Erica - HER LIFE Magazine

herlife | spotlightCombine Fitnessby ann e. butenas | photos by bre baszlerSometimes you just never know where the experiences you have in life are going to take you, and sometimes in the very depths of ourstruggles come the most exciting and rewarding of opportunities. Andrea Austin and Lurysol Olivera are two prime examples of thatphilosophy. These two dynamic ladies have taken their passion for fitness and are changing lives as a result.When she graduated from high school in 1999, Andrea entered the United States Navy and spent the next four years traveling the world.Naturally athletic, she stayed in shape by playing on the volleyball and softball teams for the Navy.After her time in the military, she resumed her civilian life which included a new job as a flight attendant, a brief marriage and a baby.Her weight problems were compounded when she got pregnant in 2007, going from an acceptable 115 pounds on her five foot, two inch frameall the way to 190 pounds.“I was borderline diabetic at the time,” Andrea recalled. “After I had the baby and several weeks went by, I decided to do something aboutit. I felt horrible physically. My knees, hips and elbows ached from all the extra weight I had been carrying.”Inspired to lose the weight, she began working out and eventually hired a personal trainer. This led to her decision to become a membershipcounselor at the fitness club where she worked out in San Diego. Eventually, she became a Pilates instructor and finally a personal trainer.A setback occurred shortly thereafter when she fell down a flight of stairs, sustaining multiple injuries and sidelining her from her job.When she had enough of feeling poorly and out of shape, she kicked it into gear and began working out and reducing the number of caloriesshe consumed, getting back to her pre-baby weight within a year.Lurysol was always active as a child and played volleyball year-round in high school. While in college, she worked part-time at a fitness44 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM