Another big “Thank You!” to those who tuned into watch our live video chat last Friday with NGA Amateur Bodybuilder Brandon Poe from “The Poe Show.”

This week’s scheduled live video chat is with NPC Figure Competitor Melissa Johnsen, winner of the recent 2007 NPC Rocky Mountain Championships!  This fourth live video chat will take place this Friday, February 1, 2008 @ 1:00 p.m. MST (-0700).

So, stop by this Friday and chat with fellow BodySpace member Mel Johnsen, find out which NPC competitions she’ll be competing in this year, talk about her recent win in Colorado at the Carol Semple Figure Championships, and find out what it’s like to train and compete while being a mother of three children!  Here’s the link:

http://www.justin.tv/bbcom

Bonus: here’s a video clip of Mel at last month’s NPC Carol Semple Figure show!

Those of you wondering who will be competing in the amateur portions of the Arnold Classic weekend can now check them out on the Arnold web site. Visit: http://arnoldclassicamateurbodybuilding.com/competitors.html

Sorry Waugamaniacs, but those of you who had hopped to see Val compete for the Arnold title will have to wait. Valerie has withdrawn from the show. Valerie was a favorite to challenge for the title and a lock on a top 6 spot. This leaves the top 6 field a bit more interesting.

My wife and I along with my trainer, Andy B, are promoting our first show. It is the 2008 NPC Erik Fankhouser Mid Atlantic Grand Prix. It is going to be held September 13, 2008 here in our hometown of Wheeling, West Virginia. The venue is still being discussed. But whether you are a athlete or a spectator this is a show you are not going to want to miss.

We are having 3 IFBB Pros and 1 top NPC National level competitor for our guest posers. There will also be a teenage and junior division. I will announce the names soon! If anyone knows anybody that is interested in sponsoring the show or purchasing a vendor booth please send me a message and I can get them the information needed. We are looking for some good quality sponsors.

So please get the word out to anyone and everyone you know! We really look forward to giving you all a great show! Also please check out my website www.erikfankhouser.net for any news or updates on the show! We just redid the website and it is great! Check it out!

In Iron
The House

Another big “Thank You!” to those who tuned into watch our live video chat last Friday with WNSO Pro Bodybuilder Kris Gethin.

This week’s scheduled live video chat is with NGA Bodybuilder Brandon Poe from “The Poe Show”!  This third live video chat will take place this Friday, January 25, 2008 @ 1:00 p.m. MST (-0700).

So, stop by this Friday and chat with fellow BodySpace member Brandon Poe, find out which NGA competitions he’s competing in this year, talk about his latest episode of The Poe Show, and find out what it’s like to have your own video series on BB.com!  Here’s the link:

http://www.justin.tv/bbcom

I am sorry to say that our good friend Pat Moore passed away early last night. His wife, Jo Jo called last night about 12 o’clock, alone and very emotional, as we can all understand. She said that he had been in ICU and that his heart just stopped working. She said his doctor had only given him two years after the heart surgery, but Pat had made it nine years, so they were thankful for the extra time.  

She did not know of any arrangement until Jeff (Pat’s son) gets there today from Atlanta. She thinks it might be Monday. I will e-mail again when I have the info.  

For the ones that would like to call or send a card, home number is 228-388-5758 address, 495 Popps Ferry #20, Biloxi, MS 39531

Pat Moore is the one who helped give me a start in bodybuilding 14 years ago.  He was a great kind, gentle, and funny man.  We will miss him.  He judged NPC for over 17 years.  He judged our NPC Steel World Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships just last year.  He was very dedicated to the sport as a former bodybuilder himself.  He always wore his bodybuilder gold chain around his neck.  Even in bad health you could see his thick chest.  

Yesterday Flexonline.com broke the news of Victor being injured. Last night Dave Palumbo from Muscular Development denied it and said, “He’ll be in the show! Who hasn’t pulled something while dieting for a show? Come on……..he’s not a baby.” Today Dave changed his story with the following report:

It’s Official Victor is OUT
Injury To Knee Forces Withdrawl!       
Written by Dave Palumbo   
Thursday, 17 January 2008
On Wednesday January 16th, while doing a set of warm-up lunges at his home gym in New Jersey, 2007 Arnold Classic Champ Victor Martinez fell off balance and felt something “give” in his left knee. The pain wasn’t intense but it forced him to discontinue his workout.

Today, he went for an MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and it was determined that he’ll require surgery to repair the injury. Victor will have one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the country operating on him tomorrow morning; and, if all goes as planned, he should be home by Saturday afternoon.

As a result of the injury, Victor will be forced to withdraw from the 2008 Arnold Classic and, instead, will concentrate on the upcoming 2008 Mr. Olympia. Stay tuned for daily updates!

Now the Arnold gets real interesting. Who will be the new victor of the Arnold Classic?

Here is a sneak peak of what fans and fellow pros can expect from Phil Heath at the Ironman Pro next month. See more at Flexonline.com. Will Phil win the IRONMAN? We’ll find out in less than five weeks.

Phil Heath at four weeks and five days out.

For whatever reason, the celeb gossip site TMZ.com was featuring a live Muscle Beach webcam earlier today on the homepage of their site, but now it has mysteriously disappeared.

http://www.tmz.com/2008/01/15/dude-were-at-muscle-beach-in-venice/

Bizarre.

Another big “Thank You!” to those who tuned into watch our live video chat last Friday with BB.com Dutch Intern Tammo Vastenburg.

This week’s scheduled live video chat is with Bodybuilding.com’s new Editor-In-Chief, WNSO Pro Bodybuilder Kris Gethin!  This second live video chat will take place this Friday, January 18, 2008 @ 1:00 p.m. MST (-0700).

So, stop by this Friday and chat with fellow BodySpace member Kris Gethin, find out how his current cut cycle is going, learn more about his fitness industry career, and hear what a real Welshman from Australia sounds like!  Here’s the link:

http://www.justin.tv/bbcom