CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE MARCH || ISSUE 32 | Page 46

Cindy Van Empel-
Popowich
CPA Ambassador
Championships.
In 2011 Cindy explored a new direction yet
again, and she entered the relatively new
addition to the roster, the Bikini category,
where at 43 years of age she placed 5th in the
Open bikini class at the Luchka/O'Brien
Championships.
2011 also brought the First Annual Toronto Pro
Supershow and the Provincials, Cindy
competed as the very first and only Master
Bikini Competitor in Ontario. She also hosted
the Oxygen Magazine Model search on the
Expo stage, and was trophy presenter for the
IFBB portion of the Pro Show. Safe to say
Cindy’s strong suit is in multi tasking.
In 1989 Cindy Van Empel-Popowich experienced
her first Bodybuilding show.
She volunteered to help out and sold T-shirts for
an OPA event. During the show, she peeked
through a doorway to the auditorium, she stood
there amazed as she watched a woman on stage
performing a bodybuilding routine. Six years
later, she found herself on that very same stage,
where she competed, and won her first
bodybuilding show.
In 1998 her passion for the industry evolved to that
of promoter and emcee. For 4 years she co-
promoted the Sudbury and Northern Ontario
Bodybuilding Championships and traveled
throughout Ontario, and the United States
emceeing fitness events.
In 2008 Cindy test judged the Sudbury and
Northern Bodybuilding Championships and
earned her levels 1 and 2 judging certificates. Bit
by the competition bug again in 2009, Cindy
competed and won Figure open, figure master,
and the Overall figure Champion at the Sudbury 
That same year she went on to place 2nd at
Nationals, and she also competed at the North
Americans held in Cleveland Ohio. Cindy
returned to the stage several times since then,
adding the Arnold Amateurs in 2013, a 2nd place
finish at the North Americans in 2015 as well
taking 2nd Place in the introduction of the
Grandmaster class at Nationals in 2017, at 49 yrs
of age.
Over the years, Cindy has worked closely with
Inside Fitness Magazine as well as Muscle
Insider and has great experience in marketing
oneself for sponsorships. She continues to
Emcee for the CPA and takes her role of
announcing competitors to the stage very
seriously, with attention to ensuring both
competitor and audience members have a great
time throughout the experience.
With no signs of retiring insight, Cindy is very
focused on her training for future competitions
with the CPA and IFBB Amateurs.