Alea Suarez

Alea Suarez was born and raised in San Diego, CA to a multi-cultural family. She was half tom-boy and half girly-girl playing sports & skateboarding with the boys while also taking ballet, tap & jazz & tumbling classes. Alea was very active but also a chubby kid. Alea dealt with some serious family adversities that continued to escalate as did her weight. She hit a low point at which she decided to take control of her life and started changing her diet and exercising late in high school. She discovered the discipline and strict regimen of living healthy also strengthened her confidence, self esteem and belief in positive thinking which translated to finishing her last two years of school with straight A’s.

Alea had wanted to compete ever since she watched a Ms. Fitness competition on ESPN when she was in high school. She had continued practicing a healthy lifestyle by teaching dance and aerobics and started personal training, but competing was left to the back burner because she felt she didn’t have the time or resources. Unfortunately, tragedy struck with the loss of her best friend Cassandra, who died suddenly leaving two children behind. Cassandra was also a fitness advocate and always said that Alea should stop talking about competing and just do it. Inspired by her late friend’s words, Alea decided to compete and as a result, won the 2009 NPC Texas State Bikini overall championship and earned her IFBB pro card at the 2009 NPC National Bikini Championships. Alea states, “It hasn’t been easy but as a mother of three, I know how moms can lose sight of themselves, always taking care of their loved ones first. I would like to be an inspiration to encourage other women to take care of themselves so they can always be there for their families. Losing Cassandra made me realize life is too short not to reach for the stars! “.

With a promising Pro debut after placing no lower than seventh in Bikini in her first year of competing, Alea made a ground breaking decision to switch divisions from Bikini to Figure. Alea felt that the look and training of a figure athlete was more conducive to her training preference, body type and lifestyle. The decision yielded immediate success placing within the top 6 her first year with her best finish of 3rd place at the Phoenix Figure Pro which qualified her to the 2011 Figure Olympia.

Competing and having an active family, (a supportive husband who is also a fitness professional and children who are martial artists and perform in large dance productions), transcends a complex but rewarding lifestyle. “Being a role model for my children is first and foremost.” Alea states, “ but I’ve realized the impact and responsibility of being an IFBB professional. I have an opportunity to reach out to other women who find it difficult to fit fitness into their lives. I was always driven to rise above my personal adversities and it has carried on throughout my life. I just want to convey to people with similar situations that they can rise above what they face and fitness is a great vehicle for that.”

Alea is a licensed aesthician/make-up artist and holds a BA in Psychology with an emphasis in child/adolescent development & family counseling. She is interested in alternative medicine, holistic and organic methodologies, positive thinking & manifestation & parent coaching. Alea runs her own business, “Eye of the Tigress” providing Eyelash Extensions, personal training, and life coaching services.

Contest History:

2011 IFBB Houston Pro, Figure 6th

2011 IFBB Olympia, Ms. Figure 14th

2011 IFBB Phoenix Pro, Figure 3rd

2011 IFBB Europa Super Show, Dallas, Figure 6th

2011 IFBB New York Pro Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships, Figure 4th

2011 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure & Bikini, Figure 6th

2010 IFBB Europa Super Show, Bikini 7th

2010 IFBB Jacksonville Pro, Bikini 6th

2010 IFBB New York Pro Bodybuilding & Bikini Championships, Bikini 5th

2010 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure & Bikini, Bikini 7th

2010 IFBB MuscleContest Pro Bikini, Bikini 6th