SecondFocus Blog

This has been one of my favorite photos of Lee which I shot at the Arnold in 2005, so I thought I would share it with you.

I have been giving a lot of thought to the year, it has been a very busy one and a lot of fun. I perhaps covered more shows than all but a couple of other photographers and got to see many of my friends and make a lot of new ones around the country. So it is that time of year that we kind of reflect back. Pro BodyBuilding Weekly did a great show recently about the big stories for 2006 and I was around for all or most of them. And one of the big stories was Lee Priest and his battle over competing in a different federation other than the IFBB. Regardless of how people feel about the fight over the IFBB rules and about Lee personally, he has been a great bodybuilder.

I will go back and share some more moments in photos with you from the year. So please keep coming back! Thanks!

BodyBuilding.com has released it’s Best Of 2006 and my photos from the 2006 Olympia of Jay Cutler won the best wallpaper. The Nationals in Miami and the Olympia won best competition. My photos and reports were a major part of the coverage for BodyBuilding.com for both and much of it right here on my Blog as well as the Olympia Blog. So take a look right here at Best Of 2006. It has been a great year and it is not over yet. And Thank You! Come back here for more!

Well not actually. Ronnie was at the 2006 Nationals in Miami last month and handed out some hardware. Yes he says he is going to come back and win the Olympia for 2007. Ronnie certainly took the Nationals fans who greeted him with deafening applause. The man is one popular Mr. O!

Many of you have already seen the coverage of Desmond Miller winning the overall at the NPC Nationals in Miami in November. This 32 year old super heavyweight is really amazing and many people have been comparing him to the Ronnie Coleman of a few years ago. And having stood and talked with him, I would too. He has that amazing muscle thickness and development that is somewhat unique.

I just had to re-visit my photos from the Nationals so I thought I would share a few more with you of this amazing bodybuilder.

I said I was going to put up a couple of more photos of Kris Gethin at the NPC 2006 Excalibur Bodybuilding and Figure Championship last weekend. And I always try to do what I say I am going to do, so here they are. What was fun is that I know, and you know Kris, as a writer and photographer in the business. But this time he was on stage so all of his peer group photographers including myself gave him the evil camera eye. But he did great and had more fun than he will ever admit.

But we can’t let it go without saying that Kris has a new endeavor and has published Kaged Muscle Magazine. Burning up the late hours as something he really enjoys doing, he is now on his second edition. It takes some courage to do a print magazine in this day of all internet all the time but Kris is keeping his magazine regional and somewhat specialized. It was a hot property at the show and I even missed keeping a copy for myself. You can check out the website at http://kagedmuscle.com. We all wish Kris well, he is a good guy. I hope the magazine is a great success.

I still owe you more coverage from this show. It was the last one of the season so I am making it last! Keep coming back. Thanks!

No, not me!. Although the older classes in the NPC are fast growing. When I was at the NPC 2006 Excalibur Bodybuilding and Figure Championship on Saturday, at the Veteran’s Auditorium in Culver City CA, I expected to see my good friend, bodybuilding writer and photographer Kris Gethin in the press seats and backstage as usual. Backstage he was, but pumping up, tanning up and getting ready. Kris was doing the show! That was fun, and by the way, I knew this was going to be a big show and it was. There were 178 competitors really good and quality competitors. Anyway Kris came in 4th in the Novice Light Heavyweight class. I told him it was like getting 4 first class wins all at once. In the future you will be seeing more reporting and stories from Kris right here on BodyBuilding.com. And watch for more here about the show and in the Competitions section.

It is Pearl Harbor Day so I had to make a military blog update. I just verified this today with Bob Cicherillo. This is great stuff! I must say that I never expected a bodybuilding show to be successful on "radio". I mean after all it is a visual sport. But I was wrong on this one. My best congratulations to Bob and Dan and to what has been one of the best things to ever promote bodybuilding since Arnold and BodyBuilding.com
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Armed Forces to broadcast Bodybuilding Radio!

New Broadcast deal brings PBW to International Military Audience

Just days after announcing a landmark deal that will bring professional bodybuilding to Sirius Satellite Radio, “Pro Bodybuilding Weekly is showing no signs of slowing down. The popular bodybuilding talk show announces a new deal that will bring bodybuilding to “American Forces Radio (formerly known as Armed Forces Radio). With more than 500 AFN affiliate stations, PBW will now be available to the military community stationed throughout the world.

Rob Wilkins, a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, who serves as PBW’s Military Correspondent, explains, “Bodybuilding is very popular among the men and women serving in the military. There has always been a strong relationship between the Armed Forces and the sport of bodybuilding.

Currently stationed at the Pentagon, Wilkins also serves as the IFBB’s Military Liaison. “We want to be sure that everyone has the opportunity to keep up with the latest developments surrounding our sport. This is very exciting news.

PBW’s Executive Producer Dan Solomon adds, “The popularity of bodybuilding within the Armed Forces community is tremendous. Since we launched the show, we have received incredible support from the troops. We are very proud to be included in their radio network.

Currently available in 170 countries with more than 500 affiliate stations, American Forces Radio joins Sirius Satellite Radio on a growing list of major PBW broadcast outlets. Presented by MuscleTech, the show will also remain available in its original webcast format.

Replay Central: As PBW celebrates the holiday season, you’re invited to re-visit any of the prior broadcasts. From Lou Ferrigno, Lee Haney and Dorian Yates to King Kamali, Lee Priest and Craig Titus:the voice of pro bodybuilding has logged nearly 60 hours on the air, including the exclusive first interview with newly crowned Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, and Ben Weider’s final interview as IFBB President.

PBW returns in January! For more information, visit www.BodybuildingRadio.com

If this guy ever has to fly coach, I feel really sorry for anyone in the seats next to him. Joel Stubbs could have a great career as a road block. Anything you hear about Joel having the biggest back in the IFBB are just true. He dropped by the NPC 2006 Excalibur Bodybuilding and Figure Championship yesterday in Culver City CA, handed out some trophies and lost his shirt.

In town to train at the Koloseum Gym in Fullerton CA with super trainer Milos Sarcev, Joel is on his way back to his home in the Bahamas for an IFBB show in just two weeks. By the way, I am sure you want to know, he is 6 ft 3 and 300 lbs. And I must say that this man’s sense of humor, good nature and quick smile are every bit as big as his back.

Like I always say, you never know who is going to show up. You really need to come out to the shows in person. It’s a lot of fun! More to follow.