There’s one week left to crown the first finalists in the Flex Bikini Model Search. Over 125 women entered the first round and you help decide the finalists. FLEXonline.com shared a sneak peek at the current top 10 vote-getters.

Voting for round one ends on June 15, 2011. The top ten women with the most votes will be presented to an expert panel of judges and from there two women will be awarded…

- $250 USD
- $100 gift voucher from Whish Body Products
- Free swimwear from Chyna Dolls Bikinis
- A profile in FLEX Magazine and flexonline.com
- A photo shoot with FLEX Magazine

Didn’t enter but want to? Not to worry, you still have time. The next deadline is June 21 for the July contest and then July 21 is the final deadline. The six women who win the online contest will be automatically qualified for the final round of the 2011 FLEX Bikini Model Search, held on September 16 and 17 during the Olympia Weekend. The overall winner will an opportunity to be featured in FLEX magazine and an exclusive contract with WEIDER Publications. Past winners have been Amanda Latona, Kathleen Tesori and Alex Zerega.

Cast your vote for round one here and enter round two here.

Three years ago I posted this video of top IFBB Figure Pro and fitness model Amanda Savell after learning about her tragic murder. It was on June 5, 2008 that we lost one of the kindest, most beautiful women in the fitness industry. She may be gone but will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Amanda.

The story that ran in the NY TIMES three years ago.

Steroids Dealer and Girlfriend Found Dead at Home
By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT
Published: June 6, 2008

A convicted steroids dealer who provided documentary evidence and testimony to N.F.L. officials last month that tied several players to the use of performance-enhancing drugs was found dead on Thursday morning at his home in Plano, Texas, the police said.

Jacobs last month in the kitchen he used to make steroids in.

David Jacobs, who was convicted on federal steroid distribution charges last year, began cooperating with N.F.L. officials shortly after he was sentenced to probation in May.

His girlfriend, Amanda Jo Earhart-Savell, 30, was also found dead in the home, the police said.

Early Thursday morning, officers in Plano responded to a caller’s concern about Jacobs. Upon the officers’ arrival at the home, Jacobs and Earhart-Savell were found shot to death.

Jacobs had said he provided two N.F.L. players with steroids and human growth hormone and that they then supplied other N.F.L. players with the banned substances.

The New York Times reported in April that information from the government’s investigation of Jacobs had led federal prosecutors to investigate Matt Lehr, an offensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints, on the suspicion that he distributed performance-enhancing drugs.

Lehr’s lawyer denied that his client ever sold steroids or human growth hormone and said Jacobs fabricated information about Lehr after he refused to pay Jacobs’s legal fees. Jacobs said he never asked Lehr for money.

Telephone and e-mail messages left for Jacobs’s lawyer were not immediately returned Thursday.

The Plano police said the investigation was continuing.

Next weekend thousands of fitness fans will flock to the Qwest Arena in downtown Boise, Idaho for the Bodybuilding.com Fit Expo. This is always a fun event and the best part of it, it’s FREE. This year’s expo will include Powerlifting, BMX and skateboarding, Cross Fit, Bench Press Competition, MMA, and the Fit Body Competition. You will have a chance to meet some of the top fitness personalities, models and get hooked up with supplement samples from a variety of companies. Meet athletes and models and learn about fitness and nutrition from renowned companies within the fitness and nutrition industry.

All you Saved By The Bell fans will get a chance to meet Slater, err Mario Lopez. Also leading the pack of fit celebs is Terry Crews.

Optimum Nutrition Presents The 2011 Bodybuilding.com Fit Expo!

When:
Saturday, June 11, 2011
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Where:
Qwest Arena in Downtown Boise, Idaho, USA

For more information visit Bodybuilding.com.

Jennifer Nicole Lee has become one of the biggest names in the fitness industry. She’s prominently featured in BSN‘s ad campaign and can often be seen at large fitness expos working their booth. At this year’s Arnold Classic Ron Avidan and I caught up with her at the BSN booth where she was promoting her new book and bobble head. Yes, she even has her own bobble head. She’s always full of energy and that weekend was no different. Jennifer has taken her weight-loss and turned herself into a world wide name but did she go too far? She’s appeared on Oprah and eventually made her way into the infomercial world with her own product.

If you’ve ever been up late at night watching tv you’ve likely seen her infomercial for the Ab Circle Pro. It’s a machine that appears to be selling well. So well it caught the attention of ABC and their news program 20/20. They caught up with the bikini diva to ask her about her weight loss claims and how it applied to the ab circle pro. Check out the video below to see their report.

What do you think? Is it false advertising on JNL’s part of are people just jealous of her success?

An update for all IFBB pros planning out their contest schedule. The IFBB Pro League has informed me that The Sheru Classic Asian Grand Prix Pro Bikini set for September 24, 2011 in Mumbai has been changed to The Sheru Classic Asian Grand Prix Pro Figure.

Arnold may have left office as governor of California but that won’t stop him from being in the public eye. One of the pioneers of bodybuilding has been transformed himself into a crime-fighting character appropriately coined “The Governator”. The new animated series was developed by comic-book superhero icon Stan Lee. Lee created The Hulk and Spider-Man, among many others.

The SUN reports, “Cartoon versions of 63-year-old Schwarzenegger’s wife, Maria Shriver, and children will also feature in the animated series, which sees the family running their crime-fighting control centre from under their home in Brentwood, California.”

Now that Arnold left office what else would he do with his time but fight crime? Check out the promo below where he mentions bodybuilding. Which is kinda cool. There are some spots in the trailer that are kinda long and the use of the Black Eyed Peas song doesn’t really fit with the concept in my opinion but it still peaked my interest.

Very sad news out of Canada. Robert Kennedy, the founder and publisher of Oxygen magazine, lost this son to pneumonia complications at the young age of 23. Our thoughts & sympathy go out to Robert, Tosca and the entire family in this sad time.

TORONTO, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Robert Kennedy, is the founder of Robert Kennedy Publishing which specializes in health and fitness. The magazine-publishing arm includes six titles: MuscleMag International, Reps!, Oxygen, American Curves, Maximum Fitness and Clean Eating magazines as well as many books. Kennedy also published the late Fitness Icon, Jack LaLanne’s last book “Live Young Forever” and this New York Times Best Seller (Hardcore Bodybuilding, Reps!, RockHard!, Beef It!, and Pumping Up! ) has also written over 53 books. His wife Tosca Reno, TV celebrity health and fitness guru, is the NY Times Best Selling Author of “The Eat Clean Diet” series also published by Robert Kennedy Publishing based in Toronto.

His beloved only son Braden Robert James Kennedy recently passed away due to pneumonia complications at tender age of 23. Braden, who suffered a head injury as a result of an automobile accident 13 years ago, bravely endured, despite being bedridden with round-the-clock nursing care, unable to speak, eat or move, and consigned to his bedroom with his favorite film mega-stars, Will Smith and Jim Carrey.

Robert states “With unbearable sadness we mourn the loss of our son, a braver human being I’ve never known. His infectious laughter will never be forgotten. He taught our family the meaning of unparalleled courage amid the most unbearable of circumstances.” His wife Tosca Reno Kennedy and step-mother to Braden continues: “Our love and admiration for him is boundless. He leaves a gaping hole in our hearts it is true but he has filled us with so much not the least of which is his bravery. Even during those long last hours he did not give up easily and endured what was handed him with grace.”

Braden is survived by sister Chelsea, father Robert, stepmother Tosca, stepsisters Rachel, Kiersten and Kelsey-Lynn, caring aunts, uncles and cousins and loving grandmother Joan.

Services will be arranged by: J.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home, 11582 Trafalgar Rd., Georgetown, Ontario. Viewing to be held on Tuesday, March 29th 6-9 PM. The funeral mass will be on Wednesday, March 30th at 12:00 PM at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 14400 Argyll Road Georgetown, Ontario.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Red Cross (Japan Earthquake Relief) would be appreciated and can be made online at www.redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-418-1111.

Rest in Peace Braden.

NPC Fitness competitor and Minnesota personal trainer, Toni Wheeler recently competed in the Arnold Amateur Fitness division. She tells The Morehead News that she had some technical difficulties with her routine music but was treated like a celebrity.

“It was a really great experience and I plan on doing it again,” Wheeler said. “I’m upset I didn’t get to do my routine the way it’s supposed to be but my music cut off and it came back on. It was the first year that they counted the routine for double of what the physique round was for fitness. Besides the routine messing up I was treated like a celebrity. The emails keep rolling in.”

Like many women he goal is to be on the cover of a magazine. She mentions one thing that raised an eyebrow from me. Toni says, “There is the ‘pro’ title but all the money that it takes to do the competitions, it’s more rewarding when you win as a pro because you do get hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

I’m not sure what industry she’s following and I hate to be the barer of bad news but the women do not make hundreds of thousands of dollars. A pro in any fitness organization is not pulling down that kinda coin. A few men do but not the women.

Regardless, it’s good to see local coverage for competitors. Check out the full article here.

IFBB Figure Pros Erin Stern and Raechelle Chase were recently featured on a New Zealand television show. The Kiwi peeps definitely have a different sense of humor. Check out the video clip thanks to gofigure.co.nz.

The 2011 New Zealand Pro Figure contest takes place on Saturday, March 19th. Three women will qualify for the Olympia which will take place in Las Vegas this Fall.

See more photos from New Zealands on gofigure.co.nz.

Two years ago we told you about Jessica Lawrence making her way into the NPC bikini division from boxing. Thanks to a tip from Team Bombshell we learned that the striking blonde was hanging up her boxing gloves for a bikini. It’s not a move you often hear about in fact, Jessica is the only boxer turned IFBB Pro that I’m aware of. After achieving IFBB Pro status and pop-n-pose’n at a few bikini shows, Jess has decided to return to boxing. She made the move to New York from Florida and is dominating in the ring.

Last Friday night Jessica was back in the ring slugging it out  in a Golden Gloves tournament. She wasted no time reminding everyone that she has more than just a pretty face and a hard body. She pummeled her opponent and won by a referee stoppage. Jess not only collected a win but also “fighter of the night” honors. The victory places her in the semi-finals, held this Thursday, and if she wins there she’ll be fighting for the Golden Gloves title.

Good luck Jessica!

Parts of this story are from the NY Daily News. Photo via NY Daily News.

Props to the folks at Gaspari for organizing this charity event for Heroes for Hire, hosted by UFC fighter Brian Stann. The event took place at the 2011 Arnold Classic in Columbus Ohio and one team came up a bit short. Team Animal vs Team Gaspari.

Check out the details and results in the video below.

Hire Heroes:
Hire Heroes USA’s (HHUSA) mission is to offer transition assistance, job search assistance, and job placement services to those who have honorably served in the US military – and to their spouses – in order to reduce veteran unemployment. HHUSA prioritizes veterans statistically most likely to be unemployed: veterans of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, and veterans that are wounded or disabled.

Learn more about Hire Heroes at hireheroesusa.org.

On Saturday, thirty-two hard body ladies took the stage at the 2011 FLEX Bikini Model Search in Los Angeles. There were a variety of bodies from tall and lean to short and ripped. Some women had some interesting shoe and suit choices, while others tried to get creative with their posing. At the end of it all the best overall package would earn a spot at the FLEX Bikini Model Search Finals. The finals will be held in September in conjunction with the Olympia Weekend.

California girl Michelle Tarajcak took home the top spot and Courtney Prather was in the runner-up spot. All the women in the top five spots were in good condition and presented well on stage. Michelle had a sexy look and Courtney was more a “cute” woman. Courtney’s color/tanning was a little off and it might have cost her the win. Both women have nice looks and will be ones to watch this year.

Rounding out the top five was Janaina Barrel in third, Amanda Carrier in fourth and Shirley Moran finished fifth. Amanda was competing in her first show and is a proud momma. If you didn’t recognize her, you weren’t alone. Amanda changed up her look. Check out this photo from the 2008 Fit Expo for a reminder.

Remember this was not a NPC bikini event, so the shoes, suits and presentation you see is not the same as the NPC.

COMPLETE RESULTS:
1. Michelle Tarajcak
2. Courtney Prather
3. Janaina Barral
4. Amanda Turchin
5. Shirley Moran
6. Francesca Hartman
7. Dana Hodges
8. Marisol Gonzalez
9. Tamara Dumas
10. Allyson Whitney
11. Heather Clay
12. Eva Martinkova
13. Samara Day
14. Carla Cadotte
15. Sephanie Mahoe
16. Alisha Hale
16. Alison Burgess
16. Beatriz Guzman
16. Danielle Laws
16. Eva Escamilla
16. Evina Luna
16. Irina Barzinskiene
16. Jodi Tiahrt
16. Mary Kaminski
16. Sara Clow
16. Sehila Jimenez
16. Sheila Walker
16. Sherry Jin
16. Tar Maher
16. Theresa Orsini
16. Venus Ramos

Results via FLEXonline.com

I received sad news today. Jay Allen Littmann of Las Vegas passed away on Friday at the age of 48. He was known as “Chef Jay” in the supplement industry and continually brought new, delicious tasting products to market through Chef Jay’s Food Products. Our condolences to his family.

Jay Allen Littmann, age 48, a 16 year resident of Las Vegas and Henderson, passed away on Friday, February 11, 2011. Jay was born October 16, 1962 in Erie, PA to Michael and Carol Littmann.

Jay attended Newbury College, graduating with honors. He was the owner of Chef Jay’s Food Products.

Jay is survived by his wife Monica and sons Jacob and Isaiah Littmann of Henderson; parents Michael and Carol Littmann of Las Vegas; and siblings Barbara (Jorge) Reyes, Ronald Littmann and Eric (Julie) Littmann, all of Las Vegas.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, February 14, at 1:00 PM at Davis Memorial Park, 6200 S. Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas. Shiva observance will be held at the home of Eric and Julie Littmann through Wednesday, with a daily minyan at 7:00 PM.

Rest in Peace Jay and thanks for your innovation in the industry.

Photo via Chef Jay’s Youtube channel.

Congratulations to Irina Shayk for gracing the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. The SI Swimsuit issue is one of the best build franchises in the magazine biz. The SI Swimsuit brand goes beyond just the cover and a year-round project for the staff. Many women have gone on to have stellar careers after landing on the cover. Last year’s cover model Brooklyn Decker has seen her career skyrocket.

What do you think of the Cover?

Download the SI Swimsuit APP on iTunes:

See more here http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com.

Bodybuilding.com announced the addition of new Editor-in-Chief Jeff O’Connell. Jeff was recently with Men’s Health magazine and before that had worked with Muscle & Fitness and Fitness magazine.

Boise, ID (PRWEB) February 10, 2011 – Bodybuilding.com, the Internet’s most-visited bodybuilding and fitness site and largest online retailer of nutritional supplements, is proud to announce the addition of new Editor-in-Chief Jeff O’Connell to their team. O’Connell has 15 years in the health and fitness industry serving as Editor-in-Chief at Muscle & Fitness and, most recently, Executive Writer at Men’s Health.

O’Connell’s feature writing has been deemed “notable” in both The Best American Sports Writing and The Best American Science and Nature Writing anthologies. As an author, he has reached The New York Times Best-Sellers list as the collaborator on LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout. Adding to his list of accomplishments, Hyperion/Disney will be publishing his prescriptive memoir, Sugar Nation, on July 19, 2011.

“Becoming Editor-in-Chief of Bodybuilding.com is a dream job for me. The site is the most heavily trafficked fitness destination in the world, making this a unique opportunity to help tens of millions of people worldwide transform their life through health and fitness,” said O’Connell.

The new Bodybuilding.com Editor-in-Chief will focus on further enhancing the site’s 30,000 pages of unique content with the latest and greatest health and fitness advice, news and entertainment. “Rather than pay $5.00 for a fitness or bodybuilding magazine, fitness enthusiasts can visit Bodybuilding.com and receive everything for free, from expert online trainers to workout videos to social networking. My focus is on enhancing the user experience by continuing to improve the vast array of content,” explains O’Connell.

As someone who works out daily, follows a low-carbohydrate diet, and takes twelve supplements daily, O’Connell is an ideal fit for the Bodybuilding.com team. His ability to identify with the lifestyle enables him to fulfill the company mission of helping Bodybuilding.com visitors reach their health, fitness and appearance goals through information, motivation and supplementation.

“Jeff brings an insane amount of experience and enthusiasm to Bodybuilding.com, and truly understands our users and what we are trying to accomplish. We are very fortunate to have him on our team!” said Bodybuilding.com CEO Ryan DeLuca.

Jeff O’Connell will be joining the talented Bodybuilding.com Digital Publishing Team, including Spokesperson and Editor at Large Kris Gethin, Vice President John Hardesty, and many more industry experts.

Bodybuilding.com offers more than 13,000 health & fitness supplements and accessories to help more than 7.5 million people every month achieve their health, fitness and appearance goals, as well as over 35,000 pages of free information, including more than 20,000 articles and videos, expert online trainers, and new content added daily.

Last weekend, at the LA Fit Expo, Bodybuilding.com held the finals to their Bodyspace Spokesmodel Search contest. Bodyspace is Bodybuilding.com’s social network that allows people to set up profiles, post and track fitness goals, view exercises and more. This is the third year that the event has been held in conjunction with the Los Angeles Fit Expo.

The competition was fierce and the judges were not unanimous in their decision but in the end Jennifer Rankin from Texas prevailed. Jenn is rising star in the NPC Bikini ranks and undoubtedly will be one of the top again this year. Don’t be surprised if she is competing with the pros before the year is over. Jen shared on her Bodyspace, “As the 2011 BodySpace Spokesmodel I hope to inspire others in the same way. I want people to know that they can do anything in this world that they want to do, whether its their first competition, losing weight, gaining muscle, or stepping into the gym for the first time after years of inactivity.”

Steve Cook took home Gold in the Men’s division. Steve was also the winner of the Muscle & Fitness Cover Model search held at last year’s Olympia. Kathleen Tesori was in the runner-up position and certainly see more of her in the months ahead. Laura Bailey and Felicia Romero went three and four in the event. Both women had a slightly more muscular physique than the others, as they should, they are both Figure competitors. Felicia gave fans a little preview of what her physique will look like at the Figure International. She’s definitely in shape and on track. Lindsay Kaye rounded the top five.

Top finalists in the event.

TOP FIVE FINALIST RESULTS:
1. Steve Cook (stevecook_32) & Jennifer Rankin (TXphysique)
2. Kizzito Ejam (kizmvp) & Kathleen Tesori (KathleenTesori)
3. Scott Dorn (SMDMN) & Laura Bailey (jumper11)
4. Kelechi Opara (Madtitan) & Felicia Romero (fromero)
5. Ryan Hughes (dubcplaya069) & Lindsay Kaye (LinzKaye)

Check out photos from the event by Ron Avidan here and you can see a few others on the LIFTstudios Facebook page. Visit Bodybuilding.com to set up your Bodyspace Profile and find out how you can enter next year’s event.

There have been rumors swirling for months about Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition (BSN) being sold. Many rumors remain exactly that, rumors. This one, however proved to be true. Today, it was announced that Glanbia, an international nutritional ingredients and cheese group, has purchased BSN for $144 million.

Most of you are familiar with BSN and their supplements. They are one of the few companies that sponsor and promote women in the fitness industry. Their athlete roster consists of Jennifer Nicole Lee, Alicia Marie, Amanda Latona, Tianna Ta and Brandy Leaver. Their ads can be seen in numerous health and fitness magazines each month. They also have a huge presence at the Arnold Sports Festival every year and some of the top models in the industry with their BSN Girls.

BSN is based out of Boca Raton, Florida but their reach is world wide. They are one of the few companies to invest in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and specifically the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). They are the official supplement sponsor of the UFC.

Glanbia is no stranger to the world of supplements. They purchased Optimum Nutrition (ON) and American Bodybuilding (ABB) in 2008. One could argue that Optimum has increased their presence in the world of Bodybuilding and Fitness since being purchased.

John Moloney, Glanbia group managing director said, “BSN is an excellent strategic fit with our performance nutrition business and adds strong brand and market positions that complement and extend our portfolio.

“Global Nutritionals is now a €600 million revenue business, a position we have built organically and by acquisition in just over five years.”
- www.businessandleadership.com

So what does this mean for BSN, their employees, athletes and customers?

Change is inevitable. Only time will tell what and how many changes are made. Typically, when a parent company purchases a company that compliments another in their portfolio, things are merged. That’s not to say it will happen but there’s a high probability it could happen. Sales Reps are often the first to join forces. Many of the changes will take place behind-the-scenes and benefit consumers.

Press Release:
Irish cheese and nutritional ingredients maker Glanbia (ISE:GL9) on Wednesday said it had bought US sector player Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition (BSN) for USD144m (EUR107m), in line with its strategy to grow in the sports nutrition sector. Glanbia has financed the deal with existing debt facilities and expects the acquisition to increase its earnings in 2011. BSN employs 140 people and sells its products through 40,000 retail stores in the US as well as in 90 countries globally. It booked net revenues of USD135.4m and an adjusted EBIT of USD16.3m in 2009. Its gross assets stood at USD30.5m at the end of December 2009. Country: , USA Sector: Pharmaceuticals, Food/Beverages/Tobacco Target: Bio-Engineered Supplements & Nutrition Inc (BSN) Buyer: Glanbia Plc Deal size in USD: 144m Type: Corporate acquisition Financing: Existing resources, Debt Status: Closed
- http://www.tradingmarkets.com

BSN recently joined us as our title sponsor and has always been very supportive this site. We’ll keep you posted on how things play out with this latest development.

The Los Angeles Fit Expo kicks the season off next weekend. This is always a great expo and a way to get motivated and inspired for the year. Lonnie Teper is also hosting the first NPC Naturally competition, which will be held in conjunction with the Fit Expo. Bodybuilding.com will choose a new male and female spokesmodel at the event and the competition is fierce this year. We’ll be there all weekend, will you?

When:
January 29-30, 2011

Where:
The Los Angeles Convention Center

Event Info:
www.thefitexpo.com

The 2011 Bodybuilding.com Los Angeles Fitness Expo, California’s largest health and fitness weekend, returns Saturday and Sunday, January 29-30 to the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, West Hall. Attendees will find over 250 exhibits offering the latest in fitness, diet, nutrition, strength and wellness products and services.

The Los Angeles Fitness Expo also offers free admission to 15 major competitions.

Special Guest Appearances At The Los Angeles Fitness Expo:
Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell, Jay Cutler, Phil Collen (Def Leppard Lead Guitarist/Muay Thai Kickboxer), Jean Carrillo (World Champion Muay Thai Trainer), Herb Dean (Renowned MMA Referee & Fighter), Bad Kitty Sassy Fitness, Paul Daniels, Chady Dunmore, Eric The Trainer’s Sumo Challenge, Carmen Electra, Chris Faildo (The Hawaiian Hurricane), Lou Ferrigno, Sherry Goggin (Ms. Fitness America), Odd Haugen (Strongman Champion), Roland Kickinger, Amanda Latona, Alicia Marie, Scot Mendelson (Powerlifting World Champion), Lonnie Teper, Seb Zewdie, and many more.

Ticket Information:
Your ticket includes admission into the giant exhibition floor filled with the best cutting edge companies displaying, promoting and selling fitness, health and well-being products and services. Your admission ticket also includes FREE admission to all THIRTEEN different competitions taking place on The Los Angeles Fitness Expo floor! Don’t forget to check out the FREE seminars, demonstrations and celebrity autograph sessions and grab all the FREE samples. Many of our exhibitors are offering super-cool products at discounted prices so be prepared for the shopping action. It’s non-stop fun for the entire family and it is ONLY $20 a day!

Saturday: $20
Sunday: $20
Weekend Package: Saturday & Sunday: $30
Kids tickets, 12 and under, will be $10 a day at the door only.
Kids 6 and under are free.

Los Angeles Fitness Expo Show Hours:
Events in West Hall A/B
Saturday January 29, 2011 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday January 30, 2011 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

CLICK HERE FOR $10 OFF THE EXPO PRICE!

Congrats to IFBB Bikini Pro Brandy Leaver on joining the growing list of BSN Sponsored athletes. Brandy achieved IFBB Pro status just months after having her second child. Look for Brandy on stage this year in the Bikini Division.

Team BSN® continues its roster expansion with the addition of IFBB Bikini competitor Brandy Leaver! Brandy has been a part of the BSN® family for some time now, as her husband happens to be Team BSN® veteran and pro bodybuilding “PRODIGY” Brandon Curry. Now with Brandon’s better half having earned her pro card in 2010, BSN® wasted no time in making her an official member of the Team. As a longtime user of BSN® products who is highly knowledgeable about the brand and shares the company’s passion for excellence, Brandy makes for a wonderful brand ambassador and a valuable addition to the Team.

A native of Hawaii, Brandy enjoyed great success on the amateur circuit before taking some time off from competition in 2008. A planned return to the stage in 2009 was abandoned when Brandy became pregnant with her second child. Her son Maximus was born in December 2009, and soon after Brandy was hard at work back in the gym reclaiming her championship physique. A mere six months after giving birth, Brandy was back on stage, winning the Overall Bikini title in her first show of the year. A month later she won her class at the USA Championships and joined her husband in the IFBB pro ranks.

BSN® congratulates Brandy on a great year in 2010, and we look forward to bigger things in 2011 and beyond from the latest athlete to join the ranks of Team BSN®!
-  BSNonline.net.

IFBB Pros Ava Cowan and Mark Alvisi will be holding their store grand opening this Saturday, January 15th. The fit duo have a new nutrition store in Delray Beach Florida, appropriately named Pro Sports Nutrition. If you’re in the area stop by and check it out. The day is jam packed with tons of events and special appearances.

The Grand Opening Details:

Featuring RICH GASPARI and Team Gaspari Nutrition Athletes IFBB Professional Athletes AVA COWAN and MARK ALVISI.
http://www.gasparinutrition.com/teamgaspari/

BSN’s IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Bob Chicherillo,
http://www.bsnonline.net/athletes/bodybuilding.html

IFBB Bikini Pro & Nutrex Sponsored Athlete Nathalia Melo will be here along with the Nutrex Underground Vehicle giving out Free samples and autographs.
http://www.nutrex.com/team-nutrex/nathalia-melo.asp

VPX’s IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Shawn Rhoden
http://www.vpxsports.com/channel-vpx…e-shawn-rhoden

We will have the VPX/REDLINE INDY CAR on display! http://www.redlinextremeracing.com

LIVE REMOTE on X102.3 http://thenewx1023.radio.com
Reggie D from THE X will be broadcasting from our event and will be giving away FREE prizes.

The Boynton Beach Tiger Sound Drum line will perform here live!

Mayor Nelson McDuffie will also be in attendance for our ribbon cutting ceremony. http://www.mydelraybeach.com/Delray/…on/default.htm

Drink specials from La Fiesta Cafe’

Blowout specials on your favorite products!

Gaspari Nutrition Myofusion $19.99*
BSN No-Xplode $29.99*
GAT Jet Fuel $24.99*
Nutrex Lipo 6 Black Ultra Concentrate $29.99*
Dymatize Elite Gourmet 5lb $29.99*
VPX Liquid Clen $24.99*
Professional Supplements Karbolyn $44.99*
BPI 1.M.R $29.99*
* Buy any 2 items to qualify for this pricing.

Fitness Celebrities Anthony Presciano and Michele Levesque will host the first annual Pro Sports Nutrition Fit Body Contest.
The hottest and fittest bodies in South Florida will compete for $3,000 in CASH & PRIZES.

http://miamibeachbodycontest.com Click link to view an example of a previous contest.

Prizes: 1 st Place $500 CASH (Male & Female BOTH)

Female winner receives a Pro Level Custom Bikini designed by CJ’s Elite Competition suits $500 value http://cynthia-james.com

Winners of Fit Body Contest Will Each have a 2 page spread in the 2011 Arnold Classic Edition of Marathon Muscle Magazine. http://marathonmuscle.com

Both Male and Female winners get a photo shoot with Internationally published Fitness Photographer Eva Simon.
Images to be submitted for possible magazine publication.

A portion of the proceeds of this event and its sponsors will be presented to the SPIRIT OF GIVING NETWORK from our event.

Stop by for ROCK BOTTOM prices on your favorite sports supplements.

Exotic Cars on display, Live DJ, Tons of food, drink specials and FREE Give Aways!

Stop by and tell them you heard about it on HARDBODY.

Congratulations to Hardbody Dianna Dahlgren on her latest accomplishment. Dianna has found success in the “mainstream” world once again and this time it in the land motorcycles.

Dianna is an IFBB Bikini Pro and last year was on the cover of the FLEX Swimsuit issue and Muscle & Fitness Hers. She took home top honors at the 2010 Hartford show and competed in the inaugural Bikini Olympia. The cover girl will be absent from the pro bikini stage for a few months as she fulfills the role of Miss Supercross. The 2011 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season begins this weekend.

Dianna has been involved in the Supercross scene for a few years as one of the Monster Energy Model. Dianna tells me that she’s stoked to be awarded this new opportunity and just because she isn’t on stage doesn’t mean she isn’t dieting. She plans to compete again sometime this summer and wants to win another show. What will she be doing as Miss Supercross? Essentially she is the face of the 2011 season and will be interviewing not only fans but also the riders. The sport has a total of 17 races, all of which Dianna will be attending. Look for her in their upcoming promotional materials as well.

Check out Dianna’s profile on the Supercross site and for more information on the series visit www.SupercrossOnline.com.

Photo and event info via: supercrossonline.com

IFBB Figure Pro & reigning Ms. Figure Olympia, Erin Stern was recently featured on jewishjournal.com. The headline cracked me up when I read it, “The nice Jewish girl who got really buff”. Good thing she wasn’t the mean Jewish girl who got buff or she might hulk-smash some one. The article talks about Erin’s track background and how she transitioned into on of the top figure competitors in the IFBB. She also offers some advice to others looking to get into shape.

“The No. 1 rule is don’t make excuses. People always make excuses for why it’s too hard to work out or take time to be healthier.  I suggest making appointments for fitness, just like you would for a business meeting or a lunch with a friend. Make an appointment to walk or lift some weights. That way, there’s no excuse not to have the time.”

Check out the article here.

I love finding out what competitors do and what talents they have beyond a pretty face and a rock’n hardbody. This is a perfect example…

I ran into IFBB Bikini Pro Shay Monroe at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup where she was working the Sweet Cheats Cupcake booth. By the way, those cupcakes are insanely awesome! Little did I know that little Miss Shay had a hidden talent that had little to do with working a booth.

Earlier today Shay released her new website, shaymonroe.com. It’s not the typical site of an IFBB Pro Bikini competitor. Upon arriving at the site you hear a pretty kick’n beat and then an impressive voice welcomes you. Turns out its Shay’s voice and she can sing! It’s not just some lame attempt at putting her voice to some computerized tracks. Check out her site to hear her music and check out the video below for a little taste of what Shay brings to the table on a shoot and with her voice. I’m a fan of track #3 “Set You Free” on her music page. Take a peek at the photo section while you’re at her site. There are some pretty impressive looks I hadn’t seen from her before.

Keep rock’n the Hardbody voice and physique Shay!

Props to Safiya for letting me know about the new site first.

Congratulations to a kick ass woman and friend of hardbody.com, Celeste Bonin. Celeste was crowned the newest Diva in the WWE earlier this week and you played a role in it. When the votes were counted and the results were announced, it was Kaitlyn (her wrestling name) that came out on top.

She went from never wrestling in July to being part of the elite women in the WWE. It’s a testament to her drive, charisma and willingness to be herself. Anyone who watched the show learned that she’s a bit of a goof. Ok, she’s a huge goofball but that’s part of what makes her awesome. Combine a personality, with looks and a hard body… You’ve got a winner.

Celeste shared with me that she’s extremely excited and thanks everyone who voted for her.

What’s next for her? Now she’s on the main WWE roster but still training and in development. It will be exciting to watch her on the next level and all the opportunities that come with it. Keep your eye on this Texas cutie, she’s going places.

Watch the video from the season finale on nxt.wwe.com.

Props: WWE.com

Tune in to Pro Bodybuilding Weekly radio tonight and hear from the female Olmpians! Hosts Dan Solomon and Bob Cicherillo will discuss a variety of topics with 5x Fitness Olympia Champ, Adela Garcia, Figure Olympia Champ Erin Stern and Bikini Olympia champ Sonia Gonzalez.

Listen live at BodybuildingRadio.com at 8pm EST. The show will also include a recap of the Sacramento Pro that was held over the weekend.