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Tony Blinn who heads up the IFBB Pro League web site has posted a new feature. This time around he highlights the accomplishments of the reigning Ms. Figure Olympia, Jenny Lynn. Check out the profile on the ifbbpro.com web site that went up today.
She did some damage in the pro ranks of the IFBB of figure but has been absent from the stage as of late. I caught up with Ms. Jennifer Searles while I was in New York this past weekend. Jennifer looks great and is keeping herself plenty busy despite being away from the figure stage. Find out if she will return to the figure stage again and what she’s focused on now…
HB: You’re still in the big apple right… What are you doing with yourself?
I am still here in NYC and am in school getting a second degree in Nutrition and Food Science so I can obtain my Registered Dietician License. I then plan on continuing forward to get a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition. I have so much school ahead of me it’s mind-numbing. I’m also privately training clients and several fitness/figure competitors for upcoming shows this season and working as a trainer at Equinox Fitness on Wall St.
HB: Are you going to pull a Jordan and say you’re retired but return later?
Honestly, I don’t see it happening. I accomplished some really cool things as a pro-winning a title, competing and placing in the top 10 in 2 Olympias. I’m happy with that and am so ready to continue on through the next chapters of my life. I still am involved in the sport with coaching and all though.
HB: What did you enjoy the most about competing and how did you get into it to start with?
The meal after the show… Lol! No seriously the meal after the show. And the sense of satisfaction that it gave me to work so hard toward a goal and reach it. No one can ever that away from you… All of the hard work. I got into competing as a result of people always telling me I should try it. I had always heard that I had good genetics and would do well. I never listened until I moved to New York and was going on audition after audition for acting and seeing that I needed to step up my game physically. I began working out religiously to improve my image and fell in love with the gym. I then thought, hmmm…. I miss the competition I used to get with my figure skating. Maybe I’ll try one show. That was it!
HB: What advice would you give the women reading this in regards to competing and making it fun?
Don’t put pressure on yourself to win a trophy. Just make small goals along the way in your prep and be satisfied and proud when you reach each goal. Ultimately, this should be done for yourself and nothing else. Get into a race with yourself and the process is so much deeper and more rewarding. Which makes it a ton more fun! Trophies and placings are bonus 
HB: We’ve all seen your photos. What everyone wants to know is how did you make that booty talk and how do u maintain it?
LOL! lunges/squats/genetics… First off, thanks for the kudos and for noticing Mister Isaac lol! I figure skated for 10 yrs, so a lot of my musculature comes from that, in addition, I’ve always had a full set o’ glutes, sooooo… The base was there. To maintain I always made sure to include movements that targeted those areas such as reverse lunges, step-ups, high footed leg presses. And diet. Diet is so important if you want the fruits of your labors to be seen. If I have too much fat covering the muscle, I have a big blob of a butt. Not so cute! Now that I’m not competing anymore, the focus has shifted from building to shaping. I make sure I train all compound movements in a high (20-25) rep range and I eat very clean throughout the week and have small treats on the weekends. I’ve learned that cheating big is too hard on me and that a little can go a long way with satisfaction.
Adela Garcia is featured on the official site of the IFBB Pro League. The feature breaks down The Chica’s contest history, her goals, inspiration and more. Aside from holding the title of Ms. Fitness Olympia, she is the queen of clean. Any time I talk to Adela she is either doing cardio or cleaning.
Check out the full feature with Adela on IFBBpro.com
IFBB Pro competitor and fitness icon Monica Brant visited with Terry and Elaine Goodlad recently on their radio show. She is still undecided as to whether fans will see her compete again and busy with her F.E.M. Camps. Monica shares a couple of items at the end of the interview regarding her immediate plans. Mo says she stopped one thing in her life at the ARNOLD and is about to start another. Check out the interview to catch the news.
Nicole Wilkins returned home, well not literally, but NYC has become a home for her competition success. Nicole returned to the stage where she made NPC history (winning the overall figure and fitness titles in 2007) and accomplished her goal - qualify for the 2008 Fitness Olympia.
I caught up with the IFBB rookie fresh off her third place finish at the New York Pro Fitness.
Congrats on the Olympia birth that is awesome! You seem to own New York. How did it feel competing in NYC again?
I love New York! I felt great going into the show. I was tighter than at the Arnold and I was confident with my routines. I knew after finishing the two minute routine that the show could not have gone any better in my mind. The rest was up to the judges.
Your first pro fitness show and now you’re qualified for the Olympia! How’s that feel?
It feels amazing! That was my goal going into the show! It makes all the hard work worth it!
Will we see you compete again before the Olympia?
Yes, I will be competing in figure for the next two shows though. I will be at the Pittsburgh pro in less than 3 weeks and then I will be in my home town in August for the Powerhouse Pro.
Thank you to my family and Alan, Kim Oddo, Maggie Blanchard and Cathy Savage!
Congrats!
Thanks Isaac!
Could Nicole qualify for both the Fitness and Figure Olympia? I wouldn’t bet against it.
Michaela “Kayla” Hugoboom is one to watch this weekend at the NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic this weekend. She’s still a relative newbie to the competitive stage but she’s no stranger to the winners circle. Kayla, who hails out of Memphis, Tennessee, has competed only once and found the winner’s circle. I caught up with her five days out from her show and fresh off a shoot with top photographer, Lisa Brewer.
You’re competing this weekend in the Ronnie Coleman Classic, how are you feeling going into the show?
I am very excited!! I have waited so many weeks for this weekend to be here! Lots of sweat and dieting, but it’s worth it! I am on the smaller side, so I am a little nervous about getting blown away, but I pray I will impress the judges and show them I am here to stay!
What previous shows have you competed in?
I competed in my first show last year, The Battle on the Bluff. I won!! That was the best feeling!
What have you been eating this week?
Chicken, Orange roughy, asparagus and tuna. My body is starved for carbs, and I cant wait to carb up!!
Where can people see more of you?
Please vote for me today on www.flexonline.com for the FLEX model search! It is the last day and I would be so grateful for your support! You can also see me in upcoming ads for ABB/ON who I am sponsored with, and www.myspace.com/kaystentz
Any parting words going into the show?
Good luck to all the competitors this weekend and God bless!
The 2007 IFBB NY Pro Fitness champ, Tracey “Trixie” Greenwood, didn’t take the stage to defend her title. She’ll be competing in the later shows before heading to the Olympia in September. Trixie was in attendance for this year’s show and had this to share with me:
You were the champ last year - was it tough not to be on stage to defend the title?
No. it was relaxing and exciting to see alot of new girls competing. I was especially excited for my good friend Heidi Fletcher to win her first Pro show. I like to watch the other girls and see what the new up-and-comers are doing with their routines.
What did you think of the women’s routines as a whole - anyone impress you?
I am always impressed with everyone’s fitness routines. Not many people understand how HARD it is to practice routines day in and day out on hard floors. And not to mention practicing fitness routines while dieting and doing 60 minutes or more of additional cardio!! All of the Fitness competitors are TRUE CHAMPIONS in my eyes! That stuff is not easy! All of the girls were great!!
Did you agree with the top 3? Anyone you thought did well but missed out on the top spots?
I have no arguments on the final results of the show. I think the top 5 girls all did their homework and presented their best physiques and routines. It will be nice to see some new faces in the Olympia this year 
Specials Congrats to my girl Heidi…I am soooo proud of you!!! And BIG CONGRATS to Trish Warren who defines the term, perseverance! And way to go Nicole Wilkins for qualifying at her 1st pro fitness show!
IFBB Pro Figure competitor, Gina Aliotti will stop by Larry Pepe’s “Pep Talk” radio show tonight. The show is on immediately after Pro Bodybuilding Weekly, which starts at 8PM ET. PBW’s guest tonight is NFL bad boy Bill Romanowski.
The IFBBpro.com web site has a nice feature on one of the top female bodybuilders, Iris Kyle. If you’re a female bodybuilding fan this is a great piece on the history of Iris’ career. Check it out on IFBBpro.com.
Check out my interview with Nicole Wilkins as she takes the fitness stage this weekend in New York. This is the first of many more female interviews and features on FLEXonline.com.
I caught up with IFBB Figure Pro and rising fitness model, Felicia Romero on the eve of the big announcement. As reported here, Felicia was chosen as the cover model for the next issue of FLEX magazine. What did she think and what’s next for this Arizona hottie?
Two covers in 2008 and we’re only 1/3 of the way into the year. Congrats on the FLEX cover - how did you come to learn your shot was chosen as the cover?
Thank you so much…I am on cloud nine right now I found out on Hardbody.com and FigureRX. Both had notified me that my cover was chosen. I was so honored to be chosen as the cover model for this year’s swimsuit issue…truly grateful.
How was shooting for this swimsuit issue any different from last year’s shoot?
This year’s shoot was a little easier for me because I knew what to expect. I knew Robert Reiff, the photographer, from last year’s shoot so I was much more comfortable and confident this year. The location was different as well… which was fun.
What advice to you have to the women out there when it comes to doing a photo shoot?
The advice that I have for women when it comes to doing a photo shoot would be to be CONFIDENT. You have to learn to know your body and what looks and feels good. Not every shot is going to be the best shot…so take the direction of the photographer. Also, being physically ready as well will help with the confidence. Stay away from salt, decrease carbs and increase cardio.
What goes through your head during a shoot - do you think of Bob Ross painting happy trees to bring out your best smile?
Haha…I don’t think of Bob Ross painting. lol. I imagine what I look like in that particular pose. I sort of have an out of body experience and become a different person for that period of shooting. It’s a lot of FUN!
When will we see you on stage next?
I am dieting right now for the Cal Pro in May. I am 8 weeks out so I am counting down the weeks till I will be on stage again.
Thanks Felicia!
Thank You
Mindi O’Brien has been shaking her booty on the competitive stage for awhile and has made a name for herself as one of the top IFBB Fitness pros. I caught up with her to see what’s next and learn a little bit more about the Canadian star.
You recently competed in the Fitness International… How many times have you competed there and were you satisfied with your showing?
I earned my IFBB Pro card in the summer of 2004 and have competed in 4 consecutive Arnold Classic/Fitness Internationals. I was pleased with what I brought to the stage this year… however, it was a battle getting there. I was sick with the flu and a horrible cold a month prior to the Fitness International. Because of being so sick, my routines ended up suffering a little. My joints were really sore due to being sick and my endurance and energy was extremely low. I couldn’t really practice my routines as much as I should have and I had to tone down my routine a lot….(I had a few new skills added to my routines, but was unable to perform them without risking further injuries) Other than that, I was pleased with my physique…I feel that I had a good off season and made the necessary improvements to my overall physique. I placed 9th overall. My personal goal was to place a little higher, but I was pleased with what I brought to the stage. The Fitness International is one of the most prestigious competitions, and I feel blessed and honored to receiving an invite to represent my country and compete amongst the best Fitness Competitors in the world.
Are you the best Canadian Fitness competitor?
Canada has produced many top Fitness Competitors over the years who I have had the opportunity to compete with… Stephanie Worsfold, Kary Odiatu, Sandra Wickham are a few of Canada’s best and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to share the stage/limelight with them… There are a few new pros from Canada who are very talented and will definitely make an impression on the circuit… Myriam Capes and Marnie Holley will be showing off their talent this yr.
Choosing not to claim to be the best Canadian, ok. Let’s move on.
What’s something that you haven’t posted on your web site or put out in an interview before? You chew your toenails… secretly wear your fake butt outfit around the house… Let’s hear it.
LOL… Hmmm… this is a tough one!!!! I don’t think this has ever been posted on my site or anywhere else…but, at every competition since turning pro, I have been introduced as a former bodybuilding champion….When I started competing, I only competed in Fitness…that was my goal from the get go….I used to compete in the Fitness Canada Pageants before switching over to the CBBF…At the Fitness Canada Nationals, I placed 4th overall and the judges feedback was that I was too muscular for fitness and I had been penalized for it. The next day I went back to the venue to pick up my prop and my husband dared me to compete in the Musclemania event to see how I would do. I’m always up for a challenge!!!! Dennis (my husband) taught me how to pose in 10 minutes before going on stage, we oiled me up and away I went. We re-choreographed my fitness routine during the morning/night show and I performed my bodybuilding routine to my fitness routine music…Well…I ended up winning the Women’s Heavy Weight Division (weighing 123lbs). My passion is fitness…It was at that moment that I decided it was time for me switch over to the CBBF and go after my IFBB Pro card… I had a lot of fun competing on stage with the other bodybuilders, but for me fitness is where my heart is.
What’s your next show and will you be doing a new routine?
My next show will be the Houston Pro Show on July 4-5th. I will be performing to the same music but I am in the process of re-choreographing my current routine. If I qualifiy for the “O”, I will be bring a new routine to the stage.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Hmmmmm…I love sushi and mint chocolate chip ice cream and peanut butter sandwiches…not together though!!!
Thanks Mindi!
Thanks Isaac.
Mindi is currently feature in Canada’s INSIDE FITNESS magazine.
Inside Fitness, Canada’s biggest fitness & bodybuilding magazine, celebrates two years of excellence in the world of health, bodybuilding and fitness publishing with its Second Anniversary Issue. Features include athlete profiles on Mindi O’Brien and Fouad Abiad, as well as a focus on abs that is found in the magazine’s midsection. Seasoned bodybuilding and fitness professionals featured in the issue include Lee Labrada, Craig Ballantyne, Garry Bartlett, John Berardi and Ralph Dehaan. The issue is available at most major Canadian newsstands including Chapters, MAC’s Convenience Stores, London Drugs, 7-11, Walmart, GNC and fine health food stores across Canada.
I ran across this piece on a message board, siouxcountry.com. The news was posted by a female who was applauding the coverage of female bodybuilding in the adult men’s magazine, HUSTLER. This caught my attention as most women typically don’t applaud much of the contents in the magazine.
HUSTLER was made famous by it’s creator Larry Flynt, know for his battles regarding pornography and free speech.
The June issue of the magazine gives a brief history of competitions and mentions the likes of Rachel McLish and Cory Everson. The article goes on to interview Colette Nelson, Amber Steel and Melissa Dettwiller. While this is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea and the magazine doesn’t have a repuation for being “classy” most of the article isn’t bad. There are a few statements made that raise an eyebrow but that’s to be expected in a magazine of this nature. The photos featured are by longtime photographer, Brian Moss who runs shemuscle.com.
Happy Birthday to one of the most entertaining pros in the IFBB Pro ranks today. Stacy Simons is almost always and is a true East Coast gal when you get a chance to know her. Stacy will be celebrating her birthday today with friends and family with a little drinky drink or two. I asked Stacy why she wasn’t competing in the NY Pro Fitness in a couple weeks and she tells me she is focusing on winning the Atlantic City Pro before heading back to the Olympia. In our conversation she shared a bit about her ‘08 Fitness International routine. She’s kind enough to share it with HARDBODY.com…
Aight Stacy what’s the scoop on your routine at the Arnold?
Okay, where do I start? Let’s just say that I felt like “Ralphie” in “A Christmas Story.” C’mon, you know the scene. “OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUDDDDGGGGEEEEE!” Yup, you guessed it! Except I said the real thing! I was about 20 seconds into my newly choreographed 2 min routine. Since I am a creature of habit and I’m used to tumbling stage right for my first pass…it just sort of happened. My choreographer did a kick ass routine for me, except I was SUPPOSED to tumble…stage left. So, what do I do? Anything but what I had practiced…tumble the wrong friggin’ way! I’m going into my tumbling pass and as I am doing my hurdle… I’m saying to myself “Oh f*ck! I’m going the wrong way!” Well, thank “gawd” I’m a former gymnast (and trained dancer… a lllllllllloooooonnnnnnnnnggggggggg time ago) and have the ability to improvise. So, the routine that everyone witnessed Friday night during the finals was NOT the way it was supposed to go. I forgot about 35 seconds of it. The next thing I can remember is doing some heavy praying to the “Big Guy Upstairs” so I can make this look somewhat decent. Next thing you know, I’m doing the “Hindsy”, my backyard is on my head, and I’m almost finished the routine. So, I guess finishing 7th really wasn’t too shabby, huh?
Happy Birthday Stacy and the “Hindsy” could be a great move to liven up any party.
Another new feature here on HARDBODY.com… “TARA TALKS”. This is a raw, unedited talk with IFBB Figure Pro, Tara Scotti. Tara hung up her posing suits and clear heels after a successful pro figure career. She was married last fall to one of the coolest guys you could ever meet, Dominic. Any one who knows Tara, knows she is a true New Yorker who is loyal and true to her word, but also isn’t afraid to tell it how it is. This is the first of many “Tara Talks” here on HARDBODY.com. In this edition, Tara talks about how she first met Gina Aliotti, the 2008 Ms. Figure International Champ and breaks down a bit of the figure competition. Below is a portion of Tara Talk, where she is talking with her now husband, Dominic. This is one of the more amusing exchanges you’ll read all day…
The phone call went something very similar to this:
ME ” Hey Babe, I am about to win my 2nd pro show”
HIM “Wow, that’s a pretty bold statement”
ME “Babe, trust me. I am peaking like I did at last year’s Olympia, and I saw almost all the girls backstage, I am not losing this show!! ”
HIM “Simmer down cowboy. What about Gina Aliotti? ”
ME “Who’s Gina?”
HIM “Gina Allioti, my sources in Anaheim tell me Gina is looking really good.”
ME: “Who the f**k is Gina Allioti, and who the f**k are your sources?”
HIM: (laughing) Babe relax. You competed against her a few months ago in Colorado. You placed ahead of her. You don’t remember her? ”
ME: “I have no idea who you are talking about. And if I already beat her, why would I lose to her now?”
HIM: “Gina is one of the new girls. She is very young, very pretty, has a great physique, flowing lines. If this kid can get her conditioning down, forget it, lights out. She is the future of Figure babe. It is what it is. Just relax. Just do your little thing on stage, and let the cards fall where they fall. You’re going to do fine, you always do.
ME: ” Jesus, by the way you are talking, you sound like you are the president of her fan club. Why don’t we just break up and you can start dating her yourself.”
HIM: “You know what, that’s not a bad idea. See if you can get me her number when you talk to her.”
ME: (CLICK)This jerk is trying to take the wind out of my sails. So I hung up on him and turned my phone off. So now I went from confident to shaky. My mind is starting to race. Who the f**k are his sources? Probably that nut case Isaac Hinds. Wait till I see him.
Read Tara’s full encounter with Gina and how she saw the Arnold Figure shake down here.
Continuing with the Arnold fitness and figure interviews…
Natalie Benson interview on FLEXONLINE.com
Gina Aliotti - IFBB Figure International
Jen Hendershott - IFBB Fitness International
Check out some of the video interviews Ron Avidan and I did from the athlete’s meeting and continue to refresh your browser as more are added hourly.
Continue to check out updated photos from the weekend here.
I was able to interview most of the competitors last night and the excitement is high with the ladies. A quick update… If Jen Gates’ face is any indication of what we’ll see on stage I could be eating my words on my previous prediction. Jen was looking beautiful and very lean in the face (not a bad thing). Gina Aliotti and Sonia Adcock were bubbly as always. Newcomer Nicole Wilkins tells me she worked on her shoulders in the off-season and is looking forward to her debut. Kim Klien will be rockin a new routine and one that is reflective of her new place in her personal life. She tells me she is happy and feels great. There’s a ton more but I’ve gotta jet to a photo shoot and will report back later.
I caught up with IFBB fitness pro, Tracey Greenwood a couple days out from the Fitness International. Tracey is no stranger to this show and is looking to break into the top three. She’s not revealing what her routine is going to be (shocker) but she’s certain to bring her strength and energy to the stage.
Julie Palmer ended 2007 with a win at the West Palm Beach show and is gunning for more in ‘08. She’s consistently in the top 6 of every show she enters and this weekend should be no different. Her physique holds it’s own with the best and her routines have improved every year. Two days out from the Fitness International she let’s us know a bit of what’s crack’n in the land of Palmer.
Julie will be taking the fitness stage in two days for her Arnold debut. I caught up with Julie for an interview to get an idea how her offseason has gone and what we can expect to see in Columbus. The interview is currently featured on the FLEXONLINE.com.
Check it out here. Good Luck Julie!
Debbie has been on this stage before and is looking to bring her best presentation to date. She’s taken some time off to improve and streamline her look. This former bodybuilder has been able to make the transition to figure and will be strutting her stuff in Columbus this weekend.
Check out her full interview here.
