It’s a bit belated, I know, but still worth blogging about.

I attended as a spectator, and was incredibly impressed!  Carla looked fantastic and was a wonderful Mistress of Ceremony.  Christine PP was in the audience as well, and looked wonderful.  We chatted a bit during intermission, and I’m still awed by how down to earth and nice everyone is.  Best of luck to her and Carla!

On to the competitors.  Colorado has an AMAZING talent pool!  I’m horrible with names, so I will try my best to remember (since I can’t find my program, either).  Competitor #12 was Lindsay, winner of the Collegiate figure class, and her height class, and she is going to be competitive in figure!  The Master’s class winner Terry and #38 Andy V. looked incredible, as well.  Andy was the fan favorite in the model search.  She got my vote for her Avs top (ok, and amazing abs too)!  These ladies (the top ladies in each class) were in great condition, and it was the most competitive show I have seen this year.  

With the Model search (men and women), several figure classes, fitness, men’s fitness (incredibly amusing!), fittest couple, hot mama, and junior fitness it was a very long show to watch.  Again, the talent pool is incredible, and I believe that the sport will be strong in Colorado for a long time to come.

I received this email tonight from IFBB Figure Pro Petra Mertl regarding this weekend’s IFBB Sacramento Pro Figure contest, and am reposting it here with permission for your reading pleasure!

“Hi Everyone,

Thank you - I am looking forward to do this show because I have heard it is very well organized show.

I had couple of weeks off so now I am ready to come back in even better shape and hoping that this is the show when my life dream come true and I will qualify for Olympia 2008.  Thank you.”

Sincerely,

Petra Mertl
www.PetraMertl.com

I received this awesome email just now from NPC champion bodybuilder Shiloe Steinmetz, who just helped represent the United States of America this past weekend in the IFBB World Championships in South Korea.  I’m posting his experience and photos here, with permission, for your reading pleasure!

“Overall it was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity to see a different culture and opposite part of the world.  Jeju Island in South Korea is a wonderful sight to see.  The food there is quite different and seemed to be very healthy.  A bulk of their diet is seafood and vegetables and that may be a reason I saw very few overweight people there.

As far as the contest goes, it did not turn out like I expected.  Because of the travel and time difference and the difficulty of maintaining a contest diet, I felt I “spilled” over and had a filmy appearence on stage.  I was just not as crisp as I usually get and obviously missed my peak for this show.

Another factor that I feel played a role was being American.  I thought the judges may have a prejudice against us to start.  Not one American on the team placed, and 3 of them missed the cut.  It is possible due to jealousy as I think we have the best bodybuilders in the world here in the States, just look at Ronnie and Jay, for example.

In all honesty, even if I were in my best shape I would not have placed much better, as I was the smallest super heavyweight on stage!  These guys come in “stacked” and do not mess around.  In fairness, we may not be comparing apples to apples, though, as the U.S. team is drug-tested, while other countries are not to qualify.  I did see many “growth guts” and other obvious signs of other athletes being chemically enhanced beyond a doubt.

In spite of how the members of the team did as well as I, I am proud to say I was on the team and proud of my teammates.  It was an honor to represent the NPC and USA and every member of the team looked great.  I thank God for the opportunity to compete in the World Championships and have every intention on competing again next year and improving and getting better all
the time!”

Shiloe Steinmetz, R.Ph., CPT
www.ShiloeSteinmetz.com

I received this email this morning from IFBB Figure Pro Kristi Tauti regarding this weekend’s IFBB Sacramento Pro Figure contest, and am reposting it here with permission for your viewing pleasure!

“Hi Everyone,

I am really looking forward to this show.  I have been working hard with my trainer to make the necessary changes to my physique.

I am definitely ready for Sacramento, as I am coming in with a fuller, more conditioned look.  I did four shows back-to-back earlier this year so it has been nice to just focus on training for the Sacramento.” 

Kristi Tauti
www.kristitauti.com

I received this email this morning from IFBB Figure Pro Kristi Tauti regarding this weekend’s IFBB Sacramento Pro Figure contest, and am reposting it here with permission for your viewing pleasure!

“Hi Everyone,

I am really looking forward to this show.  I have been working hard with my trainer to make the necessary changes to my physique.

I am definitely ready for Sacramento, as I am coming in with a fuller, more conditioned look.  I did four shows back-to-back earlier this year so it has been nice to just focus on training for the Sacramento.” 

Kristi Tauti
www.kristitauti.com

The West Palm Beach Pro/Am on October 13th was a GREAT event that was a ton of fun for everyone involved!  The audience was full of competitors and fans from all around Florida that came to support our sport!  John Organ, the promoter, did a great job in getting the word out about the event and all of the seats were filled.

This show was very special for me.  I am the NPC Chairperson for figure and fitness in the State of Florida.  So, throughout the year, I attend shows almost every weekend and help out the girls backstage.  Every day I have countless e-mails in my inbox from girls asking questions about everything from shoes to tanning to posing and everything in between!  I do my best to assist the girls in our state and help them be the best competitors that they can be.  I also encourage each and every one of them to ENJOY competing and have fun at the shows!

When I walked out on stage for the first time in prejudging I got a lump in my throat because I walked out to loud cheers and support from the audience.  I looked out and saw countless girls who I had worked with backstage over the season cheering for me and offering their support. I couldn’t have asked for anything more!

Me on stage at the 2007 Europa Pro!

All of the competitors, both Pro and Amateur had a ton of fun backstage.  We all talked, laughed and truly enjoyed the experience.  All the girls got along great and were extremely supportive of each other.  Everyone was in GREAT shape and put on an awesome show!

Congratulations to Julie Palmer for her fitness win!  She is truly a first class competitor that never hesitates to take a moment out of her backstage prep to help another competitor.  She deserved this win 110% and is an inspiration to us all!

The West Palm Beach Pro was an incredible way to finish off my 2007 season!  Now it’s time to get ready for 2008!

–
Shannon Dey
www.shannondey.net
Boom Fitness Clubs
IFBB Pro Fitness Athlete
Florida NPC Figure/Fitness Chairperson

I received this email this morning from IFBB Figure Pro Kristi Tauti regarding this weekend’s IFBB Sacramento Pro Figure contest, and am reposting it here with permission for your viewing pleasure!

“Hi Everyone,

I am really looking forward to this show.  I have been working hard with my trainer to make the necessary changes to my physique.

I am definitely ready for Sacramento, as I am coming in with a fuller, more conditioned look.  I did four shows back-to-back earlier this year so it has been nice to just focus on training for the Sacramento.” 

Kristi Tauti
www.kristitauti.com

My running career, which once had me ranked at the top of the nation, was gone. My legs were too depleted to run, and my school had disowned me… Learn more about the life of this young woman as she makes some tough decisions.

The West Palm Beach Pro/Am on October 13th was a GREAT event that was a ton of fun for everyone involved!  The audience was full of competitors and fans from all around Florida that came to support our sport!  John Organ, the promoter, did a great job in getting the word out about the event and all of the seats were filled.

This show was very special for me.  I am the NPC Chairperson for figure and fitness in the State of Florida.  So, throughout the year, I attend shows almost every weekend and help out the girls backstage.  Every day I have countless e-mails in my inbox from girls asking questions about everything from shoes to tanning to posing and everything in between!  I do my best to assist the girls in our state and help them be the best competitors that they can be.  I also encourage each and every one of them to ENJOY competing and have fun at the shows!

When I walked out on stage for the first time in prejudging I got a lump in my throat because I walked out to loud cheers and support from the audience.  I looked out and saw countless girls who I had worked with backstage over the season cheering for me and offering their support. I couldn’t have asked for anything more!

Me on stage at the 2007 Europa Pro!

All of the competitors, both Pro and Amateur had a ton of fun backstage.  We all talked, laughed and truly enjoyed the experience.  All the girls got along great and were extremely supportive of each other.  Everyone was in GREAT shape and put on an awesome show!

Congratulations to Julie Palmer for her fitness win!  She is truly a first class competitor that never hesitates to take a moment out of her backstage prep to help another competitor.  She deserved this win 110% and is an inspiration to us all!

The West Palm Beach Pro was an incredible way to finish off my 2007 season!  Now it’s time to get ready for 2008!

–
Shannon Dey
www.shannondey.net
Boom Fitness Clubs
IFBB Pro Fitness Athlete
Florida NPC Figure/Fitness Chairperson

I received this email this morning from IFBB Fitness Pro Michele Mayberry regarding this weekend’s IFBB Sacramento Pro Figure contest, and am reposting it here with permission for your viewing pleasure!

“Hi Everyone,

I am really excited to give figure a try.  I’m looking forward to meeting all of the other competitors too, and I think it’s great there are so many countries represented at this show!

I really don’t know what to expect, but I feel good and hope to place well.  Thanks for checking in with me.”

Sincerely,

Michele Mayberry
www.michelemayberry.com