McLean ‘addicted’ to seeing fruits of her bodybuilding labour
Master Corporal Sandi McLean’s progress at her fifth bodybuilding competition is “super rewarding.
“It’s the process – I’m addicted to how your body changes. Backstage, everyone knows how much work goes into this and can really appreciate it. Of all my athletic endeavours, I think this now my favourite.”
McLean, a human resources administrator with 14 Wing Greenwood, is a long-time swimmer and life-saving competition athlete, competing – and succeeding – internationally with the military CISM program. In the past few years, she’s turned her focus to the discipline, planning and preparation involved with all the components of bodybuilding: diet, training, performance, calendaring and exercise.
Earlier this fall, she participated in two events. September 28, at the Canadian Physique Alliance Nova Scotia East Coast Championships in Halifax, McLean won gold in both the women’s bikini masters 45+ and 35+ divisions, and silver in the women’s bikini open class B (over 5’4”) division. October 5, at the 2024 Canadian National Pro Qualifier in Toronto, she won silver in the women’s bikini masters 45+ division – one spot away from making it to the Olympia.
McLean is now eying pro-qualifier options next summer – there’s one in June in Toronto and another in August in Pittsburgh. She is already planning a 20-week prep program to prepare for which one she will decide to attend. That “building season” will include extra hours in the gym building muscle, and extra food to give her the energy to make it happen.
“I go hard, I’m super competitive – but I don’t know how not to!”
