Archives for August 2009

Metallica jams with “All Nightmare Long”. This is a good song to add to your gym playlist.

How do you not smile listening to Men at Work’s Land Down Under? This video is almost as amusing as the song itself.

Buying bread from a man in Brussels
He was six foot four and full of muscle
I said, “Do you speak-a my language?”
He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich
And he said,

“I come from a land down under
Where beer does flow and men chunder
Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover.” (Yeahhh!)

I had the chance to spend a couple days photographing Jamie Eason for bodybuilding.com last week. While shooting with Jamie we chatted about various topics and one thing that continued to come up was marketing. Jamie is probably the best example, at least in recent years, as someone who has found success in a relatively short amount of time. How did she do it? She’s done a number of things to make a name for herself but one thing she mentioned really stood out…

Build a fan base.

Jamie has successfully built a fan base and it continues to help advance her career. She’s marketed herself and treated the industry as a business. In the process, she has built a large fan base full of men and women alike. She currently has over 76,000 fans on myspace. What’s so big about that? Any time she posts a bulletin – that’s several thousand people being exposed to whatever message she sends. Her following makes her more valuable to potential sponsors. If you’re a supplement company and she tells her fans, “hey I like xyz product”, chances are quite a few people will check it out. If you’re a magazine publisher and you put her on the cover or inside, you know that people will pick it up because she is in it.

Building a fan base is a very broad topic. The simplest point to remember in building a fan base is to differentiate yourself from the thousands of other women who are in shape and look good. Think about what makes you unique. What story do you have to share that others will find inspiring? How can you motivate people to live healthier?

It takes more than looking good if you want to have a career in the fitness industry.

Khristy Poteat is finding her stride in the world of NPC Figure. She’s moving up in the placings as her physique becomes more streamlined with less muscle. If you compare her photos from this year to last you’ll see what I mean. I had a quick, but fun shoot with Khristy last month. Here’s a peek at one of the images.

Khristy in Las Vegas.

One of my favorite shows of the year was the All-Female event held every Fall in West Palm Beach, Florida. Promoter John Organ always treated me well and who doesn’t love Florida in the fall? John unfortunately passed away and with that we lost an ever improving IFBB/NPC show. It was one of the only events that catered only to the female competitors. This year an All-Female event is back and will take place October 10, 2009 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The duo of IFBB Pro Shannon Dey & NPC competitor Kristen Nagrani (Fit Girls Production Team) are the masterminds behind the event and it looks to be a great time.

The event is being billed as “For the Girls, By the Girls” and I’m told it’s “bringing Hollywood glamor to the competition world”! A bit more information from the Fit Girls on the weekend’s event.

From a red carpet entrance to you in spotlights and a beautiful venue that will make you feel like a Starlet, this show has YOU…”The Girls” in mind!

The affordable host hotel is situated directly on the Intercoastal Waterways where the view outside your window will include yachts, the Atlantic Ocean and beauitful South Florida architecture.  Ft. Lauderdales famous stretch of A-1-A is only a block away where you will find the world’s most beautiful beaches.  Also moments away is legendary Las Olas Blvd. This area has some of the best shopping, dining and people watching that South Florida has to offer.

In addition, if you are new to the NPC Stage, IFBB Bikini Pro Jaime Baird and IFBB FIgure Pro Andrea Watson will be on hand at check-in to help YOU with posing and answer any questions you may have!!

This NPC National Qualifier offers SEVERAL divisions including Over 35 Bikini, Masters Figure Over 35, 45 and 55 and Figure Novice and Jr. Divisions so YOU have a greater chance of taking home some trophy bling!!

PLUS, in addition to the NPC event, there will be an IFBB Pro Figure and Fitness Competition!!  See your favorite IFBB Stars from the magazines compete in person and up close and in person backstage!!

For more info and to register online visit www.ftlauderdalecup.com

If your computer is in need of a new look, spruce it up with Myriam Capes. Myriam is one of the Bodybuilding.com Wallpaper of The Week. The photo was from the 2009 Europa Super Show, where she placed second in the pro fitness division.

Myriam Capes in Dallas.

Myriam continues to improve her routines and refine her physique. Look for her to be a contender for a top spot next month in Las Vegas at the Olympia.

Happy Monday Hardbody peeps. You probably don’t want to crank this one at work but if you’re looking for another song to get stuck in your head listen to Paradiso Girls (feat. Lil Jon and Eve) Patron Tequila.

A little something different this Saturday. Get after it club kids!