Ariane Andrew, Image: David Rivera
Ariane Andrew considers herself a “Queen of All Trades” - and it’s a title well-deserved. From working with the Special Olympics, to competing with WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.), to creating a fitness app, DoubleAAcademy, and hosting the talk show Sippin’ The Tea, the sky's the limit for Ariane.
However, no matter what Ariane tries her hand at, it’s always with purpose and passion, and she applies herself to so many projects rooted in health and fitness. After stepping out of the ring, she continued her commitment to staying shredded by working out regularly, and creating her own company to empower men and women to get in shape and embrace all aspects of wellness.
Ariane knows what it takes to stay trim and toned, and her ultimate secret - finding balance! The actress doesn’t restrict herself from the finer things in life (wine and carbs), and instead, just pushes herself harder at the gym so she can live her life happy and guilt-free.
She’s abiding by the same code of conduct during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and she’s taking this opportunity to get shredded and ready to take on the world with a fresh perspective.
The athlete spoke exclusively to GLAMOUR South Africa about staying fitness-focused, staying both mentally and physically in shape, and being productive and positive during these crazy times.
GLAMOUR: What sparked your passion for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle? Was this always important to you, or did a certain instance in your life inspire it?
Ariane Andrew:
I consider myself a Queen Of All Trades. I co-wrote, executive produced and played the lead of an award winning short film called Jaded Pictures, co-host a talk show Sippin’ The Tea TV Show, my fitness app, DoubleAAcademy, co-founder of customizable keychains LabelMyKeys and a podcast called EscapeWithAj.
Life is filled with such roller coaster rides and being in the entertainment business can sometimes make you second-guess so many things about yourself. So for me I got into fitness because it helped me work through insecurities whether it was mentally, physically, or emotionally.
Fitness can be like a therapy session and when you’re having a bad day working out that frustration is so rewarding. Then you add the results physically, it's a game changer. I have never left a work out feeling bad it’s always such a good vibe once you’re done
Ariane Andrew, Image: David Rivera
GLAMOUR: How did you get started in the wrestling world, and what was your training regimen like when you were competing?
AA:
How do we make a long story short lol? I Always said if there was a book written I did it by the book. I'm proud to say that I'm the first in my family to go to college. I graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelors of Science in Business Marketing.
I then pursued a career working as a Senior Behavior Therapist for Autistic Children and closely worked with the Special Olympics”. I joined the 2011 season of Tough Enough where I was the first competitor eliminated. I later signed with WWE and joined Naomi in forming The Funkadactyls.
What I lacked in knowledge in wrestling I quickly made up with hard work, determination and the no quit attitude which landed me the main roster in 4 short months which was insane, scary, and exciting all at the same time. I was on the road Approximately 300 days out the year so if anything it was the travel that was the extensive and training when I could because of the schedule
GLAMOUR: When you stepped back from wrestling, did you find it hard to adjust to a new normal in terms of health and fitness? What did you have to change the most about your diet and lifestyle?
AA:
I was on the road 300 days a year, so I wasn’t able to work out as intensely. Once we’d get back to the hotel or after a long travel day, you’re exhausted, so I wasn’t able to do as much with the WWE. Believe it or not but working out now has me more motivated than when I was in the ring!
GLAMOUR: Would you ever go back in the ring?
Of Course! April 4th was supposed to be my in ring debut match after being away from the ring for 4 years. It was going to be an intergender match with Jamie Senegal and I loved that so much because it shows how far we have come with breaking barriers.
GLAMOUR: What is your current fitness regimen, and your nutrition plan you use to stay in shape?
AA:
Getting my home workouts in during quarantine with my app @DoubleAAcademy as well as getting a hike in because I love nature. My current regime is difficult because of quarantine and I am allowing myself to have some flexibility and not be so hard on myself.
Ariane Andrew, Image: David Rivera
GLAMOUR: What inspired you to start Double Academy, and what are your goals for the business?
AA:
I wanted to be able to reach people across the world.I know that the journey of life can be super difficult because life is filled with roller coaster rides. Creating this app has allowed me to build a trybe for people to become the best version of themselves and feel they have a trybe to be a part of. I also never want anyone to have an excuse for why they can't get a quick workout in. Especially because I designed my app to meet all levels of fitness.
My goal is to have over 1million subscribers by March 3rd 2021 next year and continue cultivating a culture and environment for people to win in every aspect of their life because it all starts from within. For anyone reading: I even offer 5 free workouts before making the commitment because I love being able to help shape people with their mind, body, and souls. Come join the trybe @DoubleAAcademy http://trybe.do/double_aacademy
GLAMOUR: What's the best way for someone to motivate herself to get fit and embrace a healthier lifestyle?
AA:
Health is wealth! Transformations aren’t built overnight! Like the saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour. The problem is that it can be really easy to overestimate the importance of building your Roman empire and underestimate the importance of laying another brick especially in a time like this when there is uncertainty. When this all passes, you have to ask yourself, do you want to have started your empire and be ahead of the game or scrambling and left behind? Which group do you want to be in?
GLAMOUR: What one thing do you never skip in your workout?
AA:
I never skip my effort I give in my exercises. I treat working out like I treat my businesses. Doing just a few more reps or one more set even when I feel like I can’t is a reminder of having the mindset if I want to at least touch being the G.O.A.T on anything I put my hands on. I have to have a relentless mindset.
GLAMOUR: How would you describe your philosophy on health and fitness?
AA:
My motto is live your best pussy poppin life. I feel like if you’re going to work out at the gym, I want to be able to enjoy food as well. I don’t want to restrict myself. If I want to have a pizza, I will, and I’ll just put in overtime at the gym. You can have your cake and eat it too.
GLAMOUR: Who or what gives you the most inspiration and motivation to achieve your fitness goals?
AA:
My competition is myself and that is what pushes me to be the best version of myself I can possibly be. One of the key elements for staying consistent with working out is accountability. Who keeps you accountable for working out consistently?
Life is lived in chapters and there are times I am not consistent. The key is to be human and have a moment but recognise when you have fallen off of the bandwagon and hop back on. Setting goals helps keep me accountable especially on the days my motivation is low. When I set goals I am making myself accountable
GLAMOUR: What specific fitness goal are you currently focused on?
AA:
Since we are in quarantine my workouts have increased but so has eating and my love for food and wine. I have always been a night owl because I am a creator, but my sleep schedule is even worse now which means I am snacking until the wee hours of the night. Currently, I am cutting down on eating snacks and food late at night as well as my wine because in turn it will give me the ultimate goals being nice and shredded. I want to come out of quarantine on a glo-up lol
Ariane Andrew, Image: David Rivera
GLAMOUR: How would you define wellness, and how do you balance mental and physical health?
AA:
Wellness is not being only physically in shape but mentally in shape as well. You can have the best body in the world but if you are struggling mentally it will never account for the effort put into your physical shape. That's why my app Double Academy focuses not only on getting you into physical shape but mental shape as well. What I like to call he mental gym
GLAMOUR: What are the three beauty items you swear by?
AA:
Mascara, olay 7 in 1 skin moisturizer, and vaseline!
Got a fitness question? Email Sebastien at [email protected] for his expert opinion!
