Erin Stern (born February 5, 1980) is an American IFBB fitness professional and two-time Figure Olympia champion. She is a self-proclaimed lifetime natural athlete and now competes in the IFBB bikini division.
Early life
Erin Elyse Stern was born to a religious Reform Jewish family and attended a religious school. Her parents were both athletic; father formerly played football for C.W. Post and Adelphi University, and her mother ran three miles a day. She started horse riding in competitions at a young age, and later developed a passion for running, just like her mother, which led her to her track career.
Education & track career
Encouraged by her father, Stern earned a collegiate division Itrack and field scholarship to the University of Florida where she attended from 1999 to 2002. She competed in the high jump and earned Junior All-American status. She hit her high mark of 5-8.75 as a freshman, but later broke her foot and didn't hit a personal best again until six years later, competing in amateur competitions, clearing 5-11, which would have been good enough to win the SEC championship in three of her four years at school.
She graduated with a BA in Environmental Policy.
In 2008, Stern missed the chance to try for the US Olympic team as a high jumper by just 3 centimeters.
Bodybuilding career
Stern started bodybuilding in 2008 after feeling like she had reached her potential in the high jump. That same year, she won every amateur competition she entered, including winning the overall title at NPC Nationals in Atlanta and earning her pro card.
In March 2009, she made her pro debut at the Arnold Classic. She placed tenth at that competition but moved up to second place at the Arnold the following year. She made her Olympia debut in 2009, placing sixth and getting named Rookie of the Year. She then went on to win her first Figure Olympia title in 2010 and won again in 2012.
Stern had always competed in the figure division until she transitioned to the bikini division in 2020, where she continues to compete today.
Stern is the author of three books: MPower Your Life (April 2015), The Bodybuilder’s Kitchen (Alpha, April 2018) and Train Like a Bodybuilder (Alpha, July 2019).
Competitive history
Source:
Till 2011
2008 NPC National Bodybuilding and Figure Championships — 1st Place
