Candy Canary

by Gene X Hwang

April 2006 - The 2006 Emerald Cup was both a coming out party and a statement to other heavyweights as the competitive season for the amateurs got into full swing in the Pacific Northwest. But it was Oklahoman Candy Canary's name which was on the tip of everyones tongues.

Coming into the show at a crisp 155 lbs. that looked like 5-10 pounds more, the incredibly thick and densely muscled Canary has already made an impact after her first show this year.

Past overall winners at the Emerald Cup have looked impressive and many have gone on to the pro ranks and Canary is looking to fulfill those ambitions for herself.

Her base for her legs was built on years of training and competing as a track athlete (where she also ran cross country) but she specialized in the speed events. The weight training quickly impacted Canary's physique and she responded very well to the resistance noticing strength and size gains almost immediately. She was enamored with the results and thus a bodybuilder was born.

Canary is also a former Air Force technical sargeant and although she has retired from the USAF, the discipline and focus that was required of military officers has stayed with her and continues to motivate her. Her motivations inside the gym are focused on earning her pro card but outside the gym she is equally driven.

The flip side of Canary is that she's a pastor. When most people visualize a pastor they might think of an older gentleman with a comforting nature and warm aura. When people visualize bodybuilders they might think of an aggressive or even violently tempered individual (especially in light of modern media portrayals). Pastor Canary however, is something quite different.

"I'm a total social butterfly," says Canary with a big smile. "People might think I'm mean because I'm a bodybuilder but really I'm very warm and open," she adds.

Those in the audience after the Emerald Cup can surely attest to this as Canary stuck around for two hours chatting with fans and others who wanted to get a piece of her after her impressive victory. Not only is she generous with her time, she's generous to her community and the greater community too.

"I'm co-founder and president of Sowing the Seeds for Christ outreach ministries which is a ministry helping single moms and underprivileged children," she says.

Almost all of her time outside of contest prep and training is focused on this and Canary might possibly be the most buff pastor in the US if not the world.

Back to her physique and her future in the sport, Canary tells us: "My hopes are to get my pro card."

If she keeps on going the way she's started the 2006 competitive season, she should have good opportunies to dent the top ranks and push the other heavies. However, at the USAs where she'll make her National level debut, the competition will be intense and a big step up from the depth she saw at the Emerald Cup in her class.

Candy is up for it though and she is also prepared to compete at North Americans and the NPC Nationals as well. She also knows her package will have to be dialed in perfectly to compete with veterans such as Lora Ottenad, Sheila Bleck, Heather Policky and Sherrie Smith just to name a few. Keep your eyes open as we are sure to get a lot more of this 'Hard Candy!'

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Candy Canary's Stats:
Age: 31
Height: 5'4'"
Off-Season Weight: 180 lbs.
Contest Weight: 155 lbs.
- Arms: 15½"
- Calves: 15½"
- Quads: 26"

Lifts:
DB Curls: 40 lbs. x10 reps
Leg Press: 1300 lbs. (maxing out the machine)
Bench Press: 205 lbs. x10 reps
Squats: 405 lbs. x10 reps
Walking Lunges: 185 lbs.

Contact: email Candy

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