AL & ELAINE COOK
Allan Cook I ' ve been a Bodybuilding / Fitness enthusiast since 10 , after seeing pictures of Larry Scott , Arnold , Franco , Sergio and Dave Draper . . . The Golden Era ! In 1979 I witnessed our President Ron Hache win the Lightweight Northern ' s in Sudbury and have not missed that annual trip since ! I started Judging in 1994 and continue to this day at the National Level . While living in Northern Ontario I promoted two Events . . . The Silver City Classic ( Cobalt ) in 1995 and the Northeastern Classic ( New Liskeard ) in 1999 . I was North Region Director of the OPA from 2001 to 2010 , at which time I was appointed as Vice President , a term I held until my Retirement in 2014 . I remain very active however , with Judging , and backstage duties including the Annual Toronto Pro Supershow . Along with my Wife Elaine , we Co-Promote , along with Ron and Angie Hache , The President ' s Cup ( formerly called the OPA Gala ) since its ' inception 10 years ago . I ' ve had the honour of being Master of Ceremonies on a number of occasions the past 10 years . I ' ve never competed as I ' ve yet to master the exercise of " pushing myself away " from the Dinner table ! I have however , enjoyed success from the 1990 ' s to the 2010 ' s in both Powerlifting and Strongman Competitions . The most gratifying part of this " Journey " are the numerous people I have met and the friendships I ' ve made over the years . . . A " True Extended Family " for which I will be forever grateful !
Elaine Cook Al and I have been together since 1999 and very quickly I was bitten by the " Bodybuilding / Fitness Bug " when I began travelling with him to numerous shows . I quickly started duties as Statistician , and began Judging in 2001 and continue to do so to this day at the National Level . Like many people , before I started , I had no idea of the amount of work that went into a Show . From registration , athlete ' s meetings , working with promoters and helping to solve issues that may arise during these Events . Often exhausted by day ' s end , but always . . . very satisfied . I became involved with the daily work that arose when Al was Vice President . I quickly learned about the volume of emails and phone calls from promoters , sponsors and athletes who were looking for critiques from recent shows , as well as dealing with the CBBF , our affiliate at the time . Al was also in charge of the Drug Testing Program and I learned much about that as well . Since the onset of Covid-19 , we ' ve re-opened our Home Gym which enables us to continue our training . We miss everyone who we ' d normally see on numerous occasions throughout each year . We have lived in Orillia since 2001 and as Al has stated , I too , will always be grateful of the " Extended Family " I ' ve come to know .
EMPOWERMENT-INDEPENDENCE-SUCCESS