Global Gossip

While training a few days ago into Gold’s walks a woman I admire and respect who happens to be a great friend also, not to mention one of the worlds best female bodybuilders. Cathy LeFrancios came in with Hide and a girl she was training named Kim Farley.  Kim has been hitting the weights for only 4 years but shows a great deal of muscle maturity.  Talk about condition this girl was shredded and when I ask her about her past background she told me that she did Tae Kwon Do for 10 yrs, Kickboxing 4 yrs and then Muay Thai for 1 yr.  As a personal trainer she trains both herself and clients at Foothill Gym in Monrovia.  If you check out the contest Sat you’ll see good things do come in small packages.

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If Beyeke wasn’t enough of a gift from France then check out his current training partner Mehmet who has competed and visited the US many times before.  Mehmet at 35 has spent a lot of his life training, which he has done for the last 15 years.  This guy is always close to contest condition and could really step on stage any time.  Instead of a bloated off season he looks like a pro bodybuilder year around.  Mehmet will also step back up onstage in Phoenix Feb 2010.  We wish both of these great guys good luck.
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26 yr old Adam Strachman has a B.S in Nutrition and works for Pro fight supplements as as sales rep, model and spokesperson will step on-stage this weekend at the Excalibur.  Adam, a regular at Gold’s venice has been working closley with the owner of pro fight for his contest prep and it shows as this year he’s much bigger and fuller then the past.  Good luck Adam!

With his current win in the Nationals Welterweight class this makes Shavis 4th weight class win of a National contest.  He took 3 different weight classes in the USA so this year he tired his luck at the Nationals.  With diet expert Neil Hill, who has worked with people like James "Flex " Lewis, Zack Khan and many others, Shavis was able to come in fuller and harder this show.  Having  great symmetry and good condition this Hawaiian native will do good in the 202 class in 2010.

A new face at Golds Venice these days is Heidi Vonka Koi, who since Sept 2009 had made the move from Norway to Cali.  Heidi who at only 23 yrs old took 2nd place in the 2008 Norwegian Championship.  She will be trying her luck on Dec 5 2009 at the Excalibur.  Heidi started wrestling at the young age of 6 and then became serious with weight training 5 years ago, doing her first figure contest in 2007.  Having trained with her before, I picked up on how she is very focused and serious at the sport.  You can reach her for personal training at www.heidivonkakoi.com

Long time trainer Paul Finn has made the decision to relocate to my home of Oahu, Hi.  Paul has been friends and co-trainer with famous Charles Glass for the past 20 years.  Paul who isn’t one to boast has trained top bodybuilders such as Silvio, Joe Stubbs, Melvin Anthony, Chris Commier and many more.  It will be a lost for Golds serious bodybuilders but a huge gain for Hawaii.  I spoke with National competitor Ernest” Mongo ” Chang yesterday and he has made plans to seek out Paul for his USA assault.  I was sent another message from IFBB Pro Alan Ichinose and he will be helping Paul get his start in Hawaii.  We wish you the best of luck Paul, Aloha

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In a prime location about 1 block from Golds Venice and another 3 blocks to the beach is the office of Carmine Gangemi.  Carmine, now 40 but looking in his 30s was once a competitive bodybuilder on the east coast before coming to Ca.  He has ran his practice here for the last 7 years and has attracted many top athletes.  For example, Kris Gethen of bodybuilding.com, Charles Glass and his clients, Doctors, Pro football, baseball and hockey players.  Carmine has certifications in Med X Spinal Rehabilitation and Strengthening, CSCS, Doctor of Chiropractic and many others.  With his past experience in working with post surgical patients I sought his help.  Being in the medical field myself I’m very critical of what other medical people tell me.  However, since my rehab with Carmine I now feel confident to step back on stage one day.  If your in Venice give him a call or stop by his office to check it out.  Your body will thank you.  His office contact is (877) 225-3499 or bakfixx@verizon.net

Last night Nov 20 while training I saw a massive guy walk in the front door and as he had to turn to get thru the door I realized it was the 2009 British Champion who earned his Pro card this year after a long 9 years.  This year Zack was right on with his victory that pushed him into the Pro circuit.  It’s hard to appear massive in Venice with many guys weighing in the 280 and 300lb are these days.  However, Zack really stood out as was he not only massive but in good condition.  When I had the chance Zack and I spoke and this guys is so humble and down to earth it took me for a surprise.  When he learned I had just gotten out of the hospital he was very concerned with how I was doing.  He told him at the Pro level things are not just about mass so now he wants to add more detail and polish to his body.  He might look at doing the 2010 Europe and try to qualify for the Mr. O.  Zack if you come in like the British show I’m sure you’ll be on stage with Jay at the 2010 Mr. Olympia.

Trying here at Gold’s Venice you get the opportunity to see many talented athletes.  Armen Pogosyan from Russia is one guy that I’m sure you’ll see more in the near future.  I met Armen when I was in the hospital he stop by to give me some support along with Julien Greaux and Johnny DeBeer.  After I was back at Golds I found out that Armen tried his luck at the California Fitness Model contest and took a respected 2nd place.  So now this weekend he’s in Vegas competing in the Fitness Universe, where I’m sure he’ll do well.

What really impressed me was this guys background with all his education and experience.  He moved to the East coast about 5 years ago from Russia where he first received his B.S and Masters degree in Physical Education.  While in Russia he was also a Assistant Professor.  He first competed in Muay Thai where he was 2 time National Champion of Russia, then he competed in both kickboxing and arm wrestling.  Below I have listed a few of his past achievements.

• Fitness Model America, second place, Hermosa beach CA, October 2009
• National Thai-Boxing Champion of Uzbekistan, June1998
• National Thai-Boxing Champion of Uzbekistan, June 1997                        
• Second Place, National Thai-Boxing Championship of Uzbekistan, June 1999
• Third Place, National Kick-Boxing Championship of Uzbekistan, July 1999
• Third Place, National Arm-Wrestling Championship of Uzbekistan, May 2003
                                                              
• Member of National Thai-Boxing Team of Uzbekistan, 1996-2002
• Trained with the National Boxing and Arm-Wrestling Teams of Uzbekistan
• Trained with National Water Polo Team of Uzbekistan
• Competed in Uzbekistan Power Lifting Championship
• Competed in National Arm-Wrestling Championship of Kazakhstan
Armen has a wealth of knowledge and he is open to learn new things.  He has opened his own very successful personal training company and you can check out his Website: BodyEffectLA.com  Good luck in Vegas Armen

While walking into the Mecca of training, Gold’s Gym in Venice famous photographer Robert Reiff was doing a shoot with a new face to the US.  After Robert was finished I had the opportunity to speak with David Hoffman, a 29 year old bodybuilder from Koblenz Germany.  David, who like most bodybuilders I met from Europe was very polite and friendly.  Maybe some top guys here should take a few lesions.  David who has been here to train before said he’s been training for about 14 years and is now sponsored by Universal Nutrition.  In 2008 he place 5th at the World Championship but went on to win the overall at the German Nationals.  This year as a super heavy he made 4th place at the World Championship in Qatar.  With great shape and structure David should go far in the sport.

For Immediate Release
Email: jennylynnfitness@yahoo.com
Web site: www.jennylynnfitness.com

12-Time IFBB Pro Figure Champion, Jenny Lynn, retires!

Dallas, Texas – 10/30/2009 - After 10 years competing, IFBB Pro Figure Icon, Jenny Lynn has decided to retire.  She captured the very first pro figure contest in history, the 2003 Figure International. Jenny went on to win a total of 12 shows, the most of any other Professional Figure competitor, including two Figure Olympia’s and three Figure International’s throughout her eight year pro career.

Jenny is very thankful for her time spent on stage, largely because of the career she’s had the opportunity to create from it. “I have had an awesome career that I am very proud of. But, there comes a time in every athlete’s life when it’s time to step down. After 10 years competing and 31 contests later…it’s time. I’m not really sad to stop competing because honestly, the greatest success in my career has come from helping other people achieve their fitness and physique goals. I will continue to be involved in the fitness industry sharing my knowledge and experience and coaching competitors to follow in my foot steps”, says Jenny.

With the competition stage behind her and far more available time, Jenny has several projects she’s working on. She recently filmed a new training DVD prior to the Olympia with her workout partner, Trish Warren. The DVD will be for sale on our websites by December 2009. Jenny and Trish also created an apparel company that offers fun, trendy tanks, t-shirts and hats in addition to top quality active wear.

Jenny will focus a lot of her attention now on contest prep coaching and sharing her knowledge with up and coming competitors around the world. In addition to working with competitors, Jenny also conducts a 12-Week Transformation Challenge on her website. Anyone can join January 1st-April 30th, 2010. The client who makes the biggest changes to their physique in their 12-weeks wins an all expense paid trip to come train with Jenny in Dallas, Texas for a weekend. This will be her 4th year offering her very successful Transformation Challenge. Jenny says, “its been without question, the most rewarding part of my career far beyond any contest win!”

Jenny is also working on coordinating several seminars across the US for 2010 and is working on e-books and workouts that will be downloadable from her website in the next couple months as well.  And lastly, Jenny is now offering in-home personal training where clients have the opportunity to either live with Jenny or have her stay with them for a period of time to learn first-hand everything involved in achieving their goals and leading a healthy lifestyle!!!

To enlist Jenny’s help in achieving your own fitness and physique goals go to:
www.jennylynnfitness.com

Last night I had the honor of attending the weeding of both my business partner and great friend Peter Mikhail.  It was a beautiful ceremony in Dana Point with a great fun filled reception at the Westin Hotel. A lot of people from the fitness industry were there but two of my favorites were my co-host of instructionalfitness, Sherlyn Roy and Mike O’hearn.  Sherlyn did the Ms.Olympia as her first year as a pro and will compete again in another week.  Sherlyns boyfriend Mike O’hearn was part of the wedding party and Mike had just finished some photo shoots the day before.  When you get to know Mike he is very down to earth and a caring friend.  Peter, came up with the ideal of our company instructionalfitness.com after he hired me to help him in his recovery from overcoming cancer.  This guy is no quitter and it shows in all aspects of his life.  His beautiful new bride Mikela, who is a successful Attorney is so down to earth and a giving person.  We wish them many happy wonderful years to come.

If you’ve been at Golds Venice within the past two years then I’m sure you have seen another hugh European making the gym his new home.  For 18 years Aiman Faour lived in Germany where he owned a gym, however he was born in Lebanon where he still owns a gym.  Aiman hits about 315 0r 330 in the off season and moves some heavy Iron, yet when he starts his contest diet his strength still is there.  I’ve trained with Aiman since my old partner Armin Scholtz( who was 360 lb) went back to Germany, and Aiman loves to bust his ass in the gym as he’s always pushing himself to the limit.  In the past we have worked with Charles Glass, then Val( trained Mike Mentzer ) but now Aiman has started working with Robert Sherman, who use to be Charles Glass training partner.  Robert has trained Will Harris, Silvio and now for the past 6 weeks Aiman.  With one week out from the Pro Sacramento Aiman is looking tight at 276lb.  We will see if this new edition to his team will make a difference on stage. Best of luck next week Aiman.

This is a repost from IntenseMuscle, another board I am currently a moderator for (Female Forums); The interviewer is a fellow competitor,   and friend Brandon Morrison; Brandon is interviewing Heather and her husband Dylan Armbrust immediately after her 2nd place IFBB OLYMPIA placing this year.  
This is at Dylan and Heather’s gym in Wheatridge, Colorado; its also my gym and its outstanding.  Heather, Phil Heath, Heather Mae French, all current and active members.  Congratulations to Heather and excellent job Brandon!

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I was talking with IFBB Pro’s Silvio and Aiman Faour the other day about guest posing and training in the Middle East.  They suggested that I might want to call their friend Sami Al Haddad who was going to compete Nov at the IFBB world show in Qatar. Sami or “Blacksmith ” was born on 24 June 1973, in Muharraq, Bahrain. Today he lives in Manama, Bahrain, which is the capital and trains at Ghassan gym. I contacted Sami and even though he was tired with one week out from his show he still was very friendly.  This guy will do some serious damage on the Pro level with his great shape and sharp condition.

He started training in 1991 when he was 18 years old and started competing in 1992.  He has competed in the following contest.

CONTESTS WON:

Mr. Bahrain 1992-99
Mr. U.A.E 1996
Mr. Kuwait 1997-98
Mr. Asia 1993-94 (junior)( best poser)
Mr. Asia 1998
Mr. Qatar and Arab Gulf (Overall) 2002
Mr. Arab Gulf, heavweight and overall (2004)
Mr. MuscleMania World Champion, Pro Division (2007)
PDI Battle of the Giants, Norway (2007)
UPBF Battle of the Giants, Norway (2008)
IFBB Mr. Asia, IndiaNorway (2009)
OTHER PLACINGS:

Mr. Arab 98 (2nd place)
Mr. Middle East 97 (2nd place)
Mr. Asia 1997 (2nd place, 85 kg class)
Asian Games 2002 (2nd place, 85 kg class)
Mr. Asia 2003 (3rd place, 85 kg class)
PDI New York Night of the Champions 2006 (3rd place, Pro Division)
PDI London Night of the Champions 2006 (2nd place, Pro Division)
PDI France Night of the Champions, 2007 (2nd place)  
  
A very impressive list I think. Sami told he he follows a low carb diet and will stay on it for 10 to 12 weeks leading up to his contest.  At 5′7 he starts his diet at 231 pounds and steps on stage around 212 pounds. Good luck with your show Sami!