HARDBODY Fit Female News & Events

I caught up with Nicole for a quick photo shoot tonight in Orlando. While we didn’t have much time or light to work with we managed to have some fun and get some good shots. Nicole is becoming one of the top fitness models in the industry and you will be seeing a lot more of her this year. Nicole is able to provide a number of different looks which is an added bonus for any aspiring model. She’s definitely one of the Fresh Faces of Fitness.

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the shots from tonight.

Nicole Wilkins-Lee in Orlando, Florida.

Trio of USA Champs head to the Sacramento Pro.

A trio of NPC USA Figure champs will make their pro debut this weekend. I caught up with Jamie Ford, Mendi Sakamoto and Kristin Nunn to get their thoughts on a few things leading into the show. Check out the preview and their interviews on FLEXonline.com.

111 of you voted in the HARDBODY poll and 45% of you felt Jamie would place the highest. Will our viewers be correct or will Mendi and Kristin prove the majority wrong? Stay tuned for more coverage from Sacramento through out the weekend.

Julie Ann Kulla joined the ranks of the IFBB by winning the 2008 NPC Jr. Nationals overall figure title. She hails out of Minnesooooooota. Yes you have to do your worst FARGO impersonation when you say Minnesota. This little china doll works as a graphic designer and you’ll probably see some of her work at the Olympia. Julie Ann works with one of the biggest trade show booth companies. I had the chance to chat with her after her win at Jr. Nationals and she is a pleasure to be around. We spoke a bit more at the NPC USAs where we did a quick shoot. Despite the stupid hot temperatures, we were able to get a few good shots. Julie Ann is a a natural in front of the camera, takes direction well and isn’t afraid to turn on “the look”. She’ll be making her pro debut at this year’s NY PRO Figure contest, which is held in conjunction with the Team Universe. Don’t be surprised if you see her qualifying for the Olympia her first time out.

Julie Ann Kulla has her sights set on her pro debut.

The beautiful Rachel Cammon will be one to watch. She’s currently prepping for her second NPC figure show, the NPC Colorado State. Rachel has the look that will not only do well on stage but also in the modeling side of things. When we shot after her first show she literally stopped traffic. A poor observer on a motorcycle ran into the back of a car while we were rapping up the shoot. He was so busy looking at Rachel hanging from a tree limb that he failed to see the light had changed red. The guy was okay and more embarrassed than anything. Hey, can’t fault the guy for checking out a face and physique like this.

This is one of the many gym shots we took at Heather and Dylan Armbrust’s gym.

Rachel Cammon strikes a pose at Armbrust Pro Gym in Denver, Colorado.

Hailing out of Illinois, former track star Alicia Harris will be one to watch at the 2008 Figure Championships in Las Vegas. Miss Harris finished fourth in the D Class at last weekend’s NPC Jr. Nationals and looked great. She has an adorable face, contagious smile and a physique to match it. Alicia was a competitor who improved from Friday night’s prejudging into Saturday’s event. She was 6th going into the second day of prejudging but jumped to second in her two piece.

When I spoke with Alicia on Sunday I asked her if she had played sports because she has a very sporty look to her. Great skin, pretty face and athletic body - the kind you would see in a Nike commercial. Turns out my assessment or assumption, which ever you prefer, was correct. She ran the 200 & 400 meters with times faster than many men. Smiley was even the Ohio Valley Athlete of the year for indoor track during her junior year.

Alicia with fellow competitor Gale Elle backstage in Chicago.

Alicia was kind enough to answer a few questions and share a bit more about herself:

Any nicknames?
Smiley, Sister (Brother calls me that), Renee, Penny (some I remind them of Janet Jackson-penny off of Good Times)

How did you get into competing in figure - what’s your background?
Jennifer Cowan, a Collegiate Track and Field teammate of mine is a figure/bodybuilding competitor and I felt that it was something that I could do well in. Also, working in fitness centers, I was surrounded by competitors.

Do you think you could beat me in the 200m?
I am pretty confident in my abilities, so yes, I think I could beat you (Isaac) in the 200 … Bring on the 400m that was my favorite!

What’s one thing people may not know about Alicia Harris but should?
I love football. If I was 100 pounds heavier maybe 7 inches taller and a MAN, I would be in the NFL!

What’s the secret to keeping your skin looking healthy while dieting?
I have always been blessed with good skin. I don’t really do anything special. I just wash make up off if I put it on.

Did your diet change from track and field to what you do as a figure competitor?
Diet from track and field was horrible! If I knew back then what I know now, I would have been in much better shape. During Track and Field it was the complete opposite of what I eat now, pasta and carbs for days!! In the past I wasn’t a big protein eater for some reason. I would shock my body with sugar though before my races, straight honey.

Favorite Supplement and why?
I don’t really take too many supplements to pick and choose favorites, but I do drink Ergo pharm’s Pineapple Mango Whey Protein drink, and I love it!

Thanks Alicia and good luck in Vegas!

Alicia on stage in Chicago.

Celeste Gonzalez may have placed out of the top spot at the IFBB Cal Pro figure competition but this Spanish beauty is one to watch. I caught up with Celeste this evening for a photo shoot and she was a natural in front of the camera. Thanks to FLEX magazine’s Senior Editor, Allan Donnelly for being my semi-translator during the shoot. We ended the evening with dinner at Jerry’s where Celeste enjoyed chicken parmesan and sweet potato fries. Here’s a glimpse at this beautiful woman from the Canary Islands.

Stunning Celeste in Los Angeles after the IFBB Cal Pro.

Lenay won the overall figure title last weekend in Charleston and deservedly so. She is now an IFBB Figure pro and one that could find herself on the Olympia stage before the year is over. She has a great look to her and is full of energy. I’ll be profiling her more here and on other sites but you might recall we profiled her here on hardbody.com months ago. The win in Charleston was only her second show and proof to those who say you “must pay your dues”… you’re out to lunch.

I had the chance to shoot with Lenay on Sunday morning and we had a blast. It was her first photo shoot and I look forward to shooting with her again soon. Here are a couple preview photos from the shoot. I included one where she is busting out laughing as it was a common theme throughout our morning. A big thanks to one of the best makeup artists in the biz, Laurie St. Michael. She hooked up Lenay’s makeup before 8am… talk about a trooper. She did a great job and I highly recommend women use her for shows and shoots.

Lenay, the newest IFBB Figure Pro.

Having some fun during our shoots. Lenay is a joy to work with.
Lenay has a great future ahead of her.

The road to the top has been fun for this Miami darling.

This is a fresh face you’re sure to see more of in the months ahead. Her dream of competing with Paola came true sooner than expected. Congrats!

The prejudging has ended and the top three will be Amy Fry, Nicole Wilkins and Teresa Anthony. It most likely be in that order. They are all three great but I am most impressed with the pro debut of Ms. Anthony. She will most likely qualify for the Olympia her first time out. Very impressive showing. Nicole and Amy are both beautiful. The tall girls ruled this morning. The remaining top five are a toss up but it looks like Shannon Meteraud and Heather Mae French will get the nod. Huong Arcinas looked great despite being the shortest competitor on stage. Heather Green should place in the top ten as well as Catherine Andersen. I’ll report more later when back to the hotel. The ladies all came in softer and definitely listened to the mandate. Check out the photos on flexonline.com later.

Rachel recently competed in the NPC Northern Colorado and won her class. That was her first show and she looked amazing. So much so that I knew I had to shoot with her as she has “the look”. We met up at Colorado Pro Gym, which (as you read here) is run by Dylan and Heather Armbrust. They are cleaning the gym up and making it look incredible. It has some of the best lighting for gym shoots and today was no exception.

Rachel demonstrating a few exercises in the gym.

Today, I asked Rachel what she does for cardio and she said, “I chase tumble weeds in Wyoming. Those lil’ fauckers are fast.” Not only is she a fresh face to watch in the coming months but she also has a witty personality. This 25-year old rising star works full-time in pharmaceutical sales. You’ll be seeing a lot more of her around and don’t be surprised if you see her in a few magazines.

Rachel showing off her killer physique on a warm Denver day.

Lindsey Szvetits will be one to watch this year. Stay tuned…

Lindsey Szvetits will be revealing much more in ‘08.

“Fresh Faces” is a new segment we’re starting on HARDBODY.com in the new year. I’m kicking this one off a little early but she is worthy off mention long before now. Fresh Faces will focus on the women who are not only have tremendous potential in their physiques but also in their attitude and marketability.

Catherine Andersen the day after turning pro in Las Vegas.

My first choice for Fresh Faces is IFBB Figure Pro, Catherine Andersen. Catherine is one of my favorite competitors of the year for a number of reasons. I had the chance to meet Catherine at the 2007 NPC USAs, where she won the Figure Class E as well as the overall figure title. She has an incredible physique but what was really refreshing about Catherine was her personality. She is a very positive, upbeat and funny woman to be around. She is exactly the type of woman that represents the IFBB to its best. A thoughtful, well-spoken, articulate competitor with a personality… wow what a concept! If you are a company owner, Catherine Andersen is the woman you want as your spokesperson.

Catherine getting a few tips from one of the industry’s best,
Lonnie “The Swami” Teper. PS - Catherine, The Swami is
still waiting for that game of HORSE.

Catherine sharing a laugh with NPC photographer JM Manion
and men’s overall winner, Ben White, during a photo shoot.

There is a strong possibility you will see Catherine make her IFBB pro debut at the Arnold Classic. The lists have not been released yet but I’d be shocked not to see her in the mix. Catherine has a new web site that shares more about her and her background. If you’re a female in the Wisconsin area check out her women only boot camps. Stop by catherineandersen.com and tell her HARDBODY.com sent ya. Make sure you spell her last name as “ANDERSEN” not “ANDERSON”.