Global Gossip

Wendy Keimer of Arizona decidedto weight train about 10 years ago and after her first day at the gym she hasn’t missed a session since then.  With only one year of training behind her Wendy competed in a NPC Natural bodybuilding contest where she won her class, not bad for her first time on stage. Then in 2007 Wendy did a NPC Firgure show where she walked away with 1st place in the Masters Division and 1st in her height class.  Being on a winning streak again in 2008 Wendy went back on stage in Arizona; however, a few judges told her that she had become to big and lean for the firgure division.  With that in mind Wendy is now redoing her training and nutritional program so she can hit the stage in 2009 as once she sets her goals Wendy is one to see them thru.

Wendy says she loves to train, maybe that is why she is always in shape.  She hits the gym and cardio 5 times per week along with yoga once per week and a clean diet daily.  Wendy has the mindset of a champion and something she said that has stuck with me is “I believe that anyone, at any age, can get into shape, and if desired, compete.  The only obstacle is you.  Set goals; once attained, set new ones.  Always train with intensity.  Be proud of your accomplishments and hard work; mindset will play a huge role in your success. ” If you live and train by these words then you will rise to the top and it’s only time before we see Wendy at the top.  Wendy is in the process of putting a web site together called www.shapelifiting.com where she will work with customers on both diets and training programs. So it just reninforces that no matter your age, if you apply yourself you can rise ahead.  Good luck in 2009 Wendy!

As you may or may not of heard UFC vet Justin Eilers has left us in an unfortunate turn of events over the Christmas Holiday.

It was about 10:30 last night that the incident occurred. James Robert Malec is being charged with second degree murder and is currently being held at the Canyon County Jail.

Eilers has been in the fight game for along time and will be missed.

Many prayers go out to his family, and everyone here at Bodybuilding.com sends their condolences.

Eilers (19 - 6 - 1) in his career fought such stars as Andre Arvloski and Brandon Vera and was 3-3 in the UFC/WEC.

He was an Idaho native who went on to play football at Iowa State University before returning to the fight game and making a career out of it. He has been training with Miletech for some time now and was loved by the many he trained with.

Today while training I thought I saw an actor by the name of Ian Somerhalder who had a regular part on the tv show Lost. As I looked at the guy I thought that it wasn’t Ian because this guy was to big.  Well I took my chance and started to talk with the guy who was training alone but very hard doing alot of supersets.  To my surprise it was Ian and this guy was so down to earth and nice.  I spoke with him about my new web site instructionalfitness.com, which Ian agreed to do an upcoming interview for the viewers to see.  Then we discussed training, us both having lived in Hawaii and our thoughts on Southeast Asia.  It appeared that Ian has added some mass to his frame to help secure more leading roles I think.  I’ll keep you posted when I finish his interview.

Myself Joe ‘Ino Tong and my partner Peter Mikhail just started a new web site called instructionalfitness.com.  With this site we have a large number of exercises that you can watch on video for the correct way to perform them.  We also have interviews with different people in the sports fields like WWE star Chris Masters and MMA fighter Dan Puder along with many more to follow.  Then at the site you with find various retailors where you can purchase your favorate products

Well another sad day in the world of Bodybuilding, the passing of Kenny Kassel. It is said that the cause of his passing was from Congestive Heart Failure.

Kenny was a man of many talents, announcer, talent manager, promoter and NPC/IFBB official. He was dedicated and passionate about the sport and did everything for the simple fact that he loved it.

R.I.P Kenny

For more on Kenny check out Iron Man Magazine

Im sure many of you will remember beautiful California firefighter and Fitness competior Nola Trimble.  Nola somtimes trains with Hide but just told me the other day she is now being trained by Charles Glass and using Dave Palumbo for the upcoming San Diego Bodybuilding contest she is going to compete.  Will she be able to make the switch from Fitness to Bodybuilding? The show is March 21, 2009

Last year I went to the IFBB Ironman to watch my friend Silvio and training partner Armin Scholz compete.  However when I was walking around the LA Fitness Expo I was surprised to see a beautiful girl who I thought I had seen before and she was in great shape on top of being pretty.  Well, it was Kat Fadul who use to live here in Cali but has relocated.  Kat who is a wonderful fun person answered some questions for me so you guys can get some better info on her.  Let’s hope in the near furture we’ll do a complete interview as Im sure all the readers would love.  But until then here is Kat’s own words.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

I am Director of Operations for Precision Body Designs, a full-service personal training company, based in Louisiana and operating out of locations in the Mobile and Huntsville, Alabama areas. From One-on-One Personal Training and Group Training to Nutrition Plan Development and Exercise Prescription with Assessment, we are your total fitness resource. I have a great team of certified personal trainers who are true professionals, passionate about helping our clients reach their goals! Check out our website ww.precisionbodydesigns.com and see what services we offer!

I’ve dedicated my life to help other live a healthy lifestyle for over 5 years now and absolutely love it! As a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor, I push my clients/students to their mental and physical limits, accomplishing their goals and developing a positive self image! It’s the most gratifying feeling to have a positive impact on a person’s life, and in return, they influence others to follow!

Also, I run a kid’s fitness after school program twice a week at one of the local fitness centers. Here, they work on their speed, agility, endurance, flexibility, and strength. It’s a competitive, yet friendly environment where they can work on their fitness skills individually, as well as a team!

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

I am training for the Galaxy Fitness competition (fitness skills and obstacle course) and plan to do another NPC show or two in figure (possibly fitness) but it all depends on funds (sponsorship) and time juggling it with work! I also want to start taking ballroom dancing lessons and possibly compete in the future.

COMPETITION HISTORY

2006 NPC Los Angeles GNC Figure Championships- Top 5, 4th place

2006 FAME Fitness Model Championship- Top 10, 6th place

2003 Fitness America, 1st Runner-up in Fitness

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I was chosen by a casting director star in a fitness infomercial called “American Bunkai” with David Carradine. It is a workout that uses self defense moves for cardio and strength training! Please watch out for it on TV, coming out soon!

Last week while i was trying to get my new web site instructionalfitness.com ready to launch for the new year I was surprised to hear that the Heavyweight MMA Champion Dan Puder wanted to stop by for an interview.  Having only met a few fighters before I was excited for the interview until Dan kept joking about when I would step in the ring with him for a workout, come on how stupid does he think I am?  WWE Tough Enough winner Daniel Puder first started with the WWE after winning the Tough Enough contest and then just kept going up next to the MMA.  Dan said wrestiling for a living takes it’s toll with all the traveling.

The bodybuilding/fitness world has lost another long time contributor. I received word from multiple people that Kenny passed away. The details surrounding his death are not known at this time.

Competitors know him from helping out backstage, emceeing as well as having his own talent agency.

Rest in Peace Kenny.

Kenny was a contributor to bodybuilding.com and will be missed.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kkassel.htm

If you train daily at Golds in Venice then you know that Mike Ergas is a daily site.  Mike won his Pro card a few years back at the NPC Nationals and then after a few pro shows never hit the stage again.  Mike had told me he was just burnt out from competing but he never stop training.  Well in the past few months I could see Mike had upped his intensity so I ask if he was going to compete and he said that he’s talking with top trainer Charles Glass about working with him and will step back on stage come May 2009 if all is right.  Goodluck Mike!

My good friend Simon Gimenez was here visiting and competing here in Los Angeles.  This guy does alot of traveling and is now on his way back home for the holidays.  Then come March he will go see Gary Strydom for a month in Thailand and return after to the USA.  

One evening I was very tired after training and Simon kept telling me to rest before i drove home.  Well here is his e-mail I recieved today so I’ll let you read his words direct.

HELLO MY FRIEND!!!TOMORROW MONDAY I LL BE COMING BACK HOME(ARGENTINA)AFTER ALMOST 4 MONTH.YOU KNOW HOW HARD IS DIETING AND TRAINING WHEN YOU TRAVELING(IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTH I D CHANGE ROOM …13 TIMES!!!)SURE WE WILL WORKOUT TOGHETER(I LL NEED SOME HELP FOR MY WEAK BACK)BUT THIS WILL BE AFTER MY THAI VISIT(I WANNA SPEND THE MONTH OF MARCH THERE)HERE A COUPLE PICS FROM GOLDS.YOU CAN CHECK MORE AT MY WEBSITE:MUSCLETANGO.COM.AR THANK YOU MY FRIEND…MERRY X MASS AND A GREAT 2009!!!                          PS:PLEASE,IF YOU FEEL TIRED WHEN YOU LEAVE THE GYM,TAKE A 10 MIN.NAP IN YOUR CAR BEFORE LEAVING…OR YOU LL FINISH YOUR BODYBUILDER CARRER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 10 FREEWAY!!!SOUND LIKE A JOKE  BUT IS SERIUS…

I’m so sorry I didn’t post this sooner, but I wanted to let you all know that two weeks ago, Jennifer Gates’ husband, Derek Gates, passed away.

I can’t even begin to describe the pain and sorrow Jenn, her kids, and the rest of her family are feeling right now. From her winning the biggest title in figure… to this. It’s moments like this that remind us to never take life for granted and always tell the ones you love that we love them are there for them, because no one is promised tomorrow. Everyone out there, take this time to send a small prayer to the Gates family as they truly need our support as a community. Send her an email or MySpace comment. Let her know that the Gates family is in our thoughts.

Derek Gates… may you rest in peace. May God watch over you in Heaven. To Jennifer and the rest of the family… May God be with you during this difficult time. We’re all here for you.

More info here:

http://www.hardbody.com/news/2008/12/09/thoughts-and-prayers-go-out-to-jennifer-gates-family/

FLEXTREME MAKEOVER SERIES Where the Pros come to you

SOURCE: FLEXONLINE.COM

Ever wonder how much you can learn about bodybuilding by spending a day with a pro? Better yet, wouldn’t it be great if that pro came to your doorstep? We think so. That’s exactly what we’ll be doing with our new FLEXtreme Makeover Series in FLEX magazine.

Have a pro show up at your home, go to your gym as your training partner, act as your very own nutritionist and revamp all aspects of your bodybuilding lifestyle. Just send an email to FLEXtremeMakeover@flexmagazine.com and tell us:

- Who You Are
- Where You Live
- Your Physique Goals
- Why You Want A Visit from a Pro
- The Name of a Close Friend or Relative in Your Area

If you’re chosen, we’ll show up randomly at your door with a camera crew and a Weider athlete to document the experience for a future feature in FLEX magazine!

But remember - in order to be eligible, you must include the name, phone number and email address of a close friend or family member. So apply to enter the FLEXtreme Makoever Series today at FLEXtremeMakeover@flexmagazine.com and see how the pros do it!

*In order to be eligible you must live within the continental United States

See press release from the Arnold Classic 2009:

1212THE 2009 ARNOLD AMATEUR IFBB INTERNATIONAL BODYBUILDING (2)(2).pdf

Congratulations to Flex and Shina who exchanged vows two weekends ago in Tennessee.

Flex and Shina both are the nicest people you could ever want to meet and loved by all their friends and fans. They are Superstars of the Bodybuilding and Fitness worlds and everyone here at BB.com wishes them the best of luck in the future.

Here are some pics from the wedding!

Check Flex in his new series “Chronicles of a Welsh Dragon"