#FitGirlMagic: Andrea Larkins
Andrea's passion, empowering spirit, toughness, and commitment to her clients make her #FitGirlMagic goals.
Take one look at Andrea Larkins' Instagram and you can instantly tell health and fitness is her true passion. Andrea is head trainer at Burn Bootcamp in Collierville, Tennessee. She also spends time as a cheer choreographer for Varsity, the largest cheerleading organization in the world. The gig has allowed her to travel the world as a choreographer for competitive cheer teams. Check out our interview with Andrea below:
How did you get into fitness?
I've been an athlete most of my life and started cheering in first grade, so being active and mindful of my health has always been part of my life. In college, I majored in Health Science, which is all about larger picture behavior change. I also started training as a side hustle. I realized that I wanted to do more than just help one person at a time. I wanted to have a bigger influence.
What motivates you most to live a healthy lifestyle?
I want to be a good example to the people around me. That is what motivates me. I'm the friend in the group that people always ask for health and fitness advice, so I need to practice what I preach. This is also true with my parents. Although they have super athletic kids, it definitely took a while to get them on board with eating healthy and working out. I always want to be a source of inspiration for them.
What mission do you promote for women in fitness?
My mission is to promote confidence in women! I love seeing women achieve things that they did not ever think would be possible. It's incredible what building physical strength can do for a woman's confidence.
What piece of fitness advice do you find yourself repeating to your clients?
The scale is fake. I say this all the time. The scale isn't the best way to measure your progress because it doesn't measure or consider your body composition. I usually get clients to understand this when I tell them how much I weigh. Because I'm "dense,” or muscular, I weigh more than they expect. It helps them realize that the number on the scale doesn't tell the whole story.
Why is it important to have diversity in the fitness industry?
I think it's important to have diversity in the fitness industry because just like any other industry, representation matters! When you see someone who looks like you and they are killing it, it gives you the belief that you are not limited to your current situation, and that you can kill it too!
When you are not picking up weights, you are...?
Cooking. Watching The Food Network, HGTV, or TLC. Or, taking a nap!
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#FitGirlMagic is a monthly feature where we celebrate women of color making an impact in the health and wellness industry. Is there someone you feel is #FitGirlMagic? We would love to profile them! Drop us your suggestions at info@fitwithfinesse.com.