About Me
Wendy Arnold, a firefighter with Clearwater Fire and Rescue, has always been passionate about fitness. Growing up, and moving state to state as a “military brat;” (Wendy’s father was in the Coast Guard. She lived in 6 different states and attended 3 high schools) Wendy found that the best way to transition to a new school and meet new friends was by getting involved in athletics. She ran cross country in high school and worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor.
In college, Wendy continued to run Division 1 Cross Country for Winthrop University where she majored with a BS in Exercise Science and a minor in Health. She competed recreationally for 5 years in triathlons ranging from Sprint to Half-Ironman distances.
After college, she continued her love for fitness into her professional career. Prior to entering the fire service she was a professional personal trainer and worked for REEBOK International as a South Florida Marketing Rep. She was a also a group exercise instructor of six years in group exercise classes including the following: step aerobics, cardio- kickboxing, floor aerobics, basic training, and step/sculpt.
As far as training, Wendy has done it all from Half-Ironmans, Cross country running, NPC National Level Figure Competitions (winning the overall in 2003 Excalibur Bodybuilding and Figure show), and now to the Firefighter Combat Challenge.
Firefighting is the perfect career for her where she can combine her love for adventure, adrenalin, and fitness and use it to help others. She loves the physically demanding part of the job and she loves that the job is different everyday. She has competed in the Firefighter Combat Challenge since being hired in 2007.
HONORS/ AWARDS/ PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Ø NSCA CSCS: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Ø Channel 10 News Ms. Fitness 2008
Ø DIVISION I Cross Country Athlete 2001, 2002: Winthrop University
Ø Presidential Honors Award: Big South Conference * Award for Student Athletes with exception Academic and Athletic Achievement
Ø NASPE Award: Winthrop University
* National Association of Sport and Physical Education Outstanding Student Major Award
Ø Mary Wylie Ford Award: Winthrop University
* A Physical Education Award for a student demonstrating Exceptional Professionalism
Ø NPC National Level Figure Athlete
* BODY ROCK competitor: Monica Brant Figure & Fitness Show 2003
* Fitness Universe competitor: National level show New York City, NY 2003
* OVERALL FIGURE CHAMPION Excalibur Bodybuilding and Figure Show 2003 Charleston, SC
Ø Firefighter Combat Challenge World Qualifier 2007: Coed Tandem
Ø Firefighter Combat Challenge World Qualifier 2008: Female Individual and Coed Tandem