Ronda Rousey is ‘femininely badass as f*ck’


Ronda Rousey Rio

UFC Champion Ronda Rousey puts her Bantamweight title on the line this Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil against Bethe Correia. If you’ve followed Ronda for any amount of time you know the hardbody champion is never short on giving people something to talk about. She unapologetically speaks her mind and consistently provides writes with headlines on a silver platter.

In the second episode of UFC 190 EMBEDDED we’re treated to a perfect example of this. It’s 10:45pm and Ronda is all business. She’s doing cardio on an elliptical machine. Her headphones are on, hands are wrapped and she’s working up a sweat. She’s not talking or texting…she’s focused.

After cardio and a training session, Ronda discusses her body and the type of woman she isn’t. She’s not a ‘do-nothing bitch’ and she find her body to be ‘femininely badass as f*ck’. What? Watch around the 6:10 minute mark for some of the best of Ronda yet…

“Being put in the position of being like a role model, I don’t think I’m infallible enough for that. I have this one term for the kind of woman that my mother raised me to not be. And I call it a ‘do nothing bitch.’ Or I call it a DNB a lot of the time. The kind of chick that just like just tries to be pretty and get taken care of by somebody else. That’s why I think it’s hilarious like or if people like say my body looks masculine or something like that. I’m just like, ‘listen, I’m like, just because my body was developed for a purpose other than fucking millionaires, doesn’t mean it’s masculine.’ I think it’s femininely badass as fuck because there’s not a single muscle in my body that isn’t for a purpose. Because I’m not a do-nothing bitch. It’s not very eloquently said but it’s to the point and maybe that’s just what I am. You know, I’m not that eloquent but I’m to the point.”

Be like Rhonda. Don’t be a #DNB. Be femininely badass.

Ronda Rousey Quote - femininely badass as fuck



Jen Welter – NFL’s First Female Coach


TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals have hired Jen Welter to coach inside linebackers through their upcoming training camp and preseason.

The Cardinals say Welter is believed to be the first woman to hold a coaching position of any kind in the NFL. Welter played running back and special teams in 2014 for the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League, becoming the first woman to hold a non-kicking position for a men’s professional sports league.

“I am honored to be a part of this amazing team,” Welter said on Twitter on Monday night.

Welter coached linebackers and special teams for the Revolution last season, becoming the first woman to coach in a men’s pro football league. Her general manager with the Revolution was 2015 NFL Hall of Fame inductee Tim Brown.

Welter played linebacker for more than 14 seasons in the Women’s Football Alliance, mostly with the Dallas Diamonds, where she helped the team win four championships. Welter holds a master’s degree in sports psychology. A rugby player at Boston College, she also earned two gold medals on Team USA at the International Federation of Football Women’s World Championships in 2009 and 2013.

A news conference was scheduled for Tuesday to introduce Welter and Levon Kirkland, a former Pro Bowl linebacker who is the inaugural participant in the Bill Bidwill Coaching Fellowship established to give recently retired NFL players a chance to coach in the league. He will work with outside linebackers for the next two seasons.

Four months ago at the NFL meetings, Arizona coach Bruce Arians was asked about the possibility of a woman coaching in the NFL.

“The minute they can prove they can make a player better, they’ll be hired,” Arians said.

Speaking to azcardinals.com on Monday, Arians said: “Coaching is nothing more than teaching. One thing I have learned from players is ‘How are you going to make me better? If you can make me better, I don’t care if you’re the Green Hornet, I’ll listen.'”

“I really believe she’ll have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her,” Arians said.

It’s the second such barrier to be broken in the NFL this year. The league announced in April that Sarah Thomas would be the first woman to be a full-time NFL official.

In the NBA, Becky Hammon is an assistant coach with San Antonio and served as the head coach for the Spurs’ team that won the Las Vegas Summer League championship.

Via AP



Meet Janae Marie Kroc… Formerly Matt Kroc


Matt Kroc to Janae Marie Kroc
While the mainstream media has been fixated on Caitlyn Jenner, the powerlifting/bodybuilding world has its own Transgender story. Over the past year, powerlifting champion and amateur bodybuilder Matt Kroc has been transitioning himself into the woman he’s always wanted to be… Janae Marie Kroc.

Looking back on the Matt Kroc’s Instagram page you can see some of the changes taking place of the past year. While continuing to update the Matt Kroc account, Janae Marie was quietly documenting the journey to a new identity. The profile reads, “Janae Marie Transgender/genderfluid Alpha male/girly girl Lesbian in a male body Single at the moment.” The first post was after surgery…


First no makeup pic 5 days post op FFS. 🙂

A photo posted by Janae Marie (@janaemariekroc) on

From GymFlow100.com

“Transitioning is a very difficult process and even tougher at an older age (I’m 42). Your body doesn’t respond to hormones very well as compared to being in your teens or twenties and I have built a very good life for myself that I am hesitant to give up. And living as a transgender woman that is honest about her situation is very difficult and can be very dangerous. I am a very realistic person and I don’t think the transitioning will magically solve all of my issues without creating new challenges. Whatever path I choose there will be sacrifices to be made.”

In a story with GymFlow100.com Janae shares her full story.

#transgender #genderfluid #mtf #m2f #nonbinary #girlswholift #girlswithmuscle #girlslikeus #macgal #macgirl #brunette

A photo posted by Janae Marie (@janaemariekroc) on

The last post was three weeks ago but the comments continue to pour in. The comments are overwhelming positive and visitors are treated to a response from both Matt and Janae Marie in some of the posts. Janae Marie tells a confused commenter, “sexuality and gender identity are two different things. One isn’t necessarily linked to the other. Sexuality is who you like, gender identity is who you are. :-)”

When asked by one visitor if Matt Kroc would be coming back to powerlifting Matt writes back, “I’ve been having a lot of shoulder issues for the last 4-5 months which have prohibited me from training regular flat bench. So that has postponed any return for now. I’m training around it the best I can and trying to get it healed up. I will come back 100% or not at all. It’s not in me to do things half way.”

Janae Marie’s story has been picked up by a number of news organizations. Hngn.com writes, “Elite Bodybuilder Matt ‘Kroc’ Kroczaleski Transitions To Janae Marie Kroc” and outsports.com shares, “World record powerlifter transitions to Janae Marie Kroc.”

See more of Janae Marie’s journey on her Instagram account.



Boston Bails on 2024 Olympic Summer Games Bid


boston bails on olympics

The United Stats Olympic Committee (USOC) and Boston 2024 Partnership announced that they have “jointly ended the campaign for Boston to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.” Boston was selected in January as a potential host for the Olympic Games. They put together an impressive website, social media and marketing campaign but ultimately the pulled the plug.

In a statement released today, United States Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun shared, “we have not been able to get a majority of the citizens of Boston to support hosting the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Therefore, the USOC does not think that the level of support enjoyed by Boston’s bid would allow it to prevail over great bids from Paris, Rome, Hamburg, Budapest or Toronto.”

The USOC isn’t ruling out another American City bidding on the game and have begun exploring other potential cities.

Steve Pagliuca, Boston 2024 Partnership chairman added, “Boston 2024 Partnership will offer our support and the extensive knowledge we have gained in developing our Bid 2.0 to any American city that may choose to participate in the 2024 bidding process going forward.”

Read the full statement here.



Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir Wins the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games


2015 CrossFit Games Winner
The third time was a charm for Iceland’s Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir. Katrin proved that persistence pays off. In 2012 she finished in 30th, in 2013 she moved up to 24th but in 2014 she failed to qualify for the Games. Today, she finished forty point ahead of her nearest competitor and was crowned “The Fittest Woman on Earth.” Along with that prestigious title she also collected $275,000 with the win. The same amount her male counter part, Ben Smith collected for his victory.

Rounding out the Women’s top five were Tia-Clair Toomey in second, Ragnheiður Sara Sigmundsdottir in third, Sam Briggs was fourth and Kara Webb finished in fifth.

2015 Reebok CrossFit Games Women’s Results
1 (790) Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir
2 (750) Tia-Clair Toomey
3 (743) Ragnheiður Sara Sigmundsdottir
4 (735) Samantha Briggs
5 (703) Kara Webb
6 (661) Chyna Cho
7 (636) Lindsey Valenzuela
8 (623) Emily Abbott
9 (620) Margaux Alvarez
10 (616) Amanda Goodman
11 (606) Stacie Tovar
12 (590) Sammy Wood
13 (586) Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
14 (582) Brooke Ence
15 (575) Nicole Holcomb
16 (572) Brooke Wells
17 (566) Kristin Holte
18 (562) Michele Letendre
19 (560) Whitney Gelin
20 (556) Alethea Boon

2015 CrossFit Games Prize Money for the Top 20 at the Games
1st – $275,000
2nd – $90,000
3rd – $60,000
4th – $30,000
5th – $20,000
6th – $18,000
7th – $16,000
8th – $14,000
9th – $13,000
10th – $12,000
11th – $11,000
12th – $10,000
13th – $9,000
14th – $8,000
15th – $7,000
16th – $6,000
17th – $5,000
18th – $4,000
19th – $3,000
20th – $2,000

Visit games.crossfit.com for more information.
Photo via CrossFitGames.



Emblems of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games


2020 Olympic Emblems

Tokyo 2020 Unveils the Emblems of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Symbolising the Power of the World Coming Together as One

24 Jul. 2015 – Tokyo 2020 Unveils the Emblems of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Symbolising the Power of the World Coming Together as One

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee today held an event to unveil the official emblems of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tokyo 2020’s Games Vision was further manifested as the emblems capture its core essence.

When the world comes together for Tokyo 2020, we will experience the joy of uniting as one team. By accepting everyone in the world as equals, we will learn the full meaning of coming together as one.

The Tokyo 2020 emblems were created to symbolise the power of this unity.

The black colour of the central column represents diversity, the combination of all colours. The shape of the circle represents an inclusive world in which everyone accepts each other. The red of the circle represents the power of every beating heart.

These elements combine to create the emblems of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic emblem is inspired by the T in
TOKYO
TOMORROW
TEAM

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic emblem is inspired by = the universal sign of equality.

2020 is almost here.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic - Paralympic

Let’s unite in the spirit of these emblems to stage an Olympic and Paralympic Games for a better world and a brighter future.

Tokyo 2020 President Mori remarked, “The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. The Tokyo 2020 Games emblems are a wonderful work of art that represent the aspirations and the ultimate goal that athletes around the world aim to achieve – taking part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The emblems are also symbols behind which the whole of Japan can unite as a single integrated body and join the collective endeavours of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the national government, the Japanese Olympic Committee, the Japanese Paralympic Committee, the Japanese business community, as well as the Games volunteers and everyone who is assisting with the preparations for the 2020 Games. Let us all unite our efforts under the new Games emblems and work together as one to ensure the realisation of a truly inspirational Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.”

IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates said, “The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games emblem is a powerful symbol of Tokyo’s Games vision. By embracing the concept of unity in diversity, it shows the unique ability of the Olympic Games to bring together people from all over the world in peace and harmony. Its inclusiveness and its representation of the power of the human heart is testament to the spirit in which the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are being prepared. They will be a global celebration that we can all be a part of and enjoy.” He continued, “Most importantly, this emblem represents Tokyo and its people. It reflects the vibrant nature of the city and the welcoming spirit of its citizens – two elements that the Olympic athletes in 2020 will fully appreciate. I congratulate the Tokyo 2020 team on their work and believe that this emblem will have an important influence on the future of Olympic design.”

Andrew Parsons, Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee said: “I would like to thank and congratulate the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee for developing this wonderful emblem. When the Paralympic Games return here for the second time they will do so with a growing reputation for being the world’s number one sporting spectacle for driving societal change. The performances of the para-athletes will not just inspire and excite the world, but act as a catalyst for a more inclusive society, here in Japan, across Asia and the whole world. The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will create a brighter tomorrow for millions of people around the world. This emblem, whilst paying testament to Japan’s rich heritage, will represent that brighter future and will become globally synonymous with sporting excellence and the incredible achievements of Paralympians.”

The designer of the emblems is Kenjiro Sano. Born in Tokyo in 1972, Sano is an art designer, who graduated from the Department of Graphic Design at Tama Art University. He is the founder of MR_DESIGN Inc., and is active in the fields of logo mark design, character design, graphic design, package design and advertising art direction. Sano has won numerous awards including the Yusaku Kamekura Design Award, the Mainichi Design Prize, the New York ADC Gold Award, the Cannes Lions Gold, the London D&AD Black Pencil, the One Show Design Gold Pencil, the Tokyo Art Directors Club Members’ Award, the Japan Package Association Gold Prize, and the Traffic Advertisement Grand Prize. Sano’s works are also featured in the permanent collection at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris.



Lindsey Valenzuela Partners with HumanX by Harbinger


lindsey valenzuela

HumanX by Harbinger Proudly Signs Professional CrossFit Athlete Lindsey Valenzuela as Brand Ambassador
An elite level CrossFitter, Lindsey brings strength, power, and spirit to the HumanX team
FAIRFIELD, CALIF. – HumanX by Harbinger, makers of specialized functional training gear, is proud to announce the addition of CrossFit champ Lindsey Valenzuela to their growing team of sponsored athletes.

Lindsey is an accomplished Olympic lifter and elite level CrossFit competitor, making her a perfect addition to the HumanX team. Her superwoman strength, competitive drive and determination, and easy-going demeanor have made her a favorite among CrossFit fans everywhere.

“Lindsey’s talents and accomplishments are only part of the package,“ says Chanin Cook, HumanX’s Director of Marketing. “She is truly “the peoples’ champion” – extremely down-to-earth, personable and the embodiment of strength and power. These are the qualities we look for in our athlete ambassadors to best represent the HumanX by Harbinger brand.”

A competitive CrossFitter for the last 5 years, Lindsey’s accomplishments include:
• 2nd place – 2014 Kill Cliff East Coast Championships
• 1st place – 2014 OC Throwdown
• Team USA – 2013 CrossFit Invitational
• 2nd place finish at the CrossFit Games in 2013
Most recently she placed 2nd in Reebok CrossFit California Regional, and will compete for the podium at the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games next week in Carson, Calif.

“I discovered Olympic weightlifting while playing collegiate volleyball. I used the lifts as my off-season strength program. When I finished college, I became a competitive Olympic weightlifter and through that, discovered the sport of CrossFit,” says Lindsey. “I now use CrossFit to satisfy my competitive spirit, and am very thankful to be an elite athlete partnering with companies like HumanX by Harbinger. The motto I swear by is simple, BELIEVE and that’s what I’m taking to the Games next week!”

About HumanX by Harbinger
HumanX by Harbinger is a line of high performance gear from Harbinger, the fitness company known as the “go to” brand for weightlifting and conditioning gear for over 25 years. HumanX products meet the demand for functional training tools in today’s evolved fitness market, with a focus on high intensity, multi-discipline programming.

The HumanX product line includes Speed Ropes, Kettlebell Arm Guards, Red Line Wrist Wraps, 20# Weight Vest, Gloves, GRIPS, AbX and Foam Core Belts. HumanX gear is found in gyms and sporting goods retailers worldwide. For more information, visit www.humanxgear.com.

Photo Courtesy HumanX.



Women of the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games


2015 Women of the CrossFit Games

This week the 2015 Reebok CrossFit® Games kick off in Carson, California and the women’s field is as strong as ever. Camille Leblanc-Bazinet is back to defend her title but she has some fierce competition. Camille has competed in the Games five times and finished in the top 10 four times. Two-time champ Annie Thorisdottir will be back after a second place finish to Leblanc last year. The 2013 champ, Sam Briggs will look to return to the podium but has been battling injuries throughout the year. Emily Bridgers showed tremendous potential in the Regionals and you can’t overlook rookie Brooke Ence. The three women who could shake things up on the podium are Margaux Alvarez, Lindsey Valenzuela and Dani Horan.

Women’s Open CrossFit® Games Winners:
2007 – Jolie Gentry
2008 – Caity Matter
2009 – Tanya Wagner
2010 – Kristan Clever
2011 – Annie Thorisdottir
2012 – Annie Thorisdottir
2013 – Samantha Briggs
2014 – Camille Leblanc-Bazinet

The Women of the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games:
Annie Thorisdottir
Samantha Briggs
Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
Emily Bridgers
Brooke Ence
Michele Letendre
Kara Webb
Emily Abbott
Brooke Wells
Ragnheiður Sara Sigmundsdottir
Margaux Alvarez
Lindsey Valenzuela
Dani Horan
Alethea Boon
Carleen Mathews
Nicole Holcomb
Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir
Amanda Goodman
Anna Tunnicliffe
Chyna Cho
Kari Pearce
Tia-Clair Toomey
Jessica Core
Stacie Tovar
Jenn Jones
Cassidy Lance
Alessandra Pichelli
Carol-Ann Reason-Thibault
Denae Brown
Regan Huckaby
Elisabeth Akinwale
Kristin Holte
Maddy Myers
Whitney Gelin
Rebecca Voigt
Kelley Jackson
Sammy Wood
Alex Parker
Lindy Barber
Thuridur Erla Helgadottir

ESPN will air the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games highlight shows this Fall. Schedule details will be released at a later date. ESPN Inc. is in its fifth year of presenting the CrossFit Games.

2015 Reebok CrossFit Games schedule: 

Date Time (ET) Event Networks  
Tues, July 21 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Masters and Teenagers ESPN3 Live
Wed, July 22 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. & 6 p.m. – 10:40 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual and Teams ESPN3 Live
  12 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Masters and Teenagers  ESPN3 Live
Thurs, July 23 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Masters and Teenagers ESPN3 Live
Fri, July 24 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual and Teams ESPN3 Live
 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual and Teams ESPN, WatchESPN Live
Sat, July 25  10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual and Teams ESPN2, WatchESPN Tape
  12 p.m. – 3 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual and Teams ESPN, WatchESPN Tape
   3 p.m. – 6 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual and Teams ESPN, WatchESPN Live
  12 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual and Teams ESPN3 Live
Sun, July 26 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual and Teams ESPN2, WatchESPN Tape
  12 p.m. – 9 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual and Teams ESPN3 Live
  3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Team Finals and Individual ESPN2, WatchESPN Live
  7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games: Individual Finals ESPN2, WatchESPN Live

*Schedule subject to change.



WalletHub Study: 2015’s Best & Worst Cities for Recreation


With July being National Park and Recreation Month and America’s largest cities investing more than $6.4 billion on park and recreation in 2014, the leading personal finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2015’s Best & Worst Cities for Recreation.To highlight the benefit of public spaces and recreational activities to consumers and the local economy, WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 27 key metrics. The data set ranges from parkland acreage to the number of attractions to average movie cost.
WalletHub Study: 2015’s Best & Worst Cities for Recreation

 

Best Cities for Recreation Worst Cities for Recreation
1 Cincinnati, OH 91 Anaheim, CA
2 Omaha, NE 92 Garland, TX
3 Scottsdale, AZ 93 Fremont, CA
4 Tampa, FL 94 North Las Vegas, NV
5 Boise City, ID 95 Chula Vista, CA
6 Orlando, FL 96 Hialeah, FL
7 Minneapolis, MN 97 Laredo, TX
8 St. Louis, MO 98 Irving, TX
9 Reno, NV 99 Newark, NJ
10 Denver, CO 100 Jersey City, NJ

Key Stats 

  • Madison, Wis., has 14 times as many park playgrounds per 100,000 residents as Hialeah, Fla.
  • The percentage of the population with walkable park access is 4 times higher in San Francisco than in Charlotte, N.C.
  • Washington spends 100 times more on parks per capita than Hialeah, Fla.
  • Seattle has 46 times as many coffee shops per 100,000 residents as Laredo, Texas.
  • The number of bike rental facilities per 100,000 residents is 28 times higher in San Francisco than in Tulsa, Okla.

For the full report and to see where your city ranks, please visit:
http://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-recreation/5144/



Top 3 Reasons Female Entrepreneurs Succeed


Top 3 Reasons Female Entrepreneurs Succeed
“We have seen a rise in female entrepreneurs, with over 15 million female entrepreneurs now in the United States,” says Carolin Soldo, Success Coach and Marketing Mentor. “As a coach to some of the country’s top business women, I have put together what I see as the top 3 reasons female entrepreneurs have all that it takes to be an entrepreneur.”

Businesses are Built on Solid Relationships 

“Women have the innate ability and drive to build relationships, which is critical when it comes to marketing, building teams, and working with their clients,” says Carolin. “Successful businesses thrive on healthy relationships and healthy relationships thrive on trust. Women naturally aim to cultivate trust and thereby organically grow their business through referrals and winning over potential clients.”

Gut Feeling Matters in Business

“Women are emotionally charged and often very in tune with their passions and purpose. They trust their intuition. While men focus on the structure and systems of a business, women have the ability to look inside themselves to find their true calling and purpose,” says Carolin. “This purpose and desire to follow their calling is what drives them to overcome challenges and struggles, which any entrepreneur faces in business. These experiences lead to greater persistence and the foundation of a ‘no matter what’ kind of attitude. Trusting their intuition also allows women to make decisions faster and take action.”

Selfless Attitude

“Women’s natural ability to assume the ‘caretaker’ role and give selflessly provides them with an edge. In today’s society, attracting clients to a business has more to do with giving than promoting and asking the client for money,” says Carolin. “Business success is now about showcasing what we have to offer, and providing freely without holding back, which will, in turn, cause our clients to be so much more willing and interested to work with us.”

Carolin Soldo is an Online Business and Marketing Coach with an MBA and a background of over 10 years in a high-powered corporate marketing career, Carolin’s Mission is to help passion based women entrepreneurs build their dream business and live a free and abundant lifestyle doing what they love, while making a difference in the world. Based on her own success story as an online health and fitness coach, she teaches business building, brand-identity, and online marketing strategy in her signature program From Passion to Profits™. Most importantly, she gives her clients the confidence they need to be fierce and visible in a really noisy online marketplace. With loving yet bottom-line focused advice, Carolin inspires the health and life coach community and women entrepreneurs around the world to take charge of their success and happiness by boosting their business skills, ridding themselves of limiting beliefs, and living free and abundant lives while making the impact they are here to make.



Joey Thurman’s Five Tips to Becoming A Celeb Trainer


Chicago’s top celeb trainer explains what you need to know:

There is no one more valuable on a celebrity’s trainer team than their fitness trainer. “When Chris Pratt went from ‘dad bod’ to ripped, his career skyrocketed,” explains Joey Thurman, model, celebrity fitness trainer, and nutrition expert, “He is starring in the most lucrative movie of all time, and it just couldn’t have happened without his trainer coaching him to physical perfection.”

But becoming a celeb trainer isn’t easy. It requires a unique set of skills and determination, explains Thurman. Here are his top five tips:

  1. First, you have to be willing to sweat with the best. “Listen,” says Thurman, ”It’s not enough for your body to be on point (although it definitely has to be). But you also have to be willing to sweat with your clients. Not only does this give them extra motivation, it helps them see the correct form and gives them something to work towards.”
  2. Second, you have to be able to keep secrets. “You are probably going to have to sign a non-disclosure agreement in order to work with a celeb,” he says, “As a trainer, you are going to be in their home and working with them intimately. You learn about everything from their health conditions to their sex life. So you gotta be able to stay professional and keep secrets.”
  3. Third, you have to be able to speak truth to power. “It can be really hard to tell a beautiful and powerful actress that her abs need major work, but that is part of the job. I don’t believe in wasting time on tact or being phony. I tell my clients the truth, even when it could be painful to hear, and even when I could get fired because of it. At the end of the day, they respect my integrity.”
  4. Fourth, you have to stay current. “Celebs always want to know about the latest and the greatest thing. They want to be on the top of every trend, whether it’s something like SoulCycle, Bikram Yoga, Barre, juice cleanses, b-12 shots, you name it. All of those trends started in L.A.and N.Y.C. with celebs, and then they spread to the rest of the nation,” explains Thurman, “In today’s landscape, that means being on the holistic train as well. People are shying away from Western medicine a bit. They don’t want to turn to drugs for everything. As a trainer, you can be a fountain of knowledge for everything from vitamins to herbs to acupuncture to massage.”
  5. Fifth, you have to know celebrities! “You can’t work with celebrities if you don’t know any,” laughs Thurman, “So get yourself out there. Network. Go to events. Get a publicist. Have a strong media presence. Hustle, hustle, hustle!”

 

About Joey Thurman:

Joey Thurman is a health, fitness, nutrition expert and the creator of The Lifestyle Renovation, a website dedicated to helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. Joey was named the best trainer in Chicago by the Chicago Sun Times in 2015 and NEWBEAUTY.com‘s top 3 favorite celebrity trainers. He has appeared on CBS, WGN, FOX, ABC and WCIU sharing his insights as a celebrity fitness trainer, published author and nutrition expert. Joey’s work has been featured in publications such as U.S. News and World Report, NPR, People Magazine, Livestrong.com, BodyBuilding.com, Inspiyr, TimeOut Chicago, RedEye, American Global Traveler, CaliDiet, Chicago Sun Times, and Brazen Women.   Joey is a fashion model represented by Chosen Model Management where he works with brands including Neiman Marcus, Abercrombie, Jockey, Kohl’s, and Carson Pirie Scott. He has also appeared on the covers of Healthy for Men and TimeOut Chicago. Joey is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), a Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS), a Certified Corporate Nutrition Professional (CCNP) and a FITchef. Fitness Reel:  http://youtu.be/2ljeGMEhSME



Reebok and UFC partner with DraftKings for UFC 189


Reebok Fight Kit
Reebok and UFC partner with DraftKings for UFC 189 **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Reebok, the official athletic footwear and apparel partner of the UFC, will also be partnering with DraftKings to run a fantasy UFC game for UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor on the night of July 11th.

This highly anticipated fight will debut Reebok’s UFC Fight Kit from their new Fight Shop.

DraftKings is a major online fantasy gaming site with brand partnerships including UFC, MLB, and other US pro sports leagues and teams. Prize for the game will include:

• Cash prize contributed by Draft Kings
• Shopping spree or gear pack from Reebok’s online Fight Shop

Rousey ReebokKing Reebok

Paige Reebok

Images via Reebok.com



Muscle & Fitness Hers Online Moves to Muscle & Fitness


Muscle And Fitness Hers
Muscle & Fitness Hers online has moved to MuscleandFitness.com. When typing in MuscleAndFitnessHers.com visitors are redirected to a section on MuscleAndFitness.com. The M&F HERS logo appears on the top navigation of the site with five main sub-categories; Workouts, Nutrition, Supplements, Athletes & Celebrities and Features.

The move is described as “creating a single site for both male and female fitness enthusiasts to find the M&F brand content they have grown to know and trust.”

The Muscle & Fitness HERS social media handles will remain the same and the magazine will continue to be printed six times a year.

If you visited the HERS site in recent months you probably noticed it had become a bit stale and felt dated. Change was necessary and a complete overhaul of the site would have required a fair amount of work and a decent budget. The move will likely help the site’s traffic but the M&F template doesn’t provide much of a feminine touch.

Nearly a year ago, Muscle & Fitness HERS came under fire for plagiarism. Former Editor-In-Chief, Mona Muresan dismissed the plagiarism as the work of a freelancer.

No word if the consolidation resulted in trimming staff.

Visit the new site and read the announcement on MuscleandFitness.com.



2015 ESPYs Nominees Announced


2015 ESPYs
The 2015 ESPYs Nominees were announced today and leading the way with two nominees each are UFC champ Ronda Rousey, Tennis star Serena Williams and Skiing sensation Lindsey Vonn. The three of them face each other in the “Best Female Athlete” category. Ronda is also up for an ESPY in the “Best Fighter” category. Serena Williams is nominated for “Best Female Tennis Player” and Lindsey Vonn is up for “Best Comeback Athlete.” Little League Baseball’s star Mo’Ne Davis has been nominated for “Best Breakthrough Athlete”. Scroll down for a complete list female nominees and cast your vote at ESPYs.com.
WHAT:
Initial list of nominees for The 2015 ESPYS presented by Capital One, are revealed today and voting has begun.

Pardon the Interruption’s Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon will host The ESPY Nomination Special on Wednesday, July 1, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

WHERE:
A current list of The 2015 ESPYS nominees is available at ESPYS.com. Additional nomination categories will be released before the show.

WHEN:
Voting is underway and all categories will close when the live show starts Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

HOW:
Fans will determine the winners in most ESPYS categories by voting online at ESPYS.com up to the start of The 2015 ESPYS.

2015 ESPYS FACTS & FIGU
RES:
• For the first time since 2000, none of the nominees for Best Male Athlete are returning from the previous year. 2015’s fresh slate includes NBA MVP Stephen Curry, NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt, and two-time Best Male Athlete-winner LeBron James.

• UFC-champion Ronda Rousey is in pursuit of a 2nd-straight “Best Female Athlete” honor. She faces stiff competition from 2-time winners Serena Williams and Lindsey Vonn, as well as returning nominee Breanna Stewart.

• LeBron James is the only returning nominee for “Best NBA Player,” gracing the category for an 11th-straight year. He is joined by first-timers Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.

• Serena Williams is after her 7th “Best Female Tennis Player” award. She will have to top returning winner, Maria Sharapova, who is after her 6th.

• Peyton Manning is in contention to repeat as “Best Record-Breaking Performance.” While the Denver signal caller was honored at the 2014 awards for single-season passing records, this year the attention is on a career accomplishment–the most passing touchdowns ever thrown by an NFL quarterback.

• Rory McIlroy is chasing his second “Best Male Golfer” award. He faces stiff competition from Masters and U.S. Open champion Jordan Spieth and FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel.

• Little League standout Mo’ne Davis is looking to become the youngest athlete ever to win the “Best Breakthrough Athlete” Award.

• The “Best Male College Athlete” nominees stretch the category’s age range in both directions. 18-year-old BU hockey star Jack Eichel would be the youngest player ever to win the award, while 24-year-old OSU wrestling champ Logan Stieber would be the oldest.

• Fresh off winning the Triple Crown, American Pharoah is the first horse ever to be nominated in the “Best Championship Performance” category. He is up against MLB World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner, Women’s College World Series MVP Lauren Haeger, and NBA Finals leading-scorer LeBron James.

2015 FEMALE ATHLETE NOMINEES:

Best Female Athlete:
Ronda Rousey – MMA
Breanna Stewart – UConn Basketball
Lindsey Vonn – Skiing
Serena Williams – Tennis

Best Female Action Sports Athlete:
Paige Aims – Surfing
Kelly Clark – Snowboarding
Stephanie Gilmore – Surfing
Laia Sanz – Enduro / Motorbike

Best Female Golfer:
Lydia Ko
Stacy Lewis
Inbee Park

Best Female Tennis Player
Maria Sharapova
Serena Williams
Petra Kvitova
Simona Halep

Best Breakthrough Athlete:
Odell Beckham Jr – New York Giants
Mo’ne Davis – Little League Baseball
Cardale Jones – Ohio State Buckeyes
Jordan Spieth – PGA

Best Championship Performance:
Madison Bumgarner – San Francisco Giants
Lauren Haeger – Florida Softball
LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers
American Pharoah – Race Horse

Best Fighter
Floyd Mayweather, Jr – Boxing
Ronda Rousey – MMA
Donald Serrone – MMA
Terrence Crawford – Boxing
Gennady Golovkin – Boxing

Best Record-Breaking Performance:
Lauren Chamberlain hits 91st Home Run – Oklahoma Softball
Devin Hester scores 20th punt return TD – Atlanta Falcons
Peyton Manning throws record 509th touchdown pass – Denver Broncos
Klay Thompson most points in a quarter – Golden State Warriors

Best International Athlete:
Lionel Messi – Soccer
Lydia Ko – Women’s Golf
Cristiano Ronaldo – Soccer
Novak Djokovic – Tennis
Lewis Hamilton – Forumla One

Best College Female Athlete:
Taylor Cummings – Maryland Lacrosse
Missy Franklin – Cal Swimming
Lauren Haeger – Florida Softball
Micha Hancock – Penn State Volleyball
Breanna Stewart – UConn Basketball

Best WNBA Player:
Maya Moore – Minnesota Lynx
Diana Taurasi – Phoenix Mercury
Skylar Diggins – Tulsa Shock
Brittney Griner – Phoenix Mercury
Candace Parker – Los Angeles Sparks

Best Female Athlete with a Disability:
Kendall Gretsch – Triathlete
Oksana Masters – Sit-Skier
Tatyana McFadden – Sit-Skier / Wheelchair Racer
Becca Meyers – Swimming
Greta Neimanas – Cyclist

Best Comeback Athlete:
Rob Gronkowski – NFL
Alex Rodriguez – MLB
Derrick Rose – NBA
Lindsey Vonn – Skiing

About:
The 2015 ESPYS Presented by Capital One will be hosted by comedian, actor and television host Joel McHale, most widely known for hosting The Soup on E! as well as playing Jeff Winger on Community. The ESPYS will be broadcast live on ABC Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET from Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles.

The award show gathers top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. The ESPYS honor ESPN’s commitment to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a partnership launched with the late Jim Valvano at the inaugural ESPYS in 1993. Follow The 2015ESPYS on Twitter @ESPYS.



Dana Linn Bailey on American Ninja Warrior – “I’ll take my five seconds”


DLB on Ninja Warrior
Dana Linn Bailey’s fans were upset after her American Ninja Warrior appearance. Dana took to Youtube to reach out to her fans and discuss her thoughts on the show. In one day, the video has over 40,000 views and a testament to her faithful following. Dana was humble in her video and explained to her fans what’s next. Dana Linn Bailey shared “I’m happy… I’ll take my five seconds.” Watch the entire video below.

pic via Youtube



Dana Linn Bailey Fans Are Not Happy With American Ninja Warrior


Dana Linn Bailey
The first-ever Women’s Physique Olympia champion, Dana Linn Bailey has established one of the largest fan bases in the competitive bodybuilding and fitness industry. She has hundreds (often thousands) of fans waiting hours in an expo line just to meet the champ and snag a Selfie with her. Many times Dana doesn’t sell anything at her booth, she just poses for photos with fans and signs autographs. Something that’s unheard in the bodybuilding industry.

There’s no clear explanation as to why she’s become one of the most popular female competitors but there’s no disputing she has achieved super-star status in the bodybuilding world. Dana recently graced the cover of Muscular Development magazine and proudly endorsed being called “The Baddest Bitch in the Gym.” She’s one of the few women to ever have a solo Muscular Development cover.

As you might imagine, when she announced she’d be appearing on national television and competing on American Ninja Warrior, her fans went nuts. In April, Dana Linn Bailey (DLB) posted the announcement on her Youtube channel.

After the big announcement, DLB posted training videos geared towards her newfound goal. She set out to show the world that women with muscle are athletes. Most people (in and out of the industry) don’t look at physique competitors as athletes. If physique competitors are athletes and what determines that is a topic for another day. Making it through American Ninja Warrior test someone’s athleticism or lack there of.

Tonight was the moment DLB fans had been waiting weeks for. American Ninja Warrior Orlando Qualifiers aired tonight and well… you could say things didn’t go quite as her fans had hoped. DLB’s tv time on American Ninja Warrior lasted about 10 seconds. Fans couldn’t believe it! Not that she didn’t make it through the course but that they didn’t air any background story. The fans were furious that they (ANW) didn’t featured the woman they admire and look up to. DLB fans were expecting NBC to roll out the red carpet and talk about her training, winning the Olympia, her successful clothing line and more but alas they got nadda. These super fans took to social media and boy oh boy they were not happy with American Ninja Warrior.

A few Facebook Fan comments:

Tiffany Lewis – REALLY?? They only gave you a commercial break appearance?? You deserved a story and an intro too!!

Katie Boucher We are all pissed they only did a recap of her run. Literally 5 seconds!!

Alexis Eggleston That was not worth it. No interview, no props given to her, no mention of ms olympia

Lauren Toth She is so popular and such an amazing person. They could of given her a back story!!!!!! Basically gave everyone else one!!!!

Jennifer L Athoe I put my kids to bed, was gone for 3 minutes and totally missed it. WTH?!

Shannon Harrington I like how the Chik-fil-a team leader got an intro with a backstory but they just swept all of Dana’s incredible accomplishments under the “commercial” rug. Wtf

Check out how DLBmaniacs went off on American Ninja Warrior’s Instagram post.


#AmericanNinjaWarrior is back! Tonight at 8/7c we’re headed to @universalorlando!

A photo posted by American Ninja Warrior (@americanninjawarrior) on

One thing is for certain when it comes to DLB… She has passionate fans. Some took to twitter to voice their displeasure as you can see in response to her tweet before the show.


UPDATE: Dana responds to her fans.


I HEART you guys!!! Thank you everyone that took the time out of their day to watch little ol' me on the big TV!!! I've been reading all your comments, obviously can't reply back to all of you. So this is a group reply… I just want to THANK every single one of you! Means so much, to have so many people behind me, rooting for me, and cheering for me!!! #AmericaNinjaWarrior was such an awesome experience for me! I am not the best at everything. This was something very new to me. Something I had no idea how to train for. I conquered fears. I overcame obstacles. With practice, I got better at things, and that was the most exciting part. Not being able to do something, then practicing it over and over and over, till you got it! That's exciting! That's why you continue to see me still training for it! It's not over for me!! Failure is the first step to success. You learn from it, grow from it, prepare for it, and better yourself so it never happens again! The only way to fail is quit or never try and that is NOT happening! Failure does not have to be negative. Embrace failure. Use it. Learn from it. And success will always follow….#DLBwillbeBACK (insert Arnold voice here 👇) Thank you guys and I love ya!! @americanninjawarrior #AmericaNinjaWarrior #ninjawarrior #doitforTiny #makeTinyProud

A photo posted by DayDay Knucks (@danalinnbailey) on

ABOUT AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
Esquire Network and NBC have teamed again to bring the heart-racing competition series, American Ninja Warrior, with hosts Matt Iseman, former NFL player Akbar Gbajabiamila, and co-host Kristine Leahy. The action-packed series follows competitors as they tackle a series of challenging obstacle courses in both city qualifying and city finals rounds across the country. Those that successfully complete the finals course in their designated region move on to the national finals round in Las Vegas, where they face a stunning four-stage course modeled after the famed Mt. Midoriyama course in Japan. The winner will take home a grand prize of $1,000,000. Although many have come close, no competitor has yet to achieve total victory and claim the prize.

Lead photo via ANW.



2015 ESPN Magazine’s BODY ISSUE Roster Announced


2015 ESPN BODY ISSUE
The 2015 ESPN BODY ISSUE will be released online on July 6 and hit newsstands on July 10th. This year’s issue features a variety of men and women in the issue. One of the fittest couples in the world, Gabby Reece and Laird Hamilton will appear in the issue along with a number of other top athletes. Gymnast Aly Raisman, Skateboarder Leticia Bufani, WNBA star Brittney Griner and Olympic Swimmer Natalia Coughlin are just a few females featured in the issue.

2015 ESPN Magazine’s BODY ISSUE Roster Announced
Odell Beckham Jr
Leticia Bufoni
Amanda Bingson
Anthony Castonzo
Todd Clever
Natali Coughlin
Dallas Friday
Brittney Griner
Laird Hamilton
Bryce Harper
Todd Herremans
Jermaine Jones
DeAndre Jordon
Ali Krieger
Khutana Lorig
Kevin Love Chantae McMillan
Jack Mewhort
Sadena Parks
Aly Raisman
Gabby Reece
Tyler Seguin
Paige Selenski
Stan Wawrinka

Bryce Harper‘s on-field body of work this season includes a .345 batting average and 24 home runs.

The star Washington Nationals outfielder’s off-field body of work includes a wish fulfilled: Harper is one of 24 athletes in the ESPN The Magazine Body Issue, online on July 6 and on newsstands July 10.

“I’ve always wanted to do the Body Issue,” Harper said. “I want to put baseball out there.”

Harper is joined by NBA stars Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers andDeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Giants wide receiverOdell Beckham Jr., two-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner, USA women’s soccer star Ali Krieger, Olympians Aly Raisman and Natalie Coughlin, and newly crowned French Open champion Stan Wawrinka.

“I’m proud of my body, I’m proud of my sport, I’m proud of being a professional athlete,” said Krieger, whose team is currently in the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup. “Being naked is just another aspect of that.”

This is the seventh annual edition of the Body Issue. It will include photos, personal interviews and videos of the athletes, including NHL star Tyler Seguin and three members of the Indianapolis Colts offensive line: Anthony Castonzo, Todd Herremans and Jack Mewhort.

“I’ve always been a big kid,” said the 23-year-old Mewhort, who is listed at 6-foot-6, 308 pounds. “That’s why when I got this call I was like ‘they want to see me naked?’ I thought I was getting Punk’d.”

Others in the issue include professional wakeboarder Dallas Friday, rugby player Todd Clever, skateboarder Leticia Bufoni, golfer Sadena Parks, archer Khatuna Lorig, soccer player Jermaine Jones, U.S. Olympians Paige Selenski (field hockey), Amanda Bingson (hammer) and Chantae McMillan (heptathlon), along with the husband-wife team of surfer Laird Hamilton and former beach volleyball player Gabby Reece.

“Our goal is to continue to evolve the issue year after year,” ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com editor in chief Chad Millman said. “The ability to capture both the strength and vulnerability of these extraordinary athletes through such powerful images and introspective interviews is incredibly moving.”

“One of the things I love about the Body Issue so much is that it celebrates the bodies that allow us to be successful in our sport,” said Coughlin, who has won 12 Olympic swimming medals. “As a sports fan, I love seeing the differences in body types.”

Lead photo via ESPN.



RESULTS: Big Ramy & Bethany Wagner Win at the 2015 Arnold Brazil


2015 Arnold Brazil Results
RESULTS: Big Ramy Wins 2015 Arnold Classic Brazil & Bethany Wagner Fitness International Brazil

Things played out like we thought they would for the most part in the 3rd annual Arnold Classic Brazil and Arnold Fitness International Brazil. In the Fitness competition it was all Bethany. She won the physique round and the routine round to successfully defend her title. She becomes the first two-time Arnold Fitness International Brazil champion. Regiane was a distant third and rounding out the top three was Tanji Johnson.

2015 ARNOLD FITNESS INTERNATIONAL BRAZIL RESULTS
Placing – Name – 2-Piece Swimsuit Score – Fitness Routine – Total Score
1. Bethany Wagner 6 12 18
2. Regiane Da Silva 7 18 42
3. Tanji Johnson 17 30 47
4. Marta Aguiar 21 38 59
5. Michelle Blank 24 36 60
6. Ryall Graber 31 40 71
7. Ashley Sebera 33 70 103

2015 ARNOLD BRAZIL PRIZE MONEY: Fitness ($16,000)
1st Place – $6,000
2nd Place – $3,500
3rd Place – $2,000
4th Place – $1,500
5th Place – $1,000
6th Place – $1,000
7th Place – $1,000

Big Ramy went home with his first Arnold Classic Cup and won in unanimous fashion. The win has ignited the chatter on can he stand toe to toe with Phil Heath in September at the Olympia? He’s gaining ground but I wouldn’t put him in that conversation just yet. He needs to show consistency in his ability to bring a conditioned physique in more than just one show a year. He has time and tremendous potential though. The win was well deserved as he was the biggest and best on stage today. Cedric McMillan brought arguably his best look and it paid off with a second place finish. Just a few points behind him was Juan Morel who finished second in 2014 at this show but had to settle for third this time around. Victor Martinez was in fourth and the placings for fifth and sixth are still up in the air. Brandon Curry was announced in fifth but on the score cards (which were not added correctly) Toney Freeman was in fifth and not sixth. It’s a four thousand dollar difference between fifth and sixth place. Toney should have 52 points and not 58 as the scoresheet reflects. *An updated scorecard on IFBBPro.com reflects the correct scores – May 31, 2015.

2015 ARNOLD CLASSIC BRAZIL MEN’S BODYBUILDING RESULTS
Placing – Name – Rnd 1 Score – Rnd 2 Score – Final Score
1. Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay 5 5 10
2. Cedric McMillan 11 11 22
3. Juan Morel 13 13 26
4. Victor Martinez 24 24 48
5. Toney Freeman 26 26 52
6. Brandon Curry 27 27 54
7. Fred Smalls 38 38 76
8. Lionel Beyeke 39 39 78
9. Jose Luis Rodriguez 42 42 84
10. Marius Dohne 49 49 98

2015 ARNOLD CLASSIC BRAZIL MEN’S BODYBUILDING PRIZE MONEY: ($65,000) total
1st Place – $22,500
2nd Place – $15,000
3rd Place – $10,000
4th Place – $7,500
5th Place – $5,000
6th Place – $1,000
7th Place – $1,000
8th Place – $1,000
9th Place – $1,000
10th Place – $1,000

Read Predictions and more info.



Watch the 2015 Arnold Classic Brazil


live webcast

The 2015 Arnold Classic Brazil has a live and free webcast for the first time. Most of it is in Portuguese but none-the-less it’s the first free webcast this event has had.

#UPDATE# watch the entire replay of the show below.

The show has conclude find results from the 2015 Arnold Brazil here.



Nike Opens First Women’s Only Store in Europe


Nike Women Europe

NIKE KING’S ROAD OPENS, THE BRAND’S FIRST WOMEN’S ONLY STORE IN EUROPE
Nike opened its first women’s-only store in Europe today, Nike King’s Road. Located at 33 King’s Road on London’s iconic shopping street, Nike King’s Road is a 207 square metre consumer experience store that offers the best Nike’s performance products and services and is designed to inspire the women of London to reach their athletic potential. King’s Road is the third women’s only store for the brand; Nike opened locations in Shanghai, China and Newport Beach, California late last year.

Nike King’s Road offers consumers bespoke services such as pant hemming, gait analysis and bra fitting. Consumers can also get advice on the best products for individual running techniques and training programmes.

The store will create a fitness hub in the King’s Road community with free weekly Nike+ Training Club classes and a Nike+ Run Club. A booking system is housed on the digital community wall within the store allows visitors to reserve spots at all Nike running and training sessions held by Nike across London. Consumers can also access the full Nike+ Training Club and Nike+ Run club schedule at www.Nike.com/London, where they can book a space at any session. In addition to weekly Nike+ Training Club and Nike+ Run Club gatherings, special events will celebrate key sports and fashion moments.

“Our new King’s Road store is yet another example of our commitment to women to bring them the very best of Nike,” said Heidi O’Neill, VP & GM Nike Stores. “Our women’s business has never been stronger and our deep connections with women at retail are helping fuel this growth.”

The store’s digital services offer convenient ways to connect with the Nike community and purchase products. Consumers can buy latest Nike collections via a “click and collect” system at www.nike.com and pick up their purchases in the store. Consumers can also showcase their personal style via www.nikeid.com by designing bespoke shoes with a NIKEiD consultant who can provide guidance on fabrics, colour palettes and the correct footwear style for all needs, including training, running and everyday use.

Europe Nike WomenNike Women Europe – London

Style forms a central theme of the new space and is highlighted by unique, creative installations in the store. Isamaya French, a London-based illustrator and make-up artist, produced a piece of art that communicates the synergy of sport and style in the store’s basement level. A separate map of London also pays homage to the UK capital and features Nike heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and is incorporated into the store’s design. Consumer enjoy special dimmers in the changing rooms that show outfits in three different lighting scenarios –morning, afternoon and evening.

Nike’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in the reclaimed wood used for the flooring and that the store’s LEED Platinum certification, the highest level granted in the green building program.

Nike King’s Road is located at 33 King’s Road, London, SW3 4LX. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 6pm.



Lauren Fisher’s New Nike Metcon Shoes


lauren fisher Nike Metcon
LAUREN FISHER LIFTS, SPRINTS AND CLIMBS IN HER NEW NIKE METCON SHOES
FISHER IS STRONG, AND GROWING STRONGER
At this time of year, most college students are busy studying for finals, hanging out with friends and looking forward to their long summer break. That’s all true for Lauren Fisher, though she has a few other things on her agenda as well. On May 22, she will compete in the Southern California Regionals, hoping to get one step closer to her dream of one day winning the World Championships in Carson, Ca. This year, she will debut the new fall 2015 Nike MetCon training shoe in her own exclusive colorway – a shoe specifically tailored for high-intensity competitive training.

The 21-year-old athlete, known for her 250-pound clean-and-jerks and her signature loose ponytail, is training hard for the upcoming competition just as she finishes her semester at San Diego State University. As she prepares to go up against some of the strongest and most explosive athletes in the region, she maintains her process and the importance of life balance. Her formula is simple: stay dedicated and work a little harder than everyone else.

“My dad instilled a work ethic in me since I was kid,” she says. “I learned that if you want something, you have to work at it. It can be tough to manage it all – eating well, training, homework, classes. My goal for each day is to stay relaxed, have fun, and just get it all done.”

GROWN STRONG
Fisher grew up with three older brothers who always played rough and picked on her. In her younger years she would run inside to cry to her mother who would tell her to be tough and send her back out with the boys. In later years, her brothers would play sports with her – and ultimately introduce her to the world of high intensity training when she was just 14.

“That’s what grown strong means,” says Fisher, referring to a tagline and hashtag the athlete uses on everything from T-shirts to her social media posts.

CrossFit Nike

“To me, strength is not only being strong in weight lifting and training, but also having that special willpower in your daily life. Pushing through obstacles and not listening to what others say.”

At 18 years old, Fisher finished 9th in the world championships and also represented the United States in the Junior World Weightlifting Championships. After graduating from high school, she moved to San Diego for college and joined the Invictus gym under coach C.J. Martin. Since her move, she has finished ninth overall at the 2014 Nationals and represented the United States in the Junior World Weightlifting Championships.

EMBRACING THE CULTURE
Although she grew up focused on playing basketball, Fisher found her passion when she discovered professional strength training. She uncovered a community that shared her interests of fun, fast-paced and challenging workouts that changed every day. She also found a group of people that embraced working hard and living a fit lifestyle outside of the gym.

“I love being a part of the high intensity training culture,” she says. “Whether you are the last person to finish the workout or the first, we are all there cheering on one another. We are all friends in the gym and we all want to live a healthy lifestyle. People think it’s very intimidating. But anyone can do it. It’s totally scalable.”

Nike Lauren Fisher

“I want people to know that they can work out without treadmills and machines. You can work out at home. In professional training, our bodies are the machines.”

STRENGTH & BEAUTY
Fisher is active on social media, where she shares her workouts, her daily challenges, and her drive to be better at what she does. In return, Fisher gets inspiration online, too. “There’s a big community out there with girls who are following each other and inspiring each other with workouts,” she explains. “It impacts my training because I have a huge support system behind me. It makes me put my best self out there and be who I am. I just try to be Lauren Fisher.”

“I want to show that being strong is beautiful,” she says. “That having toned arms and legs looks good on a girl.”

THE NIKE METCON: A SHOE TO FIT THE SPORT AND THE ATHLETE
Fisher will debut her exclusive colorway of the popular Nike MetCon training shoe at the Southern California Regionals. Rendered in a turquoise and black palette designed for Fisher herself, the shoe was developed with high intensity training specifically in mind.

The shoe is durable, versatile, and unlike any other in the Nike catalogue. Designed with the extensive demands of cross-training in mind, the shoe pairs a stable heel that can withstand weightlifting with a flexible, sticky forefoot that is ideal for movements like push-ups and burpees. The tough, sturdy outsole protects the shoe during intense activities like rope climbing, while abrasion-resistant mesh and Flywire cable technology on the upper offer lockdown and long-term resilience.

The exlusive Lauren Fisher colorway of the Nike MetCon will launch on Nike.com on July 9. The broader Fa15 Nike MetCon collection in three colorways will launch at select Nike retail destinations in mid July.

“What’s great about the MetCon is that it’s super comfortable as well as versatile,” says Fisher. I can wear it when I lift, rope climb, and even during running, all without having to switch out my shoes. It’s lightweight but stable enough that I can lift heavier weights too.”

Fisher helped test the shoe and chose the turquoise color scheme. “I love how it looks,” she says. “It’s sleek and clean and looks good with everything. I have routine going into competition to make sure my hair looks good and that my outfit and nails are coordinated.”

“If you feel good about how you look, you perform better.”

SOCAL REGIONALS – AND BEYOND
Fisher’s immediate goal is to place well enough at Regionals to make the cut for the 2015 World Championships. But looking ahead, she is aiming to win her sport’s biggest prize, participate in the World Weightlifting Championships, and ultimately qualify for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. “There are some people who get nervous under pressure, But I love competing,” Fisher says. “When I’m on the competition floor, I’m going to bring it.”

via Nike



Lindsey Valenzuela Inks New Partnership


CytoSport Monster Series made their presence known at the 2015 Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio with a new look and a “rebirth” of their speciality brand. Until this year there was never a clear identity to the brand but rather a series of products ranging from Monster Amino, Monster Mass and the popular Monster Milk. It was obvious at the Arnold Expo that the CytoSport had regrouped and reinvested in becoming a serious player in the specialty category.

A look at the #CytoMonster Series. Look for them in stores soon. #monsterisreborn

A photo posted by CytoSport Monster (@cytomonster) on

This week the California based supplement brand reinforced their commitment to being a serious player by signing top CrossFit athlete Lindsey Valenzuela. While the terms of the sponsorship weren’t disclosed it appears she will play an active role in the brand’s marketing and advertising.

Lindsey went from being a spectator to a CrossFit Games participant in a few short years. In 2013, she solidified her position as an elite CrossFit athlete with a second place finish at the Reebok CrossFit Games. This year, she’s ranked as one of the top California Regional competitors and considered the favorite to win the Regional competition. A strong showing this weekend will put her in CrossFit Games title contention.

Lindsey Valenzuela CytosportPhoto Via Lindsey Valenzuela/Cytosport Monster Series

Lindsey shared, “I’m extremely happy to be a CytoSport Monster athlete. One of the things I paid more attention to this year was my nutrition and supplementation. It’s important to properly fuel your body and take the time to recover if you want to be an elite athlete. CytoSport Monster Series is a supplement brand I can trust and I couldn’t be happier with this partnership. I’m excited for the Regionals and thankful for their belief in me.”

You can follow Lindsey on Facebook (LiftLikeLindsey), Instagram and Twitter, or her website on www.wodshop.com. For more information on the new CytoSport Monster Series check out their Facebook, Instagram @cytomonster, Twitter, and cytosportmonster.com. The newly released products are currently available on VitaminShoppe.com and in a variety of stores.

The California Regional will begin on Friday May 22nd with the finals concluding on May 24th. The women with the top five points qualify for a trip to Carson City, CA for the 2015 CrossFit Games. For more information visit games.crossfit.com.



Ronda Rousey on HBO Real Sports


Ronda Rousey HBO Real Sports
“It makes me feel way better than is someone told me I was pretty.” That was Ronda Rousey’s response to HBO Real Sports correspondent Jon Frankel when he mentions that Sports Illustrated named her the best pound for pound fighter (man or woman) in the UFC. HBO Real Sports tackles gender stereo types and how Ronda Rousey is changing the conversation.

Real Sports premieres tonight (May 19) 10pm ET on HBO.

This wasn’t the first time Rousey was on HBO Real Sports. She appeared on the show in 2013 before



Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 Tough as Nails


Reebok CrossFit Nano 5
The Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 will be available to the public in June but those watching the CrossFit Regionals got a sneak peek at the new shoe. Reebok has been teasing the new shoe on their Instagram account and I’ve noticed it appearing in my twitter feed as a promoted tweet. If you’re going off from looks alone, it’s a pretty sweet looking shoe. Two 15-second videos on Instagram hint at the Nano’s toughness through exaggeration. One video shows sledge hammers smashing into the show and another fires nails at the shoe. The shoe utilizes DuPont Kevlar fiber which is known for its strength and durability.

Reebok Nano 5.0

You won’t be able to purchase the Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 until June 18th (online) and a week later in stores. Visit Reebok.com for all your Reebok CrossFit apparel and other Reebok shoes.

Reebok Nano 5.0



Jen Labaw shared her experience on Instagram regarding the new CrossFit Nano 5.0.


Images via Reebok Instagram

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.



Reebok and DuPont Partner on New CrossFit® Collection


Reebok and DuPont Partner to create new Reebok CrossFit Collection with Kevlar®

dupont reebok

DuPont and Reebok Collaborate on New Reebok CrossFit® Collection
The science and engineering behind this advanced material enables athletes to Dare Biggerâ„¢ and push the limits of their sport.

Wilmington, Del. – DuPont Protection Technologies (DuPont) and Reebok International (Reebok) announced the signing of a multi-year trademark license agreement for the use of the DuPontâ„¢ Kevlar® and Dare Biggerâ„¢ trademarks. Launching this upcoming June, the new Spring-Summer 2015 Reebok CrossFit® collection will incorporate the DuPont advanced material and feature the DuPont trademarks.

DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber is known for its extreme strength and durability. It is used in a variety of high-performance sporting apparel, accessories and equipment. As CrossFit® workouts continue to evolve and become more challenging and the limits of fitness are pushed, the CrossFit® athlete requires apparel that can withstand the rigors of functional movements performed at high intensity. This collection was designed with distinct emphasis on the specific needs of the CrossFit® athlete.

“The science and engineering behind this advanced material enables athletes to Dare Bigger™ and push the limits of their sport,” said Marc Doyle, president of DuPont Protection Technologies. “The collaboration is a great fit between our companies and capitalizes on the synergy between our brands, allowing us to innovate and help make strong, light and durable athletic apparel and gear.”

Best known for its use in ballistic and stab-resistant body armor, Kevlar® has helped to save the lives of thousands of people around the world. The use of Kevlar® has been extended to everything from fire fighter and industrial protective clothing to vehicles, fiber optic cables, mining belts and commercial aircraft. The Kevlar® brand and science also is used in many consumer products such as mobile phones, tires, workwear and high-performance sporting apparel, shoes and equipment. This year, DuPont is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the discoveries that led to Kevlar® and this new line of Reebok CrossFit® apparel and footwear is an example of advancing the innovation legacy of Kevlar® forward.

To celebrate the collaboration of this new line of Reebok CrossFit® apparel, Reebok has created a short video that emphasizes the unique partnership of these two powerful brands. The video truly highlights the story of how Reebok and DuPont are coming together to reach new heights. Many products are featured in the video, including the Reebok CrossFit® Board Shorts built with patches made with Kevlar® fiber. This product line also will be presented at the 2015 Reebok CrossFit® Games.

“My CrossFit training regimen is constantly testing my limits. I work out multiple times a day so I need consistent, durable gear that withstands the toughest workout,” said Camille Leblanc-Bazinet, professional CrossFit® athlete and female winner of the 2014 Reebok CrossFit® Games. “Reebok CrossFit® apparel and footwear made with DuPont™ Kevlar® are an ideal combination resulting in high-performance gear that allows me to do even more than I think is possible.”

“Reebok has strategically engineered Kevlar® into key abrasion zones within its apparel and footwear so they are durable enough to withstand even the toughest workouts,” said Corinna Werkle, senior vice president, Training at Reebok. “We value our relationship with DuPont for the science behind these world-class products and for the power of the DuPont™ Kevlar® brand.”

The Reebok CrossFit® apparel collection will be available on June 1, 2015, ranging from $100 MSRP – $250 MSRP at Reebok.com, store.crossfit.com and select retailers worldwide.

 

Dupont & Reebok

 

Reebok International, headquartered in Canton, Mass., USA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of fitness and lifestyle footwear, apparel and equipment. An American-inspired global brand, Reebok is a pioneer in the sporting goods industry with a rich and storied fitness heritage. Reebok develops products, technologies and programming which enable movement and is committed to accompanying people on their journey to fulfill their potential. Reebok connects with the fitness consumer wherever they are and however they choose to stay fit – whether it’s training, running, walking, dance, yoga or aerobics. Reebok Classics leverages the brand’s fitness heritage and represents the roots of the brand in the sports lifestyle market. A subsidiary of the adidas Group, Reebok operates under the multiple divisions of the Reebok brand, Reebok-CCM Hockey and the Sports Licensed Division. Reebok is the exclusive outfitter of CrossFit and the CrossFit Games, the official title sponsor of the Reebok Spartan Race; the exclusive authentic global outfitter of UFC, and exclusive apparel provider for Les Mills. For more information, visit Reebok at http://www.reebok.com.

CrossFit Inc. is the developer and provider of the CrossFit® strength and conditioning program and a recognized worldwide leader in functional fitness. Founded by Greg Glassman and built on the foundations of constantly varied, high-intensity functional movements, education and collaborative competition, CrossFit-brand workouts develop strength and fitness while cultivating community and camaraderie in each of the more than 10,000 affiliated gyms in its global network. CrossFit Inc. is a leading accredited certificate issuer for physical-training professionals worldwide and offers specialty certificate programs in addition to its core curriculum. CrossFit Inc. publishes the CrossFit Journal, promotes physical fitness and cognitive health through the CrossFit Kids Foundation, and created and operates the CrossFit Games, an annual competition where elite athletes compete to be named the Fittest on Earth™. To learn more, visit crossfit.com, games.crossfit.com, facebook.com/crossfit or youtube.com/CrossFitHQ.

DuPont Protection Technologies is a leader in technologies and products that protect people, the environment and critical assets worldwide. For additional information, please visit DuPont Protection Technologies. For media information on the Kevlar 50th anniversary, please visit the DuPont™ Kevlar® Media Center.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.

# # #

CrossFit, Forging Elite Fitness, The Sport of Fitness and Fittest on Earth are registered trademarks or trademarks of CrossFit Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™, Kevlar® and Dare Bigger™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.



Fifth Annual Toronto SuperShow Info


2015 Toronto SuperShow

THE TORONTO PRO SUPERSHOW IS BACK – BIGGER AND BETTER.  

TORONTO, ON  – Sport fans and fitness enthusiasts alike love the Toronto Pro SuperShow. The 5th annual Toronto Pro SuperShow will be taking place on June 6th and June 7th, 2015 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Boasting an annual attendance exceeding 10,000, the Toronto Pro SuperShow EXPO is Canada’s largest health and fitness exposition and sport festival of its kind held in one location. It showcases leading businesses, sports and organizations with the latest trends in the health and fitness industry.

The Toronto Pro SuperShow EXPO will also be hosting over 900 athletes across its various sporting events including Sweat for SickKids Toronto Fitness Challenge, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Pro Wrestling, Powerlifting, Weightlifting, Arm-wrestling, Strongman, RushClub Crossfit, Inside Fitness Magazine Model Searches and IFBB Pro Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini and Physique Competitions.

The Toronto Pro SuperShow EXPO is a must see attraction at $20.00 per day is a great value for the level of sport entertainment.

Tickets are on sale now on the Toronto Pro SuperShow website www.torontoprosupershow.com.

IFBB Bodybuilding

The Toronto Pro SuperShow IFBB Championships is one of two professional IFBB sanctioned events in Canada. Check out the largest Men and Women Bodybuilders and the most fit and beautiful Fitness, Figure, Bikini and Physique athletes in the world. The Toronto Pro SuperShow will also be featuring all classes and divisions at the Pro level, as well for the first time on the Toronto stage, IFBB Pro Wheelchair Bodybuilding.

This year the prize purse for the professional level bodybuilding has been increased to over $80,000 US. The prize purse will be distributed to the winners of each bodybuilding division with the winner of IFBB Pro Men’s Open Bodybuilding receiving $30,000, IFBB Pro Men’s 212 Bodybuilding receiving $12,000, and the remaining evenly distributed to the other bodybuilding divisions – IFBB Pro Men’s Wheelchair, IFBB Pro Men’s Physique, IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilding, IFBB Pro Women’s Figure, IFBB Pro Women’s Physique, IFBB Pro Women’s Bikini and IFBB Pro Women’s Fitness.

Meet IFBB Legends

Meet some of the most recognizable professional bodybuilders in the industry. Ronnie Coleman, Kai Greene, Big Ramy and Nicole Wilkins will be on-site in the Toronto Pro SuperShow EXPO.

Ronnie Coleman: Former football player and police officer, 8 x Mr. Olympia and record holder for the most IFBB Professional Titles (26). Ronnie Coleman, also known as “Big Ron”, turned PRO in 1991 at the World Amateur Championships and competed until 2007. Ronnie Coleman to this day, remains one of the most recognized bodybuilders in the sport.

Kai Greene: Over the years, Kai has gained vast notoriety beyond what he could have imagined in his youth. Within the bodybuilding arena, Kai has been held as one of the most inspirational athletes of his time. With a seemingly unique, yet well -developed vocabulary, Kai has made a seemingly unconscious effort to create a revolutionary approach to bodybuilding. He has changed bodybuilding’s fans, competitors and the overall perception of a once thought of as, “pick things up and put them down” bodybuilder.

Mamdouh Elssbiay (Big Ramy): Born and raised into a family of fishermen, where “Big Ramy” worked that trade until he and his brothers arrived in Kuwait and he became a trainer at Oxygen Gym. In between his work at the fish market, “Big Ramy” would also train at the gym to stay in shape and it was there where he was first discovered. With only one IFBB Pro win, all eyes were on Ramy and this allowed for him to have a huge fan following leading up to the 2013 Olympia, where he placed in the Top 10.

Nicole Wilkins: 4 time Ms. Figure Olympia; Nicole lives and breathes this sport and lifestyle, not only with her professional career, but personal. She has gone through many ups and downs as a competitor, but has always made an effort to see the positive in everything she does. Nicole travels the world and shares her talents and knowledge with everyone she meets.

Combative Sports at the Toronto Pro SuperShow

Boxing, Muay Thai and Kickboxing; the Toronto Pro SuperShow combative area is a non-stop combative excitement on the EXPO floor. Over 200 combative athletes will be competing for Canadian and North American titles.

Model Searches

Toronto Pro SuperShow will be once again hosting the Inside Fitness Women’s Fitness Model Search, Women’s Bikini Model Search and Men’s Fitness Model Search. Over 100 fitness and bikini models will be competing for the ultimate prize of a photo feature in Inside Fitness magazine.

About the International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness (IFBB)

The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness was founded in 1946 in Montreal by brothers Joe and Ben Weider, whose dream was to bring the sport to international prominence. The IFBB currently has 182 affiliated National Federations as members, and organizes more than 2,500 competitions from regional to world levels each year. The organization is recognized by many world sporting organizations including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and more than 90 National Olympic Committees. Competitors participate for medals in the Pan American Games, the European Games and the IOC Regional Games, among others. The IFBB is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, and promotes fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

About the Toronto Pro SuperShow

The Toronto Pro SuperShow is an annual event held in Toronto, Ontario. Its main goal is to increase exposure to a variety of sports in an environment that encourages others to get active and involved. It showcases leading businesses and organizations with the latest trends in the health and fitness industry.

Website: www.torontoprosupershow.com
Twitter: @TOProSuperShow
Instagram: @TOProSuperShow
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/TorontoProSuperShow
To subscribe to the online newsletter: http://www.torontoprosupershow.com/newsletter/subscriptions

Toronto Pro SuperShow Media Contact:
Carla Heins
Toronto Pro SuperShow Promotions Ltd.
Tel: 1-888-883-5766 ext. 3
Email: media@torontoprosupershow.com



GNC Shares Fall on Disappointing Results


PITTSBURGH — GNC, which has faced government scrutiny about the nutritional supplements it sells, said Thursday that its profit fell more than 9 percent during its first quarter as sales slipped. The company also lowered its earnings and revenue outlooks for the year.

Its shares fell more than 8 percent in midday trading.

The retailer reached a deal last month with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to test its herbal supplements to confirm their authenticity. The deal came after Schneiderman’s office sent letters to GNC and other retailers in February, alleging that store brand herbal supplement products weren’t what they said they were. Other attorneys general around the country have asked Congress to investigate the herbal supplements industry.

On Thursday, GNC reported first-quarter profit of $63.3 million, or 72 cents per share, down from $69.9 million, or 75 cents per share, a year ago.

Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 75 cents per share. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 81 cents per share.

The Pittsburgh-based company said revenue fell less than 1 percent to $670.2 million in the period, also missing Street forecasts. Analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $695.4 million.

The company now expects full-year earnings in the range of $3 per share to $3.15 per share, compared with its previous forecast between $3.10 per share and $3.15 per share. Analysts expected earnings of $3.15 per share, according to FactSet.

It now expects full-year revenue growth in the low single digits. It previously expected a “mid single digit increase.” Analysts expected revenue to rise 4.4 percent to $2.73 billion, according to FactSet.

GNC Holdings Inc., based in Pittsburgh, operates more than 8,900 stores around the world.

Its shares fell $3.91, or 8.3 percent, to $43 in midday trading. They have fallen more than 4 percent over the past year.

Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GNC at http://www.zacks.com/ap/GNC

Via Associated Press



2015 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Competitor Lists


2015 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro

The 2015 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro will feature Figure, Bikini and Men’s Physique divisions. The competition is always fierce at this event and many times it’s a preview of who will do well at the Olympia this Fall. Along with the pro competition is a huge amateur event which showcases some of the brightest NPC physiques in the country. An added bonus and always a huge hit with the fans are the guest posers. While the guys aren’t shredded it is the only place you’ll see the top male bodybuilders on one stage, outside of the Olympia.

2015 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure Competitors
Andrea Calhoun
Andrea Cantone
Rebecca Eger
Wendy Fortino
Allison Frahn
Vanessa Jacobs
Sophie Lagace
Julie Mayer
Monique Norval
Vivien Olah
Megan Olson
Marie Ong-Allegro
Samantha Rioux
Rinnah Schmid
Diana Schnaidt
Rebecca Schubeck
Tamara Sedlack
Sun Sweeney
Christine Watson

2015 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Bikini Competitors
Michelle Ackerman
Stacey Alexander
Katherine Ampolini
Narmin Assria
Andrea Beam
Callie Bundy
Andreanna Calhoun
Anne Marie Caravalho
Andrienne Crenshaw
Jamie Del Angel
Joanne Holden
Courtney King
Tatiana Koshman
Stephanie Mahoe
Nicole Markovic
Ashriel Osgood
Lovey Paiva
India Paulino
Jessica Pimentel
Catherine Rdulic
Satrice Rigsby
Casey Samsel
Cat Textures
Kenea Yancey

2015 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Men’s Physique Competitors
Matt Acton
Sunny Akhigbe
Michael Anderson
Sam Andrews
Michael Balan
Nate Baumbick
Michael Dougherty
Damon Ford
Logan Franklin
William Gregory
Frank Griffin
Brian Hay
Michael Hughes-Lewis
Joseph Lee
Jacques Lewis
Qaadir Majeed
Dev Maxwell
Martin Mester
Aarin Moore
Kyle Moore
John Nguyen
Nick Olsen
Lorenzo Orozco
Geobanny Paula
Arash Rahbar
Daniel St. Peter
Eduard Seferi
A.J. Shukoori
Stephen Talamo
Ryan Terry
Pierre Vuala
Antoine Williams

WHEN:
May 1 & 2, 2015

WHERE:
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall
4141 Fifth Avenue – Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Prejudging
Friday, May 1 at 6:00 pm
IFBB Figure, Bikini, Men’s Physique and NPC Men’s Physique
Prejudging
Saturday, May 2 at 9:00 am
NPC Men’s Bodybuilding, NPC Women’s Physique, NPC Figure and NPC Bikini

Finals
Saturday, May 2 at 6:00 pm
All NPC and IFBB Divisions

For tickets and more information visit: garyudit.com



2015 IFBB Orlando Europa Super Show Competitors


2015 Europa Super Show Competitors Orlando

The 2015 IFBB Orlando Europa Super Show competitor lists have been released and nearly 50 competitors will take the stage in Orlando, Florida. The Women’s Physique division dominates the number of entries with no clear cut winner with an Olympia qualification up for grabs. The Fitness division only drew 10 competitors. Look for Michelle Blank, Ryall Graber and Marta Aguiar to be in the mix for the top spots. Stacy Wright is back on stage after some time off and will look to shake things up in her return. The men’s bodybuilding didn’t draw any of the IFBB’s top competitors but that doesn’t mean the show won’t be competitive. Look for Fouad Abiad to be the one to beat. He’s hungry to compete after the FIBO how was cancelled. Alexander Federov will look to live up to the hype he received years ago but failed to deliver on. Look for rookie Iain Valliere from Canada to be a contender in his pro debut. It will also be interesting to see how Michael Lockett does in the big leagues.

2015 IFBB Orlando Europa Super Show Pro Women’s Physique
Rachel Baker
Kim Baum
Olga Beliakova
Tara Brandt
Ayanna Carroll
Roxanne Edwards
Heather Grace
Lisa Grasso
Aurelia Grozojova
Rocio Guillen
Michele Horan
Lisa Horrigan
Rosela Joseph
Janeen Lankowski
Donna McGinn
Frances Mendez
Petra Mertl
Loana Muttoni
Jennifer Palazzo
Dona Pohl
Angela Salvagno
Pamela Slemmons
Sabrina Sonner
Leila Thompson
Masha Tieken

WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE PAYOUT
1st – $2,000
2nd – $1,500
3rd – $500
Total Prize Money: $4,000

2015 IFBB Orlando Europa Super Show Pro Fitness
Marta Aguiar
Michelle Blank
Danielle Chikeles
Kristine Duba
Kelcie Gahley
Ryall Graber
Dominique Matthews
Tanis Tzavaras
Yanina Terragni
Stacy Wright

FITNESS PAYOUT
1st – $3,000
2nd – $2,000
3rd – $1,000
Total Prize Money: $6,000

2015 IFBB Orlando Europa Super Show Pro Men’s Bodybuilding
Fouad Abiad
Pablo Ayala Zayas
Alfonso Del Rio
Marius Dohne
Lloyd Dollar
Vitaly Fateev
Alexander Federov
Michael Lockett
Nikitas Manolakas
Ryan Pateracki
Feras Saied
Daniel Toth
Derek Upshaw
Iain Valliere

MEN’S BODYBUILDING PAYOUT
1st – $10,000
2nd – $5,000
3rd – $3,000
4th – $1,000
5th – $1,000
Total Prize Money: $20,000

MEETING AND EVENT SCHEDULE:
HOST HOTEL
Hyatt Hotel – 9801 International Drive

VENUE
Orange County Convention Center – West Building – Hall WA4
(DO NOT go to the Clam Sheel looking Convention Center that was used last year)

IFBB PRO MEETING
Thursday – 7pm

IFBB PRO PREJUDGING
Friday – 2:30pm Main Stage Convention Center

IFBB PRO FINALS
Saturday – 2:30pm Main Stage Convention Center

For more information on tickets, the Expo, NPC Amateur and move visit www.europaexpo.com.



Monday Morning Clicks


flex cam girl

Check out the some of the latest news, stories and videos from the past week. See the links below on GMO Labeling, Spanx, FLEX CAM girl, baby boxer is back and what is Jennifer Nicole Lee doing? If you have a story or news item email editor @ hardbodynews.com.

Is the GMO Labeling Movement Just a Long Con to Get You to Buy Organic?
By Kavin Senapathy
An interesting read on the hot topic of GMOs. “But whether a product contains GMOs? Not informative or relevant in the least. The term “GMO” refers to how a food ingredient was bred, not its content. Knowing whether or not a food is GMO is akin to knowing whether or not a person was conceived via in-vitro fertilization. Indeed, genetic modification is not an ingredient, it’s a breeding technique, and there’s no reason for consumers to know if their food was made using this method.”
READ THE STORY ON: gawker.com

SUPPLEMENT NEWS – LAWSUITS
A federal judge in Georgia denied a request by the U.S. government to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Inc., a dietary supplement manufacturer that contends FDA unlawfully detained millions of dollars in products that contained a controversial substance.
READ THE STORY ON: www.naturalproductsinsider.com

Alison Overholt celebrates her first anniversary as editor-in-chief of espnW
“We’ve made some noise this year, which is exactly what we needed to do. I think we’ve established why it’s not just valuable to have women in the sports conversation, it’s crucial.”
READ THE STORY ON: espnfrontrow.com

Spanx Tries to Loosen Up Its Image
By HIROKO TABUCHIAPRIL
An interesting New York Times article on Spanx. You remember Spanx, right? The product that makes you feel like a human sausage? Ya that. The article talks about the change in trends and how Spanx is struggling to adapt. One of the more interesting nuggets of info was that women’s activewear is a $15.9 billion industry. Yes, BILLION with a “b”. Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group said, “Why buy underwear that’s uncomfortable when you can buy yoga pants which has got stretch to it and can make you look a little slimmer?”
READ THE STORY ON: nytimes.com

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK
A reminder to all the dudes out there… Don’t taunt a woman to FLEX or you might just get “stoned, my brother!” Watch how one dude gets shown up on the Philadelphia Soul‘s FLEX Cam.

BOXING BABY IS BACK
Two years ago this video became an online sensation. It’s an impressive showing of skill and speed. That was nothing compared to Evnika Saadvakass’ newest video. She shows off showing off her boxing skills with her father/trainer. Now she’s back and she’s faster than fast.

Her father shared, “My friends keep telling me: ‘It would be cool if we could train like this when we were kids!’ Just imagine, how great our life could be if we had skills like Evnika? It’s every child’s right to start training when you’re under five and then use the gained skills for the rest of life. Actually, this is not a video about sports, but about our parental abilities and things we can give our children today.”

Ridiculous Item of the Week
Jennifer Nicole Lee. No words except… why? See the pics on www.egotastic.com. Four years ago JNL was in hot water over her AB CIRCLE PRO.

Jennifer Nicole Lee

Lead image via youtube



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