Pro/Am Contests Blog

This year was my third time attending the Boise Fitness Expo and it was a blast as always! I always feel a sense of pride for being a part of Bodybuilding.com and getting to attend with VIP status It’s definitely an exciting event, and everyone in the whole office was running around like it was the last day of school. We were all pretty stoked! Plus, when you have people like Jamie Eason, Jay Cutler, Bill Romanowski (and the list goes on and on!) in the building, it gets tougher to focus!

Walking up to the expo is always exciting just because the line stretches down the street. Inside, it’s just elbow-to-elbow crowds of people! Once you make it up to the stage, Bob Chick’s running the show. It’s nonstop excitement, with dancing, competitions, announcements (Congrats to Bill and Will for being employees of the year, and to Jamie W for her awesome transformation!), as well as a special tribute to the late Jesse Marunde.

After taking a few rounds through the crowd, we ventured back up to the VIP room and relaxed a little. The stars filtered through, so we all got to spend a little time feeling special and mingling with them. And as the expo events started to wind down, the excitement sure didn’t. Many of us used the expo day for our cheat day, so we enjoyed what the bar had to offer.

I’ll be uploading more pictures to my BodySpace this week (even though Maxed Out Mike’s pictures are ten times better!). The night was a lot of fun, and it’s too darn bad we have to wait a whole year until the next one. I know next year will only be better… and I hope to see you there!

I had a blast at the Bodybuilding.com Fitness Expo this year.  I hadn’t ever been but I have heard alot of cool stories about the Expo from my friends who have attended in previous years.  I really enjoyed seeing some of my idols like Jay Cuter, Bob Chicherillo, and of course Bill Romanowski!  All of them are down to earth and not total meat heads like some people imagine.

Seeing Jay in real life was CRAZY!  I had seen him in pictures many times but in real life is insane, he is a monster!  I knew that the Expo is a big deal but I was shocked how many people showed up.  It’s cool to see that bodybuilding and fitness is big in Boise and draws a big crowd.  I can’t wait to go next year and experience it all over again.  I will leave a few minor details out about the end of the night.  But yeah it ROCKED!

Boise Fitness Expo 2008
At the Big Easy Concert House, Boise, Idaho

What a night. Arriving just after the girlfriend put an offer on a house (which we are still hoping she gets) the first thing I notice is a MILE of a line! WOW. Now this is my first time coming to the expo. I didn’t think it was going to be very big, because before I worked for BB.com, I never heard of the Boise Fit Expo (apparently I don’t get out much). Ron Avidian and Isaac Hinds were interviewing VP Jeremy DeLuca out front. A few co-workers were slammed at the door, so as a gentleman, I started helping out getting out the “empty bags” which were slammed packed with samples and supplements that vendors handed out inside. We had around 500 t-shirts, which went fast. To try and get the line to go smoother, we were running down the line, throwing shirts out, like cheerleaders at basketball game, we were only missing the slingshot to launch it into the upper deck!

Once I finally snuck inside, I headed in to look for other employees. The joint was packed! Music playing in the background, guys doing ez bar curls for a competition to win a supplement from BEAST sports. I got distracted at the main stage where the FAME Bikini Model search was taking place, which I think would stop any man, and a select women, in there steps. I make it up stairs and look for the other employees. Don’t have to go far, just have to head for the bar! After finding Ryan DeLuca, hanging out with the VIP wristbands, I get mine and mingle with some fellas from my dept. I attempt to go check out the different vendors, but I figured I get enough goodies being an employee that I’ll stay out of the way of the guests!

I head into the VIP room to hang out with a few employees and head to the balcony where we could see the venue and the stage. Jay Cutler is at the MuscleTech booth taking pictures and signing autographs. Bill Romanowski was signing copies of his book and promoting his new supplement line; Nutrition53, in another corner. BSN had their booth set up with “The Prodigy” Brandon Curry signing autographs and taking pictures. Up on the balcony, I bumped into ErgoPharm’s own Patrick Arnold was watching the ladies finish up the FAME Bikini contest. Thanks to the beautiful Crystal Matthews and the eccentric Jerome Ferguson for hosting the contest and getting the fans to cheer instead of just stair with their jaws on the floor in awe! After that, Boise’s on Marika Johansson, put on a great posing show, in her Viking format, equipped with a sword. She is stacked alone; does she really need the sword? No, but it adds for effect!

Alright, enough standing and watching pretty ladies on a stage, time for a drink! After socializing with a few employees and vendors, I figured I would venture through the crowd, now that its died down a little bit. During the last 3 months, BB.com did its own Transformation challenge within the office, the winner, gets to go to host the booth at the Olympia this fall! While everybody did amazing, we had to have a winner. Kris Gethin, our editor-in-chief and author of the Transformation challenge took it with our Marketing Anylist Jamie Winery coming in a close second. Since Kris gets to go to the Olympia anyway, he gave his winning tickets to Jamie! Ryan DeLuca and Bob Cicharillo awarding them onstage.

Cruising around the crowd, I get over to meet Scott, the owner of BSN as well as get a picture with Brandon Curry. During that, Ryan DeLuca and Bob Cicharillo were up on stage handing out the employee of the year award! And GUESS WHAT…… It wasn’t me. Damn. I think it was rigged, but anyways, the winner’s were (that’s right, two EOY’s) Web Content Manager Will Wiedenmann and Purchasing Specialist Bill Baldry (and it’s the first time any of us have EVER seen Billy without a hat!). Went around and got to meet the guys from MuscleTech (and yes a picture with Jay) and then headed back upstairs.

As the vendors started running dry of free stuff, they started to gather up stairs in the VIP. Up here I got to meet and spend some time with a few new people. Bill Romanowski was hanging out, he had his ’98 Denver Bronco SuperBowl ring I got to try on. This was a huge moment for me, as it is the closest I will ever get to a Super Bowl and the Broncos are my team! Also got to spend some time with Brian Roubach from PhenogenX, Dave Nelson from iForce Nutrition, and Patrick Arnold from ErgoPharm; These aren’t your science nerds from high school! Some very cool guys that were fun to hang out with and represent great companies! Also got to swap some stories with Jerome Fergeson; Saw him at lunch earlier that day with his hair up, and he is actually 6’4 when he has his hair up. Its nuts! Of course I got to meet Jamie Eason finally, as she always was coming to the office when I wasn’t there! All in all, it was a great night! Big thanks go out to the Big Easy for hosting and of course to Dave Middleton, our marketing and events manager, for bringing it all together! If you missed it this year, don’t let it happen again next year! BFE 09 here we come!

So I went to the Boise Fit Expo last night. What a crazy experience!

I got there 2 hours early so I could be at the front of the line. There were about 10 people ahead of me when I got there and that number grew to about 40 with all the cutting going on. I swear one kid let his whole football team in front of him. A few of the ’special guests’ made there way outside to pose with the bodybuilding.com sponsored race car. Bob Cicherillo, Mak Attack, Hollywood, and the Fame Reps were a few come out and pose.

I had met up with a couple friends in line, but actually ended up hanging out with the lady ahead of me in line. Her name was Janet and she happened to be the concierge at the hotel all the special guests were staying at. They all recognized her and we got to chat with some of them. YAY!

We finally got in the door at about 6:10 and squeezed our way around the bottom floor and then to the upper floor. This was my first BFE so I had no idea it would be like this. I seriously felt like a sardine for about 2 hours. It also felt like a race to grab as much free stuff as possible while pretending to listen to what the vendors had to say. After filling 3 bags, we made our way to the dance pit.

We found a good place to stand up on a ledge. It was a great view for the events to follow. The bikini contest had a very poor turnout. There was about 6 girls. As soon as the girl who ended up winning walked on stage, I KNEW she would win. She had the best ass out there! She was also very confident, pretty, and had a rockin suit. There were a few girls that could stand to put on a little muscle and lose a little bf but it was pretty entertaining to see all the hooting and hollering.

There were a few performances by a local dance troupe, Studio C. They did a good job, but their choice of costume wasn’t very flattering. (come on this is a fitness expo!) Mak Attack was totally cheesy as always. It was fun to watch, but a professional choreographer would help tremendously. Her back up dancers were also not the best example of being in shape. I guess they were there to help Mak look better. There was also a performance by the bboy break dance crew. THEY WERE AMAZING! Best entertainment of the night!

The Mr. Puniverse contest was interesting. A few were booed off for having muscles, a few weren’t even old enough to compete, and the ones that were left were pathetic. They were great sports though. They all had their fan clubs rooting them on. At one point the top three took their pants off for a pose down. It was hilarious. The guy that won last year had improved too much to keep his title and passed it on to a scrawny red head kid. So fun! He earned a 250 gift certificate to bb.com. Hopefully he will use it on weight-gainers!

There was pose routine by Marika Johansson. She was a warrior princess with a sword. It was pretty cool, but a little drawn out.

I took my pic with Jay Cutler of course. He’s huge!! -and in desperate need of a new hairstyle!!

I wanted to meet Jamie Eason. She was mostly the reason I went. I saw her onstage and that was it. She spent most of the night backstage. boo!!!

Anyway, I had fun, and will definitely be going next year. Hopefully they will chose a bigger place to hold the event at next time.

The Boise Fitness Expo will be held this Friday at the Big Easy.  If you are in Boise or the surrounding areas, I would highly suggest you stopping on by to see Jay Cutler, Bill Romanowski, Jamie Eason and lots of other pros.  Check out the full details at:

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

See you all there!

WW

FAME World Tour has teamed up with Bodybuilding.com to host a FAME Bikini Model Search that will be held at this year’s Boise Fitness Expo in Boise, Idaho on Friday, April 11th, 2008. The bikini model search is open to all females looking to win $500 in cash but to also walk away with their Pro Status from FAME.

Because we are working with Bodybuilding.com they are generously offering FREE registration for this event! So there is no reason not to compete. To register, log onto the FAME website or go directly here to sign up:

http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=604737

Also, since this is a Pro Qualifier the winner can come to Toronto, Ontario to compete in the 2008 FAME World Championships Pro Show among the other Bikini Pros. Check out more details on the FAME World Championships by visiting www.FAMEworldtour.com!

FREE ENTRY -

FAME Bikini Model Search
Date: Friday April 11th 2008
Location: The Big Easy Concert Hall - 416 S 9th St.
Athlete Registration: 4pm @ The Big Easy
Bikini Model Search: Starts @ 6pm

See you there!

Shannon Lucier
Event Manager/Promoter/Athlete Liaison
WNSO and FAME World Tour
slucier@FAMEmediagroup.com
www.wowFAME.com

The Bodybuilding.com FAME Bikini Model Search kicks off the 2008 FAME World Tour in the United States on April 11. With a cash prize purse of $500 (Winner Takes All), Pro Status, the ability to compete in the FAME World Championships Pro Showdown; and FREE Entry, anyone who is Body-Proud should take advantage of this amazing opportunity.

I am coming out to this event together with WNSO Pro and Magazine Cover Model, Lyzabeth Lopez. We are both extremely excited about this! It’s going to be a blast meeting new athletes!

WNSO Pro Lyzabeth Lopez.

We’re also co-hosting the “All About FAME Justin.TV Weekly Program”; awarding someone the newest title of FAME Pro, and enjoying all that the 2008 Boise Fitness Expo has to offer!

To enter the event and to learn more about the Bikini Model Search, visit www.FAMEworldtour.com

Remember, there is no entry fee… it is FREE! So sign up today and we’ll see you on stage!

:-) Mindy

Mindy Blackstien
Co-President, World Natural Sports Organization (WNSO)
Co-Producer, FAME World Tour
Executive Editor, FAME Magazine
www.FAMEworldtour.com

Body Proud? Get FAME!

Do you live in the Pacific Northwest?  Will you be attending the 2008 BFE (Boise Fitness Expo) here in Boise, Idaho on April 11th?  We need you!

We’re looking for a few good men (and women) to blog about their experiences at the BFE.  Please PM me for details.   =)

This year’s BFE features an official FAME bikini model contest.  We can’t wait to bring FAME to Boise this year!  =)

It’s gonna be a blast!

We are getting ready here in Boise for the upcoming 2008 Boise Fitness Expo!

This will be the 7th year for the event and I have been a proud part of the team since the beginning.  

Get info on this year’s show and coverage of the previous year’s shows at:

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

I hope to see LOTS of you in Boise, Idaho at the Big Easy on April 11th!

See you there!

WW

This clip from the 2007 WFF Gold’s Gym Treasure Valley Classic this past Saturday (part of the 2007 Boise Fitness Expo weekend) features some trophy presentation highlights as well as some post-show interviews by Brad Hollibaugh, Bill Housel, Brenda Kelly, Derek Snelson, Jeannie Zingg, Jeanie & Rob Schouten, and Jake Hamaker!

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

This year’s Bodybuilding.com Employees of the Year are Josh Brouse and Joe Guilliams!  Watch this video to hear their acceptance speeches and Joe’s infamous “Wassum!” - LOL.

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

IFBB Fitness Pro, Laura Mak and the Groove Attack did a great dance routine for the crowd at the 2007 Boise Fit Expo.  Check out this exclusive dance footage only on Bodybuilding.com!

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

IFBB Pro Bodybuilder and 2007 Ms. Olympia contender, Dayana Cadeau did a sexy dance/posing routine for the crowd at the 2007 Boise Fit Expo, and told us what she needs to do to beat Iris Kyle this year.  Check out this exclusive video footage only on Bodybuilding.com!

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

Reigning Mr. Olympia, Jay “Cuts” Cutler posed for the crowd at the 2007 Boise Fit Expo, and gave his Top 5 predictions for the upcoming 2007 Mr. Olympia contest.  Check out this exclusive video footage only on Bodybuilding.com!

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

Two-time IPF Open World Female Powerlifting Champion, Priscilla Ribic broke the world record for female deadlifts by hefting 555 lbs. as part of the 2007 Boise Fit Expo weekend.  Watch her break the world record right here!

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

This interview with Bodybuilding.com writer and former Mr. Idaho, Lance Sganzini was taken on Saturday night during the 2007 Treasure Valley Classic in Boise, ID, as part of the Boise Fit Expo weekend.  Hear Lance’s pre-show predictions!

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