Pro/Am Contests Blog

The 2008 NPC Steel World Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships information is now available at:

www.NPCSteelWorld.com

The contest takes place on May 30-31, 2008 in Mobile, Alabama.  Hope to see you there!

The first Muscle Beach Toy Drive took place December 14, 15, & 16 at the Weight Pen. Over 450 toys and $300.00 in cash donations were raised for the Venice Bible Tabernacle Church. The church is dedicated to providing toys to homeless and needy children in Venice and the surrounding area.

The Toy Drive was sponsored by Joe Wheatley Productions, Bobybuilding.com, Iron Man Magazine, HeadBlade and Muscle & Fitness.  Each individual who donated. received a gift from the sponsors and all the gifts were very popular.

The Church Choir performed on Saturday afternoon and drew in the Boardwalk crowd.

What would a toy Drive be without Santa Claus A.K.A Joe Wheatley and his helpers. Special Thanks to Barb Garcia, Delinia Lewis, Cheryl Stoneham and Marie Cunningham for their enthusiasm and energy along the Boardwalk.

A highlight of the afternoon included the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation  to John Balik from the City of Los Angeles and Councilmen Bill Rosendahl for his work and support of bodybuilding activities at Muscle Beach.

The challenge is out for the 2008 Season with a Venice Christmas Parade which will culminate with the Toy Drive. We encourage everyone to participate in next years event and donate to a very worthy cause.

The Animal Barbell Club sessions have gone really well, have been hardcore and well worth anyone’s time.

It is great to meet all the people that you talk to on the computer face-to-face. Haven’t been yet?  Hook up with us at a session sometime!

Next Animal Barbell Club:

Saturday December 29, 2007 - 5:00 p.m.

The Source
2922 Duss Ave
Ambridge PA 15003

The House and all the rest of my Animal brothers will be there throwin’ down some iron!

Details at:

http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=396

Later, and Merry Christmas!

In Iron
The House

This Saturday, December 15th, 2007, don’t miss the Animal Barbell Club in Akron, Ohio.

I’ll be there, so come on out and say hello!

animalpak.com

The ON/ABB NPC Midwest Ironman 2007 was held this past weekend, Saturday, December 8th in Chicago, IL.

Final results are as follows:

Teen Light
1st Place, Don Galvin
2nd Place Tareq Alajjouri

Teen Heavy
1st Place and Overall, Steven Bechtold

Masters Women 35+
1st Place and Overall, Marie Saez
2nd Place, Wendy Kust
3rd Place, Carol Atchison

Masters Men 35-39
1st Place, Sean Royer
2nd Place, Jim Kolke
3rd Place, Paul Reyes

Masters Men 40-49
1st Place and Overall, Linzell Stackhouse
2nd Place, Ron Voss
3rd Place, Lonnie Lay
4th Place, Randy Merrigan
5th Place, Skip Collman

Masters Men 50-59
1st Place, Steven Bollinger
2nd Place, John Kolodziejczak
3rd Place, Steve Hodges
4th Place, Jim Thompson

Masters Men 60+
1st Place and Overall, John Kolodziejczak
2nd Place, Tae Yu Yom

Novice Women Light
1st Place and Overall, Gail Auerbach
2nd Place, Mackenzie Danner

Novice Women Heavy
1st Place, Marie Saez
2nd Place, Katie Skelly
3rd Place, Carol Atchinson

Novice Men Middleweight
1st Place, Steven Bechtold
2nd Place, Jeremy Gunderson
3rd Place, Octavio Bravo

Novice Men Light Heavy
1st Place, Christian Stangl
2nd Place, Jake Baumgartner
3rd Place, Sean Royer
4th Place, Phil Clark
5th Place, Nick Greco

Novice Men Heavy
1st Place and Overall, Byron Hicks
2nd Place, Jim Kolke
3rd Place, Dwight Heardman
4th Place, Chuck Bono
5th Place, Matt Kornick

Masters Figure
1st Place, Judy Weichman
2nd Place, Susan Wiley
3rd Place, Saddi Dujour
4th Place, Christina Squire
5th Place, Sue Nemec

Figure Short
1st Place, Alicia Harris
2nd Place, Sirvan Ergila
3rd Place, Andrew Concha
4th Place, Jessi Brickner
5th Place, Delilah Matos

Figure Tall
1st Place and Overall, Heather Berman
2nd Place, Judy Weichman
3rd Place, Susan Wiley
4th Place, Chaya Boone
5th Place, Lynn Mroski

Open Women’s Light
1st Place, Mackenzie Danner

Open Women’s Middle
1st Place and Overall, Gail Auerbach

Open Women’s Heavy
1st Place and Most Symmetrical, Katie Skelly
2nd Place, Wendy Kust

Open Men’s Light
1st Place, Randy Merrigan

Open Men’s Middle
1st Place, Linzell Stackhouse
2nd Place, Larry Crowe

Open Men’s Heavy
1st Place, Christian Stangl
2nd Place, Jake Baumgartner
3rd Place, Sean Royer
4th Place, Todd Noe
5th Place, Nick Greco

Open Men’s Heavy
1st Place and Overall, Sasha Petrov
2nd Place, Byron Hicks
3rd Place, Jim Kolke
4th Place, Dwight Hardman
5th Place, Chuck Bona

Open Men’s Super Heavy
1st Place, Jemarh Patterson
2nd Place, Jaimis Demartina

For more information, please visit:

http://www.npcillinoisbodybuilding.com/page002.aspx

I competed in the 2007 NPC Excalibur on 12/1 in Culver City, CA. I took sixth place in the Grand Masters class. It was a large class and I underestimated exactly how good these guys would be.

The transition from powerlifter to an elite organization like the NPC is huge. I got my butt kicked and missed my name being called and hence didn’t pump up or have my oil on properly (I’m a dope) - my mind was so scattered at this point that I blew my poses and must have looked like a deer in the headlights!! LOL!!

The upside was I brought my weight from the 240 lb range down to 204. I think I overdid the cardio and lowered my calories too much. I now know what I have to do and have a fire lit under my butt… the NPC Contra Costa is my next show. Regardless of where I place in that show, I will show up in the best possible shape and bring my “A” game!

I want to thank my, friend, BOSS and inspiration Tammy Renee and Real Gainz Fitness Magazine, LLC for all the support, encouragement and exposure I have received. If it weren’t for Tammy and Real Gainz, I have no idea where my life would be right now.  Subscribe to Real Gainz Magazine you won’t be sorry! It’s like a complete journal for everything you need to know in the fitness world!

I would also like to thank one of my favorite people in the whole wide world. My friend, sweetheart and one of the most beautiful people I know inside and out, Fitness Model Monica Starr.  Monica was a constant supporter and cheerleader and encouraged me thoughout the day to not give up and to stay positive, especially after I almost got disqualified for not being bright enough to know when I was supposed to be on stage! Guys, join Monica’s website (www.monicastarr.net) - you won’t be sorry!!!

Last, but not least, I would like to thank my friend, family, confidante, HERO and inspirational force… Ava Cowan.  Figure America Overall Champion Ava Cowan helped me in more ways than I could put into words. Ava was there for me every step of the way.  If only I had listened sooner! She told me I was doing to much cardio and was off on my diet. I listened to her too late and even though I picked up ground at the end because of my thickheadedness, it was too little too late for me.

To ANYONE out there from competitor, to fitness enthusiast, to anyone just wanting to improve their condition, join Ava’s website and “Get Fit with Ava Cowan!”  You will shock yourself with your conditioning and Ava’s knowledge!  I also want to thank all my MySpace friends for their encouragement and kind words…

All the best and Happy Holidays,

your friend Rob Carbo

I competed and won at the Metroflex RAW (unequipped) bench press contest last night and had a great time. For those of you who are not familiar with the gym, Metroflex has produced many great bodybuilders and is the current stomping grounds of Branch Warren.

There were no other women competing, so I won as soon as I made my first lift.    In any case, I opened with 135 lbs, moved up to 145 lbs for the second lift, and finished with 150 lbs.  All three lifts were made pretty easily and with no noticeable stress to my shoulder.

I also had a great time competing and hanging out with all the folks at Metroflex!  Their eBook, which I had the pleasure of contributing a couple of snippets to, is coming out soon!  See the link here.

Jean Jitomir

Here’s a tentative list of 2008 NPC shows in Florida, courtesy of John Hawley from MusclePapa.com.

Tentative 2008 Florida NPC Schedule:

-March 8 National Wheelchair (Level VI) and Sunshine Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Classic (Level V) Contact Frank Dalto, 2 Old Meadow Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 (tel., 561-627-9638 or 561-626-4461).

-April 5 Diamond Bodybuilding and Emerald Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure Championships (Level IV) Contact: Ruel Griffin, RIPP’S PROMOTIONS, P.O. Box 10577, Riviera Beach, FL 33419-0577 (tel. 561-844-8659 or 561-574-6808). E-mail:
RippsOneStopBodyShop@gmail.com

-April 5 Panhandle Bodybuilding and Figure Championships (Level IVA) and NPC North District Bodybuilding and Figure Championships- (Level III) Contact: Russ Mesey/Mike Langford - Tel. 850-244-1629 E-Mail: maxmuscle591@yahoo.com

-April 26 Gateway Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure (Level IVA- Non qualifiter) & Lake City Bodybuilding (Level I) & Gateway Classic. Contact: Tony Curtis, Future Fitness of North Florida, Inc., 1445 SW Main Blvd., Suite 130, Lake City, FL 32025 (tel. 386-752-3100) www.FutureFitnessfl.com.

-May 3 Southern USA Bodybuilding (Level V) and Shannon Dey Figure & Fitness Classic */Panama City Bodybuilding & Figure (Level I)- Southern USA- National Qualifier. For all contest information, refer to Shannon’s web site: shannondey.net.or contact Shannon at her e-mail: shannondey@bellsouth.net or Pat Sporer at 850-277-0607 and his e-mail: PSI-Guy@webtv.net

-May 10 The Superior Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure (Level II) Contact: Dr. Peter John Rhoden, Natural Healthcare Clinic, 2713 N. Andrews Ave., Wilton Manors, FL 33311 (tel. 954-568-5252 or 954-434-0303) and Adolfo Robles (tel. 954-392-9588).

-May 24 Gulf Coast Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure (Level IVA). Contact: Matt & Beverly DiRenzo, 1110 Pine Island Rd. 22, Cape Coral, FL 33909 (tel. 239-910-1266) www.GulfCoastChampionships.com.

-June 7 Central Florida District Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure (Level III). Contact: Deborah Callahan. P.O. Box 24210, Lakeland, FL 33802 or e-mail: debsgym@verizon.net . Tel. 863-683-9300 or 863-698-2887.

-June 14 Tampa Bay Bodybuilding & Figure (Level III). Contact: John G. Schleicher, P.O. Box 270775, Tampa, FL 33688-0775 (tel. 813-962-1354). Web site: www.tampabayclassicbodybuilding.com.

-June 21 Mid-Florida Muscle Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure (Level IV) Contact: Deke Warner, 8536 Peconic Dr., Orlando, FL 32835 (tel. 407-291-9719) www.DekeWarner.com.

-July 5 Miami Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships (Level III) Contact: George Prince, 3740 SW 128th Ave., Miami, FL 33175 (tel. 786-236-4691) and Sergio Pacheco, PHYSIQUE WORLD GYM, 1545 W. 40th St., Hialeah, FL 33012 (tel. 305-823-8346).

-July 11-12 Southern States Fitness & Figure Championships (Level V). Maria Bellando Women’s Fitness & Figure. Maria Bellando, IFBB Fitness Pro, at 305-233-9257 or 305-968-3318 or e-mail: mbfit1@bellsouth.net . www.npcsouthernstates.com

-July 19 Ancient City Classic Bodybuilding (Level II), Fitness, & Figure (Level IV). Contact: Gene Schlossberg, WORLD GYM, 1650 U.S. 1 South, St. Augustine, FL 32086 (tel. 904-829-3443). Web site: www.staugworldgym.net

-August 1-2 IFBB Jacksonville Pro-Figure Champships/ Dexter Jackson Classic (Level IV). Contact Dexter Jackson or Gale Elie 904-993-0872 www.DexterJacksonClassic.com.

-August 9 IFBB Tampa Pro Bodybuilding Championships/ NPC Figure Extravaganza (IVa). Contact: Tim Gardner, 3960 Premier North Drive, Tampa, FL 33618 (tel. 813-908-7763). Web site: www.hurricanebay.net

-August 16- Debbie Kruck Classic. Website:
www.DebbieKruckClassiconlinemagazine.com

-August 23- Florida State Championships Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure (Level V). Contact: Deke Warner, 8536 Peconic Dr., Orlando, FL 32835 (tel. 407-291-9719 & 321-276-3057). E-Mail: deke@bellsouth.net www.DekeWarner.com.

-August 30- National All Forces Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure Championships (Level V). Tampa, Florida. Contact Roger Puffer RPUFFER@Tampabay.rr.com.

-Sept. 6- Royal Palm Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure. Ft. Myers, Florida. Contact Calvin Choy 239-691-2232 cc.mortagesdowright@yahoo.com.

-Sept. 13- Lakeland Classic Bodybuilding & Figure (Level III) Contact: Deborah Callahan, P.O. Box 24210, Lakeland, FL 33802. E-mail: debsgym@verizon.net . (Tel. 863-683-9300 or 863-698-2887).

-Sept. 20- Hurricane Bay Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure/ Typhoon Bay Bodybuilding (Level IV). Contact: Tim Gardner, 3960 Premier North Drive, Tampa, FL 33618 (tel. 813-908-7763). Web site: www.hurricanebay.net

-Oct. 4- Southeastern USA Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure (Level V). Eaddy-Williams Events, 640 N. Pine Ave., Oviedo, FL 32765. Tel. 407-721-7306 or 407-474-8502. Web Site; www.southeasternusa.com

-Oct. 11- IFBB Palm Beach Pro Figure & NPC Palm Beach Amateur Figure & Fitness (Level IV). Contact: John Organ, Tel. 561-582-4111, E-Mail: Bambjpo@aol.com .

-Oct. 18- Greater Gainesville Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure (Level II). Contact Brian Elliott 352-672-1611 ESA-Realty@inbox.com.

-Nov. 8- All South Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure Championships (Level V). Contact: Pete Fancher, 4230 Stoney Pt. Rd., Melbourne, FL 32940 (tel. 321-917-1340) and Gene Schlossberg, WORLD GYM, 1650 U.S. 1 South, St. Augustine, FL 32086. Website:
www.AllSouthChampionships.com.

-Nov. 15- Florida Gold Cup Bodybuilding (Level IV). Contact: Frank Dalto, 2 Old Meadow Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 (tel. 561-627-9638).

-Nov 29- South Florida District Championships Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure. Contact: Sergio Pacheco & Mari Redondo 305-823-8346 & redondomari@aol.com. www.SouthFloridaChampionships.com.

Not sure on these two:
**Space Coast Bodybuilding & Figure Competition in Melbourne?
**West Palm Beach BB/ Anna Level Fitness & Figure?

Check out this great review with photos from the recent 2007 FAME North American Championships held last month in Miami, Florida, USA - courtesy of the team at NorthAmericanBodies.com.  Click here to view:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2007famena.htm

Congratulations go out to BodySpace members Ava Cowan, Alex Fontaine, Diana Chaloux, and Scott Hults for their wins!

Click image for larger version.

Wow, check out those great BB.com t-shirts! 

You won’t want to miss Ava Cowan’s FAME Tropical competition on May 17, 2008!

I am so excited to be collaborating with the WNSO (World Natural Sports Organization) to bring you “Ava Cowan’s FAME Tropical” here in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in May 2008!  Spring time in Florida is so beautiful, and the beaches are waiting for you! Here is all of the information you will need to know, and you will have 5 months to prepare for the show!

Calling All Natural Athletes!

What: Ava Cowan’s FAME Tropical- Pro Qualifier for ALL CATEGORIES!!
Where: The War Memorial Auditorium just minutes from some the most incredible beaches in the world!  Perfect for relaxing or using for some incredible photo shoot locations!

This venue is huge!  Competitors, the stage is large and beautifully lit.  And sponsors there are 20,000 square feet of potential exhibit space, able to accommodate up to 125 8?x10? booths. A large outdoor display area is also available.  And there is the capability to seat 2110.

When: May 17, 2008

This Level 2 show will consist of all competition categories and will not only be a qualifier for the FAME World Championships but the annual FAME North American Championships in Miami in November.

Categories: Swimsuit Model, Fitness Model, Muscle Model, Figure, Bodybuilding - Pro Qualifier!!

Athletes, this is your time to shine.  And through FAME you can achieve your fitness goals by competing!  From the first time competitor to the most advanced athlete, there is a division for everyone!  There is nothing better than the feeling of setting personal goals and achieving them.  I get asked all of the time, how do I stay on my diets, and the answer is I COMPETE!  And I do it naturally, and so can you!

I look forward to meeting each and every one of you!

Register today at http://www.wowfame.com

The link to register directly is
http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=172649

Ava Cowan CPTS, NSCA-CPT
WNSO Figure Professional
Figure America Overall Champion
FAME Advanced Figure North American Champion

I just wanted to give you some feedback about my recent competition a couple of weekends ago, the FAME Fitness Hollywood Figure America, held in L.A. on November 17th.

I must say that it hasn’t quite hit me as I sift through emails, clean the house and do the laundry.  But every now and again I just sit here and play back in my mind how everything unfolded.  I am so glad that I did get video of the show, and that was so awesome to see.

I don’t know what to say other than, I set two goals for myself this year - to turn pro and to win the Ms. Figure America, and I achieved both.  But I know myself, and I will be looking for the next challenge on my journey.  And I am sure that will be the Ms. Figure Universe and the FAME World Championships in Toronto next summer!

Thank you for all of the incredible comments, they really mean so much to me!

Most Importantly, all things are possible!

Ava Cowan CPTS, NSCA-CPT
WNSO Figure Professional
Figure America Overall Champion
FAME Advanced Figure North American Champion