Archives for March 2008

I’ve received a few emails asking why are there more names being added to the list for the IFBB Pittsbugh Pro show when the deadline has passed. It’s pretty simple, this is the first show of the year (the Arnold was by invite) and many pros were either a) not aware of the deadline or b) expressed an interest to the IFBB but the office hadn’t received the signed contract from the competitor. Some women are all bent out of shape by this and my advice is… relax. Lists change all the time for one reason or another. Focus on yourself, don’t worry about who your competition is and have fun.

• Catherine Andersen
• Teresa Anthony
• Huong Arcinas
• Tivisay Briceno
• Heather Mae French
• Amy Fry
• Bernadette Galvan
• Shannon Meteraud
• Melissa Montanaro-Griffin
• Hazal Nelson
• Melissa Pearo
• Nicole Pitcher-Scott
• Rosa-Maria Romero
• Brenda Marie Smith
• Tammy Strome
• Laura Sutter
• Nicole Wilkins

** Heather Green, Brianna Tindall and Allison Williams are not on the “official list” but do intend to compete.

Rosa-Maria Romero is one of the few Aussies who has the title of IFBB Pro on their resume. She can add OXYGEN cover model her growing list of accomplishments. Rosa-Maria is featured on the Australian edition of OXYGEN magazine.

Next up, she will make the long trip from Australia to be compete in the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure. Congratulations Rosa-Maria, you look great and keep up the continued success.

Rosa-Maria featured on the current cover.

Today, I confirmed with two more women that they will be competing at the Pittsburgh Pro Figure contest. I’ve had the opportunity to shoot with both of these women and they’re both fun to be around.

Huong Arcinas confirmed with me that as of today her contract is in and this shorty is ready to rock. She made her debut in Sacramento and this will be her second pro show. She has tremendous shape to her balanced physique. Huong is a mother of two children and lives in northern California.

Huong hang’n out in Cali.

The other fit momma is one of my favorite models, Heather Green. Heather had an impressive 2007 – starting with the NPC JR USA and found herself on the Figure Olympia stage months later. She headed to West Palm Beach to end a very long but productive season. I caught up with Heather at the Arnold Classic where she was looking great but hadn’t decided for certain on what show(s) she would be doing. Early this morning she confirmed that she will be doing the Pittsburgh Pro as her 2008 debut. ** Heather intends to compete and the IFBB office is awaiting her signed contract at the time of posting this.

Beauty & The Beach – Heather Green.

Heather at the 2007 NPC JR USA.

Good Luck to these fit mommas in their season opener.

BUILT magazine used the 2007 Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas as it’s debut. What bigger venue is there to announce a new magazine that’s vision is to promote bodybuilding (except for maybe the Arnold)? It was a new magazine being given away at the Pinnacle/Kemistry booth. The magazine featured many amazing photographs, various articles and tips printed on high quality paper. The design, well it looked more like a “design for design sake” than that of a functional, legible publication. As a designer, I can appreciate the design and new approach however it wasn’t fitting for the bodybuilding world. It was better suited as an art/design/creative magazine.

Any whoo… as we reported months ago all of the athletes under contract with Pinnacle/Kemistry were let go in November of 2007. Pinnacle also dropped out as title sponsor of the 2007 NPC Nationals. It appears there was a direct connection to these events that also lead to the demise of BUILT magazine. The magazine as it stands today is dead – one and done. I applaud the people behind BUILT for trying something new and attempting to bring more awareness to the industry. Unfortunately, this story happens more often than not with new magazines not only in the fitness/bodybuilding industry but also in the world of publishing as a whole.

R.I.P. BUILT magazine

The newest campaign for Vegas.com isn’t targeted to women, however we’ve all encountered one of these guys at some point. I found the ad hilarious and very fitting for many of the guys in the bodybuilding industry.

The copy reads, “Do you love clubbing in Vegas, sleeping 8 guys to 1 room and spray-on tans? Lucky for you VEGAS.com has been helping discerning douchebags Do Vegas Right long before you used your first pick-up line.”

Vegas.com ad currently running in a variety of magazines.

The web site www.vegas.com/douchebag is equally amusing where guys can take a quiz.

Take the Douchebag Quiz to figure out if you can cut it as a Vegas Douchebag:

1. Do you know where to get the best spray-on tan?
2. Do you like to show off your nipple ring in public?
3. Do you know the difference between beer and malt liquor?
4. Do you wear your chain inside or outside your shirt?
5. Do you own more than 5 different trucker hats?

If you answered “fo sho” to any of the above questions, you may have what it takes to be a true Vegas Douchebag.

It’s been awhile since we last saw her on stage but that’s all set to change in May. Halcyon Duarte has her sights set on returning the the figure stage at the 2008 NPC JR USA. Halcy has appeared in Muscle & Fitness Hers, Oxygen and IRONMAN. She graced the cover of M&F hers for the JAN/FEB 2006 issue. I’m looking forward to seeing her return to the stage. Best of luck Halcy and we’ll see you in Charleston.

The IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure is set for May 3, 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA. Three more figure pros will be added to the list of qualified competitors for the 2008 Olympia. There are a few rookies as well as a few veterans on the competitor list to date.

• Catherine Andersen
• Teresa Anthony
• Tiviasy Briceno
• Heather Mae French
• Amy Fry
• Shannon Meteraud
• Melissa Montanaro-Griffin
• Hazal Nelson
• Melissa Pearo
• Nicole Pitcher-Scott
• Rosa-Maria Romero
• Tammy Strome
• Nicole Wilkins

For more information on this contest visit IFBBpro.com.

Any women competing in the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure contest and looking for a make-up artist, look no further. Amber Altany has worked with all the pro women that have visit JM Manion’s studio in Pittsburgh. A few of the people she’s help get beautified are Adela Garcia, Kim Klein, Gina Aliotti, Sonia Adcock, Jenn Gates, Shannon Meteraud, MaryJo Cooke, Natalie Benson, Hazal Nelson, Amanda Jo Savell, Kristin Gomes, Davana Medina, Jenny Lynn, Christine Pomponio-Pate, Jennifer Searles, Mary Elizabeth Lado, Andrea Dumon, Heidi Fletcher, Kristal Richardson, Nicole Wilkins, Juliana Malacarne and Tracey Greenwood.

Contact Info:
Amber Altany
Ph: 412-726-5017
Email: amber@amberaltanymakeup.com
http://www.amberaltanymakeup.com

Fitness International Champ Kim Scheideler
Photo Provided By: JM Manion

We’ve seen a number of IFBB pros give birth to a new generation within the last few months. Last week I caught up with one of my long time clients, IFBB Pro Kim Seeley. Those who may not know, Kim is one of the few professional competitors that competes with type one diabetes. She’s been very helpful with many others looking to compete with the disease and contributes to a variety of diabetic publications.

Kim hasn’t taken the stage in a few months and with good reason… she’s expecting her first child. She tells me she’s excited to step away from competing for a bit to focus on starting a family, but she isn’t retiring. I asked Kim to share a bit more with the readers of HARDBODY.com about her exciting news. Check out her candid answers to my questions.

What’s your due date?
September 9, 2008

Do you know the sex or want to know?
I’m not sure what we’ll be having yet. We will find out in the next few weeks or so. Since I am also a type one. I have tons of sonograms and like a gazillion other tests to make sure the baby is healthy and doing what it is suppose to be doing weekly. So basically I’ll find out the sex probably by accident seeing so many sonograms.

I am happy to find out though. I think knowing ahead of time can prepare you financially as well as an emotional connection might be kinda cool. I honestly could give 2 shits what it is… with the “Advanced Maternal Age Bull Shit”…and more importantly how the affects diabetes can play a roll in the baby developing have been really stressful. Happy and healthy coming out of the chute is what i want…then my husband and I can f’ it all up mentally late..hee hee. Kidding Isaac, but it is something I have to think about with my diabetes.

Any names picked out?
The names are based on a family thing:  Eric, Eric’s grandfather and so on have had the initials E.O.S. So that’s what we are doing. Girl’s names, Elliot or Elton for the first name and Olivia for the middle. The boy names,  Ellison (Ellis for short) or Eric the second, the middle names could be Owen, Oliver or Otto. Yes, Otto. My husband’s family is very German.

What’s been the biggest adjustment since finding out?
Shit! Which one?! Ha! Physically this is the first time in 10 years I have not seen abs. I always have some sort of ab definition and that is now long gone. (so my physique changing is an adjustment. God, I have to be honest, my nose runs constantly which is so odd. Mentally my moods are way off kilter. I’m sane one minute and a nut job the next. I love carbs more than i can remember. I SWORE I’d be Ms Fit pregnant chic and although I haven’t had any nausea. I feel completely exhausted all the time; to the point where I fall asleep at my desk while at work. This has really baffled me. I have missed many many workouts. This has been really tough. I literally could not make myself get to the gym.  Sounds like such a bunch of crap but was so true for me. Hopefully that will get better.

The biggest thing is in relation to my disease though. God, I thought training for competitions would cause crazy blood sugar swings. Not even close. This is the most difficult thing I have ever dealt with in all my years of having type one. Some highs and many many, many, lows. In fact one really low last Friday night that resulted me in the back of an ambulance. Glucose dropped while driving and I blacked out.  Drove about 22-15 minutes unaware, wrecked my car, hit a curb and a pole of some sort. All the while with my chihuahuas flying around in the back seat. Luckily I was fine and did not injure anyone else. The cops thought I was drunk. I pissed myself too. That was my favorite part of the night. I rule. No but seriously, the baby is using so much fuel that my insulin measurements were way off.  We are working on that!!

Thank God I have the coolest team of doctors under the sun. They cleared up one helluva lot of misconceptions for me and the fit pregnancy thing. I have 3 teams and they are very, very, hip and aggressive.

Thanks for your candidness Kim and we’re all glad you and the baby are ok. We’ll check in with you throughout your pregnancy and wish you all the best!

We’re all inspired by someone or something. Post up your latest inspiration in the comments field or email them to me. I’ll be featuring an “inspiration” list in the coming weeks. My current inspiration is a friend of mine traveling the world and sharing the amazing experiences. It reminds me that we all should get out a little more and experience something new. This morning I woke up with this thought in my head which is my new mantra.

“Life is my currency… It’s my choice how I spend it.”

I love it. It doesn’t matter where you’re at or how much or little money you have – as long as you’re alive you have the choice to spend your time as you choose.

There are a number of questions that go unanswered in the world of competing. You can find a million and one websites and magazine articles that will talk about sets and reps. That’s great and will always have it’s place as will the questions related to nutrition and how many ounces of chicken one should eat. Again, great and all but what about the other questions many of you have but still seeking to have answered? This is where our new feature comes in with Ana Tigre.

Ana has competed in a number of shows and experienced the good and bad along the way. She recently launched her own line of women’s fit wear, FIZEEK BRAZIL, and is on the rise to success in more ways than one. If you have a question for Ana you can email her directly and she’ll answer it regularly here. Don’t worry, your name won’t be published and all communication related to the topic will be handled directly with Ana. Think of this as a Dr. Ruth meets Dr. Phil with an Oprah twist as it relates to women in the fitness industry.

Q:  Ana, I’m having a hard time finding balance while preparing for a show. Do you have any tips to create balance and still accomplish your competition goals?Ana: Balance is one of the hardest things in life. Throw in competition prep and our lives can really get out of whack.  I have competed 14 times.  The first one was right after I got married in 2002.  If I had not learned precarious art of balance, I might very well be single right now.

The most important thing is to have your priorities in order.  For me, those priorities are my marriage, my business, my dogs, and competition (in that order).  This does not mean I give my competition prep any less than 100% – it only means that I am not going to neglect my marriage, my business, or my dogs for the sake of competition.

This can be a very lonely sport, but we are only lonely if we allow ourselves to be.  The more I involve my husband, Eric, the less he feels left out of my world.  I try to get Eric involved in most of what I do during prep.  For example, we may cook my food for the week while we talk, do cardio together, or pick out my suit colors.  I also have him take my progress pictures for my trainer.

Every night, I make time to be with him and just be normal and I plan my working hours and my workouts around our time together.  That way, when I am done training for the day, I can just relax with him.  My close friends know not to call me after 7pm unless it is an emergency.  We watch some TV, talk, listen to music, and twice a week I get dressed up and we go out to happy hour (where I drink water and eat my competition food out of the Tupperware that I lug around in my purse).  I am still in bed by 10pm every night, but these little things allow me to have a little normalcy in an otherwise hectic life.

I have also learned to ask for help.  Asking for help is a hard thing for anyone.  For me, I like to think that I can handle it all (like I am a superwoman).  Unfortunately, life gets in the way and some days I get caught up in meetings or finishing up a new collection, and I fall behind my schedule.  By the time I get home, I may have to cook, clean house, do laundry, or take care of whatever chores await me.  I have found that if I ask, Eric is more than willing to help out so we can still have some time together.

Another thing we all deal with is the moodiness.  Preparing for a competition has a special way of bringing out mood swings.  Some days, it seems as if I have no control over my emotions.  Of course, those that are closest to us are the ones that suffer the most.  Communication is the most important way I deal with my mood swings.  If things are not going well, I am quick to gently let Eric know that I do not feel like myself.  And if I act bitchy, crabby, or otherwise strange, I let him know that my actions have nothing to do with him.  Sometimes, I just cannot control my emotions. He has come to understand that I sometimes have the typical prep freak out and if I get crazy or go off on him, he laughs it off or just doesn’t pay attention.

The taboo subject of sex is also relevant to the discussion of balance.  On my fitness board, we discuss sex frequently.  A lot of the competitors that I know have a hard time maintaining a normal sex life during prep (prepping can have an unfortunate way interrupting sexual activity).  I feel that maintaining a healthy sex life is very important.  Unless someone has hormonal imbalances due to diet or over-training, they may not feel like having sex during prep simply due to the overwhelming tiredness.  We may feel too sore or too weak from the constant training and sometimes we may be distracted from over-analyzing ourselves while we prepare for the looming competition.

With respect to sex, here is my advice:  make time to be intimate with your mate.  I make time for sex every day.  I have read in many psychology books that most men connect with their mates through sex, not talking.  If you try making an effort to connect that way, you can get a lot more talking in during the day.  Neglecting the needed intimacy for weeks and weeks during prep can be very hazardous to a healthy relationship.

I have a dear friend that once told me that we cannot expect to put our lives on hold for weeks or months at a time during prep and then, in the off season go back to a normal life.  The chance of alienating your mate or family is something not worth risking.

Preparing for a competition can be very hard, but if you keep your priorities in order and involve those around you, you can achieve the always elusive balance.

Ana
www.fizeekbrazil.com
www.anatigre.proboards105.com

She’s unquestionably the hottest figure competitor on the IFBB circuit today. I’m figuratively speaking (no pun intended) although many would say she fits the bill as one of the most attractive competitors as well. Gina’s been on a hot streak, winning two of her last three pro shows. Early this month California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, award Gina the Figure International title in Columbus, Ohio. She finished second only to 2x Ms. Figure Olympia, Jenny Lynn, at the 2007 Figure Olympia.

Gina awarded the title by Arnold earlier this month.

When Gina debuted at the 2006 Colorado Pro/Am she finished out of the top 6. I felt she should have placed higher and shared my thoughts with a few “industry insiders”. One individual told me, “she’s too muscular and her physique is a little blocky”. Ummm, errkay sure. An individual with their own column shared, “she finished in the top 10 pro debut what’s the problem?” While some people weren’t hopping on the Aliotti train just yet it was obvious to me at least she had the “it factor”. We’ve all seen “it”. When a woman is confident, sexy and it all comes with such ease and poise.Fortunately, there is a supplement company that saw the potential in Gina and is smart enough to continue their relationship with her. The folks at Bio-Test Supplements decided to retain Gina to a multi-year sponsorship after renegotiating her contract through her management company, Fitness Management Group (FMG). Below is a statement from FMG regarding Gina’s sponsorship.

FMG is happy to announce that we have renegotiated Gina Aliotti’s endorsement contract with Bio-Test Supplements, makers or Hot Rox & Spike Shooter. It was an almost 2 month negotiation period that was on the verge of falling apart until owner Tim Patterson personally stepped in.  Speaking to Tim was a breath of fresh air. In the span of 10 minutes of speaking with Tim we had all the details worked out & a revised copy of the contract e-mailed to us within half an hour. Tim really showed how much he cared & valued Gina as an athlete & a person & made sure that she was happy with the contract & Bio-Test in general. So we want to send a big THANK YOU out to Tim Patterson for his involvement.

What did Gina get in return?
A multi-year contract with an option to renew for another year that includes an annual raise of the endorsement payments plus bonuses for placing in the Figure Olympia, Figure International & any other IFBB Pro Figure contest that Gina would win, plus her own supply of Bio-Test supplements.  Knowing the current climate of the industry, this contract puts Gina on par as one of the 2 highest paying contracts in the industry right now for fitness & figure athletes.

As Tim Patterson stated, “With Gina only being 23 years old, we look at her as the future of figure & look to have a long lasting relationship with her.”  So you now know where you will be able to find Gina the next few years.

As for her next contest, Gina will be her defending her IFBB Tournament Of Champions Pro Figure title the week before she competes in the IFBB Figure Olympia.

For more information on booking Gina Aliotti, contact FMG at fitnessdivasproductions@verizon.net

Congratulations on your continued success Gina!

Gina the day after her win in West Palm Beach.

The IFBBPro.com website issued a notice on March20, 2008. The letter began with:

You are advised that the competition “B&A International Bodybuilding Classic 2008”, which is being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on July 27, 2008 is not sanctioned by the National Physique Committee of the USA (NPC), the IFBB’s National Affiliate in the United States of America.

Visit IFBBpro.com to view the letter in its entirety.

A special thanks to Tony Blinn and the IFBB Pro League for featuring the women from the Arnold Classic weekend on IFBBpro.com. This edition features a few photographs from the two-minute fitness routines. The routines are without question my favorite event to capture. It’s always a challenge with the pros as they soar across the stage. Take a look at the full feature on IFBBpro.com

The 2008 IFBB NY Pro Fitness Classic will be held in conjunction with the National Qualifying NPC New York Metropolitan Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships on Saturday, April 12, 2008. Last year Tracey Greenwood took top honors at this show. I spoke with Trixy yesterday and she informed that she won’t be back to defend her title. Thus far, thirteen IFBB pros have confirmed that they will be after the title. Three competitors will qualify for the 2008 Fitness Olympia at this show. There are a few veterans as well as a couple rookie debuts taking place in the Big Apple.

This list is not the official list but it will give you an idea of the field as we know it to date. I’ll be updating this with an official list but for now this is your field…

• Maggie Blanchard
• Myriam Capes
• Nicole Duncan
• Kendra Elias
• Heidi Fletcher
• Oksana Grishina
• Donna Louise Jones
• Michele Mayberry
• Lisa McCormick
• Tami Ough
• Bethany Wagner
• Trish Warren
• Nicole Wilkins

I met Erin “the cat trapper” Heath last year at the NPC Jr. USA where she placed well and showcased some of the best abs in the biz. Erin continued to quarter-turn her booty off in hopes of nabbing a pro card with the IFBB. Erin narrowly missed her goal of pro status a few times in 2007. That was then. This is now and she’s one of the odds-on favorites to join the pro ranks.

Erin Heath at the 2008 Arnold Classic.

That’s all fine and great but where the hell did “the cat trapper” moniker come from?

During the Arnold Classic, I had the chance to talk with Erin and get to know the “other side” of her. Many times I’m photographing the competitors and don’t know much more than how the looked and where they placed. I believe everyone has something interesting about themselves and Ms. Heath is certainly no exception. Aside from her love for being a book worm, she’s involved in something I’d never heard of, that is until our chat. Erin is a HUGE animal lover and cats in particular. I’m not a big fan of cats myself, so I prodded why Erin was on the verge of becoming a “crazy cat lady” with five cats of her own. She responded with some sort of babble which most of went in one ear and out the other, except for one nugget of info. Erin mentioned she is involved in helping the “feral cat” problem.

HUH? Me being the simpleton I am asked, “What the hell is a feral cat what is the problem?”

Erin recited, “Feral cats are the ‘wild’ offspring of domestic cats and usually the result of pet owners’ abandonment or failure to spay and neuter their animals, allowing them to breed like crazy. They are elusive and don’t like humans. I’m involved in humanely trapping these feral critters. We catch them, then spay/neuter, vaccinate and return them.”

Interesting. I had no idea that there was 1) a cat problem in the world and 2) people trapped them in an effort to fight the problem. While I enjoy busting Erin’s chops about a variety of things; I applaud her efforts to help better the world. How many of us take time out of our days and do something we’re not asked or paid to do? While trapping cats may not be your thing, we can all spare a little time and learn something from a chapter out of Heath’s book.

If you’d like to learn more on “Trap-Neuter-Return”, you can visit The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Fitness fans will get a special treat in the Big Apple, April 12th. The breakout IFBB Fitness Pro of 2007 will be competing in the New York Pro Fitness with hopes of returning to the Olympia stage. Oksana was clearly not at her best when she competed at the Fitness International but look for her to come back strong and “wow” the always excitable New York crowd.

Oksana Grishina looks to the 2008 New York Fitness.

Lindsey Szvetits will be one to watch this year. Stay tuned…

Lindsey Szvetits will be revealing much more in ’08.

We last saw Heather Armbrust on the Olympia stage. She had a great rookie year where she won her pro debut in Sacramento. Since that time Heather’s been one busy woman. The newest adventure is no small task. Heather and her husband Dylan recently took over ownership of Colorado Pro Gym. The previous owner, Harry, was always super cool to everyone who stopped by. Heather and Dylan are good people who will do a great job of keeping the gym what it’s been known for in Denver… that of a raw, kick-ass energy gym where you can grunt as you like.

Heather 2 weeks out from pro debut at Colorado Pro Gym.

I’ve done a few shoots in this gym and has great lighting with awesome equipment. Last year I shot Heather and her prep for her first show at their gym. I recently shot IFBB Pro Phil Heath in this gym for FLEXonline.com which caused a great stir in the men’s bodybuilding world.

Phil Heath in Colorado Pro Gym.

If you live in Denver or visiting the area check out Colorado Pro Gym for a gym with no fluff.