Oh, the adventures of Vegas are sometimes quite amusing.  Coming into Vegas on Friday afternoon for the NPC USAs, I met up with Lonnie Teper and Sherri Goggins, who happened to have been on the same plane as I was. The plan was to have Isaac Hinds pick us up, who was also bringing the lovely and spicy Dina Al-Sabah to join us, and get a bite to eat.

But Sherri asked us to give her a ride to her hotel, and since Sherri’s stunning physique dazzled us, we agreed. However, what we didn’t know is that the hotel she was staying at (Courtyard Marriot) was not the one close to the venue. The address said Industrial Road. So 30 minutes later, and three wrong turns later, we finally got to the street, only to find out that the hotel was not there, but on Dean Martin Road, the new name of the south part of Industrial Road.

Lonnie Teper, IFBB Figure Pro Dina Al-Sabah and Ron Avidan.

Of course, we went down The Strip, which was packed, and full of people and lots of new construction. In the front of the small tiny rental car was Isaac and Dina. In the back was LT on one side, myself on the other, and Sherri in the middle. Thus, another 30 minutes down the strip, we finally found Dean Martin road, but as soon as we crossed the freeway and got within 100 feet of the hotel, Isaac made a wrong left turn, right back onto the freeway, and another 5 miles out of the way.  20 minutes later, after lots of cursing, we got to the hotel, and dropped Sheri off.  What should have been a 10 minutes drive took way more than an hour.

Finally, we stopped and got a bite to eat. As for the Muscle Milk bars, we couldn’t leave this new Banana Yogurt flavor in the 100+ degrees! So in it came with us. Truth be told, some of the most interesting conversations took place in that car, but those stories were just between us 5!

Well, after my 2nd place finish at the CBBF Canadian Nationals, I took a big chance and went back to Provincials to get that Overall Title, so that I can qualify for life to Nationals. I know it was taking a big chance, but I took it. I just finished up the BC Provincials and I placed 1st in my class, Short Fitness, and then I won the Overall. This qualifies me for life at the CBBF/IFBB Canadian Nationals. Yay, what believing in yourself can do when you focus on a goal and go after it!!!

Thank you to my biggest inspiration Monica Brant for teaching me to walk and pose this year, my mentor Dave Goodin, my trainer Mike Davies, sponsors Fitness World/Pacific Racing School, choreographer Tammy Rosiek of “Fit Stars on Stage,” Tanji Johnson, my seamstress Colleen Campbell, my best friend Christian Jensen, my kids Blair, Brooke and Brianne, my friends, my clients and family for all being so patient with me as well as all the encouragement and beliefs in me. I truly could not have made it without you. Thank you Infinite!

“You can’t capture your dreams just thinking about them, you have to go after them! Besides who said Moms should just stay at home… they should be teaching and showing their kids to dream big and never stop believing.”

“I might be 39 years old, but I sure feel 20 today.”

Recap:

CBBF/IFBB Canadian Nationals - 2nd fitness short/5th overall
BC Provincials - 1st fitness short/Won Overall *Qualified to Nationals for life

Next up is Ms Fitness Canada in Ottawa on August 25th to try and qualify for Ms Fitness World in Las Vegas!

I am blessed to have you all in my life!

Sherry Ann Boudreau

First I want to say that Texas Chairman Lee Thompson put on an AWESOME ANNUAL SHOW and want to CONGRATULATE him on the SUCCESS…

Now on to the show… Like I said in my blog post after the Pittsburgh Pro, I was on the HUSTLE… as soon as we got back, my boyfriend NPC competitor Darrell Terrell (my trainer and nutritionist) told me WE’RE GONNA HAVE TO TAKE IT UP A NOTCH!!!  He was proud of me but he didn’t like my legs (they needed toning) and conditioning - more polished, not ripped! But nicely detailed, so off to work we went…

Friday night check-in:  Though a little late due to Houston traffic, it was nice seeing all who were still there and their feelings toward me came likewise. Come Saturday, day of the show, I knew it was gonna be a great show just due to the names again, such as V. Waugaman, A. Peters, A. Garcia, B. Galvan -  and the list goes on…

IFBB Figure Pro Natalie Benson.  Click For More Photos.

For this show, I felt more confident in how I looked and got a lot of RESPECT from the judges on what I had vowed to bring better this time on my physique. Darrell fine-tuned some things from the last show and I got my first top 5 placing at the Pro Figure Show.  I enjoyed being up there compared to the best and seeing all the girls come with a unique physique and presentation of their own…  I would like to tell Valerie Waugaman congrats on her win!!!

My next stop is the 2007 Europa and once again just doing what Darrell asks and hopefully I’ll get a Ms. “O” qualification at this one!  As usual, this show is jam-packed with quality athletes - all the more reason why I’ve stepped up my “A” game, and stuck to my diet!!!

Like Last Time, “THE BEST IS YET TO COME”

IFBB PRO NATALIE BENSON

5. Angela Watson
4. Amanda quinlan
3. Natalie calland
2. Danielle Edmonds
1. Catherine Anderson

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Catherine Anderson!!!

5. Nancy Georges
4. Maria Rogers
3. Jamie reed
2. Stephanie McDonald
1. jessica wright

Congrats to all the ladies

5. Brooke brusch
4. Lillian granillo
3. Tracy guarino
2. Danielle lifer
1. April fortier

5. Jessica norlander
4. Holly semanoff
3. Emily Nicholson
2. Erin heath
1. Lynn widdowson

5. Janae Stewart
4. Stacy Garcia
3. Michelle Woodward
2. Chrissy Burton
1. Allison jones