Dawn Elsea is a familiar face to the staff and patients of Doctor’s Hospital, formerly known as Doctor’s With Ohio Health West Side.

As a registered nurse with an MBA, she performs a wide variety of duties within the hospital – bedside nursing, nursing administration, and oversight of admissions, care and family counseling and organ donation. Amazingly, she finds the time to train daily in preparation for the 2009 Arnold Amateur Women’s Bodybuilding Competition.

Dawn attended a private high school in Findlay, where she was active in volleyball, softball and basketball. Her great success as a youth athlete and the personal drive she inherited from her family members gave her the confidence to believe she could achieve anything.

“I started taking aerobics while I lived in Findlay. Eventually, I started lifting weights and I was immediately hooked. I am an extremely driven person. In order to learn how to lift weights I read a lot of muscle and fitness magazines while I trained at the Findlay YMCA. Essentially, I taught myself,” Dawn says.  

“I moved to Columbus and immediately joined Gold’s Gym on Indianola Avenue. I later joined Bally’s as well. I made my way to Metro Fitness North and then started training in Hilliard.

“Mark Myhal, an Exercise Physiologist, was training people there. He saw me in the gym while I was training for my first amateur competition, The Mike François Classic. He really wanted to go out with me. At first I didn’t think I would have time to get personally involved but we did and we’ve been together ever since, now more than 14 years.

“Mark’s knowledge base has helped me tremendously. He has tried a lot of things and he would share them with me. Now I essentially train myself. Mark is very busy in his own career.

“In preparation for the 2009 Arnold Amateur I am training heavy. About 6 to 8 reps each. I go mostly by feel now. I will compete at the Arnold Amateur at about 160 lbs. with about 8.5 percent body fat.

“I would say my favorite body part to train is my chest. Legs are very hard and I am always happy to be done.

“I always push myself because I am so self motivated. In order to make sure I have the right foods I cook every other day. I am eating a great deal of fish right now, egg whites, and fresh broccoli, green beans, asparagus and salad greens. Tupperware is my friend.

“The last time I competed was 10 years ago. I will be ready.

“My sister will try to visit the Arnold to see me compete. My father is ill right now – he gives me all my drive. My father has been a hard worked all his life and I am just like him.

“I don’t think many of my co-workers are aware of my training. I wear scrubs at work so none of my peers can really tell that I’m getting ready for a competition. They are just now beginning to notice how lean my face is.

“In our free time, Mark and I work in commercial fireworks. We set them up and shoot them off. We work with Rozzi Fireworks in Cincinnati. I read a great deal because my educational goals require that I stay very busy with the books. I also have two Rottweiler’s, Max and Greta.

“I have created a personal mission statement that keeps me motivated: I will be persistent, patient, and persistent and always strive to learn something in the journey."
Look for Dawn Elsea among the champions at the 2009 Arnold Amateur. Visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com for more information about the event.