2008 Iron Man Blog

2008 Iron Man Pro - 2 Disc Set

February 16, 2008 Los Angeles Convention Center.
Presented by BodyBuilding.com and Gaspari Nutrition.
Photography courtesy Iron Man Magazine.

Get It Right Here:
http://www.gmv.com.au/default.asp?pageid=products&template=PRODUCTCAT&catid=30&prodid=2091&site=1

THE 19TH ANNUAL IRON MAN PRO!  HISTORIC DVD RELEASE!

Held in the spacious Los Angeles Convention Center for the first time, the 2008 Iron Man Pro is always the first pro show of the new season.  2008 proved to be not only the biggest Iron Man event in years regarding competitor numbers, it was also the best year ever for the IRON MAN Pro and FitExpo. The new venue of the LA Convention Centre was huge, the crowds were huge and the competitors on stage were mostly HUGE and RIPPED!

PHIL “The Gift” HEATH brought his “A” Game to the Iron Man Pro by presenting his wonderful shape and new improved size and symmetry, while still displaying his famous conditioning. This was Phil’s first Iron Man victory at his first attempt at this title. His overall package proved to be a little too much for Gustavo and the rest of the high quality field. I feel that Phil Heath will do some major damage at the Olympia this year.

An outstanding GUSTAVO BADELL pushed Phil all the way to achieve his second placing while MOE ELMOUSSAWI achieved his highest ever placing in a Pro show with his brilliant 3rd place and an a first ever Olympia appointment for September in Las Vegas. This was the best condition that Moe has ever achieved in his career and it was well rewarded.

Rounding out the top 5 who all qualify for the 2008 Olympia were SILVIO SAMUEL in 4th place and JOHNNIE JACKSON in 5th spot. The man with the amazing legs, DESMOND MILLER just missed out on Olympia qualification with his 6th placing in this incredibly tough field. The contest saw an amazing line up of 32 athletes.
You will also see the presentation to DANIELLE EDMONDS as the overall winner of the 2008 Iron Man NPC Figure Contest.

In the FINALS DVD you will also see the Peary & Mabel Rader Lifetime Achievement award posthumously presented to Reg Park by John Balik, accepted by son Jon Jon Park. Not to be missed, the fun guest posing by Melvin Anthony at the time he presents the best Presentation Award to his rival, King Kamali.
Plus PHIL HEATH’s victory speech where Phil is not short for a word!

For a complete report on this event, read Wayne’s HARD NEWS from the Iron Man Pro. Please click here. The report includes a number of photos by Richard Rossan.

This 2 DVD set running over 4 hours was taped with 2 cameras in high quality digital video by Wayne and our new closeup cameraman Howard Feintuch, assisted by Richard Rossan. Our interviewer was Kenny Kassel. This year’s DVD set  is an absolute ” must”, being the first ever 2 disc set from the Iron Man Pro. It has come a long way from year one back in 1990 where the Iron Man  video ran for 45 minutes with 10 competitors!

DVD CONTENTS and RUNNING TIMES:

Disc # 1
The complete Prejudging 91 mins

Extra Scenes:
Top 10 men shown from the closeup camera 25 mins
Jerome Ferguson interview for BodyBuilding.com 6 mins
Photo Gallery – 50 photos from Prejudging 2 mins

Total running time Disc 1: 124 mins

Disc #2
The men’s Finals 98 mins
Complete posing routines of all 32 competitors, posedown and all awards.
* All 32 are individually selectable from the menu.

Extra Scenes:
Tribute to Reg Park 5 mins
Acceptance speech by Jon Jon Park 5 mins
Rich Gaspari interview for Gaspari Nutrition 6 mins
National Anthem 1 minute
Photo Gallery – 84 photos from the Finals 3 mins

Total running time Disc 2: 118 mins

Get It Right Here:
http://www.gmv.com.au/default.asp?pageid=products&template=PRODUCTCAT&catid=30&prodid=2091&site=1

I flew out to LA from Houston on Valentine’s Day, checked into the hotel adjacent to the Convention Center and waited anxiously for my boyfriend (Rich) to meet me there to have our Valentine’s dinner.  Come to find out, when I checked into the hotel they made a mistake and were supposed to have a “special” room reserved for me.  Instead they told me that the room was not ready and gave me a different room than what was planned.  Well, unfortunately, that ruined my boyfriend’s sweet surprise to have flowers, balloons and a gift bag full of goodies waiting for me.

He was pretty bummed when I sent him a text and didn’t mention anything about the surprise waiting in my room. Instead, one of the bell boys came up and delivered everything to me, but at that point it was no longer a surprise.  My man is the sweetest though!  The flowers were orchids, which are my all time favorite, the balloons were giant and kid-like, just like me, and the goodies inside, well, some were personal and some were cute clothes, like the pants I’m wearing in these pictures.  He did so good!!

For dinner that night, his label got us reservations at Craft in Century City.  It is a beautiful fine dining restaurant but without the stuffy atmosphere.  We got to see Nick from the All American Rejects while we were there.  He is on the same music label as my boyfriend, so that was really cool.  The food there was incredible! It is served a la carte and family style.  We even had dessert, which was a giant gourmet peanut butter cup with peanut butter ice cream.  When we left they sent us home with carrot and cranberry apple muffins in take home bags for breakfast the next morning.  It was awesome!  I knew I’d need to do a few extra plyos the following week to be in the shape I wanted for the Arnold, but it was worth it!  Definitely go check it out!

The next morning we headed over to the expo at the Convention Center, where I was surprised to see that even at a larger venue this year the hall was fairly full.  There were lots of vendors and a large area set up for American Gladiator auditions.  I thought it was lucky that the boybuilding.com booth was close to the end where we could see the stage and close to the area where the auditions were being held.  I got to see tons and tons of people try and run obstacles on the slick floor and do pull-ups until they were blue in the face.

My buddy Valerie Waugaman, better known as the personality Siren on American Gladiators, was there to motivate and cheer everyone on.  It was great to see her and hear all the cool things she has been up to.  I expect big things, so keep your eye on her.  She is a very determined and ambitious person, not to mention super fun!

The following day at the expo I got to watch the World’s Fittest Couple competition, which was really impressive.  They performed amazing routines demonstrating strength and flexibility.  I do well just to walk in high heels and not trip and fall.  I also got to see my friend Amanda Harris, better known as Barbie Barbell.  She was at the All American EFX booth.  We chatted a little while about our plans to work out together and to do a photo shoot at the Arnold a few weeks away in Columbus, OH.

Another big highlight of my weekend was that I got to see my friend, Callie Marunde and her beautiful baby girl that resembled her daddy, Strongman Jesse Marunde, who sadly passed away last year.  He is terribly missed but I was very happy to see Callie doing so well and to hear that she was preparing to compete in Poland on behalf of the US this year.  Please take a look at her website:

www.marunde-muscle.com

and offer your support and encouragement.  There is an awesome community of people there. I plan to poke my head in on occasion and say hello as well.

The last day at the expo was not quite as busy as the two days prior, so I got to play a little bit and be a part of the Power Plate demonstration.  This machine vibrates at a super quick pace which makes for an unstable platform in which to perform your exercises.  Aside from feeling a bit funny at first, it really seems to force you to engage more muscles and your stabilizers to complete the exercises.

The entire trip was a great time.  I have gone two years in a row now and at the rate it is growing I have no doubt that there will be more and more people attending year after year, including me!

The NPC IRONMAN Figure took place last weekend in conjunction with the IRONMAN Pro. This year’s field was lacking in total competitors and the quality of the physiques were not what we’ve come to expect from this show. The winner receives a photo shoot with IRONMAN magazine and this is a tremendous opportunity for women to get published. Danielle Edmonds ended up victorious but she was not at her best. Last year she was runner-up to the eventual overall winner, Catherine Anderson, at the NPC USA. It could be because this show is very early in the year and a non-national qualifier as to why the numbers were down. If the show sticks around for another year, it is my hope that more women enter and they come in with better conditioning.

A new feature I am starting this year to display the photos is a slideshow. This is the first of many in 2008. Take a look at the competitors from this show here.

**Overall Winner
Danielle Edmonds

Figure Class A
1. Jennifer Kline
2. Shawna Kondo
3. Lisa Sandercock
4. Kathryn Payton
5. Debbie Bell
NP. Kelly Mac
NP. Kimberly McGarry
NP. Lilia Sandozequi

Figure Class B
1. Ana Tigre
2. Selma McPherson
3. Bernadette Marturano

Figure Class C
1. Danielle Edmonds**
2. Hanna Fox
3. Delinia Lewis
4. Kristie Tatum
5. Dore Madere

Figure Class D
1. Lisa Lynn-Calhoun

A big shout out to Tony Blinn who keeps www.IFBBPro.com fresh. Tony was kind enough to feature my photos on the IFBB Pro League web site and give visitors a closer look at the competitors. Check out the photos on ifbbpro.com compliments of liftstudios.com and bodybuilding.com.

Last Sunday, ten couples took the stage in hopes of becoming The 2008 Fittest Couple. The couples posed, flexed and performed a routine to showcase why they are worthy of the title. In the end only one couple would reign supreme at The Fit Expo’s annual contest. The first place couple would received $2,500 cash and a photo shoot with IRONMAN Magazine’s top photographer, Mike Neveux.

Judges for the competition were IRON MAN photographer MERV, former fitness-model Brenda Kelly and last year’s female half of the fittest couple winner. There were a number of worthy couples but in the end the routine of Dena Weiner and Rado Pagac put them in the winner’s circle. The two were beyond elated when their names were announced. Look for their photos in an upcoming issue of IRONMAN magazine.

Dena and Rado showing their strength and flexibility.

The winning couple got a leg up over their competition.

Placing in the top five at the Iron Man 2008 was one of the most honorable and for filling experiences of my life!  To add to the excitement of my placing was meeting all the wonderful people during the show in which I can proudly say that I have become great friends with.

I have been training actually all year since my first show with the NPC at the Iron Man last year. For I have competed in several shows during the year in which I had to continue to watch my nutrition and exercise pretty much non stop - though of course after each show I had my cheat days. 

My training has fluctuated through the year as I have learned different things from so many people. However if I could sum it up (which is quite hard to do) I would say that in the end I have learned for my body that high intensity intervals and heavy weights is the best way to achieve the best look for my body.

I rollerblade all over NYC streets as my transportation which is great for the glutes… though I stop two weeks before a show just in case of an accident also to make sure my legs are not puffy!

Nutrition for me is basically of the normal foods that one would eat to stay healthy. However again as I strongly believe that everyone’s body is different! For me, I have been on different food plans and tried different ways to achieve the ultimate figure for myself. In the long run I do know that what might seem ideal for someone else, or the “norm” of a bodybuilder, is not right for me.

As I was told, and quite true indeed, that I did appear a bit too skinny. This I know mainly had to do what I ate prior to the show! I know that because after the show when I do eat - that is when I should compete because my body fills out. It is trial and error, and following my gut instinct.

So even if I were to explain in detail what I ate, I feel that it would be inappropriate. For I do not want to write something that someone else might take as the right thing to do for them! To reiterate we are all the same in a sense, just have different body chemistry. And what might work for me will not work for someone else and visa-versa!

I hope that I can show this as I compete at the Arnold next week. Which is not much time, however being that I was a competitive gymnast and cheerleader at a young age, and continued to work out ever since, I have conditioned my body so that it actually does not take long for me to react and change!

I do take the supplements Gakic, Leukic, and two weeks before a show stopping Creakic (Creakic on cycles). But I never take the recommended dose. I take much less, I am only five feet and 104lbs so I don’t think it would be great if I did. I do love the product and find it works great with my body chemistry!

I adore BodySpace… it was the best site I have ever joined and I am proud to be part of it!! It is so amazing! The people here are great, kind, wonderful, gosh I could go on however I think I would run out of room! 

The support and inspiration I have received from other people here has been quite incredible. I just wish I had enough time to get back to everyone. I am not the person that sits by the computer much, although I have found myself doing so for hours here conversing with everyone!! I love answering anyone’s questions hoping that they help - which I have been told they do. 

As a personal trainer and life coach I love what I do and could not imagine doing anything else. I thank God that I have been given the ability to help others. In reality isn’t that what we are all here for, is to help each other and find love and live a healthy life?!

I send many smiles to everyone in hoping they will help them smile… Smiles are contagious! As well as smiling and laughing helps lead a healthier life!  I want to thank Bodybuilding.com and everyone that works here… you are all so very awesome!

I am looking forward to continuing my relationship with all of you guys and the members, and getting you all to keep SMILING! 

Debbie Bell
http://contest.bodybuilding.com/bio/3739/
Change Your Body - Change your life!!!
I live and breath by that and always - always keep smiling

I just got back from the Fit Expo in Los Angeles and WOW I had a blast!

I got to meet many of my friends from MySpace that live in California and that was great that they took the time to come by and see me at the EFX Nutrition booth. I got to spend some time with my sweet friend over at Bodybuilding.com, Jamie Eason.

Me and BodySpace Member Charla!

If you have never met her, you need to! She is one of the prettiest models in the business and has the best personality you could ever imagine, her beauty is much more than skin deep! I got to spend some time with bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler and he is a super sweet guy too. Flex is responsible for me coming on board with EFX Nutrition and now I get to work with Flex and that is awesome!

Me and Texas State NPC Chairman Lee Thompson!

I saw many of my friends from the NPC in Texas at the Expo as well and they all came by to wish me well, I feel like I am part of the family already! I also got to see my good friend Dave Palumbo who I met at the Arnold 2 years ago. He just finished an article on me and it will be coming out in the very next Muscular Development Magazine. Thank you Dave:>)!!!

Me and Ms. Fitness Olympia Adela Garcia!

I was also interviewed by Iron Man Magazine and I will be coming out in a future issue with them too. Overall the LA Fit Expo was a great success and I look forward to next year’s show!

peace,

**BB**

Looking to examine the actual scorecards from the Iron Man Pro judging panel?

Well, look no further!  Here they are…

Click for larger version.

Click for larger version.

I don’t pretend to understand scoring, but if you do - well, then, here ya go!  LOL

I have now left Phil Heaths seminar and walked into Jay Cutler. Here is what he has to say:

He said he takes small steps and makes small goals to become the best in bodybuilding.

Being the best requires 7-10 meals per day. He takes in 300gm of protein, 1000 gms of carbs and gets around 7500 cals per day.
When dieting he flucuates his carbs, 400 one day, 300 on another, 500 the next etc.

He does no cardio at the moment, he doesnt like it. He doesnt want to come in any bigger, he just wants to come in better shape. He will be working on shoulder width, leg size and back detail.

He says his food is disgusting. Eating 20 egg whites and two yolks for breakfast is the hardest. This is what he finds is the hardest part of bodybuilding. He hasnt eaten for taste for 16 years but would love to eat bacon and eggs for a change.

His oldest brother is 20 years older than him and its his brothers who are his role models. They brought him up.

He sleeps a lot. His wife doesnt take him to the movies any more, as soon as the lights are dimmed, its lights out for him.

His main focus was to win 3 Mr. Olympias so he’s not focusing on competing after this year.

For water depleation, he will measure his water two weeks prior. He tapers from 4 gallons to 3, to two, until he is only sipping water the day before the show.

Chris Aceto was his nutritionist but isnt using anyone this year.

Besides bodybuilding his interests are football, basketball, reading mystery novels and cars.

He never turns down anyone who asks questions whilst he is training. He remembers a bodybuilder telling him to move when he was younger in the gym wanting to ask a question.

He wants to be remembered as a great ambassader of bodybuilding, not just the 11th Mr. Olympia.

When he goes to an event, within the contract is the timed schedule and transport to the nearest best gym. He has trained at some gyms that have cement filled milk jugs.

Im in Phil Heaths seminar. This is what he is saying.

"I know that I had to give up basketball when sometimes I would try to dribble the ball between my legs and it would always hit my calfs."

He dieted mainly on tuna on his first show. He used to eat oats straight out of the tub, no water, nothing.
The day before his first show he had to sleep in his car because his friends were having a party upstairs (on college campus)and he couldnt sleep. He had to use his cell phone as his wake up alarm, but more of his friends kept calling to wish him good luck in his show, thus he didnt have any sleep. He said that due to this he looked bad but ended up winning the show.

He loves sweets so he makes sure that he doesnt have them in the house.

His competitive career has been focused on each day as he cannot predict the next. He told his step son who plays games four hours a day to dedicate this amount of time to his school. He was having trouble with certain subjects so once applied he passed his exams. Phil does the same, dedicates time to his weaknesses to become a winner

Over the past couple of years he has realized that if he wanted something that he hadnt had before, he had to do something he didnt do before, thus he began to eat clean throughout the offseason.

His biggest challenges were to be honest with himself. He shot picks of himself in his bedroom to be objective with himself on a consistant basis.

His is an internet junkie when it comes to learning about nutrition, training, anatomy etc so he knows that he is more educated than everyone else and keeps improving.

He said that everyone trains hard, diets hard but Phils focuses more on consistancy. He doesnt want to get to the end of the year and know that he missed a meal, supplement, workout or cardio session.

He writes all of his articles that are seen published in FLEX magazine.

He did an hour and half of cardio this morning and 30 mins of weights

He said he is going to come in bigger and fuller in the back and chest for the Arnold. He will continue to keep his sodium very low, carbs will remain low.

Just got back to the host hotel from the 2008 Iron Man that was held at the LA Convention Center.

We got so much content, but with teh lack of sleep, i can only give you a preview of what to expect tomorrow and in the next few days.

Here is a preview from Kris Gethin (our Editor-In-Chief):

The finals proved to be quite a shock for most, as the athletes were jumbled up as much as a lottery from the earlier prejudging. Most notable was the switch of placing between Silvio from top three into fourth. Silvio was obviously quite emotional with the decision as he seemed to be very upset backstage with reigning Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler comforting him. I couldn’t complain too much with any of the final decisions, and in all, the judges did a very well, getting the crowds approval on most occasions. Here is a preview of what is to come:

1st Phil Heath
The dictionary’s new word for bodybuilding has to be changed to Phil Heath.  Just when we thought he couldn’t look any better, his added tan and oil only accentuated this awesome physique which soon will be hard to find spoils. His once overpowering arms were treated like a B rated movie due to the fact that his now massive legs take over the new blockbuster role at the box office. I see a new direction in bodybuilding with Phil, and that future looks very, very bright.

> View all pics here http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008im_pics.htm.

2nd Gustavo Badell
Posing to what seemed to be a tribute to his new sponsors ,Weider, Gustavo brought the house down to his adoring fans with the jingles of Puerto Rican as his backdrop. Looking notably tighter this evening, his symmetry looked better as his condition improved to display zipper like oblique’s.   Always paying attention to detail such as tan, hair, posing and presentation, Gustavo is a true professional on stage which all adds up to his continued run of podium finishes.

> View all pics here http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008im_pics.htm.

3rd Mo El Massouwi
Mo had the best placing to date and I am sure he will improve on this, but as far as condition goes I couldn’t see much at fault. His back will reap the awards of added thickness, especially when compared to someone who wants to expose such small flaws. I personally would’ve given this placing to Silvio but I have no problem seeing Mo represent the great country of New Zealand at the Olympia.

> View all pics here http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008im_pics.htm.

The full top ten will be posted tomorrow.

We shot over 8 hours of video that will be added to teh site over the next few days.

Full scorecards will be avalable soon.

The NPC Figure contest webcast video will be ready in the next 24 hours.

Thousands more photos coming in the next 48 hours also.

The video of Wolf and THe Goat will be coming soon!

WW

Looking for contest photos?  Where are the full results?

All of these and more are awaiting you on our complete 2008 Iron Man Pro main coverage page.  Don’t miss it!

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008im.htm

1) Phil Heath
2) Gustavo Badell
3) Moe El Moussawi
4) Silvio Samuel
5) Johnnie O. Jackson

Congrats to everyone!

1st - Phil Heath
2nd - Gustavo Badell
3rd - Mo El Mosuai
4th - Silvio Samuel
5th - Johnnie Jackson

10 th place - King Kamali.
9th Troy Alves
8th Toney Freeman
7th Eddie Abbew
6th Desmond Miller