It's OUT!!!! The 2012 Arnold list has just been released, with 17 names for the Fitness International! Did you favorites make it on there?
2012 Fitness International (17)
Michelle Blank
Jodi Boam
Myriam Capes
Regiane Da Silva
Tina Durkin
Allison Ethier
Adela Garcia
Oksana Grishina
Tanji Johnson
Diana Monteiro
Julie Palmer
Kayde Puckett
Camala Rodriguez
Daniella Ruban
Kizzy Vaines
Sheri Vucick
Bethany Wagner
There will be more Arnold-related posts as we get closer to the big
event. Until then, congrats to everyone that made the list! 2012
Arnold...here we come!!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Warrens to be on National TV
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| Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com |
It's awesome to see those in our industry to be part of mainstream television. On her Twitter account (http://twitter.com/trishwarren), Trish Warren mentioned that her and her husband Branch will be on the Discovery Channel in the near future! Here's her exact Tweet:
Branch and I filmed a documentary for the Discovery Channel, I will keep you posted on when it will air!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Mindi O'Brien Retires from Fitness
Fitness lost one of its top competitors today, as Mindi O'Brien announced via Youtube today that she is retiring from fitness competition. It sucks to leave a sport or anything you love for so long due to an injury. She's had a great career spanning 14 years, with great routines and what some people call one of the best physiques in fitness history, capped off by her trademark arms that would give any female bodybuilder a run for their money. Some of her highlights include competing in 6 straight Fitness Olympias (although she was qualified for 7, but skipped out of this year's show due to injury) and 5 straight Arnold Classics. She would finish her career at the first-ever Arnold Classic Europe, placing 6th.
Here's a video of Mindi during her trip to Spain (including her fitness routine and posing round) and announcing her retirement from fitness:
What does the future hold for her? We're unsure, but we think she will stick around in the fitness industry in some form or capacity. We over at Save Women's Fitness Now congratulate Mindi on an incredible journey, and we wish her the best of luck in the next chapter of her life!
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| Photo credit: RxMuscle.com |
Here's a video of Mindi during her trip to Spain (including her fitness routine and posing round) and announcing her retirement from fitness:
What does the future hold for her? We're unsure, but we think she will stick around in the fitness industry in some form or capacity. We over at Save Women's Fitness Now congratulate Mindi on an incredible journey, and we wish her the best of luck in the next chapter of her life!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Tanji Johnson Wins Arnold Classic Europe Fitness
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| Photo credit: Rx Muscle |
History was made this weekend at the first-ever Arnold Classic Europe took place. Tanji Johnson, one of the top competitors in fitness and according to many a future Fitness Olympia and/or Fitness International champion, will forever be in the history books as the first-ever Arnold Classic Europe Fitness champion. Bethany Cisternino took 2nd, Regiane DeSilva took 3rd place. Here are the full results as well as scorecard for this historic event:
1. Tanji Johnson
2. Bethany Cisternino
3. Regiane DeSilva
4. Myriam Capes
5. Tina Durkin
6. Mindi O'Brien
7. Diana Monteiro
8. Kayde Puckett
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| Photo cradit: IFBBPro.com |
Congrats to Tanji on the win, and to everyone that competed at the Arnold Classic Europe! You all made history this weekend!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
IFBB Advisory Rule about Competition Contracts and No-Show at Finals
This was released last week, from the IFBB:
Let's start with the athlete competition contract ruling. There are those that take their time and want to see who else is competing and maybe they will wait until the very last minute to send in a contract. With this new ruling, that will be reduced dramatically as competitors MUST submit their contracts no later than a month (30 days) before the competition they plan to enter. And if they DO wait, they gotta pay up to the tune of 200 dollars. So make up your mind early, folks, and go ahead and submit those contracts.
As far as the no-show at finals are concerned, good ruling on that as well. If you make it, don't bail out unless you have a legitimate excuse. If you're literally feeling like you're gonna pass out, then you clearly excused from the finals. Your health is more important than a trophy and a spot at the Olympia. But if you're skipping to be skipping, you better hope it's a VERY GOOD excuse, because it's gonna cost ya $1,000. And until it's paid off, you will be kept from competing elsewhere.
While I personally love these rulings, some of you might not. What are YOUR thoughts on the new IFBB rulings? Post them below.
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| Credit: IFBBPro.com |
Let's start with the athlete competition contract ruling. There are those that take their time and want to see who else is competing and maybe they will wait until the very last minute to send in a contract. With this new ruling, that will be reduced dramatically as competitors MUST submit their contracts no later than a month (30 days) before the competition they plan to enter. And if they DO wait, they gotta pay up to the tune of 200 dollars. So make up your mind early, folks, and go ahead and submit those contracts.
As far as the no-show at finals are concerned, good ruling on that as well. If you make it, don't bail out unless you have a legitimate excuse. If you're literally feeling like you're gonna pass out, then you clearly excused from the finals. Your health is more important than a trophy and a spot at the Olympia. But if you're skipping to be skipping, you better hope it's a VERY GOOD excuse, because it's gonna cost ya $1,000. And until it's paid off, you will be kept from competing elsewhere.
While I personally love these rulings, some of you might not. What are YOUR thoughts on the new IFBB rulings? Post them below.
NPC Fitness Spotlight for October 2011: Amanda Hatfield
This month's NPC Fitness Spotlight belongs to someon who has returned to the scene after being away from the fitness scene since 2004, Amanda Hatfield!
Looking at the picture above, some of you think you might have seen her before. If you were following this sport around 2004-2005, chances are you have. She used to go by the name Amanda Swallow. She was ALL OVER the paysites with her explosive biceps and overall muscularity. She was doing exceptionally well during her first run, then out of nowhere, she disappered, not to be seen until now.
With a new name in Amanda Hatfield, she didn't waste any time in making a name for herself in the fitness division. In her first show back from a five-year hiatus, she won first place at the NPC Julie Palmer Ultimate Showdown this past June in Toledo, Ohio and qualifying to compete in Fitness Nationals at Team Universe, where she claimed fifth in the short class. She recently competed in the North Americans, where she won her class and ALMOST won her pro card that night as well. She did more than just win her class at the NAs, she she restored her status as one of the division’s top contenders, and she's currently on Kriv Studios and HDPhysiques, with her biceps as impressive as ever. Expect more sites to feature her and quite possibly a pro card in the VERY near future. I think I can speak for everyone when I say...WELCOME BACK AMANDA!!!
COMPETITION HISTORY (as Amanda Hatfield)
1st Place Short Class-North Americans 2011
5th Place Short Class-Team Universe 2011
1st Place-Julie Palmer Ultimate Showdown
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| Photo credit: Fitness Rx |
Looking at the picture above, some of you think you might have seen her before. If you were following this sport around 2004-2005, chances are you have. She used to go by the name Amanda Swallow. She was ALL OVER the paysites with her explosive biceps and overall muscularity. She was doing exceptionally well during her first run, then out of nowhere, she disappered, not to be seen until now.
With a new name in Amanda Hatfield, she didn't waste any time in making a name for herself in the fitness division. In her first show back from a five-year hiatus, she won first place at the NPC Julie Palmer Ultimate Showdown this past June in Toledo, Ohio and qualifying to compete in Fitness Nationals at Team Universe, where she claimed fifth in the short class. She recently competed in the North Americans, where she won her class and ALMOST won her pro card that night as well. She did more than just win her class at the NAs, she she restored her status as one of the division’s top contenders, and she's currently on Kriv Studios and HDPhysiques, with her biceps as impressive as ever. Expect more sites to feature her and quite possibly a pro card in the VERY near future. I think I can speak for everyone when I say...WELCOME BACK AMANDA!!!
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| Photo credit: Fitness Rx |
COMPETITION HISTORY (as Amanda Hatfield)
1st Place Short Class-North Americans 2011
5th Place Short Class-Team Universe 2011
1st Place-Julie Palmer Ultimate Showdown
IFBB Fitness Spotlight for October 2011: Kayde Puckett
This month's IFBB Fitness Spotlight belongs to one of the newer competitors in IFBB, Kayde Puckett!
Kayde is from Northern Virginia, now residing in North Carolina! While her parents wanted her to do dancing and piano, she wanted to do martial arts when she was little. Her parents decided to let her do martial arts, and from there was the beginning of what would be the start of a great fitness career ahead of her. It was during her martial arts days that led her to discover weight training. She began to pick up weights at age 14 ana hasn't looked back since. That and her martial arts training (which she continued through college) paved the way for her to become a fitness competitor.
When she moved to Raleigh, I was unable to find a martial arts school that would fit her needs. It turned out to be a blessing in disquise as she focues more on weight training anf found fitness in the process. When she saw her first fitness show, she was instantly hooked. She began to train for fitness in April 2008, and a year after that, at the NPC Team Universe in 2009, she won the overall fitness title and her pro card, and she's now an IFBB Pro.
Kayde will be making history this month as she will participate in the first-ever Arnold Classic Europe. With her successful track record, the sky's the limit for what she can accomplish in the IFBB fitness division.
COMPETITION HISTORY:
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| Photo credit: Muscular Development |
Kayde is from Northern Virginia, now residing in North Carolina! While her parents wanted her to do dancing and piano, she wanted to do martial arts when she was little. Her parents decided to let her do martial arts, and from there was the beginning of what would be the start of a great fitness career ahead of her. It was during her martial arts days that led her to discover weight training. She began to pick up weights at age 14 ana hasn't looked back since. That and her martial arts training (which she continued through college) paved the way for her to become a fitness competitor.
When she moved to Raleigh, I was unable to find a martial arts school that would fit her needs. It turned out to be a blessing in disquise as she focues more on weight training anf found fitness in the process. When she saw her first fitness show, she was instantly hooked. She began to train for fitness in April 2008, and a year after that, at the NPC Team Universe in 2009, she won the overall fitness title and her pro card, and she's now an IFBB Pro.
Kayde will be making history this month as she will participate in the first-ever Arnold Classic Europe. With her successful track record, the sky's the limit for what she can accomplish in the IFBB fitness division.
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| Photo credit: Lift Studios/Isaac Hinds |
COMPETITION HISTORY:
10th Place - Europa Show of Champions, Orlando, FL (April, 2010)
8th Place - NY Pro Fitness Classic, New York, NY (April, 2010)
14th Place - Fitness International, Columbus, OH (March, 2010) - Pro Debut
7th Place - IFBB World Championships, Como, Italy (October, 2009)
1st Place Tall Class and Overall (Earned IFBB Pro Card) - NPC Team Universe and National Fitness Championships, New York, NY (September 2009)
3rd Place - NPC Jr. Nat's, Chicago, IL (June 2009)
4th Place - NPC Jr. USA's, Charleston, SC (May 2009)
1st Place - Carolina Clash, Kannapolis, NC (Oct 2008)
2nd Place - SC Excalibur, Charleston, SC (Aug 2008)
For more on Kayde, visit her website at http://www.kaydepuckett.com/.
8th Place - NY Pro Fitness Classic, New York, NY (April, 2010)
14th Place - Fitness International, Columbus, OH (March, 2010) - Pro Debut
7th Place - IFBB World Championships, Como, Italy (October, 2009)
1st Place Tall Class and Overall (Earned IFBB Pro Card) - NPC Team Universe and National Fitness Championships, New York, NY (September 2009)
3rd Place - NPC Jr. Nat's, Chicago, IL (June 2009)
4th Place - NPC Jr. USA's, Charleston, SC (May 2009)
1st Place - Carolina Clash, Kannapolis, NC (Oct 2008)
2nd Place - SC Excalibur, Charleston, SC (Aug 2008)
For more on Kayde, visit her website at http://www.kaydepuckett.com/.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
New Olympia Qualifications for 2012 and Beyond
For those unaware, the 2012 Olympia is aiming to be more elite with some new changes. Here's the official IFBB Advisory Notice on Olympia qualifications, beginning next year:
When you stop to think about it, it's a great way to make the Olympia more special then it already is. Yes, this does mean there will be LESS competitors on the Olympia stage from this point forward, but the Olympia is supposed to represent the absolute BEST of this industry, right? I have no problem with it. Besides, For those divisions that might lack a few competitors, invites could be issued. So placing in the top 3 in ANY competition is still important, as it can do a long way in possibly seeing yourself on the Olympia stage beginning next year and the years to come. Also, there's men's and women's physique that's going to be part of the Olympia soon. The rest of this year's shows are NOT affected by this rule. This will take place at the start of the 2012 season.
I'll admit, when I first heard about these changes, I wasn't too keen on them in terms of women's fitness is concerned, as there are not as many shows for fitness as there are for figure and bikini. But after reading this, my worries died down...for now, at least. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how much this will truly affect women's fitness.
What are YOUR thoughts on the new Olympia qualifications? Do you think this will positively or negatively affect women's fitness? Post your thoughts below or send a Tweet to us at SaveFitnessNow.
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| Photo credit: IFBB Pro |
When you stop to think about it, it's a great way to make the Olympia more special then it already is. Yes, this does mean there will be LESS competitors on the Olympia stage from this point forward, but the Olympia is supposed to represent the absolute BEST of this industry, right? I have no problem with it. Besides, For those divisions that might lack a few competitors, invites could be issued. So placing in the top 3 in ANY competition is still important, as it can do a long way in possibly seeing yourself on the Olympia stage beginning next year and the years to come. Also, there's men's and women's physique that's going to be part of the Olympia soon. The rest of this year's shows are NOT affected by this rule. This will take place at the start of the 2012 season.
I'll admit, when I first heard about these changes, I wasn't too keen on them in terms of women's fitness is concerned, as there are not as many shows for fitness as there are for figure and bikini. But after reading this, my worries died down...for now, at least. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how much this will truly affect women's fitness.
What are YOUR thoughts on the new Olympia qualifications? Do you think this will positively or negatively affect women's fitness? Post your thoughts below or send a Tweet to us at SaveFitnessNow.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
NPC Fitness Spotlight for September 2011: Babette Mulford
The NPC Fitness Spotlight for September 2011 belongs to Babette Mulford!
Babette is an NPC Fitness Competitor from Iowa. She was, as most competitors were back in their days as a child, and active person, doing water ski, soccer, track, flaggirl, and cheerleading, among other things. Prior to becoming a fitness competitor, she competed in figure and bodybuilding. In fact, she started out as a bodybuilder (as it was the only thing offered for her at the time), then she went into fitness, then did figure for a while (as well as a few marathons) and now she's back home in fitness. Her journey started when she was part of a dance team and danced at an intermission of an area bodybuilding competition. She stayed after the intermission and totally fell in love with the sport. Her love has transformed into a lifestyle that has seen her place very well in several competitions, as she strives to one day become an IFBB Fitness Pro.
COMPETITION HISTORY
2011 IFBB North American Championships 3rd
2011 NPC Team Universe & National Fitness Championships 6th
2010 NPC Junior USA Championships 1st
2010 NPC Team Universe & National Fitness Championships 4th
2010 NPC Junior National Championships 3rd
2009 NPC Team Universe 6th
2009 IFBB North American Championships 3rd
2009 NPC Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships 5th
2008 NPC Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships 5th
2007 NPC National Championships 8th
2007 NPC Junior Nationals Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest 4th
You can learn more about Babette in an interview she did with Jason Adams of Promoting Real Women at http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2010/12/babette-mulford-interview.html.
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| Photo credit: FitnessRx |
Babette is an NPC Fitness Competitor from Iowa. She was, as most competitors were back in their days as a child, and active person, doing water ski, soccer, track, flaggirl, and cheerleading, among other things. Prior to becoming a fitness competitor, she competed in figure and bodybuilding. In fact, she started out as a bodybuilder (as it was the only thing offered for her at the time), then she went into fitness, then did figure for a while (as well as a few marathons) and now she's back home in fitness. Her journey started when she was part of a dance team and danced at an intermission of an area bodybuilding competition. She stayed after the intermission and totally fell in love with the sport. Her love has transformed into a lifestyle that has seen her place very well in several competitions, as she strives to one day become an IFBB Fitness Pro.
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| Photo credit: FitnessRx |
COMPETITION HISTORY
2011 IFBB North American Championships 3rd
2011 NPC Team Universe & National Fitness Championships 6th
2010 NPC Junior USA Championships 1st
2010 NPC Team Universe & National Fitness Championships 4th
2010 NPC Junior National Championships 3rd
2009 NPC Team Universe 6th
2009 IFBB North American Championships 3rd
2009 NPC Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships 5th
2008 NPC Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships 5th
2007 NPC National Championships 8th
2007 NPC Junior Nationals Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest 4th
You can learn more about Babette in an interview she did with Jason Adams of Promoting Real Women at http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2010/12/babette-mulford-interview.html.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
2011 Olympia Webcast Details
The good folks at Bodybuilding.com will once again be providing a
free webcast of the Olympia, taking place this weekend. Here's the
direct link to the Olympia webcast:
http://streaming.bodybuilding.com/2011-olympia-webcast/
Mr Olympia prejudging, Ms Olympia Finals, Fitness Olympia Finals & Bikini Olympia Finals will take place on Friday evening. with the finals of Mr Olympia & Figure Olympia taking place on Saturday evening.Women's prejudging will not be live via Webcast, however the prejudging is usually taped by Bodybuilding.com, so they will probably post the video a few days after the Olympia has concluded.
http://streaming.bodybuilding.com/2011-olympia-webcast/
Mr Olympia prejudging, Ms Olympia Finals, Fitness Olympia Finals & Bikini Olympia Finals will take place on Friday evening. with the finals of Mr Olympia & Figure Olympia taking place on Saturday evening.Women's prejudging will not be live via Webcast, however the prejudging is usually taped by Bodybuilding.com, so they will probably post the video a few days after the Olympia has concluded.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
IFBB Fitness Spotlight for September 2011: Adela Garcia
With the Olympia this month, the IFBB Fitness Spotlight for September 2011 was a no-brainer. This month's IFBB Spotlight goes to one of the most successful IFBB fitness champions in history: Adela Garcia!
Adela is arguably THE top fitness competitor in the world today, and for good reason. She's competed (AND WON) many titles, including multiple Fitness Internationals and Fitness Olympias.She was born in Cabrera, Dominican Republic and raised in San Juan Puerto Rico along with two older brothers. For those wondering, yes, she was a tomboy. Growing up active, she tried anything and everything you could think of in sports, including volleyball, softball, and basketball. This wasn't a sport, but there was a time that she (along with her brothers) putting forks in electrical outlets to see if they could see their skeletons!! Crazy, huh?! Despite all of that, there was one sport she never officially participated in, and it's the main sport that is credited a lot for fitness competitions: gymnastics. She wanted to take gymnastics classes, but financial issues kept her from doing so. So what did she do? She tried cartwheels and back-walkovers at home and kept myself busy playing games with my two brothers.
At the age of 17, she was introduced to weight training. In college, she joined the Army’s ROTC program, After being in the ROTC for a couple of years, she decided to take a trip throughout the states to learn English. While I visited California, I remember a couple of people suggesting that I try to compete in a fitness show. She was a bit skeptical because she did not have any type of dance background to compete. She declined that time and moved back to Puerto Rico in 1995. During that time, she taught aerobics classes and did some personal training at the gym on a military base. It was there where she saw a poster for the NPC Armed Forces Fitness Championships in North Carolina. She entered that contest and ended up placing second and was immediately hooked from that point on. She would compete in more local and nationals shows until 1999, where she took the overall fitness title at th 1999 USA Fitness Championship and earned my IFBB pro card. And the rest, as they say, is history.
There have been many great fitness competitors to come and go, but Adela has proven time and time again that she's among the all-time greats, and she hopes to cement her place in history at the 2001 Olympia, as she will be looking to win her 6th Fitness Olympia title, a feat no other fitness competitor has ever accomplished. When you think of fitness, bottom line, there's no one who solidifies the sport more than Adela Garcia.
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2011
Arnold Classic-first place
2010
Fitness Olympia-first place
Arnold Classic-first place
2009
Fitness Olympia-first place
Europa Super Show-third place
2007
Fitness Olympia-first place
Houston Pro Figure-third place
Arnold Classic-third place
2006
Fitness Olympia-first place
Arnold Classic-first place
2005
Sacramento Pro Fitness-first place
Fitness Olympia-third place
Arnold Classic-second place
2004
Fitness Olympia-first place
Arnold Classic-first place
2003
IFBB New York City Pro Fitness-Overall
IFBB Fitness International-second place
2002
IFBB GNC Show Of Strength Fitness-second place
IFBB Fitness Olympia-fourth place
IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Fitness-Overall
IFBB Atlantic States Pro Fitness-Overall
IFBB New York City Pro Fitness-Overall
IFBB Fitness International-fourth place
2001
IFBB Fitness Olympia-fourth place
IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Fitness-third place
IFBB Fitness International-third place
2000
IFBB Jan Tana Classic Pro Fitness-second place
IFBB Fitness Olympia-fifth place
IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Fitness-fifth place
IFBB Atlantic City Pro Fitness-sixth place
IFBB Fitness International-eighth place
1999
NPC USA Fitness Championships-Overall (IFBB Professional Qualifier)
1998
NPC Junior National Fitness Championships-second place short class
IFBB North American Fitness Championships-sixth place short class
NPC National Fitness Championships-eighth place short class
NPC USA Fitness Championships-ninth place short class
1996
NPC Pennsylvania Fitness Championships-fourth place
NPC National Fitness Championships-twelfth place
1995
NPC Europa Sports Fitness Championships-second place
For more on Adela, visit her website at http://www.adelafitness.com.
 |
| Photo credit: Muscular Development |
Adela is arguably THE top fitness competitor in the world today, and for good reason. She's competed (AND WON) many titles, including multiple Fitness Internationals and Fitness Olympias.She was born in Cabrera, Dominican Republic and raised in San Juan Puerto Rico along with two older brothers. For those wondering, yes, she was a tomboy. Growing up active, she tried anything and everything you could think of in sports, including volleyball, softball, and basketball. This wasn't a sport, but there was a time that she (along with her brothers) putting forks in electrical outlets to see if they could see their skeletons!! Crazy, huh?! Despite all of that, there was one sport she never officially participated in, and it's the main sport that is credited a lot for fitness competitions: gymnastics. She wanted to take gymnastics classes, but financial issues kept her from doing so. So what did she do? She tried cartwheels and back-walkovers at home and kept myself busy playing games with my two brothers.
At the age of 17, she was introduced to weight training. In college, she joined the Army’s ROTC program, After being in the ROTC for a couple of years, she decided to take a trip throughout the states to learn English. While I visited California, I remember a couple of people suggesting that I try to compete in a fitness show. She was a bit skeptical because she did not have any type of dance background to compete. She declined that time and moved back to Puerto Rico in 1995. During that time, she taught aerobics classes and did some personal training at the gym on a military base. It was there where she saw a poster for the NPC Armed Forces Fitness Championships in North Carolina. She entered that contest and ended up placing second and was immediately hooked from that point on. She would compete in more local and nationals shows until 1999, where she took the overall fitness title at th 1999 USA Fitness Championship and earned my IFBB pro card. And the rest, as they say, is history.
There have been many great fitness competitors to come and go, but Adela has proven time and time again that she's among the all-time greats, and she hopes to cement her place in history at the 2001 Olympia, as she will be looking to win her 6th Fitness Olympia title, a feat no other fitness competitor has ever accomplished. When you think of fitness, bottom line, there's no one who solidifies the sport more than Adela Garcia.
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| Photo credit: Fitness Rx |
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2011
Arnold Classic-first place
2010
Fitness Olympia-first place
Arnold Classic-first place
2009
Fitness Olympia-first place
Europa Super Show-third place
2007
Fitness Olympia-first place
Houston Pro Figure-third place
Arnold Classic-third place
2006
Fitness Olympia-first place
Arnold Classic-first place
2005
Sacramento Pro Fitness-first place
Fitness Olympia-third place
Arnold Classic-second place
2004
Fitness Olympia-first place
Arnold Classic-first place
2003
IFBB New York City Pro Fitness-Overall
IFBB Fitness International-second place
2002
IFBB GNC Show Of Strength Fitness-second place
IFBB Fitness Olympia-fourth place
IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Fitness-Overall
IFBB Atlantic States Pro Fitness-Overall
IFBB New York City Pro Fitness-Overall
IFBB Fitness International-fourth place
2001
IFBB Fitness Olympia-fourth place
IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Fitness-third place
IFBB Fitness International-third place
2000
IFBB Jan Tana Classic Pro Fitness-second place
IFBB Fitness Olympia-fifth place
IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Fitness-fifth place
IFBB Atlantic City Pro Fitness-sixth place
IFBB Fitness International-eighth place
1999
NPC USA Fitness Championships-Overall (IFBB Professional Qualifier)
1998
NPC Junior National Fitness Championships-second place short class
IFBB North American Fitness Championships-sixth place short class
NPC National Fitness Championships-eighth place short class
NPC USA Fitness Championships-ninth place short class
1996
NPC Pennsylvania Fitness Championships-fourth place
NPC National Fitness Championships-twelfth place
1995
NPC Europa Sports Fitness Championships-second place
For more on Adela, visit her website at http://www.adelafitness.com.
Monday, August 1, 2011
NPC Fitness Spotlight for August 2011: Alissa Carpio
This month's NPC Fitness Spotlight belongs to Alissa Carpio!
Alissa has been a certified personal trainer since 2002. A year after she became a personal trainer, she decided to enter the world of physique competitions. She has went on to compete in fitness, figure, and bodybuilding. She has placed in the top 5 at five national competitions, including a win at the 2010 Jr. USAs in Fitness. Her main goal is to one day earn her pro card in fitness.
In addition to fitness competitions and personal training, she's also a freelance writer for health, fitness, pregnancy, and babies. You can view some of her work on Bodybuilding.com, MAX Sports & Fitness, Pampers.com, Bodysport.com, Fitness & Physique, and Faith and Fitness.
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2011 Team Universe, Fitness 6th Place, Class C
2010 NPC Junior, Fitness Tall Class (2nd)
2008 Junior Nationals, Fitness Class C (4th)
2008 Junior USA, Fitness Class C (1st)
2008 NPC Pittsburgh, Fitness (3rd)
2007 NPC National Fitness Championship, 6th Tall
2007 NPC Maryland Grand Prix, Overall Women's Bodybuilding
2006 NPC Team Universe Championship, 8th - Fitness Tall
2005 NPC National Fitness Championship, 3rd Tall
2005 OCB Battle of Blacksburg, 1st - Women's Novice, 2nd - Open
2005 NPC Junior USA Championship, 1st - Fitness Tall
2005 NPC Pittsburgh Championship, 1st - Fitness Tall
2004 NPC VA/DC State Championship, Overall Fitness
2004 NPC Bethany Howlett Classic, Overall Fitness
2004 NPC Tournament of Champions, 1st - Figure Tall
2004 NPC BodyRock & Monica Brant, Overall Fitness
For more on Alissa, visit her website at http://www.alissa.net/.
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| Photo credit: Fitness Rx |
Alissa has been a certified personal trainer since 2002. A year after she became a personal trainer, she decided to enter the world of physique competitions. She has went on to compete in fitness, figure, and bodybuilding. She has placed in the top 5 at five national competitions, including a win at the 2010 Jr. USAs in Fitness. Her main goal is to one day earn her pro card in fitness.
In addition to fitness competitions and personal training, she's also a freelance writer for health, fitness, pregnancy, and babies. You can view some of her work on Bodybuilding.com, MAX Sports & Fitness, Pampers.com, Bodysport.com, Fitness & Physique, and Faith and Fitness.
 |
| Photo credit: Fitness Rx |
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2011 Team Universe, Fitness 6th Place, Class C
2010 NPC Junior, Fitness Tall Class (2nd)
2008 Junior Nationals, Fitness Class C (4th)
2008 Junior USA, Fitness Class C (1st)
2008 NPC Pittsburgh, Fitness (3rd)
2007 NPC National Fitness Championship, 6th Tall
2007 NPC Maryland Grand Prix, Overall Women's Bodybuilding
2006 NPC Team Universe Championship, 8th - Fitness Tall
2005 NPC National Fitness Championship, 3rd Tall
2005 OCB Battle of Blacksburg, 1st - Women's Novice, 2nd - Open
2005 NPC Junior USA Championship, 1st - Fitness Tall
2005 NPC Pittsburgh Championship, 1st - Fitness Tall
2004 NPC VA/DC State Championship, Overall Fitness
2004 NPC Bethany Howlett Classic, Overall Fitness
2004 NPC Tournament of Champions, 1st - Figure Tall
2004 NPC BodyRock & Monica Brant, Overall Fitness
For more on Alissa, visit her website at http://www.alissa.net/.
IFBB Fitness Spotlight for August 2011: Trish Warren
This month's IFBB Fitness Spotlight goes to one half of the arguably THE top IFBB couple in the game today and a future mother, Trish Warren!
Trish would describe herself as the "small town country girl with dreams as big as the Texas sky". She was on a cheerleading scholarship, which she did for a couple of year, and then decided to enter fitness competitions. She joined a small gym and hired a trainer and began my journey to being a top fitness star. That gym would be the very place she would met a man named Branch Warren. Little did anyone expect what would go down after that for BOTH Trish and Branch.
Trish would go on to win her very first competition, the Ronnie Coleman Classic in 1999, and from that point on, she was hooked. She would win her pro card in 2002 at NPC Nationals, and from there on she would go on to compete in many events, including the Arnold and Olympia. Along the way, she has refined her routines and her physique to be one of the best in the world. In fact, Trish is currently the number THREE fitness competitor on the planet, right behind Adela Garcia and Tanji Johnson. Her journey to being THE best will have to take a backseat, though, and for VERY good reason. Announced last month (July), Trish and Branch are expecting their first child together!! Congrats to the Warren family! I have no doubt in my mind that when the time's right, Trish will return to the stage and pick up right where she left off; aiming to win the Fitness Olympia and/or Fitness International title and prove to the world that she is the best.
COMPETITION HISTORY:
1999 Ronnie Coleman Classic 1st
2002 Jr. Nationals 1st and Overall
2002 Nationals Earned Pro Card
2008 NY Pro Fitness 2nd (qualifed for 1st Olympia)
2008 Houston Pro 10th
2008 Fitness Olympia 9th
2009 Arnold Classic Fitness International 7th
2009 NY Pro Fitness 2nd
2009 Fitness Olympia 10th
2010 Arnold Classic Fitness International 4th
2010 New York Pro Fitness 2nd
2010 Fitness Olympia 3rd
2011 Arnold Classic Fitness International 3rd
For more on Trish, visit her website at http://www.trishwarrenfitness.com
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| Photo credit: FLEX Online |
Trish would describe herself as the "small town country girl with dreams as big as the Texas sky". She was on a cheerleading scholarship, which she did for a couple of year, and then decided to enter fitness competitions. She joined a small gym and hired a trainer and began my journey to being a top fitness star. That gym would be the very place she would met a man named Branch Warren. Little did anyone expect what would go down after that for BOTH Trish and Branch.
Trish would go on to win her very first competition, the Ronnie Coleman Classic in 1999, and from that point on, she was hooked. She would win her pro card in 2002 at NPC Nationals, and from there on she would go on to compete in many events, including the Arnold and Olympia. Along the way, she has refined her routines and her physique to be one of the best in the world. In fact, Trish is currently the number THREE fitness competitor on the planet, right behind Adela Garcia and Tanji Johnson. Her journey to being THE best will have to take a backseat, though, and for VERY good reason. Announced last month (July), Trish and Branch are expecting their first child together!! Congrats to the Warren family! I have no doubt in my mind that when the time's right, Trish will return to the stage and pick up right where she left off; aiming to win the Fitness Olympia and/or Fitness International title and prove to the world that she is the best.
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| Photo credit: Muscular Development |
COMPETITION HISTORY:
1999 Ronnie Coleman Classic 1st
2002 Jr. Nationals 1st and Overall
2002 Nationals Earned Pro Card
2008 NY Pro Fitness 2nd (qualifed for 1st Olympia)
2008 Houston Pro 10th
2008 Fitness Olympia 9th
2009 Arnold Classic Fitness International 7th
2009 NY Pro Fitness 2nd
2009 Fitness Olympia 10th
2010 Arnold Classic Fitness International 4th
2010 New York Pro Fitness 2nd
2010 Fitness Olympia 3rd
2011 Arnold Classic Fitness International 3rd
For more on Trish, visit her website at http://www.trishwarrenfitness.com
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Cheerleading competitions for potential fitness competitors?
This has been brought up a few times, so I'd thought I'd bring it up here. How many of you have looked into high school/college cheerleading competitions to recruit potential fitness competitors? The numbers have increased in cheerleading big time, and weight-training has become more of a staple for cheerleading than ever before. From what I've seen personally, some cheerleaders wouldn't look out of place whatsoever in a fitness show. What are YOUR thoughts on looking at cheerleading competitions for potential fitness competitors?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Trish Warren to Sit Out 2011 Olympia
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| Congrats to Trish on having a baby! Photo credit: GMV Bodybuilding |
Earlier today, Isaac Hinds mentioned that a top Fitness Olympia competitor would be sitting out this year. It's not been confirmed that Trish Warren will NOT be a part of the 2011 Fitness Olympia, and for good reason...she's having a baby! Big congrats to Trish and her hubby Branch on their upcoming bundle of joy.
You can read the full story on Hardbody News.
No doubt Trish will be missed on the Olympia stage this year, and no doubt the fitness top 6 will experience a shake-up as well. In my honest opinion, she was going to be a major favorite, right behind Tanji Johnson, to take Adela Garcia's title this year. It will be a while before we see Trish on stage again, but knowing her she'll return sooner than later.
On behalf of everyone at Save Women's Fitness Now, congrats to the Warren family!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Jenny Worth Returns to Her Roots This Weekend!
For those attending the NPC Southern States Championships this weekend (July 8-9) are in for one heck of a treat. Jenny Worth will be guest performing at the show! For the first time since having her child, she will be back on stage to perform a fitness routine.
According to Jenny, she's doing it for the love of the sport that's made her a star in the first place, women's fitness, and with this performance, she hopes to put women's fitness back on the map and hope to get people talking about Jenny again. During her interview with FitGems Nation earlier this year, she mentioned that she wouldn't mind returning to compete when she felt the time was right. Could this guest appearance be the beginning of a comeback for the 2001 Fitness International champion? I wouldn't put it past her, as many people have said that she's among the best to never win the Fitness Olympia title. That will remain to be see whether she returns to competition, but it will be great for those attending the Southern States to see an IFBB Fitness legend on stage.
The show will start at 7PM Eastern time, with her appearance taking place around 9pm July 8th. Below is the location of the show and where and who to contact for tickets and more information about the Southern States:
WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
800 NE 8th Street
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
TICKETS AND INFO: contact
PETER W. POTTER, USA SPORTS PROMOTIONS OF FL
phone: 954.763.2718 - email: usasports@juno.com
We wish Jenny the best of luck in her return to the stage and hopes this could lead to bigger things in the future! For more on Jenny, visit her website at http://www.jennyworthfitness.com and visit her Yahoo fan club at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jenny_worth, and "like" Jenny Worth Fitness on Facebook.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
NPC Fitness Spotlight for July 2011: Jennifer Bishop-Kernaghan
This month's NPC Fitness Spotlight was chosen from the Facebook fan page, Jennifer Bishop-Kerneghan!
Jennifer is a NPC figure turned fitness competitor from Mississippi. Sdisplayed a penchant for ambition and She began entering and won quite a bit of beauty pageants near her home in Mississippi. But she wanted to expand her horizons, so she decided to move to Jupiter, Florida. It was then that her life would change forever.
Jennifer went into in the mortgage industry but found out quick that she didn't want to do that for the rest of her life. Out of nowhere, she applied for a position at a gym in Jupiter and quickly realized her passion: health and fitness. She started as an aerobics and spin instructor and quickly moved into full-time personal training.
She began to get attention from the gym-goers there, and after some talks here and there, it was clear that she was destined to compete in physique competitions. She has dabbled in a few figure shows, but most of her career has been in fitness competitions. She has competed in quite a few fitness shows, with her recent show (Jr. Nationals) placed 4th. Each competition moves her one step closer to every National competitors dream: becoming an IFBB Pro.
COMPETITION HISTORY
2011
Jr. Nationals- 4th Place Class C
2010
Fitness Team Universe - 6th Place
Fitness Jr. Nationals - 9th Place
West Palm Beach Anna Level - 1st Place Fitness Medium and Overall Winner
Diamond Classic - 1st Place Open and 2nd Place Over 30
2007
Sunshine Classic - Fitness Overall Winner and 2nd Place Figure
2006
Sunshine Classic Fitness - Fitness Overall Winner and 2nd Place Figure
2004
Florida State Figure - 5th Place
2003
Gold Cup Figure - 3rd Place
For more on Jennifer, visit her website at http://www.jlfit.com/.
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| Photo credit: FitnessRx |
Jennifer is a NPC figure turned fitness competitor from Mississippi. Sdisplayed a penchant for ambition and She began entering and won quite a bit of beauty pageants near her home in Mississippi. But she wanted to expand her horizons, so she decided to move to Jupiter, Florida. It was then that her life would change forever.
Jennifer went into in the mortgage industry but found out quick that she didn't want to do that for the rest of her life. Out of nowhere, she applied for a position at a gym in Jupiter and quickly realized her passion: health and fitness. She started as an aerobics and spin instructor and quickly moved into full-time personal training.
She began to get attention from the gym-goers there, and after some talks here and there, it was clear that she was destined to compete in physique competitions. She has dabbled in a few figure shows, but most of her career has been in fitness competitions. She has competed in quite a few fitness shows, with her recent show (Jr. Nationals) placed 4th. Each competition moves her one step closer to every National competitors dream: becoming an IFBB Pro.
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| Photo credit: FitnessRx |
COMPETITION HISTORY
2011
Jr. Nationals- 4th Place Class C
2010
Fitness Team Universe - 6th Place
Fitness Jr. Nationals - 9th Place
West Palm Beach Anna Level - 1st Place Fitness Medium and Overall Winner
Diamond Classic - 1st Place Open and 2nd Place Over 30
2007
Sunshine Classic - Fitness Overall Winner and 2nd Place Figure
2006
Sunshine Classic Fitness - Fitness Overall Winner and 2nd Place Figure
2004
Florida State Figure - 5th Place
2003
Gold Cup Figure - 3rd Place
For more on Jennifer, visit her website at http://www.jlfit.com/.
IFBB Fitness Spotlight for July 2011: Myriam Capes
This month's fitness spotlight belongs to the highest ranking fitness competitor in Canada, Myriam "Mimi" Capes!
Myriam is a IFBB Fitness Pro from Canada. She began her fitness career at the tender age of 17. Before becoming a fitness star, she was a gymnast. Mimi would obtained her pro card in 2006. Her first year as a pro, she would qualify to compete in the 2007 Fitness Olympia. She would finish 18th of 19th in the competition. While that's near the bottom of the list, being able to compete in the Olympia in your first year as a pro is an accomplishment in an accomplishment in itself.
In her first year, she brought am impressive physique to the stage, but it was obvious things were gonna have to change a bit in order to make a major impact in IFBB Fitness. The following year, she refined her physique to a more streamlined, judge-pleasing look, and her routines became more and more entertaining. She also went from blonde to jet black hair, which took a lot of people by surprise at the time, but from what I've heard, she made the right choice. In 2009, things began to take shape for her as she returned to the Olympia and placed 6th, a FAR cry from 18th place. She would follow that up with her first Arnold in 2010, placing 8th at the Fitness International. Her 4th place finish at this past Olympia, along with her 5th place finish as this year's Arnold makes her the highest ranking Canadian fitness competitor of all time. Many feel it's only a matter of time before she nabbed her first pro fitness win, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if she becomes a future Fitness Olympia and/or Fitness International champion. She has the routine, physique, personality, and drive to make it happen.
COMPETITION HISTORY
2011 IFBB Toronto Pro Super Show-2nd
2011 IFBB Fitness International-5th
2010 IFBB Olympia-4th
2010 IFBB Europa Super Show-2nd
2010 IFBB Europa Show of Champions-3rd
2010 IFBB Fitness International-8th
2009 IFBB Olympia-6th
2009 IFBB Europa Super Show & Supplement Expo-2nd
2009 IFBB Europa Show of Champions-2nd
2009 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-5th
2008 IFBB Atlantic City Pro-4th
2008 IFBB 15th Annual Sports/Fitness Weekend & Europa IFBB Super Show-7th
2008 IFBB Houston Pro Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Contest-13th
2008 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-9th
2007 IFBB Olympia-18th
2007 IFBB Santa Susanna Bodybuilding And Figure Contest-2nd
2007 IFBB Europa Super Show-NP
To visit her website, check it out at http://www.myriamcapes.ca/.
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| Photo credit: Flex Online |
Myriam is a IFBB Fitness Pro from Canada. She began her fitness career at the tender age of 17. Before becoming a fitness star, she was a gymnast. Mimi would obtained her pro card in 2006. Her first year as a pro, she would qualify to compete in the 2007 Fitness Olympia. She would finish 18th of 19th in the competition. While that's near the bottom of the list, being able to compete in the Olympia in your first year as a pro is an accomplishment in an accomplishment in itself.
In her first year, she brought am impressive physique to the stage, but it was obvious things were gonna have to change a bit in order to make a major impact in IFBB Fitness. The following year, she refined her physique to a more streamlined, judge-pleasing look, and her routines became more and more entertaining. She also went from blonde to jet black hair, which took a lot of people by surprise at the time, but from what I've heard, she made the right choice. In 2009, things began to take shape for her as she returned to the Olympia and placed 6th, a FAR cry from 18th place. She would follow that up with her first Arnold in 2010, placing 8th at the Fitness International. Her 4th place finish at this past Olympia, along with her 5th place finish as this year's Arnold makes her the highest ranking Canadian fitness competitor of all time. Many feel it's only a matter of time before she nabbed her first pro fitness win, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if she becomes a future Fitness Olympia and/or Fitness International champion. She has the routine, physique, personality, and drive to make it happen.
 |
| Photo credit: Flex Online |
COMPETITION HISTORY
2011 IFBB Toronto Pro Super Show-2nd
2011 IFBB Fitness International-5th
2010 IFBB Olympia-4th
2010 IFBB Europa Super Show-2nd
2010 IFBB Europa Show of Champions-3rd
2010 IFBB Fitness International-8th
2009 IFBB Olympia-6th
2009 IFBB Europa Super Show & Supplement Expo-2nd
2009 IFBB Europa Show of Champions-2nd
2009 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-5th
2008 IFBB Atlantic City Pro-4th
2008 IFBB 15th Annual Sports/Fitness Weekend & Europa IFBB Super Show-7th
2008 IFBB Houston Pro Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Contest-13th
2008 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-9th
2007 IFBB Olympia-18th
2007 IFBB Santa Susanna Bodybuilding And Figure Contest-2nd
2007 IFBB Europa Super Show-NP
To visit her website, check it out at http://www.myriamcapes.ca/.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tonya Burkhardt to do "24 Hours of Booty"
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| Photo credit: IFBB Pro |
I got this email from Tonya Burkhardt, and I wanted to share this with all of you. Please help out Tonya however you can.
I accepted the challenge once again of participating in 24 Hours of Booty. 24 Hours of Booty conducts annual 24 hour cycling events, which increase public awareness and support for cancer research and programs, while raising funds to support the LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION and local cancer organizations. I rode 123 miles last year and am still planning on riding post surgery and rehab this year.
I am asking you to help by supporting my fundraising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a real difference in the cancer community. It is faster and easier than ever to support me as a 24 Hours of Booty participant - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below.
Any amount you can give, great or small, helps in the fight against cancer. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress! Thank you so much!
Click here to visit Tonya's personal page.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
NPC Fitness Spotlight for June 2011: Lishia Dean
This month's NPC Fitness Spotlight belongs to Lishia Dean!
Lishia Dean is a fitness competitor from Greensboro, North Carolina. She's been part of the fitness industry most of her life, whether it be competing, or being a personal trainer, or being a powerlifter. Somehow, someway, Lishia has seemingly always dedicated her life to fitness.
Her journey began when she took a group exercise class for a PE course at Western Carolina University. She became certified to teach and was promoted to the Coordinator and went on to be certified in Personal Training. After graduating college, she started to do some powerlifting, and did pretty well for herself, as she reached a deadlift max of 370lbs raw at a weight of 139lbs in 2004. So yes, she's one of those competitors who really IS as strong as she looks. That same year , she decided to compete in her first fitness competition, the Elite Muscle Classic, and would win the Overall there. Two weeks later, she was part of the NPC Nationals in Dallas, TX. From that point forward, she's been competing in NPC Fitness hoping to one day get her pro card.
Her personal journey to one day be part of the IFBB has allowed her to help many people along the way. She was a Wellness Director at the YMCAs for a number of years in NC and FL, as well as venturing out as far as Canada and Australia. With her dance background, she has been able to help choreograph routines for many competitors, pro and amateur. With her accomplishments thus far, it seems like the next logical thing for her is to finally get that pro card and take her talents to the pro stage.
COMPETITIVE HISTORY:
2011
Jr. USAs: Fitness Class B (2nd)
2010
Team Universe: Fitness Medium (3rd)
Jr National Championships: Fitness Class B (4th)
2008
Team Universe: Fitness: Medium (3rd)
Junior Nationals Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships: Fitness: Class B (2nd)
Junior USA: Fitness Class B (4th)
2007
National Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships: Fitness Class B (3rd)
Team Universe Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships: Fitness Class B (5th)
Junior National Bodybuilding, Figure & Fitness Championships: Fitness Class B (3rd)
2004
National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championship: Fitness: Medium (10th)
For more on Lishia, go to her website at http://www.lishiadean.com/.
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| Photo credit: Fitness Rx Magazine |
Lishia Dean is a fitness competitor from Greensboro, North Carolina. She's been part of the fitness industry most of her life, whether it be competing, or being a personal trainer, or being a powerlifter. Somehow, someway, Lishia has seemingly always dedicated her life to fitness.
Her journey began when she took a group exercise class for a PE course at Western Carolina University. She became certified to teach and was promoted to the Coordinator and went on to be certified in Personal Training. After graduating college, she started to do some powerlifting, and did pretty well for herself, as she reached a deadlift max of 370lbs raw at a weight of 139lbs in 2004. So yes, she's one of those competitors who really IS as strong as she looks. That same year , she decided to compete in her first fitness competition, the Elite Muscle Classic, and would win the Overall there. Two weeks later, she was part of the NPC Nationals in Dallas, TX. From that point forward, she's been competing in NPC Fitness hoping to one day get her pro card.
Her personal journey to one day be part of the IFBB has allowed her to help many people along the way. She was a Wellness Director at the YMCAs for a number of years in NC and FL, as well as venturing out as far as Canada and Australia. With her dance background, she has been able to help choreograph routines for many competitors, pro and amateur. With her accomplishments thus far, it seems like the next logical thing for her is to finally get that pro card and take her talents to the pro stage.
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| Photo credit: Muscular Development |
COMPETITIVE HISTORY:
2011
Jr. USAs: Fitness Class B (2nd)
2010
Team Universe: Fitness Medium (3rd)
Jr National Championships: Fitness Class B (4th)
2008
Team Universe: Fitness: Medium (3rd)
Junior Nationals Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships: Fitness: Class B (2nd)
Junior USA: Fitness Class B (4th)
2007
National Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships: Fitness Class B (3rd)
Team Universe Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships: Fitness Class B (5th)
Junior National Bodybuilding, Figure & Fitness Championships: Fitness Class B (3rd)
2004
National Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championship: Fitness: Medium (10th)
For more on Lishia, go to her website at http://www.lishiadean.com/.
IFBB Fitness Spotlight for June 2011: Nicole Duncan
This month's IFBB Fitness Spotlight goes to all-around Southern girl Nicole Duncan!
Energetic, amazing, innovative. Those words come to mind when one thinks of Nicole Duncan. Nicole is one of the most energetic fitness competitors on the scene today, and one of the most talented as well. A Georgia girl through and through, she She became the 2006 NPC National Fitness Champion, which catapulted her to the rankings of the IFBB.
Ever since she won her pro card, she has climbed steadily into the top of the IFBB Fitness division. She has a great physique, but what she's best known for is her amazing energy during her routines. In fact, shortly after the passing of Michael Jackson in 2009 (may he Rest in Peace), she decided to incorporate a few of MJ's moves into her routine, and from everyone I've talked to, there were showstoppers.
Earlier this year, I actually had the chance to see Nicole in person during Wrestlemania 27. She was about a week or so out from competing at the New York Pro Fitness at the time. She was very sweet to everyone and yet made sure no one got out of line (hey, wrestling fans aren't the most gentle people on Earth. I should know. I'm one of them. LOL).
Truly one of the leader's in today's women's fitness division, this former Atlanta Falcon cheerleader is doing her best to entertain the crowd through her fitness routines, and it shows. Look for her to continue her path to becoming one of the best in IFBB women's fitness history.
COMPETITIVE HISTORY:
2011 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-8th
2011 IFBB Fitness International-10th
2010 IFBB Fort Lauderdale Pro Fitness-2nd
2010 IFBB Fitness Olympia-9th
2010 IFBB Europa Show of Champions Fitness-8th
2010 IFBB Fitness International-10th
2009 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Pro Fitness-2nd
2009 IFBB Fitness Olympia-8th
2009 IFBB Atlantic City Fitness-4th
2009 IFBB Europa Super Show Fitness-3rd
2009 IFBB Fitness International-14th
2008 IFBB Fitness Olympia-11th
2008 IFBB Europa IFBB Super Show Fitness-3rd
2008 IFBB Houston Pro Fitness-5th
2008 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-4th
2007 IFBB Palm Beach Pro/Am Fitness-7th
2007 IFBB Europa Super Show Fitness-10th
2007 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-7th
For more on Nicole, visit her website at http://www.fitnicole.com, and follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FitNicInc.
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| Photo credit: Arnold Sports Festival website |
Energetic, amazing, innovative. Those words come to mind when one thinks of Nicole Duncan. Nicole is one of the most energetic fitness competitors on the scene today, and one of the most talented as well. A Georgia girl through and through, she She became the 2006 NPC National Fitness Champion, which catapulted her to the rankings of the IFBB.
Ever since she won her pro card, she has climbed steadily into the top of the IFBB Fitness division. She has a great physique, but what she's best known for is her amazing energy during her routines. In fact, shortly after the passing of Michael Jackson in 2009 (may he Rest in Peace), she decided to incorporate a few of MJ's moves into her routine, and from everyone I've talked to, there were showstoppers.
Earlier this year, I actually had the chance to see Nicole in person during Wrestlemania 27. She was about a week or so out from competing at the New York Pro Fitness at the time. She was very sweet to everyone and yet made sure no one got out of line (hey, wrestling fans aren't the most gentle people on Earth. I should know. I'm one of them. LOL).
Truly one of the leader's in today's women's fitness division, this former Atlanta Falcon cheerleader is doing her best to entertain the crowd through her fitness routines, and it shows. Look for her to continue her path to becoming one of the best in IFBB women's fitness history.
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| Photo credit: Fitness Rx Magazine |
COMPETITIVE HISTORY:
2011 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-8th
2011 IFBB Fitness International-10th
2010 IFBB Fort Lauderdale Pro Fitness-2nd
2010 IFBB Fitness Olympia-9th
2010 IFBB Europa Show of Champions Fitness-8th
2010 IFBB Fitness International-10th
2009 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Pro Fitness-2nd
2009 IFBB Fitness Olympia-8th
2009 IFBB Atlantic City Fitness-4th
2009 IFBB Europa Super Show Fitness-3rd
2009 IFBB Fitness International-14th
2008 IFBB Fitness Olympia-11th
2008 IFBB Europa IFBB Super Show Fitness-3rd
2008 IFBB Houston Pro Fitness-5th
2008 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-4th
2007 IFBB Palm Beach Pro/Am Fitness-7th
2007 IFBB Europa Super Show Fitness-10th
2007 IFBB New York Pro Fitness-7th
For more on Nicole, visit her website at http://www.fitnicole.com, and follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FitNicInc.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Mindi O'Brien to Make Fitness Return at Toronto Pro Supershow!
As announced on Muscle Insider (http://www.muscle-insider.com/content/mindi-obrien-compete-toronto-pro-supershow) Siouxcountry (http://www.siouxcountry.com/showthread.php?t=15891), IFBB Pro Mindi O'Brien is returning to the fitness stage for the first time since the 2009 Olympia! And what better way to make her fitness comeback than at in her home country of Canada at the IFBB Tornoto Pro Supershow on June 17-18! For those that don't know, Mindi reinjured her back by cracking her L4-5 vertebra during the 2009 Fitness Olympia, and recently returned to the stage for a bit as a figure competitor. Now this summer, she will be returning to her home in fitness, and it's only fitting that she does it in front of her friends, family, and fellow competitors. We at Save Women's Fitness Now wish Mindi nothing but the best of luck to her in her fitness return!
Here a video of her 2009 Arnold routine, by Team Andro:
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| Mindi from 2008 Olympia Photo credit: Muscular Development |
Here a video of her 2009 Arnold routine, by Team Andro:
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Regaine Nails a Victory in Germany (2011 FIBO Power Pro Fitness Results)
The clear favorite going into this competition was Tanji Johnson, but due to passport problems, she could not make it to Germany, leaving Camala Rodriquez as frontrunner for the FIBO Power Pro Fitness, just coming off of a win the past weekend in New York. But two other fitness competitors had different ideas in mind. Regaine Da Silva emerged from the pact to pull off a big victory, her first pro win (I think) of her career, giving her big momentum heading into this year's Olympia and showing that she's no fluke in fitness. Diana Monteiro, in her pro debut, took runner-up honors and will join Regaine and Camala (who placed 3rd) in the 2011 Fitness Olympia. A great showing of talent overseas, and everyone that competed needs to be commented for their efforts. Congrats to you all!
RESULTS:
1. Regiane DaSilva
2. Diana Monteiro
3. Camala Rodriguez
4. Liudmila Somkina
5. Minna Pajulahti
6. Stacy McDowell
7. Ryall Graber-Vasani
SCORECARD:
RESULTS:
1. Regiane DaSilva
2. Diana Monteiro
3. Camala Rodriguez
4. Liudmila Somkina
5. Minna Pajulahti
6. Stacy McDowell
7. Ryall Graber-Vasani
SCORECARD:
Monday, April 11, 2011
Camala Shines in the Big Apple (2011 IFBB New York Fitness Results)
Congrats to Camala Rodriquez on winning the IFBB New York Pro Fitness this past weekend. She was among the favorites to win the event, and she didn't disappoint, nailing a perfect score in the physique round and was first in the routine round. Bethany Wagner continued her accent in the fitness rankings with a 2nd place finish and Michelle Blank make the most of her debut with a great 3rd place finish, thus putting her in the 2011 Fitness Olympia, along with Camala and Bethany. Save Fitness Now blog contributor and fan page administrator Stacy Wright made a huge splash as well in her pro debut with first callout in the physique round and an entertaining routine in the routine round. Victoria Larvie, fellow fan page administrator, placed 11th in a tough field of competitors. We at Save Women's Fitness Now are extremely proud of every single fitness competitor, especially the turnout for the pros this year. It's clear that women's pro fitness is alive and well in the Big Apple! :)
IFBB New York Pro Fitness Results:
1. Camala Rodriguez
2. Bethany Wagner
3. Michelle Blank
4. Kristina Rojas
5. Jodi Boam
6. Stacy Wright
7. Carrie Simmons
8. Nicole Duncan
9. Hollie Stewart
10. Sylvia Tremblay
11. Victoria Larvie
12. Allison Ethier
13. Ryall Garber-Vasani
14. Tamee Marie
15. Stacy McDowell
16. Venus Nguyen
17. Melissa Frederick
IFBB New York Pro Fitness Results:
1. Camala Rodriguez
2. Bethany Wagner
3. Michelle Blank
4. Kristina Rojas
5. Jodi Boam
6. Stacy Wright
7. Carrie Simmons
8. Nicole Duncan
9. Hollie Stewart
10. Sylvia Tremblay
11. Victoria Larvie
12. Allison Ethier
13. Ryall Garber-Vasani
14. Tamee Marie
15. Stacy McDowell
16. Venus Nguyen
17. Melissa Frederick
Friday, April 1, 2011
NPC Fitness Spotlight for April 2011: Meredith Miller
This month's NPC Fitness Spotlight belongs to Meredith Miller!
Meredith Miller is a fitness competitor from Ohio. Like many competitors, she works a very active job. She is a competitive gymnastics coach for Integrity Gymnastics in Plain City, Ohio, and also dopes personal training on the side. She loves dogs, in fact she has two dogs by the name of Pudd and Elvis. At times, they would actually sleep on the bed while she would sleep on the couch! No, I'm not making this up!
With her physique, she could have easily done figure, but chose to go the fitness route mainly due to her gymnastic background and her love for performing on stage. She's an international competitive gymnast.
Meredith has consistently placed in the top 3 in her National competitions thus far, with a top five finish at the Arnold Amateur this year. It wouldn't surprise us to see her nail that coveted pro card and compete with the elite ladies of the IFBB.
COMPETITIVE HISTORY
2011 Arnold Amateur, Fitness Tall Class (5th)
2010 IFBB North American Championships, Fitness Class B - Fitness (2nd)
2010 Team Universe, Fitness Tall (3rd)
2010 Jr National Championships, Fitness Class C (3rd)
2009 Arnold Amateur, Fitness Med Class
2007 NPC Ohio State Overall Fitness Champion
For more on Meredith, check out her interview with Physiqueness here.
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| Photo Credit: Muscular Development |
Meredith Miller is a fitness competitor from Ohio. Like many competitors, she works a very active job. She is a competitive gymnastics coach for Integrity Gymnastics in Plain City, Ohio, and also dopes personal training on the side. She loves dogs, in fact she has two dogs by the name of Pudd and Elvis. At times, they would actually sleep on the bed while she would sleep on the couch! No, I'm not making this up!
With her physique, she could have easily done figure, but chose to go the fitness route mainly due to her gymnastic background and her love for performing on stage. She's an international competitive gymnast.
Meredith has consistently placed in the top 3 in her National competitions thus far, with a top five finish at the Arnold Amateur this year. It wouldn't surprise us to see her nail that coveted pro card and compete with the elite ladies of the IFBB.
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| Photo credit: Fitness Rx Magazine |
COMPETITIVE HISTORY
2011 Arnold Amateur, Fitness Tall Class (5th)
2010 IFBB North American Championships, Fitness Class B - Fitness (2nd)
2010 Team Universe, Fitness Tall (3rd)
2010 Jr National Championships, Fitness Class C (3rd)
2009 Arnold Amateur, Fitness Med Class
2007 NPC Ohio State Overall Fitness Champion
For more on Meredith, check out her interview with Physiqueness here.
IFBB Fitness Spotlight for April 2011: Oksana Grishina
This month's IFBB Fitness Spotlight goes to one of the most amazing fitness competitors our there today, Oksana Grishina!
There are fitness competitors....and there are fitness ARTISTS. When one thinks of Oksana Grishina, you can't help but think of the team "artist". In every fitness competition she's ever entered, she's entered as a fan favorite. People anxiously await her turn to the stage at every competition she's ever entered. Very few competitors can grab the attention of the audience like Oksana. On top of her jaw-dropping routines, she has an incredibly built physique to go along with her routines, making her one of the most complete fitness competitors in the world today.
COMPETITION HISTORY
1993 “Master of Sports of Russia” in Rhythmic Gymnastics
2000 Kaliningrad State University Diploma DVS, Specialist in Physical Training and sports; Teacher
2004 “Master of Sports of Russia” in Bodybuilding
2004 “Master of Sports of Russia of International Class” in Bodybuilding
2004-6 Russian Championship, Overall Fitness Champion
2005-6 Awarded Best Non-Olympic Sportswoman of the Year in the Kaliningrad Region
2005 European Championship, Overall Fitness Champion
2006 World Championship, Overall Fitness Champion
2007 All Star Pro Fitness, 3rd Place
2007 Europa Super Show, Fitness, 16th Place
2007 IFBB Olympia, Fitness, 7th Place
2008 New York Pro Fitness Classic, Fitness, 7th Place
2008 Arnold Classic, Fitness, 10th Place
2009 Arnold Classic, Fitness, 9th Place
2010 Phoenix Pro, Fitness, 4th Place
2010 Arnold Classic, Fitness, 5th Place
2010 IFBB Olympia, Fitness Division, 5th Place
2011 Arhold Classic, Fitness, 8th Place
For more on Oksana, go to her website at http://www.oksanagrishina.com.
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| Photo credit: Muscular Development |
There are fitness competitors....and there are fitness ARTISTS. When one thinks of Oksana Grishina, you can't help but think of the team "artist". In every fitness competition she's ever entered, she's entered as a fan favorite. People anxiously await her turn to the stage at every competition she's ever entered. Very few competitors can grab the attention of the audience like Oksana. On top of her jaw-dropping routines, she has an incredibly built physique to go along with her routines, making her one of the most complete fitness competitors in the world today.
Oksana is from Kaliningrad, Russia. When her father was assigned to Riga, Latvia, she took gymnastics at an early age by her mother as a way to unleash her energy. It worked and she was hooked on it ever since. Fitness was and is a big part of her life. She went a University in Kaliningrad and earned a degree as a specialist in Physical Training and Sports. During that time, she organized her own ballet entitled “Antares”. I also worked as a choreographer with children at the Tchaikovsky School of Music and Art in Kaliningrad.
At that time, there were no gyms in Kaliningrad. When the first gym opened in 2002, a friend suggested that she work as a fitness and aerobics instructor. From there, trainers mentioned that she should try fitness. It didn't take long to see that fitness competitions were for her. In 2005 and 2006, Oksana was awarded the title of “Best Non-
She now lives in the United States for over three years and now live in California. She's still a personal trainer, fitness consultant and fitness model, as well as play the piano and act in her spare time, which has been a big part of her fitness routines. It's only a matter of time before the judges wake up and realize how amazing of a talent they have with Oksana.
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| Photo credit: Fitness Rx Magazine |
COMPETITION HISTORY
1993 “Master of Sports of Russia” in Rhythmic Gymnastics
2000 Kaliningrad State University Diploma DVS, Specialist in Physical Training and sports; Teacher
2004 “Master of Sports of Russia” in Bodybuilding
2004 “Master of Sports of Russia of International Class” in Bodybuilding
2004-6 Russian Championship, Overall Fitness Champion
2005-6 Awarded Best Non-Olympic Sportswoman of the Year in the Kaliningrad Region
2005 European Championship, Overall Fitness Champion
2006 World Championship, Overall Fitness Champion
2007 All Star Pro Fitness, 3rd Place
2007 Europa Super Show, Fitness, 16th Place
2007 IFBB Olympia, Fitness, 7th Place
2008 New York Pro Fitness Classic, Fitness, 7th Place
2008 Arnold Classic, Fitness, 10th Place
2009 Arnold Classic, Fitness, 9th Place
2010 Phoenix Pro, Fitness, 4th Place
2010 Arnold Classic, Fitness, 5th Place
2010 IFBB Olympia, Fitness Division, 5th Place
2011 Arhold Classic, Fitness, 8th Place
For more on Oksana, go to her website at http://www.oksanagrishina.com.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
2011 Arnold Amateur Fitness Results
Congrats to all the fitness competitors at the Arnold Amateur this past weekend! Diana Alemida was your overall Arnold Amateur fitness champion (winner of short class), while Aguiar Fernandez won the tall class. Here are the full results for them:
2011 Arnold Amateur Fitness Results
Short Class
1. Diana Alemida - Overall
2. Guryeva Olga
3. Paula Williams-Gulman
4. Shalimar Wilder
5. Samantha Kinnish
6. Maria Laura Cervelli
7. Stephanie Yu
8. Gloria Mohninger
9. Toni Wheeler
Tall Class
1. Aguiar Fernandez
2. Czine Szilvia
3. Dvortsova Tatiana
4. Jayla McDermott
5. Meredith Miller
6. Tiina Kasvi
7. Valeria Cristiane Aprobato
8. Angela Beavers
2011 Arnold Amateur Fitness Results
Short Class
1. Diana Alemida - Overall
2. Guryeva Olga
3. Paula Williams-Gulman
4. Shalimar Wilder
5. Samantha Kinnish
6. Maria Laura Cervelli
7. Stephanie Yu
8. Gloria Mohninger
9. Toni Wheeler
Tall Class
1. Aguiar Fernandez
2. Czine Szilvia
3. Dvortsova Tatiana
4. Jayla McDermott
5. Meredith Miller
6. Tiina Kasvi
7. Valeria Cristiane Aprobato
8. Angela Beavers
2011 Fitness International (Full Results)
Here are the full results of the 2011 Fitness International. Adela Garcia won her 4th Fitness International title, amid a bit of controversy, according to some. More will be spoken about this later on this week. Congrats to all the competitors!
2011 FITNESS INTERNATIONAL
1. Adela Garcia
2. Tanji Johnson
3. Trish Warren
4. Camala Rodriguez
5. Myriam Capes
6. Bethany Wagner
7. Regiane Da Silva
8. Oksana Grishina
9. Tina Durkin
10. Nicole Duncan
11. Erin Riley
12. Daniela O'Mara
13. Allison Ethier
13. Sylvia Tremblay
2011 FITNESS INTERNATIONAL
1. Adela Garcia
2. Tanji Johnson
3. Trish Warren
4. Camala Rodriguez
5. Myriam Capes
6. Bethany Wagner
7. Regiane Da Silva
8. Oksana Grishina
9. Tina Durkin
10. Nicole Duncan
11. Erin Riley
12. Daniela O'Mara
13. Allison Ethier
13. Sylvia Tremblay
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
2011 Arnold Amateur Competitors List (Fitness Division)
The 2011 Arnold Amateur list has been released. Here's the list of fitness competitors that will compete at the Arnold Amateur. There are 10 competitors in the short class and eight competitors in the tall class. Congrats to everyone that's on the list (in ALL divisions)! :)
Fitness Short Class (10)
Diana Paula Monteiro Noronha de Alemida (Brazil)
Maria Laura Cervelli (Argentina)
Samantha Kinnish (Australia)
Gloria Mohninger (Calgary, Canada)
Guryeva Olga (Russia)
Dawn Scholey (United Kingdom)
Stephanie Yu (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
Toni Wheeler (Morehead, Ky.)
Shalimar Wilder (Charleston, W.V.)
Paula Williams-Gulman (Hayden Lake, Idaho)
Fitness Tall Class (8)
Valeria Cristiane Aprobato (Brazil)
Angela Beavers (Smyrna, Ga.)
Tiina Kasvi (Finland)
Jayla McDermott (Trophy Club, Texas)
Meredith Miller (Westerville, Ohio)
Deborah Sizemore (Charleston, W.V.)
Czine Szilvia (Hungary)
Dvortsova Tatiana (Russia)
Fitness Short Class (10)
Diana Paula Monteiro Noronha de Alemida (Brazil)
Maria Laura Cervelli (Argentina)
Samantha Kinnish (Australia)
Gloria Mohninger (Calgary, Canada)
Guryeva Olga (Russia)
Dawn Scholey (United Kingdom)
Stephanie Yu (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
Toni Wheeler (Morehead, Ky.)
Shalimar Wilder (Charleston, W.V.)
Paula Williams-Gulman (Hayden Lake, Idaho)
Fitness Tall Class (8)
Valeria Cristiane Aprobato (Brazil)
Angela Beavers (Smyrna, Ga.)
Tiina Kasvi (Finland)
Jayla McDermott (Trophy Club, Texas)
Meredith Miller (Westerville, Ohio)
Deborah Sizemore (Charleston, W.V.)
Czine Szilvia (Hungary)
Dvortsova Tatiana (Russia)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
NPC Fitness Spotlight for February 2011: Shelly Howard
This month's NPC Fitness Spotlight goes to figure competitor turned fitness competitor, Shelly Howard!
Shelly is one of those individuals who lives and breathes the fitness lifestyle. In 1992, she began helping overweight individuals pass their Physical Readiness Tests (PRT) while serving in the U.S. Navy. After 4 years in the Navy, she ended up becoming a personal trainer at Gold's Gym Hawaii. After marriage, she was hired as Fitness Specialist at the Naval Hospital, where she helped active duty and post-rehab patients get back on the road to fitness after injury or illness.
When she moved to Japan for a while, that's when the fitness bug kicked in. She's one of the few competitors to have competed in fitness, figure, AND women's bodybuilding. In addition to competing, she's a personal trainer and fitness coach. She's also coached a few figure competitors here and there as well. She's recently returned to fitness after competing in figure for a while. Fitness is where she can showcase her physique a bit better, as she tends to come in a bit harder than what is preferred in figure these days. Should she continue to stay in fitness, expect her to make a major run in attaining that exclusive pro card that few have been able to earn.
COMPETITION HISTORY
2010 4th Place Fitness, Class B, IFBB North Americans
2010 2nd Place Fitness Over 5'3", 3rd Place Masters Figure 40+ Tall, Emerald Cup
2009 10th place Figure Class F, 3rd Place Masters Figure, Class D, IFBB North Americans
2008 6th place Tall Class, NPC Nationals, Atlanta GA
2008 4th place Tall Class, NPC Jr USAs, Charleston SC
2008 1st place Tall Class, NPC Metrolina
2007 Figure Nationals, New York, tied for 16th
2007 Jr Nationals, Chicago, IL, tied for 16th
2005 3rd place Masters Figure Tall, North Americans, Cleveland OH
2005 5th place Figure Tall, Body Rock, Fairfax VA
2004 8th place Figure Tall, North Americans, Cleveland OH
2004 11th place Figure Tall, Junior Nationals, Chicago IL
2003 5th place Figure Tall, Sacramento Championships, Sacramento CA
2002 5th place Figure Tall, Emerald Cup, Bellevue WA
2001 1st place Fitness Tall and Overall, Okinawa Japan
2000 2nd place Bodybuilding, Okinawa Japan
1999 Top 15, Galaxy Competition, Venice Beach CA
1999 Bodybuilding, Springdale MD
1996 Galaxy Competition, Venice Beach CA
For more on Shelly, visit her website at http://www.trainingbyshelly.com/index.htm.
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| Photo credit: Muscular Development |
Shelly is one of those individuals who lives and breathes the fitness lifestyle. In 1992, she began helping overweight individuals pass their Physical Readiness Tests (PRT) while serving in the U.S. Navy. After 4 years in the Navy, she ended up becoming a personal trainer at Gold's Gym Hawaii. After marriage, she was hired as Fitness Specialist at the Naval Hospital, where she helped active duty and post-rehab patients get back on the road to fitness after injury or illness.
When she moved to Japan for a while, that's when the fitness bug kicked in. She's one of the few competitors to have competed in fitness, figure, AND women's bodybuilding. In addition to competing, she's a personal trainer and fitness coach. She's also coached a few figure competitors here and there as well. She's recently returned to fitness after competing in figure for a while. Fitness is where she can showcase her physique a bit better, as she tends to come in a bit harder than what is preferred in figure these days. Should she continue to stay in fitness, expect her to make a major run in attaining that exclusive pro card that few have been able to earn.
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| Photo credit: Muscular Development |
COMPETITION HISTORY
2010 4th Place Fitness, Class B, IFBB North Americans
2010 2nd Place Fitness Over 5'3", 3rd Place Masters Figure 40+ Tall, Emerald Cup
2009 10th place Figure Class F, 3rd Place Masters Figure, Class D, IFBB North Americans
2008 6th place Tall Class, NPC Nationals, Atlanta GA
2008 4th place Tall Class, NPC Jr USAs, Charleston SC
2008 1st place Tall Class, NPC Metrolina
2007 Figure Nationals, New York, tied for 16th
2007 Jr Nationals, Chicago, IL, tied for 16th
2005 3rd place Masters Figure Tall, North Americans, Cleveland OH
2005 5th place Figure Tall, Body Rock, Fairfax VA
2004 8th place Figure Tall, North Americans, Cleveland OH
2004 11th place Figure Tall, Junior Nationals, Chicago IL
2003 5th place Figure Tall, Sacramento Championships, Sacramento CA
2002 5th place Figure Tall, Emerald Cup, Bellevue WA
2001 1st place Fitness Tall and Overall, Okinawa Japan
2000 2nd place Bodybuilding, Okinawa Japan
1999 Top 15, Galaxy Competition, Venice Beach CA
1999 Bodybuilding, Springdale MD
1996 Galaxy Competition, Venice Beach CA
For more on Shelly, visit her website at http://www.trainingbyshelly.com/index.htm.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
IFBB Fitness Spotlight for February 2011: Tanji Johnson
This month's IFBB Fitness Spotlight belongs to one of the best competitors in the world today, Tanji Johnson!
When you think of IFBB Fitness, you can't help but think about Tanji. Her passion for the sport is second to none, a true ambassador to the sport. She's always been an athletic person, competing in track and field and being captain of the dance team in high school and serving for her country as part of the United States Air Force Academy. She ended up graduating from the Academy with a B.S. in Humanities and a commission as an Air Force officer.
She started to compete in 1998, so she's been doing this for quite a while. This year will mark her making this year her 13 year in fitness, with her being a IFBB pro for 10 years! She has competed in numerous Arnold and Olympias, with last year being the closest she's ever been to winning the Fitness Olympia title. In addition to competing in fitness, she has formed a team and movement called Tanji Johnson's Save Fitness. She created this in hopes of helping resurrecting the fitness division, by holding seminars and training camps. She even went on to showcase her athletic prowess on national television, as she appeared on NBC's American Gladiators as "Stealth", who was short on words but not on talent. While she has accomplished a LOT in her career, I feel that the best is yet to come for this amazing individual.
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2010 Fitness Olympia 2nd
2010 New York Pro Fitness 1st (6th Pro win)
2010 Fitness International 3th
2010 Arizona Pro Fitness 2nd
2009 Fitness Olympia 2nd
2009 Atlantic City Pro 2nd
2009 Fitness International 10th
2008 Fitness Olympia 5th
2007 Fitness Olympia 4th
2007 Europa Pro Fitness 2nd
2007 All Star Pro Fitness 1st (5th Pro win)
2007 Fitness International 4th
2006 Fitness Olympia 4th
2006 Europa Pro Fitness 1st (4th Pro win)
2006 All Star Pro Fitness 1st (3rd Pro win)
2005 Emerald Cup 1st (2nd Pro win)
2004 Fitness Olympia 8th
2004 Fitness International 9th
2002 Jan Tana Fitness Classic 2nd
2002 Toronto Fitness Classic 1st (First Pro Win)
For more on Tanji, visit her official website at http://tanjijohnson.com/OfficialSite/ and her Save Fitness site at http://www.savefitness.net/.
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| Photo credit: Iron Bizz |
She started to compete in 1998, so she's been doing this for quite a while. This year will mark her making this year her 13 year in fitness, with her being a IFBB pro for 10 years! She has competed in numerous Arnold and Olympias, with last year being the closest she's ever been to winning the Fitness Olympia title. In addition to competing in fitness, she has formed a team and movement called Tanji Johnson's Save Fitness. She created this in hopes of helping resurrecting the fitness division, by holding seminars and training camps. She even went on to showcase her athletic prowess on national television, as she appeared on NBC's American Gladiators as "Stealth", who was short on words but not on talent. While she has accomplished a LOT in her career, I feel that the best is yet to come for this amazing individual.
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| Photo credit: Rebodybuilding.com |
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2010 Fitness Olympia 2nd
2010 New York Pro Fitness 1st (6th Pro win)
2010 Fitness International 3th
2010 Arizona Pro Fitness 2nd
2009 Fitness Olympia 2nd
2009 Atlantic City Pro 2nd
2009 Fitness International 10th
2008 Fitness Olympia 5th
2007 Fitness Olympia 4th
2007 Europa Pro Fitness 2nd
2007 All Star Pro Fitness 1st (5th Pro win)
2007 Fitness International 4th
2006 Fitness Olympia 4th
2006 Europa Pro Fitness 1st (4th Pro win)
2006 All Star Pro Fitness 1st (3rd Pro win)
2005 Emerald Cup 1st (2nd Pro win)
2004 Fitness Olympia 8th
2004 Fitness International 9th
2002 Jan Tana Fitness Classic 2nd
2002 Toronto Fitness Classic 1st (First Pro Win)
For more on Tanji, visit her official website at http://tanjijohnson.com/OfficialSite/ and her Save Fitness site at http://www.savefitness.net/.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tribute to Jack LaLanne, "The Godfather of Fitness"
As you all probably have heard by now, Jack LaLanne, considered by many to be the "Godfather of Fitness" passed away Sunday afternoon due to respiratory failure due to pneumonia. He inspired millions of people all over the world to get active before fitness became a well-known phenomenon. He helped make fitness a big part of many people's lives.
In my honest opinion, if it wasn't for Jack LaLanne, there would be no Kiana Tom, no Jillian Michaels, no Jennifer Nicole Lee, no Jamie Eason. Dare I say this...but fitness would probably be a mere afterthought right now if it wasn't for Jack. If there was anyone who defied "fitness icon", it was Jack. He lived, breathed, and slept fitness for what seemed to be his entire life.
I'm too young to remember his shows, but I do remember seeing his many infomercials about his juicer and wanting to own one (which I will buy soon). He seemed so vibrant and full of energy. I'm always like "Why can't more people live by his example?" Who knows? Maybe there's that someone out there who will be that next true fitness icon. Yes, there are those fitness experts that come and go, but very few have the longevity as Jack did and still does. Because of that, he will continue to motivate others to live healthier lives. Gone but truly not forgotten, and won't be for quite some time.
On behalf of FitGems Nation and the MILLIONS of people you have inspired over the years to live healthy lifestyles, thank you for giving people a reason to live. Thank you for being an inspiration.
"Love live living long, and loving every minute of it!"-Jack LaLanne
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| Photo credit: Tri Star Products |
In my honest opinion, if it wasn't for Jack LaLanne, there would be no Kiana Tom, no Jillian Michaels, no Jennifer Nicole Lee, no Jamie Eason. Dare I say this...but fitness would probably be a mere afterthought right now if it wasn't for Jack. If there was anyone who defied "fitness icon", it was Jack. He lived, breathed, and slept fitness for what seemed to be his entire life.
I'm too young to remember his shows, but I do remember seeing his many infomercials about his juicer and wanting to own one (which I will buy soon). He seemed so vibrant and full of energy. I'm always like "Why can't more people live by his example?" Who knows? Maybe there's that someone out there who will be that next true fitness icon. Yes, there are those fitness experts that come and go, but very few have the longevity as Jack did and still does. Because of that, he will continue to motivate others to live healthier lives. Gone but truly not forgotten, and won't be for quite some time.
On behalf of FitGems Nation and the MILLIONS of people you have inspired over the years to live healthy lifestyles, thank you for giving people a reason to live. Thank you for being an inspiration.
"Love live living long, and loving every minute of it!"-Jack LaLanne
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Fitness Week on Promoting Real Women (Day 3)
Jennifer Nash interview:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/jennifer-nash-interview.html
Tips on Choreographing A Routine by Viko Newman:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/tips-on-choreographing-routine-by-viko.html
Also on the Promoting Real Women fan page, Jason has posted several Youtube videos of several competitors from the past and present of women's fitness.
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/jennifer-nash-interview.html
Tips on Choreographing A Routine by Viko Newman:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/tips-on-choreographing-routine-by-viko.html
Also on the Promoting Real Women fan page, Jason has posted several Youtube videos of several competitors from the past and present of women's fitness.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Fitness Week on Promoting Real Women Blog/Fan Page (Day 2)
Blog by LeslieRae Newton called Sacrifice:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/sacrafice-by-ifbb-pro-leslierae-newton.html
Stacy Wright films a short video:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/stacy-wright-fitness-week-video.html
Blog by Debbie Fowler titled Fitness At Any Age:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/fitness-at-any-age-by-ifbb-pro-debbie.html
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/sacrafice-by-ifbb-pro-leslierae-newton.html
Stacy Wright films a short video:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/stacy-wright-fitness-week-video.html
Blog by Debbie Fowler titled Fitness At Any Age:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/fitness-at-any-age-by-ifbb-pro-debbie.html
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Fitness Week Kicks Off on Promoting Real Women Blog/Fan Page
Today began Fitness Week at the Promoting Women fan page and blog. Big ups to Jason Adams on creating this special week, as the fitness division is one of the most exciting parts about this business and they deserve as much recognition as they can get.
Jason kicked it off in a big way with an interview with the one and only Carol Semple:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/carol-semple-interview.html
Seriously, how big is that to get a former Fitness Olympia champion to kick off Fitness Week?! :)
He also posted a poem by fitness competitor Babette Mulford:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/poem-by-babette-mullford.html
To close out Day One, he posted a You Asked It segment with one of the youngest and most talented IFBB Fitness Pros in the world today, Victoria Larvie:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/you-asked-it-with-victoria-larvie.html
If you haven't join his fan page and are following his blog, you might need to start doing that. As I've mentioned in the past, Jason's a great person to know and is one of the guys who truly respects this industry. If you think the kickoff of Fitness Week was impressive, just wait until you see what happens over the next six days. You might get a special treat from yours truly "Hint Hint".
Anyways, hope you all enjoy Fitness Week on Promoting Real Women!!
Jason kicked it off in a big way with an interview with the one and only Carol Semple:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/carol-semple-interview.html
Seriously, how big is that to get a former Fitness Olympia champion to kick off Fitness Week?! :)
He also posted a poem by fitness competitor Babette Mulford:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/poem-by-babette-mullford.html
To close out Day One, he posted a You Asked It segment with one of the youngest and most talented IFBB Fitness Pros in the world today, Victoria Larvie:
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/01/you-asked-it-with-victoria-larvie.html
If you haven't join his fan page and are following his blog, you might need to start doing that. As I've mentioned in the past, Jason's a great person to know and is one of the guys who truly respects this industry. If you think the kickoff of Fitness Week was impressive, just wait until you see what happens over the next six days. You might get a special treat from yours truly "Hint Hint".
Anyways, hope you all enjoy Fitness Week on Promoting Real Women!!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Pledge for Pushups (Stacy Wright's Fundraiser)
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| Stacy's going to be "pleding for pushups" to raise money for the 2011 season! Photo credit: Muscular Development |
To help raise money for the 2011 competition season (her first as an pro fitness competitor), IFBB Pro Stacy Wright has created her own fundraiser, by pledging for pushups! She's challenging herself to see how many pushups she can do, and you out there can pledge any amount per pledge. 10 cents per pushup, 10 dollars per pushup, 50 dollars per pushup...whatever you can pledge will do. This is definitely one way to put the FUN in FUNdraising.
My hats off to Stacy for coming up with a unique way to not only get money to compete, but to establish herself as someone who's willing to go the extra mile to make a name for herself and stand out.
To get involved please email Stacy at Stacy@StacyWright.net with your pledges! She will be post the final pushup video on her website blog. When that happens, we'll let you all know when that will take place.
Good luck to you, Stacy!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
IFBB FIBO Pro Germany
For those that don't know, there is going to be an IFBB show in Germany this year (on April 16, to be exact)! This is a special contest, as this is the ONLY contest to be held in Germany and one of the few outside the U.S. This is also one of the few contests for competitors of women's fitness this year as well.
As of press time, there are only TWO competitors for women's fitness, and they are Minna Pajulahti and Regiane Da Silva. However, not on the list but hoping to compete in women's fitness are Camala Rodriguez and Stacy Wright.
IFBB Fitness competitors: if you want a chance to see a different country and compete to get a chance at competing in the Fitness Olympia at the same time, I highly encourage you to enter this contest. If you need money, send out emails to your fans, family, and friends. Post it on your websites and Facebook fan pages and profiles. A little can go a LONG way.
For more on the FIBO Pro, go to http://www.pro-championships.com/index.php.
Hope to see many of you make the journey to Germany in a few months!
As of press time, there are only TWO competitors for women's fitness, and they are Minna Pajulahti and Regiane Da Silva. However, not on the list but hoping to compete in women's fitness are Camala Rodriguez and Stacy Wright.
IFBB Fitness competitors: if you want a chance to see a different country and compete to get a chance at competing in the Fitness Olympia at the same time, I highly encourage you to enter this contest. If you need money, send out emails to your fans, family, and friends. Post it on your websites and Facebook fan pages and profiles. A little can go a LONG way.
For more on the FIBO Pro, go to http://www.pro-championships.com/index.php.
Hope to see many of you make the journey to Germany in a few months!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
NPC Fitness Spotlight for January 2011: Paula Williams-Gulman
The first NPC Fitness Spotlight of 2011 goes to Paula Williams-Gulman!
Paula is among one of the must muscular fitness competitors in the NPC right now. Her muscle maturity is nearly second-to-none in the sport, which has helped her out in her fitness routines. Showing off her biceps has become somewhat of a trademark in her routines as of late. Her muscle maturity should come as no surprise as she's been competing and being a fitness instructor and personal trainer for 15 years. She was part of the Ms. Fitness USA federation for 10 years, and then moved to the NPC and has competed for 5 years. This year will be her sixth year in the NPC, as she aims to earn her pro card and join the IFBB elite.
In addition to being a NPC Fitness Competitor (as well as a Judge), she's a wife and mother of two girls, a PTA member, a soccer mom, a small business owner (She runs Paula's Personal Training) and a dog lover.
In 2010, she came ever so close to getting her pro card, placing in the top 3 at the Jr. Nationals and North Americans, and winning a couple of shows in the process. 2011 might be the year for the self-proclaimed "Firecracker" of the NPC Fitness Division.
For more on Paula, visit her website at http://www.paulaspersonaltraining.com/.
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2010 IFBB North Americas-3rd
2010 NPC Junior Nationals-6th
2009 NPC Junior Nationals-9th
2009 NPC Jr. USAs-3rd
2008 NPC Team Universe Fitness-5th
2008 NPC Northern Classic-1st Figure Masters, 2nd Fitness
2008 NPC Junior Nationals-3rd
2008 NPC Bill Pearl High Desert Classic-1st
2008 NPC Empire Classic-1st
2008 NPC Emerald Cup-1st, 5'3 and Under Fitness, 4th Masters Over 35 Figure
2008 NPC Vancouver USA Natural Classic-5th Figure Short, 2nd Fitness
2007 NPC Emerald Cup-5th Figure
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| Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com |
Paula is among one of the must muscular fitness competitors in the NPC right now. Her muscle maturity is nearly second-to-none in the sport, which has helped her out in her fitness routines. Showing off her biceps has become somewhat of a trademark in her routines as of late. Her muscle maturity should come as no surprise as she's been competing and being a fitness instructor and personal trainer for 15 years. She was part of the Ms. Fitness USA federation for 10 years, and then moved to the NPC and has competed for 5 years. This year will be her sixth year in the NPC, as she aims to earn her pro card and join the IFBB elite.
In addition to being a NPC Fitness Competitor (as well as a Judge), she's a wife and mother of two girls, a PTA member, a soccer mom, a small business owner (She runs Paula's Personal Training) and a dog lover.
In 2010, she came ever so close to getting her pro card, placing in the top 3 at the Jr. Nationals and North Americans, and winning a couple of shows in the process. 2011 might be the year for the self-proclaimed "Firecracker" of the NPC Fitness Division.
For more on Paula, visit her website at http://www.paulaspersonaltraining.com/.
 |
| Photo credit: Muscular Development |
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2010 IFBB North Americas-3rd
2010 NPC Junior Nationals-6th
2009 NPC Junior Nationals-9th
2009 NPC Jr. USAs-3rd
2008 NPC Team Universe Fitness-5th
2008 NPC Northern Classic-1st Figure Masters, 2nd Fitness
2008 NPC Junior Nationals-3rd
2008 NPC Bill Pearl High Desert Classic-1st
2008 NPC Empire Classic-1st
2008 NPC Emerald Cup-1st, 5'3 and Under Fitness, 4th Masters Over 35 Figure
2008 NPC Vancouver USA Natural Classic-5th Figure Short, 2nd Fitness
2007 NPC Emerald Cup-5th Figure
Saturday, January 1, 2011
IFBB Fitness Spotlight for January 2011: Camala Rodriguez
The first IFBB Fitness Spotlight of the year 2011 belongs to rising star Camala Rodriquez!
Camala is one of the IFBB's top rising superstars in any division these days. Camala won her class in both fitness and figure at the NPC Rocky Mountain and NPC Northern Colorado in 2008. In 2009, she just needed one contest to become an IFBB Pro, and that contest was the 2009 Jr. Nationals. She would not only win her class (Class C), but she would also end up winning the overall fitness title as well. Her exotic looks, crowd-pleasing routine, and balanced physique at the show was ready to take on the pros the following year, and, well...let's just say her rookie year is one that could set the tone for her for years to come in the pro rankings.
2010 was one of those years that a pro competitor can only dream about, but takes forever to attain what Camala did. Camala competed in the 2010 Phoenix Pro, and in her pro debut, she placed third, which guaranteed her a spot at the 2010 Fitness Olympia, which went on to become argualy the most star-studded one to date. She would get an invite to the 2010 Fitness International, and placed 6th place, which is awesome for a rookie competitor. Her next contest would be the Europa Show of Champions in Orlando, where she would end up winning her first pro show. Her last contest of the year would be the 2010 Fitness Olympia, where she placed a respectable 10th place, making her one of the 10 best fitness athletes in the world today.2011 will see Camala compete in the 2011 Fitness International and hopefully another Fitness Olympia. If her 2010 year is any indication, expect Camala to take the IFBB fitness division to new heights in 2011 and beyond.
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2010 IFBB Olympia-10th
2010 IFBB Europa Show of Champions-1st
2010 IFBB Fitness International-6th
2010 IFBB Phoenix Pro-3rd
2009 NPC Junior Nationals-1st Class C and Overall Fitness Champion
2008 NPC Rocky Mountain-1st Class D Figure, 1st Class B Fitness, Overall Fitness Champion
2008 NPC Rocky Mountain-1st Class D Figure, 1st Fitness Tall, Overall Fitness Champion
 |
| Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com |
Camala is one of the IFBB's top rising superstars in any division these days. Camala won her class in both fitness and figure at the NPC Rocky Mountain and NPC Northern Colorado in 2008. In 2009, she just needed one contest to become an IFBB Pro, and that contest was the 2009 Jr. Nationals. She would not only win her class (Class C), but she would also end up winning the overall fitness title as well. Her exotic looks, crowd-pleasing routine, and balanced physique at the show was ready to take on the pros the following year, and, well...let's just say her rookie year is one that could set the tone for her for years to come in the pro rankings.
2010 was one of those years that a pro competitor can only dream about, but takes forever to attain what Camala did. Camala competed in the 2010 Phoenix Pro, and in her pro debut, she placed third, which guaranteed her a spot at the 2010 Fitness Olympia, which went on to become argualy the most star-studded one to date. She would get an invite to the 2010 Fitness International, and placed 6th place, which is awesome for a rookie competitor. Her next contest would be the Europa Show of Champions in Orlando, where she would end up winning her first pro show. Her last contest of the year would be the 2010 Fitness Olympia, where she placed a respectable 10th place, making her one of the 10 best fitness athletes in the world today.2011 will see Camala compete in the 2011 Fitness International and hopefully another Fitness Olympia. If her 2010 year is any indication, expect Camala to take the IFBB fitness division to new heights in 2011 and beyond.
 | ||||
| Photo credit: Muscular Development |
COMPETITION HISTORY:
2010 IFBB Olympia-10th
2010 IFBB Europa Show of Champions-1st
2010 IFBB Fitness International-6th
2010 IFBB Phoenix Pro-3rd
2009 NPC Junior Nationals-1st Class C and Overall Fitness Champion
2008 NPC Rocky Mountain-1st Class D Figure, 1st Class B Fitness, Overall Fitness Champion
2008 NPC Rocky Mountain-1st Class D Figure, 1st Fitness Tall, Overall Fitness Champion
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