Hardbody – Female Sports, Health and Fitness

The CU’ Independent, an online student newspaper in Boulder, Colorado, is taking a creative approach to fund-raising. The Colorado University newspaper enlisted the help of local ad agency TDA Advertising & Design to create anti-prejudice t-shirts. The t-shirts are sold for $15 each on campus and at local retailers.

Simple but effective.

IFBB Pro Raechelle Chase was recently featured on a Kiwi news station and the focus was about her diet. The news station spends 5 minutes on her diet, which doesn’t happen often. It’s an interesting approach and we’ll see how it goes for her next competition in the States. Check out the video here.

IFBB Pro – Raechelle Chase.

Earlier in the year, The Bachelor winner Vienna Giradi had tweeted she was considering doing a NPC bikini competition. When I asked via twitter if she was still planning to do a show, surprisingly the reality star responded.

We’ll have to wait until 2011 to see if Vienna accomplishes her goal. In the mean time you can follow her on twitter.com/ViennaGirardi and see kinda drama is being stirred up between her and The Bachelor Jake.

Check out the new women’s spot from Under Armour. THIS is bad ass and empowering to women.

Under Armour announced their new women’s “Protect This House. I Will.” campaign today. They are creating a multi-channel campaign and a new Facebook page aimed at their female consumers.

Check out the new Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/UnderArmourWomen. I’ve created a TEAM HARDBODY section on the site. You can check it out here.

See more Under Armour spots on their YouTube channel, youtube.com/underarmour.

The New York Times has an interesting story on the new launch. This stood out to me…

“Women said they did not want to be treated separately. They said, ‘We want to see ourselves up against men.’ ” Such women, he said, “don’t look at themselves as a female athlete but as an athlete.”

Many of you know her as the 2009 Figure International Champ but others will soon know her as a WWE Diva, if she makes the cut. Ziville Raudoniene is one the divas featured on season three of WWE NXT. The next season will feature three new Rookie Divas. Aksana is paired with GOLDUST who is mildly disturbing especially when you see the video. Check out the intro video here.

Aksana and Goldust in WWE NXT.

You can stay updated with Aksana via a fan page at http://aksanaavenue.blogspot.com or on twitter @AksanaWWE.

August is National Breastfeeding Month and TheBump.com has put together a PSA to celebrate breastfeeding. The video shows celebrities taking a playful, humorous approach to the topic.

David Barton is known to mix things up a bit when it comes to his gym, appropriately named David Barton Gym. If you’re not familiar with some of the marketing, check out these ads from the last couple years. The gym is in the news again but this time for their partnership with a Vodka company. The gym is now serving cocktails after their classes. Barton told The New York Times, “I want people to find the gym not just a place to work out, but a good hang as well.”

Seems a bit hypocritical, right? I mean you’re going to the gym to be healthier (most people’s agenda any way) so serving up alcohol defeats the point. Barton addresses that with, “It’s better to work out and drink than to not work out and drink,” he said. “Our members have intense lives, and some people party and that’s all the more need to work out. I’m not pushing alcohol, but I’m not a prohibitionist.”

You can read the entire article here.

The egg recall has grown over the last few days and it is spreading to more states. Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg addresses consumer safety concerns on ABC’s Good Morning America. Are eggs still safe? Yes, just make sure you cook your eggs thoroughly.

For complete details on the recall visit: www.fda.gov.

Check out my review of the 2010 Europa Super Show. I break down each division and give my two cents on the competition. Each of the winners tasted victory for the first time, which is pretty cool and something you rarely see on the pro stage. Congrats to all the competitors.

Check it out.

PGN Nutrition & Bodybuilding.com Present: The 2010 Phitness Retreat Competition.

PGN and Bodybuilding.com team up to offer you a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to train with 2x Ms. Fitness International and 2x Ms. Olympia Jen Hendershott!

The grand prize winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to Burlington, NC to take part in Jen’s world-renown Phitness Retreat including registration fee, airfare, and a 2-night hotel stay. Two runners-up will win:

• 1st Place: $1,000 worth of PGN supplements
• 2nd Place: $500 worth of PGN supplements

– Click here for more information and entry form.

Steve Slater is becoming a bit of a hero for losing his cool on an JetBlue flight. Reports are that he exchanged words with a passenger who his home on the head with a piece of luggage on Monday. He then used the plane’s intercom to curse the passenger out and essentially turn in his resignation. Steve didn’t stop there. He exited the plane via the emergency exit shute but not before grabbing a beer.

I fly every weekend and can certainly appreciate the flight attendant’s frustration. There are some rude ass people on planes with no regard to those around them. The funniest part about this story is him grabbing a beer before exiting. I guess he needed one for the road.

Slater has been criminally charged but has become the poster boy for stressed out, overworked people. It seems many people can relate to Slater and wish they could do something similar at times.

I love this video clip where his mom says he had a meltdown. Gotta love when internet lingo reaches all ages.

What do you think… Should be be applauded for his actions?

- Read more on the story here.

This Sunday, Muscle & Fitness Hers will be holding a Superstar Camp. There was an overwhelming response when the camp was announced and enrollment has since been closed. I’ve received a few emails asking for details about the event. Ask and you shall receive ladies. Here’s the skinny on the event and remember you must already be registered for the event.

What: Muscle & Fitness Hers Superstar Camp

When: August 1, 2010

Where: Flamingo Gold’s Gym, Las Vegas
3750 East Flamingo RoadLas Vegas, NV 89121
(702) 451-4222
MAP LINK

Time: 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m.

What to Bring: Water and snacks. The camp is providing the training and nutrition information.

What to wear: Dress to train and workout.

Who will be there:
• Weider Group Senior Science Editor Jim Stoppani
• IFBB/NPC judges Steve Weinberger and Lee Thompson
• Trainer Kim Oddo
• Figure Olympia Nicole Wilkins Lee
• Fitness Olympia Adela Garcia
• IFBB Figure Pro Heather Mae French
• IFBB Bikini Pro Amanda Latona
• IFBB Figure Pro Stacey Oster-Thompson

What to expect:
There will be 6 stations – 3 training (upper body, Lower body, plyometrics)
1 nutrition/supplementation
1 posing/presentation
1 beauty/prep.

Cost: Free!

This will be a great event. Follow Muscle and Fitness Hers on twitter and you might get a glimpse of what’s happening in Vegas.

Current Muscle & Fitness HERS cover girl Kathleen Tesori is one week out from her return to the stage. She shares a number of things and can you believe she’s already packed for her trip? True story. I fly out to Vegas in a few hours and I haven’t packed. HA!

Hunger
Bottom line… for most of us competitors we are going to feel hungry!!! We are only hungry because our metabolism is in over drive and we are working so hard yet eating portions of someone who does not work out at all. I get so hungry sometimes I will drive myself crazy sitting around thinking how hungry I am.

I have found I do not think about food or do not feel hungry when I am busy and not sitting. So, to fight the hunger pains and thoughts of food I run errands, go shopping, clean and complete projects around the house (organize filing cabinet, clean out garage…)

Hunger and Favorite Foods
In addition to staying busy I also found the following to be helpful during the last few weeks of prep:

1. Homemade iced tea – no need to add Splenda when tea, coffee and water are your only choices.

2. Making the most out of what you can eat – some of my favorite combos include:
-  Diced chicken, fresh squeezed lemon juice, sea salt, apple cider vinegar with chopped green beans, cabbage or asparagus.
- Diced chicken or tilapia with soy sauce mixed with either chopped green beans, cabbage or asparagus

These two meals taste sooooo yummy and really help me get through the last few weeks. Do any of you have combos you enjoy?

Family Support
Family support is an important and for me a needed element to competition prep especially during the last few weeks before a show.

I returned home from a week long vacation. Every day during my vacation I would break away from the family to complete my workouts. Having family support made it easier and less awkward for me. At first they thought it was a little weird for me to be on “VACATION” yet still have to hit the gym every day.

The following explanations helped my family understand what was going on:
1. I enjoy working out so for me being able to work out on my time during vacation is a vacation and not a job.
2. My body is like a billboard and represents all the individuals helping/sponsoring me for the show.
3. At the moment I skip a beat there is another competitor working hard.
4. Getting on stage knowing I did everything I could to be the best makes it easy to be confident on stage.

It was so nice to be on my own schedule during vacation. I was able to get 7 to 11 hours of sleep a night. Prepping is a little bit of work but I think the benefits of being off work and with the family outweigh the prep time.

Jacksonville
I am packed and already started my cooking for the Jacksonville show. I cooked, measured and froze a bunch of chicken. I will cook and freeze my steak this weekend and cook my eggs, tilapia and prep veggies the night before leaving. Starting your packing and prepping early will be to your benefit for so many reasons~!

I am feeling so good! I am full of energy and everyone keeps complimenting me on how my skin looks so fresh and bright. I really want to make it to the Olympia and am excited/ready to showcase my physique.

Those of you in the Utah area stop by Max Muscle in Layton and meet Kathleen Tesori. Their customer appreciation day is this Saturday from 10am-5pm.

Bodybuilding.com tackles questions many women want answered. Will weight training make you bulky? Will carbs make you gain fat? What about 3 square meals a day? Discover the answers to the top 5 questions women need answered to start a fat loss program off right!

1. Will Weight Training Make Me Look Bulky?
2. Won’t Carbs Make Me Fat?
3. Do I Have To Stop Eating At A Certain Time In The Evening?
4. What Exercises Must I Do To Get Rid Of This Certain Spot?
5. What Should I Have For Breakfast Lunch And Dinner?

– Find the answers to these questions here.

Most of you are familiar with IFBB Figure Pro, Erin Stern as she’s launched to the top of the figure ranks in a relatively short pro career. You may not be familiar with her little sister, Jessica “Dewy” Stern. As you can see from this video, the genetics in the Stern family are pretty amazing. It’s kinda frightening how much Jessica looks and sounds like her big sis.

Jessica is a high school pole vaulting coach in Florida currently featured on Floridatoday.com.

Might we see her on a figure or bikini stage sometime soon? From the looks of the video she’s certainly in shape to do so.

Check this out Hardbody peeps! You could win your choice of a $50 gift certificate from i-Tunes or a $50 Visa Giftcard. How? Simple. All you have to do is snap a creative photo of the newest Muscle & Fitness Hers issue, featuring Kathleen Tesori and then post it to her Facebook Fan page. The person with the most creative photo featuring Kathleen’s issue will take home the fiddy dollar prize. The contest runs until July 31st so you have time to get yours submitted

Here’s a couple photos from the cover girl to get your creative ideas flowing.

Kat with Kat n Kat in the frozen food section.

The Kats visit the crableg section.

Kat having some fun on the playground.

Note: This contest is via KathleenTesori.com and is intended for fun.

Bodybuilding.com has put together a military challenge.

The “Military Challenge” was designed to find the best of the best from the U.S. Military. This includes not only the ability to get in to great shape, but also the ability to show leadership in motivating their fellow soldiers.

The “Military Challenge” seeks to find the best combination of both these traits in identifying the “Bodybuilding.com Military Spokesperson” of the Year. The Top Male, Female and Best Overall Unit will be chosen.

Entry forms need to be submitted no later than 11:59 pm EST on August 1, 2010. The contest ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 10, 2010.

Complete details and information available here.

Loyal Hardbody.com readers have noticed I took some much needed time away from the industry and the computer. I took the holiday weekend to enjoy my birthday and some time with good friends at the UFC event. It was a reminder that taking time for yourself and away from the hustle and bustle of the industry is good. It helps you escape from everything and come back renewed.

Hang on because it’s going to be a crazy ride with shows going non-stop for the next 8 weeks.

I ran across this video last night and while it’s a little goofy there’s definitely some merit to what it’s showing. The Pump Energy Foodis a restaurant based out of New York that prides itself on fresh, healthy food. Their site says, “The Pump prepares fresh, nutritious food that tastes really f’ing good. We make all our food on premise. We bake our own chips, prepare our own sauces, we even cook our turkey for 12 hours. So we thought, why not make a video?” Check it out.

Any New York Hardbodies try this place out?

While I am happy to see that the state I call home (Colorado) is the “least obese” it disturbs me to see the percentages of obesity in America. A report, published yesterday, from the Trust for America’s Healthy (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) claims, “Adult obesity rates increased in 28 states in the past year, and declined only in the District of Columbia (D.C.), according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America‘s Future 2010″. The report goes on to say, “more than two-thirds of states (38) have adult obesity rates above 25 percent. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent.”

So what’s up with Americans and their weight? Eating habits, processed foods, lack of exercise? Take your pick but it’s likely a combination of all three.

Most Americans (80 percent) recognize childhood obesity as a problem but many parents see their kids as healthy. Are parents to blame? ABC’s Nightline addressed the issue last night.

- Read the report here and see how your state measures up.

The web site acleanerfuture.org has a mission states, “A Cleaner Future aims to provoke, inspire, and provide information about alternative and renewable energy sources. We’re not experts on what should be done, we’re just concerned citizens that want there to be an earth for our children and many future generations to come.”

They’ve created a pretty powerful way to convey their message. Click here to see what Hardbody.com would look like with an oil spill.

Visit acleanerfuture.org for more information on how you can help leave the next generation a little cleaner.

Props to TheDenverEgotist.com for the link.

IFBB Figure Pro Raechelle Chase recently appeared on TVNZ, one New Zealand’s leading television companies, to discuss figure competitions. The mother of three looked great on the show and did a good job dispelling a few misconceptions from the rather clueless interviewer. The interview starts out with the host saying, “Now many of us confuse figure competitors with over muscly scary looking bodybuilders but it seems they aren’t that quite different.” This is a perfect example of how the “mainstream media” views the competitive fitness industry. Two points that stood out to me were 1)that diet is the most important part of how she looks and 2)competing is not lucrative but she does it because she loves it.  Check out the interview here.

Raechelle Chase on  a New Zealand Morning show.

Getting your name out there, gaining attention and marketing yourself is a smart idea. An easy way to do that is through the Internet and outlets like Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and/or your own blog. Nothing earth shattering or new there, right? Right.

When you do it on your own, you have control over what you publish. Many times fans will post videos or talk about competitors and how they look or what’s happening with them. This happens often and out of your control. It doesn’t mean you agree with what’s being said or how it’s presented. Other times there are people who like to speak on a competitor’s behalf, and when this happens they act as the messenger on behalf of the competitor.

This happened recently to a fitness competitor who was preparing for the NPC Jr. Nationals. Going into the show it seemed like a great idea. There were Youtube videos going up, posts on message boards and a bit of buzz. A gentleman posted on a message board stating, “I am officially her ‘manager’.” He goes on to say the competitor doesn’t need his assistance when it comes to her diet and training. He goes on to say, “ I am confident that she will be able to take home a pro card in 3 weeks!”

Awesome, right? Meh, not so much when you see the comments AFTER the show by this woman’s “manager”. One message board had the delusional fella saying the woman, “had all of these girls smoked in the physique round and her routine was top 2. Talk about politics…. WTF is the NPC trying to do?” He goes on to make an ass of himself by comparing this amateur fitness competitor’s physique to that of Adela Garcia, the 4x Fitness Olympia Champion and 3x Fitness International Champion.

Needless to say this competitor didn’t crack the top five at last weekend’s event. Did it have anything to do with “politics”? No. It is the most annoying thing I hear people say. You win by the same politics you lose by. Show some humility and bite your tongue with the “politics card”. If you’re going to have a manager do the talking for you make sure you know what you’re getting into. When they speak on your behalf you will sink or swim by their words and actions.

Last weekend in Charleston, South Carolina a former NPC bodybuilder David Griffin tested himself as an MMA Fighter. David, husband to IFBB Figure Pro Melissa Griff, went three rounds with former UFC bad ass Houston Alexander at the Clash of the Coliseum. Working the fight as ring girls were (from left to right) Cheryl Foster – NPC Bikini, Nikki Larson, Brittany Bowser -NPC Bikini, Kierstin Flores – NPC Bikini, Tessa Wood – IFBB Figure and Ashley King – NPC Figure.

Clash of the Coliseum Rings Girls.
Thanks to Shannon Meteraud for the photo assist.

Ashley will be in Chicago this weekend for the NPC Jr Nationals. The other Bikini girls will be making their national debuts at the NPC JR USA later this summer. National Debuts at Jr USAs. Look’n good ladies!

This weekend the NPC JR Nationals will take place in Chicago with over 270 women slated to compete. I’ll be there covering the action for Bodybuilding.com, NPC NEWS and Hardbody.com. Some of you will be in attendance and others will be checking in from outside the event.

One of the easiest ways to communicate and stay tapped into the event is via Twitter. Many people still don’t understand the power of twitter and that’s fine. That’s a conversation for another time. Those of you who could care less about it can stop reading now. If you’re interested in how twitter can help you follow an event like the Jr. Nationals, keep reading.

If you use twitter or looking to start, one of the easiest ways to help organize and share your information is by “tagging” your tweets. You can do that by adding a “hashtag”. Hashtags make it easier to follow a topic.

So how do you create a hashtag? Simple. You do so by adding # in front of a keyword as you write your twitter update. For example, the hashtag (#jrnat) will be used to organize all tweets related to the NPC Jr Nationals event.

Examples on how to implement the hashtag…
• I’m packing for Chicago and ready to rock the #jrnat stage this weekend.
• I’m backstage waiting for to take the stage in my first National show. Excited! #jrnat
• #jrnat here I come. Watch out bitches I’m in it to win it.

You don’t have to have a twitter account or even understand twitter to get some value out hashtags. If you’re interested in a specific topic visit hashtags.org and type in the keyword you’re looking to follow. Those of you tweeting this weekend can help others follow what’s happening in your world by adding (#jrnat) to your tweets.

Visit http://hashtags.org/jrnat to see who is joining the Jr Nationals’ conversation. You can add multiple hashtags (#) to your tweets but typically you don’t want more than two or three. One of my favorite hashtags to use is the (#FAIL) tag.

Example:
Chill’n at #jrnat & Joe from HD Physiques won’t shut up about his phone. #fail

Coffee it’s the first thing many people have in the morning. According to the National Coffee Association, 56% of American adults consume coffee on a regular basis. Is it bad for you? Not necessarily according to Donald Hensrud, associat professor of Preventative Medicine and Nutrition at the Mayo Clinic. Hensrud recently shared with USA TODAY, “”Coffee contains over 2,000 different chemical components, including cancer-fighting anti-oxidants.”

One challenge to avoid is filling your cup of java up with cream and sugar. Those venti double mumbo jumbino la la drinks at Starbucks can pack on the calories if you don’t watch it. Read some of the benefits and downfalls of coffee on USATODAY.com.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or on a remote island you’ve likely heard something about “The World Cup” whether you like it or not but what the heck is it?

The World Cup refers to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport’s global governing body. American Football is different than how the rest of the world refers to football. Football to the rest of the world is soccer. The World Cup is the most wildly viewed sporting event in the world (an estimated 715.1 million people watched the final match in 2006) and is held every four years.

Wikipedia describes the format:
The current format of the tournament involves 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation(s) over a period of about a month – this phase is often called the World Cup Finals. A qualification phase, which currently takes place over the preceding three years, is used to determine which teams qualify for the tournament together with the host nation(s).

I’ve never gotten into it and find it annoying that ESPN and other media outlets are jamming their coverage down our throats. I can appreciate the history and the fact that it brings about global competition but I’d rather watch the Olympics.

Nike isn’t the official sponsor of the World Cup but it is getting the most buzz with the commercial shown below. The video has been over 14 million times on Youtube.

The NPC/IFBB competitive season is about to heat up. A number of regional NPC shows have taken place across the country and a we’ve seen a few promising new stars in the IFBB ranks. Next weekend the NPC JR. Nationals will kick off the national level competition and a few women will move on to the pro ranks. Along with this show brings out hordes of “photographers”. Some of them are good and others are nothing more than men (and sometimes women) with cameras. Many of these “photographers” will pay women to shoot and it may seem tempting but think twice before doing so. I can’t count the number of times women have told me they thought it was a good idea at the time but then years later look back and wish they hadn’t.

The Jr. Nationals is often a breeding ground for these types of characters who call themselves photographers and/or videographers. You will see them lurking around the hotel escalators or outside the competitor’s meeting waiting to strike. If you’re not familiar with someone’s work and their web site, DON’T SHOOT. While a couple hundred bucks may seem like a great idea when you’re trying to pay for competition costs, think about the long term. If you’re cool with being part of a member’s only site that typically caters to those with muscle fetishes then cool. I don’t care what you do and that’s your choice. Remember, it’s YOUR choice to shoot with someone. No one is holding a gun to your head and don’t be afraid to say no. Yes, it’s flattering to have someone wanting to take your photo but don’t let your ego get in the way. The photos and video last forever in this digital age.

Typically, not always, the best photographers are not going to be paying you to shoot at a show. More often than not it’s the other way around. If you want quality portfolio images from a professional photographer you’ll likely pay them to shoot you. Again, I’m NOT saying ALL photographers who pay you to shoot are bad. There are a handful who are good and they’ll compensate you for your time/images but remember they will likely end up on a member’s only site. There are guys who pose as photographers but are nothing more than fans of female muscle. These are the “creepers” and the ones to stay away from. There’s a difference between a fan and a creeper photographer. Those of you attending the show in Chicago next weekend will see them lurking around. Trust your gut.

There’s also a character who likes to have women book his shoots. She’ll approach you in an unassuming, friendly manner and ask your schedule/availability and then tell you she’d like to book a shoot with you. Only it’s not with her but with her photographer boss. I refer to this as the Taco Bell / Little Taco scenario. When you’re hungry and had a few drinks a drive through Taco Bell seems like a great idea. Those little tacos are awesome and taste great or so you had yourself to believe. Until the next day when you come to your senses and have a gut ache wondering why you did it.

Shooting when in your best shape is a good idea but don’t wake up and wish you hadn’t.

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that Amanda Jo Earhart Savells’ family has filed a federal lawsuit. Their lawsuit is aimed at the people who supplied Dave Jacobs, Amanda’s one time boyfriend and eventual murder, with steroids. The Earhart’s feel “roid rage” was to blame in the death of their daughter. Authorities determined that Jacobs had killed her and then turned the gun on himself. Dave Jacobs was connected to one of the biggest steroid busts in U.S. history. He had been cooperating with federal authorities and given probation in exchange for assistance in the case.

The article says, “Kathy and Gary Earhart of Plano filed a federal suit in Marshall, Texas, on June 4 against Lei Jin, whom the petition describes as a Chinese citizen in Shanghai with a residence in Wisconsin, and GeneScience Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., also in Shanghai.”

The lawsuit also lists fifty “John Doe” corporations and businesses as alleged co-conspirators. The Morning News goes on to quote Amanda’s father (Gary Earhart) saying, “I used to run fitness centers. I’ve seen guys go crazy” on steroids. “The worst thing about steroids is that they work. They also work on you mentally.”

I can’t even imagine what if feels like to be in the Earhart’s shoes. No one should have to experience the death of their child much less the way they did. That said, I don’t see how they will prevail in this lawsuit. The problem, in my opinion, is not the substance but the person taking them. Dave Jacobs was a man who had issues and the one to blame, not the people who may have manufactured a steroid he may have taken. He’s certainly not the first and won’t be the last person to take steroids. You don’t read headlines about them killing someone and then themselves.

Check out this monster steak billboard for Bloom grocery stores. The billboard not only looks mouth watering (probably not to those of you who are anti-meat people) but also smells like a juicy steak. The North Carolina billboard is getting all kinds of buzz not from how it looks but how it smells. The billboard emits a scent of charcoal and black pepper every day to promote the store’s new line of beef. It’s a creative idea that is catching more than Carolina driver’s attention. Brilliant.

The folks at Gizmodo.com aren’t fans.