The reigning Ms. Figure Olympia champ, Jenn Gates celebrates her birthday today. Jenn tells me she will be spending the day with her family in Indiana. She shared that she’s doing great and happy that Spring is right around the corner. Keep your eyes peeled at your local newsstand for Jenn’s newest cover, the May issue of IRONMAN magazine. The issue is starting to hit stands now. Those of you attending the NPC JR. Nationals, in June, will get a chance to meet and chat with the champ there.
Happy Birthday Jenn!
A big shout out to Dina Al-Sabah who will is celebrating her birthday today. Dina hasn’t been on the competitive stage in couple years but can still be seen in many of the fitness magazines. Most recently she was on the cover of IRONMAN magazine. Happy Birthday Dina!
The beautiful Dina Al-Sabah.
Nicole Wilkins Lee has put her birthday celebrating on hold today as well. She joins Erin Stern in celebrating her birthday while prepping for the Arnold Classic. This year Nicole will be competing in the fitness division (last year she competed in figure). Nicole is definitely one to watch and could become the new face of fitness without too much argument from the peanut gallery. Happy Birthday Nicole!
IFBB Fitness/Figure Pro - Nicole Wilkins Lee.
Happy Birthday to IFBB Pro and NPC National Figure Champ, Erin Stern. Erin tells me she is on track for her pro debut and only a couple pounds from where she wants to be. The birthday celebration has been put on hold until the Arnold weekend. She’s hoping to be celebrating more than a belated birthday in Columbus. Look for her to make an immediate impact in the pro ranks and be a threat for the top 6 spot in her pro debut.
I had the chance to shoot with Erin the day after her overall victory at the NPC Nationals. Erin was a great model and fun to work with during the shoot. One of our photos is featured in the newest FLEX magazine along with a short interview. Keep your eye on this woman, she’ll be blowing up the figure scene this year and look for her to be published a number of times in ‘09.
This probably isn’t a shot you’ll see show up in print but I like it because it shows Erin laughing. Who knows what joke was cracked during this shot. 
Erin Stern chuckling during our shoot.
Erin is spending her birthday moving and training. Help me wish this rising star a Happy Hardbody Birthday!
I caught wind today that another IFBB pro hits the big 4-0 today. Shannon Meteraud joins her good pal Tracey Greenwood in the 40 year old club today. No word on what she is doing with her big day, besides harassing me about the NPC JR USA web site. Shannon and her husband Tres promote the NPC Jr USA in Charleston, SC, an event that is top notch.. Shannon will be competing at the Fitness International in March. You might recall, she injured herself late last year which kept her our of the Olympia.
Happy Birthday Shannon.
Dr. Tracey Greenwood took the IFBB Fitness stage by storm last year. Competing in almost every fitness show there was on the schedule, she showed that she’s far from “Over-The-Hill”. Tracey will most likely spend her 40th Birthday doing two cardio sessions, eating fish and maybe shopping for a new pair of sunglasses. Tracey finished a great ‘08 season by placing second to Hendershott at the 2008 Olympia. The two will face each other again in a few short weeks. We’ll preview that in the coming weeks but for now let’s wish Tracey a Hardbody Happy Birthday.
Can you guess which IFBB Pro is going to be the BIG 4-0 tomorrow? A hint she’s competing in the Arnold. Careful don’t want to offend anyone who isn’t even close to being over-the-hill.
:)
A big shout out to Jen Hendershott on her birthday. What this wild and crazy fitness champ is doing is still unconfirmed. Knowing Jen she’s probably working on 10 different things while talking on the phone and emailing someone. Let’s hope the champ takes some time out to have a lil’ cake.
Happy Birthday to one of the top fitness champs in the IFBB, Adela Garcia. All the best Chica and we’ll see you back on stage soon.
Adela showing off on the beach.
A shout out to one of the long time members and contributors to the NPC/IFBB, J.M. Manion. It’s his birthday today! Happy Birthday JM and many more to come.
JM joking around with Figure competitor Mandy Henderson.
Many of you caught your first glimpse of Rachel Cammon here on hardbody. This striking Colorado beauty competed in her first figure show in April, where she won her class. She went on to place second in her class at the Colorado State Championships. Rachel followed that up with a win in the Figure F Class at the NPC USA Championships, which qualified her for IFBB Pro Status.
She achieved pro status in her third show and can you believe she’s never seen a pro show? Yep, this year’s Olympia will be the first pro show she sees. One thing Rachel has a knack for is destroying stacks of pancakes. After her pro win she showed Lonnie “The Swami” Teper how it’s done. LT even picked up the check that night.
Rachel putting Lonnie in a trance.
Rachel hits the big 27 today. Happy Birthday Rachel and enjoy a stack of pancakes.
Happy belated birthday to the lovely Sonia Adcock. Sonia celebrated her birthday on August 1st in sunny California. I checked in with Ms. Sonia and she tells me everything is great as she prepares to compete next month. This is a shot from Memorial Day weekend on the beach. Keep your eye on this beauty as she takes the stage again in September.
Sonia Adcock all smiles on the Cali beach.
I caught up with Jamie Costa (who won the A class at the NPC JR USA) today for a photo shoot. Jamie stood out to me at the prejudging rounds. She had a very attractive look and is one of the fresh faces on the figure scene. Little did I know but it was her Birthday. The lovely little lass turned 24 today and tells me she is headed to Chicago with hopes of returning to her Vegas home as an IFBB Pro. Jamie is avery photogenic and we had a great shoot. Here are a couple pics from today. We had plans to shoot at Red Rocks in Vegas but the weather didn’t cooperate for us and we ended up making the most of it indoors.
Jamie Costa, NPC Figure Competitor.
Happy Birthday Ms. Jamie.
Ana Tigre celebrates her birthday today and like many competitors will have to do so without a Birthday cake. She’s currently prepping for the NPC JR. USA which will be held in Charleston, SC in a couple weeks. Ana tells me she will celebrate her birthday after that show. She recently shot with top fitness photographer, Terry Goodlad, and from the looks of the photos Ana is on track to looking her best at the show.
Photo Courtesy of Terry Goodlad - Bodysport.com ©TerryGoodlad
Check out more with Ana on Bodysport.com
My Italian is a little rusty but I’d like to wish a Donna bella di buon compleanno. Huh? I think it’s pretty close to saying, Happy Birthday to a beautiful woman. Why would I be attempting to say Happy Birthday in Italian? Well, Anna Laratta is 100% Italian and on Saturday night she celebrated her 40th Birthday complete with a number of authentic Italian treats. Anna’s husband, John who is also 100% Italian, invited a number of friends and family to their beautiful Denver home for a Birthday Bash.
The Laratta family after the 2007 Carla Sanchez Fitness Fiesta.Careful to coin this mother of four and top NPC figure competitor “Over the Hill”. She placed third in the B Class won and the 35+ B class at the 2007 NPC North Americans. Anna’s three daughters have lit up the Jr. Fitness stage at Carla Sanchez’s Fitness Fiesta year after year and don’t be surprised if you are reading about them in the years to come as top fitness competitors.
A number of top NPC competitors as well as a couple IFBB pros were in attendance to help celebrate her birthday. Carla Sanchez and her husband made an appearance with their growing baby boy. New mom Christine Pomponio-Pate and her husband showed up still glowing from the birth of their first child. Christine looks like she could step on stage this week if she wanted to, however she tells me her days are spent trying to sleep when not caring for her newborn. Jacqui Skibba, who will be hitting the national figure stage in a few weeks, made a showing with her hilarious husband. Liza Kampsta was looking great as she prepares for Jr. Nationals in June. Heather Locklear look-alike, Tanisha Harrison avoided the deserts as she prepares for the Master’s Figure competition in Pittsburgh.
Anna Laratta at the 2007 NPC USAs.Keep your eye out for Anna as she competes on the NPC national figure scene this year. She’s proof that at age is simply a number and you’re only as old as you want to feel.
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.
She might be a day older but that isn’t slowing down this IFBB figure/fitness rising star. Michele celebrated her birthday skiing with her son and a few friends. She tells me she had to pass on the Birthday cake as she is preparing for the NY Pro Fitness show in April. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELE!
Michele striking a pose at the 2007 Europa Super show.
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!
I’m a day late in sending Birthday wishes to one of the NPC’s top fitness competitors, my badd. HAPPY 28th Birthday to Alissa Carpio. Alissa spent the special day with her husband who was kind enough to bring her a delicious dark chocolate cake and some more athletic apparel. This celebration was more than just one of birthday wishes, it also marked the beginning of her competition season. Alissa will be competing in the 2008 NPC Pittsburgh, Jr USAs and Junior Nationals. She’ll be competing in fitness for all three shows. Keep your eye on her as she stands a great chance of becoming one of the newest IFBB pros.
A big birthday shout out to Amanda Jo Savell. Amanda hit the big 30 today and is spending the day in Texas taking it easy with family. AJ tells me she celebrated her birthday last weekend with close family and friends. Happy Birthday Amanda Jo!
Another IFBB pro celebrates her birthday today, figure competitor Krissy Chin. Krissy has been busy with a number of things in her life but recently told me she is on track and ready to make some noise in the figure ranks this year. Krissy is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and she’s one helluva model too. You can stop by the ALRi booth at the Arnold and say hello. She’ll be there working away for a company that has great products.
Look for Krissy’s new web site early next month at www.krissychin.com. Happy Birthday Krissy!
