Lunch with a local celeb
On Wednesday, I sat down for coffee with Andrea Metcalf, a weekly featured fitness trainer for NBC 5 Chicago, frequent TODAY show guest and abs-of-steel mother-of-three. Besides her regular NBC gig, Andrea owns mbc Fitness (which stands for “mind-body-connection.”) She was elegant, poised, and spoke so eloquently – all characteristics which I’m sure come in quite handy when you’re on TV all the time – and shared some fun, interesting tidbits about her life with me. For instance:
She’s been an athlete all her life: In high school, Andrea competed in track, gymnastics, cheerleading and diving at the state level…and she cheerleaded (cheerled?) her way through DePaul University here in Chicago while earning her Bachelor of Science.
She’s relatively new to the TV industry: Her first newscast was in 2000, then she began freelancing for NBC5 Chicago for five years before she secured her current job.
She’s got chutzpah: When I asked her how she got her foray into newscasting, she told me a story about how, upon hearing there was a job opening, she called up the head of NBC5 Chicago (Larry Wert, a UW alum! Go Badgers!), explained exactly why she was the one for the position…and got it! Go girl!
She’s creative: Besides naming mbc Fitness after her three teenagers, Maddie, Bruce and Charlie, she somehow figured out that when run her name together, as in andreametcalf, the word “dream” emerges, which for some reason impresses me beyond all belief.
She has more credentials than a Presidential candidate: Andrea is certified by the American Council on Exercise, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Performance Enhancement Specialization, Paul Chek NLC, Polestar Pilates, the International Sports Conditioning Association and as a Certified Personal Trainer and group exercise Instructor.
She’s an entrepreneur: Her most recent project is called PT-2-GO, an interactive fitness DVD and flip cards that allow you to choose either individual exercises to or complete 10- to 20-minute Pilates and Yoga programs. Take them on business trips, do ‘em in your living room – wherever!
To workout with Andrea, visit here. You can download podcasts for upper and lower-body workouts, Pilates, a “Runner’s Workout,” “Golfer’s Workout” and more!
Oh, and here is Andrea’s Exercise of the Week for a strong core.
