Butler bodybuilder returning to Olympia
BUTLER TWP — The third time a charm? Theresa Ivancik hopes so.
Ivancik, 40, of Center Township, co-owner of Harlan’s Elite Fitness in Butler Township and a professional bodybuilder, will be competing in her third Olympia on Oct. 11 in Las Vegas.
“This is our Super Bowl,” Ivancik said of bodybuilders. “And my goal is to win it ... at least finish among the top three.”
The top three finishers at the Olympia receive an automatic berth in the following year’s event. Otherwise, a competitor has to place first at a professional show to earn a spot.
Ivancik won the Triple O Dynasty competition on April 6 in Mesa, Ariz., to qualify for this year’s Olympia.
“They changed the qualification rules recently and it’s much harder to get in now,” she said “There are only 15 spots available. They go to the top three from last year’s Olympia. The winners of the 12 pro shows over the past year get the other spots.
“Not all of those shows are held in the United States. Some are held in Romania, Portugal, Spain and Canada. This (Olympia) competition is absolutely the best of the best.”
Ivancik placed 14th in the 2020 Olympia. She was seventh in 2022. She is in her 17th year of competing and this year’s Olympia will be her 32nd show overall. She has four professional wins in her career.
“What Theresa’s done is extremely impressive,” Harlan’s Elite Fitness co-owner Jeff Harlan said. “This isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. She trains year-round and it takes weeks to prepare for a show.
“She’ll spend Sundays preparing 20 pounds of rice for meals for the upcoming week. To do what she’s done requires 365 days, 24-7 type of dedication.”
Harlan said he believes Ivancik can walk away with the Olympia championship in October.
“Honestly ... I’ve never seen her look better,” he said.
Judges at the Triple O Dynasty agreed.
“They told me after the show that all I needed to do was look a little sharper and conditioned,” Ivancik said. “They had no problem with how I looked or performed at all. That was very encouraging.”
The Olympia weekend consists of a press conference the Thursday before the competition, a VIP meet and greet with the press. The first portion of the competition is going on stage with the other competitors, getting pumped up and striking your poses.
The second portion, later in the same day, involves a personalized two-minute routine performed by each competitor individually.
“The first session is probably the most critical,” Ivancik said. “The judges remember how you looked, put a lot of stock in that. If you don’t do well there, it’s really hard tr overcome.”
Harlan admires how Ivancik competes today.
“She’s just been awesome, almost works this sport to perfection,” he said. “She demonstrates how a female can remain feminine and be an effective bodybuilder. Theresa is a role model that way.”
Ivancik is hopeful her previous Olympia experiences will help her this third time around.
“It’s an event and atmosphere like no other,” she said. “There are so many people watching and you’re up against the very best. I know what it takes to win. I believe I have what it takes to win.”
