“The Winning Strength” by Simon Firsht is in final production right now! Stay tuned for an update in the next few weeks!

Shot and Directed by: Simon Firsht
Produced by: Stuart F Wilson
Camera Assistant: Joshua Firsht
A ‘Fall Guy Production Inc. 2013.

GYPSUM — Sandy Heelan is poised to be the latest world-class athlete to emerge from Eagle County.

But her narrative doesn’t sound anything like Lindsey Vonn or Mikaela Shiffrin. For one thing, she honestly could be their mother. But don’t let that fact fool you, because Heelan is one exceptional athlete and come mid-July, she will prove it when the Reebok CrossFit Games open in Carson, California.

Heelan will be completing in the 60-plus women’s classification in the masters division of the games, slated for July 21-26. She earned her spot by being one of the top 20 competitors in the world, an accomplishment that seems to have left her a bit bemused.

“I just do what I do,” she said. “I really come in here and do CrossFit to be fit for life.”

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

High Altitude Adventure

Heelan has been an Eagle County resident for 30 years and she notes that she came of age in the pre-Title IX era when there simply weren’t as many opportunities for female athletes. However, as an adult she made friends with another woman who became a workout buddy. Eventually, her friend moved away from the valley and discovered a new regime called CrossFit. She kept urging Heelan to try a workout and nearly three years ago, Heelan made her way over to the High Altitude CrossFit facility in Gypsum

““I sent Jake (owner Jason Wheeler) an email saying I was a 58-year-old who hates to run. Is CrossFit something that’s going to kill me?” said Heelan. “He was very enthusiastic and encouraging.”

Thus began Heelan’s “constant, relentless, pursuit of excellence,” as the CrossFit mantra goes.

“What’s great about Sandy’s work, with her situation in life, is she didn’t do anything extraordinary,” said Wheeler. Instead, she simply committed herself to doing the work and pushing herself. “CrossFit is for everyone but don’t expect it to be a magic pill, because you have to put the work in,” said Wheeler.

Wheeler and Heelan noted that at least one of her fellow competitors at the CrossFit games is a woman who has four personal trainers and has basically made CrossFit her full-time effort.

“That’s just not me. I have a job and a real life,” said Heelan. She and her husband, Glenn, are parents to two grown children and Heelan works for Precept Ministries. In fact, she views her work in the gym as an extension of her faith. Heelan believes God has blessed her with good health and physical fitness and that her efforts are both thanksgiving and praise for those gifts.

Heelan also believes that she receives more than she gives when she goes to the gym.

“CrossFit challenges you to do more than you think you can do,” she said “It’s a lot easier to push yourself when you are in a gym where everyone else is pushing you to do your best.”

Likewise, Heelan is quick to offer a support to her fellow CrossFitters. She pointed out one woman, saying she is the best runner in the gym and complimented another on her double unders (jump rope) skill.

“Sandy is the strongest one in here,” offered a gym goer in response.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Headed to the Golden State

To qualify for the 2015 CrossFit Games, Heelan had to complete a five-week qualifier. She worked out at the High Altitude gym, completing a set series of exercises and submitting scores. Her performance was strong enough to qualify her for a five-day semifinal where she had to videotape her workouts. “In CrossFit competition, everything is against the clock,” she said.

At the conclusion of the April event, the list of top 20 qualifiers in all CrossFit categories were announced and Heelan was listed at No. 10 in the women’s 60-and-older division. She notes that the masters divisions don’t get as much attention as the under 40 competitors. “They are the ones who are on television on ESPN,” she said. Nonetheless, she knows she is in elite company.

“I have never been to the games, but I understand the atmosphere there is a lot of fun” she said.

Heelan will have an entourage, albeit a small one, when she takes on the competition in Carson next month. Her husband and sister are coming to the event, along with Wheeler and his girlfriend Heather Beckett.

“I wouldn’t miss it. I would hawk everything I have, except my children, to go,” said Wheeler.

Courtesy of: Vail Daily

Unfortunately, this year’s Jr. Nationals only had 1 female bodybuilding heavyweight competitor.

Congratulations to Lissa Middleton for stepping on stage!

Pro Card Winners

AMBER STEFFEN
DONNICE CHRISTIAN
SALLY WILLIAMS

Overall Winner

DONNICE CHRISTIAN

Pro Card Winners

KARENE GONZALEZ
TAYLER JORDAN
KATRINA FREDS
KERRYNE BROWN
CHANAN SIGLOCK
CASSANDRA MARSHALL

Overall Winner

KATRINA FREDS

Pro Card Winners

KANANI GONZALES
CARIE BRADSHAW
SOLINDA HONG
JESSICA REYES
ANDREA POLLARD
ALLISON COTE

Overall Winner

SOLINDA HONG

Pro Card Winners

VICTORIA FLORES
BROOKE WALKER
KYLENE LIMA
DANELLE DISON

Overall Winner

BROOKE WALKER

Beneath her traditional dress, Ashwini Waskar is defying cultural stereotypes to become top of her game in India.

But the 32-year-old has a rippling physique that is admired onstage at prestigious bodybuilding competitions.

Just a year ago Ashwini was overweight and unhappy with her body – now she’s country’s first competitive bodybuilder.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

After embarking on a gruelling weightlifting routine and a high-protein diet she shed the extra pounds and developed impressive muscles.

Ashwini has now quit her job as a senior research fellow at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education to concentrate on bodybuilding.

But the transition from career-girl to bodybuilder has caused controversy in Ashwini’s home city of Mumbai, with revealing competition attire causing a stir in the community.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Ashwini, who now works as a personal trainer, said: “While working I was becoming really overweight, so to maintain my fitness level I joined a gym.

“Out of enthusiasm I used to lift heavy weights and I followed a rich protein diet. That’s how my body became really strong”.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

In February 2013 Ashwini attended a male bodybuilding competition and was captivated by the sport.

She said: “An announcement was being made there about the upcoming first national level female bodybuilding competition and they were asking if anybody wants to participate. So I thought ‘why not give it a try?’”

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Ashwini had just ten days to prepare – and had to persuade her wary father to allow her to don the skimpy bikinis bodybuilders are required to wear.

She said: “Nobody said ‘why are you doing it? This is not meant for females’ – neither my family nor my friends and colleagues.

“The only problem was to get into the sportswear, which was very revealing.”

Her brother Niranjan – who is now a big supporter of Ashwini’s bodybuilding – added: “When I heard that shorts were worn in the competition I was a little worried. We are a middle class family.”

After careful consideration, Ashwini’s father, Bhalchandra Waskar, decided to support his daughter.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Bhalchandra said: “The clothing is a part of the sport, a part of exercise. This is not something random, you are not selling your body, you are showing the world what you have earned.”

And with her family behind her, Ashwini has gone on to compete in seven bodybuilding contests – including an international competition.

But unlike male competitors, Ashwini has struggled to find sponsorship, leaving her father to foot most of the bill.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Bhalchandra even sold a treasured gold chain so that Ashwini could compete and now hopes that she can begin to make a profit from her hard work.

He said: “It is okay if no one helps my daughter. I am ready to sell everything, as long as she competes and places in the top three at competitions.”

Ashwini is extremely optimistic about the future of female bodybuilding in India and hopes to inspire other women to compete.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

She said: “Girls are coming into bodybuilding and some women are being inclined towards fitness.

“I would really love to train a girl who comes up to me with a wish of participating in competitions.”

Ashwini hopes to get married in the future, but insists that her future husband respects her choice to compete in what is a predominantly male sport in India.

She said: “I am also waiting for family who will give respect to my fitness and bodybuilding career rather than telling me to stop it after marriage.

“I am a proud Indian girl. I want someone with an open mindset.”

37 year old, NPC competitor Sarah Wyka is making her mark on the competitive stage as she continues towards her goal of competing at the National leve.

Sarah was introduced to the gym 16 years ago, by Shain Wyka, a Human Performance Coach and now husband. Sarah trained a little here and a little there, but nothing serious or competitive in those early years. As their lives progressed Sarah and husband Shain moved to South Florida, where Shain opened his first gym. One of the trainers, was a 51 year old woman who was prepping for a show. As a way of showing support, Sarah agreed to compete with her. Sarah ended up placing 2nd in open Figure and 3rd in novice Figure at this 2008 show.

A few years later, Sarah found herself moving back home to Ohio. With her first show success, she trained and competed in 2 Kentucky shows, but found her look did not fit as well in the midwest competitive arena. Following that competitive setback, disappointment and a 3 year layoff, Sarah decided to give the stage another shot. Sarah and hubby decided that her build was better suited for the Women’s Physique category and focused her training on building her physique in that direction. Later that year, she entered the Julie Palmer and placed 2nd in her Physique class!

Sarah’s training is largely overseen by her husband. Her routine consists of everything from traditional bodybuilding style movements focused largely on peak contractions and controlled movements to powerlifting based movements. During a powerlifting phase, Sarah will increase her intensity to 80% of max effort. She also adds in a volume routine, using higher reps to increase blood volume to her muscles. Training is organized in 12 week blocks, allowing for adequate time to qualify and quantify results for future training programs.

From a nutritional standpoint, Sarah’s competition diet is setup with baseline levels of proteins, carbs and fats. Her intake amounts are based on what she is training on a particular day, her body composition and how her physique is changing. Her contest diet normally starts 12 weeks out from a show and adjustments are usually made on a weekly basis.

Here are some of the foods, she typically eats going into a show:

Proteins: Lean sources, chicken, turkey, eggs (ratio of 6 whites/1- whole), top round steak, and only high quality protein powders.
Carbs: Rice, potatoes, and oatmeal.
Fats: Almonds, olive oil, natural PB, Coconut oil.

Vegetables are typically unlimited, when she chooses to have them.

With a Physique show under her belt, Sarah plans to move forward quickly towards her goal with a plan to compete again in October and qualify for Nationals by the spring of 2016. It looks like Sarah has found her place on stage and has been bitten by the competitive bug. We wish Sarah the best of lucky and happy training as she prepares for her next battle.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Whenever UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey walks to the Octagon to mix it up, she does so with a look of ferocious focus, and with Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” blaring through the arena speakers. The modern rock classic fits Rousey like a glove, but she didn’t always use it. In a new interview with The Wall Street Journal, Rousey explained how she came to that choice. As the Rowdy one explained, she didn’t want something grand and imperial sounding, but rather something down and dirty.

“Lots of professional fighters want their walkout song to sound like the ‘Rocky’ theme — you know, regal and inspiring. I’m more on the theatrical side, so I needed something gritty, with a lot of attitude,” she explained.

“Many people are just beginning to understand the female fighter. For me, fighting is an act of overcoming. I’ve always been told I was destined for greatness, that I was meant to change the world. There are lots of ways to be great, but a fight is the only place where everything makes sense to me. It’s almost calming.”

Ronda used to make her way to the ring to the punk tune of “Sex and Violence”, but when television censors expressed concern, she had to search for a new, but still fitting jam.

“My walkout theme used to be ‘Sex and Violence’ by the Exploited, a Scottish punk band. It’s loud and brash, and the title’s words are pretty much it for the song’s lyrics,” she recounted.

“Then in 2011, I was fighting with Strikeforce, a mixed martial arts organization, when Showtime wanted to air my bout on its late-night premium channel. That was a big break, but Showtime thought my song was inappropriate.”

As it happened, Rousey had just heard “Bad Reputation” in her car, when her godfather’s son suggested it as her new anthem. “The song was perfect,” she said.

“If you’re constantly stressing over trying to get everyone to like you, you’re giving them the power to control your well being. For me it’s better to embrace the role of the heel and chase after being disliked. It’s an element of control and leaves room for error.”

In Jett, Rousey saw a musical version of herself as an athlete. “Joan’s song and rebellious voice are closest to being the music equivalent of my attitude in the ring,” Rousey explained.

“I like being seen as an intimidating, indomitable force. I’m happier being a nasty piece of work.”

And guess what? The Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Famer approves.

Courtesy of: Fox Sports

Here’s a trip down memory lane…..the 2002 NPC Nationals held in Dallas, November 22nd and 23rd, 2002. Then NPC competitor Sarah Dunlap, took control of the stage winning the heavyweight class and her IFBB Pro card. Sarah went on to win the overall, besting the lightweight winner Susan Fancini and middleweight winner, Jeannie Paparone, both newly crowned IFBB Pro’s for winning their respective classes.

Some other notable women from that evening included..

Lightweights: Dawn Riehl, Pam Kusar, Michelle Davis and Shannon Rabon.
Middleweights: Elene Seiple-Petricari, Angie Salvagno, Carrie Ledford, Norma Nieves, Tricia Travis, Gale Frankie and Terri Harris.
Heavyweights: Sherry Smith, Tatianna Butler, Heather Policky, Sonya McFarland, Bonnie Priest, Beverly DiRenzo, Gina Davis, Sylvia Cowan and Kelly Felske.

Enjoy the chaos backstage. Photos courtesy of Women’s Physique World!

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

We have just learned of the passing of long time competitor, Lynn McCrossin. Lynn was born June 15, 1958 in Caribou, ME, a small city in the northwest corner of Maine.

Lynn began bodybuilding in the early 80’s and competed in several AAU shows, before making the switch to the NPC. A top finisher at all her shows, Lynn left the stage to pursue other avenues with her amazing physique.

AAU 1984 Ms.Old Orchard Beach Overall
AAU 1985 Ms.Maine 2nd place lightweight
AAU 1985 Ms.Northern New England Overall
AAU 1985 Ms.East Coast 1st Place lightweight
AAU 1985 Ms.North East Overall
AAU 1985 Maine Muscle Classic Overall
AAU 1985 Ms.North America 1st Place Lightweight
NPC 1986 New England’s 2nd place lightweight
NPC 1986 South Jersey 3rd place lightweight
NPC 1994 Ms.Maine 2nd Place lightweight
NPC 1995 Ms.Old Orchard Beach 2nd place lightweight
NPC 1997 Ms.Maine Overall
NPC 1997 Ms.New England Overall
NPC 1997 Nationals 8th Place lightweight
NPC 1998 USA 11th Lightweight
NPC 1998 Nationals 8th place lightweight

Lynn was a very caring person and spent many of her years in the Mental Health Field as a substance abuse counselor, therapeutic recreational specialist, crisis intervention and also child development for emotioanlly disturbed children. Lynn also gave her support to others as a personal trainer and helped many to change their lives with a new outlook and a commitment to living healthy.

Though we haven’t seen much of Lynn the past few years, she will be remembered for all her contributions to others and her competitive nature and spirit. Thank you Lynn for the memories.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

On Tuesday, Bahraini Haifa al-Musawi ranked 6th in the International Natural body Building Association (INBA) World Championship for women’s bodybuilding in Dubai.

While many would say her rank was good, as this was Musawi’s first competition, and in a sport not typical for Arab women to take part in, whether on a cultural or professional level, she says she is not convinced by the score.

“Scoring the 6th rank is not very good,” the 32-year-old with buffed muscles told Al Arabiya News, citing unfair judging as another reason for her disdain.

“I do not feel this competition was fair. There was bias for other [Western] nationalities, and I am sure – 100 percent sure. And I do not mind confronting them,” she added.

The Dubai-based personal trainer said the judges did not even make any eye contact with her. And she said people at the competition who she did not know expressed “shock”, saying they saw her as the most deserving to be in the top three.

“I had more muscles and symmetry,” she said, adding “[on others] there was even some muscles and legs that were not developed properly. I do not see on what basis they were chosen.”

“When you see women bodybuilders, you want to see mass, lean muscles on stage, you do not want to see a person just flexing.”

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

But despite Musawi complaints, she was still able to reflect on the experience positively, describing her experience in the competition as “beautiful” and “adding a lot” to her as a person.

Next time? Embracing Portugal

Musawi, who is used to beating the odds – including shedding 30 kgs when she was a teen – still hopes for more.

She is now determined to get her pro card, a status any bodybuilder covets, as it allows entry to professional competitions and international prizes. It also allows competitors to join the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB).

But to participate in competitions that could quality her for the golden pro card, she needs to represent her country and Bahrain currently does not allow its female nationals to take part in such sports, and that leaves her with one option – representing another country, in her case Portugal.

“[Bahraini] women bodybuilders, we are not allowed, I do not know why, it is a policy and not a law,” she said.

Instead, Musawi is moving to Portugal soon to register under the Portuguese bodybuilding federation.

Asked if non-citizens were allowed to represent Portugal, she explained: “Yes, they can. I will be living there for a while as well to get some residency.”

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

However, Musawi said she would be exhilarated to represent her own country.

“At the end of the day, I will feel better and more proud to represent Bahrain or even the UAE or any other Arab country because we are changing history,” she said. “It is a big thing to be a on the stage, it takes a lot of effort, a lot of science, biology.”

In Portugal, Musawi will have her friend and trainer Andrea Sousa to prepare her for the upcoming competition against the odds and comments that could bring her down.

“We hear a lot of criticism and many comments about women bodybuilders. That they are not feminine, but what measures femininity? Sport does not,” she said.

“If we think that the condition to be masculine is to be muscular, then this means 90 percent of men are not men because they do not have muscles,” she added. “Femininity is being a woman, simply a woman, that’s all.”

Courtesy of: Al Arabiya News

Lisa Birkett hopes her amazing body will literally shape her life.

The aspiring fitness model has recently taken up bodybuilding and believes the feel-good factor is second to none.

A former Kirkcudbright Academy pupil, Lisa was born in Yorkshire but grew up in Auchencairn where her parents ran the Smugglers Inn.

The 30-year-old gym instructor has always been into exercise and has had a go at most sports over the years.

But now Lisa, who works at Kim Harkness’ House of Bod at Palmerston Arena in Dumfries, has fallen in love with bodybuilding and is preparing for her second competition.

She gained 10 kilogrammes in just two weeks after her first, the Miami Pro Championships at St Albans in April, a clear sign of just how hard she pushed her body to be ready for competition.

And it’s not all about pumping iron either. You need a strict diet, supplements and a willingness to push your body to the limit.

“My brother Richard got me into it,” Lisa explained.

“I was a fitness instructor anyway but tried bodybuilding, saw the results and that was it. I was hooked!

“I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a great form of weight loss as well.

“People think body building is about getting bigger but in reality you could call it body shaping because you actually just shape the muscles you want.

“Anyone can do it.

“It took me seven months to prepare for my first competition. It was really hard – a steady build-up – so you have do be dedicated.

“But I’ve got good genetics which helps and my metabolism is quite good as well.

“The last two weeks were the hardest. After a month or so of the nutrition (no fizzy drinks or fish suppers of course) I got used to using MyFitnessPal.

“I scanned everything I ate! I had three days leading up to the competition with no carbs (carbohydrates like bread, sugar or pasta) and I had no energy. But you still have to put the work in.

“ I didn’t have a drink for seven months either. I was just on water and I hated it.”

Lisa made her bodybuilding debut in April despite never having been professionally coached. She taught herself the poses by watching Youtube.

The contestants do various moves on the stage with the main front, side and back stances the most important as the judges look for symmetry.

Lisa continued: “I was so nervous back stage. I didn’t attend any posing classes before it but I was really happy with my body.

“It was a good atmosphere behind the scenes.

“It was really relaxed and I made loads of friends. Everyone was helping each other out. It was a good experience.”

She didn’t place due to what she believes was her inexperience in relation to stage presence which counts for half of the judges’ score. But she won great recognition from fellow contestants for her eight-pack abs. The only set in the female competition.

And Lisa, who moved to Dumfries last month, is now set to do it all over again when she takes part in a UK Ultimate Physiques event in Warrington at the end of August. She also has one eye on her short and long term goals.

She added: “I really hope to place there or even get to the final. But one day the dream is to be a fitness model in magazines.”

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Reporter Andrew McNair had his own take on the experience

I’ll start off with the obvious – I’m no body builder.

The pictures will tell you that but I do pride myself on being relatively fit.

I go to the gym, play football, have completed a half marathon and have ambitions on doing a full one in the near future.

But my eyes have been well and truly opened by Lisa Birkett who was a real inspiration.

I learned so much during my time with her and it’s great to know it’s not all about how much you can bench press but rather about technique and repetitions in the gym.

To hammer home the point, I can actually lift more than Lisa in a straight bench press but my body doesn’t look like hers!

In a one hour session with Lisa she made “super sets” the order of the day.

That’s when you do two exercises immediately after each other and work the same muscle. Feel the burn, burn, burn … I was left in agony for days afterwards but I felt alive.

Lisa corrected just about every aspect of my work-out and that had me desperate to get back in the gym a few days later (when the pain wore off).

And, for just about the first time in my life, I actually knew what I was doing.

And of course it was with the hope that technique, over weight, will soon start to show results.

Thanks to Lisa for putting me through my paces and I really hope she nails that short term goal and places at her next big event. She is clearly inspired by what she does and she is right about the body building – it’s infectious.

Lisa said: “Andrew did really well. We cleaned up on his technique a lot. It’s all about sacrificing weight for technique.

“He took it in well and did it well and hopefully he learned from it. Hopefully he’ll go away and use it.”

Courtesy of: Daily News

Vicky Moutopoulo, a 35 year old Physique competitor was born and raised in Greece. An athlete growing up, Vicky became involved in sports at the age of 5 has competed in gymnastics, volleyball and cycling. She began her physique training regimen 11 years ago and began competing seriously in 2010.

Vicky’s first competition was the Greek Nationals, where she placed 2nd in the Body Fitness category. Taking 2011 off from the stage, she added muscle mass and took the stage by storm, taking the Greek National title in bodybuilding.

The Women’s Physique division was introduced in Greece in 2013. Vicky took an immediate liking to it as she could still be muscular but not carry the mass needed to compete as a bodybuilder. Entering the Greek Nationals again, this time as a Physique competitor, Vicky placed 2nd. Being a competitive person, she was not happy with her placing and headed to Germany to compete in the International German Championships.

Vicky found things were a bit different at the International German Championships. The Physique division had a weight limit and she was too heavy to compete. Turning lemons into lemonade, Vicky entered the Bodybuilding division and placed 2nd.

In May 2014, Vicky took another run at the Geek Nationals, finishing 2nd again. But that 2nd place finish qualified her to compete in the Arnold Classic Europe in September, placing 6th.

Returning to Greece a few weeks after the Arnold Classic Europe, Vicky competed (with the flu) in the Greek Cup and placed 2nd. She has since taken a break from competing to focus on another run at the Arnold Classic with a goal to place in the Top 3.

Vicky has a few other contests in mind for 2015, but her ultimate dream is to win the elusive IFBB Pro card and compete with the very best in the world.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

There’s a new study out of Canada showing that college students who underwent a 12 hour sexual assault resistance training were far less likely to to be assaulted. More telling, is that they were less likely to be the victims of attempted assault.

Self-defense training works

This study jives with earlier research by the self-defense instruction company, Model Mugging. They surveyed 60,000 of their female students and found that after training (more intense than the Canadian training), 98.3% of their students were able to avoid assaults altogether.

Of those who were assaulted, 97% were able to fight off their attacker, 80% of those were able to use voice and body language alone and did not resort to violence.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Sexual assault

Numbers on sexual violence in the US vary, and are difficult to track, because it is an under-reported crime. The most conservative estimates are around 1 in 5 women, and somewhat fewer men, will be the victims of sexual assault in their lifetime. The numbers might be much higher, but this number is still staggering.

Imagine being able to reduce sexual assault incidents from 20% of women to less than 2% of women. Imagine if, of those 2%, sexual predators were only successful 3% of the time. This means a reduction to .06%.

The controversies around teaching women’s self-defense

In the interest of full-disclosure, I do teach a kick-butt women’s self defense class. I started teaching in Boston around the summer of 2000 with my partner when two serial rapists were attacking women in the city. Quite frankly these guys were pissing us off (pardon my French).

Since then I have heard a lot of arguments against training women in self-defense. To be honest, all of them are completely without merit. Most of them are a subtle form of misogyny. Allow me to elaborate:

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

The quasi feminist argument

In 2014, Miss USA and Tae Kwon Do black-belt, Nia Sanchez, created a stir among some when she dared suggest women train in self defense to help prevent sexual assault. The argument, by some calling themselves feminists, was that this somehow promoted rape-culture. Expecting women to help prevent rape was “victim-blaming.”

I may be male, but I fail to understand how women empowering themselves and taking control of their bodies is anything but feminist. Self-defense training isn’t about shifting blame from criminals, it’s about developing our bodies, minds, and spirits. For women and men, this is a good thing.

And yes, there is something wrong with a culture where sexual assault is so prevalent. We can work against that problem from multiple angles. And a very effective angle is empowering women to stand up for themselves.

That self-defense stuff doesn’t work

This is just hogwash. The studies above, and my experience teaching thousands of people, do not agree.

This stems from a pervasive myth in the martial arts world I call “the juggernaut foe.” Most people get all of their ideas about violence from TV and movies. On TV, you punch the bad guy in the jaw, he shakes it off, and comes at you harder. Oh yeah, nobody ever bleeds, gets bruised, or gets a thumb in the eye.

The vast majority of criminals are not indestructible. Most of them are afraid of getting caught, hurt, or identified. Most of them prefer easy targets.

The Boston Strangler is known to have killed 13 women. All of his victims except one, Gertrude Gruen, perished. Gertrude Gruen fought off The Strangler and he fled.

Self-defense isn’t about defeating somebody in a ring, like in the UFC. It is about escape. The goals are much different, and the means to achieve them are too.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

The false sense of confidence thing

Here’s another one that drives me crazy. The argument is that some amount of training gives women a false sense of confidence. They will then go out and pick fights with people and get into trouble, or something.

This is a load of horse manure.

Not to sound sexist, but women don’t do this – not in my experience. False macho trouble-making falls squarely in the realm of male behavior. Self-defense training leads to smarter decisions, not more stupid ones.

Just give women guns, or pepper spray, or stun guns, etc.

Politics completely aside, firearms and other defensive weapons can be great equalizers. Just recently, a woman brandished a handgun to scare away a knife-wielding robber in Portland.

However relying solely on weapon for self-defense leaves a lot of gaps. For example, many people travel to places where carrying a weapon is impractical or illegal. The post office, a school, federal property, the beach.

Many victims of sexual assault are young women in College, who are not allowed to carry weapons on campus, and because of their age.

Weapons also only work when they are in-hand precisely when you need them. The woman in the story above was luckily able to retrieve a firearm from her car. An assailant might not give you time to access a weapon.

Unarmed skills are the first and last line of defense. If you need to fight to get away, access a weapon, or retain a weapon, unarmed skills are crucial. If you lose your weapon, can’t access it, it fails, unarmed skills are what you’re going to have to rely upon. There is a good reason our ARMED forces train in unarmed close-quarters combat.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

What self-defense training does

Good self-defense training isn’t just kicks and punches. It begins with awareness. It teaches to look for indicators of violence in people’s body language. It teaches escape and avoidance strategies. Yes, there are also physical techniques.

But one of the interesting things to come out of these studies is that women who are trained are less likely to be the target of attempted attacks. This is important. They aren’t just better at fending off attacks, they are less like to be attacked.

Why is this? I have two theories:

1. People who are properly trained have better awareness of their surroundings and the people around them. They are more able to avoid problems before they start.

2. Training changes people’s body language. A bit of confidence and perceived strength and awareness is very off-putting for somebody looking to victimize someone. I have seen this with my own students.

The effect might be completely unconscious. If you’ve ever been made uneasy by someone and couldn’t explain exactly why, you’ll understand this.

My personal take

If you couldn’t tell by now, I am all in for women getting self-defense training. I train and will continue to train my wife and daughters. I believe it’s the right thing to do.

Courtesy of: Bangor Daily News

1. Yasha
2. Nathalie Foreau
3. Melissa Pearo
4. Kristina Dybdahl
5. La’Drissa Bonivel
6. Asha Hadley
7. Jessica Gaines
8. Tammy Bleile
9. Paula Frega
10. Mindi OBrien
11. Lenore Kaiser
12. Beni Lopez
13. Stacey Norris
14. Victoria Dominguez
15. Andrea Holliday
16. Shannon Byers
16. Amber McElreath
16. Jaquita Person-Taylor

1. Andrea Calhoun
2. Tina Nguyen
3. Chaya Boone
4. Rachelle Carter
5. Nadia Wyatt
6. Jessica Canty
7. Audreana Cornelissen
8. Brittany Campbell
9. Maria Susana Ramirez
10. Tamara Sedlack
11. Jill Dunn
12. Josie Zamora
13. Andrea Cantone
14. Tamen Stuve
15. Natasha Davis
16. Yolanda Anthony
16. Clarissa Castaneda
16. Olga Karavayeva
16. Jennifer Palazzo
16. Jennifer Taylor

A look behind the scenes of making it to the competitive stage with Toronto born and raised Stephanie Lovato.

Stephanie is a former gymnast, boxer, lacrosse player and Figure competitor. Her passion for sports and fitness led her into the Human Kinetics program at the University of Guelph where she obtained a BSc. Steph applies her athletics experience and education to her career as a personal trainer and online training and nutrition coach, helping people achieve thier fitness goals worldwide.

Believe it or not, but biceps of this 23-year-old bodybuilder is more than many Bollywood actors who are famous for their build.

Natalia Trukhina, a professional powerlifter from Russia, has biceps of 17.7 inches, which is more than what our actors flaunt.

She discovered her passion for powerlifting when she was 14 years old. Now 23, Natalia has grown from a scrawny girl into one of the most muscular women in the world. Her impressive figure and strength put most men to shame.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Courtesy of: Daily Bhaskar