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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.
IFBB Fitness Pro, Tracey aka Trixie Greenwood or as her students are required to address her, Dr. Greenwood tells me she is going to be at the NPC JR USA this weekend. Thrilling stuff right? There is always something happening in her life and she filled me in on her latest adventures. Yes, besides making the trip down to Charleston. Yesterday the east coast was hit by heavy rain storms and Dr. G wrecked her car. Yup, straight up BOOM! The front 1/4 panel is now sitting in the back seat of her car. When the good doc returned home she was greeted by a missing door. Turns out the winds were so strong that the door blew off the house and is still MIA. If you happen to see a door in your area, it might be Trixie’s. She says despite it all she is still in a good mood. What’s next for T? She’s planning on competing at the Houston Pro Fitness show the first weekend of July.
Our fitness friend to the north, Mindi O’Brien was planning on competing at the Houston Pro Fitness contest however she’s had a change of plans. Mindi informed me that she has a torn medial head of the gastroc. She recently found out that it was torn before the Arnold and since it wasn’t treated, it progressively got worse. She’s currently dealing with intense physio and may possibly be put in a cast (although that is a last resort). Provided everything goes well she will be competing at the 2008 Europa Supershow. I asked Mindi if she wanted me to keep her injury on the down low and she said, “I’m not on the down low…shit happens and just have to deal with it. I tend to work harder when things like this happen.” It is great when competitors are brutally honest about these types of things. So many competitors are fighting injuries and afraid if people know about it that somehow it will hurt their chances of placing well. I applaud Mindi for being upfront and it’s people like her that are an inspiration to others. Someone out there reading this may be going through a similar injury and perhaps Mindi can help them fight through it or visa versa.
Take care of that injury and we’ll see you in Dallas qualifying for the Olympia.
Click on over to FLEXonline.com to see the extended coverage to the newest issue to hit shelves, the 13th annual FLEX swimsuit issue. The swimsuit issue hits shelves this week and there are some smoken hot photos in the issue. There are more behind-the-scenes photos as well as a PDF of more photos not run in the mag. Check it out - it’s worth a look.
I was critical of the first season as I thought the producers did a poor job of playing up the Gladiators. They failed to tell their stories and why they were worthy of Gladiator status. The show was also a mediocre production in my opinion however the new commercials and marketing looks to have changed for season 2. The new commercials do a good job of playing up the Gladiators being larger than life, there is mention of some of their competitive history - IE Titan 4x Mr. Natural Universe. The show airs tonight on NBC and we’ll see if it is an improvement from last season. Below is the graphic from their myspace page where IFBB Figure Pro, Val Waugaman is front and center.
HEY FRIENDS!
As I hope you’ve heard by now, the “NEW” American Gladiators (Season 2) premieres tonight, Monday, May 12, on NBC at 8pm.
In case you don’t know, I unfortunately missed the first 5 episode tapings due to an injury I sustained to my shoulder at the first rehearsal. I couldn’t even move my arm for two days. Fortunately, I was able to overcome my injury due to extreme personal focus and your continued inspiration. The doctors told me that even football players with the same injury have not recuperated as fast as I did. The injury was thought to be a tear in my muscle, but it turned out to be an actual hairline fracture of one of my bones. With all-out drive and determination I was able to work through the pain in order to take my place as the premier “Hang Tough” Gladiator. Come check out the various new extreme, heart-pounding, crazy events starting tonight on NBC at 8pm.
It’s Bigger…WAAAAY Bigger!
Come join in the fun of cheering on your favorite Gladiators!
And…
DREAM BIG!
Val
I’m in the Big Apple for the NY PRO Bodybuilding contest this weekend. My flight was delayed a bit due to stormy weather but all is well now. I’m going to meet up with one of my favorite figure divas, former champ and now retired competitor Tara Scotti. Tara and her husband Dominic are two of the coolest people you’ll ever meet. I’ll let ya know what’s up with Tara and why she’s been slacking on her “Tara Talks” since the innagural piece after the Arnold Classic. Below is a shot from my hotel room which overlooks ground zero. Still an eerie vibe around it but I’ve grown to love Manhattan.
The women’s pro bodybuilding is back and the action starts with the 202 and Under Men’s class tomorrow at 11am EST. I’ll be blogging over at bodybuilding.com as well as here throughout the weekend.
Women’s Competitor List as of yesterday:
1. Fabi Antoine, Belgium
2. Mercedes Bazemore, USA
3. Debbie Bramwell, USA
4. Sarah Bridges, USA
5. Kim Buck, USA
6. Maria Calo, USA
7. Giusy Caputo, Italy
8. Tina Chandler, USA
9. Angela Debatin, USA
10. Heather Foster, USA
11. Aurelia Grozajova, Slovakia
12. Rosemary Jennings, USA
13. Debi Laszewski, USA
14. Cathy LeFrancois, USA
15. Elizabeth Gomez Meza, Mexico
16. Colette Nelson, USA
17. Jeannie Paparone, USA
18. Annie Rivieccio, USA
19. Saskia Salemink, Netherlands
20. Antoinette Thompson, USA
21. Dena Westerfield, USA
The next season of American Gladiators will air on Monday, May 12th. One of the competitors in the mix is Denver Colorado Police officer and figure competitor, Abbe Dorn. Dorn, 28, is part of Carla Sanchez’s Performance Ready Team and calls Colorado home. Abbe recently returned to Denver after a grueling filming for the new season. Look for an interview with Abbe and report from her Gladiator party in the coming weeks.
Five other contenders have ties to Colorado as reported by The Denver Post today.
POWERHOUSE DETROIT PRO IFBB FIGURE is canceled with no plans to reschedule this year. The new promoter is looking to bring the show back in 2009.
Check out what Mike Davies, one of the top trainers, is holding in the Seattle area next month. This would be worth checking out if you’re interested in learning from one of the best in the biz.
When: June 6-8, 2008
Where: LA Fitness
550 106th Avenue NE Suite 215
Bellevue, WA 98004
Cost: $300
Package Includes:
• 4 Training Sessions
• Posing Seminar
• Bootcamp
• Cardiovascular Training
• Open Q&A
Contact: Shannon Gill or Mike Davies for more info and let them know HARDBODY sent ya.
Meet IFBB Pros Julie Palmer and Sandy Grant at this event as well.
Earlier in the year, I reported that IFBB Pro fitness competitor Shannon Dey was going to be in a Geico commercial. Well, it’s out kids and she is strutting her stuff. The commercial is around the Geico Powersports Insurance they offer. Her dialogue was limited to a grunt at the end but hey, still cool stuff.
I chatted with super star trainer, Kim Oddo last weekend and he informed me of an upcoming seminar he iss putting on with fellow trainer, Hany Rambod. Kim has successfully trained a number of competitors in the NPC and IFBB ranks. Check out the information on this seminar and it is well worth attending.
HANY RAMBOD & KIM ODDO present Championship Series Seminar
“To become a champion, learn from the trainers of champions!”
WHEN: Saturday, June 7, 2008
6:30am - 5pm
WHERE: Body By O Fitness Facility
42225 Remington Ave. Suite 24A
Temecula, CA
Space is limited to the first 25 applicants!
Call for Reservations: 951-695-8805 or email tinayoung@bodybyo.com
Tell em Hardbody sent ya.
I received an email today from the editors of JPG Magazine informing me that one of my Arnold Classic photos has been selected for the next issue of their magazine. The photo is a line up of figure competitors during the prejudging which I titled, “Booty Lineup”. Below is the photo that will be in the next issue as well as the email from the editors. I’m happy to announce this as it helps get the images of our industry out into other publications in a positive manner.
Greetings, Isaac!
Thanks so much for submitting to JPG Magazine Issue 16. The editors and the community have spent the last few weeks reviewing the photos and stories. There was so much amazing work - it wasn’t easy.We’re thrilled to tell you that your submission, “Booty Lineup” to Photo Challenge: Line Up, has been selected for publication!
Today the ladies will be checking in for the first pro figure show since the Arnold’s Figure International. Many women are anxiously awaiting the outcome of this show as it will set the stage for the year. I’m curious to see how the women will come in to this competition… Did they listen to the mandate and come in without the hard, shredded look? They take the stage tomorrow and that will be the answer. I’m in Pittsburgh now to see the action first-hand and will share my thoughts after the show.
Competitor List
1. Catherine Andersen
2. Teresa Anthony
3. Huong Arcinas
4. Tivisay Briceno
5. Heather Mae French
6. Amy Fry
7. Bernadette Galvan
8. Heather Green
9. Donna Louise Jones
10. Shannon Meteraud
11. Melissa Montanaro-Griffin
12. Hazal Nelson
13. Melissa Pearo
14. Nicole Pitcher-Scott
15. Rosa-Maria Romero
16. Brenda Marie-Smith
17. Tammy Strome
18. Laura Sutter
19. Briana Tindall
20. Nicole Wilkins
21. Allison Jones-Williams
I caught up with one of Canada’s top IFBB pros, Debbie Leung, and she shared some interesting info with me. Debbie has been keeping active by playing in a woman’s Australian Football Club. Th Calagary “Kookaburras” is described as “a fun, social club for women aimed at introducing them to a new sport and a chance to meet new people. Deb was recently profiled by the team…
Player Profile - Debbie “Muscles” Leung
How did you get involved with the Kookaburras?
I saw a poster for the club at my gym, and figured I would give it a go.
What sports have you played in the past?
I have tried MANY. Most recently —for the past 8 years, I have been competing in physique sports, and for the past 4 years, competing as a professional figure athlete in the same organization as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Past sports included soccer, track and field, one season of skeleton, and have my yellow belt in judo
What do you do for a day job?
I am a physical therapist, and am certified to also practice acupuncture. I also train a few clients for physique competitions, as well as health and wellness training.
What footy activities are you most looking forward to in 2008?
I LOVE trying new things, and learning new skills. Since this is my first season, I’m looking forward to having fun and playing a new game… and praying I don’t get hurt:)
Suggest a name for one of our intra-club teams.
The Calgary Terminators
Sounds like Deb is having fun up in Canada and she promises to keep me posted on how the season goes.
Holy smokes! 127 contestants have entered round two of the FLEXonline Bikini Model Search. There are a few familiar faces as well as a number of fresh faces. You may vote as many times as you wish for the next two weeks. Cast your vote today.
Who do you like? Any hardbody.com visitors in the mix? Good luck to all the women who entered.
WARNING - clicking on the link to this contest may result in excessive time staring at your computer screen.
I caught up with World Champion fitness competitor, Oksana Grishina and her husband Boris today. They are going great and reported a change in their lives. The two decided to leave Las Vegas and call Long Island home. Oksana isn’t sure when she will compete next but she is enjoying some time off until her next show.
I’ll report more on our favorite Russian couple after the New York Pro, where they tell me they’ll be spotted next.
The two IFBB pro divas made their way to Pittsburgh to attend their first comic book convention. They were helping promote IRON SIRENS a comic book produced J.M. Manion. The third series is set to be released this summer which pits JEN vs JENNY. The following bulletin was recently posted on the IRON SIRENS myspace page:
IRON SIRENS attending their 1st ever comic book convention at the Pittsburgh Comicon on April 25th, 26th & 27th. Appearing all 3 days was star of Issue 1 & Issue 2 - Adela Garcia plus the villain of Issue 2 - Sonia Adcock along with writer Ian Ascher & Issue 2 cover artist Uko Smith dropped by as well! Executive Producer J.M. Manion attended on Sunday only.
Adela & Sonia also got to have their photo with Darth Vader himself - David Prowse! There were plenty of other characters as well & it was a great time. Adela & Sonia had outfits designed to match what their comic alter-ego’s wear in the Iron Sirens pages. They were the talk & the hit of the convention. We will be looking to do future comicon’s in the future.
IFBB fitness pro and celebrity fitness trainer, Kim Lyons has partnered with Crest toothpaste. You can check out her tips as well as a quiz on the Crest web site.
Below is the press release announcing the partnership:
Shape Up and Get a Healthier and Whiter Smile in Four Weeks
When it comes to getting in shape and looking your best, celebrity fitness trainer Kim Lyons, who also appears on The Biggest Loser, knows it all! Kim has partnered with Crest to incorporate new Crest Healthy Radiance toothpaste system into a daily routine for a smile that is beautiful inside and out.
“I partnered with Crest to launch new Crest Healthy Radiance toothpaste system to show how effortless it is to achieve outer beauty via health from within. I often tell my clients that it can take a long time to see major changes in their weight and appearance, so it is important to stay motivated by adopting smaller, easy habits, such as improving their smiles, that give them the reward of feeling healthy and beautiful along the way,” says Lyons.
To stay focused on a daily routine full of healthy habits, consumers can log on to Crest.com and take Kim’s very own fitness quiz! Answers to the 10-question quiz will reveal your fitness knowledge. In addition, Kim’s tips accompany each answer which will help anyone reach their fitness goal.
ABOUT CREST HEALTHY RADIANCE
Available at mass retail, drug, and grocery stores nationwide, Crest Healthy Radiance is Crest’s first and only daily paste and weekly strip system, designed to strengthen enamel below the surface and deep clean to whiten for teeth with healthy radiance. Crest Healthy Radiance Toothpaste System provides a healthy, strong and more beautiful smile from the inside out and when used as directed, whitens up to four times better than the leading whitening paste.
The toothpaste helps remove extrinsic stains using a patented stain prevention polyphosphate technology combined with a gentle silica that whitens teeth and prevents stains from forming.
The deep clean hydrogen peroxide formula, found in the strip diffuses into the enamel and helps eliminate impurities embedded deep under the enamel surface leaving the teeth cleaner and whiter on the outside. The four upper and lower intensive deep cleaning strips are formulated for weekly use, 30 minutes a session.
Together, when used as directed, the Crest Healthy Radiance Toothpaste System strengthens enamel, fights tartar, prevents cavities and removes stains for whiter teeth.
Availability
Crest Healthy Radiance is available at mass retail, drug and grocery stores nationwide. The system includes a 4.1 oz tube of Radiant Mint fluoride toothpaste for daily use and eight Deep Clean Strips (four for upper teeth, four for lower teeth) for weekly 30-minute treatments. The suggested retail price is $11.99.
ABOUT KIM LYONS
Known best for her role on The Biggest Loser, celebrity fitness trainer Kim Lyons has provided support and encouragement to millions of people looking to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Her new book, Your Body, Your Life provides simple tips and techniques that motivate people to reach their goals and change their lifestyle for the better. Kim graduated from Colorado State University in 1995 with a degree in Human Development
and Nutrition. For more information, visit http://www.kimlyons.com.
ABOUT CREST
A trusted leader in oral health, Crest was the first oral care brand to secure the ADA Seal of Acceptance for a clinically proven fluoride toothpaste. Since first introducing fluoride toothpaste 50 years ago, it is estimated that Crest has helped prevent more than half a billion cavities in the United States. In addition, Crest created Crest Healthy Smiles, a national outreach program designed to help improve the state of oral health in America. Each year, the Crest Healthy Smiles program provides education, tools, and increased access to dental professionals to underserved children and their families nationwide. Headquartered in Cincinnati, OH, Crest is owned and distributed by Procter & Gamble.
This weekend an East Coast NPC show will honor Jessica Rohm, Bethany Wagner, Erin Riley and Carlo Filippone for reaching IFBB pro status. All four hail out of New Jersey where the 2008 NPC Xcalibur show will be held. Today a local newspaper highlighted the event and some good-will the promoters are doing for the school.
BRIDGEWATER: Bodybuilding competition is Saturday at high school
By SUSAN LOYER, STAFF WRITERThe 4th annual 2008 NPC Xcalibur Bodybuilding and Figure Championships will be held Saturday at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, 600 Garretson Road.
The event, a national qualifier, will begin with weigh ins at 10 a.m. Prejudging will be at 1 p.m., with the show beginning at 6. Registration may be done at the weigh-ins.
In the past, the event has raised money for the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center, as well as an individual who was stricken with cancer at a young age, said Jessica Rohm, a Bridgewater-Raritan High School teacher, who will be judging the event. Rohm also will be presented an award acknowledging her accomplishments and contributions to the sport.
This year, in appreciation to Bridgewater-Raritan High School for their generosity in allowing the organization to use their school, a portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to the Project Graduation Fund, a community-based tradition intended to prevent hazardous and harmful activities often associated with high school graduation celebrations, she said.
A check presentation will be held at 7 p.m. in the school gym.
Project Graduation is an all-night, alcohol-free and drug-free celebration held every year for the graduating class. Each year, a committee made up of parents hosts various fund raisers throughout the year to support the project. The group depends largely on the community to help support its efforts.
Anyone interested in contributing to Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s Project Graduation can call Lynne Bray at (908) 500-8810 or e-mail her at zkbray@aol.com.
Props to the promoters of this show for doing something positive for their area. More promoters need to take note on various was to get good PR and bring attention to their events.
The New York Pro will bring back the ladies this year. The event will take place on May 10, 2008 in New York City. See below for the list of competitors to date.
1. Fabi Antoine, Belgium
2. Mercedes Bazemore, USA
3. Debbie Bramwell, USA
4. Sarah Bridges, USA
5. Kim Buck, USA
6. Maria Calo, USA
7. Giusy Caputo, Italy
8. Tina Chandler, USA
9. Angela Debatin, USA
10. Heather Foster, USA
11. Aurelia Grozajova, Slovakia
12. Rosemary Jennings, USA
13. Debi Laszewski, USA
14. Cathy LeFrancois, USA
15. Elizabeth Gomez Meza, Mexico
16. Colette Nelson, USA
17. Jeannie Paparone, USA
18. Annie Rivieccio, USA
19. Saskia Salemink, Netherlands
20. Antoinette Thompson, USA
21. Dena Westerfield, USA
Visit IFBBpro.com for more information.
