Hardbody – Female Sports, Health and Fitness

The Bodybuilding.com booth is always one of the most popular stops at the Arnold Expo. There’s always tons of freebies and a number of fitness personalities at the booth. This year you can see Hardbody ladies like Allison Ethier, Jamie Eason, Erin Stern, Kathleen Tesori and more at the booth. Check out the entire lineup who will be appearing at the Bodybuilding.com booth this year. See ya there!

You never know who you’ll see at the Olympia Expo. Our West Coast man, Ron Avidan was scouring the scene for bodybuilding.com and snagged this photo of two former WWE super stars. Former WWE star turned UFC champ Brock Lesnar poses with former WWE Diva Trish Stratus. The two were on hand signing autographs for fans during the Olympia weekend. Brock could be seen at the Dymatize booth while Trish was at the Oh YEAH! booth. Both drew huge crowds during the Olympia Expo.

Brock Lesnar and Trish Stratus at the Olympia.

Check out more expo photos from the Olympia weekend on bodybuilding.com.

I  met Tiffany Michelle Upshaw last month at the Europa Super Show and she was memorable. Chat with her for a couple minutes and you’ll know why. Mr. Optimum Nutrition Man, Bob Corbett introduced me to her as she was there working their (ON/ABB) expo booth. Tiffany has a fresh face with a great physique but it is her out-going, sassy personality that made her stand out. Looks will only take you so far in the fitness industry and Tiffany is the perfect example that if you have a personality to compliment the looks, people take notice. Ms. Upshaw calls Florida home and recently made her way onto the NPC stage for the first time. I caught up with her to find out how she did and what’s next.

Occupation:
Student, Soon to Be Realtor… AGAIN! ON/ABB Athlete

Realtor “again” Why again and why now with the economy for real estate in the crapper?
I became licensed when I was 19 so my age was a downfall for me. I had clients that would ask about my age, etc and I always felt like, “What does that matter? I can do what a 47yr old Realtor can!” The economy was also a downfall as well. I am choosing to do real estate again because I am older and the partner I will have is one of THE top realtors in Luxury Real Estate in Naples, FL and I want to soak up any and all knowledge from him, Patrick Dearborn of John R. Wood Realtors.

How did you get into the industry and become an ON/ABB Athlete?
Actually, on MySpace!! Neat, huh? Crazy, I thought it was spam or something and then when I actually got emailed a contract I was like …WOW, this is really really real!

Bob shared a similar story saying he accepted your “friend request” and checked out your profile and photos. He liked your look at thought you had a chance to be something special in the world of fitness, so he took a chance and signed you up. He went on to share, “Everyone at the office liked her potential too.” You’re doing something right because he said, “She’s worked very hard representing our company with class and determination and we’re very proud of her win at the show!”

Tiffany and Jessica at the ON/ABB booth.

Number of NPC shows:
1/1 !!! Did 1 show & WON 1 SHOW!

Congrats. What was the show and what did you win?
2009 Royal Palm Classic: Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships – 1st Place, Bikini Short Class

What made you decide to compete?
I became endorsed by Optimum Nutrition & American Bodybuilding last October and wanted to live up to my endorsement but then also attain a goal in a different area other than beauty pageants and modeling.

You mentioned beauty pageants and modeling. Have you done either and what do you say to people who think bikini is nothing more than a fit pageant?
I’ve done beauty pageants for the past 17 years; since I was literally before the age of 1 and I won my first one! Bikini is sexy, sassy but yet STILL should remain classy. It is a contest of the fittest, sexiest, most appealing and of course beautiful.

When you put it that way, bikini is right up your alley. Any tips for women considering competing but unsure about it?
GO FOR IT! It is a great way to build self-confidence, get into beach ready shape and you have the ability to turn Pro!

What’s next for ya?
NPC National Bodybuilding and Figure Championships – Fort Lauderdale, Florida – November 20-21, 2009

Tiffany has the look.

What’s the weirdest/funniest thing you’ve seen while working an expo booth?
Hmm…have YET to see something crazy – maybe at the Mr. Olympia this year in Vegas!?

Um Ya. There’s pretty good odds on that happening. Not as good as the Arnold but still up there.

Goals for the future in the fitness industry?
I would love to earn my Pro Card in Bikini and continue my amazing endorsement with ON/ABB!

What’s your favorite Optiumum Supplement?
Chocolate Coconut 100% Whey Protein because it tastes amazing blended with a banana and peanut butter or even just by itself.

Stop by the Optimum booth at this year’s Olympia and meet Tiffany. You can read more about her and see more photos of her on her bodyspace profile. Congratulations Tiffany and best of luck in the years ahead.

Optimum Nutrition unleashes a new protein at the Olympia

Optimum Nutrition’s home page says, “We will be the talk of Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas. Stop by the Optimum Nutrition booth on Friday September 25th and get a taste of where performance nutrition is headed.” While you’ll have to wait to learn about their new protein you won’t have to wait to learn who will be at their Olympia Expo booth. Thanks to our main Optimum Man (sounds like he needs a cape with that title) Bob Corbett for passing along the list of who will be representing them in Vegas.

Women:
• Jessica Paxson-Putnam (Figure Olympia Competitor)
•  Jen Turnbull
• Jackie Kay
• Kristina Lum
• Jennifer Rankin
• Tiffany Upshaw
• Prudence Moe
• Andrea Taylor
• Sarah Baker
• Nadia Kiss
• Amanda Olson

Men:
• George Farah
• John Hansen
• Tobias Young
• Sean Royer

Optimum Nutrition has some of the best tasting supplements around. You don’t have to take my word for it, stop by their booth and try a few samples. Tell them HARDBODY.com sent ya and maybe they’ll hook ya up with a little something extra.

If you’re in the New York area mark your calendar for Monday, April 27th to meet Figure International Champ, Zivile Raudoniene. Zivile will be making her first  appearance for Gaspari Nutrition at Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym in New York on Monday from 4-7pm. She’ll be prsenting a FREE fitness and nutrition seminar as well as free Gaspari samples. Nice to see the Figure champ out and about helping the industry.

If anyone attends let us know how it goes and send along a pic.