Monday, August 31, 2009

Song of the Week-Plies "Plenty Money"

This song has NOTHING to do with me right now, as I don't have "plenty money", but it's a good song to jam to for cardio.




BTW, a BIG congrats to everyone that turned pro this weekend at the 2009 North Americans and those that competed this weekend at BOTH the North Americans and the Houston Pro. And a VERY Special congrats to Jennifer Gates, as she will be welcoming her thrid child soon! This announcement dramatically changes the Figure Olympia, as I will touch on that sometime this week.

We're kicking it into high gear now, folks. The Olympia is a week away!!!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

FitGems Q and A Live Chat Replay

IMHO, the first-ever FitGems Q and A Chat was a pretty good success. For over an hour, several things were discussed, including how I got involved with HDPhysiques, why I created FitGems in the first place, and even the thought of producing a magazine revolving FitGems! I've gotta admit, I haven't thought too much into that, but who knows? Maybe that will be a goal someday.

To replay the chat, check it out below:




It's not been confirmed yet, but the next chat is set to be on Labor Day (September 7) at noon, and it will be a special Olympia version. We'll talk about this year's Olympia, and possibly Olympias of the past as well. If things go right, there may be some special guests on here as well. I will keep you all posted as time progresses.

To everyone competing at the Houston Pro and North Americans this weekend...good luck!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

REMINDER: FitGems Q and A Chat is TOMORROW!!!

This is a reminder to all of you that tomorrow night at 7PM Eastern/6PM Central, there will be a live question and answer chat, as the topic this month will be the man behind FitGems. I hope many of you will take part in this event, as I'm willing to open up and answer whatever you may have for me.

For starters, I'll explain in detail how and why I created FitGems, how I got employed by HDPhysiques, how I got involved in the sport in the first place, and why I love it so much, my thoughts on the past, present, and future of this sport and its competitors, among other things.

The chat is set to last one hour at the most, as I know you and I have things to do.

http://www.fitgemsnation.net/page/q-and-a-chat

If there's something you want to ask me and you WON'T be able to make the chat, just email me at admin@fitgemsnation.net.

This is your big chance to get to know someone who's been a fan/supporter of the industry since around middle school and wants to give back into a great sport. Hope to see many of you tomorrow at 7PM Eastern/6PM Central!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Song of the Week-Sick Puppies "You're Going Down"

In my honest opinion, this is the song I would choose if the Olympia were to have a theme song. We're less than a month away, folks!!Well...if anything else, it's an awesome workout song! :)

IFBB Advisory Notice regarding Video Rights

For those want to capture video footage at pro events...you might want to read this before getting any bright ideas:

This was taken directly from the IFBB Website
(
http://www.ifbbpro.com/news/advisory-notice-082009/):




Can't say I didn't warn ya! :)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

FitGems Live Question and Answer Chat is Set for Next Week!

I gotta be honest with ya, this just might be my most insane idea yet.

Next Wednesday Night (August 26th) at 7 Eastern./6 Central, I'll be on the site live to take questions from those who are interested. Each month (hopefully), there will be a different theme relating to the industry. The theme this month is knowing the man behind the (FitGems) Nation. How and why I created FitGems, how I got employed by HDPhysiques, how I got involved in the sport in the first place, and why I love it so much, my thoughts on the past, present, and future of this sport and its competitors, ya know...things of that nature.


The chat is set to last at least one hour (time permitting).


http://www.fitgemsnation.net/page/q-and-a-chat


If there's something you want to ask me and you WON'T be able to make the chat, just email me at
admin@fitgemsnation.net, and I'll do my best to answer the question during the chat. Finally, you will get to know what I'm all about and why I love this sport. Fans, competitors, whoever, everyone is invited next Wendsday to this major event!

FYI...A heads up on something big on tonight:

E! Television will be airing a True Hollywood Story on
Female Bodybuilders (I believe it will have fitness and figure as well) at 10 Eastern/9 Central. I've been told that this is a deep look, and not one that is aimed at hurting the sport like others shows have tried to do in the past. I'll be watching the show and give my thoughts on it sometime tomorrow.

Take care and have a good
rest of the week!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Song of the Week-Will Smith "Summertime"

We are smackdab in the middle of summer, I think. So I thought I'd pick one of my favorite summer anthems of all time. It's a great song to slow dance to. Nothing like going a little old school. :-)

Nothing beats old school...NOTHING!


Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Zivile Raudoniene...WWE Diva?!

Yes, you read the title right. The 2009 Figure International Champion Zivile Raudoniene may be exchanging high heels and sparkling suits for spandex and wrestling boots in the near future, if the rumors are true. According to an article on Flex Magazine, Zivile will NOT be competing at this year's Figure Olympia because she's rumored to be heading to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).



(Zivile....future WWE Women's or Divas Champion? It could happen...)


I'll admit, this news came completely out of left field when I found out this news. This obviously means that the Figure Olympia has quite a shake-up with one of the top contenders out. But the big question is...assuming the rumor is true, how big of a move would this be for Zivile? Personally, I think this could end up being a HUGE move, if the right cards are played. Looking at the big picture, Zivile will get a far more mainstream exposure opportunity that being in the IFBB. Actually, come to think of it, this would be a big step for for the sport of figure itself as one of their own would get I mean, the IFBB is big, but nowhere near as mainstream as WWE, despite its less-than-stellar outlook by the mainstream media.


Of course, should Zivile enter the ring in the very near future, she's going to have to prove herself in a time where you have to
earn respect by the fans. These days, believe it or not, a good deal of wrestling fans attempt to watch women's wrestling for the wrestling, and not just for the eye candy, as in years past. That's why so many people admire those such as Trish Stratus, Lita, Molly Holly, Chyna, etc. As a long-time fan of WWE, I wish Zivile nothing more than the best and hope she has what it takes to be sucessful in the WWE.

Who knows, maybe someone like Zivile is what WWE needs right now...

Monday, August 3, 2009

Song of the Week-Aerosmith "You Gotta Move"

Whether you're in the gym, or outside running bleachers, just trying to get in shape to live healthier, or preparing for this year's Olympia....I think legendary band Aerosmith says it best...

YOU GOTTA MOVE!!!!!! :)




July Poll Results and New Poll for August

Hey everyone!

Just thought I'd let you know that the FitGems Nation site has gotten somewhat of an uplift, and will be redone a tad over the days ahead. Hope you enjoy the changes!


http://www.fitgemsnation.net


Also, thanks to everyone that voted on the July Poll of the Month. I asked last month Which form of publicity do you feel is the best in the female muscle industry? 58% of you said that it was the Internet, which in this day and age came as no surprise. 33% said magazines, and only 8% said television. OUCH!


Now...onto what may be my most nerve-hitting question yet: For this month, the poll of the month is...After seeing the NPC bikini contests so far, in terms of the entire package, do you see a real difference in bikini and figure?


This is a touchy subject on a few boards I'm a part of, so I'm interesting to hearing what you have to say about it. Let me make...this...point...clear: I've yet to see a show except for pictures, so that's all I can judge by. My words mean NOTHING on this subject!


In the span of a month, the Fitness AND Figure Olympia is looking to be more and more interesting by the day. I'll speak on the implications of these events sometime this week, as well as the relationships between the Internet and this sport that might just interest you.