Monday, April 24, 2006

2006 Emerald Cup - Candy Canary Wins! - Final Results From GeneX


Gene X Hwang's got a report on the outcome of the 2006 Emerald Cup, where Candy Canary was the overall winner. The full report's at www.ftvideo.com but you can see the summary here, below.

Women's Bodybuilding

Overall: Candy Canary

Lightweights:
1) Jennifer Valadez
2) Gina Parise
3) Roseanne Blackburn-Desmarais
4) Cindy Goodrich
5) Julie Fielding
6) Teddy Breeze
7) Mary Burke
8) Lisa Schlachter
9) Adriana Medina

Middleweights:
1) Karin Kimura
2) Kimberly Agnew
3) Shari Cole
4) Janice Gaines-Ehlen
5) Shawna Davenport

Heavyweights:
1) Candy Canary
2) Audra Kimsey
3) Mary Hallman
4) Lorilee Sweeney

Masters

Overall: Kay Friend

Over 35:
1) Kim Olsen
2) Liann White
3) Teresa Mason

Over 50:
1) Kay Friend
2) Janet Guenther
3) E.Q. Pruitt
4) Stephanie Meece
5) Ann Gannon
6) Ita Pantilat

Friday, April 21, 2006

Kristi Hawkins Video and 2006 Bodybuilding Schedule


When she's not working on her PhD at CalTech, well-known bodybuilder Kristi Hawkins is getting ready for the following guest shows this year:

California State BB Championships
May 26-27, 2006
Culver City, CA

Junior California BB Championships
June 3, 2006
Pasadena, CA

Los Angeles BB Championships
July 22, 2006
Culver City, CA

NPC USA Championships
July 28-29, 2006
Las Vegas, NV

She will not be officially competing in contexts until this fall, as of this writing.

Her website's at www.kristyhawkins.com

You can see Kristi in action in this You Tube video take by TomNine



Here's another video of Kristi; this one from www.femflex.com. Thiis clip shows her amazing combination of Super Woman arms and beauty.

Introducing Candy Canary Via "You Tube" Video!



This is Candy Canary, who Gene Hwang reports is one of the favorites to win the 2006 Emerald Cup this weekend in Bellevue Washington! This video is from "You Tube"

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Kelly Ryan and Craig Titus Denied Bail


Looks like there's no leaving Las Vegas for these two. At least not before the justice system has its way with them.

I must admit, this is a difficult news item to report as a person in support of the positive framing of the amazing sport of bodybuilding. I hate it when sports that are rarely allowed page space or air time only make the front page when the news concerning them is negative and sensational. But it's news nonetheless, so for now, here's the latest.


Bodybuilding Couple Denied Bail Before Trial in Las Vegas Slaying

LAS VEGAS - A Las Vegas judge denies bail for husband-and-wife professional bodybuilders accused in the murder of their live-in assistant.

Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan were arrested last December in Stoughton after an initial interview with police in Las Vegas shortly after Melissa James' death.

The judge ruled that Titus and Ryan pose a "significant" flight risk in refusing bail.

Lawyers for the two argued that prosecutors haven't shown how they think James died before her body was found in the trunk of Ryan's burned-out and abandoned Jaguar last year.

Titus is a 1996 bodybuilding champion and Mr. Olympia competitor. Ryan is a past Fitness America and Fitness International winner.

An alleged accomplice - 23-year-old Anthony Gross - is accused of helping torch James' body. He's posted 13-thousand dollars bail and is under house arrest.

From: 2006 Associated Press

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Happy Birthday, GeneX!

We take time to celebrate the recent brithday of the king of Women's Bodybuilding photographers, Gene X Hwang.

Happy Birthday!

Monday, April 17, 2006

Lisa Aukland - Missundaztood - What it Means to be a Female Bodybuilder


We had to have this classic work on the site. Worth reading!

By Dr. Lisa Aukland, IFBB Professional Bodybuilder (link to orginal in the title of this post)

Just as the artist "Pink" declares on her new CD- "It's not that complicated, I was misunderstood", I feel similarly misunderstood as a professional female bodybuilder. It really is not that complicated to figure out why. We are judged by our appearance, thought to be rollin' in the dough, and sorely underrepresented in our sport. Hopefully this writing will further your understanding of our sport and why we carry on.

Are we really all that different from other members of our gender? Certainly not! I understand the fact that it is second nature to judge a person by their appearance. You know how it goes -- fat people are lazy and blondes are dumb. Likewise, female bodybuilders are judged by their physical shell. We are considered odd by many who judge us only by the body we possess

However, outside of the competitive world we have the same goals in life as regular people. We are still mothers, wives, sisters, and professionals in other fields. We enjoy time with family, we spend time socializing, and we go on an occasional vacation that does not revolve around a competition. We even take pleasure in a variety of hobbies and attend the same movies. Maybe we don’t include the popcorn and Goobers, but you get the idea. Female bodybuilders are more alike than different from other members of our gender.

Furthermore, popular belief holds that once you are an IFBB Pro, you've got it made in the shade financially. Yes, the money just rolls in and you can start your new collection of sports cars -- NOT! At least not for the women involved in this sport. Male bodybuilders have a whole different story to tell. I can't begin to count how many people thought that I would actually quit my day job after I turned "Pro."

The truth is my job is what pays for this bodybuilding pastime of mine. Supplement companies do NOT come knocking at your door with a wad of cash, magazines do NOT hound you for pictures and personal data, and there IS no legitimate money for women in this sport.

We put thousands into preparing for a competition. The receipts add up quickly: posing suits, hair, makeup, music compilation, tanning products, six meals a day, supplements, airfare, hotel, time out of work, and kennels for the dogs. All of this with only the possibility of winning a very small pot of prize money. Outside of the top winners, everybody else goes home with empty (or emptier) pockets. I am one of the fortunate few that have a sponsor to help bear some of the expenses. Not all Pros are as fortunate. In a nutshell, this is not a financially rewarding sport. My whole goal here is not to retire in wealth, but to merely break even. Any amount over that would be considered as icing on the cake.

To make matters worse, female bodybuilders are not fairly represented in the sport's many publications. I can hardly blame the public for misunderstanding us when our own sport fails to properly recognize our value as athletes and as people. We cannot expect the public to support us when our own organization chooses to ignore us.

I understand the economics of muscle touting publications. Their readership is primarily male so obviously they cater to men. However, they certainly do not give women any reason to support their magazines. A page count in several prominent muscle magazines revealed female bodybuilders on a mere 5 to 9 pages out of 300 to 400 pages of magazine. I am not talking about female "profiles" -- just a tiny picture, and I included advertisements.

The whole reason I even started to exercise was because I saw bodybuilders such as Cory Everson and Rachel McLish in magazines and loved the way they looked. After seeing they lifted weights to look that way, I was drawn into the gym. That was many years ago. At the time, magazines portrayed female bodybuilders in a positive light, seducing many women desiring a firm physique into the gym. We are no longer supported in the sport's premier publications and that is such a shame to miss out on an opportunity to be role models for other women.

Why continue in a sport that is so unrewarding professionally and financially? My heartfelt response is for the love of it. You'll get that same reply from most IFBB Pro women and amateurs alike. We love the sport even without the professional, financial, and public support. While it gets tiring to be judged by appearance alone, we love the look and feel of having muscle. The self confidence and empowerment of feeling strong is immeasurable. It may be financially draining at times, but we put together other resources to continue on.

The media may choose to ignore us, but we are slowly realizing other ways to promote ourselves. If given the chance, we have much to contribute to society, even if it is just inspiration to look strong and feel healthy. It really is not that complicated -- with a little understanding.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Gina Davis's First Pro Show Will Be The Europa August 25th and 26th


Gina Davis -- who has a cut set of legs as the photo shows -- reports on her blog that her first show as a professional bodybuilder will be the Europa on August 25th and 26th in Arlington, Texas at the Arlington Convention Center.

"I am so ready to get the show on the road...after sending Andy my update I was looking over the pics and videos and kept thinking "cannot wait to see what's under all that!" I am still weighing around 191lbs and it will be interesting to see how much muscle I have gained in two years.



I weighed in at 156 in 2004(after a week of being very sick and losing some size) so I think I should at least be around 160 for the Europa. 20 weeks out this weekend and have 4 weeks to get to 185lbs to start my prep...it's a done deal. Exciting stuff and it only gets better as this contest journey begins. I will have a "Countdown to the Europa" section where you will see THE MOST phenomenal contest progression pics ever. People could not get over my "Road To Victory" section in '04...oh yea...it begins again very soon. Gosh! Just so much swirling through my head right now-can't wait! yippeee!!!"

Liz Kinsella - UK's Fitness Champion's Going Pro


Liz Kinsella -- the current British fitness champion -- informs GeneX that she's in the process of applying for her pro card this year.

Her website is at http://www.lizkinsella.co.uk

Collette Nelson On AXE Body Wash TV Commercial Campaign


Pro Bodybuilder Collette Nelson's making a big splash on TV -- litterally! She's the featured woman in a provacative commercial which sees her working out and then working on a rather meek but willing male charge.

It's a great platform for female bodybuilders in that the commercial is unforgettable, and thus you won't forget the product. Plus, Collette looks good.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Hey everyone! Kate Troescher here!

Hi everyone!

So glad to be here. I look forward to writing on, for, and about the amazing sport of women's body building. I'll be posting for the first time in the next few days, so stay tuned.

Until then, have a great weekend!

- Kate

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Kate Troescher's Taking Over This Blog!


Kate Troescher, a 2005 Cal grad, athlete, yell leader, and writer for "The Bear Insider" and Scout.com - california.scout.com - is taking over my blog! Kate's energy and interest will provide you with a great online experience.

She's not only getting this blog, but the Women's Sports and Women's Tennis Blogs, as well as one of her own. But I'll still be around to help her make posts and maintain things.

Welcome Kate!

Monday, April 10, 2006

Steroids and Women's Bodybuilding - 46 Percent Believe Steriods Are Necessary To Be Competitive in Fitness and Figure - Terry Goodlad


The photo of Jennifer Caprati is not used to imply that she's taken steriods. The photo is the best example of raw female athletic power available. If a woman can use steroids to gain this kind of ability, she can alter the outcome of a contest, and her own body's evolution in the process.

April 5/06
Just Say No
By Terry Goodlad

In our most recent Bodysport poll we asked our readers if they thought the use of anabolic steroids or growth hormone was necessary to be competitive at the amateur level in fitness and figure. Not surprisingly 46% said yes and 54% said no.

Steroids are a not a problem in our society but people that have no patience are, and that is why drugs like steroids are so popular. There was a time when craftsmanship and quality was something people happily waited for. The wait simply increased the value of what was gained in that time.

The infatuation with convenience and not-so coincidental death of persistence, pride and work ethic began a few years back with the birth of fast food. About then people started burying themselves in more credit card debt than they could possibly afford to have what they wanted now, and having a big hat became far more important than having the cattle to back it up. Today that same "I have to have everything instantly" mentality is rampant in the fitness industry as well and absolutely no one is apologetic about it, it's expected. Everyone wants the fastest way, not the way that builds pride in ownership.

For example let's take a look at theoretical Thelma. After munching down whatever tastes good and staring at a computer screen all day for a lifetime, her ass expands to epic proportions and one day while trying on clothes in a department store change room, an evil mirror jumps out and tells her the truth. In a whirlwind of discarded plus sized panties and control top hose she runs bawling from the store, wedges herself into a mini-van and tears off to a gym. Once inside some buff dude named Chip or Lance sits her down and fills her head full of useless information about machines she could care less about until she is hypnotized into signing up as a member.

The next day she shows up in the baggiest stuff she could find, with the obligatory sweatshirt tied around her waist that hangs down over her prodigious backside. She has her introductory "training session" with some young chickie named Barbie that looks like she was born about the same year Thelma's training clothes were in style. She doesn't do much other than stand there counting reps but today just having someone beside her in this unforgiving place is more than enough.

Jet forward a couple months after she has been training consistently and eating what her body needs and all of a sudden its time to go shopping for a new wardrobe and people that used to knock her over on their way to the water fountain suddenly find anything she has to say very interesting and have an urge to be her "friend". It's happening and she likes it.

Sooner or later she finds out about competing and she decides to enter a contest. Usually there is a guru someplace that knows everything about everything and after hooking up with the guy and telling him about her dreams of being on the Olympia stage, she is informed that all those girls take drugs and you will have to take them to if you want to be like them.

The story goes on with all sorts of middles and endings but the point is very clear without even knowing what happened. Drugs will get you there faster and that fact is certainly true. But you can get there without them, it will just take a little bit longer and you will have to learn more about feeding and training your body. Beyond that its just character building work and once you learn how to shape your body you won't need anyone or any substance to make it look the way you want it to.

You will have to work for it, its not going to be free as most things worth having are not. But neither is steroid use, there is a price. If you can find an athlete that will admit to anabolic steroid use and they have been doing it for a year or two to compete, ask to see a face shot of them before they started the drugs and ask them if they have had to have anything done to their faces besides the obvious need to shave those thick dark chin hairs every other day or so. Clitoral enlargement is also a side effect and if you think it's not noticeable or perhaps something you can live with then you really need to pick up an issue of Muscle Elegance Magazine and peruse the nudie shots of some athletes published there before you decide.

Not only do the drugs have unwanted side effects, they are most likely black market drugs and who knows where they were made or what conditions they were made in. In a disease and bacteria phobic society we panic when a can is dented on a store shelf but have no problems jamming a needle in our asses and pumping in a couple cc's of God knows what because some dufus in the gym gave his seal of approval that this stuff was "good".

If you still don't think it's a problem, ask yourself if you would recommend the same drugs to your daughter or little sister.

The first lesson is to examine your motives for what you are doing. Is it about feeling better about yourself or feeling better about yourself when you use drugs? Maybe, just maybe, feeling better about yourself comes in time when you face a challenge in life and with your own resources and character, you muster what you need to face and succeed at that challenge. If you use something to get you there then you will always know it wasn't just you…you may never know what you are truly capable of. But you will know it took drugs to get you where you are.

Fitness whether recreational or competitive should be a lifestyle of healthy eating, exercise, and finding balance in life. The result is having a body and a life you are proud of whether you put it on stage or not.

If you think you need drugs to compete in fitness or figure you are probably selling yourself short or maybe needing a different sport or place to set goals and achieve them. If you think it's a good idea to take drugs to compete in fitness or figure, then ask yourself if you would recommend the same to your own daughter or your younger sister. If it's a good idea for you but not for them, then maybe you need to work on feeling better about yourself, drugs won't help you there.

If you have to put your body, your face, and your self esteem at risk to get something or be a part of something then chances are it's not worth it. You are better than that.
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