Andrea has been moving to music since she was able to stand. Passionate about dance and fitness it has taken her across the country and around the world. Andrea joined the Ottawa Rough Rider Cheerleader Squad in 1992. As co-captain of the team for five years, she was fortunate to have the opportunity to represent the city of Ottawa at the Grey Cup each year with the Ottawa Grey Cup Caravan. Even though the team folded in 1996, the friendships, memories, and bonds created have never been stronger. As a proud alumna, Andrea is truly grateful for the time she was able to spend on the field and can’t imagine what life would be like without the friendships formed at this time.
After the team folded, Andrea kept dancing with the Hip Hop dance troupe Energy Unlimited. She was part of the cast of Cardio Hip Hop and was a founding member/director of Culture Shock Canada. Andrea also had the opportunity to film a fitness show in Aruba for CTV’s Sportsnet. “Kardio Knockout”, a boxing-based fitness show aired daily on CTV’s Sportsnet and around the world via syndication. In 2002 the Ottawa Renegades, the new CFL franchise, brought football and cheerleaders back to Ottawa. Andrea was fortunate to come onboard as assistant to Gina Romani Karam, the Choreographer and Director of the Ottawa Renegade Dance Team and former Rough Rider Cheer teammate. In the early 2000s Andrea’s career in financial services started to take off and her family started to grow. As a mom of two girls who had their own competitive dance schedules, life became busy, so her dance and fitness pursuits were put on hold. After retiring from a 20+ year career as a Financial Advisor, with two young adult daughters, she is now dedicated to health and wellness on a full-time basis and continues to follow her passion of dance but this time on the ballroom floor. Andrea now trains and competes in ballroom dance, specifically American Rhythm categories. There are many stages to life, and to our health and fitness journey, and as a mom of two young adult women Andrea truly understands the challenges of sticking to fitness goals, busy schedules and trying to keep the balance between work, family and personal goals. Being a part of the CFL cheer squad has given Andrea the confidence to pursue goals outside of her comfort zone and to really follow her passion. The teamwork, and friendships have become like a 2nd family and meeting members from other generations and other cities across the country have made Andrea realize that we all share a very special common bond that is unique to only the CFCAO.
After the team folded, Andrea kept dancing with the Hip Hop dance troupe Energy Unlimited. She was part of the cast of Cardio Hip Hop and was a founding member/director of Culture Shock Canada. Andrea also had the opportunity to film a fitness show in Aruba for CTV’s Sportsnet. “Kardio Knockout”, a boxing-based fitness show aired daily on CTV’s Sportsnet and around the world via syndication. In 2002 the Ottawa Renegades, the new CFL franchise, brought football and cheerleaders back to Ottawa. Andrea was fortunate to come onboard as assistant to Gina Romani Karam, the Choreographer and Director of the Ottawa Renegade Dance Team and former Rough Rider Cheer teammate. In the early 2000s Andrea’s career in financial services started to take off and her family started to grow. As a mom of two girls who had their own competitive dance schedules, life became busy, so her dance and fitness pursuits were put on hold. After retiring from a 20+ year career as a Financial Advisor, with two young adult daughters, she is now dedicated to health and wellness on a full-time basis and continues to follow her passion of dance but this time on the ballroom floor. Andrea now trains and competes in ballroom dance, specifically American Rhythm categories. There are many stages to life, and to our health and fitness journey, and as a mom of two young adult women Andrea truly understands the challenges of sticking to fitness goals, busy schedules and trying to keep the balance between work, family and personal goals. Being a part of the CFL cheer squad has given Andrea the confidence to pursue goals outside of her comfort zone and to really follow her passion. The teamwork, and friendships have become like a 2nd family and meeting members from other generations and other cities across the country have made Andrea realize that we all share a very special common bond that is unique to only the CFCAO.