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J.M Manion caught up with Sonia Gonzales as she heads into the first IFBB Pro Bikini show in New Zealand. Sonia talks about her switch to bikini and her role as the IFBB Pro rep for the new bikini division.
New Zealand Promoter Moe El Moussawi chats about the first IFBB pro bikini show and more with Sonia Gonzales.
This weekend in Columbus, Ohio the fitness industry will be treated to the baddest party of the year. Promoter extraordinaire, Jason Dhir never ceases to amaze with his production and this year looks to be no different. We’re a proud sponsor of this party and look for our HARDBODY banner hanging at the event on Saturday night. There’s also a “Freq’d Friday” Warm-Up Party this Friday Night.
SATURDAY NIGHT March 6th at BoMA…
At 9pm on Saturday night March 6th in Columbus, Ohio; Jason Dhir will open the gates to fitness industries Biggest, Baddest and most Revolutionary After-Party Ever. Since 2004, the Charity After-Bash MEGA-Party has set the standard for After-Parties, bringing in Hollywood celebrities, over the top entertainment and hundreds of pro athletes and models from around the globe. Voted as the Fitness Industries #1 After-Party 6 years in a row in Columbus during the event Weekend, this year’s overboard and underground MEGA-Party promises to be the best bash yet!
To Purchase Tickets In Advance: www.jasondhir.com or click here.
*Please Note that the Charity After-Bash is NOT associated or affiliated with any other parties or events during the Classic Weekend*
There’s only ONE MEGA-PARTY in town… and THIS IS IT!
A participant in this weekend’s Arnold Classic asked me if I had heard of Pete Szpakowski. I hadn’t. Mr. Szpakowski contacted several competitors claiming to be photographing the Arnold Classic for the 20th year. Hmmm. That would mean this gentleman would have photographed every Arnold event but one. Someone who has been around this long is usually known in the industry, not always but usually. Part of the email sent to competitors reads…
Hello and Congratulations on your entry into the 2010 Arnold Schwarzenegger Competitions. This year marks our 20th year of photographing the Arnold Weekend. Many of you are past customers and we are writing to tell you we will once again be at the competition taking pictures. My business was formally named Ideal Photography but I changed it last year just after the Arnold weekend because I opened my own photography studio and expanded my business. My business continues to grow but my true love is getting out and photographing the Pro’s such as you.
I did some checking and this individual is NOT, I repeat is NOT a credentialed photographer and is not authorized to do the things he is promising in his emails. If you’ve received an email from Mr. Szpakowski I’d suggest ignoring it and do not send this individual any money.
A few new terms popped up in the top search terms last month. Below are the top 10 terms people used to find this site.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 27, 2010. The NPC Max Muscle Vancouver USA Natural 2010 Bodybuilding Championships and Tanji Johnson Fitness, Figure and Bikini Classic is a National qualifying event. The show will be held at Skyview High School, 1300 NW 139th St., Vancouver, Washington.
Visit www.northwestbodybuilding.net for more information. This is one of the biggest natural shows and will have over 160 competitors. Fitness competitors definitely look at competing in this show. Tanji is also award a Save Fitness Award where the overall fitness winner will receive $500 reimbursement to NPC Nationals, USAs or Team universe for travel expenses. Sandy Williamson is also slated to judge this event, which is a great opportunity to get feedback before heading to the Nationals level.
McDonald’s isn’t on many top 10 healthy breakfast lists. The Golden Arches are offering oatmeal as a healthy alternative for breakfast but it’s only available in Baltimore and Washington. The oatmeal sells for just under two bucks and you can have apples, raisins and cranberries added. Can’t hate on them for offering a healthy option to their menu. I hope they offer it in all locations as it would at least provide something, somewhat healthy on the menu for those on the go.
Source: abclocal.go.com
We have some dedicated readers out there and we’re stoked to hear about it. Walking on the treadmill can get pretty boring. Check out how NPC figure competitor Lindsey Svetitis passes the time… HARDBODY on the laptop.
Thanks for the pic Lindsey!
ABC will begin airing “Jamie’s Food Revolution” next month. His web site describes it as, “Jamie’s Food Revolution is all about replacing junk, snacks and processed food with freshly cooked nutritious meals – in schools and at home. After three months working in Huntington, WV, Jamie has seen how a little bit of confidence can change people’s lives and their health prospects. He believes that American people have the power to halt the obesity epidemic.” It looks like an interesting show and one to check out on March 26th. Here’s a few sample clips.
The competitive season is just getting started and already I’ve seen a number of sore losers. It’ll be a long year for those who can’t cope with defeat. No one is perfect and we all (at least we should) strive to be our best. Your best may or may not be enough to win on any given day. No matter what the final placings are at the end of the night, it’s important to still show class. How you define class is up to you but don’t throw it out the window over a placing. It’s easy to be the happy, cheery person when you’re winning and everyone is telling you how great you are but the true test of character comes in how you handle defeat.
When you don’t place as well as you had hoped will you carry yourself with the same manner as when you won? It’s understandable to be disappointed and upset but it’s not a free pass to act unprofessional.
Win or Lose… Stay Classy.
The New York Times has a good article on Olympic ice skater Tanith Belbin and her issues with weight. The American skater focused on proper nutrition and lifting weights to improve her on-ice performance.
Belbin began reading books about nutrition and eating lunch at the rink. She learned to eat foods that would best sustain an athlete’s body.
She also began training harder off the ice, lifting weights, doing push-ups and participating in Karponosov’s boot camps, which involve hard-core skating drills to strengthen the legs.
Check it out on The New York Times.
Thanks to my man Jesse Holland over at MMAmania.com for passing along this information. After seeing the press release, I spoke with Joe Doran from Bellator’s PR agency to get a little more info. Joe tells me that video is highly recommended for all entries. They are moving quick on this search and will narrow the field to the select finalists in March, so the sooner you enter the better. If you decide to enter, communicate why you’d be a good fit for Bellator and it (the video) only needs to be a couple minutes long. Maybe you’ll get bonus points for giving HARDBODY a shout-out, err then again maybe not. If you’re not familiar with Bellator Fighting Championships, check out their web site. It could be a great opportunity for you ladies.
Also worth noting… “After receiving application submissions, Bellator will choose finalists who will be flown to Chicago for in-person interviews beginning in March 2010. At the culmination of the interview process, three winners will be chosen along with two alternates. Winners will begin traveling with the Bellator team in April 2010. Compensation will be disclosed to finalists.”
Good luck!
Bellator Fighting Championships announces Bellator Girls spokesmodel search
Three winners will be featured on FOX Sports Net, NBC, and Telemundo
CHICAGO, Ill. (February 16, 2010) – Bellator Fighting Championships, a first-of-its-kind mixed martial arts promotion that will debut its second season this April on FOX Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo, has announced a contest to recruit talented women to serve as the company’s official spokesmodels and round card girls – the Bellator Girls – in 2010.
Selected Bellator Girls will have the opportunity to travel around the country with Bellator Fighting Championships and will appear on the promotion’s nationally televised events, at various appearances for the brand and at various Bellator event related activities. Interested candidates must have excellent communications skills, a vivacious and outgoing personality as well as outstanding camera presence. Appearing at all 22 live events, the Bellator Girls will be given national television and live event exposure on a weekly basis from April to November 2010.
Job responsibilities will include:
- Serving as “round card” girls at Bellator events;
- Appearing at promotional events such as fighter weigh-ins and press events;
- Interaction with sponsors and making appearances at sponsor related events, and
- Professional photo shoots for Bellator promotional materials/videos, products, etc.
How to Apply Online:
1. Visit www.Bellator.com/BellatorGirls
2. Fill out all required information including name, address, and age
3. Attach all required materials or links including photos and resume
4. Attach or add link to video submission
5. Read the terms and conditions and check, “I Agree to these terms”
6. Press the Submit button
How to Apply Via Mail:
1. Send all required materials including name, address, age, photos, resume and video to the following address:
Bellator Fighting Championships: Bellator Girl Search
445 N Wells St.
Suite 401
Chicago, IL 60654
Additional requirements:
- All applicants must be at least 18 years old;
- All applicants must be able to travel three days a week between the months of April and November 2010;
- All applicants must be legal residents of the United States;
- In their application video, applicants should provide a specific answer to the question of why they would be the best choice to become a Bellator Girl;
- Pictures and videos must showcase physical and verbal talents; and
- All applicants must be willing to submit to background checks and drug testing.
After receiving application submissions, Bellator will choose finalists who will be flown to Chicago for in-person interviews beginning in March 2010. At the culmination of the interview process, three winners will be chosen along with two alternates.
Winners will begin traveling with the Bellator team in April 2010. Compensation will be disclosed to finalists.
For more information, visit www.Bellator.com.
About Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships is a Mixed Martial Arts promotional company with offices in Los Angeles and Chicago. Bellator’s team is comprised of experienced fighting sports and entertainment professionals with a deep commitment to the purity and integrity of the sport of MMA and its athletes. Bellator Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of top industry professionals in the areas of live event production, television production, fighter relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.
Props to NPC Figure competitor Carlene Steenekamp for getting some exposure in Knox News. Many women will use having a child as an excuse not to workout but Carlene isn’t one of them. Instead, she started her own business (Mommy’s Body) and it sounds like it’s doing quite well. This is a great example of not just talking about how you’re unique but doing something about it. Best of luck Carlene!
Read the full article here.
Thanks to Jessica Paxson Putnam for bringing it to my attention via facebook.
I haven’t used this little device but NPC Bikini competitor Kristal Martin swears the Egg Genie is genius. Kristal is currently preparing for the Arnold amateur bikini contest and shared, “seriously – every competitor should have it! You put 7 eggs in there – plug it in and when they are done it buzzes.”
Anyone else have an Egg Genie? It’s only $20 on Amazon and seems like it might be worth checking out.
Pro Fitness has been talked about more in the last week than the past few months combined. It shows there’s a passion for fitness out there and if everyone works together there can be a revitalization of the division. Any IFBB Fitness Pros that are interested in helping the cause have an open invite from the NPC NEWS to contribute. Here’s a post by J.M. Manion via SiouxCountry regarding the topic.
I also want to throw this out to any & all IFBB Pro Fitness competitors – anybody that wants to contribute an article(s) to the NPC News about NPC and/or IFBB Fitness, please let me know. The door is open. And remember to keep it positive. This is to help promote the sport & bring it back to its former glory.
__________________
J.M. Manion
Chief Photographer/Journalist NPC News
Props to IFBB Figure Pro Karen Mullarkey for getting herself some exposure in the Arizona market. She challenges one of the CBS morning show hosts to a push-up contest as well as educates the viewers with a few fitness tips. I can’t say that I’ve seen the dips done on/with another human…interesting.
A good example of how to market and promote yourself in your area.
There’s a good discussion taking place on the forum, Siouxcountry.com. Props to J.M. Manion for starting the dialogue regarding this topic. The Phoenix Pro show is one week away and there’s only one fitness pro who has sent in her contract to compete. The deadline is Monday and I hope more people are planning on competing in this event. I understand that it’s not always easy to do a show and many competitors need a rest. When every fitness pro has that reason or something similar to not do a show, guess what? You’re going to see fewer IFBB fitness shows. The fitness division is my favorite to watch and photograph, I’d love to see more fitness routines and not less.
Last year the IFBB Pro League removed the 45-second routine and the one-piece suit round for pro fitness. That was one of the reasons competitors gave for not doing more shows… the expense of two routines and two suits. Clearly, at this point it appears those were excuses.
It’s annoying when I hear competitors complain yet they don’t take steps to help themselves. How do you expect the media to promote you and a show when you don’t send in your contract until the last minute? Who knows maybe there will be 15 fitness pros competing next weekend but sadly few will know much about it. I understand the rationale some give… I don’t want to send my contract in if I’m not totally sure I’m doing the show. Ok, gotcha but turns out you don’t just whip together a routine in a week and you’ve probably been dieting for several, or at least I’d hope you would.
Come on IFBB Fitness Pros… get in the game before the game is gone.
**Note as of 02/12/10 there are four competitors in the pro fitness division
1 Grishina, Oksana
2 Johnson, Tanji
3 Marquez, Nita
4 Rodriguez, Camala
Awe it’s one “big hug you can wear” and it’s made from “marshmallow soft fleece”…The Hoodie-Footie.
The Hoodie-Footie reminds me of Ralphie’s gift from his aunt in The Christmas Story.
Thanks to IFBB Pro Teresa Anthony for sending the link to the Hoodie-Footie.
I get asked on a weekly basis if I know any companies looking to sponsor models/competitors. Truth is, yes I do. A number of supplement companies approach me asking for my advice and input on competitors and models in the industry. Every company is looking for something a little different. Who I recommend varies on a number of things but usually I can assure you they have more to offer than a pretty face or rock’n hardbody.
The Arnold Expo is around the corner and more than 30 women have contacted me looking for booth work. Some of you might be great competitors but that doesn’t make you a great booth worker. Others of you may never crack the top ten in a competition but I’d recommend you to a company. Why? The reasons vary but it starts with defining what makes you more than a pretty face or woman with a hardbody. Lost as to where to start? Here’s a few things to consider.
First let me give you a brief background on myself so you know where I am coming from. Over the years, I have built relationships with supplement companies, magazines and industry decision makers to know a little bit about what they are looking for. I worked for one of the biggest ad agency groups in the world at the beginning of my career. I also headed up an interactive department for a small design firm before starting my own business 8 years ago. I’ve worked with multi-million dollar accounts to non-profits with no money. The size of an account doesn’t matter.
Every brand (in this case yourself) starts with asking relevant questions and having a strategy before you begin. Apply this line of thinking if you want to start to make money and be relevant in the fitness industry.
Ask yourself…
• What makes you different from other models/competitors?
• Do you have something unique to offer a company or magazine?
• You work out, compete or model and have a great physique. Ok. Now what? Thousands of men and women do but that doesn’t entitle you to anything. Why are you relevant?
• You want to work a booth… Ok. Why should I hire you?
Branding and marketing yourself is a HUGE topic but don’t be overwhelmed. Start simple… before looking for work in the industry consider the questions I mentioned above and have a clear answer for them. Develop a strategy and plan to make yourself more than just another pretty face or hardbody.
Ladies, Team TighCurves is looking for you. They passed along the following information and if you’re interested visit www.teamtightcurves.com.
- Have an opportunity to publish articles and tips, and also be featured in our new magazine called Look and Feel.
- Learn and share ideas and thoughts with hundreds of fitness professionals from all walks of life.
- Have a place to share your pictures and accomplishments on line.
- Receive great discounts on all sorts of fitness related products from supplements to cosmetics to clothing.
- Be part of an organization that has a mission of bringing awareness to the issue of childhood obesity.
- Best of all, no cost to join!
This morning Michelle Obama went on Good Morning America and spoke about a new initiative regarding childhood obesity. This morning President Oboma will create the first-ever federal task force on childhood obesity. Good Morning America has the full story that mentions, “President Obama also plans to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, the first lady said, and is proposing a $10 billion budget increase — $1 billion a year for 10 years — to help provide nutritious school lunches to those who qualify.”
The First Lady Michelle Obama’s interview with Robin Roberts:
Childhood obesity or excess weight threatens the healthy future of one third of American children. We spend $150 billion every year to treat obesity-related conditions, and that number is growing. Obesity rates tripled in the past 30 years, a trend that means, for the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents.
We need to get moving. Join First Lady Michelle Obama, community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity. Let’s Move! has an ambitious but important goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation.
Gia Allemand was one of the first winners of the NPC Bikini division. She won the short class last year at the Arnold Classic but lost the overall to former UFC Octagon girl Ali Sonoma. One year later, Gia is in the national spotlight as one of the women on the popular ABC show, THE BACHELOR. Tonight’s show was full of drama and in the end, Gia made it one step closer to winning Jake’s (the bachelor) heart. She’s in the final three… will she make it all the way to the end?
Here’s a look at Gia one year ago at the Arnold Amateur Bikini event.
This is funny. Check out this site where “the modern day Romeo” Mehow tells guys how to talk to Women. “Do you have trouble flirting? Do you always seem to strike out at bars, at night clubs.. in the dating scene?” HAHA! Classic video.
Super Bowl 44 is in the books with the New Orleans Saints beating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. The Super Bowl is the one television event where most people look forward to the advertisements as much as they programming itself.
Overall I thought the ads were lackluster and nothing stood out as being memorable. Budweiser dominated with the most spots during the big game but most didn’t live up to previous years’ creative. Here are ads that caught my attention for various reasons…
Doritos “Tim”
Doritos “House Rules”
Denny’s “Screaming Chickens”
This screaming chicken spot reminds me of the Budweiser Wassup commercial but hey everyone can go to their nearest Denny’s on Tuesday for a FREE Grand Slam breakfast. I find perplexed, screaming chickens amusing for some reason. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been eating chicken every day for the last few weeks.
Careerbuilder.com “Casual Fridays”
Snickers “Game”
Did you have a favorite commercial from this year’s Super Bowl?
Those of you who are iPhone users might love this. Check out Siri, the free iPhone app available at the Apple App Store.
Product
You’re busy. Between meetings, social events, and hopefully a workout or two, your schedule’s packed. Don’t you wish you could hand off simple tasks so you could have more time to play? That’s why we built Siri. Because we believe everyone could use an assistant. Because we believe there’s a simpler way to get things done. Just like a real assistant, Siri understands what you say, accomplishes tasks for you and adapts to your preferences over time.
Siri – The Personal Assistant in your Phone from Tom Gruber on Vimeo.
Thanks for visiting hardbody.com! Our traffic continues to increase every month and we had a record number of visitors. Check out the top ten search terms for January.
1. Gia Allemand
2. Katie Bopp
3. Missy Coles
4. Monique Minton
5. Kim Lyons
6. Felicia Day
7. Ab Circle Pro Girl
8. Amanda Latona
9. Jamie Ford
10. Amber Steel
This weekend the Indianapolis Colts will take on the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl. The biggest Colts’ fan in the fitness industry has to go to the 2008 Ms. Figure Olympia, Jenn Gates. Doubt her love for her hometown team? Jenn’s son Peyton is named after the Colts’ quarterback, Peyton Manning. When it comes to the Saints, try to find a bigger fan than trainer Kim Oddo. Kimbo can be seen rock’n a Saints Jersey at shows and his team will finally get their chance on the big stage this Sunday.
Many people tend to watch the Super Bowl for the ads. It’s the one time a year more people watch ads on purpose.
It’s no secret that eggs and particularly egg whites are a source of high protein and used by many competitors. Some of you probably already ate egg whites today while others can’t stand them.
If you are someone who does eat eggs/egg whites, check out www.incredibleegg.org for a variety of recipes and health facts on eggs. It’s a great site devoted to the egg. This is one of the commercials running for the web site…
Nichole Guenther is one of the top NPC National level Figure competitors in the biz today. When she’s not quarter-turning it out on stage, you might catch her working at the MuscleMilk booth. This time she’s been spotted on HGTV’s House Hunter’s International. The episode shows three Fiji homes for the Arizona fitness couple to choose from. Nichole tells me, “The people in Fiji are awesome and it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life.” Check out the episode here.
NPC Figure Competitor Nichole Guenther in Fiji.
A number of people use the Sony Reader, Amazon’s Kindle or Barnes & Noble’s Nook to read books electronically. They are a pretty cool way to purchase and read books. Today Apple announced it’s own version plus a little more with the iPad. The iPad goes a few steps further than the other readers though. I won’t bore you with all the geek speak but for those of you who are interested in these types of gadgets check out the iPad.
The iPad can and I suspect will change the way photographers interact with prospective and current clients. They will not only have the ability to show their portfolios but can also display shoots. Look for magazines and newspapers to utilize this gadget as well. They will have the ability to display interactive ads and content.
Sure it isn’t perfect and some people are complaining about things it is missing. I don’t view it as a replacement to the laptop. I view it as a shift in the way people can and will interact with media.
I was doing my morning cardio and caught Martha Stewart on the TODAY show. The woman usually bores me to death but this morning she was discussing the varieties of rice. It was fairly interesting to hear about the various types of rice and suggested uses. The disturbing part came when TODAY show host, Meridith tells Martha she likes to be entertained when she eats. When a pole is brought in Martha says, “I’ll gyrate right here.”
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Sorry Martha but you gyrating on a pole is not an appetizing visual.
Martha and Meridith heat’n it up in the TODAY show kitchen.
