Tsawwassen trainer and fitness guru Cara Thien has had a successful career as a fitness athlete and model, and she is now passing on her experience to the next generation.
One of her protégées, 24-year-old Saraya Hickey, is heading to Fort St. John tomorrow for her first figure competition at the B.C. Amateur BodyBuilding Association’s Northern Classic.
Hickey, who also works in the fitness industry and has played sports most of her life, came to Thien three months ago after deciding she wanted to take things to another level.
“She has a lot of knowledge,” Hickey said. “Whenever I’d just have that time with her I’d just pick her brain.”
To get in competition shape, the Tsawwassen resident has been following a strict nutrition regime and working out two hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to training and nutrition, Thien has taught Hickey the fine art of posing on stage, as well as walking in five-inch heels, something that did not come naturally, she said with a smile.
Thien, who owns VO2 Fusion Health and Performance in Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall, also recently started sponsoring Patrick Thornhill, who plays for the Delta Islanders Junior “A” lacrosse team.
Thien’s clientele isn’t just limited to elite athletes. Tsawwassen mom Maureen Wright started training with VO2 Fusion about two years ago. She said she found herself feeling tired a lot and decided she needed to do something about it.
Since beginning training with Thien and following her nutrition plan, Wright said she’s lost a significant amount of weight, has increased her strength and has a newfound energy. She is also now pain-free after five years of nagging shoulder pain following an injury.
