HARDBODY News & Updates

I am sorting through thousands of photos from various shoots over the past year and ran across some that I hadn’t published yet. In honor of tonight’s season two American Gladiators, here’s a peek at Jamie Reed from last year’s NPC USA contest. “Fury” was looking hot as ever the day after she competed in the figure portion of the show. Little did we know our little pole vaulter would launch herself onto NBC months later. Enjoy…

I was critical of the first season as I thought the producers did a poor job of playing up the Gladiators. They failed to tell their stories and why they were worthy of Gladiator status. The show was also a mediocre production in my opinion however the new commercials and marketing looks to have changed for season 2. The new commercials do a good job of playing up the Gladiators being larger than life, there is mention of some of their competitive history - IE Titan 4x Mr. Natural Universe. The show airs tonight on NBC and we’ll see if it is an improvement from last season. Below is the graphic from their myspace page where IFBB Figure Pro, Val Waugaman is front and center.

Monday, May 12th is going to be a big day in the world of the American Gladiators. Monday evening in the premier of Season Two of the show, and our own favorite IFBB star, Valerie Waugaman, will be making an appearance on NBC, on the Today show. NBC’s Today show airs in the morning from 7-11am. If you don’t know already, Valerie is Gladiator Siren on the show.

The next season of American Gladiators will air on Monday, May 12th. One of the competitors in the mix is Denver Colorado Police officer and figure competitor, Abbe Dorn. Dorn, 28, is part of Carla Sanchez’s Performance Ready Team and calls Colorado home. Abbe recently returned to Denver after a grueling filming for the new season. Look for an interview with Abbe and report from her Gladiator party in the coming weeks.

Five other contenders have ties to Colorado as reported by The Denver Post today.

Abbe Dorn, American Gladiator Contender in Season 2.

A few of the Gladiators will soon have their own action figures. We’re working on getting a few bigger images of the figures but here is a glimpse at the SIREN figure. I’m told Siren may be in New York this weekend for an upcoming event. If she happens to stop by the NY Pro show, I’ll get an update for you.

I caught the new commercial for the next season of American Gladiators tonight and gotta say… I’m impressed. It was MUCH more creative and hit on the Gladiator’s being larger than life. I haven’t found a link to it online yet but when I do I’ll post it up. The American Gladiators season two is being filmed now and we’re getting some inside info on the show. There will be some familiar faces missing in the Gladiator lineups.

Yes, at least one more NPC figure competitor will make her way onto the show. Will she be a Gladiator or a contender? You’ll have to wait and see. The new cast is set to begin filming shortly.

She’s retired from the IFBB Figure stage but fans can count on seeing her in season two of American Gladiators. Val will be at the Arnold Classic this weekend for those in attendance, you’ll be able to see her there.

Val with Bodybuilding.com’s Dave Middleton at the FIT EXPO.

The hunt is still on for the second season of American Gladiators. Competitors and Gladiator hopefuls will get a chance to try out this weekend in Columbus.

EVENT:
The Arnold Classic

NOTE: SHOW UP WITH A COMPLETED APPLICATION, WHICH CAN DOWNLOADED AT NBC.COM/CASTING

One of my dear friends in the fitness industry, Tara Scotti is celebrating her birthday today. My super star friend is spending her special day with family.
In other Tara news… She’s been in contact with American Gladiator’s Senior Casting Directors and they love her so far. Will she be on the next season? We’ll have to wait and see. Those of you who will be in attendance at the ARNOLD CLASSIC may see her walking around the expo and checking out the figure competitions.

Happy Birthday Tara!

Valerie Waugaman was in attendance at the 2008 FIT EXPO and IRONMAN PRO last weekend where she broke the big news. Valerie has hung up her posing suits and is opting to ride the wave of Gladiator success. Yes figure fans it appears we won’t be seein Valerie compete as an IFBB Pro again. There are a number of other projects in the works for Val and we’ll be sharing more details in the comingg weeks.
Read more about this story on FLEXONLINE.com.

Hardbody contributor Rick Lohre had a chance to catch up with Venom from American Gladiators at the beginning of this year.

Rick and Venom (aka. Beth Horn) talked at length about how she got started, her experiences as an Weider athlete and what’s next for the Buff Blonde Gladiator…

Read the interview and don’t forget to visit Beth’s site at www.BethHorn.com

Rick Lohre: First off, where were you born? Where are you living these days?
Beth Horn: I was born in Chicago, IL. I am still living in downtown Chicago.

RL: What led you to a career in the fitness industry?
BH: The fitness magazines actually inspired me to begin a career in fitness. I wanted to become a fitness model too. I was also missing the competition, the fire and passion I had while competing in gymnastics. I desired to compete again and I wanted to change my body which led me into fitness.

With the help on my trainer, Bob Dixon, who has been training me for ten years, helped me to drop down from a size 10-12 to a size 4 in just four months. Thus, I entered my first local NPC show and won the overall. I competed again a week later and won again. From there, I went right to the national stage.

RL: You are the 2000 NPC National Fitness Champion…can you tell us about the road you travelled to that win? How long did you compete before that?
BH: My path to become the National Fitness Champion:
I began my gymnastics career at seven years old. I suffered two knee reconstructions and two arthroscopic surgeries along the way. Little did I know, my first serious knee injury at fifteen years old, would be the beginning of my path into fitness and health. In conjunction with knee rehabilitation, I began weight training on my own and then realized the importance of strength and how great I felt inside and out. I also competed in gymnastics at Ball State University.

In 1998, I began fitness competitions in the NPC. I placed 8th in my first national show- the USA’s in Las Vegas. I went on to Nationals in Atlanta and placed 3rd! I was very excited. I had my first big photo shoot lined up for Muscle & Fitness Magazine. It was my first photo shoot at Venice Beach in CA, which led to a 6-page spread! I even had my “Horn Handstand”, one of my signature moves in my routines, published in Muscle & Fitness Hers. So cool! ☺

My immediate goal when I began fitness was to become a professional fitness athlete. In 1998, I wrote on a big note card, “I am the Overall National Fitness Champion”. I was determined to fulfill this goal. The top two places for the national shows would qualify an athlete to become professional. I placed third, three times in a row in my last three shows! I was so frustrated! I was not happy & was thinking very negatively. Just twelve weeks before Nationals, my last chance to qualify for the year, I was walking at the beach, stepped off a rock and broke my right foot to two places. I said to myself, never again would I let negativity surround me and overwhelm my thoughts. I knew I had to get back to my positive mindset and get back to my main goal. I changed the date on my note card to 2000 and carried it everywhere with me, even in my car so I would see it all day. My foot healed, I stayed focused and indeed became the Overall National Fitness Champion on November 11, 2000.

RL: After turning Pro, you were a contracted athlete with Weider, what experiences do you remember most?
BH: After turning pro, I contacted Joe Weider. I sent him letters, made many phone calls, telling him I would be a great spokesperson for Weider Publications. Deep down, I knew it was meant to be. He hired me and I was under contract for five years. It was a dream. I was getting paid extremely well and was traveling the world promoting health and fitness. I was inspiring people to take care of their bodies. This was exactly what I wanted to do.

I have so many wonderful experiences from my Weider days!
Here are a few of my great memories with Weider…

• Performing in Hawaii with Günter (before he married my friend Kim Lyons!) Of course I went to Maui after the show to vacation!
• Many years of selling pictures and books at the grand Weider booth at the Arnold Classic and Olympia Expos.
• Performing at the fit expos and traveling through Naples, Italy and Florence, Italy. (The Almaphi Coast is one of the most beautiful places on earth!)
• Countless photo shoots for Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, FLEX and Men’s Fitness.
• My favorite shoots were the swim suit shoots. My most difficult shoot was of me hanging on a rope, over a pool in Bel Air, CA with my head back, toes pointed, trying to look sexy while holding myself up!
• My favorite trip was to China with Timea Majorova, one of my best friends and Anna Level. We were treated like rock stars everywhere we went. We were there for the grand openings for several Power House Gyms. We traveled all over China, including Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall! It was incredible!
• I have met Arnold, “The Hulk”, Sylvester Stallone and the amazing Joe Weider.
• Thank you to Joe Weider for believing in me and helping me live my dreams!!

RL: What are some of your biggest highlights as a fitness competitor?
BH: My biggest highlights as a fitness competitor:
• Winning the overall National Fitness Champion title. It took a lot of dedication, discipline and perseverance.
• My first pro show: Arnold Classic 2001. I placed last (even though my routine rocked), but I didn’t even care. I was there on stage, even after my coach suffered a stroke just two months earlier. It was a stressful time but we made it through and he was there to watch me compete.
• Slovakia Pro Show 2002. Afterwards, I traveled through Slovakia and Vienna.
• Hungary Pro Show 2003- what a blast!
• I placed 4th in both European shows. Again, one place away from qualifying for the Olympia!
• My “Elvis” routine at Night of Champions in New York 2003. My Dad built me a set of stairs (5 feet high) that I shipped from Chicago to New York. I pressed up to a handstand at the top, slowly walked down each step, one hand at a time, and pressed back down into a straddle hold. It was awesome! I have never seen anyone do anything like it on stage. One little wrong move would have ruined the entire routine! I was in the zone and it turned out perfect. Phew!

RL: You’ve written a book “The Natural Way”. Tell us about that endeavor.
BH: My book is entitled, “The Natural Way- The Holistic Guide To Total Mind-Body, Health & Fitness”. It is a nutrition and fitness book. I believe in the holistic mind-set, meaning everything within us is tied together- emotionally, spiritually, mentally & physically. When you move the body, workout and take care of yourself, you are going to feel better on every level.

The workout portion of the book is geared toward specific goals- building strength, building size, fat-burning, 2-day splits, 3-day splits, etc.

The nutrition part is easy to follow, explaining about fats, carbs proteins and how they affect the body. There are specific eating plans, glycemic index, food lists, etc., while teaching people how to eat healthy and how to stay lean.

RL: You’ve had success in so many areas of the industry as a competititor, international fitness model, & personal trainer and now appearing on national tv as American Gladiator, Venom. What an opportunity! Tell us about how this came about and what you hope for out of the experience.
BH: Well, first of all I am extremely grateful for everything in my life. I begin each day thinking about what I am grateful for. I have had an amazing career in fitness. My experiences have been so incredible. I feel I am so blessed to have wonderful people in my life, especially my awesome husband, Bruce. He is my everything. He is the most amazing person I know and he is my best friend and biggest supporter. I am also grateful for my parents and in-laws, my two dogs, friends and family. I have a great team surrounding me, which I feel is vital to my success and well-being. My coach told me eight months before the auditions, “Be ready. Something big is coming around the corner for you. Be ready.” I followed his wisdom even though we had no idea what was in store. I worked very hard ever since my first knee injury and especially throughout my fitness career. When you work hard, it is promised to you.

RL: It’s clear that fitness and being fit are a way of life for you, how has your training and diet changed since your physique/fitness competition days? Have you done any competitions lately?
BH: I decided to compete in a figure show for fun in September 2007. I felt I had to do it, but it took me a long time to get back into the mindset of competing again. I had not been on stage in 4 ½ years! So, I went all out on the outfits, posing, everything. I had a lot of fun doing it & I felt great on stage. Little did I know the auditions for Gladiator were just a week later. I was in Austin, TX relaxing & my coach told me I have to come home & go to the auditions. I turned around & went back home to Chicago for the auditions.
I told them right from the beginning, “I want to be a Gladiator”. That was my goal. I did not even think about being a contender. I was set on being a Gladiator. I knew this was perfect for me & I could do it!

RL: How has your training & diet changed since your fitness competition days?
BH: Honestly, I workout a whole lot less and a lot smarter! When I began ten years ago, I worked out three times a day, tons of cardio, dancing, gymnastics, and routines. After I turned pro, we began doing a lot of functional, anaerobic training. In the last two years, I have not done any cardio! ☺ I train very hardcore with all anaerobic training, which really gets my heart rate up high. My training includes a lot of athletic ‘drills’, plyometrics, sprints, etc. I love it.
I also dieted very hard for years. I’ve done every diet. In the last few years, I have been eating very clean & healthy, but I goof off I lot more! I eat thin crust pizza every week, dessert twice a week and pancakes for Sunday brunch. Now that I am not as strict and I workout hardcore, I am in the best shape of my life now. I think it is most important to love yourself and love your body! When you train really hard, eat healthy for the most part, you should be able to eat what you want.

RL: You are a role model to many women. What’s your advice to women looking to compete or get into the fitness lifestyle?
BH: Believe in yourself. You can do anything you put your mind to- be it getting up on stage posing in a bikini, changing something about your body you are not happy with, fitting into those size 4 jeans or being on TV.- you truly can do anything! Whatever the mind can conceive, the body will achieve. Do what feels right to you. Always listen to your body. Love yourself & your body. It took me years to truly listen to my body & to love my body. Now that I do, I am so happy & in the best shape of my life.

For women looking to compete, set up your plan 3-4 months out from your show date. Get your team together- positive people you can trust. You need a great coach/trainer, mentor, posing coach, swim suit designer and for fitness women, include a gymnastics coach and choreographer.

Write down your goals and look at them often. Your thoughts create! Go for it & dream big!

RL: So what’s up next for Beth?
BH: I have a lot of goals. I want to have another fantastic season on American Gladiator. I will be back to film season two in March & it will air on NBC this May. You will see DVDs and books- “How to train like a Gladiator” and “The Gladiator Mindset”, movies, “Venom” toys, etc.! I plan to be on “Dancing with the Stars”. I love that show & I love to dance! I will always be a role model for health & fitness and continue to inspire people to take care of their bodies. That is one of my purposes here on earth.

So that’s enough of the serious questions, here’s a few more…
RL: Favorite U2 song?
Beth Horn: DESIRE

RL: Favorite “cheat food”?
BH: I don’t have just one!
I love thin crust pepperoni pizza, Chinese food & cookies!!

RL: Beer or Wine?
BH: Wine, not beer.

RL: Chocolate or Vanilla?
BH: Vanilla.

RL: Dogs or Cats?
JL: Dogs for sure! I have a Golden Retriever, Gabriella and an Akita, Cleo. They are my babies!!

RL: Outside of Fitness and beating contenders to a pulp, what are your interests?
BH: I love traveling the world, reading, journaling, modeling, hiking, rollerblading, movies, spending time with my husband, my dogs, my family and friends.

RL: Something that people don’t know about you, something we won’t find anywhere else?
BH: I am very spiritual.

RL: Anything else?
BH: Please check out my web site- www.bethhorn.com and watch me on American Gladiators!
RL: Thanks Beth, we really appreciate your time. We wish you the best and expect to see you putting the beat-down on the competitors next season on American Gladiators!

BH: Thank you for the interview!

Shelley Beattie, “Siren” from the original American Gladiators, died on February 13, 2008 at the age 39. Shelley was a tremendous bodybuilder and graced magazine covers in the 90s.

The cause of death has not yet been released. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Shelley’s name can do so in her name:
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002

This Sunday marks the end of the American Gladiator season one. A couple Gladiators bit the dust in the first season’s taping and will not be back for round two. Some inside scoop for hardbody.com fans…

Final tryouts will be held this weekend in Los Angles at the Fit Expo. If you haven’t tried out and still interested in becoming a new American Gladiator or contestant this is the place to be on Friday and Saturday.

Things are moving quick on the casting front. Both Gladiators and Contenders will need to be available March 5- March 9, 2008. If you haven’t been called back or invited to attend this round by these dates, sorry but you’re not in the running. Those who make it through the first March Madness round will be invited back for a Gladiator or Contender Boot Camp. Gladiators will have their camp March 17-22 and the Contenders will be held March 23-28. Actual taping of the shows will begin on March 31st.

Several NPC/IFBB men and women are in the running as new Gladiators or Contenders. I’m confident we’ll see at least two NPC/IFBB competitors make it onto the second season.

A little birdie told me that one of the current American Gladiators may have found a new love. What does this mean for this Gladiator? We’ll have to wait and see but rest assured you’ll get the full scoop as it develops.

Valerie “The Charging Rhino” Waugaman is making a name for herself off the competitive stage. Val who plays “Siren” continues to get some love from various newspapers across the country. Ya gotta give the woman props, she is accomplishing her goals.

FROM THE BALTIMORE SUN:
When you look at Siren on American Gladiators, besides the costume and the intimidating look, you’re sure to notice the sculpted muscles.

Valerie Waugaman sees fat.

“The camera really does add 10 pounds,” says Waugaman, the 29-year-old Cleveland resident who plays Siren on the NBC series. But she is not going to turn into some timid little birdie; she is very fitness-conscious.

>> Read Full Story Here.

American Gladiator hopefuls will get another chance to try out for the NBC show at the Fit Expo on Los Angles. The tryouts will be held on February 16 & 17th from 10am-4pm both days. For more information visit: www.thefitexpo.com

Hardbody’s Cali man, Ron Avidan was on the scene this past weekend for the American Gladiator’s tryouts. Ron reports that IFBB Pro competitors Julie Childs, Mary Jo Cooke and Zhanna Rotar all tried out and did well. I spoke with FLEX magazine Senior Writer, Allan Donnelly who said the scene was total madness. Thousands of people lined up for their chance to become the next contestant or American Gladiator. Tryouts will be held in various cities this weekend. There are a few NPC competitors in the Denver area who have expressed an interest and I know a hot little fitness diva in Texas who is planning on rocking the tryouts in Austin. Stay tuned for photos, videos and more on the American Gladiator tryouts. It’s a strong possibility we’ll see more NPC/IFBB females in the show for season two.

Julie Childs shows off one of her gunz.

Zhanna Rotar and Allan Donnelly at the tryouts in Venice, California.

NBC issued a press release and The American Gladiators’ second season will air this summer prior to the 2008 Olympics.

The announcement was made by Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment.

“These exciting new reality shows will be a vital part of ‘NBC’s All-American Summer’ building up to the drama of the Beijing Olympics,” said Plestis. “We are thrilled to feature the powerhouse ‘Gladiators’ this summer and it’s a real coup to bring ‘Nashville Star’ to NBC.”

Those of you interested in auditioning for the next American Gladiators season. If you’re unable to attend the open casting you may send in a video of yourself. The application and more information are available here. You must be at least 18 years of age and a legal US resident of the 50 United States.
OPEN CALL:  LOS ANGELES
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
10:00am - 4:00pm

Gold’s Gym-Venice Beach
360 Hampton Dr.
Venice, CA. 90291

OPEN CALL: Saturday, February 2, 2008/Time and Location: TBD
Denver, CO
Chicago, IL
Austin, TX

OPEN CALL: Saturday, February 9, 2008/Time and Location: TBD
New York City, NY
Scottsdale, AZ
Orlando, FL

OPEN CALLS
You must come in workout attire and appropriate footwear to be considered. You will be tested on your physical ability in areas such as strength, speed, balance and agility. We recommend bringing a workout towel and water with you to the open call.

• Please bring a non-returnable photo of yourself with a completed Application to the open call.
• Open call lines will begin forming 2 hours before the start time. Please do not line up prior to that time.
• Time is limited and there is no guarantee that everyone will be seen - so please arrive early.

It appears that is one of the next steps for the revived NBC tv show. Plans are in the works for an American Gladiators Comic Book but details on what it will entail remain to be released. Will we see the current female gladiators become comic book super-heroes? It’s possible. We’ll keep you posted on further developments.

Rumors have been circulating about a number of American Gladiators sustaining injuries during the filming of the newly revived NBC show. IFBB Fitness Pro, Tanji Johnson (Stealth) was spotted hobbling with crutches on the set. Did she injure her knee and will she return for season two?

Tanji recently posted this on the GETBIG.com message boards:
Hello everyone,

1) I wanted to begin by saying THANK YOU SO MUCH for your kindness, support, encouragement and prayers. You are so appreciated and loved for this special gift that you give and it means a lot to me that people care.

2) I am choosing not to disclose details about my situation, but just know that I am healing up terrificly and it will be a great recovery. A great friend told me that this is not a set back but a set up for a come back! I love that!

3) I want to also let you know that it was completely worth it. I am an athlete, and there’s something incredibly rewarding about giving 100% without fear, without reservation, and a willingness to sacrifice for something most will never achieve. Example, in 2003 I tore my achilles training for the Arnold. Some would say, is it worth it to do fitness when you could get hurt and be out for 6 months or so. I say heck ya! Since then, I have won 3 Pro shows and am now ranked 4th in the world in fitness. It was worth it. It made my return better, and sweeter and I cherish my times of intense activity b/c I don’t take it for granted. Those 6 months gave me time to balance out my life, lose my obsession with competing in the IFBB, and grow as a person. As I result, I became a better competitor and a better Tanji.

4) So, here I am again, 2007 (4 years later) with another injury. Just know that I am embracing it, I am in great spirits, I am going to use this time very well (praise God b/c if I weren’t I’d be busy working out for 3 hours a day getting ready for the Arnold again) Just know that I will be strengthing my brain, my spirit, my personal life and all the other wonderful things that have nothing to do with working out. Its temporarily, as like being single, I will use it well. And again, it was absolutely worth it. This has been an incredible opportunity and I would gladly sit out (athletically) for a period of time to be able to walk thru the doors I am walking through now. Won’t go into detail, but just know that I am extremely grateful to have been chosen for this job and was fully aware of the potential of getting hurt. I was not afraid and am still not afraid. (So for you contenders, keep that in mind when I return Smiley I am relentless in pursuit Smiley

You guys know me, nothing stops me, nothing gets me down, not when you live a life of abundance and adventure. I am married to nothing and obsess over nothing, life has so much to offer. Again, I live for Christ and that changes everything.

So, please no sorrows for me. Just continue to send your love and I am sending you mine!!

Its all good!

Love
Tanji (STEALTH)