Nia Abdallah

TAEKWONDO OLYMPIAN

Nia Abdallah is the 2004 Olympic silver medalist and the first American woman to officially receive a medal in taekwondo since it became an official Olympic event in 2000. That same year, she was also named USA Taekwondo’s Female Athlete of the Year. A third degree black belt, Nia is also the 2003 Pan American Games bronze medalist. Shortly after the birth of her daughter Lela, she earned a spot on the 2006 U.S. Senior National Team in the lightweight division.

Nia was five years old when she became fascinated with the games and gymnastic competitions on television. When she was nine, her father introduced her to taekwondo, and she was hooked. She was also a natural. Impressed by her athleticism, her parents encouraged her, and with excellent results. At 10, Nia earned two medals (gold and silver) for forms and sparring in the 1994 junior games. By the time she was 13, she had earned her first major international win at the 11th Annual U.S. Cup Taekwondo Championships, where she captured a gold medal in breaking. Nia has won international events in Peru and Canada and won two senior National Championships.

Nia counts on Vitalizer™ Dietary Supplement to be her supplement foundation. “I didn’t realize what I was missing until I started taking Vitalizer every day,” she says. She also relies on Joint Health Complex*. “I appreciate that Shaklee has a supplement targeted to the health of the joints,” she says. “Joint Health Complex helps—all the training and competition we do can certainly cause stiffness.”

Even though Nia is an athlete and classified as lightweight or featherweight in competitions, she still keeps a careful eye on her weight, eating small meals throughout the day with an emphasis on vegetables, fruit, and lean protein. “I like Cinch™ shakes, and mix one up for breakfast with strawberries or bananas before the first workout of the day,” she says. Cinch Snack Bars are also part of Nia’s routine. She likes their on-the-go convenience and often munches on one mid-afternoon for a pick-me-up.

“Shaklee products not only have improved the quality of my training, they’ve improved the quality of my life,” says Nia.

Close to her family, Nia is a self-described homebody whenever she’s not required to travel. One of her dreams is to open her own Daycare Center-Taekwondo School someday. Meanwhile, aside from being a champ, she is happiest being a mom, hanging out with family and friends, watching movies and doing “regular” things. Her joy is evident: “I’ve been told I smile a lot—even when I’m fighting,” she laughs.

Achievements:

• 2008 Game Trials (Feather): 2nd
• 2007 Game Trials Phase 1 (Feather) 2nd
• 2007 World Championships (Light): Bronze
• 2007 National Collegiate Championships (Light): Gold
• 2007 Sr. National Team Trials (Light): 1st
• 2007 U.S. Open (Light): Bronze
• 2007 Pan Am Games Trials (Light/Welter): 1st
• 2006 Pan Am Championships (Light): Silver
• 2006 Dutch Open (Light): Silver
• 2006 National Collegiate Championships (Welter): Gold
• 2006 U.S. Open (Forms): Gold
• 2006 Sr. National Team Trials (Light): 1st
• 2005 U.S. Senior Nationals (Light): Silver
• 2005 Senior National Team Member (Light)
• 2004 Games in Athens: Silver
• 2004 U.S. Team Trials: Gold
• 2004 Category Fight-Off: Gold
• 2004 Pan American Qualifier: Gold
• 2003 Pan American Games: Bronze
• 2003 U.S. Open (Forms/Sparring): Gold
• 2003 Peru Open (Sparring): Gold
• 2003 U.S. Senior Nationals (Forms): Silver
• 2003 U.S. Senior Nationals (Sparring): Silver
• 2003 Pan American Games Qualifier: Gold
• 2002 Quebec Open (Sparring): Gold
• 2002 U.S. Open (Forms): Silver
• 2002 U.S. Open (Sparring): Gold
• 2002 Team Trials: Bronze
• 2001 U.S. Senior Nationals (Forms): Gold
• 2001 U.S. Senior Nationals (Sparring): Gold
• 2001 Junior Games(Forms): Gold
• 2001 Junior Games (Sparring): Silver
• 2001 Team Trials: Silver
• 2000 Junior Games (Sparring): Silver
• 1999 Junior Games (Sparring): Silver
• 1997 Junior Games (Sparring): Bronze
• 1997 U.S. Cup (Breaking): Gold;U.S. Cup (Forms): Silver
• 1996 Junior Games (Forms): Silver
• 1996 Junior Games (Sparring): Gold
• 1995 Junior Games (Forms): Silver
• 1995 Junior Games (Sparring): Gold
• 1994 Junior Games (Forms): Gold
• 1994 Junior Games (Sparring): Gold