tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76333302453124141542024-03-04T22:21:39.773-08:00Athletic Women MagazineJP Ericksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14383199759867056847noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-85473621742860185372018-01-17T21:45:00.001-08:002021-03-09T20:45:01.221-08:00New Home For Our Blog<span style="font-family: ABeeZee; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">We've moved. </span><br />
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<br />athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-47315132061080669942017-12-16T20:58:00.001-08:002017-12-16T21:20:57.268-08:00Tiffany Conama - MMA Fighter<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next to Hulk Hogan as "Mr. Nanny," MMA fighter Tiffany Conama just might be the toughest nanny out there. Considering The Hulkster only played one on the screen, we're going to have to give the edge to Tiffany.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am a Nanny. I have been since I got out of high school. It pays really well and I am my own boss and can make my schedule work around training, which is my priority. I also teach at my gym."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Let's start with your stats.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm 21, 5-3, about 130lbs everyday weight and fight at 115lbs </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(strawweight).</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's your fight record?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4-1.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How did you get your start fighting?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started jiujitsu when I was 17 - a senior in high school! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It wasn't until after I started training that I learned about MMA. I had no idea it ever existed, although I do have a vivid memory from about 12 years ago when I was very little, flipping through the TV channels and stopping on a televised fight.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A man was up against the cage and a ton of punches landed on his bloodied face on a yellow canvas. It traumatized me without a doubt. And then years later, here I am doing the exact thing! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But who doesn't want to travel the world and fight people? I've had so many amazing opportunities to travel and that's always been a huge passion of mine.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Were you athletic growing up? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was. I did cheerleading and softball, but I wasn't really passionate about anything until I found jiujitsu. But I had always been aggressive and would play fight with cousins and mom.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyo-ANV93OnDQfRLRCnaq_PLQpL7pVEJaEjywijROkR2c-rojr994HV-0rGqDBJKJNAT6IBNUODHlusPK4pFKE3t_kNiyprQ1kNZWm_odL-zwv-cSae48d-Lc0RTCAPvCxjsbikiczXOC/s1600/fights_20171124_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1100" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyo-ANV93OnDQfRLRCnaq_PLQpL7pVEJaEjywijROkR2c-rojr994HV-0rGqDBJKJNAT6IBNUODHlusPK4pFKE3t_kNiyprQ1kNZWm_odL-zwv-cSae48d-Lc0RTCAPvCxjsbikiczXOC/s320/fights_20171124_005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany Conama with AMA Belt (Vancouver 2017)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">What are your goals as a fighter?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">o be the best! Top ranked fighter in UFC or Bellator. But I want to just be able to train stress free and not have to work. Just travel, fight and learn! I want to be able to inspire people and entertain them. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Favorite female fighter and why?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rose Namajunas. She's always been a favorite of mine even before she won the belt. She's got the best no fucks given attitude and knows what she wants. We also have a similar body type/fighting style so I get a lot of inspiration from her. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's one thing about you that people would be surprised to know? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Probably the fact that I work as a nanny for those who know me as a fighter. For everyone else, the fact that I'm a fighter is definitely something that surprises <i>a lot</i> of people. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What three words best describe you?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Driven, adventurous and a self-sufficient badass. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Most exciting/thrilling thing you've ever done in your life?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'ve done a quite a few things. I must say getting into the cage is the most exhilarating thing I've done. There is no other feeling than that walk to the cage and getting your hand raised; knowing everyone is watching you and all the hard work, the hours of training and the sacrifices are all worth it. Just knowing I'm living my dream. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Three things (no people, pets or friends) you can't live without?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm not very materialistic, so I'll have to say my team/gym, my car and I admit, my phone, considering it's never out of my sight.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Anything else we should know about you or that you would like to add? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">J</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ust that I am extremely thankful and blessed to be able to live my dream and inspire others to do the same. No matter how hard you might think it is, being happy and doing what you love is the most important thing! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Highlights of Tiffany's fight at AMA29:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://youtu.be/xoA5YVcYhs8" target="_blank">YouTube</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Follow Tiffany:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/Tiiff_taff5223/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tiffany.conama" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TiffanyConamaMMA/" target="_blank">Facebook Athlete Page</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-7305726647243545622017-05-30T11:53:00.001-07:002017-12-05T05:51:48.705-08:00Emerald Cup 2017 Memorable Moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The <a href="http://www.craigproductions.com/" target="_blank">Emerald Cup </a>is in a class by itself when it comes to bodybuilding and fitness events. It's been around for decades and continues building on its tradition of excellence year after year.<br />
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One person with a front row seat - literally - from the early Emerald Cups to the present day event is official photographer Mark Mason.<br />
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You can't miss Mark. He's anchored front and center at every show, running video coverage, helping media find their seats and saying hello to just about everyone that walks by. Somehow he manages to shoot the entire event at the same time, never missing a beat. And all with a smile on his face.<br />
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"I first saw the Emerald Cup in 1992 at the Paramount Theater and my first time working it was 1998 at the Meydenbauer Center. The biggest change besides the number of competitors is the addition of all the vendor booths and the sponsorship from the top industry leaders, all due to Brad's tireless one-on-one marketing at the Arnold and the Olympia."<br />
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See some of Mark's excellent work on his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCviFkrdlk9FcsLoHaldl7KA" target="_blank">YouTube</a> channel.<br />
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What made the 2017 Emerald Cup experience memorable? A number of competitors share their Emerald Cup moment.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Nicole Wolf</span></b><br />
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Twenty-seven-year-old mom Nicole Wolf, competing in her first Emerald Cup, walked away as the Figure E winner and narrowly missed out on the overall figure crown. In the process she managed to wow IFBB women's historian Steve Wennerstrom, no easy feat. Even more impressive - this is just her first year competing.<br />
<br />
"My highlight was attending this show knowing it was only my third show of my career and not expecting anything, then taking home first place in my height class and second overall. Also, getting positive feedback from the judges about attending the USA's in July was unexpected and so appreciated."<br />
<br />
For the record, Nicole stands at just over 5-5 and weighed 132 pounds for this show. Her coach is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeremiahxavier" target="_blank">Jeremiah Xavier Glasenapp</a>.<br />
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See Nicole on stage at Emerald Cup 2017 in 4K: <a href="https://youtu.be/SrGttTfDYQo" target="_blank">YouTube</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicolewolf_11" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nicole.wolf.1" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Wennerstrom and Nicole Wolf<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole Wolf</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />Sierra Scheffer</span></b><br />
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Sierra made her Emerald Cup debut in physique. By the end of the weekend, she held bragging rights as the overall physique champion.<br />
<br />
"Best part of the weekend was being with my two best gal pals; road tripping over and back, including the one-hour traffic stop on the way there, and the multiple food stops on the way home ( Ethellos Greek Yogurt, Larsen Bakery, and Dicks Burgers); and spending time, even though it was short, with everyone who came to support me from home!"<br />
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For the record, 5-3 Sierra weighed 125 lbs for the show and weighs 150 lbs off-season. She's been competing for two years.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/fitchick406" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8O2GT-3_A0Dnz3l5evYrRS0DpArha9T8FY1L6JJIRl7u4WES0zkTwMSbzTRr1cHYdYavLeRZAFStJHoao619ujTHEnsGIb0xtebD69fGb44soL-hT7Ou_z9SwgNuNYPruHwP7PrjD5Vu/s1600/emeraldcup17_403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8O2GT-3_A0Dnz3l5evYrRS0DpArha9T8FY1L6JJIRl7u4WES0zkTwMSbzTRr1cHYdYavLeRZAFStJHoao619ujTHEnsGIb0xtebD69fGb44soL-hT7Ou_z9SwgNuNYPruHwP7PrjD5Vu/s320/emeraldcup17_403.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sierra Scheffer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNc9SAUdWkA2G9tTrZ8dEcpiukqq2DRBCQwQjBoVN5ppKPL2lP439HRhWw4ATtuSEDOasdEYHvTzGoPGkL6GR-pVLlmR9opEFB1bXZ0YW4D-J_2JkQVOlKB71rxK_J_0ij4fpRKUT8VvDd/s1600/emeraldcup17_469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNc9SAUdWkA2G9tTrZ8dEcpiukqq2DRBCQwQjBoVN5ppKPL2lP439HRhWw4ATtuSEDOasdEYHvTzGoPGkL6GR-pVLlmR9opEFB1bXZ0YW4D-J_2JkQVOlKB71rxK_J_0ij4fpRKUT8VvDd/s320/emeraldcup17_469.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sierra Scheffer - Physique Champ</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Tiffany Shepherd</span></b> - first time Emerald Cup competitor<br />
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"My most memorable moment was standing in the main lobby with lots of people. While being congratulated on both my second and third place wins, I was stuffing my face with four different cupcakes in one hand, a Corona in my other, trophies by my feet and tiaras on my head! Lol. Everyone was laughing and saying how great it was seeing me celebrate. It's the little things that matter after you train so hard for that day and that moment. It's all worth it."<br />
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For the record, Tiffany placed second in Figure A and third in Figure 35. She's 5-2 tall, stage weight 113 lbs and off-season 125 lbs. She's been competing for three years.<br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/bl-fPiXf8E4" target="_blank">YouTube</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tltmarie" target="_blank">Instagram </a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany Shepherd</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Inna Wyatt</span></b><br />
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With four Emerald Cup appearances to her credit, it's safe to say that Inna Wyatt is an Emerald Cup veteran. She owned the stage at the 2017 show with wins in Figure Overall, Women's Physique 35, Figure 35 and Figure B. Pretty impressive trophy haul.<br />
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Highlight of Emerald Cup Weekend?<br />
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"The highlight for me was winning the overall figure title. It had been a goal of mine to win the overall before going to compete at Nationals. I also competed in the physique division for the first time and I also won as well. I really enjoyed it and it gave me a chance to showcase my previous dance career background with the posing routine."<br />
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What Memory will you hold on to looking back at 2017 Emerald Cup?<br />
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"Reaching one of my biggest fitness goals of winning the Figure Overall title after trying for four years. I was also amazed at all of the support I received from my coach, Matt Porter, and all of my friends."<br />
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For the record, Inna stands 5-3; stage weight 125 lbs; off-season weight 145 lbs; started competing in 2009, but took two years off, so consistently for six years.<br />
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Of note: Inna operates her own business designing and creating custom competition suits for all divisions. Contact her for your suit needs.<br />
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Originally from Moscow, Russia, a whopping 5200 miles away from Seattle, Inna holds the unofficial distinction of the most distant hometown from the Emerald Cup stage. Having lived in the USA for 10 years, that cuts Inna's travel time to the show to just 30 minutes. Definitely more convenient than Moscow!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/inna.ableman" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/dreamsuitsbyinna/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dreamsuitsbyinna.com/" target="_blank">dreamsuitsbyinna.com</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWLDYxnB3Kc/WS0s0bymAHI/AAAAAAAAIZ8/YgpDu7sx_2UmWRgQPgRaQh1tOUH093X9ACEw/s1600/emeraldcup17_178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWLDYxnB3Kc/WS0s0bymAHI/AAAAAAAAIZ8/YgpDu7sx_2UmWRgQPgRaQh1tOUH093X9ACEw/s320/emeraldcup17_178.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inna Wyatt Figure Champ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Carson Siler</span></b> - Team Hexx bikini competitor<br />
<br />
Competing in her second Emerald Cup, Carson place second in Bikini A, a carbon copy of her 2016 Emerald Cup show.<br />
<br />
"The highlight of my weekend was accomplishing some personal goals, and being able to cheer on and support the rest of the competitors/clients on Team Hexx. The best part of participating in this sport is being able to share experiences like this with other like minded individuals. I think my favorite memory from this year was being able to hug Rachael Chiarrelli when she took first place. She is a dear friend of mine and fellow teammate. It was fun to share the stage with her as well as all the other amazing athletes that were there! I was honored to be a part of it all."<br />
<br />
For the record, this is Carson's third year competing. She's 30, stands 5-1 and hits the stage at her competition weight of 114 lbs to 116 lbs.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/carsonlaine_fit" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Mackena Sherman</b></span> - Figure F 6th Place<br />
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Mackena competed in her first show, bikini, in 2014 as a 19-year-old. She did her first Emerald Cup in 2015, also bikini. As she explains, "I took dead last out of 23 girls because I was over-developed for bikini." Now she competes in figure.<br />
<br />
"The moment I will never forget is getting the chance to sit back stage with my mom and do her makeup for her before she went on stage for women's physique masters on Friday. It was a special moment that we were able to get each other ready before walking on stage.<br />
<br />
"The moment I see her walk out on stage is a feeling I can't describe. I'm just so overwhelmed with excitement. I'm that person that's going crazy in the audience. I get as close as I can to the stage so I can yell at her and tell her which muscle she's not squeezing. If it wasn't for her, I would have never thought that I could get on stage."<br />
<br />
For the record, Mackena is 23, stands 5-7, competes at 149 lbs and off-season is 156 lbs.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mackena.sherman" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kenasherman" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsFv2wmYGSp1IDPceJssFwLXAbInfljb5Iqym0hiXeV5FoducLfx7Mw5mAaQZL-cBqxxaFyel7skSBfykbfdnWCkYgFNbANy5UP4V-tv5S7ykfPPSxjblZ60C_0w-SDW-93-IJ-gYPIk_/s1600/ec17_expo_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1100" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsFv2wmYGSp1IDPceJssFwLXAbInfljb5Iqym0hiXeV5FoducLfx7Mw5mAaQZL-cBqxxaFyel7skSBfykbfdnWCkYgFNbANy5UP4V-tv5S7ykfPPSxjblZ60C_0w-SDW-93-IJ-gYPIk_/s320/ec17_expo_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mackena Sherman at Emerald Cup Expo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Megan Little</b></span> - Figure C Champion<br />
<br />
Coming into the Emerald Cup with nothing but first place and second place on her competitive resume, Megan kept the streak alive as she nailed it in Figure C adding another win to her resume. One look at her - and she's in just her second season of competing - it's not a stretch to think that she'll keep this hot streak going.<br />
<br />
For the record, Megan is 29, stands 5-4, hits the stage at 130 pounds and goes 150 pounds in her off-season.<br />
<br />
"Highlight of this started with being asked to compete in the Emerald Cup. Being that this was only my second season, I was thrilled because it meant all my hard work had definitely paid off and I was on the right track. Then the icing on the cake was winning my Open Figure Class and going into the overall battle with fellow teammate Silver Keck - such a rush."<br />
<br />
Megan on stage at Emerald Cup 2017: <a href="https://youtu.be/IsLyphpFLOI" target="_blank">YouTube</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/megs.loraine/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/megan.loraine.little" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4y7HLlSqgm8/WUX4C7kboqI/AAAAAAAAIco/YZaf709RW-0ZNNZru9JboTU6QfIgO6cHACLcBGAs/s1600/emeraldcup17_141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4y7HLlSqgm8/WUX4C7kboqI/AAAAAAAAIco/YZaf709RW-0ZNNZru9JboTU6QfIgO6cHACLcBGAs/s320/emeraldcup17_141.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan Little - Killing it from the front</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF7a2tZVBEAG5JFg-Sm7fr4vJA1bmKDE6V6g5L97-nioST5OBQ7VyIXNplkBYmkkQKyWcvFKvsDw4lAx-sVR-hwms0POJwWcK44sJJj-zwgd-nYjx7FlEX4FDDireRf3BD8u4C_T2roKO/s1600/emeraldcup17_143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF7a2tZVBEAG5JFg-Sm7fr4vJA1bmKDE6V6g5L97-nioST5OBQ7VyIXNplkBYmkkQKyWcvFKvsDw4lAx-sVR-hwms0POJwWcK44sJJj-zwgd-nYjx7FlEX4FDDireRf3BD8u4C_T2roKO/s320/emeraldcup17_143.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan Little - Killing it from the rear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Markie Williams</span></b> - Bikini G<br />
<br />
For the record, 29-year-old Markie is 5-7, competes at 130 pounds and has been competing for just under two years. She placed third in her bikini class at the 2016 Emerald Cup.<br />
<br />
"You know, this year I was disappointed when I didn't place in the top five, especially since I placed in the top three at Emerald Cup the year before, and this year I felt like I made major improvements to my physique compared to last year. By not being in the top five, I felt like I let down my friends and fans who expected me to do really well. But what really surprised me was the number of people who stopped me after the show, many that I didn't even know, and they just wanted to tell me they thought I looked great and that they were still proud of me.<br />
<br />
"That, combined with everyone who reached out to me in the days following, really made an impression on me, because I realized that even when I don't bring home a trophy, I still have so many amazing people in my life who care about me and will support me no matter what and at the end of the day, that's what is most important to me."<br />
<br />
More Markie:<br />
<br />
Markie competing at Emerald Cup 2017 <a href="https://youtu.be/V-IH2JcRjMc" target="_blank">YouTube</a><br />
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Markie interview <a href="https://youtu.be/PzAYNs4jU84" target="_blank">YouTube</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/markiewilliams" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/markiewilliamsfitness" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.markiewilliams.com/" target="_blank">www.markiewilliams.com</a><br />
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Sponsor <a href="http://innutra.com/teaminnutra/" target="_blank">Innutra</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1F4CI7n2-5x23Zq7oaOc0h6BjkP5zdD9mEp7QCocpHGL_MXW1_FC5KqwXHmuzSKHRdH9kPG9s2-1rimYqL64KgioxD4_rgLCQxdoxdosohNntq5NvRZJTbr147KKH9fCZpNDfmvOzrp1/s1600/markie_williams_026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1100" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1F4CI7n2-5x23Zq7oaOc0h6BjkP5zdD9mEp7QCocpHGL_MXW1_FC5KqwXHmuzSKHRdH9kPG9s2-1rimYqL64KgioxD4_rgLCQxdoxdosohNntq5NvRZJTbr147KKH9fCZpNDfmvOzrp1/s320/markie_williams_026.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Repping for sponsor Innutra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWRizPLlkgg/WUsQxq8qgwI/AAAAAAAAIdU/pXjtRV8VwtAPoYKfDDQkpfu9u01rB22qQCLcBGAs/s1600/markie_williams_091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWRizPLlkgg/WUsQxq8qgwI/AAAAAAAAIdU/pXjtRV8VwtAPoYKfDDQkpfu9u01rB22qQCLcBGAs/s320/markie_williams_091.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Markie Williams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Brittany Conley</span></b> - props to Brittany for her service in the Armed Forces.<br />
<br />
Brittany made her Emerald Cup debut competing in Figure D. She started competing in 2011, had two years off from a deployment to Afghanistan in 2013, and then pregnancy in 2015.<br />
<br />
"Emerald Cup was an eye opener for me. I saw and met some incredible women who were at that 'next level' so to speak. Arianna Tate - I actually became friends with her since we frequent the same gym in Olympia. I was so grateful for her presence and kind words backstage, as well as sharing in her excitement as she placed third in her height class.<br />
<br />
"I really tried to soak it in and had a lot of time to reflect on my journey during the process. Standing next to women that I have been following on social media, thinking, 'Wow. Any one of these women could be a pro' and knowing that I was that much closer to stepping onto NPC Nationals stage. It was my first Emerald Cup and I hope for it to be my last because I want to say this time next year, I'll have placed top 5 at a national level show."<br />
<br />
For the record, Brittany stands 5-4.5 tall, hits the stage at 135 pounds and weighs 145 pounds off-season.<br />
<br />
Brittany on stage competing in Emerald Cup 2017 <a href="https://youtu.be/XIlu0y6bwUI" target="_blank">YouTube</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/coach_conley/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.teamatp.net/" target="_blank">TeamATP</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Rachael Chiarelli</span></b> - Bikini A Champion<br />
<br />
After making her stage debut at the 2016 Emerald Cup, Rachael went on to win Bikini A at the 2017 Emerald Cup. Three short weeks after this victory, she earned her pro card.<br />
<br />
"I had the privilege of competing for and earning my pro card at Jr USA's in Charleston, South Carolina May 20, 2017. Congrats to my Coach Lauren Irick - IFBB Bikini Pro on this one as well. Certainly could not have done it without her."<br />
<br />
Rachael's Emerald Cup highlight:<br />
<br />
"So many amazing highlights from this show! The best part of every show for me is always hugging my husband after stepping off stage! I was blessed to have quite a bit of family support with Bellevue being so close to my hometown, which was really nice.<br />
<br />
"I loved my moments preparing for stage with my makeup artist Amber Lobao, who said an incredible prayer for me! I was blessed with the opportunity to meet some of my Team Hexx friends in person and even share the stage with them at different points in the show, which ended up making things super fun! I made a couple connections with some of these girls that I know will be lifelong.<br />
<br />
"Lastly, I have to say it was a great feeling to go from not placing at all in 2016 with it being my first show, to winning my class a year later!"<br />
<br />
For the record, Rachael is 5-1 3/4 tall; weighs 110 lbs for competition; weighs 120 to 125 lbs off-season; and her age is 30.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/chiarellitrainr/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Kat Marthaller</b></span> - Bikini<br />
<br />
No surprise that Kat Marthaller, at 5-10, found herself in the tallest bikini class, Bikini H. Starting prep at 165 pounds, she hit the stage at 145 pounds for her Emerald Cup debut and placed sixth.<br />
<br />
"A highlight for me was the fact that I got the guts to get on stage again. I was so proud that I had made it to the Emerald Cup! I also was so thankful my coach, teammates and friends were able to travel from Boise to attend the show! I am excited to bring another, improved package next year!"<br />
<br />
Follow Kat on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/miss_katmarie/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoSKyuCIRuaslammasYKdbhmfRMvXsfB6cGj7fZAp_PpyTMHMktgBX9KG60r5ib1hvaf7l4lWZ5WqAWKyvbjZQeY_K57222fgN2uusohuFh9SuJisUn6WFrJyAYk3oOAddpL27dH6WG8I/s1600/emeraldcup17_328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoSKyuCIRuaslammasYKdbhmfRMvXsfB6cGj7fZAp_PpyTMHMktgBX9KG60r5ib1hvaf7l4lWZ5WqAWKyvbjZQeY_K57222fgN2uusohuFh9SuJisUn6WFrJyAYk3oOAddpL27dH6WG8I/s320/emeraldcup17_328.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kat Marthaller - Bikini</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">Jennie Bowden </span>- Physique B<span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<br />
For Jennie, 2017 marked her Emerald Cup debut. She started her competitive career in May 2014.<br />
<br />
"Having the opportunity to be a part of a prestigious competition is a memory in itself. I enjoyed meeting new people who share the passions in life and understand what you went through to get to where you are. There are so many people you meet who are feeling the same nerves you are; it's a calming realization that you’re not alone.<br />
<br />
"Also, the amount of friends from my gym who came to support me was humbling; I'm extremely thankful to have them in my life. They inspire me to continue to do my best everyday."<br />
<br />
For the record, Jennie is 33; stands 5-4; competes between 125 lbs to 130 lbs; and weighs 140 lbs to 145 lbs off-season.<br />
<br />
See Jennie on stage at Emerald Cup 2017 here <a href="https://youtu.be/c_edDcN7-cY" target="_blank">YouTube</a><br />
<br />
Follow Jennie on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jbowden19/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> </div>
<br />athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Bellevue, WA, USA47.6101497 -122.201515947.4388297 -122.5242394 47.7814697 -121.87879240000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-38178588491622038382017-05-18T20:06:00.005-07:002017-05-18T20:06:38.077-07:00Kelsey DeCamillis - Physique Competitor Debut<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Physique competitor Kelsey DeCamillis stepped on stage for the first time at the 2016 Popeye's Fall Classic. Following is a brief recap of her contest experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Best advice for someone prepping for a first show?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Make sure you hire a great coach! Do your research because I think health and wellness come first above all else. It is imperative to find a knowledgeable and supportive coach who has your back 100%. I'm so grateful to have an excellent coach guiding me with his expertise - Darren Toma of Custom Built Training. His wife Lara has been an incredible support as well with posing and stage presence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be sure to keep supportive friends and family close by and surround yourself with good vibes only. Expect many obstacles and be able to critically think and problem solve as issues come up. Be sure to have a post-show plan in place as well. Reach out to fellow competitors and talk to athletes who have been through it before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With knowing that you're pushing your body and mind to the max, there will be some days that will feel great and other days may not. There is a huge psychological component to this and being mentally prepared is key. The accomplishment in the end is all worth it, so keep grinding and push yourself to the limit. Always be kind to yourself and no matter what, enjoy the process and have fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cn-M2SNepI/WR5YUMAKfZI/AAAAAAAAIZE/OI7_UQ1XPGEUeIbyzI2bsgy5UXrdmdg3gCLcB/s1600/kelsey_decamillis_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cn-M2SNepI/WR5YUMAKfZI/AAAAAAAAIZE/OI7_UQ1XPGEUeIbyzI2bsgy5UXrdmdg3gCLcB/s320/kelsey_decamillis_11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelsey DeCamillis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What were you feeling and thinking the first time you hit the stage? Any feelings of nervousness?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I definitely experienced some anxious feelings but also was very excited! Taking some deep breaths beforehand helped calm me down and as I walked out to the stage, I kept reminding myself to hit the poses and transitions right, just like in practice, and keep smiling of course! As soon as I got out there and started posing, it felt great and the nerves went away. The whole day and experience was amazing. I can't wait to do it again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't think so. It definitely crossed my mind that I need to be in a different job if I do another contest prep, however it wasn't feasible to make a job change during prep. The way things were set up with where I was working at the time, and also the immense amount of commuting I was doing just made everything extra challenging and exhausting. I was so determined though it didn't matter and I just did everything I could to execute the prep as best I could. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I really feel like I did the best that I could.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you feel you need to focus on for your next show?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would like to work more on perfecting my posing, routine, and stage presence. For physique goals, I would like to see my upper body better balanced with my lower body and also to improve on overall conditioning. I want to also put a lot more effort into recovery from training sessions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelsey DeCamillis</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Biggest challenge of the entire process?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Commuting three plus hours a day on transit, dealing with daily commentary from people at work and people on transit, and most days were 18-20 hours long. Pushing through sleep deprivation and exhaustion was really difficult and concerning as I knew stress levels needed to be kept low as well as keeping on top of recovery. It was incredibly tough getting everywhere I needed to be with the way things were set up but there was no other way around it and I was so determined to do my absolute best for my first show.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What show is next on your agenda?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BC Championships at the Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo - July 8-9, 2017.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Where can we see more of you or follow you?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kelseydec/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kelsey.decamillis" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're in the Vancouver area, come visit me at xFuel in Kitsilano to say hello!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://youtu.be/yPw3ri57lkA" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see our Kelsey photo montage on YouTube.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://musclemodel101.blogspot.ca/2016/10/young-gunz-kelsey-decamillis.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read our previous feature on Kelsey. </span><br />
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<br />athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-41035516220072661802017-03-24T16:41:00.001-07:002017-03-24T16:41:50.242-07:00Figure Phenom Shay Niessen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You say you've never heard of Shay Niessen? </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then it's time you found out who this figure phenom is. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The 24-year-old started in bikini, but transitioned to figure. On March 18, 2017, Shay made her figure debut. Not only did she step on stage as a first-time figure competitor, but to add a huge exclamation mark, she walked away as the figure overall champ. That's how you make a debut. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shay Niessen - Figure Overall Champ</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">What are your stats?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just under 5-6 tall; c</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ompetition weight 140-145 lbs; o</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ff-season heaviest I've ever held was around 163 lbs. However, more consistent off season I'm usually around 155 lbs.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Why did you move from bikini to figure? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started in bikini because I was new to the fitness industry – more specifically the competing industry. I did tons and tons of research, but I was still a "baby" and had a lot to learn. My shoulders grew very fast and I always had figure in my heart from day one. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bikini is beautiful, but if you know me in person, I don't have the persona. I'm kind of a tomboy at heart, so I really had to practice the twists and turns and hair flips and such (haha). The muscle required for figure always captured my interest. I find it so incredible and there are so many figure physiques I look up to. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With that being said, I took around 2.5 years off to grow, grow, grow. I became really interested in powerlifting and focused on eating and lifts for a long time. I also took the time off to focus on building a life and career. Competing takes up a lot of time in your life AND MONEY. I said the next time I compete I want to be 200% mentally and financially ready. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How old were you when you did your first show? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe I was 21-22 years </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>"I remember always liking photos of tiny, tiny models until I came across a female bodybuilder on Instagram and I was in awe."</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How did you get started lifting weights and training? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was always interested in nutrition. I would use all my free time at university spending hours and hours researching what foods were good for the body and the benefits of each. I would experiment with different "diets" etc. However, I was in university and of course I partied etc. and lived quite an unhealthy lifestyle. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One day I was really tired of it. I remember always liking photos of tiny, tiny models until I came across a female bodybuilder on Instagram and I was in awe. I couldn't believe someone could look like that. I remember being like, "Damn, this girl is not superhuman which means I can do that too."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started YouTubing different bodybuilders and how they ate etc. and it all stemmed from there and I never looked back.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What is your profession?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I work for a builder/developer for condos and homes. I do everything AFTER sales from lawyers, to final closing, PDI’s, dealing with trades, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's one thing about you that people would be surprised to know? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I made a bet with my friends that I could be a raw vegan for three months and I did it. No cooking food. Nothing. Just fruit and veggies. Twenty plus bananas a day sometimes (LOL). </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are your goals as a competitor?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My only goal is to keep getting better and better for myself. Bring an entirely new package when I decide to go on stage. I want to BRING something to the stage each time I go on.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>"Goofy. As. F*ck."</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What three words best describe you?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Goofy. As. F*ck.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Favorite curse word?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">F*ck for sure. See comment above</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Were you athletic growing up? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes! Used to compete in 100m sprints, basketball, volleyball, soccer and dance. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you think is the strongest part of your physique?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I won't lie. I love my delts. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Favorite female competitor and why? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh boy, there are literally so many I look up to. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's your favorite cheat meal? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sushi, followed by Menchie's stacked with white chocolate, peanut butter, Reese's, Oreos, and Nanaimo bars (LOL).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you could look into the future and see yourself at age 50, what would you want to see?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I want to be one of those badass healthy moms who get up at 5 AM for a jog and come home to slay the kitchen and prepare a healthy breakfast for my beautiful kids and husband and my 2-3 dogs… and then also comes home and drinks red wine and eats pizza in bed.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you had an all expenses paid weekend trip to anywhere in the world, where do you go and who do you take with you?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I want to travel EVERYWHERE.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Find Shay on social media and follow her journey. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shayniessen/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqQdJ-CC-FqWRXYMztRjw4A" target="_blank">Youtube</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @shayniessen</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Medium.com/shayniessen</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shay Niessen - Great Biceps!</td></tr>
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athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-53229313524717973872017-03-19T21:26:00.001-07:002017-03-19T21:26:45.960-07:00Young Gunz - Sarah Sangha, Figure Competitor<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Figure competitor Sarah, competing for just the first time at the 2017 Leigh Brandt Muscle Classic, finished third in her class. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Let's start with your stats.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm 20; 5-4 3/4 height; I weighed 120 pounds for my show and about 135 pounds off-season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What was the experience like hitting the stage for your first show?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">It was really nerve wracking. The whole time I was up there it felt like my heart was just racing, but it was amazing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>"I liked being big and muscular and being able to intimidate people, so hanging out in the gym kind of kept that going."</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How long have you been training and what motivated you to start?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A couple of years ago for bodybuilding, but not for show purposes. For show purposes it was a few months ago.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This all started because I was kind of one of the boys. I liked being big and muscular and being able to intimidate people, so hanging out in the gym kind of kept that going.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What was the most challenging part of training for your first show?</b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think the most challenging part of my first show was just getting over the nerves of getting up there. I enjoyed the diet and I love training so that was easy for me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Were you athletic growing up? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I grew up on a farm, so I was extremely athletic. Always out with the dogs, chasing animals, doing whatever. I played some sports in high school, but other than that, I wasn't one of those soccer kids. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What is your profession or job?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I work for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FuelLangley/" target="_blank">Fuel</a>, a supplement company. As well I work in a pub, so a very busy girl. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV4MZkZOAx2IkRh22fX-WLj5aAlSEWEbEJtWPg6UC_SsHgKV-_rEtgexci_uHhD9VdBYPgWiQoTsKAroLspnvgldSp7Bj0mJQospWGE8NfIDYVLQn3BqXL37WPBsUvYy5Fkm-6Mjs2Dw3/s1600/sarah_sangha_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV4MZkZOAx2IkRh22fX-WLj5aAlSEWEbEJtWPg6UC_SsHgKV-_rEtgexci_uHhD9VdBYPgWiQoTsKAroLspnvgldSp7Bj0mJQospWGE8NfIDYVLQn3BqXL37WPBsUvYy5Fkm-6Mjs2Dw3/s320/sarah_sangha_11.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah Sangha</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Favorite female competitor and why? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nicole Wilkins and Dana Lynn Bailey. They're both really motivating and strong women and gorgeous and they always do their best at everything. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What three words best describe you?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm extremely outgoing. I can be really funny but most of the time awkward. And I'm just fun to be around.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Best advice for someone training for a first show?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do it for you. Enjoy the road and you're going to learn a lot about yourself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Find Sarah Sangha on social media.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://youtu.be/cL5GEANm_Sw" target="_blank">YouTube</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/miss__cera/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Instagram</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarah.sangha2" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLgwKh0UvKSM5QNwO-SFsu_cP4V9k9xEM0RKXJcUd96zMZW28ol4TSM80_48lLgXlaPFSRGeS29U3h7NOgdjxR0TD2NjM_7B_I9iKNXCKFhOjBVxwEPnNcSK5e1opelO_lq6CmeIaZM1_/s1600/sarah_sangha_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLgwKh0UvKSM5QNwO-SFsu_cP4V9k9xEM0RKXJcUd96zMZW28ol4TSM80_48lLgXlaPFSRGeS29U3h7NOgdjxR0TD2NjM_7B_I9iKNXCKFhOjBVxwEPnNcSK5e1opelO_lq6CmeIaZM1_/s320/sarah_sangha_05.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah Sangha</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-235323288172053002017-02-27T23:34:00.002-08:002017-03-12T22:46:08.256-07:00Lauren Brigham - Figure Competitor<b><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">are your stats?</span></span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Age 2</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9; 5’6" tall; competition weight 130-135 lbs; off-season 145-150 lbs.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What is your profession?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Personal trainer, sports massage therapist.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How did you get started lifting weights and training? </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My middle school nickname was chunky monkey which gave me the motivation to lose weight and become athletic. I started personal training at 18 and became intrigued with the competitive lifestyle. I competed in my first show when I was 24 and I've been hooked since. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-_hF1xg1PWNVoXAJcjMfUWP8KKXfyx4q0M9U0aeefAFHjBlonaEokHp1OvPWKk0gU6zdm7edkiKUlWTj6qu_WlCYHzmScs5Ylii74Sxd4WX3773K7rbnPuYY6u6n3okGkFF_-YvWkYyD/s1600/lauren_brigham_285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-_hF1xg1PWNVoXAJcjMfUWP8KKXfyx4q0M9U0aeefAFHjBlonaEokHp1OvPWKk0gU6zdm7edkiKUlWTj6qu_WlCYHzmScs5Ylii74Sxd4WX3773K7rbnPuYY6u6n3okGkFF_-YvWkYyD/s320/lauren_brigham_285.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Lauren Brigham</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What inspired you to start competing?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I loved the dedication and purpose of the competitive lifestyle. I wanted to find that purpose and dedication for myself. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Were you athletic growing up? </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I played soccer and ran track in high school, but really became interested in health and fitness in college. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are your goals as a competitor?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To better myself and improve every season. To feel proud and accomplished each year on stage. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's your favorite cheat meal? </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I absolutely love sushi! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBG0RPBKbooBDrmNT1fTV07pL25wyz4iMSSBXbawOVwJKHg2Fcu0XGVWsp1YdDGEWPjb_YTQngfOmxLB7mwgJZvwEl7S6c8oKVh8_Iwg7A70HOnU_A0d-gt37eaVVvUNnolr1cnh443_Jc/s1600/lauren_brigham_129b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBG0RPBKbooBDrmNT1fTV07pL25wyz4iMSSBXbawOVwJKHg2Fcu0XGVWsp1YdDGEWPjb_YTQngfOmxLB7mwgJZvwEl7S6c8oKVh8_Iwg7A70HOnU_A0d-gt37eaVVvUNnolr1cnh443_Jc/s320/lauren_brigham_129b.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Lauren Brigham</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's one thing about you that people would be surprised to know? </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am obsessed with mini pigs. I just adore pigs so much - no idea why. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Favorite female competitor?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nicole Wilkins. She is simply an amazing and beautiful competitor. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Your home is burning down. Family and pets have all made it to safety. You have one chance to go back in and save just one item. What do you save?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would save my huggie. It's a little pillow I just can't sleep without </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What three words best describe you?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Passionate, genuine and hardworking. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Where can we see more of you?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lauren.elizabeth.1829" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lebrigs" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Snapchat: @lebrigs</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out Lauren's <a href="https://youtu.be/mrIEoxK7Jwo" target="_blank">YouTube </a>video. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u0QT7XDEDHKBeWFgJ8jrLbYcXVCs6SFCu7VagBpBN0Qy4DiCZuU_UWHlqfD-SUZzY5V0USz6m-MNZ1_o8I3Vf8LHb38z1LGO-uwdM3Rb4-TR3JSIu5R8w7Ce9_z9hd0fPlhhPSYvBuW8/s1600/lauren_brigham_180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u0QT7XDEDHKBeWFgJ8jrLbYcXVCs6SFCu7VagBpBN0Qy4DiCZuU_UWHlqfD-SUZzY5V0USz6m-MNZ1_o8I3Vf8LHb38z1LGO-uwdM3Rb4-TR3JSIu5R8w7Ce9_z9hd0fPlhhPSYvBuW8/s320/lauren_brigham_180.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren Brigham</td></tr>
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<br />athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-12545737406975109482016-10-06T18:03:00.001-07:002016-10-06T18:14:37.486-07:00Adriana Gee, Elbows, Air Canada and The Olympia<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing like being trapped in a window seat surrounded by people that you really don't want to be around. Behind me, a woman seemingly obsessed with seeing how deep she could bury the point of her shoe into the bottom of my seat. Resting in my lap, the person in front of me, reclined back as far as possible, all the while ensuring the futility of working on my laptop. But that wasn't the worst of it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Riding shotgun beside me, a somewhat disheveled young woman who clearly had too much Vegas and not enough sleep. But even then, how bothersome could she be, fast asleep as she was?</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The answer to my question came quickly in the form of a sharp elbow delivered in a manner that would make her the envy of most any NHL power forward patrolling the wing on one of thirty teams. In rapid succession, more elbows came flying my way. </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Was she really sleeping, or just carving out some extra space for herself?
Fast forward to the final leg of the trip, closing in on Vancouver, and a groggy voice comes from my right: "Can I borrow your pen?"
On the heels of that, a sheepish apology acknowledging that perhaps a few elbows might have been thrown my way.
From there, we started to converse. In short order and to my surprise, it turned out that my seatmate happened to be a Facebook friend. And no mere mortal Facebook friend either. When not throwing elbows, my seatmate turned out to be none other than Vancouver fitness star Adriana Gee, first-place Arnold amateur winner, Bikini E, at the prestigious 2016 Arnold Classic. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>You worked a booth for the Olympia weekend. What's the name of your company and how long have you been with them?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sponsored by the supplement GAT Sport and I've been with them for about two years.
<b>Busiest day for you, Friday or Saturday?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would say Saturday, because Sadik came off of the stage and straight to the booth so people had been waiting for him. As well, Big Ramy, who was also competing that day. But our booth is always super packed because we also have Jon "Bones" Jones, Janet Layug, Rebecca Ferrari, as well as Zac Aynsley, who was visiting Las Vegas for the first time since he's from New Castle, UK.
<b>Favorite moments or highlights from your weekend?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Probably when Sadik came to the team and we were all so happy and proud of him since he switched categories this year (from physique to classic physique) and he did phenomenally! We took a team picture and we all were together and surrounding one another. </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our team has a very close bond with one another, so I believe the highlight of the trip was actually just BEING THERE! GAT has many brand ambassadors around their own country, but the fact that they fly me out all the way from Canada for all the large expos really makes me feel special, of value, and just grateful to be a part of such a supportive and loving group of people.</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I miss them always since we're so far, but every time we get together, it's like we've never been separated and we start right where we left off.
<b>Did you meet any industry celebrities?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes I met many fitness celebrities over the weekend! Too many to name and to be honest, I always see them at every Expo, so the novelty of seeing "celebrities" is running thin, whereas now they are just like any everyday person in my field (and I mean that in the utmost respect).</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was pretty cool to see Dwayne Johnson there though! I didn't get to meet him personally, but I know he hit the hearts of many spectators.
<b>Favorite thing to do/see in Las Vegas?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talk to all the people. I'm a people person and I love connecting with our fans and followers at any moment, whether it's at the booth or when you're simply walking through a hotel and someone comments on your physique, which leads to engaging conversations about fitness, nutrition, and overall wellness.</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We rise by uplifting others, right, so the times that I get to have personal conversations and give advice really makes my heart warm.</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favourite activity would be to hit the pool parties!!! Olympia weekend is filled with the best physiques in the world, so when you're at a pool party, you see so much hard work and dedication in the form of the human body. Also super cool swimwear and fashion and everyone is letting loose and having a good time!
<b>Your best advice to survive Olympia weekend in Vegas?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take it slooowww. It's a three-day event starting on Thursday, ending Saturday, but people usually stay and enjoy the Sunday since no one is working anymore. If you go too hard on Thursday or Friday, then you're setting yourself up for a short-lived vacation. </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I actually go to the gym and try to get an early night's rest (if I can) Thursday and Friday because I can not even fathom the thought of being hungover all day at the booth. I save my partying for Saturday night and Sunday. </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And of course, stay hydrated! Remember, you're staying in a desert!
<b>When is your next show?
</b></span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 2017 Arnold March 2-5. I'm currently going through a building phase and will continue to build until late December/early January and then start my 10-week prep.
<b>Where can we see more of you?
</b>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/g1bikini" target="_blank">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gentile.adriana" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also my <a href="https://goodvibesfitness.ca/" target="_blank">website</a> - you can go on it and sign up for my free 6 week #MyBestBody Challenge starting this October!</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169101 -123.44346100000001 49.4485481 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-26771552869264358162016-10-03T22:55:00.000-07:002016-10-03T23:12:05.721-07:00Young Gunz - Kelsey DeCamillis<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the second in our series of "Young Gunz" features where we shine the spotlight on up and coming competitors. At 31, you might not think of Kelsey DeCamillis as part of the Young Gunz posse, but as she's never competed before, she makes for a great fit. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What are your stats?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Age 31, height 5-5, current weight around 151 pounds. Stage weight is hard to say! Haven't had a specific goal weight but my guess is in the lower end of the 140's.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What was your weight when you were throwing?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Averaged about 180 pounds and 195 pounds at </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my heaviest.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Can you give a brief chronology of your athletic history leading up to the present?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a kid I tried gymnastics/trampoline, and even took a few taekwondo lessons, skied every winter up until about age 11 and also played some softball. Throughout all those years mainly I did a lot of ice skating and figure skated until I transitioned over to hockey. I played from ages 12-17 and my position was defense. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Throughout high school along with hockey I played volleyball, basketball, field hockey, (I even did one season of cross country running just to stay in shape for my upcoming senior year high school season of track & field), and of course the throwing events in track and field (javelin, discus, shot put). I started with javelin when my PE teacher saw me throw a volleyball across the entire gym and encouraged me to try javelin. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That progressed into throwing in all three events and I recognized my strongest potential in the shot put for after high school. I then threw shot put for the Vancouver Thunderbirds and the UBC Track and Field Team from 2003-2005. In 2005, I started transitioning over to hammer throw and moved to Kamloops to train there.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelsey DeCamillis - Physique Competitor</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">How and why did you make the transition from throwing to physique?</b><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Competing in physique has meant reclaiming my identity as an athlete. Training gives me the most life. I feel alive when I lift and train.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I moved to Kamloops in 2005 to begin training in the hammer throw under a world renowned coach with a group of other elite throwers. At the time, I was really struggling with some things going on in my personal life, and the circumstances ended what was just the beginning of a very promising throwing career. I barely set foot in a gym for about 2 years after that and I continued to struggle personally. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Looking back now, although it would have taken some years of training, there is no doubt in my mind that I could have developed into a world class hammer thrower given my body type and gift of brute strength and athletic ability. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I moved back to Vancouver in 2007 to work and try and figure out my life and spent my entire 20's trying to go back to school to finish my degree, and then after getting rejected from applying to nursing school in 2014 and still just very unhappy, I asked myself if I had it my way, if I could be doing anything right now, what would it be? My answer was that I'd still be throwing and training.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right then and there I decided to start training full time on my own, learn as much as I can and see how my body responds now and then see about competing in a bodybuilding show. I did as much as I could on my own for two full years before hiring a coach to help take me to the next level and guide me through my first physique competition, and here I am.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How different is training for physique versus training as a thrower?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Physique training is different in that it is less sport-specific and involves targeting every muscle group and using high volume, heavy lifting and techniques to build and sculpt while creating and maintaining balance and symmetry for an aesthetically pleasing look. I love how physique training includes the powerlifts for continuing to build and maintain my foundation of muscle and strength.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Training as a thrower was more sport-specific and incorporated more power movements with lifting and focused more on strength training, not so much isolating and sculpting movements, and with training phases changing as the outdoor competitive season approached each year, and definitely no cardio!! </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There would be a variety of training that included time spent in the weight room, but also lots of technical work in the circle, tempo runs and sprints, Olympic lifting as well as powerlifting, plyos for both upper and lower body, and overall just centered around a lot of power and speed training.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Does your throwing background perhaps make you a bit stronger than most physique competitors?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m not sure that I'm necessarily stronger because of throwing, but deciding to carry on with throwing allowed me to discover my strength in the weight room. I think I do possess above average strength and was born with this gift. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I discovered how strong I was when I started formal track and field training for shot put where we learned all the big lifts, including all the powerlifting movements and the Olympic lifts. The first time I did a 1RM test for the squat, I squatted 265 pounds. That would have been about 6 weeks or less of formal training at the time in the fall of 2003. Throwing certainly helped build my foundation of muscle and strength.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are some of your best lifts?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m not sure what my current 1 rep maxes are for these lifts as I've been doing high volume work with these big lifts:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Conventional deadlifts: 225-245 lbs x 12-15 reps</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sumo deadlifts: 275 lbs x 12-15 reps</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Squats: 225 x 10-12 (last time I tried a one rep max was 275 lbs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bench: 135 x 10-12 (last time I tried a one rep max was 175 lbs)</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My favorite and best lifts are deadlifts because I can move the most weight on these lifts and there is something so satisfying about moving heavy weight.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's a typical day like for you?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now in contest prep, I'm up at 4 am to get to the gym for a 5 am cardio party, then I work 8-4 at UBC, and then head back to the gym after work for another few hours of training and typically home late. On weekends, I'm in the gym twice a day still and in between training sessions is where I find the time to cook and meal prep and take care of other errands etc. The days are long and sometimes 20 hours a day for days in a row, but nothing good comes easy and I'm so excited to see how everything turns out for my first show.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are your goals as a competitor?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The ultimate goal from this first show is to qualify for BC Provincials, then qualify for nationals, and then see how far I can take this. I believe I found the right coach to help guide me there: Darren Toma – Custombuilt Training.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I always thought I'd be a professional athlete even as a young kid and it was always the sport that I was excelling at the time: first figure skating, then I thought maybe hockey, and then settled nicely into track and field. Of course hammer throw was going to be my best chance at that. However, things did not work out the way I thought and that has always been a huge sore spot in my life. I have unfinished athletic business, so here I am and I'm going for it, full force.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you think is the strongest part of your physique?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love my back. I also think my legs are a very strong part of my physique.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelsey DeCamillis - Impressive back!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">What inspired you to start competing?</b><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I got back into training full time for the sake of saving myself from myself. Also, that time in my life when track ended abruptly has always been a sore spot in my life and I thought if certain things didn't happen, I probably could have made it pretty far in hammer throw. For me, having unfinished athletic business has inspired me to give myself a second chance at fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a professional athlete.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It has been a thought to do a bodybuilding show for at least four years now, when my interest was sparked to do so by a co-worker at the time who was prepping for a figure show. That's when I started considering this as something I could excel at now.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What is your profession?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I currently work for Vancouver Coastal Health at UBC Hospital as an administrative secretary for a provincial psychiatric program. I also recently earned my personal training certification as I think a fitness related career is the direction I'm headed. I just love being in the gym; it's my happy place.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't own or use a hair brush! But maybe I should…</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you were on American Idol, what would you sing?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have no idea. I'd probably freak out and just flex.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Your home is burning down. Family and pets have all made it to safety. You have one chance to go back in and save just one item. What do you save?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">An opal necklace.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What three words best describe you?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strong, sensitive, funny.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Where can we see more of you?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kelsey slideshow on <a href="https://youtu.be/91h9BGFLEuA" target="_blank">YouTube</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kelseydecamillis" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm on Facebook as well. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think everyone will be seeing a lot more of me after this competition.</span></span>athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169101 -123.44346100000001 49.4485481 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-85143834173202387632016-09-07T19:58:00.000-07:002018-10-26T18:31:55.164-07:00Krystia Petrossie - Physique Competitor<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Let's start with stats. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm 30, 5-1, my stage weight is 125 lbs and my off-season weight is between 135-140 lbs.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you like showing off your muscles in public or do you prefer covering up?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I like showing off my muscles cause I work so hard for it. However, sometimes it can be a bit mental when I get a lot of stares when walking through public places, but I take it as a compliment for all my hard work and dedication. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How did you get started lifting weights and training? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started lifting weights as a pastime and just missed the feeling of being competitive and reaching a goal. That's when I decided to hire a coach and compete in my first figure competition. After competing in figure, I realized my heart was into physique. The routines really caught my eye. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krystia Petrossie</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What inspired you to start competing?</b><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I actually had a few friends who competed for years and they inspired me to compete. I loved the look of lean muscle. Nutrition is really where I needed to focus to change my body composition. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you like to lift heavy and what are some of your best lifts?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love lifting heavy weights especially in a gym where I can lift heavier than most people in the gym (especially some of the guys haha). It makes me feel so empowered as a woman. Some of my best lifts are bench press, leg press and squats. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How old were you when you did your first show? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was 26, so I'm fairly new to the sport. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's your athletic background?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At age 10 I was a highland dancer world champion. Then I gave up dancing to play basketball and soccer in high school at a division 1 level. I became athlete of the year two years consecutively and ranked top three in Nova Scotia for shot put in track and field. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I continued my athletic career in university soccer for three years, then decided to move to Alberta after receiving my degree in kinesiology. That's when I started my personal training and nutrition company with my partner Laura Borchuk. Now we're coaching clients in competitions as well. We just recently had a client turn pro this weekend at the WBFF Worlds Toronto show. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are your goals as a competitor?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To look better each time I step on stage. Ultimately I want people in and out of the industry to look up to me as a great role model. I want to ensure anyone, whether it be weight loss or competing, that they can achieve anything they put their mind to as long as they're living a healthy lifestyle. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you think is the strongest part of your physique?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My legs. After 10 years of highland dancing and soccer training, I would say my legs are definitely my strongest attribute. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you could change one thing about your physique, what would it be?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wouldn't change a thing. I love how I look and feel. I think it's important as a competitor that you're training to achieve the look you want, not trying to achieve the look someone else wants. Stay true to yourself. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>With the growth of physique, do you think women's bodybuilding will survive and does it have a future? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I truly believe female bodybuilding will start to decrease more and more as women's physique continues to grow. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQFIcTghwQt2iYTeAafj8NZidZse3iJqlw9TqBhydJESNJ7p_I7JbbO_95qFINrEQfmxoS-Z8PfswVLyf7SYFwkbqJbjeKxnv7ZrbWB6eCmR6P6iFGaFhQ666Uht-X3MEJh_41wpRS6A3/s1600/krystia_291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQFIcTghwQt2iYTeAafj8NZidZse3iJqlw9TqBhydJESNJ7p_I7JbbO_95qFINrEQfmxoS-Z8PfswVLyf7SYFwkbqJbjeKxnv7ZrbWB6eCmR6P6iFGaFhQ666Uht-X3MEJh_41wpRS6A3/s320/krystia_291.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krystia Petrossie</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Favorite female competitor and why?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Juliana Malacarne. She has an amazing overall physique - very symmetrical and feminine. From the time she hits the stage, she is just amazing to watch. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's your favorite cheat meal? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Five guys and fries :) and then a small cotton candy ice cream for dessert. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What is your profession?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am the owner of Kustom Lifestyle and Fitness, a personal training and lifestyle coaching company. We provide exercise and nutritional programs to our clients within Canada. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's one thing about you that people would be surprised to know? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a big heart and old soul for everyone around me. I always put everyone else before myself. I love helping people. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What three words best describe you?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Passionate, competitive and energetic. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you could be on just one magazine cover, what's your choice and why?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Women's health and fitness because I feel like I could be an incredible role model to the fitness industry. Not only do I display the bodybuilding look of lean muscle, but I also help people on a regular basis achieve their fitness goals.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Where can we see more of you?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/krystia.petrossie" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/krystia_taz_petrossie/" target="_blank">Personal Instagram</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kustom_lifestyle_fitness/" target="_blank">Company Instagram</a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kustomlifestylefitness.com/" target="_blank">www.kustomlifestylefitness.com</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">See Krystia's <a href="https://youtu.be/vQxPZN_GuEw" target="_blank">YouTube video</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please visit our <a href="https://athleticwomenmagazineblog.com/">NEW look blog here</a>!</span><br />
<br />athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169101 -123.44346100000001 49.4485481 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-1063984990505857542016-08-26T20:23:00.002-07:002018-10-26T18:40:00.050-07:00Young Gunz - Shannon Thompson<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is our first feature in a series we're calling <i>Young Gunz</i> that will put up and coming competitors in the spotlight. To kick things off, 19-year-old figure competitor Shannon Thompson.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Hi. My name is Shannon Thompson and you should follow me because I want to inspire other young women to overcome their weaknesses and follow their dreams and passions."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Let's start with your stats.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm 19, 5-8, 135 pounds competition and 150 pounds off-season.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How did you get started lifting weights and training?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I struggled with anorexia in my early to mid-teens and became an avid runner to burn massive amounts of calories, but I was much too weak to run the distances I was running and an injury stopped me from running when I was 16.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I began lifting weights to build up strength so I could run again and I fell in love with the weight room and have never looked back. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How long have you been training? </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been training for almost four years, but I've only really decided to become serious about bodybuilding in the last year or so. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How old were you when you did your first show? </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was 17 for my first competition. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv_88PaPB0PddE1auslfqATbckt1XFOMpsmOe1xQSQtDTjqnkUtZu-TilSi6m0ihiALD-s2Q0pFnmkP1I6fvCLMvubLjKUaQZNe-MTkj3ia2lccRmANASKuiYfOG_JCsTWmti7U5pn-UT/s1600/shannon_598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv_88PaPB0PddE1auslfqATbckt1XFOMpsmOe1xQSQtDTjqnkUtZu-TilSi6m0ihiALD-s2Q0pFnmkP1I6fvCLMvubLjKUaQZNe-MTkj3ia2lccRmANASKuiYfOG_JCsTWmti7U5pn-UT/s320/shannon_598.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Shannon Thompson</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What inspired you to start competing?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I admired the drive and dedication of other competitors I followed on social media and I wanted to see what my body was capable of. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you could change one thing about your physique, what would it be?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Either a wider back or leaner legs.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you think is the strongest part of your physique?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Definitely my shoulders. I'm very proud of this as they used to be one of my weakest points. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What is your profession?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm currently unemployed, but I'll be going to college in September for a bachelor of sports and fitness leadership.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKa9VPa3aMiCpqG08UP4hcYUFceHgpGPAsFZtHo884PlBtLPiG_v7Fz4qUaDO_sLLBly8lLl_0Vc1BQcCsKpFxi3nqOQIrqno25sa881Fht33OXGzENy3VA96Eftd39lrFkCzwph-s9p9v/s1600/shannon_631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKa9VPa3aMiCpqG08UP4hcYUFceHgpGPAsFZtHo884PlBtLPiG_v7Fz4qUaDO_sLLBly8lLl_0Vc1BQcCsKpFxi3nqOQIrqno25sa881Fht33OXGzENy3VA96Eftd39lrFkCzwph-s9p9v/s320/shannon_631.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Shannon Thompson</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You have all your expenses covered to spend your perfect day. What would you do?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would spend the day in New York with my mom shopping, eating tons of interesting food and seeing a Broadway play. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Your home is burning down. Family and pets have all made it to safety. You have one chance to go back in and save just one item. What do you save?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel kind stupid saying this, but I would save my cell phone. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you could look into the future and see yourself at age 50, what would you want to see?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope to be an IFBB figure pro, an inspiration to many people with a happy family and a beautiful home somewhere in British Columbia. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where can we see more of you?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shannyt_96/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.modelmayhem.com/3973881" target="_blank">Model Mayhem</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">See Shannon on <a href="https://youtu.be/ujEJRXbe8iY" target="_blank">You Tube</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please visit our <a href="https://athleticwomenmagazineblog.com/">NEW look blog here</a>!</span></span><br />
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athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169101 -123.44346100000001 49.4485481 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-34550929091515629372016-06-05T15:54:00.000-07:002016-06-05T15:57:46.440-07:00Emma-Lee Thomas - Legends Football League<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Emma-Lee Thomas is a football player with the Austin Acoustic of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mylfl/timeline" target="_blank">Legends Football League</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are your stats? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Height 5-4; weight 138 pounds; age 29.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What is your athletic background?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have competed at a high level in a range of sports but predominantly gymnastics and full kit gridiron.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How did you get involved playing football?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I used to watch a lot of NFL on TV and saw an advertisement in the local newspaper back home for tryouts for a women's team. I showed up and made the cut and I've been addicted ever since!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXr8Phlh_SYuRREMPjMXMwbWUUWdWPdshEAIthWA-z_ud49PpccXnYxw8kwyypgBGMVtV63y1OlSp0xawOppIAGFJ8QVgADNUkZfvBJs0P1WvfAYEuiCjJ6eeCx0ZDOwe4rUlutiVSvAd/s1600/emmalee_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXr8Phlh_SYuRREMPjMXMwbWUUWdWPdshEAIthWA-z_ud49PpccXnYxw8kwyypgBGMVtV63y1OlSp0xawOppIAGFJ8QVgADNUkZfvBJs0P1WvfAYEuiCjJ6eeCx0ZDOwe4rUlutiVSvAd/s320/emmalee_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma-Lee Thomas</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You started your football career in Australia and then came to the US. Can you fill out the timeline?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I played full kit from 2011, LFL Australia Season 1 from 2013/2014 and arrived in Texas to play for the Austin Acoustic in March 2016. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What made you decide to leave Australia to play in the US?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gridiron in America is a national sport. I was interested to see the level of competition, training and coaching that was provided over here in the States. I've had a great experience so far.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's the difference between playing in Australia versus the US? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The athleticism and skill level were very similar I think. We have a lot of rugby players in Australia, which requires many of the same skill set to play gridiron. I did notice a huge difference in the level of knowledge and intricacies of the game. Being America's national sport, the level of game awareness, in general, is much higher here than in Australia. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Is there any difference between how the league and the players are viewed between the two countries?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think the introduction of gridiron alone is something very new to Australian shores. I know that it is definitely growing in popularity back home due to the injection of Jarryd Hayne (one of Australia's top rugby league players) into the San Francisco 49ers team. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What position do you play and what are your primary responsibilities on the field?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My primary position is offensive line, either tight end or centre, and secondary is defensive end. Centre is to snap the ball and provide direction to the offensive line. Both offensive positions require either run or pass blocking and occasionally receiving the ball, although in LFL everyone is eligible. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What strengths as a football player do you bring to your team?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I usually pick up blocking schemes and play books quite quickly and am able to help out my other teammates with the installation of blocking schemes and play book. I'm also a very hard worker on and off the field.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What areas do you feel you need to improve on? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At this stage I'm looking to improve my overall strength and agility. But also my speed. I've been doing sprint sessions and a lot of extras outside football to try and work on these areas.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you do for a living? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Civil Engineer.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How many hours of training do you do per week off the field?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd probably say an extra 10 hrs of personal development outside of football training.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How many hours of training do you do per week on the field? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the moment we do nine hours of physical training and between one to two hours of film review.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you have a favorite LFL player?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My favourite LFL player would have to be Ashley Salerno. She's such a versatile player and so aggressive on the field. I think she's one of the greats.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My age.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Where can we see more of you?</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/emmalee_thomas_lfl" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/emmaleethomasLFLBrigade" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCmQhOkcI6k/V1Pr_cnq5sI/AAAAAAAAGjM/7vFsRZwa_ms3cSSuxHJFHQbacift0CreACLcB/s1600/emmalee_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCmQhOkcI6k/V1Pr_cnq5sI/AAAAAAAAGjM/7vFsRZwa_ms3cSSuxHJFHQbacift0CreACLcB/s320/emmalee_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma-Lee Thomas</td></tr>
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athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Austin, TX, USA30.267153 -97.74306079999996729.828484 -98.388507799999971 30.705822 -97.097613799999962tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-32356268720984972642016-05-26T16:50:00.002-07:002016-05-26T16:52:12.125-07:00Emerald Cup 2016 - Samy Monteiro<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24.84px;">Competing for just her first time, Samy walked away with third-place in a competitive Bikini H class. Not a bad way to make your debut.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Let's start with your stats. </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm 5-9; competition weight 145-148 lbs @ 5% body fat; off-season weight 158-160 lbs; and I'm 24. </span></span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">This Emerald Cup was your first show. What did you experience stepping on stage for your first time? </b></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Being on stage was the most incredible experience ever! I looked the best I ever have in my whole life and I loved showing off all my hard work! I was instantly addicted! I was definitely really nervous and super excited at the same time! But I walked out there with confidence and let my personality shine through! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>What's the best tip you could give someone competing for the first time?</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Get on the right team; follow your meal plan; do your cardio; always have a winning attitude; and most of all, trust the plan and BELIEVE in yourself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>How long have you been training?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I started light weight training when I was 20 and intensive on and off training when I turned 23. I joined Construction Zone in Issaquah, WA in October of 2015 so that I could get trained by a professional. I ended up working with Pete Grubbs. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW2ytGjkiltnWdxv1s8rC_DvDw8vZBl2ngveWzPuCvJaxr8q2ZOocD8QinuCbjeSH-79x0ivbRBsCpPQfFwRCaSyzP4UTU8bBs6fpwOYP6q-gTSwuVnmWdUatr4mOKaQR3EA55TRxD_Er/s1600/ec16_1141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW2ytGjkiltnWdxv1s8rC_DvDw8vZBl2ngveWzPuCvJaxr8q2ZOocD8QinuCbjeSH-79x0ivbRBsCpPQfFwRCaSyzP4UTU8bBs6fpwOYP6q-gTSwuVnmWdUatr4mOKaQR3EA55TRxD_Er/s320/ec16_1141.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Samy Monteiro</span></td></tr>
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<b style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How did you get your start lifting weights and training?</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My fiancé has always trained so he got me started weightlifting. Back in October I decided to start training with Pete to get in great shape for my wedding on June 30, 2016. Since I was already dieting and training, my trainer Pete suggested that I should compete at Emerald Cup and despite how intimidating that sounded, I decided to say yes. I have always loved challenging myself so I thought, why not! But I had no idea what I had just gotten myself into! Haha. </span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Were you athletic growing up? </span></b><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yes, I've always had an athletic build and played sports such as volleyball and dance team growing up. But bodybuilding is the first sport I've actually fallen in love with and felt like I actually fit in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>What are your goals as a competitor?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With me placing for Nationals, I have definitely been considering a future with many more competitions in it. My goal is to only keep getting better and better with every competition. I want to take my body to the next level, make less mistakes each time, and become mentally and emotionally stronger. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>What inspired you to start competing?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It actually took me a couple months to agree to compete, and during that time I watched other people's experiences and was fascinated by the results that I someday could possibly achieve as well. I'm a very competitive person in general, so I naturally craved the challenge that I had just come across. I thought that if I could accomplish this, then I would be able to accomplish anything I set my mind to. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am a lash-extension stylist and an airbrush tanning technician. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I speak three languages: Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and English. And...well I'm a total rocker chick! People look at me and think I'm super girly (because I wear pink and I'm obsessed with Michael Kors) so they would never guess that my favorite band in the entire world is Deftones! Ha! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/samymonteiro" target="_blank">Facebook </a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/brazilliandoll92/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more information on the Emerald Cup visit </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 24.84px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.craigproductions.com/" target="_blank">www.craigproductions.com</a></span></span></span><br />
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athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Bellevue, WA, USA47.610377 -122.200678647.439057 -122.5234021 47.781697 -121.87795510000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-44014990011370799562016-05-14T20:58:00.002-07:002017-03-12T18:33:57.475-07:00Emerald Cup 2016 - Crystal Steffler<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When IFBB Women's Historian and expert on all things female muscle Steve Wennerstrom comments that you have "Lots of potential for the future," you know you're doing something right. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Such is the case for 23-year-old Crystal Steffler, bikini competitor and fitness model. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crystal walked away with Bikini C honors at the 2016 Emerald Cup. Displaying an outstanding </span><span style="line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;">physique</span><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and an even stronger stage </span><span style="line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;">presence</span><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the registered nurse by trade appears ready to make her mark on the muscle world. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What is your height, competition weight and off-season weight?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5-3, 122 pounds and 135 pounds. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How did you get started lifting weights and training?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I met a girl who was in amazing shape and she told me that she was working with a trainer to compete in a fitness competition. I then became interested in achieving that level of fitness which led me to lifting weights. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What inspired you to start competing?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I met my trainer Jeremiah Glasenapp and he encouraged me to compete.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How long have you been training?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have been training since the fall of 2013.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How old were you when you did your first show?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Twenty-one. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Were you athletic growing up?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, I have always enjoyed exercise. I was a cheerleader all throughout grade school. I ran the 800-meter relay in track and field and was on the </span><span style="line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;">cross-country</span><span style="line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> team in high school. I've ran four half-marathons as well.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you could change one thing about your physique, what would it be?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I want to work on gaining more ab definition and continue to grow my glutes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are your goals as a competitor?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My dream is to get my IFBB pro card and compete as a professional bikini athlete.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you think is the strongest part of your physique?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My triceps are very full and defined naturally, which I love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you enjoy performing onstage?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I absolutely love getting on stage. It's an adrenalin rush like nothing else that I have experienced!</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I'm sure you get noticed in public because of your physique. What is the strangest question someone has asked you or the strangest incident you've experienced?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was asked if I do crossfit from a random person at Walmart the other day. It's not that strange of a question, but he was wanting to know how I got in such good shape, which was a nice compliment.</span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tell us what a typical day is like for you.</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I workout twice a day, I grocery shop, hangout with family, and try to relax on my days off. I only make it to the gym once a day during my work week. I work three, 12-hour night shifts in a row. On those days if I’m not at work or at the gym, I’m sleeping. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What's one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my favorite things about training is cardio. I was a distance runner so I love the endurance and the anxiety relief that I get from it. Most competitors dread cardio. I think this gives me an advantage in my contest prep.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Where can we see more of you?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/crystalsteffler" target="_blank">Instagram</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/crystal.steffler" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">See Crystal's video clip on <a href="https://youtu.be/6LgPSkeZfew" target="_blank">YouTube</a> and second clip on <a href="https://youtu.be/oiX73LRZhRg" target="_blank">YouTube2</a>.</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Trainer: </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeremiahxavier" target="_blank">Jeremiah Glasenapp</a></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxL8kdQ9wqdBL1VIVGNbRVbdIc-qL5rxi0A2go4qGhj2fTGKsBDBCVzkVyTiFTi5vKYeexwLZJCHQgnDlMuxKzN8CiwOYHjjNj5dp2RUFcIWCDLAYI_B62ICFrzao7-5YXNlgUO7-JRbu/s1600/ec16_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxL8kdQ9wqdBL1VIVGNbRVbdIc-qL5rxi0A2go4qGhj2fTGKsBDBCVzkVyTiFTi5vKYeexwLZJCHQgnDlMuxKzN8CiwOYHjjNj5dp2RUFcIWCDLAYI_B62ICFrzao7-5YXNlgUO7-JRbu/s320/ec16_0823.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal Steffler - Bikini C Champ</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HGr4w5JY00wLjpxlFZ9N1TaK0Mr4ACM96EobEFr2vGmtq4Rbio_DIKUw13G0uJkudQPh8uTr22YS3ugzdP8tfFWCI8L3gIzRIhrS8NKxVy1q9VzmOri1l4IYj8ux_mf3HP0EYmff1L4D/s1600/crystal_steffler_025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HGr4w5JY00wLjpxlFZ9N1TaK0Mr4ACM96EobEFr2vGmtq4Rbio_DIKUw13G0uJkudQPh8uTr22YS3ugzdP8tfFWCI8L3gIzRIhrS8NKxVy1q9VzmOri1l4IYj8ux_mf3HP0EYmff1L4D/s320/crystal_steffler_025.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal Steffler</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The Emerald Cup</b> continues its tradition of excellence year after year. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit the </span><a href="http://www.craigproductions.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Craig Productions</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> website for Emerald Cup results and information on upcoming events.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Follow the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmeraldCup" target="_blank">Emerald Cup</a> on Facebook. </span></span></div>
athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Bellevue, WA, USA47.610377 -122.200678647.439057 -122.5234021 47.781697 -121.87795510000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-87024064288163144612016-05-05T15:55:00.001-07:002016-05-05T15:59:23.013-07:00Natasha Edwards - February Fury part 2<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You mentioned that you dealt with body image issues when you were younger. Now that you've built your physique through hard work and training, you've stated that you want to show it off. Please elaborate. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was always teased about my body growing up, not just by fellow peers but by family as well. Looking back now, I would not be in the shape I am or where I am today without those negative experiences. I couldn't be more proud of how far I've come and nothing will keep me from showing off my hard work!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What was it like the first time you stepped into the ring on fight night?</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was such an amazing experience! This was my first time ever stepping into a ring and I'm sure it won't be my last. I was a little nervous seeing as I have never done anything like this before, but mostly I was super excited!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Was there any difference between doing the interview and posing demo in the ring with Olesha versus working the ring between rounds? </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The only difference for me between the interview with Olesha and going in between rounds was there were more people in the ring. A few times I had to be a little cautious around the fighters as they were getting hyped up and were in the zone! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uMxiWu5Ch8A2SnX8NnZXuTnOSy0SdUcJzrPbh1wPRzIg5XUQCzU75nmvVv1AG_g8JiuuDst66rUnuZ-q6Ux_8_d7wUti_UmwHgWplrat_zSJteUMFdfRktOdfpvJIUEBG4W41JXcViJ1/s1600/natasha_edwards_028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uMxiWu5Ch8A2SnX8NnZXuTnOSy0SdUcJzrPbh1wPRzIg5XUQCzU75nmvVv1AG_g8JiuuDst66rUnuZ-q6Ux_8_d7wUti_UmwHgWplrat_zSJteUMFdfRktOdfpvJIUEBG4W41JXcViJ1/s320/natasha_edwards_028.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natasha Edwards</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What was the highlight of the night for you?</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The entire evening was a highlight for me! From the interview with the fabulous Olesha, watching the amazing fights and meeting some great people! But if I was only able to choose one moment, it would be when I held the championship belt each round for the last fight of the evening. It was a pretty epic feeling!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Prior to February Fury, had you ever been to a live MMA event? </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was my first time ever being to a live MMA and boxing event. I had such a blast and hope to do this more often!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>If you were offered a big contract to be either a pro wrestler or MMA fighter, which would you choose and why? </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you would have asked me before I had my implants, MMA no doubt! But now I have an expensive investment to protect. For me, WWE diva would be the way to go! Those ladies are badass and beautiful!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You worked the fights with four other ring girls. Each of you had some type of athletic background. Let's say all five of you step into the ring for a round-robin fight. Who walks out as the champ and why?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is this a serious question? Of course it would be me! That's based on muscle size and confidence alone. With that being said, all the other girls were very lovely and I had an amazing time with them. But if there were to be a fight, no one would make it past the first punch let alone the first round! </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://youtu.be/CBS_jeXaMTo" target="_blank">YouTube clip</a> of Natasha in the ring with the championship belt.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Click for <a href="http://musclemodel101.blogspot.ca/2016/02/natasha-edwards-february-fury-part-1.html" target="_blank">part one</a> of our feature with Natasha Edwards at February Fury.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIMA8zTbQBeLhyphenhyphenmlFofuzqg-24RKOIsuFm8RQkVNZ3scMm-MgP-Mc9fSEZWtjAuXU-ieO9jS00uC1KH5nvJFd59qmL9-OGIZiDVUY7u3Tzv_7l9C0olccazPj9aIDNo-v0P-LaLYYTId-/s1600/natasha_edwards_078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIMA8zTbQBeLhyphenhyphenmlFofuzqg-24RKOIsuFm8RQkVNZ3scMm-MgP-Mc9fSEZWtjAuXU-ieO9jS00uC1KH5nvJFd59qmL9-OGIZiDVUY7u3Tzv_7l9C0olccazPj9aIDNo-v0P-LaLYYTId-/s320/natasha_edwards_078.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natasha Edwards</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169101 -123.44346100000001 49.4485481 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-28868556364035929852016-03-23T22:09:00.000-07:002016-03-23T22:09:48.522-07:002016 NPC Emerald Cup<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mark your calendars. The 2016 edition of the Emerald Cup plays out on the weekend of April 29 and 30 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, WA. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As always, the show features a full roster of classes supplemented by a powerlifting competition, guest performers and a fitness expo. This is one show you don't want to miss. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get your tickets by calling 1-800-838-3006 or visit </span><a href="http://www.craigproductions.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Craigproductions.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for more information. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brought to you by Craig Productions. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwG8gRIwo3aY93T4S_mqjYWTV79GJ0iZ3G_Smu-kxlX8oA5ONCcmOAverGLvBgy6flaz_Aumkr9a2lpDxOOXSJLs1RZbKuNR0uz_sli1-p14mlNcsWyjmB4_Xd_elupaLMKvSSX5cyxQS/s1600/2016EmeraldCupPoster_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwG8gRIwo3aY93T4S_mqjYWTV79GJ0iZ3G_Smu-kxlX8oA5ONCcmOAverGLvBgy6flaz_Aumkr9a2lpDxOOXSJLs1RZbKuNR0uz_sli1-p14mlNcsWyjmB4_Xd_elupaLMKvSSX5cyxQS/s320/2016EmeraldCupPoster_1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Bellevue, WA, USA47.610377 -122.200678647.439057 -122.5234021 47.781697 -121.87795510000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-21717463105205363422016-03-11T03:13:00.000-08:002016-03-11T03:13:28.448-08:00Olympia 2015 Expo Coverage <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We ran into physique star Lauranda Nall just as we were exiting the 2015 Olympia Expo. Lauranda is the epitome of a muscle model: She brings a very marketable look to the table while at the same time carrying some impressive muscle. Great way to cap off a busy day of shooting at the Expo.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvBu6aEnqh3Fh5cQkK8xz1gTqX4jPRyrNrUXdxVDoUnBCIHe6dSxL21trczD6fsesi1qlT594KLXe7Bi3-ROV0z0e9o2AO7bIS0EIHnwxidTjh1jaEQ5hLtVX0YQh09c60pGr59vORWCN/s1600/olympia15_038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvBu6aEnqh3Fh5cQkK8xz1gTqX4jPRyrNrUXdxVDoUnBCIHe6dSxL21trczD6fsesi1qlT594KLXe7Bi3-ROV0z0e9o2AO7bIS0EIHnwxidTjh1jaEQ5hLtVX0YQh09c60pGr59vORWCN/s320/olympia15_038.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauranda Nall</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On hand for an outstanding pole fitness demo, <a href="http://www.fawniamondey.net/" target="_blank">Fawnia Mondey</a> and friends. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dP2Wtq5w8FA/VuFtrV_FouI/AAAAAAAAGE0/ahxWUYuniw0/s1600/olympia15_043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dP2Wtq5w8FA/VuFtrV_FouI/AAAAAAAAGE0/ahxWUYuniw0/s320/olympia15_043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fawnia Mondey</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We found Brooke Walker working a booth. Brooke stepped out to give us a quick biceps blast. Pretty impressive!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmM33UGVN2FEE3Wka2gbBViBqLsZ4XpoiSd8dC6NCqrx2XHWr9b5r09y8ECSEFjUBq-jOKSXj7Ft_BY1gH9vOn0vOLcWIsNWpDO826NJ21rpvkLgPpKAqpnMQu5UQVPDZFF3-wLIsekEQ/s1600/olympia15_084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmM33UGVN2FEE3Wka2gbBViBqLsZ4XpoiSd8dC6NCqrx2XHWr9b5r09y8ECSEFjUBq-jOKSXj7Ft_BY1gH9vOn0vOLcWIsNWpDO826NJ21rpvkLgPpKAqpnMQu5UQVPDZFF3-wLIsekEQ/s320/olympia15_084.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooke Walker</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the Expo floor, one of the best in women's physique, Autumn Swansen. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iOuUTu9TdU/VuFvXjs4wPI/AAAAAAAAGFM/cw6twLzaC1A/s1600/olympia15_109a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iOuUTu9TdU/VuFvXjs4wPI/AAAAAAAAGFM/cw6twLzaC1A/s320/olympia15_109a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn Swansen</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Canadian star Azaria Glaim took time out from her sponsor booth to give us a few biceps shots.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiPC4OF56X1g1DZ5y2-G1ElK2qLSbvOepyaugNvnC_a8y8LOonsdy7o3O06fbhykg5MV_QmvAPDOOVVLRb6YegE9W8J2xrLK1O_JIYxh_GGeWjcu0auHesm4rGj4-mOCXz4AEJqwRKePP/s1600/olympia15_095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiPC4OF56X1g1DZ5y2-G1ElK2qLSbvOepyaugNvnC_a8y8LOonsdy7o3O06fbhykg5MV_QmvAPDOOVVLRb6YegE9W8J2xrLK1O_JIYxh_GGeWjcu0auHesm4rGj4-mOCXz4AEJqwRKePP/s320/olympia15_095.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azaria Glaim</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although she didn't have big guns, it was hard not to notice 6-foot fitness model Corrie J at her booth. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RT7gJDAXRRI/VuFw3mxHTII/AAAAAAAAGFc/lv8zG8BV2b0/s1600/olympia15_025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RT7gJDAXRRI/VuFw3mxHTII/AAAAAAAAGFc/lv8zG8BV2b0/s320/olympia15_025.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corrie J</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please visit and "like" our Facebook page, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AthleticWomenMagazine/" target="_blank">Athletic Women Magazine</a>, for more coverage of the 2015 Olympia Expo as well as other events and related content.</span>athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Las Vegas, NV, USA36.1699412 -115.1398295999999835.7602007 -115.78527659999999 36.579681699999995 -114.49438259999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-74344713456052755942016-02-29T18:28:00.000-08:002016-05-05T16:01:20.226-07:00Natasha Edwards - February Fury part 1<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's 6:30 PM. Twenty-one-year-old Natasha Edwards is an explosion of excitement and nervous energy waiting to happen. It's easy to see why her coach Lara Toma describes her as a "fireball."</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-af71e9ba-2fd7-01e5-a544-f17201cc6ef4" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Arriving in jeans that hug her frame so tightly it looks as if they were painted on and a top that shows off her muscular bikini competitor physique, Natasha Edwards seems tailor made for this gig. Tonight, sporting a tiny bikini that accentuates the muscles and curves of her 38-26-38 physique, she'll make her debut as a ring girl.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's a list of names at the front door that includes Natasha Edwards. These are the ring girls working the February Fury event. But the ticket takers ignore her name. Instead, they're waiting for "the special girl with the muscles that will be performing in a bikini tonight." That puts a smile on Natasha's face. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Natasha goes to work within minutes of her arrival. Video interviews, promo photos and preparing for her solo performance in the ring; after that, meeting the ring crew, media and her fellow ring girls. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On paper, 90 minutes looks like a comfortable stretch of time; in real time at the venue, each minute races by, chasing the preceding one until the clock exhausts its allotment of 90 ticks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's 8 PM. Showtime. MC Olesha Karringten steps into the ring, microphone in hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please." </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But it's not a fight that starts the proceedings; it's Natasha Edwards. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stepping into the ring wrapped in a black bikini that strains to keep her taut, curvy body encased in the fabric, Edwards exudes a mix of confidence, power and sex appeal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How many in the crowd are hoping for a timely wardrobe malfunction?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Strutting around the ring, the bikini competitor hits a few biceps flexes that elicit shouts of approval from the fight crowd. MC Olesha continues with her introduction. When she booms out Natasha's stats, the 38-26-38 measurements gain an approving round of applause from the crowd. As Natasha describes it, her sweeping curves and hard muscles form the perfect combination of "murves," hashtag parlance for muscles and curves. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After an interview at center ring, Olesha asks Natasha to demonstrate what she does on stage at a bikini contest. Natasha obliges, hitting her mandatory bikini poses and throwing in a few extra twists and turns to show off her chiseled physique. The fight crowd approves. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">February Fury stretches out until 11:30 PM. Throughout, Natasha lives up to her "fireball" reputation. Each time she steps into the ring, she feeds off the energy of the audience and shows no signs of slowing down. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the evening with the ring coming down around her, she's still going strong, posing for promotional photos with a clamor of media rushing to get as much with her as they can. Edwards is ready for more, but it's the ones behind the cameras that run out of energy first. February Fury finally comes to a close for "the special girl with the muscles that will be performing in a bikini tonight." </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Watch Natasha Edwards in the ring</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://youtu.be/q63eP5B8MS4" target="_blank">YouTube</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Click <a href="http://musclemodel101.blogspot.ca/2016/05/natasha-edwards-february-fury-part-2.html" target="_blank">part two</a> of our Natasha Edwards February Fury coverage. </span></span><br />
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athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169101 -123.44346100000001 49.4485481 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-88880632804030350942016-02-18T15:17:00.000-08:002016-02-19T16:53:56.691-08:00Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo 2015 - Jodi Boam, IFBB Fitness Pro<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are your stats?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">28, 5-2 tall, 1</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">08-110 lbs onstage and 1</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">18-123 lbs offseason.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How did you get started lifting weights and training? </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was a national-level gymnast up until I was 17 when I was forced to retire. From there I decided to start weightlifting just to stay in shape. I quickly realized I need to remain competitive somehow and be able to work toward a goal and perform as it's truly what I'm passionate about. That's when I was introduced to fitness through great friends and coaches. From that moment I've never looked back. It's my true calling. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Were you athletic growing up?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Very. Since I was very young, I was in gymnastics, swimming, dance, etc. I quickly became a high-level competitive gymnast and trained up to 30 hours a week for nearly 10 years. Best thing I ever did and I still miss those training days. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How old were you when you did your first show? </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just turned 19 when I first hit the stage in an OPA Fitness event. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What inspired you to start competing?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just the need to be competitive and my passion to have a goal to work towards. Being very active and an athlete, this sport was the perfect fit for testing my discipline, dedication, work ethic and will power. I love the challenge both mentally and physically. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are your goals as a competitor?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Currently, my goal is to qualify for the Olympia in 2016 for women's physique. This would be a huge accomplishment for me considering I'm coming from the fitness background and working my way up. End goal - top Olympian. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Where can we see more of you? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jodi-Boam-IFBB-Fitness-Pro-191732387543166" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://kaboam.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">See Jodi's slideshow on <a href="https://youtu.be/nk6iChiA-ko" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Make sure you check out the </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://vancouverproshow.com/" target="_blank">Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo</a> show on July 9 & 10, 2016.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver Convention Centre West Building, 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C, Canada49.289124 -123.1164982000000249.286535 -123.12154070000003 49.291713 -123.11145570000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-15196287281633941522016-02-08T20:27:00.000-08:002016-02-08T20:27:44.021-08:00Meet Ring Girl Natasha Edwards<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twenty-one year old Natasha Edwards definitely turns heads when she walks into a room. When you fill out a bikini with measurements of 38-25-38 and you mix in some hard muscle, it makes for a package that gets noticed. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Natasha says, "I have days where I prefer to cover up, but that's not often! I've worked extremely hard to be in the shape I am today. If you've got it, flaunt it!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Underneath the sleek exterior is a young woman driven and motivated to reach her goals, both as a fitness model and bikini competitor. Best summed up in the words of her coach, Lara Toma (<a href="http://www.custombuilttraining.ca/" target="_blank">custombuilttraining.ca</a>): "She's a fireball!" </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Occupation </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the moment I'm getting my personal training license and will be a health and wellness coach. I would love to make a difference and help people change their lives for the better.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Fighter nickname if you stepped into the ring </b> The Beautiful Danger.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I want to be a ring girl because </b> As a young girl, I always looked up to ring girls. The energy they give off, their ability to pump up the crowd, and of course because they were gorgeous! I never imagined that one day I would be able to do the same. When the opportunity was presented to me, I truly felt blessed and I couldn't say no!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Stats </b> Age 21, 5-6, 135 lbs, 38-25-38. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>You would be surprised to know that</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm a diehard Harry Potter fan. Always have been; always will be. I was at opening day for every movie and always on the waiting list to receive the movies as soon as they came out! Every few months I still do a marathon of all the movies.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Natasha will be one of the featured ring girls at the upcoming <b>February Fury </b>event taking place Friday February 26, 2016, Fraserview Hall, Vancouver, BC. Phone 604.435.7777 for your ticket. </span><br />
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<br />athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169101 -123.44346100000001 49.4485481 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-84765478001303080072016-01-28T16:55:00.002-08:002016-01-28T16:55:31.384-08:00Behind The Lens With Dan Ray<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the spotlight for this feature, photographer Dan Ray. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Attend a pro event and you'll find Dan Ray, camera in hand, working his job as one of the denizens of the notorious pit. From this vantage point, he brings the show to muscle fans via his photo coverage. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.08px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arguably the hardest working shooter in the business, Dan is the first to arrive at a show and the first to start doing shoots. When the weekend is over, he's the one that turns off the lights before making the trek home.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let's see if we can find out what makes Dan Ray tick. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How and when did you get your start in photography?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started photography in high school and carried on in college at KU where I got a degree in photojournalism.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>When did you start shooting fitness?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been shooting fitness stuff since 2006 or 2007. It's all a blur.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgARTfY9a8YteqfbeklqIM3hyYU1YJkd0EciB3gfQ3NZ2gskfVmGV8GaelOfdgAKtoWFjQcZ47DtKFe9jwCCHl_IJ9GW-4iVb4-D8lZrSH4v86GeOVUF0dhk8lEdQmNBQyNdWy5s099Xf/s1600/malori_mitchell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgARTfY9a8YteqfbeklqIM3hyYU1YJkd0EciB3gfQ3NZ2gskfVmGV8GaelOfdgAKtoWFjQcZ47DtKFe9jwCCHl_IJ9GW-4iVb4-D8lZrSH4v86GeOVUF0dhk8lEdQmNBQyNdWy5s099Xf/s320/malori_mitchell.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malori Mitchell</td></tr>
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you hazard a guess as to how many shots you might take in a year?</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I probably shoot 500,000 to 600,000 images a year, counting shoots and show coverage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Typically how long does a camera last you until you have to replace it?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cameras last a few years. Shutters - now that's another story. I typically go through a shutter every eight to nine months, so that adds up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>When you find some spare time, what do you like to do for enjoyment and hobbies? </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who has spare time? I like to sleep, watch NFL, college basketball and Rock Chalk Jayhawk. I help the blind to see and the crippled to walk. You know, the usual stuff.</span></span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">What advice do you have for models starting out in the fitness industry?</b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check up on the photographers and ask other girls about working with people you don't know. Remember to budget your time. Just because the shoot is supposed to last an hour doesn't mean you'll be there for an hour. Always stay until later Sunday or Monday after a big show. That's when most of the shoots are. Always bring heels and sunglasses and swimsuits other than your stage suit. They're small and should fit in your pockets!</span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">What type of camera do you use and do you have a favorite lens?</b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I shoot Nikon. I like it. Right now I'm using a D800. I like shooting with my 70-200, 2.8 lens and 24-70, 2.8 lens. Both are pretty sharp and reliable.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Explain the term “pit karma” and why it's important for models to know how it works.</b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pit karma is the good luck that pit photographers bestow to competitors that bring us treats during the show. The treats can be anything from water to beef jerky to pizza. We've had it all! We don't guarantee that they will place better, but we will shoot more photos of them on stage so that's not all bad.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXvia3i11H9GDHq657zUVQDtIAOjonuRiCbeHyW_x2Ij2mLvAksbKyuxWPiS52bCT0OG42VDvJTQfINK0qIlKBbZTYU5hZ7k-7pxQnXubKEjlmasyDhxdZ46xUZKofkRVjU8T7Lte3bk7/s1600/nicole_wilkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXvia3i11H9GDHq657zUVQDtIAOjonuRiCbeHyW_x2Ij2mLvAksbKyuxWPiS52bCT0OG42VDvJTQfINK0qIlKBbZTYU5hZ7k-7pxQnXubKEjlmasyDhxdZ46xUZKofkRVjU8T7Lte3bk7/s320/nicole_wilkins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole Wilkins</td></tr>
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Your drink of choice is ice tea. If you want the best in the land, where do you go?</b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">There's a gas station about 20 miles north of me that brews the best ice tea I've ever had. Second best ice tea goes to the host hotel for the Tampa Pro show. It's very STRONG!</span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you weren't shooting physique shows and models, what would you be shooting instead?</b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'd like to be shooting still life or food. Studio stuff is easy if you have the right equipment and that stuff rarely talks back or has an attitude because of low carbs.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">What's your favorite show to cover and why? </b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like Jr Nationals in Chicago. The venue and hotel are together and it's easy shooting around the place. Next would be Nationals when it's down in South Florida. Fun show and great locations to shoot.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">What's a bit of Dan Ray trivia that would surprise people?</b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trivia - nobody has time for trivia. I'm a big Miami Dolphins fan. Why I don't know. </span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where is the best place for fans to check out your work? </b><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check on </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Muscular Development</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/danrayphoto" target="_blank">Facebook </a>page for now.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">What's your contact info if someone wants to book a shoot?</b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<a href="mailto:danray98@gmail.com" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">danray98@gmail.com</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is my email or shoot me a message on Facebook </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/danrayphoto" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/danrayphoto</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VhDFUiAP4KU/Vqn9wwFtxNI/AAAAAAAAFxg/bjtFKgTYQA0/s1600/britt_mcintyre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VhDFUiAP4KU/Vqn9wwFtxNI/AAAAAAAAFxg/bjtFKgTYQA0/s320/britt_mcintyre.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Britt McIntyre</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-64315478012998924812015-11-21T20:27:00.003-08:002015-11-22T02:56:30.323-08:00Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo 2015 - Caitlin Bailie, IFBB Fitness Pro <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who walks on her hands at least once a day and sometimes as many as 50 times?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who has an Instagram channel with nothing but handstand photos? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who was once escorted out of a Vegas casino for doing handstands in a Superman shirt?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even better, who makes it seem like this is normal behavior?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Done with strength and aplomb, that would be </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">IFBB Fitness Pro Caitlin Bailie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As she explains, "</span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">For many years I've done at least one handstand a day with few days missed. I love doing them in public and meeting other people who can handstand too! When people who are sometimes complete strangers put trust in me to teach them for the first time, it's a really great feeling.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I like to be the little bit of random to add into people's days when they're walking or driving around town, busy looking at their phones and look up to see feet in the air - heehee! I ride escalators on my hands, walk crosswalks on my hands and handstand down the stairs. I can walk on the treadmill on my hands too!"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOITzREabPcEd-syvkoSCxPrYSfqSue5dbqyaNmheqtPYbqguHUTHiVIDxGxLgPouXXekkAnRvv456HWzNHjPnsAbmPdNSxkd3sF5dQ4ZTbz5oyvymn01z4n8VHp9gJYNWxT3Mz82EJF4r/s1600/van_proam15sun_0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOITzREabPcEd-syvkoSCxPrYSfqSue5dbqyaNmheqtPYbqguHUTHiVIDxGxLgPouXXekkAnRvv456HWzNHjPnsAbmPdNSxkd3sF5dQ4ZTbz5oyvymn01z4n8VHp9gJYNWxT3Mz82EJF4r/s320/van_proam15sun_0201.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Let's start with your stats. </b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm 24; 5-3; onstage 125 lbs; off-season 138 lbs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Were you athletic growing up?</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I was younger my parents put me in swimming which I liked, and soccer and baseball; but I’m not very good at running after a ball, and I hate to be chased, so those didn't work out so well. When it came to more artistic outputs of my energy, like dance and gymnastics, I was very athletic. I went to gymnastics (non competitively) from ages 4-11. At that time I decided to take on dance more full-time and be at the studio about 15 hours a week pretty much until I graduated high school. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>How did you get started competing in fitness?</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember watching the Olympia about 10 years ago with my mom and seeing the fitness division. She suggested one day I might do that too, and so that day I added <i>compete in a fitness competition</i> to my already started bucket list. Five years later I found myself moving to Australia to work as a live-in nanny for a family whose mother was the three-time Best Body Champion in the WNBF. She got me started in my first competition in 2010.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you remember your first fitness show?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course I remember it! I did two competitions in Australia, but I joke that they were just practice shows because I didn’t have a very real understanding of what competing in this kind of show meant, and it wasn't my primary focus at the time. People who knew me in Canada didn't believe the few pictures I posted were me because of the tan etc, so I came back by saying, "Okay, watch this then, I'll do another competition!" That was the Western Canadians in Kelowna, May 2013. I competed in fitness and I won! </span></span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">How old were you when you did your first show?</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was 19 in Australia and 22 in my first show in Canada. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you enjoy performing onstage?</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To say that I enjoy performing onstage would be an understatement. I absolutely love it! It brings me back to my days of dance competitions and it's so great to be a part of a really very talented division of women who are incredibly inspiring. I do still get nervous right before I step onstage, but that only tells me I care about what I'm doing and how I perform. From the day I was born I've always been happy in the spotlight; but I'd prefer not to sing or give a speech. I'll just dance and do cartwheels!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Between the fitness routine portion and the physique portion, which one do you feel the most confident with on stage?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Routine! I choreograph my own, so I am always really excited and proud to perform that part and to watch all the other women's routines. The routines are what make us all so unique! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What are your goals as a competitor?</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To improve my overall flexibility and to continue training my gymnastics to perfect some skills that I learned as a child but haven't practiced enough! I'm only 24, but the fear factor has started to sink in a bit! I want to come back to my next pro show with a top-three placing after placing 6th of 9 at my first pro show in Vancouver 2015. This year I am hoping to find a sponsorship opportunity to allow me to promote the fitness lifestyle to those around me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Who are some of your favorite fitness competitors?</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All of the ladies on the Olympia stage are extremely inspiring to me. I was honoured to compete with Tanji Johnson at the Vancouver Pro show this year, and Myriam Capes is a Canadian favourite of mine. I was grateful for her offer to chat with me and answer my questions over a phone call after winning my pro card.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>From your vantage point as a fitness pro, do you see growth in fitness, or do you see a decline?</b></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am new to the pro league so can't speak to that too much as I haven't been around long, but it sounds to me that over the years there has been a decline. There will always be fewer fitness competitors than men's physique or ladies figure or bikini. That's because of the two-minute routine that makes the division that much more difficult because of the requirement of being more than visually fit, but also functionally fit and very, very conditioned, with a love for performing AND gymnastics skill. That's a lot to ask!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What do you think needs to be done to keep fitness growing in terms of number of shows, number of competitors and fan popularity?</b></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many people don't know what the fitness division is! There are so many talented athletes (dancers, cheerleaders, martial artists) out there who are skilled in the fitness aspect and capable of performing a routine of great difficulty, but we need to have more personal trainers who are interested in working with FITNESS COMPETITORS SPECIFICALLY to guide them in the routine choreography as well as making sure the athlete is very well conditioned to have the endurance to get through the performance. </span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People at a high level of sport are often so far into their specific world that they aren't aware of the opportunity to cross into the world of bodybuilding. They may have the talent, but not be interested in living on such a strict gym schedule or meal plan, but mainly I think there are fewer competitors because while the background of a fitness competitor can come from a wide range of performance and flexibility based sports, many of these athletes just aren't aware of the other divisions. </span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">What's your profession?</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I teach dance and acrobatics by day, serve in a hotel restaurant by night, and personally train clients to find better versions of themselves through fitness and handstands whenever I get the chance! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/caitlinbailiefitness/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook athlete page</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram is @caitlinbailieifbb and @handstandsforhappiness </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">is the new Instagram I made where I post only handstand pictures!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1.38;"><b>Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo, July 9/10 2016</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1.38;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vancouverproam/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1.38;"><a href="http://vancouverproshow.com/" target="_blank">Web</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">See Caitlin on <a href="https://youtu.be/jZkNi8cS0es" target="_blank">YouTube</a></span><br />
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athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169101 -123.44346100000001 49.4485481 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-66403191573967840122015-09-11T23:25:00.001-07:002018-10-26T18:37:05.907-07:00Strength Challenge - Grip Squeeze<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In conjunction with many of our shoots, we've been running an ongoing strength challenge for fun and bragging rights. One of these challenges is grip strength measured on a hand dynamometer. To date, we've done close to 90 squeezes on the grip tester. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Those near 90 squeezes have seen women from a variety of backgrounds take up the challenge, including physique, figure, powerlifting, crossfit, bikini, lingerie football, bodybuilding, track and field and pro basketball. Notably absent from the mix - fitness.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The women have ranged in weight from 105 pounds all the way up to 195 pounds. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One thing is clear: Breaking the 100-pound barrier on the dynamometer is a major accomplishment. To date, just six women have surpassed that mark. At the top of the heap, powerhouse physique competitor Shayla Turcotte. She went well over the 130-pound mark from both the right side and the left side. The closest to Shayla so far - physique competitor Heidi Dianne with a squeeze of 129.60 pounds from the right side. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Following are the top twenty attempts to date measured in pounds. </span><br />
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<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Name</th><th>Height</th><th>Weight</th><th>Side</th><th>Score</th><th>Category</th></tr>
<tr><td>Shayla Turcotte</td><td>6.00</td><td>185</td><td>R</td><td>137.60</td><td>physique</td></tr>
<tr><td>Shayla Turcotte</td><td>6.00</td><td>185</td><td>L</td><td>134.40</td><td>physique</td></tr>
<tr><td>Heidi Dianne</td><td>5.04</td><td>138</td><td>R</td><td>129.60</td><td>physique</td></tr>
<tr><td>Heidi Dianne</td><td>5.04</td><td>138</td><td>L</td><td>118.20</td><td>physique</td></tr>
<tr><td>Heidi Dianne</td><td>5.04</td><td>138</td><td>R</td><td>118.00</td><td>physique</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cassie Keeping</td><td>5.08</td><td>146</td><td>R</td><td>112.60</td><td>crossfit</td></tr>
<tr><td>Angel</td><td>5.05</td><td>135</td><td>R</td><td>107.80</td><td>figure</td></tr>
<tr><td>Heidi Dianne</td><td>5.04</td><td>138</td><td>L</td><td>103.20</td><td>physique</td></tr>
<tr><td>Shannon Courtney</td><td>5.02</td><td>162</td><td>R</td><td>102.00</td><td>physique</td></tr>
<tr><td>Angel</td><td>5.05</td><td>135</td><td>R</td><td>101.00</td><td>figure</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wendy Lindquist</td><td>5.03</td><td>128</td><td>R</td><td>100.80</td><td>bodybuilding</td></tr>
<tr><td>Tasha Wolf</td><td>5.07</td><td>138</td><td>R</td><td>99.60</td><td>powerlifter</td></tr>
<tr><td>Chelsea Konechny</td><td>5.04</td><td>140</td><td>L</td><td>99.20</td><td>figure</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cassie Keeping</td><td>5.08</td><td>146</td><td>L</td><td>98.60</td><td>crossfit</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kristen Olychuk</td><td>5.06</td><td>130</td><td>L</td><td>96.40</td><td>bikini, hockey</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kristen Olychuk</td><td>5.06</td><td>130</td><td>L</td><td>95.00</td><td>bikini, hockey</td></tr>
<tr><td>Hanna Hallman</td><td>5.02</td><td>135</td><td>L</td><td>94.80</td><td>physique</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kristen Olychuk</td><td>5.06</td><td>130</td><td>R</td><td>94.40</td><td>bikini, hockey</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wendy Lindquist</td><td>5.03</td><td>128</td><td>L</td><td>94.00</td><td>bodybuilding</td></tr>
<tr><td>Hanna Hallman</td><td>5.02</td><td>135</td><td>R</td><td>93.00</td><td>physique</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To see all the strength challenge video clips, join our site <a href="http://www.athleticwomenmagazine.com/" target="_blank">Athletic Women Magazine</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">See a sample video of the grip challenge on <a href="https://youtu.be/uBoJBMfOBE8" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please visit our <a href="https://athleticwomenmagazineblog.com/">NEW look blog here</a>!</span>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-43320040464018700762015-08-29T15:36:00.002-07:002015-08-29T15:38:28.926-07:00Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo 2015 - Isadora Melo<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many people struggle to master a single language. Brazilian Isadora Melo can converse with you in her native tongue Portuguese, or English, or Spanish. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now calling Vancouver home, the 23-year-old bikini competitor entered the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MuscleInsider" target="_blank">Muscle Insider</a> model search at the Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo show. For her efforts, she walked away as one of the winners selected by <a href="http://x2xclothing.com/" target="_blank">X2X Clothing</a> to represent them in the position of </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">brand ambassador.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Let's start with your stats. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm 23, 5-3, 115 lbs competition and 128 lbs off-season.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Do you enjoy performing onstage?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love it. I really enjoy being on stage. It's the time to show all the work you put in for months; although I prefer the everyday grind in the training room. I do enjoy being on stage. It's like the end of a chapter and the beginning of another. You work so hard for that day. It's just magic. I love every second of it. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>How did you get started lifting weights and training? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It all started in Brazil when I was 15. That's the age you're allowed to join the gym (at that time in Brazil). It's a warm country with beaches everywhere, so we really care about the look of the body. We grow up in this environment. I think that explains why Brazilians do very well in the bodybuilding world. We have direct contact with it and there is a gym every two meters in Brazil. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Were you athletic growing up?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes very, very much. I practiced all kinds of sports - swimming to judo; indoor soccer to jazz dancing; but the one that I loved most was handball. I was on the team for three years, but when I graduated from high school I had to quit because I didn't have the time. That was when lifting weights became my main activity. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://bodybuilding.7eer.net/c/161468/77675/2023">
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/images/2013/2013-affiliate-basic-store-300x250.jpg" height="250" width="300" /> </a><br />
<img border="0" src="http://bodybuilding.7eer.net/i/161468/77675/2023" height="0" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" width="0" />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>What are your goals as a competitor?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Win the Olympia.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>What inspired you to start competing?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I always loved to workout and get to the next level. Also I needed more discipline. To control the mind fascinates me. That's the only way to do well at this sport is controlling the mind. Once you've conquered it, the body will just follow. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>What is your profession?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm a personal trainer, athlete and college business student. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>More Isadora on YouTube:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://youtu.be/wRrp44S4eBs" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/wRrp44S4eBs</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Find Isadora Melo on the web: </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://instagram.com/isamelofit" target="_blank">Instagram </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Isadora-Melo-Bikini-Athlete/1617153268561921" target="_blank">Facebook </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo</b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> - July 9/10 2016</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vancouverproam" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://vancouverproshow.com/" target="_blank">Web</a></span><br />
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<br />athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169131 -123.44346100000001 49.4485451 -122.79801400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633330245312414154.post-69203351658914189892015-08-26T17:03:00.001-07:002015-08-26T17:13:30.296-07:00Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo 2015 - Billie-Jean<span style="color: #444444; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you've seen bikini competitor Billie-Jean on stage, you've probably noticed the tattoos - lots of tattoos. As she explains, "I'm hoping to bring more acceptance of tattoos in the bikini level competitions. You don't see many girls out there competing who are as heavily tattooed as I am."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; white-space: pre-wrap;">With the tattoos, the 28-year-old hairstylist is also building a great bikini physique and one days hopes to earn her pro card. She </span><span style="color: #444444; white-space: pre-wrap;">competed at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MuscleInsider" target="_blank">Muscle Insider</a> Model Search at the 2015 Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo show. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your stats.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">I'm </span><span style="color: #444444;">5-4, weight for the model search </span><span style="color: #444444;">was around 113 lbs although for my BCABBA competition I am looking at coming in between 105 lbs to 110 lbs. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">Do you enjoy performing onstage?</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I really enjoy performing on stage. That being said, I do experience a lot of nervousness before I hit the stage and sometimes even while on stage. But I believe that I get more confident every time go through it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>How long have you been training?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I've been training seriously since February 2014, so almost 19 months. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>When did you do your first show and how old were you?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">My first show was the Sandra Wickham Fall Classic 2014. I had just turned 28-years-old a couple weeks before the show.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>Were you athletic growing up? </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Not really. I played a bit of soccer and t-ball, but I was a bit more of a nerd. I enjoyed math and sciences and preferred to involve myself in academics rather than sports. A few years after I graduated high school I became more active.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>Favorite competitor?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Favorite competitor would have to be Dana Linn Bailey hands down. She inspires me every day to love myself, accept challenges, be open about my struggles and to always keep pushing forward. If I have a dream and a goal, I CAN make it a reality. I just have to work for it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>What inspired you to start competing?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">I was inspired to start competing after witnessing a few friends in Calgary go through the transformation. I honestly believed for years that I was not capable of having a competitor's body; that I was just not born with such a build. I decided that I wanted to prove myself wrong - show myself that if I put in the work and dedicated myself to the process that I could make it happen, and I did just that! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Billie-Jean on YouTube:</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://youtu.be/2j4eUqfu6OU" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/2j4eUqfu6OU</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>Find Billie-Jean on the web: </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Instagram @femmebilliejean</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Billie-Jean/238702892858200" target="_blank">Facebook </a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://femmebilliejean.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Blog </a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><b>Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo - July 9/10 2016</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/300080933531597/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.vancouverproshow.com/" target="_blank">Web</a></span></span><br />
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<br />athletic women magazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07874716085579531209noreply@blogger.com0Vancouver, BC, Canada49.2827291 -123.1207375000000249.1169131 -123.44346100000001 49.4485451 -122.79801400000002