2008 Arnold Blog

I am extremely excited about the opportunity to be competing in the Arnold Classic Amateur. The competitiors are strong and I am fortunate to be among them. This will be my first National Level show and I hope to bring my best to the stage.  I have been training hard, put on about 5 lbs of muscle for symmetry, and dieting is going good. I am proud to say I am probably one of the few competitors that can actually say I am a grandmother!  Training and competing keeps me young!

Also, I am excited to be working for Isatori at the Expo. handing out a new product, so look for me and say hello!  

Stacey Pillari

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

I’ve confirmed with Monica Brant that she is out of the Figure International lineup. Monica has agreed to do an interview with me in a few days. She’ll provide more information on the details around her decision and what lies ahead for her. Stay tuned for more details.

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 Valerie has withdrawn from the show.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.

WHOA Gina! Gina Aliotti is definitely one of the favorites to take the 2008 Figure International title. Check out the interview with Gina on her sponsor’s website. Here is a photo of Gina 10 weeks out from the Arnold. Gina doesn’t stray from her diet too much in her off-season and as you can see looks great! Watch out for her in a few weeks, she could be your next Arnold Figure Champ.

Colorado’s own Christine Pomponio-Pate was working the Vyotech booth at the Arnold Expo. Ms. Christine has shot to the top of the figure ranks over the last couple of years and is a favorite of many photographers. She’s appeared on magazine covers, layouts, ads and can be seen in a few commercials in the Denver area. I’ve been friends with Christine for a few years now and we always joke around like a couple of dorks. I ask her about her photos, tigers and more on this video.

Watch the amusing video:

http://webcast.bodybuilding.com/fitshow/2007arnold/LIFT_GETBIG/videos/christine.mov

This is one interesting interview! Ron and I stopped by the Vyotech booth and ran into Shawn Ray. As we’re chatting with Shawn, who shows up but Dina Al-Sabah. We put them on the spot to address the rumors started by Shawn’s fellow pro bodybuilder (the one who called me a punk ass on Pro Bodybuilding Weeky radio show). Shawn speaks about the Colorado Pro show and the rumor with Ms. Dina. We then catch up with the figure champ, Mary Elizabeth-Lado at the Vyotech booth. She tells us about her future competition plans and more.

Check out this entertaining video:

http://webcast.bodybuilding.com/fitshow/2007arnold/LIFT_GETBIG/videos/marylado.mov

We caught up with feisty & fun-loving IFBB Figure Pro, Christine Pomponio-Pate at the Vyo-Tech booth at the Arnold Expo, and asked her about that fabulous Female Action Hero photograph we’ve all caught a glimpse of…

See the stunning photo here, and find out a little background info about the shoot, straight from the lovely Christine’s own mouth!  =)

Having problems with the video?  Click here for the downloadable Windows Media version.

As I was jogging past the Performance Ready booth, BodySpace member Liza actually recognized me (!) and begged me for a quick interview (just kidding, LOL!)

See how stunning NPC Figure Competitor, Liza Kampstra looked and what she had to say!  =)

Having problems with the video?  Click here for the downloadable Windows Media version.

I spotted IFBB Figure Pro, Valerie "The Regal One" Waugaman at the Bodybuilding.com booth at the 2007 Arnold Expo, and even though I didn’t get to chat with her, I did snag a brief glimpse of her doing an interview with someone else (!) on camera for all her fans!

Check it out!

Having problems with the video?  Click here for the downloadable Windows Media version.

Tip: Did you know?  Valerie has her own video series!

I felt the Arnold Amateur Classic was an opportunity that I could not miss when I heard about it. I had to send in my application. They made the stipulation that you basically had to have qualified for a National level show to participate so the turn out of athletes was spectacular.

Walking in the room was a bit of a shock. To stand there and see so many women that actually had near pro level physiques was almost intimidating. But I entered this contest number one because it was close to home for me and number two it was an amazing opportunity and an honor to be accepted.

The competition itself was run a bit differently then any show I had been in before as it was go go go from the moment we arrived at the Veterans. Mike Davies was to the point, gracious, kind and quite helpful to the girls to get us organized. Hats off to him for taking care of things. We were lined up quickly one group after the other and quite frankly the next round started lining up before even the last two groups finished the first rounds. This will give you some perspective of how quickly this contest ran.

My biggest thrill was to stand on the same stage as so many pros have done in the past. To be up there and have my family and so many friends out there watching ME was such a thrill! You couldn’t help but feel like a star!

All and all I had an amazing time and experience and honestly would do it again next year if given the opportunity. The rest of the weekend went by in a blur with photo shoots and and trying to catch up with as many of my friends as possible that live all across the country.

I felt so fortunate to have made it to that stage after the last month I had. I had a horrible infection, two mouth surgeries, a major snow storm and then 3 days before leaving for the show…I was in a car accident which totaled my SUV and in all ways should have basically taken me from this earth. So I felt very special to be up there in more ways then one.

I am sorry but as of yet I don’t know the standings. I am told they will be posted on the Arnold Amateur website but they are not there yet.

MUAH
Dream BIG!!!!!
K

NPC Figure competitor, Kristal Martin is hot. And Kristal trying out Ron’s Banana Creme Pie with Ron Avidan encouraging her is just too cute.

The look on her face when she realizes just how good it is in priceless…

Having problems with the video?  Click here for the downloadable Windows Media version.

Tip: Read more about Kristal Martin on Isaac’s blog post about her.