HARDBODY Female Sports, Health & Fitness News
A Love for Sport Life.™
Congratulations to Heather Dees and Alex Zerega on their overall wins at the 2010 NPC California. Expect to see Alex vying for her pro card at the NPC USAs and Heather Dees likely competing at the 2010 NPC JR USAs.
Congratulations to Heather Mae French for another win on her way to the Olympia stage. Here are the IFBB California Pro Figure results.
1. Heather Mae French
2. Katina Maistrellis
3. Carin Hawkins
4. Meriza DeGuzman
5. Michele Mayberry
6. Christina Mehling
7. Jennifer DeJoya
8. Rosa-Maria Romero
9. Angela Terlesky
10. Masae Tagami
11. Georgina Lona
12. Valerie Ganji
13. Raechelle Chase
14. Jessica Wright
15. Susan Salazar
16. Thais Cabrices-Werner
17. Zaneta Ksiazek
18. Candice Houston
19. Ginette Delhaes
Ron Avidan is in attendance at the 2010 IFBB California Pro Figure show the top six look to be….Carin Hawkins, Michele Mayberry, Katina Maistrellis, Heather Mae French, Christina Mehling & Rosa Maria Romero. Ron tells me it looks like Heather Mae French followed by Katina but isn’t sure who will get third. Stay tuned for the final results tonight to see who will prevail.
The NPC & IFBB California Figur Pro will get started today at 10am PST. Ron Avidan will be on hand covering all the action. Stay tuned for updates from the show throughout the day.
Those in the Culver City are head over to Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium and check out the show.
The second UFC Fan Expo is taking place this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. While I was making my through the thousands of fans, snapping photos and doing video interviews, I spotted four IFBB Bikini Pros who will be back in Vegas this September. Amanda Latona, Tianna Ta, Shelsea Montes and Sheryln Roy are all qualified for the first Bikini Olympia and were represent’n at the Fan Expo.
FLEXonline bikini finalist, Katie Chung-Hua & IFBB Bikini Pro
Amanda Latona put up their dukes.
IFBB Bikini Pro Tianna Ta & Katie pose with fans at the BSN booth.
IFBB Bikini Pros Shelsea Montes & Sherlyn Roy.
Usher is one smooth cat. “Confessions Part II” is hardbody.
This weekend is a long holiday for peeps in the United States and marks the beginning of summer for most. It’s also a great time to fire up the grill to cook your favorite healthy foods. While I’m a fan of a nice steak or turkey burger, you can put vegetables and other items on the grill. Any one have items they like to throw on the grill? Post in the comments below.
IFBB Figure Pro and rising star in the fitness modeling world, Kathleen Tesori will be doing something a bit different this weekend. Kat will appearing on MTV’s Bully Beatdown as the show’s ring card girl. Kat has been part of the show since it’s inception. The taping begins today in Salt Lake City, Utah. Season three taping begins today in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Kat on the set of MTV’s Bully Beatdown. Photo by MTV.com
If you’re interested in appearing on the show and in Salt Lake City area check out how you can attend FREE! Visit www.ocatv.com for info on show days and times.
THIS IS AN MTV CASTED SHOW, YOU MUST APPEAR TO BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 25 TO ATTEND.
THIS SHOW TAPES IN SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.
MTV Bully Beatdown is one of the most unique and entertaining shows on television. MTV has gone across the country finding everyday people who have been harassed, threatened, and in many cases beaten up by a ‘bully’ of some sort. Our MTV host (mixed martial arts master Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller) has then gone to each of these bullies and offered them a simple challenge; instead of bullying a normal person, fight a professional MMA fighter in an MMA sanctioned fight for 3 rounds…for $10,000. The catch is that every round they lose, their winnings go to the people they’ve been bullying. How great is this?
AND YOU CAN BE RINGSIDE FOR THE FIGHTS! Don’t miss this incredible chance to be part of this intimate, nationally televised audience and watch a bully beatdown live.
THIS SHOW IS STANDING ROOM ONLY AND ALL TICKETS ARE FREE!
The taping will take place in a converted warehouse at:
404 W 700 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84101There is free street parking.
You’ll be seeing a lot more of Kathleen on and offstage. She’s featured in the FLEX swimsuit issue and has been working on her new web site, kathleentesori.com. Kat will likely make a return to the figure stage later this summer.
Mindi Smith, the IFBB rookie figure sensation, continues to heat things up. She won her pro figure debut at the Phoenix Pro, went on to score a top spot at the Figure International and now she’s a sponsored athlete.
German American Technologies’ (GAT) President/CEO Charles Moser made the announcement via his facebook page. Mr. Moser shared, “GAT is very proud to announce Mindi as one of our newest fitness superstar spokesmodels! Mindi will be competing in Figure at the Olympia 2010.”
GAT is the maker of the popular fat-burner JETFUEL.
Mindi shared on her facebook, “I want to announce how truly honored I am to be part of Team GAT/Jetfuel!! Looking forward to everything to come and making this next year truly amazing!!”
Mindi is managed by FMG. Congratulations on the signing! Look for Mindi to make an appearance at the 2010 Jacksonville Pro and/or the 2010 Dallas Europa Super show before heading to her first Figure Olympia.
Ah the big hair days, gotta love ’em. “Save your love” by Great White was great for those junior high dances where the girls were on one side and the guys on the other with the chaperoning parents dancing in the corner.
The FLEXonline.com Bikini Model search is back once again. Last year’s winner Amanda Latona continues to heat things up in the fitness industry. Kathleen Tesori the very first winner also continues to rock the world of fitness. This is definitely a contest that will help get you noticed. Check it out!
FROM FLEXonline.com:
This year’s online contest will run for three months — June, July and August. Two winners will be chosen each month after a two-week voting period and deliberation regarding the 10 highest vote getters by our expert panel of judges. Each month, the winners receive:
– $250 USD
– $100 gift voucher from Whish Body Products
– Free swimwear from Chyna Dolls Bikinis
– A profile in FLEX Magazine and flexonline.com
– A photo shoot with FLEX magazineWhile it’s too late to submit your photos for Month One, you can still enter in time for Month Two. The deadlines for submissions are as follows: Month Two: June 21; Month Three: July 21
Ever heard of Boat Beam? I hadn’t until this week but I dig it. Check out “The Rain Pauly” – a groovy little tune.
Modeling. Many of you want to do it and many of you think you can do it. If that’s what you want to do then go for it but remember a few things along the way.
Just because you compete doesn’t make you a “fitness model”. Modeling is more than just a hardbody and/or a pretty face. It takes work and lots of practice before a woman becomes a top model.
Remember the first time you tried riding a bike? You weren’t popping wheelies and hauling ass. You likely fell and scraped your knees a few times. Did you quit or did you get back on the bike and try it again until you “got it”? Compare that to modeling. If you want to be in a magazine you have to practice posing and that means from head to toe. Know your body and what angles work for you. Sometimes you’ll shoot with a photographer who will give you little to no direction. If you’ve practiced and know what angles are flattering to your body you won’t freak out and look like a deer in the headlights while shooting with someone that gives you little direction.
On the opposite side of the coin, don’t think you know it all and act live a diva when on a shoot. I’ve shot with some women who took a modeling camp and thought they were hot stuff. The problem was they didn’t take the direction I was giving and thought they knew better. The photos reflected that and they weren’t as good as they could have been.
How you pose your face is every bit as important as your body. Whatever you are thinking will show in your photos. If you’re pissed and having a bad day, you’ll likely look like a grump unless you’re able to block it out. Practice in a mirror with how to communicate with your eyes. Yes, it might sound corny but it will help you. Take note on which side of your face is more flattering for you. One HUGE mistake I see is women thinking that pouting their lips is sexy. MEH! The duckbill lip pose is NOT HOT. Don’t do it. **When I say pouting I meant scrunching together. “Pouty Lips” are sexy but “Scrunchy lips” are not.
Scrunchy lips.
Keep a scrapbook of photos you like. I have a digital and physical scrapbook of photos I like. I make notes on why I like them. It can be anything… the hair, makeup, pose or lighting. Whatever it may be this can help you with your modeling. That doesn’t mean take a photo to a photographer and try to copy it. Use it for inspiration but not duplication. Study what is good. Don’t study crap. Just because it was shot in a professional studio doesn’t mean it is a professional photo. The same holds true for published photos. Even though a photo may be in a magazine that doesn’t mean it is a good photo. Some magazines publish horrible photos.
Shoot with photographers whose work you like. Don’t shoot with someone just because they have a big lense. Some photographers will tell you they will submit their work to magazines. That’s great but ask them if they are published and if you can see some of their published work. Any photographer can submit to a magazine but that doesn’t mean they have a working relationship with the magazine.
There’s a lot to cover on being a model and many more points I could discuss. They are just a few tips that might help you along the way.
Do you have a specific question you’d like addressed? Email me at isaac@ hardbody.com or post it in the comments below.
I ran across an article on CBSNews.com and it has some interesting information about food labels. There’s a lot of mumbo jumbo that gets marketed to consumers like “organic” or “whole grain. The article clears some of those topics up. Things like…
What is organic chicken?
Organic chicken is chicken that has only been fed organic grains, which means that no pesticides or chemicals were used on the farm to grow the grain in the last three years. The chicken must also never have been given antibiotics, drugs, or hormones to accelerate growth, though they will be given medicine should they fall ill. Also, the chicken must be given free range with access to outdoors and be treated properly.Whole grain versus multi grain:
Whole grain products contain all the parts of the grain: the germ, which is rich in essential fatty acids and B-vitamins; the endosperm, which is mostly starch; and the bran, which, of course, is high in fiber. In products made with refined grains, on the other hand, most of the germ and bran have been removed, leaving the starchy endosperm, which is the least nutritious part of the grain.
Ohhhh snap! Big Up to the Hatahs! Fabolous’ “Body Ya” is throwing down.
As of today seventeen19 IFBB Figure Pros will take the stage for the 2010 IFBB California Pro Figure contest. The event will take place this Saturday in Culver City, California. Hardbody.com’s West Coast man, Ron Avidan will be on hand capturing all the action.
Three Olympia qualifications are up for grabs but who will leave with the California Pro Figure Title?
Get your tickets at www.musclecontest.com.
Breaking Benjamin will help get the blood pump’n. These guys are great in concert if you ever get a chance to see them. “Evil Angel” is solid.
The newest issue of Muscle & Fitness magazine features IFBB Bikini Pro Nathalia Melo with five full page photos. The photos are very well done and some of the most impressive shots I’ve seen to date of the rising bikini star. Visit MuscleandFitness.com to see a few photos that didn’t make it into the mag and pick up the new issue to see the ones that did. Congrats Nathalia and props to Muscle & Fitness.
IFBB Bikini Pro Nathalia Melo
Dianna is back with her Tip of The Week. Check out what the Flex swimsuit cover girl has to say.
Helllloooo everyone!
I am hoping every one is doing great! Here is my tip for the week… Be Proud! I started off when I was 18 in underwear and lingerie modeling, My parents we not too happy about it but I reassured them that everything I was doing was in good taste! Now a few years down the road, my most recent cover is on Flex Magazine. I have worked very hard to get where I am now and one thing I have learned is ALWAYS work and make yourself happy with what you are doing. No shame, no embarrasement, can you take what you do home at the end of the day and show your new images to your loved ones!? If you can, then be PROUD and pat yourself on the back for your work.
XOX
DD
Lettuce is a staple of every hardbody’s diet, right? Well most of you likely eat lettuce. It took me 3 decades before I came around to liking it but now I’m a fan. Obviously the key to a salad is not to load it with croutons, bacon bits, salad dressing and more. When you buy lettuce in the store you have options. Do you have a preference?
The Script’s “Breakeven” is a catchy little tune to get ya bopp’n this Monday morning.
Hurry! This promotion won’t last much longer. Bodybuilding.com is offering FREE shipping on Domestic U.S. Orders of $99 or more. This is your chance to replenish your supplements and save a bundle on shipping. Promotion ends on May 26, 2010.
IFBB Figure Pro Raechelle Chase recently appeared on a New Zealand tv show to discuss the ins-and-outs of being a Pro Figure competitor. Props to her for battling Laryngitis and appearing on the show.
That being said… after watching this clip, I can’t help but wonder how well prepared women are before they go on TV for an interview.
The reporter did a good job of researching the industry and different divisions. He came prepared and asked a variety of pretty simple questions. He asked, what is a professional figure competitor ? I don’t know that people watching this would have a clue unless they were already familiar with it. When asked how it (figure) differs from bodybuilding, Raechelle mentions staying very feminine a couple of times. It seems that her response implies that female bodybuilders are not feminine. I don’t know whether that was her intention or not but it’s a perception many people do have, including fellow IFBB pros. The reporter went on to ask what is the difference between pro bikini and pro figure. Raechelle says, “to be honest I don’t even really know the difference between pro bikini and pro figure.”
Raechelle Chase on a New Zealand TV show.
She does do a good job of mentioning the magazine cover she is (or will be) on and that she’ll be reading a part for a movie role. Always a good thing to mention things you have going on and magazines love when you mention their name on tv.
I realize many my remarks may sound a bit critical of Raechelle’s appearance however I mention this to bring awareness to the topic of doing interviews. It’s not an easy thing for most people to do, especially on television. You work hard in the gym and diet your butts off, don’t belittle your efforts when it comes time to talk about them. Also show consideration to the other competition divisions when speaking to mainstream media. I’ve heard bodybuilders put figure competitors down during interviews and visa versa. Now that bikini is part of the IFBB, it’s a question that you may get asked. Often times less is more when it comes to a response. How many times have you been nervous, not known the answer to a question but you keep talking? We all have a time or two.
Again, I know it’s easier said than done but it’s something to think about before you do a tv interview. How would you respond to the questions Raechelle was asked and are you prepared to do a tv interview? Watch the entire interview here.
“Islands” is a groovy little tune by The XX. Their bio reads, “Atmospheric English indie pop group the xx formed in London in 2008 around the talents of Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim, Baria Qureshi, and Jamie Smith, when the bandmembers were still in high school.” I dig it.
Imagine if every receipt for a restaurant looked like this… would it change the way you order the next time? The folks at Thesmartrecipt.com have an innovative product called “Nutricate”. It’s a receipt that breaks down your protein, carbs, fats and calories for everything you order. Their system also allows the restaurant to customize the receipt with helpful facts as well as provide loyalty promotions. Pretty sweet if you ask me. Check out their web site to see how it works.
Those of you looking beyond the 2010 Olympia competition schedule take note. The 2010 Sacramento Pro has made a couple changes to its schedule. The event will be dropping the IFBB Pro Figure comeptition and adding IFBB Pro Bikini to its November 6th date. Here’s how the women’s IFBB Pro shows look for the second half of the competitive season.
IFBB PRO FIGURE:
Houston Pro – October 23, 2010
Border States Pro – October 30, 2010
Kentucky Pro – November 13, 2010
Ft. Lauderdale Pro – November 20, 2010
IFBB PRO BIKINI:
Houston Pro – October 23, 2010
Sacramento Pro – November 6, 2010
Ft. Lauderdale Pro – November 20, 2010
IFBB PRO FITNESS:
Ft. Lauderdale Pro – November 20, 2010
Each of these events will qualify women for the 2011 Olympia. As you can see this is the largest collection of pro shows held after the Olympia.
Jamie Foxx teams up with Justin Timberlake & T.I. for “Winner”.
Marzia Prince has competed twice as an IFBB Bikini Pro and has yet to find the same winning combination she had at the 2009 NPC JR Nationals. It was there that she took the overall title in the NPC Bikini division. She recently blogged on the Gaspari Web site about her experiences of competing as a pro. It was refreshing to read a competitor take a honest look at themselves.
After the NY Pro Bikini show I wrote, “I’d like to see her bring the package (including the same suit) she had at the NPC JR Nationals, where she won the overall. If she can channel what she brings to a photo shoot to the stage she’ll move up.”
At the end of her blog she shares, “For my next next pro show, you will see a sexy blonde strutting her stuff in an Ed Hardy suit, visualizing I am in a photoshoot.”
Sounds like a good plan to me. 🙂
Have a Happy Hardbody Friday. Sublime’s “Same in the End” is a good tune to get ya move’n n groove’n.
Well here’s something interesting. The newly crowned Miss USA competed as a NPC Bikini competitor last month!
Rima Fakih won the bikini short class on April 24, 2010 at the 2010 Flint/Mid-Michigan Bodybuilding, Bikini, Figure and Fitness Championships. She ended up losing the overall crown to Elizabeth Weller.
The cool part about this is now Rima has a platform to tell millions about eating healthy, working out and how she got her bikini body. She recently appeared on Regis and Kelly where she talked about eating her egg whites and oatmeal in the morning. PROPS RIMA!
Thanks Pam for the assist.
