San Delivers Results

Brandon Curry & Brandy Leaver Reveal… a Boy or Girl


One of the nicest couples in fitness, Brandon Curry and Brandy Leaver are expecting their fourth child. Brandy will be sharing her pregnancy journey here on Hardbody News along the way. The power couple recently found out the sex of their baby and their sharing it exclusively in this video.

baby-curry

Check out the video below to see if they will be having a boy or a girl. They shared the news with family by opening a box that revealed the sex of the child with either pink balloons for a girl or blue balloons for a boy.

Congratulations Brandon and Brandy!



Oxygen Magazine’s Tosca Reno “It’s been a few days, but I owe you the truth”


Tosca Reno broke her silence since the reported closure of Robert Kennedy Publishing. Tosca was married to the late Robert “Bob” Kennedy and when Bob passed she took over the publishing company he started 40 years ago. Today she posted on her website, confirming the news of the closure but also shed new light on the brands and what might be in store.

tosca-reno
The post was written more as a press release than that of someone speaking directly to readers, fans and former employees. Early on June 13, 2013 Tosca tweeted for the first time since last Friday. She shared:


She confirmed reports of the publishing powerhouse closing its doors on her website stating, “Canusa, parent company of Robert Kennedy Publishing which produced magazines Muscle Mag International, Reps!, Oxygen, American Curves and Clean Eating as well as hundreds of books (New York Times best sellers: Hardcore Bodybuilding, Reps!, RockHard!, Beef It!, Pumping Up! and the Eat-Clean Diet Series) has ceased business operations by officially closing its doors last Friday.”

Tosca cites the publishing industry being in financial trouble and the increase of “tablet computers” as reader’s choice over print to be the downfall. She also states, “These factors along with the soft economy have pushed many businesses into bankruptcy particularly in the publishing world.”

She writes, “Robert “Bob” Kennedy, passed away suddenly last year and the company has struggled tremendously in his absence unable to shoulder the burdens left behind.” Only Tosca knows fully what “burdens” were left behind and that she was faced with. Losing your husband and being thrust into running a publishing company is no easy venture. She goes on to state that she “reluctantly took the helm of the distressed publishing business he built.”

The part that gives Oxygen, Clean Eating and The Eat-Clean Diet readers hope is where she says she decided to “restructure the business as a whole in order to allow our brands, Oxygen, Cleaning Eating and The Eat-Clean Diet to possibly find a new home, where my hope is they can thrive again.” There’s no mention of efforts to bring back MuscleMag, American Curves and Reps. It’s not surprising, given that Tosca has no ties to those magazines however the other brands are directly associated to her and her personal brand.

The article closes with Reno saying, “One of the most difficult factors was knowing our dedicated employees are facing this reality now, too, though I laboured long and hard to avoid my ultimate decision. I have done everything I can to preserve and respect the brands by working with some exemplary individuals for whom I am deeply grateful.”

Many employees have shared that they knew things were tough at the company but were blindsided by the closure on Friday. They were told to leave on Friday and return on Monday to collect their belongings. Employees have written to us here at Hardbody News that have yet to hear from Tosca and were never addressed on the situation. It’s a sad deal for all involved and we’re certainly not pointing any fingers. There’s many factors that come in to play for a company of 40 years to close. It has left employees, subscribers and fans confused and left wondering what’s next. Subscribers continue to ask what will happen to their subscriptions and we don’t know.

We wish Tosca, her family and former staff all the best in the months ahead. We hope to see the brands renewed and brought back to continue inspiring and motivating women across the globe. Read the entire blog post on www.toscareno.com.

Lead photo via oxygenmag.com



Robert Kennedy Publishing Out of Business


Robert Kennedy Publishing (RKP) is out of business and officially closed its doors today. We’ve confirmed with multiple sources that the one time leading publishing company in health and fitness has closed their office and filed bankruptcy.

oxygen-closes-doors

Since the passing of Robert Kennedy, just over a year ago, the bodybuilding, health & fitness publishing company has struggled. Bob Kennedy was great about building relationships and fostering new talent. His passion was unmatched in the world of health & fitness and even when times were tough people stuck by him. Once Bob passed things began to change and it’s no secret to those in the industry that there were rough waters ahead for the staff without Bob behind it.

The news is sad on many levels. We’re told the staff at RKP were not allowed in the building this afternoon and the company has filed bankruptcy. The news caught the staff by surprise and while they knew things were tough they didn’t expect to be out of a job today. We’ve also been informed that the printer has stopped printing the current issues of the magazines and are owed large sums of money by RKP.

There’s always rumors floating around and you hope that they are proven false in time. Sadly this is one rumor that proved true sooner than anyone thought. Since the news broke on twitter today (see tweet below), many contractors have come forward and reported not being paid. Photographers have shared they haven’t been paid for work completed months ago. Models shared with us that they too have been waiting for payment.


Bill Geiger was recently appointed editor-in-chief of Oxygen and was editor-in-chief of Muscle Mag International. He shared via his Facebook page, “Canusa/Robert Kennedy Pubs which produces MuscleMag and Oxygen has gone out of business. Closed its doors. It was great working all the great people on staff and athletes out there. Hope I land on my feet.” Bill was quietly named editor-in-chief after the position was vacated last month. There was no press release announcing his hiring and unfortunately there’s been nothing posted from RKP officially on their sites or social media outlets.

When it comes to what happens next it’s anyone’s guess. Oxygen is a very popular title and it’s likely another publisher will buy the assets and bring it back. Those who are subscribers to the magazines will likely be left out in the cold, at least for now. Subscriptions were where Oxygen excelled and those are valuable assets to a new buyer. Those owed money, will most likely never see a check. The staff has been left displaced and without jobs. Many of them have been at RKP for years. There’s no sense in blaming anyone person for today’s news and it’s an unfortunate situation for all in the fitness industry.

We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available on this story.

About RKP
In 1974, Robert Kennedy started his first magazine, MuscleMag International, at his kitchen table with his friend Johnny Fitness. Fast-forward 38 years and with the continued success of that magazine, joined with Robert’s perseverance, the dream has now evolved into a publishing house with a strong focus on health, fitness, nutrition and lifestyle titles.

Formerly the Canusa Publishing Group, Robert Kennedy Publishing (RKP) currently publishes six highly successful magazines with worldwide circulation. MuscleMag International is still going strong, alongside Oxygen, American Curves, Maximum Fitness, Reps! and most recently, Clean Eating.

Our book publishing department has grown and RKP has published over 53 books with titles emphasizing topics like fitness, health, lifestyle and nutrition.

A lot can be said about a man and his vision. RKP is led by a man who had a vision and grew it into a successful company that continues to grow, producing compelling, inspiring and engaging content that delights its readers.

UPDATE: 7:30PM Central Time from Oxygen Magazine Australia Facebook
RKP closes its doors…

Sadly Robert Kennedy Publishing has filed for bankruptcy in Canada and until new owners are found they have closed their doors. As you would be aware Fitmedia publish three licenced titles from RKP being; Musclemag, Oxygen and Clean Eating. All these titles are growing for us and we have more than enough content to continue delivering these popular magazines to you.

Our production is in NO way affected by the closure in Canada and we will bring more details to you all as soon as they come to hand. Having just had Tosca Reno in Australia for three weeks, we know that her Eat Clean brand is thriving and that there is plenty of goodwill internationally to re-establish the existing RKP titles as we know and love them.

Thoughts are with the Canadian team right now!



Five Tips for Juicing


Thinking about Juicing? What You Should Know Before You Start
It’s no longer just celebrities, world-class athletes and alternative-lifestyle hippies turning to green smoothies and freshly juiced vegetable and fruits for improved health, says nutritionist and juicing pioneer Cherie Calbom, MS. (“The Juice Lady”).

juicing

“People from all walks of life are looking for proven ways to lose weight, energize, sleep better, strengthen their immune systems, and have brighter skin and a younger appearance. They’re also juicing to help their bodies heal from a variety of ailments,” says Calbom, author of a new book full of juicing tips, tricks and recipes, “The Juice Lady’s Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies,” (www.juiceladycherie.com).

“No matter your diet, juicing offers a shot of goodness – nutrition, minerals, phytonutrients and more – that you might not otherwise get,” Calbom says.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been juicing awhile and want to optimize the experience, Calbom shares some important pointers that will help.

• Fruits & veggies happiness studies: Plenty of new research shows that adding more produce to your daily diet can benefit your mental health and sense of well-being. In one analysis of the eating habits and moods of 80,000 British adults, researchers at Dartmouth and the University of Warwick found that those who consumed the most fruit and vegetables every day rated themselves as significantly happier and more satisfied with their lives than those who ate lesser amounts. Research shows that the well-being score for people who ate seven to eight servings of vegetables and fruits per day was consistently three points higher than for those who ate little or none.

• More studies … Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health concluded from a study of 982 Americans that those who exhibited the most optimistic outlooks on life also had the highest blood levels of carotene, a key antioxidant that’s delivered by a colorful array of produce: dark green spinach and kale, carrots, and sweet potatoes, and vibrant yellow or orange fruits like peaches, papayas and cantaloupe, among others. And “juicers” should consider starting at a young age. A study of 281 adults with a mean age of 20, conducted at the University of Otago, New Zealand, showed that those who reported the highest daily intake of fruits and veggies also declared they were happier, calmer and more energetic than those who ate less.

• “Do I need to juice; can’t I just eat produce?”: This is a common response, but the reality is that most people in today’s society – especially those who are booked from morning to evening with a busy lifestyle – rarely get an optimal amount of produce throughout the day. A half-cup of veggies is a serving and ¾ of a cup of juice equals one serving; chewing seven to eight servings of produce every day requires much more effort and time than drinking fresh juice for some of the servings. That makes people much more likely to benefit from juice, she says.

• Flavor diversification: Some people soon fall into creative ruts because they stick to the same basic ingredients, and that can be a disincentive for sticking with juicing. Diversify! Try gourmet and exotic juice blends, or even plant-based ingredients you simply haven’t yet considered, some of which may include: butternut squash, one-inch ginger chunks, beets with leaves and stems, Brussels sprouts, and fennel bulbs with fronds. “Juicing is not about just using common fruit ingredients – spice it up and experiment with healthy vegetables; it works!” Calbom says.

• An exotic example: A fennel-watercress-cucumber blend juice is an excellent way to mix up your typical cocktail. It includes: 1 handful of watercress; 1 dark green lettuce leaf; 1 cucumber, peeled if not organic; ½ fennel bulb and fronds; 1 lemon, peeled if not organic. Cut produce to fit your juicer’s feed tube. Wrap watercress in lettuce leaf and push through the juicer slowly. Juice all remaining ingredients. Drink immediately; this portion serves one.

About Cherie Calbom, MS
Cherie Calbom, MS is the author of 21 books, including the best-seller “Juicing for Life,” with 2 million copies sold in the United States and published in 23 countries. Known as “The Juice Lady” for her work with juicing and health, her juice therapy and cleansing programs have been popular for more than a decade. She holds a Master of Science degree in nutrition from Bastyr University. She has practiced as a clinical nutritionist at St. Luke Medical Center, Bellevue, Wash., and as a celebrity nutritionist for George Foreman and Richard Simmons.



Ms. International Dropped from 2014 Arnold Sports Festival


The 2014 Arnold Sports Festival will add the IFBB 212 Men’s Bodybuilding division and will drop professional women’s bodybuilding. The Ms. International was one of the last remaining events that held women’s bodybuilding. Promoter Jim Lormier shared, “The Arnold Sports Festival was proud to support women’s bodybuilding through the Ms. International for the past quarter century.”

female-bodybuilding1

Arnold Classic 212 To Debut At 2014 Arnold Sports Festival
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Arnold Sports Festival will add the 212-pound professional men’s bodybuilding division to its IFBB Pro League contests in 2014, event promoter Jim Lorimer announced today.

The men’s bodybuilding lightweight division has become one of the IFBB Pro League’s most popular since being introduced in 2008 as the 202-pound division. The allowed weight was increased to 212 pounds effective November 2011.

The first-annual Arnold Classic 212 will be held Feb. 28, 2014. Prejudging will be held from noon-2 p.m. at the Arnold Fitness EXPO Stage, with finals sets for 7 p.m. that night at Veterans Memorial.

The Arnold Classic 212 will replace the Ms. International women’s bodybuilding competition at the Arnold Sports Festival. The Ms. International was part of the Arnold Sports Festival for 25 years, with Iris Kyle winning her record seventh title in 2013.

“The Arnold Sports Festival was proud to support women’s bodybuilding through the Ms. International for the past quarter century,” Lorimer said. “But in keeping with demands of our fans, the time has come to introduce the Arnold Classic 212 beginning in 2014. We are excited to create a professional competitive platform for some of the IFBB Pro League’s most popular competitors.”

The 2014 Arnold Sports Festival will again feature five IFBB Pro League events: men’s bodybuilding, 212 men’s bodybuilding, women’s fitness, figure and bikini.

The 2014 Arnold Sports Festival – which will once again feature 18,000 athletes from more than 80 nations competing in 45 sports and events – will be held Feb. 27-March 2, 2014. Arnold Classic 212, Fitness International and Figure International competitions will be held on Friday, Feb. 28 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Veterans Memorial. The 26th Annual Arnold Classic and Bikini International will be held on Saturday, March 1 at Veterans Memorial. The Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini & Physique Championships will be held March Feb. 27-28 at Veterans Memorial and March 1 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com for more information. Tickets to all events will go on sale beginning at a later date at www.ticketmaster.com/arnold.

Media Contacts:
Brent LaLonde Arnold Sports Festival
(614) 431-2600
brent@arnoldexpo.com

Matt Lorz
Lorz Communications, Inc.
(614) 443-1877 mattlorz@rrcol.com



Europa Games Phoenix Adds IFBB Pro Show to Schedule


UPDATE! Originally the Europa Games announced that they will be adding an IFBB Pro show featuring bikini along with men and women’s physique to their second annual Europa Phoenix show. Things have since been changed and it’s good news for the women of Fitness as the show has switched gears and added Fitness to the show along with the Men’s 212 Bodybuilding. Men and Women’s Physique can still compete that weekend in California or Florida. Bikini will also be part of the Prague and the Ft. Lauderdale Cup show, also that weekend.

europa-games

Updated info:
FOR THE LOVE OF FITNESS:

http://www.europaexpo.com/events/2013/phoenix/index.php

PRO FITNESS added NEW IFBB PRO FITNESS SHOW ADDED AT THE EUROPA!

EUROPA PHOENIX IFBB PRO FITNESS & PRO 212 October 19th, 2013 / Phoenix Convention Center

Ed & I are pleased to announce the addition of IFBB Pro Fitness at the Europa GAMES EXPO in Phoenix, Arizona on October 19th, 2013.

We are asking ALL IFBB PRO Fitness Competitors to enter this Event. Lets prove to the world that fitness is not dead…and that there are plenty of ladies that want to step on stage. This is still the most entertaining division of the IFBB and we are asking EVERY IFBB Fitness Pro to enter & support your division.

Send a message to all other promoters & fans, that this sport still has a following, and it must start with you entering the EUROPA Phoenix IFBB PRO Fitness Show. Be the first to qualify for the 2014 Olympia.

Please email me if you plan on competing, so I can send you your competitor package.

IFBB PRO FITNESS
$6,000 Prize Money & Trophies Top 3
( $3,000 / $2,000 / $1,000 )


We will be giving away TWO separate Awards for Routines
(Judged by our VIP Guest Panel)
$1,000 & Trophy Most Entertaining Routine
$1,000 & Trophy Most Entertaining Routine

October 19th , 2013 / Phoenix Convention Center
Event Web Site: www.europagamesexpo.com
Email: BettyPariso@aol.com



2013 Ifbb New York Pro Women’s Preview


The 2013 IFBB New York Pro is upon us and the women’s division will be highly competitive. The Figure, Bikini and Women’s Physique all have a few fan favorites but no clear-cut winner heading into the event. The prejudging will take place at 11am EST at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center and there we’ll get a better idea of who will leave the champion, crowned later in the night at the finals.

THE HARDBODY 411:

Ones to Watch in Figure:
The match-up that everyone will be watching is the reigning Figure International Champ, Candice Keene and top Figure Pro Nicole Wilkins. Nicole sat out this year’s Arnold to give her body a little rest. This will be the first show of the year for her and she’ll either be relaxed, rest and refreshed or a bit rusty. Knowing Nicole, don’t look for her to be on stage rusty. The only x-factor will be if the flight delay disrupted her final hours of prep. Candice will likely be the harder and appear more muscular of the two however Nicole has better symmetry and shape. It’s hard think that anyone will beat either of these two, however anything is possible.

Marcy Porter is back on stage after a few months layoff. She was once a top tier pro, can she return to the top five? Shelly Albetta will be making her pro debut and look for the New York crowd to be behind her. Swann aka Frenchy Cardot will be grinning ear-to-ear after being proposed to on the eve of the show. She’ll be sporting a new rock and will much sharper than her Pittsburgh showing. Monica Specking has the shape and if she comes in a bit sharper with the little details she’ll be in the mix. Patty Zariello will also have the hometown crowd behind her and if she goes back to her Pittsburgh look she’ll be in the hunt.

Figure
Shelly Albetta
Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz
Corinna Booth
Andrea Cantone
Swann Cardot
Lauren Cascio
Michelle DeRosa
Kenyatta Jones Arietta
Candice Keene
Tiani Norman
Melanise Pettee
Marcy Porter
Amy Puglise
Cinderella Richardson
Tissilli Rogers
Elvimar Sanchez
Rebecca Schubeck
Monica Specking
Katerina Tarbox
Rebecca Vera
Nicole Wilkins
Patty Zariello

Ones to Watch in Bikini:
The bikini division will be a very competitive division. Lindsey Waters achieved IFBB Pro status at the NPC JR USAs last week and is wasting no time getting into the mix. She has a rock’n physique and my only nit-pick thing is sometimes her eyeshadow / makeup is too dark and heavy around her eyes. She’s cute so would like to see her play up the cutesy part and not try to have a sultry look. She could win this show but she’ll have her work cut out for her. Yeshaira Robles is a class act on and off the stage. She’s one of the few women who can be smiling and cute and in the flip of her hair she’s captivating you with a sexy, whoa hot momma look. The thing about Yeshaira that women need to note is her energy. She ALWAYS has positive energy to her on stage and you can’t help but be drawn to her. She’s got the body to match and it’s the little things that always put Yeshaira on top. Ashley Kaltwasser has a sic physique from her years of running and it’s one of the most athletic looks n the division. If she nails her tanning and doesn’t cake on the heavy eye make-up she’s your winner. She continues to get better and better with more stage time. Once she nails all the little details, she’ll be a top 6 Olympia competitor and collect a few more first place wins like she did two weeks ago in Detroit.

The X-factor in this show is Yarelis Gonzalez. She’s one of the shorter competitors and if she’s is slightly off she’s on the outside looking in. Her upper body is usually spot on but her legs and Cuban booty tend to be a bit bigger and drop her down in her placings. If she comes in with a tight booty and smaller legs than Pittsburgh she’ll be tough to beat. She has yet to reach her potential and if she nails it here she’ll be back in the mix as a top competitor. If she doesn’t it’ll leave you wondering if she will ever be able to match the look she had as an amateur. Dayna Maleton has a great physique and if she poses without looking like a fish out of water she’ll be in the top spots. She always has impeccable hair and makeup, so ladies take note. Leigh Brandt, the original Canadian Cutie, will look to get in the top spots. She has the looks but doesn’t have as much muscle as some of the others but still one to watch. Gigi Amurao could be in the hunt if she brings her legs down and comes in a bit tighter than Pittsburgh. Nikola Weiterova and Ashley Wade have stunning looks but yet to crack the top five. Meredith Long will be making her IFBB Pro debut and will be next to another tall competitor Tabitha Klausen. Both women are beautiful and will be two of the taller women in the show, we’ll see how they match up. The Nawlins’ Hip-hop-poppa Ashley Cronley LeBlanc has the potential to be in the top five and if she can present in a relaxed, poised manner without twisting herself in half she’ll be in the mix.

As you can see this a VERY tough line-up.

Bikini
Gigi Amurao
Maria Annunziata
Cynthia Benoit
Leigh Brandt
Danielle Carr
Ashley Cronley Leblanc
Yarelis Gonzalez
Janet Harding
Andrea Hertlein
Ashley Kaltwasser
Tabitha Klausen
Meredith Long
Dayna Maleton
Nathalie Mur
Cecile Palacios
Yeshaira Robles
Anna Starodubtseva
Anna Lee Van Hattan
Ashley Wade
Lindsey Waters
Nikola Weiterova
Francesca Yumul

Women’s Physique Ones to Watch: The IFBB Women’s Physique division is in its second year and there are still some growing pains with what “the look” should be. It’s definitely making headway and gone are the female bodybuilders with too much muscle, generally speaking. You’ll see apples to oranges in terms of physiques. The likely battle will come down to Juliana Malacarne and Karina Nascimento. The two Brazilians have a great look without being over the top with the muscle factor. Karina plays up her sex appeal when she presents, which tends to help draw your attention to her. Joele Smith and Toni West both have nice looks and could be in the mix for a top spot. Hometown favorite Jillian Reville will be a contender if she comes in full and doesn’t look too stringy. Jill Rudison has potential to be in the mix if she has her legs dialed down and doesn’t appear too muscular in the lower body. It’ll be an interesting show to watch and will be foreshadowing of what’s to come at future shows in terms of “the look”.

Women’s Physique
Sarah Bridges
Sheilahe Brown
Cynthia Colon
Melissa DiBernardo
Nathalie Falk
Gloria Faulls
Nathalie Foreau
Asha Hadley
Carmen Knights
Michelle Krack
Sandra Lombardo
Jen Louwagie
Juliana Malacarne
Frances Mendez
Teresita Morales
Karina Nascimento
Sheena Ohlig
Vallerie Paul
Antonia Perdikakis
Audrey Presson
Gina Quinn
Alecia Rankovic
Jillian Reville
Jill Rudison
Jane Santos
Stacy Simons McDowell
Joele Smith
Kathy Unger
Jennie Verde
Toni West



WWE Reportedly Signs Vargas & Kaufman to Diva Roster


Multiple wrestling blogs are reporting that the WWE has signed fitness models Alexis (Lexi) Kaufman and Christina Vargas to their company roster. The two have posted about the WWE over the past few months and it appears they are part of the WWE now.

new-wwe-divas

Christina has competed in the IFBB as not only a bikini competitor but also a figure competitor. She was one of the few women who successfully made the switch from Figure to Bikini. The Vegas resident won the 2011 Houston Pro Bikini, which qualified her for the Olympia. Christina was recently featured on the cover of IRONMAN magazine.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CVargas26
Instagram: http://instagram.com/christinavargas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VARGAS26

Lexi has made a name for herself in Columbus, Ohio. She achieved IFBB Pro status at the 2011 North Americans but has found more success in modeling than competing. She’s appeared in numerous publications throughout Columbus and can be see in supplement ads for FINAFLEX.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lexi-Kaufman/171733126219865
Instagram: http://instagram.com/Lexi_kaufman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lexi_Kaufman

We’ll keep you posted. If the two make it to the Diva roster they’ll join the fellow NPC/IFBB competitor Zivilie (Akasana) and Celeste (Kaitlyn).

lex_christina



WWE Features “Superstars and Divas bodybuilding past”


Our resident Hardbody contributor, Kaitlyn became the WWE Divas champ and shot to worldwide fame in the process. We’ve known her since her competition days and today WWE.com took note of her past on their website. See the excerpt below for what they had to say about the HARDBODY champ.

kaitlyn

From WWE.com:

WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn got an early start in the world of bodybuilding, beginning her training at 18.

“I did really well in several NPC shows in Texas,” the Divas Champion said. “The first show I ever did, I trained all on my own and didn’t have a nutritionist or a trainer. I just loved bodybuilding and fitness ever since I was a kid. I placed 10thout of 20, which is pretty good for doing everything on my own at 18.

One year later, she came back and won the same show.

However, Kaitlyn’s favorite moment was competing in the Arnold Classic figure division at the amateur level. “I was the youngest competitor on stage,” she said. “Even though I didn’t win the show, I placed top five. Just being in the top five in the Arnold Classic — a huge international show that I was invited to — was such cool moment for me.”

Recalling the rigors of bodybuilding competition, Kaitlyn revealed her secret to success.

“A lot of people say the diet is the hardest thing. But once you commit to doing it, the diet just becomes routine. The hardest thing is staying mentally focused. Once you accept this [diet and cardio] is what you have to do, it’s easy. The second that you get out of the right mindset, it screws everything up.”

Certainly, Kaitlyn has figured out the key to success in WWE as well.

See more WWE superstars and divas who competed in bodybuilding here. We were a bit surprised that they didn’t feature Aksana who not only competed in the Figure International but she also shook Arnold’s had as the winner in 2009.

zivile

Zivile at the Arnold Classic / Figure International



A Recharged Nicole Wilkins is Ready for New York


Nicole Wilkins has solidified herself as one of the best IFBB Pro Figure competitors of all-time. She’s steadily climbed her way to the top of the Figure ranks and  hasn’t placed lower than second since 2009. She was the first woman to achieve pro status in not only Figure but also Fitness, at the same show. Something that will never be matched since competitors are no longer allowed to compete in both at the same show. She tried her hand at Pro Fitness and with some success but it wasn’t until she focused her efforts solely on Figure that she shot to the top.

nicole-wilkins
The 2012 competitive Figure season wasn’t the best of her career but now that she’s settled into a new home and taken some time off, the champ is back. Keep in mind, “not the best” for Nicole was winning the the 2012 Figure International (for the third time) and three runner-up finishes, something most competitors only dream of accomplishing. This weekend Nicole will compete on the stage where she achieved pro status, the Tribecca Performing Arts Center. The nervous excitement will likely be there again but this time she’ll be after the New York Pro Figure title.

We caught up with the popular fitness model, spokes-model and champion figure competitor on the heels of her return to the stage.

HARDBODY INTERVIEW with NICOLE WILKINS

How’s it feel to be back on stage?

I am excited and a little nervous. I feel like it has been so long!

How long of a break did you take?

I haven’t stepped onstage since the beginning of Oct last year at the Sheru Classic in India.

This was the longest break you’ve taken in a few years, right?
Right. This was the longest break I have had since 2006.

What was the most helpful thing for you to take a bit of a break?

I was really tired and burnt out last year. I wasn’t feeling my best and I needed to take a step back to enjoy myself in the gym again. I had more time to get settled into my new home, spend time with family, go wine tasting in Temecula, gain some strength back, enjoy dinner dates, etc. When it was time to start the prep for this show, I was ready.

What was the most challenging part of not competing for months?

There is not as much structure. I love routine and order. It was also a little difficult to sit out of the Arnold. Other than that, I honestly enjoyed every minute of it. It went by pretty fast.

Did it feel weird not prepping for a show over the holidays?

Yes definitely. I caught myself a few times. I still ate clean and worked out like normal, I just had some dessert :) My family is pretty healthy even during the holidays and always make me plain chicken, yams and veggies. I have been competing at the Arnold since 2008, so I have dieted through the holidays every year since then. I had developed a bit of a habit I guess.

This weekend is your return, did you do anything different for your NY PRO Prep?
Every prep my body is a little different – especially the older I get. For this show, I still lifted heavy and incorporated carb cycling, but we were careful not to overdo anything. I am the type of person that will run myself into the ground if that is what it takes. It can be a blessing and a curse. I also recently moved to Temecula, so I was able to pose every week with Kim Oddo. It helped that he could see me regularly.

Do you pack all your food for a show like New York?
I always pack my own food on all of my trips, whether I am competing or not. I measure everything out and put it in baggies. Oatmeal, yams, rice cakes, almonds, steak, salmon etc. I bring it all in my 6 Pack Bag (www.sixpackbags.com). I have to be prepared and food is the most important part! ;)

When’s your last weight training day before a show?
Wednesday I will train shoulders and it will be my last training day.

When do you stop doing cardio before a show?
Usually Wednesday. This time I may do 30min in the morning on Thurs before I fly out.

Who makes your competition suits?
Maggie Keaveny (www.maggie-suits.com). She is amazing and has been doing my suits since 2007!

What’s the best part of living in California now?
The weather!!! I did not miss the cold snowy winter. I love that I can hike outside up the hills, lay in the sun and go running in the morning – the weather is always the same. I also moved from a tiny tiny apartment into a house, so I am loving the space.

Most challenging part of living in Cali?

Definitely missing my family and friends back in MI. Thankfully, I have gotten to see them just about every other month since I moved. I travel a ton so I try to get back as often as I can. My parents and some of my best friends will be in NYC and the Olympia and I will go back in July for a week for my show (NPC Nicole Wilkins Classic July 13 www.michiganfitnessshows.com).

You have a video blog on Fitness RX for Women – what topics do you get asked about the most?
Definitely diet and motivation. It seems like most people have the training part down. The challenging part about the nutrition is that no body is the same and your body is constantly changing. There isn’t a ‘one plan fits all’. With the thousands of different diets out there, its no wonder people are confused. And as far as motivation, no one can give that to you. You have to find it within yourself. It comes and goes all the time. Just be consistent, find something you are truly passionate about and don’t let anything or anyone stop you.

Are you still training others?

Yep! I do one on one training during the week and I also do online training. My current site is being renovated so it is best to just directly email me at nicole@nicolewilkins.com

Do you train dudes or only women?
It is primarily women but I do have a handful of men. I don’t discriminate ;P

Where will peeps see ya after the NY PRO?

I will be home for about 3 days and then off to Finland and Sweden for 10 days, home for 3 days, then off to Chicago for Jr. Nationals, then to New Orleans, Texas, Team Universe in Jersey, USAs in Vegas, then to Massachusetts and finally Windsor all before Aug 10th. I am tired just looking at that schedule!

What’s your favorite way to communicate with fans?
Facebook at www.facebook.com/nicolewilkins01
Twitter @nicolemwilkins
Instagram @nicolemwilkins

Mantra heading into this weekend’s show…
Give it to God and have fun!

Thanks Nicole, safe travels and we’ll see ya in The Big Apple.

Thank YOU! See you in NYC!

View Nicole’s competition photos here.

 

 



Arnold Fitness Champion Tanji Johnson Undergoes Knee Surgery


The 2013 Fitness International Champion, Tanji Johnson underwent knee surgery on May 21, 2013. The high flying fitness champion shared the results of her surgery with her fans on facebook shortly after the surgery.

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“Thank u everyone for ur thoughts and prayers regarding my knee surgery. It went well! No ACL damage, praise God! Just meniscus and a little hole in my knee bone but I will be good to go in no time. Just thankful for good health and my great ortho doctors at the WA Institute of Ortho Surgery in Totem Lake!”Tanji Johnson

We wish the Tanji all the best in her recovery and hope to see her back on stage soon.



Fitness Tech – Aol HardWired


YouTube star iJustine travels across America to discover the latest innovations in wearable technology. The AOL original series shares new episodes every Wednesday. Technology continues to improve and we’re seeing it appear in the world of health and fitness. Gadgets are capturing more and more data in an attempt to improve our lives.

hardwired-ijustine

Fitness Tech
iJustine breaks a sweat and explores first-hand the latest styles and innovations of her favorite workout wearable tech gear.


Get HardWired on twitter.@HardWiredTech #HardWired



Video: Erin Stern Fitness 360


Top Figure Athlete Erin Stern is the focus of Bodybuilding.com’s newest Fitness 360 feature. The fit Floridian shares how she got her start in the world of competitive figure and what her approach is to diet and training. She’s been able to transition from track & field to Figure. She mixes up her training and her meal plans throughout the year.

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When asked about her diet she shares, “It’s definitely not a diet.” Erin stresses the importance of making healthy eating a lifestyle. Many people say this catch phrase but she lives it. She talks about setting goals, supplementation and training in the video shown below. It’s important to know why you are eating what you are and Erin lives by the philosophy that “knowledge is power”.

See more on Erin Stern’s Fitness 360 Feature.



Nathalia Melo’s 8 Essential Tips for Traveling to Rio de Janeiro


Our resident Hardbody Brazilian, Bikini Olympia Champ and fitness cover model, Nathalia Melo shares some insight on what to expect when heading to Rio de Janeiro. She hits on what to eat, what not to drink, what to expect when tipping and more. We’re stoked that Nat will be there along with us. It will make communicating in Portuguese much easier. HA!

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Hello Hardbodies,

I am all packed and ready to head to Rio de Janeiro for the 2013 Arnold Classic Brasil! Are you?? Woot woot!

Here are 8 Essential Tips for the ones heading to Rio this weekend:
1. Do NOT drink the tap water! I am not sure what the results from it would be, but I am sure you don’t want to risk your weekend with…aham… some tummy problems!
2. The safest and best way to get around is by Taxi or Subway (It doesn’t go everywhere).
3. To exchange money you will need your passport.
4. Leave your nice jewelry at home, better safe than sorry.
5. Tipping in Brazil is 10% and it is normally included in the check, but you can always give a little extra if you had good service – the extra can’t be on the card, it has to be cash.
6. Restaurants there are normally family style, which means that one dish will feed a couple people. Make sure you ask your server how big the dish is.
7. You can find wifi connection in many places there
8. Make sure you check out a Brazilian Steak House, which is an all you can eat restaurant where you can eat Brazilian bbq till you drop.

Hope these tips were helpful!

Safe travel guys and see ya in Rio!!

Nathalia Melo



Apex-Brasil and Abrese Join Forces to Leverage Brazilian Sports


The inaugural Arnold Classic Brasil will take place this weekend in Rio de Janeiro. In an effort to promote the Brazil’s sports sector, Apex-Brasil and Abrese have partnered together and created a project coined “Brazilian Sports”. The project intends to increase exports of the Brazilian sports sector and promote the international market of Brazilian products as they relate to sports.

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We’re honored to be part of the initial efforts and will be sharing information from Brasil this weekend.

News Release
APEX-BRASIL and ABRESE JOIN FORCES TO LEVERAGE THE ECONOMY OF THE SPORTS SECTOR
Apex-Brasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and ABRESE (Brazilian Association of Sport Goods and Services) created an Export Project, called “Brazilian Sports”, that had an initial investment of about R$ 500,000. The investments may increase after October of this year.

The project will have it’s first activity at the Expo “Arnold Classic Brasil 2013” that will be held on April 26th to 28th at the Sul América Convention Center, Rio de Janeiro.
The objective of the Project is to increase the exports of the Brazilian sports sector and promote in the international market the Brazilian products and services related to sports activities.

According to ABRESE the sports sector currently generates nearly R$65 billion a year, equivalent to 1.6% of Brazilian GDP. In the last six years the segment has grown much more than the national economy. While the country’s GDP has maintained an average of annual growth between 2007 and 2011 of 4.2%, the sports market reached a 7.1% growth.

Compared to the same period mentioned above, it was observed that the participation of the sport sector on the GDP of some countries was, for example, in England of 1.8%, U.S. 2.1%, Australia 2.3% and New Zealand 2, 8%. The expectation for 2016 is that the national GDP can grow 1.9%, according to ABRESE.

The Brazilian Sports Project invited international journalists, to come to the event, so they can get to know the Brazilian companies and their products. The confirmed guests belong to major industry publications. They are: Hardbody News, NPC News, Muscle & Fitness, Flex Magazine, Muscular Development, Muscle Mag International.

The next step will bring around 10 buyers from different countries to the Rio Sports Show, that will happen from June 27th to 29th, this year..

For more information visit: www.arnoldclassicbrasil.com.br



Prejudging Report – 2013 Europa Show of Champions Bikini


The 2013 IFBB Europa Show of Champions Pro Bikini prejudging took place on Friday afternoon in Orlando, Florida. The competition didn’t have any “big names” so to speak which meant the door was wide open for someone to step up and qualify for the Olympia. The prejudging went quick and a reminder to all competitors you only get a couple minutes to make an impression on the judges.

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HARDBODY PREJUDGING 411:
These are just opinions and not indicative of the final placings, which will be held on Saturday at 3pm.

Maria Annunziata –
She’s improving her stage presence. Not sure if the suit color was the best choice with her tan. Could have used different suit or different color tan. She was in the first call-out and will likely be top five but didn’t see it that way. She’s a little too soft from behind and needs to come in tighter in the legs and booty to be in my top five.

Maura Bouchard - Maura competed in just her second show and if she is patient she can steadily improve. She’s one of the smaller women on stage and needs more muscle and fullness to her. She seemed to be over-thinking her posing instead of just rolling with it. It doesn’t look like she’ll be top five this time around.

Danielle Carr - One of the taller competitors and her challenge will be not looking to straight up and down in her posing. She wasn’t super confident in her posing and if she can take the stage a bit more poised and polish her presentation she could move up.

Jennifer Dawn - One of Jennifer’s better looks in recent contests but didn’t get much love with the comparisons. I would have put her higher than where she’ll finish and thought it was one of her better presentations to date. She has larger boobs which can be distracting in some people’s opinion but can’t see that being the cause for her not placing higher. She’ll be top ten but wouldn’t argue if she had been top five.

Lacey DeLuca - Lacey looked like she always does… A nice look in the upper body but soft and not conditioned in the lower half. It’s likely a genetic battle she’ll always face with a bigger booty. She presents herself well in the individual round but needs to bring the legs and booty down to be a contender. She won’t be top five this time around.

Ashley Kaltwasser - Ashley will likely finish second and has a physique I’ve always liked. She’s one of the more athletic looking competitors and this is just her second pro show. As she progresses she could be a top pro. I’d like to see a little different eye make-up and a better tan. Her tanning color was a bit off and the eye make-up a bit too much. She’ll need to polish up her posing but watch for her to be in the top spots as she refines the little details.

Courtney King - Courtney will be king err queen of this stage. She improved her posing from her pro debut and looked spot on. She has long legs and looks much taller on stage then she really is. She’s definitely one of the rising stars in the division and she’ll leave your winner, at least that’s how I see it. I’d like to see her continue to put on a little size in her upper body but she has time on her side.

Nathalie Mur - Nathalie Mur looked much better than her Daytona showing a couple weeks ago. I would place her higher than she’ll finish and with Nathalie it’s more about her presentation than physique that needs polished. If she present with a bit more confidence she’d get a better look.

Sabrina Nicole - Sabrina will be at the bottom of the pack this time around. She has more muscle than most in this line-up and needs to be a bit sharper to be a contender. Sabrina has the potential to do well she just needs to dial in her conditioning to get in the top spots.

Noemi Olah - Noemi was back on stage in the USA but won’t finish in the top spots. She’s a beautiful women and if the judging was based on facial looks she’d be a winner in any show. It’s more than just a pretty face and she won’t be in the mix this time. Noemi’s tan was too light and she was too soft for this line-up. Still one of my favorite competitors when she’s tighter and the details are on point.

Jessica Renee - Jessica has lots of potential and just needs little tweaks to improve. I’d like to see her come in with big pageant style curly hair (ie Jennifer Andrews style) and a different colored suit. Her tan seemed a bit splotchy. She won’t be top five but could in future shows with some minor adjustments.

Aly Veneno - Aly will likely be your third place finisher. She was much more relaxed and poised than the Daytona show. She had make-up and a tan that matched and it’s those details that can help make or break where you finish. I’d like to see her work on the timing of her presentation. She tends to over pose and stage on stage longer than needed. She could have been a little tighter in the glutes but overall not a bad showing.

Ashley Wade - I like Ashley’s look and the curly hair. Ashley will be in the middle of the pack here and would have argued if she finished higher. She’s one competitor that for some reason gets lost in the mix.

Nicole Witbeck - Nicole was one competitor I thought should have been top five in Daytona and while she didn’t finish in the top spots there she should here. Look for her to be in the fourth of fifth spot. She’s one of the few blondes in the division and has a nice, balanced physique. Only critique here would be to bring a different look with her hair. She could pull off the big pageant curls instead of the straight hair. Silly, to talk about hair in a physique competition, right? I know.

Brittany Young - Brittany will be in the top 10 and had one of her best looks to date. She is another tall competitor who towers over some of the others. This was her best showing as a pro and should be happy with what she presented.

Francesca Yumul - Francesca kinda flew under the radar heading into this show but turned some heads on stage. This is just her second pro show, the muscle contest being her first. She’ll be in the top ten and has a look that catches your attention. She’ll move up with a little more stage time and improve presentation.

I see it going…
1. Courtney King
2. Ashley Kaltwasser
3. Aly Vaneno

The winner will leave with an Olympia qualification and the 2-4 finishers will get points in the Olympia Point Series. We’ll find out the results Saturday afternoon. There was also Women’s Physique, Men’s physique and Men’s 212 Bodybuilding at this show. The expo held in conjunction with the pro show is huge with many events, including a NPC show. If interested in purchasing NPC photos you can do so here and see more photos from the event on bodybuilding.com.



One Hardbody To Watch – Nicole Witbeck


Nicole Witbeck may not be a name you’re familiar with now but you will. She’s one of the few blonde bikini competitors in the IFBB Pro League and she could stop traffic with a flip of her hair. She turned pro relatively quick, having only competed in two regional shows before stepping on stage at the 2012 NPC USAs where she achieved pro status. This weekend she’ll be competing in her third pro show and despite not making the top five at the Battle on The Beach, she’s one to watch this weekend.

nicole-witbeck
Nicole shares a little tough love on eating and why she loves butter. This former track athlete shares a bit more about herself and why she’s one hardbody to watch!

Name: Nicole Witbeck

Born in: Portland Oregon

Currently Live in: San Diego California

Did you play any sports growing up? Dance (if you consider it a sport) and I ran varsity hurdles in high school.

110 hurdles or 300/400m? 100 high

Siblings? One brother

Youngest or oldest? Oldest, but some think he’s older just due to his sheer size.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a secret agent, then I grew up and realized they don’t exist in the way I thought they did.

Like the cartoon character MAD… SPY VS SPY? Never heard of it, I’ve always been a Star Wars junkie, so more sci-fi type stuff. Actually, dearth vader is currently my background on my iPhone :)

Other than hitting the weight room what do you with you day? I spend a lot of time outdoors, whether its the beach, hiking, and playing golf.

Have you always worked out? I’ve always been active- not necessarily In a gym. During college I was so focused on my accounting degree I rarely saw anything but the inside of a library.

Did you get an accounting degree and put it to use? I did work in accounting for about a year and I am starting to get back into it! I took some time off to really put my all into this sport.

Any accounting tips for your fellow fitness peeps? lol financial tip- go back and look at how much you used to spend on bars and eating out- then each month put that money away into a savings account. Use that savings account to help fund your competition career.

How did you get into competing? I went to one of my brother physique competitions and though hey I can do this! So I called his coach and got started that day. I did the emerald cup three weeks after that in Bellevue Washington.nicole

You did only a handful of shows before turning pro right? Yes, I did two regional shows and got my pro card in Las Vegas last year!

See Nicole’s competition photos here!

What’s the biggest difference competing in NPC to the Pros? Just the attention that you receive- people look up to you as a role model or inspiration and that’s an amazing feeling knowing you are encouraging others to obtain a healthy lifestyle.

What’s something you wish people would have warned you about and learned the hard way? That I would probably never eat butter again. My favorite food is just straight up butter – and that’s obviously not on our diets.

Wait butter? So you would take a stick and just chew on it like a candy bar? lol yes, I mean I didn’t do that often, but the saying “want some bread with your butter” that was coined after me. My parents said growing up they would find me sneaking into the fridge late at night eating out of the butter tub.

Best thing about competing? Everything! I love the lifestyle and the way I feel. Being on stage and the competitions are just a fun way to show off all that you have worked so hard to achieve.

What’s it like being married to a Navy Seal? I am grateful to all that serve in our armed forces, so I’m very proud to be married to someone who puts his life on the line for our freedom. He constantly pushes me to be better and to never give up.

Like to work out solo or train with someone? When I’m lifting I prefer to train alone just because music really fuels the intensity of my workout. However, Cardio is more fun when I have a partner to laugh with.

What’s on your music play list currently? iHeart Radio- linkin park station

Favorite sport to watch? Football- and mainly because San Diego is an awesome place for hanging out and watching games.

Yes, San Diego is a nice warm place to watch the Charges lose to the Broncos. Are you a chargers fan or Seahawks? Chargers, I was never really a Seahawks fan so I adopted the chargers when I moved to San Diego, like every other person who lives there.

Favorite sport to play? Golf when I’m playing well. I also spent every weekend skiing back when I lived in Oregon.

How’s your golf game? Well… I’m not a scratch golfer by any means. But I can get ahold of a few every once in awhile.

Do blondes have more fun? I think that I have a lot of fun being a blonde!!! Especially in this sport, there are so few of us I have the ability to bring my own look.

What’s your favorite healthy food to make? Dried fruit- I can’t get enough dried pineapple.

Any tips for making fish taste better? I use a chipotle or spicy seasoning to cover up the taste, but when I don’t use seasoning my tip would be to suck it up- I don’t see food as pleasure just fuel to get me through the day.

Rather cook or do laundry? Well my husband would say do laundry because he thinks I’m a clean freak, but I would prefer to cook or bake any day!

Biggest pet peeve? When guys lift up their shirts and stare at their abs in the mirror at the gym. Like really???

Bad Habit.. Coffee, I don’t even want to know how much I spend on Starbucks in a given month.

Social media where people can find you? Twitter: @IFBBNicoleMarie Facebook: Nicole Marie Witbeck- IFBB pro

Where else will you be competing this year? I’m looking at Pittsburg, and from there will just see where things take me!!

nicole-hardbody

 



Dove Real Beauty Sketches – You’re More Beautiful Than You Think


Gil Zamora is a forensic composite artist, trained at the FBI academy in 1993. Gil worked at the San Jose police department from 1995 until 2011 as their police artist. He works off a person’s memory and asks several questions to composite his sketches instead of reference material. It’s important to note as it influences this experiment, beautifully documented.

dove-sketch

Gil was hired by Dove to interview and draw seven different women, two sketches each.The first sketch is drawn from the woman’s description of herself. Gil never sees the women before he draws them. The second sketch is based off from a stranger’s description of the same woman. The sketches are incredibly different and in one woman’s words, “the stranger’s was a little more gentle.” The women are shown the sketches side by side and the women realize how hard on they are on themselves. The take away, at least in my opinion, is that women spend too much time trying to fix things they don’t like and they are too hard on themselves. The spots may be for Dove but you’d barely know it by the way they were produced and presented.

Bravo to Dove and this Real Beauty campaign. The short version has been seen over 1.2 million times in two days.

Youtube:

Women are their own worst beauty critics. Only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful. At Dove, we are committed to creating a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety. So, we decided to conduct a compelling social experiment that explores how women view their own beauty in contrast to what others see.

Watch the whole experience at: http://dove.com/realbeautysketches
Join the conversation at: #wearebeautiful

And don’t forget: YOU are more beautiful than you think!

Lead image via Dove Youtube.



20 Questions with Dianna Dahlgren Via Live Twitter Chat


Dianna Dahlgren took questions from the twittersphere and shared what her favorite headphone are to tips on getting published in fitness magazines. Find out what Dianna would be doing if she wasn’t modeling or working as Miss Supercross and what’s she up to next. Thanks to everyone who asked questions and the funniest one came last, scroll down for a good laugh. You can keep up with Dianna on twitter at @diannaDahlgren and on her website, www.diannadahlgren.com.

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Dianna Dahlgren’s LIVE Twitter Chat

1Q. How did you get started in #modeling? #ddchat
1A. I was scouted by a lady at the mall when I was 13! #ddchat

2Q. So that really happens… scouting at a mall turns to real modeling work? #ddchat
2A. Yes as long as they are legitimate! Just do your background check, my mom did! #ddchat

3Q. What are your goals for the rest of 2013? #ddchat
3A. I’m working on a webisode series over the summer in Venice Beach, my 2014 calendar and a fitness wear line #ddchat

4Q. Do you have any #workout tips for building a better booty? #ddchat
4A. Glute Pushbacks, multiple stances when squatting, Reverse Lunges and the good ole Stair Master #ddchat

5Q. How long should someone do cardio each session? Every day and what type? #ddchat
5A. For healthy balance around 30-45 minutes, running is the best workout, I also enjoy the precor and stairs #ddchat

6Q. What was the key ingredient to motivate you to succeed this early in life? #ddchat
6A. I got sent to boarding school when I was 15, when I went home I wanted money so I started working, and never stopped.

7Q. Will you be Miss #Supercross in 2014? How did you get selected & when?
7A. I think so, 4 years if so and I got lucky lol #ddchat

8Q. What’s the best way to become a published #fitness #model after you have the body for it? #ddchat
8A. Working with photographers who have been published more than a few times and have connections #ddchat

9Q. Do you help others with personal training & if so are you accepting any new clients? #ddchat
9A. YES I do, I love it! Email me dianna@diannadahlgren.com for more info. #ddchat

10Q. If you weren’t modeling & being Miss #supercross what would you be doing? #ddchat
10A. I’d be working on my nursing degree or would already be a nurse #ddchat

11Q. What’s the key to sticking to a good diet besides good nutrition? #ddchat
11A. Just eat healthy and clean. Fruits variety of veggies and meats, eat because you are physically hungry. #ddchat

12Q. You’re spending more time in front of the live camera; do you want to do more of that & do you like it? #ddchat
12A. Yes I love it and I’m doing more whenever I can! #ddchat

13Q. Do you have a favorite photo-shoot that you’ve done & a favorite cover you’ve been on? #ddchat
13A. Favorite cover is my FitnessRx cover and my favorite shoots have been with Per Bernal and Isaac Hinds #ddchat

14Q. Did you play sports when you were younger and have you always had a bikini body? #ddchat

15Q. Now that you’re not competing any more do you find it hard to stay motivated to be in shape? #ddchat
15A. Sometimes, but I love working out so I still go everyday and do the best I can everyday #ddchat

16Q. Do you recommend any supplements & how do you eat healthy traveling as much as you do? #ddchat

16A. @QuestNutrition bars are the best and if I don’t have food, I eat a lot of salads with chicken, dressing on side! #ddchat

17Q. Do you do your own hair and make-up for Miss #Supercross & #photoshoots? If yes what’s your fav brand of MU? #ddchat

17A. Yes I do :) MAC cosmetics is what I use the most! #ddchat

18Q. What music do you listen to when you workout & what kind of headphones are best? #ddchat
18A. I listen to FFDP on Pandora Radio, and I love @skullcandy ear buds with memory foam ear pieces so they stay in #ddchat

19Q. What’s your favorite brand of clothes / shoes to workout in? #ddchat
19A. I love some lululemon or Nike running pants, anything fitted and stretchy! #ddchat

LMAO! So silly have to end on this one. 20Q. @diannadahlgren who would win in a fight, a grilled cheese sandwich or a taco? #ddchat
20A. LMAO grilled cheese with some tomato soup!!! #BOMB #ddchat

See all of our Twitter chats here.

 



Sunday Night Faith No More – Faith Hill Tweets Departure


When the National Football League returns the NBC broadcast will have at least one change. The Country singer shared via twitter that she would be stepping away from the Sunday Night Football opening. She’s sang “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” as part of the NBC telecast.

sunday-night-football


She followed it up with another tweet.


Who should be Faith Hill’s replacement? The logical choice and leading lady on the web seems to be Carrie Underwood. She fits with the brand, has the voice and from a marketing stand point, she’s “safe”. Will the NBC execs go with Carrie or opt for someone else like Katty Perry, Beyonce, Pink! or stray from a female singer all-together? No replacement has been named yet.

Who would you like to see take Faith’s place?



Olympia Champ Nathalia Melo’s 8 Brazilian Basics


The first-ever Arnold Classic Brazil is just around the corner. Since we’ve never been to Brazil we thought who better to help guide us than the top Bikini Pro in the biz, Brazilian Nathalia Melo. Nathalia has been a long-time friend of Hardbody and when we asked her for input she graciously accepted. This is the first of our Arnold Brazil series with Nathalia. She kicks things off with some basics and as always she describes it as only Nathalia can.

natbrazil
Hello Hardbody Nation,

We are only a couple weeks away from first ever Arnold Classic in Rio, which is going to be the biggest event of its type in Latin America. I know many of you, my gringo friends, only know about Brazilian soccer, Carnival… and-AHAM that women there have big booties! HA! I have decided to help you out with some great tips before you head South, to my amazing country? =)

I have listed 8 basics that one MUST know before going to Brazil:
• Brazilians speak Portuguese, NOT Spanish… and before you ask, NO they are not the same!
• Brazil is the 5th Largest country in the world, and the largest country in Latin America.
• The capital of Brazil is Brasilia, NOT Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo like many people think.
• The Brazilian currency is called REAL, and it is worth a little less than half of the American dollar. So, to make it simple… Just divide everything you see there by 2, and you find out what the price would be in American dollars.
• There are NO sales taxes added at the cashier when you buy things there. So, the price you see is the price you pay.
• BUT, Before you get SUPER excited about the currency… don’t think you are a bawler quite yet! Brazil is not a cheap place, things there are a bit pricey.
• Make sure you have the proper electrical outlet adapter (Two round prongs), because the ones there are different from the outlets in the US.
• Brazil is not like the US, where you have A/C everywhere you go. So… be ready to break a sweat my friends! =)

I hope you enjoyed the first one of my blogs to help you enjoy every minute of your stay in my beautiful country!!

Also, feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions on my Facebook.

Beijos, (‘’Kisses’’ in Portuguese)

Nathalia Melo



Live Twitter Chat with Miss Supercross & Cover Model Dianna Dahlgren


The reigning Miss Supercross and popular Fitness Model, Dianna Dahlgren joins us LIVE on Tuesday, April 16th at 6pm EST. Dianna will answer your questions on twitter in real-time. She’ll talk about how she’s made a career out of modeling, how she landed multiple magazine covers, sponsorships, makeup, competitions, Miss Supercross and more. She’s been seen in Muscle & Fitness HERS, FLEX, Muscle & Fitness, Fitness RX, Muscle Evolution and many other magazines.

dd-twitter-chat

Don’t miss this opportunity to have Dianna answer your questions personally and LIVE!


The Hardbody 411:

LIVE Hardbody News Twitter CHAT

DAY: Tuesday, April 16, 2013
TIME: 96pm EST
HASHTAG: #ddchat
FOLLOW ON TWITTER: @hardbodynews and @diannadahlgren

NEW TO TWITTER CHAT?

Do a search for #ddchat on Twitter at 6pm EST  (3pm PST) on the 16th to view the twitter conversation. Add #ddchat to your tweets so everyone can join in the conversation and see your questions. You can follow along live on our twitter chat page as well.





Don’t Miss “Desitnation Dallas” Superstar Seminar


IFBB Bikini Pro Tawna Eubanks gives us the skinny on a cool seminar taking place in Dallas, Texas. If you’re in the area or ever wanted to train and learn from some of the best in the bodybuilding and fitness industry, this is your chance. We’re stoked to see this new facility come to fruition and it’s sure to be a popular spot for fitness enthusiasts.

desitnation

As shared by Tawna Eubanks…
There are exciting things going on in Dallas, Texas as the opening of “…destination Dallas” draws closer. What is being promised as a “must visit” for everyone living the extreme fitness lifestyle there’s a lot of anticipation behind the opening of this place! As a sneak peek into Destination a Super Star Seminar is being held on April 27th for everyone to meet top pros, watch them train, and interact with them in a question and answer formatted seminar.

If you haven’t heard about …destination Dallas yet, this is the combination of three great entities: Gasp and Better Bodies clothing line, Metroflex Gym, and Ultimate Sports Nutrition. Gasp and Better Bodies is one of the world’s top fitness clothing brands and they will have a showroom and warehouse inside of Destination. Metroflex Gym of Plano, sequel to the legendary gym of Ronnie Coleman, Branch Warren and a host of other great pros will offer a 10,000 square foot facility built specifically for hard training competitors. Ultimate Sports Nutrition is one of Texas’s top performing supplement retailers, will have their 11th Denver / Fort Worth location inside the destination, offering premier sports supplements at great prices.

WHEN:
Saturday, April 27, 2013

TIME / WHERE:
8am – 12:30pm
Metroflex Plano
2700 K Ave 200
Plano, TX 75074

12pm-5pm
Destination Dallas
2655 Premier Drive
Plano, TX 75075

On the women’s side of the event champion fitness competitor, Adela Garcia will kick things off with an 8:30am workout at the current location of Metroflex Gym of Plano. You can grab a healthy breakfast and watch Adela show you what helped her create a dominant fitness physique. Harbody’s own and Better Bodies’ IFBB Bikini Pro Tawna Eubanks will be training with new figure pro Jennifer Baker at 11:30am also at Metroflex Gym of Plano. Bikini and Figure competitors alike these are two extremely talented girls with a top level coach behind them, this is a great opportunity to pick up a few exercises to add to your contest prep or off-season training plan. Following a BBQ cookout from 12-2pm the girls, will be joined by Dallas area prep coach Jeff Dwelle. Collectively they will (4pm at the construction site of Destination Dallas) discuss everything from A to Z about competing. Diet, training, suits, shoes, posing, presentation you name it they are ready to talk to you about it! They’ll stay until the last question is answered!

On the men’s side of the event, Better Bodies athlete Mike Rashid (out of Long Beach, California) will be doing a high intensity, high volume bodybuilding workout at 8am at the current location of Metroflex Plano. Followed shortly thereafter by none other than Texas’ own, Gasp Athlete Branch Warren at 10am! Branch will show fans how to train insane in his own backyard. Branch Warren and Mike will be back at 2pm following the BBQ cookout and will be joined by contest prep guru Neil Hill. Don’t miss this opportunity to talk to one of the best bodybuilders Branch Warre and one of the top gurus in the sport, Neil Hill.

You can also catch a live webcast of this event at: MetroflexPlano.com!

seminar



Food and Drug Administration Warns DMAA Potentially Dangerous


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued another story related to the use of dimethylamylamine (DMAA) in supplements. The FDA warned companies known to be using the ingredient that their products are illegal. The only company that did not stop using DMAA as an ingredient was USPLabs, which challenges the FDA’s findings.

fda-warning


ARTICLE FROM THE FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is using all available tools at its disposal to ensure that dietary supplements containing a stimulant called dimethylamylamine (DMAA) are no longer distributed and available for sale to consumers in the marketplace.

The ingredient, DMAA, is most commonly used in supplements promising weight loss, muscle building and performance enhancement; it can elevate blood pressure and could lead to cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, shortness of breath and tightening of the chest. Given the known biological activity of DMAA, the ingredient may be particularly dangerous when used with caffeine.

As of April 11, 2013, FDA had received 86 reports of illnesses and death associated with supplements containing DMAA. The majority are voluntary reports from consumers and healthcare practitioners. The illnesses reported include heart problems and nervous system or psychiatric disorders. Note, however, that a report is not proof that the product actually caused the problem.

FDA has warned companies known to be using DMAA in dietary supplements that those products containing this ingredient are illegal. Such warnings offer the quickest way at FDA’s disposal to halt the further distribution of dietary supplements containing DMAA in the marketplace. In fact, all but one of the companies sent a Warning Letter have agreed to stop using DMAA as an ingredient in their dietary supplements. The one company that has yet to agree to such action, USPLabs, has responded to FDA’s warning by submitting published studies that purport to challenge FDA’s conclusions.

However, after reviewing the studies provided by USPLabs, FDA has found the information insufficient to defend the use of DMAA as an ingredient in dietary supplements. FDA is finalizing a formal response to the firm to reflect its findings, according to Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., director of FDA’s Division of Dietary Supplement Program.

FDA’s authority over dietary supplements is very different from its authority over drugs and other medical products. FDA is required to undertake what are usually lengthy scientific and legal steps in order to force the removal of dietary supplements that may be unsafe or are otherwise illegal if companies don’t voluntarily comply.

As FDA continues the process needed to get DMAA off the market, the agency is urging consumers to check labels and avoid any dietary supplements containing DMAA, which is referred to on different product labels by 10 possible names. The alternatives are listed at FDA’s DMAA web page.

FDA’s response to the use of DMAA illustrates the challenges that the agency faces in addressing incidents involving potentially dangerous dietary supplements. The effort is increasingly important as the use of dietary supplements increases worldwide. A 2011 study found that more than half of U.S. adults used a dietary supplement between 2003 and 2006, compared to 40% between 1988 and 1994.

In recent years, FDA has alerted consumers to hundreds of tainted products marketed as dietary supplements. Consumers should be aware that dietary supplements are subject to different oversight than drugs and other medical products.

“Consumers may mistakenly look at a capsule and think that FDA has signed off on that product as safe and effective prior to that product appearing on the market, as we do with drugs and other medical products,” says Fabricant. “In contrast, with dietary supplements, there is no pre-market approval, and once a product is on the market, the burden is on the FDA to prove that a product is unsafe.”

FDA’s role in overseeing dietary supplements is laid out in a 1994 law and subsequent amendments. FDA’s enforcement capabilities range from issuing warning letters seeking voluntary cooperation—the quickest way to get a product off the market—to bringing criminal charges. In recent years, FDA enforcement actions involving dietary supplements have included banning products, executing injunctions, working with U.S. marshals to seize products, and issuing safety alerts and consent decrees—which are agreements approved and enforced by a federal court.

In many cases, FDA has acted when dietary supplements were found to contain ingredients approved for use in prescription drugs. DMAA was approved in 1948 for use as a nasal decongestant, but the approval was withdrawn in 1983.

The products cited in the warning letter to USPLabs are Oxy Elite Pro and Jack3D. These products claim, among other things, to be fat-burning and performance-enhancing supplements, respectively. While action in that case in pending, FDA is following up to ensure that other companies which promised to cease using DMAA as an ingredient in their dietary supplements are actually doing so. FDA is also looking to see if there are other dietary supplement products containing DMAA in the marketplace, and will continue to act to ensure that such products, when identified, are no longer distributed and available for sale to consumers.

Consumers are urged to report any problems associated with supplement use to the company or the agency, and to always consult with their health care professional before using a supplement.

This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Story from FDA.gov.



Pro Surfer Lakey Peterson Joins Nike Training Club


Nike has become more than a pair of running shoes. The brand has expanded into technology most never dreamed of years ago. One of the successful piece of technology is their iPhone and Android app. It helps you maximize your results and get motivated. Whatever your fitness goals might be, the Nike Training Club (NTC) app helps take up a notch. It’s a pretty sweet app that can help you get that hard body you want. Our Hardbody friend, Marie Wood-Purvis is a Nike Master Trainer and plays a huge role in the app.

lakey-peterson
The newest addition to the Nike Training Club is pro surfer Lakey Peterson. Lakey Peterson is a professional surfer and ranked one of the best in the world. She joined Marie and the NTC folks for a “Beach Legs” workout. Marie shared a photo on her instagram and it looks like they had a blast making it. Visit Nike Women’s Facebook page for some exercise tips and if you haven’t yet, download the Nike Training Club app.

lakey-marieLakey & Marie having some fun on the NTC set.

Get toned for summer with pro surfer Lakey Peterson’s new Beach Legs Workout for Nike Training Club.


How the NTC app works in seven easy steps.

via www.nike.com
01. IT ALL STARTS WITH YOU
Register with NTC so you can begin working out and we can begin helping you improve.

02. WORK OUT

Select your goal and level, then choose from a list of workouts that meet your criteria.

03. DRILLS & AUDIO GUIDE
Access detailed, step-by-step instructions and video demonstrations of each drill. A Nike professional trainer guides you through each step of your workout. Pause your workout at any time to access on-demand instruction.

04. MUSIC
Pick the album or playlist from your library that will keep you motivated.

05. RESULTS
After your workout, review a summary of your training inlcluding approximate NikeFuel earned, calories burned and more. Then share your results and see how close you are to your next reward.

06. REWARDS & BONUSES
Every minute of training gets you closer to NTC-exclusive rewards like personal training advice and star workouts. Unlock embedded reward content as you reach training milestones and earn badges.

07. TRAINING ESSENTIALS
Get the most from your workout with NTC-recommended products. Engineered to take your training further.

Check out Lacey’s new surfing movie, Zero to 100, that’s out later this month. Follow Marie on twitter and give her a Hardbody hello. She shares amazing tips on health, nutrition and training.



Open 13.5 Giveaway


There’s still time to enter the BSN Open 13.5 Giveaway! Enter your information here and could win BSN products and BSN branded RockTape.

bsn-giveaway


Prize Description:

4 Prospective Grand Prize Winners who meet all eligibility requirements will receive: one (1) 24-Serving SYNTHA-6™ ISOLATE – Chocolate, one (1) 30-Serving AMINO X™ – Fruit Punch & two (2) BSN® branded rolls of RockTape.

4 Prospective Secondary Winners who meet all eligibility requirements will receive one (1) 30-Serving AMINO X™ – Fruit Punch & one (1) BSN® branded roll of RockTape.

Complete details and rules here.



Happy Birthday Bodybuilding.com – Celebrate by Saving Big


Bodybuilding.com has become the online leader for not only great content but also amazing deals on supplements and nutritional products. The company celebrates it’s 14th Birthday today, April 11, 2013 and is offering visitors big savings. If you’re a little low on protein or maybe you need a new pre-workout supplement, stop by Bodybuilding.com and use the promo code BDAY20. The 20% off coupon only works until 12:00am PST so get a move on!

happy-birthday

 

Use Your “BDAY20″ Coupon on These Brands
Optimum Nutrition Products
MusclePharm Products
BSN Products
Dymatize Products
Cellucor Products
MuscleTech Products
BPI Products
Infinite Labs Products
ProMera Products
Gaspari Nutrition Products
CytoSport Monster Products
Met-Rx Products
USPlabs Products
Top Secret Products
Driven Sports Products
VPX Products
MHP Products
Betancourt Nutrition Products
PharmaFreak Products
Axis Labs Products
Beast Products
Athletic Edge Products
iSS Research Products
EAS Products
Controlled Labs Products
MRM Products
SmartShake Products
ErgoGenix Products
Magnum Products
ProLab Products
Nutrex Research Products
EXT Products
Cobra Labs Products
Fitmiss Products
iForce Nutrition Products
Natrol Products
Supreme Protein Products
Harbinger Products
MRI Products
Pro Supps Products
Nutrabolics Products
Inner Armour Products



New IFBB Women’s Physique Comeptition Added to Schedule


The IFBB Pro League is in full swing and shows are taking place across the world nearly every weekend. A show that may not be on many women physique competitors’ radar is the Optimum Classic. The show was recently added to the IFBBpro.com website and slated to take place on May 11, 2013.  The Optimum Classic Pro Women’s Physique show is promoted by Prince Harrison and Robert Blount in Shrevport, Louisiana. For more information contact prince@optimumfitness.com.

womens-physique

Visit IFBBpro.com for more info on upcoming competitions.



2013 Bodybuilding.com FIT USA Fitness Model Competition


IF you’ve ever dreamed of appearing in a fitness magazine and having a year supply of supplements this is a competition for you. The 2013 Bodybuilding.com FIT USA Model Competition will award one male and one female  with $500 cash, a feature in REPS or OXYGEN magazine, a photo shoot with bodybuilding.com and a year supply of supplements from MusclePharm. The contest is open to all BodySpace member over the age of 18.

fitusa
The top 20 finalists (10 men and 10 women) will be invited to compete at the 2013 Bodybuilding.com Fit Expo on June 8th. A panel of celebrity judges will choose the winners based on overall muscle tone, stage presence, shape and marketability as a fitness model. Last year’s winners were Liz Brown and Matthew Sulentic.

For complete details and registration visit bodybuilding.com. Good luck!



2013 IFBB EVL’S Praque Pro & Amateur Bikini Olympia


The EVL’s Prague Pro is back for its second year and will be the final stop for the male bodybuilders in 2013. The event plays host to a pro bikini competition which was won by Justine Munro last year. The weekend will also hold the second annual Amateur Bikini Olympia. The dates have been set for October 19, 2013 in Praque, Czech Republic. This date has been changed from its previously announced time.

praguepro

NEWS RELEASE
2013 IFBB EVL’S PRAGUE PRO & AMATEUR BIKINI OLYMPIA
Europe’s premier bodybuilding competition is back for year two as the EVL’S Prague Pro, held October 19, is set to showcase the world’s best and brightest stars in Prague, the historic capital city of the Czech Republic (date changed from October 26).

Last year’s EVL´S Prague Pro marked the return of pro bodybuilding to the Czech Republic after a 14-year absence, instantly making it one of the most important events in the 2012 IFBB season. Over 80 competitors from all over the world attended the landmark event. Germany’s Dennis Wolf prevailed over the USA’s Shawn Rhoden to capture the men’s open bodybuilding title, while Flex Lewis, the newly crowned Olympia 212 Showdown champion, added another title to close out the best year of his career, and Justine Munro strutted her way past a tough field of challengers to win the bikini division.

Held once again at the state-of-the-art Tipsport Arena, the 2013 rendition will feature IFBB pro men’s open bodybuilding, 212-and under and bikini action. And with $180,000 (US dollars) of total prize money on the line, be prepared for a night of epic battles.

Also, the second annual Amateur Bikini Olympia will add even more heat to competition with the winner earning an IFBB pro card and an automatic spot in the 2014 Bikini Olympia! The 2012 version, won by the beautiful Vladimira Krasova (now an IFBB pro and qualified to compete in the 2013 Bikini Olympia), boasted the highest number of competitors in the contest. Who will be the luckiest lady in the land this year?

Fans will also be treated to the latest and best supplements and other products in the sports, fitness and health industry at the EVL’S Prague Pro Expo, held in the spacious Incheba Arena, located below the main hall of the Tipsport Arena.

Don’t miss the 2013 IFBB EVL’S Prague Pro Bodybuilding, 212, Bikini and Amateur Bikini Olympia, held October 19. For tickets and more information, go to evlspraguepro.com.



Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.