Get to Know Me

From amateur to professional competitor to key leaderships roles, I've done it all!

The Early Years: Building a Foundation

Tamara Vahn’s journey is rooted in a relentless pursuit of excellence that began in her early years. Growing up, Tamara was captivated by the world of dance and gymnastics, disciplines that would lay the groundwork for her future in competitive fitness. She was driven by a passion for movement and a deep curiosity about the capabilities of the human body. This passion led her to pursue an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Marketing and a minor in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. During her university years, Tamara not only excelled academically but also continued to refine her skills in various athletic and artistic pursuits, setting the stage for her diverse career ahead.

Corporate Life: From Consulting to Empowerment

After graduating, Tamara embarked on a successful career in the corporate world, where she quickly made a name for herself as a strategic consultant and business leader. Tamara's corporate journey began with roles at prestigious organizations like Arthur Andersen Business Consulting and Evans Research Corporation, where she honed her skills in business strategy, marketing integration, and customer relationship management. She later joined The Daggerwing Group, a part of BBDO, where she served as Managing Director, leading high-stakes projects for global clients such as GE, AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, and GlaxoSmithKline.

Tamara’s consulting career was marked by her ability to drive corporate efficiency and effectiveness through process improvement and strategic leadership. She was known for her expertise in best practice identification, gap analysis, and client relationship management. Her work spanned diverse industries, including lifestyle fitness, healthcare, technology, and entertainment, where she successfully led multi-agency and multi-partner engagements. Tamara’s corporate experience provided her with a solid foundation in business, which would later play a crucial role in her transition to the fitness industry.

A New Chapter: Internationally Ranked Bodybuilder and Fitness Athlete

In 2007, Tamara made a bold decision to leave the corporate world and fully dedicate herself to her passion for fitness. This transition was not just a career change but a complete transformation of her life’s focus. As the sole proprietor of Vahn Enterprises, she began offering fitness consulting and management services, leveraging her corporate experience to build a brand that resonated with both clients and athletes.Tamara’s commitment to fitness led her to the competitive stage, where she quickly rose to prominence as a professional bodybuilder and fitness athlete.

Her journey was one of perseverance and dedication, as she navigated the challenges of international competition while balancing the demands of motherhood and entrepreneurship. Tamara became a 5x IFBB Olympian, earning her place among the world’s elite athletes. Her performances on stage were a masterclass in storytelling, blending strength, power, flexibility, and grace in ways that captivated audiences and judges alike.

As a coach, Tamara became more than just a mentor to her clients; she became a guiding force, helping them unlock their full potential and discover their inner champions. She brought her corporate skills into the fitness world, offering strategic insights and a structured approach to training that set her apart from other coaches. Beyond the stage, Tamara continued to expand her influence as a visionary entrepreneur, a published magazine contributor, and a board member for a non-profit organization. Her life is a testament to the idea that there are no limits, only temporary challenges, and she continues to inspire others to embrace this philosophy in their own lives.

Key leadership Roles

7-Eleven (Retail) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

AARP (non-profit) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

Alzheimer’s Association (non-profit) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

AT&T (Telecommunications) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

Blockbuster (Retail, loyalty program) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

Focus Fitness/Fitbodz & Crunch – Sydney, Australia

GE (Global Corporate Brand and Marketing Group + all lines of Businesses) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

GlaxoSmithKline (Pharma – Rx brand)

Hewlett-Packard (Consumer Technology)

Lenox (direct-to-consumer sales) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

Loews-Cineplex Corporation (Entertainment) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (Entertainment/Gaming) – Corporate Head Office, Canada

Phillips (Healthcare) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

Schering-Plough Corporation (Pharma – Rx brands) – Corporate Head Office, U.S.A.

UnitedHealthcare (Insurance)

Qualifications

BBA, honors from Wilfrid Laurier University

Owner of Body By You

Creator of Bodies & Beer (™)

Certified Personal Training Specialist

Pre & Postnatal Fitness Specialist

Zumba Fitness Licenses & Specialities

Aqua Zumba

Strong by Zumba

Zumba Core

Zumba Glutes

Zumba Toning

Zumbatomic

Zumbini

TRX Suspension Training

Contest History - Professional Career

2025 Olympia Performance coming soon

1st Place 2024 Vancouver Pro Show, Fitness

6th Place 2024 Arnold Classics Miss Fitness International

2nd Place 2023 Chattanooga Night of Champions, Fitness

3rd* Place 2023 Masters Olympia, Fitness (tie for 2nd in scoring)

7th Place 2023 Arnold Classics Miss Fitness International

6th Place 2022 Fitness Olympia

5th Place 2022 Arnold Classics Miss Fitness International

3rd Place 2022 Boston Pro, Fitness

1st Place 2022 Puerto Rico Pro, Fitness

2nd Place 2021 Tampa Pro Show, Fitness Division

Masters Overall Fitness Champion 2021 Legions Sports Fest

6th Place 2021 Fitness Olympia

2nd Place Open 2021 Legions Sports Fest, Fitness Division

1st Place Masters Fitness 40+ 2021 Legions Sports Fest

3rd Place 2021 Chicago Pro Show, Fitness Division

2nd Place 2021 Puerto Rico Pro Show, Fitness Division

11th Place 2019 Fitness Olympia

2nd Place 2019 Puerto Rico Pro Show, Fitness Division

2nd Place 2019 Toronto Pro Show, Fitness Division

2nd Place 2019 Miami Pro Show, Fitness Division

3rd Place 2019 Chicago Pro Show, Fitness Division

6th Place 2017 Europa Phoenix Pro, Fitness Division - IFBB Pro Debut

1st Place Overall Fitness Champion and awarded IFBB Pro Card, 2008 CBBF CDN National Figure & Fitness Championships

2020 Non-Competition Year due to COVID-related restrictions

Contest History - Amateur Career

Best Routine Award, 2008 CBBF CDN National Figure & Fitness Championships

1st Place Overall Fitness & 1st Place Women’s Fitness Short class, 2008 CBBF CDN National World Qualifiers

Best Routine Award, 2008 CBBF CDN National World Qualifier

3rd Place Women’s Fitness Short class, 2007 CBBF Canadian National World Qualifiers

4th Place Women’s Fitness Short class, 2007 CBBF Canadian National Figure & Fitness Championships

4th Place Women’s Fitness Short class, 2006 CBBF Canadian National Fitness & Figure Championships

1st Place Fitness div. at Fitness Universe’s 2006 Canadian competition

1st Place Figure Div. at Fitness Universe’s 2006 Canadian competition

1st Place Fitness div. at OPA’s 2006 Ontario Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships

1st Place Fitness Open division at 2005 FAME World Championship

2nd Place Fitness division at OPA’s 2005 Western Ontario Championships

1st Place Fitness at Ontario’s 2006 Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships