. My goal for this weekend is to be in peak condition, to bring an improved physique, and to give it my all… and be satisfied with the journey and outcome!! And as crazy as it sounds.. my stage persona, Egylo, is only part of the equation…the other part is knowing that Erin believes in her!!

See ya in Orlando!