In memory: My admiration for Andrea Warren

SANDUSKY — Andrea Warren epitomizes a person you hated to love. Let me explain through my own perspective. She rarely showed any remorse for putting me, along with hundreds of others, through grueling workouts — the ones where sweat spills down your body reminiscent of a waterfall. Countless times, amid the few precious seconds of reprieve, I would gasp for air while fully extending my body on a turf-covered floor. It's at this point where Andrea, like a drill sergeant at boot camp, would often yell. "OK, time to get back to work. Let's go!" And even with the moaning and groaning from most attending her classes, including myself, we'd all pop up and perform a new set of exercises such as swinging kettlebells, rowing dumbbells and lunging across the gym. Sure, her students pressed on in hopes of getting into better shape. But I also plugged away to gain her respect. Despite the sheer difficulty, promptly at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, I eagerly anticipated the weekly workouts she would lead. Known as the Tabata class, defined as a high-intensity training program, it quickly became NexXt Level Fit Academy's best-attended session for a couple of years. Even though the 1990 Sandusky High School graduate didn't visibly show compassion, inside, she wholeheartedly cared about each individual attending her gym. Andrea, a Sandusky resident, never mocked or grew impatient with those struggling to complete a certain activity. Rather, she would always take the time to explain a certain movement. Furthermore, each time, she'd work out alongside us, practicing what she preaches. It helped everyone, especially me, get through the hour-long class and look forward to next week's session. A humble and modest woman, Andrea dedicated her entire life, personally and professionally, to tackling difficult situations head-on in helping community members unlock their greatest potential: • As a social worker, she assisted those overcoming great challenges, including at her most recent place of employment, Continuing Health of Milan. • As a trainer, she aided people in losing weight, gaining muscle and promoting better mental health at NexXt Level. Andrea shined the brightest teaching classes she received certifications in: Insanity Live and Strong Nation. • As a single mother, she raised her son, Ke'Ron Nickelson, sharing with him the important morals and values shaping her altruistic, humanitarian approach in life. Those who knew Andrea understood gaining her respect represented a greater victory than setting any personal record on the bench press or squat rack. For the bodybuilders and muscleheads, here's an analogy: It's easier to lift 500 pounds overhead than to earn Andrea's admiration. It's not that she was a cold person. Quite the contrary. She just limited those who could enter her inner circle. "Yes, she is very stern, and she is strict and to the point," Angela, Andrea's sister, said. "But that's just who she is, and once you get to know her, you'll find out she has a heart of gold. If she likes you, she loves you, and you become one of her good friends that she'll do anything for." Consider yourself lucky if she welcomed you inside her exclusive club. It's there where you grew a deeper appreciation for Andrea, a place where she'd share jokes, stories and advice. I remember the moment my invitation came: It was a Saturday afternoon in 2018, following a workout, where I experienced a softer side of Andrea: a laugh-filled lunch around a table with her sister and their mother, Gloria, at Nachos Mexican Restaurant in Sandusky. It's among my fondest memories in life, and I'm blessed she considered me a good friend. In memory In mid-October, Andrea unexpectedly experienced some headaches and encountered balancing issues. After a trip to the emergency room, followed up with tests and lab work, doctors diagnosed her with stage 4 brain and lung cancer. They found a mass on Andrea's right lung and discovered 14 tumors in her brain. Cancer from Andrea's lung metastasized to her brain. "On a Sunday, she was powerlifting. And then, the next day, on a Monday, she collapsed and couldn't even walk," Angela said. "Everything happened so fast." Shortly into Andrea's hospital stay, Angela told her she wanted to shut down NexXt Level. Angela wanted to fully focus on her sister's care. But Andrea flat-out said "No." "She told me, 'Sis, keep the gym open. We can't lose the gym. That is our family. People rely on us. I will get better. I will come back. You have to keep the gym going,'" Angela said when recalling her conversation with Andrea. Angela nodded her head in agreement as she consoled Andrea. Andrea died on Friday. She was 50. Andrea is survived by her mother, Gloria Veliz Warren; father, Kenneth (Carol) Warren Sr.; son, Ke'Ron Nickelson; siblings, Angela Warren and Jaclyn (Eugene) Gill; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. People can attend a visitation from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. A funeral takes place at 4 p.m. there. Following the visitation, at 5 p.m. Saturday, friends and family can gather at NexXt Level Fit Academy, 711 W. Washington St. (U.S. 6), Sandusky for a celebration of life. Beyond keeping the gym open, Andrea's dying wish revolved around caring for Ke'ron. He suffers from seizures ever since he was born and requires regular medical attention. To support Andrea's family, supporters set up a GoFundMe account titled #DreaStrong. Created by Samantha Maschari, there is a photo of Andrea taking a picture of herself in the gym surrounded by a red background. "She has always given to people and always given to families. She has shared so much of her money with others," Angela said. "If someone was in a similar situation to Andrea's, she would be willing to give, and we hope people would consider supporting (us) in any way they could."