Meriza DeGuzman-Ciccone: The Definition of Sexy Strong

You have competitors, you have superstars, and then...there's Meriza DeGuzman-Ciccone. You would be hard-pressed to find a woman as unreal (in a good way) as Meriza. In fact, the word "unreal" actually doesn't even begin to describe the IFBB athlete and trainer. She has a slogan that sums up who Mrs. DeGuzman-Ciccone is and what she represents: Sexy Strong.

Photo credit: Meriza's official website

According to Meriza (and her husband, fellow IFBB competitor Pete Ciccone) Sexy Strong is "a mindset, an attitude...a way of life. Inspiring others by living with purpose-drive, discipline, conviction. Being Strong is Beautifully Sexy." We at FitGems Nation have to agree with the Ciccones on that, Every time they hits the gym, they seem to have a superhero mentality, something that you need to have in the fitness industry these days. Don't believe us? Check out these two Instagram clips of Meriza moving some heavy weight like it's nothing:

A video posted by Meriza Deguzman-Ciccone (@ifbbpro_meriza) on Sep 29, 2015 at 10:44am PDT

A video posted by Meriza Deguzman-Ciccone (@ifbbpro_meriza) on Sep 21, 2015 at 9:48am PDT

The first clip is Meriza doing a shoulder workout of 145lbs for 15 reps...and she was on her 5th set of this. She's lifting more than what she weights with near ease. The second clip is her doing 450lbs for 15reps for a high stance leg press as part of leg day. While 450lbs is downright impressive...this was actually her going light due to posing clinics. Yes...450 POUNDS IS APPARENTLY A LIGHT DAY COMPARED TO HER!!! We have stated a few times that should the IFBB ever consider a strongwoman division (which is a different topic that will be discussed later), Meriza would be a great person to build the division around. Pound-for-pound, there might not be another woman in the fitness world stronger than Meriza right now. She might not step on stage anymore, but that has not stopped her from practicing what she preaches and living the fitness life, as well as mold the next generation of competitors under the Sexy-Strong brand.

One of the strongest women in the IFBB, bar-none!

For more on Meriza, like her on Instagram. For more on Sexy-Strong, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Also, don't forget to check out their website at http://www.sexy-strong.com/!

Never Too Late: Tara Chandler Makes IFBB Debut Seven Years After Earning Pro Card

When one competes in the National Physique Committee (NPC) in hopes to one day becoming a pro in the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB), what usually happens is when one gets an IFBB Pro card, they usually Compete within a year after earning their pro cards, maybe even just a few weeks after. However, it does not mean you HAVE to be in a rush to compete in the pro rankings. Sometimes, it's best to wait it out and see when is the best time to test yourself among the best in the industry.

Left: Tara at the 2007 Nationals. Right: Tara at the 2014 Emerald Cup. Welcome to the IFBB, Tara!
Photo credit: Muscular Development (put together on Picmonkey)

Tara Chandler won her pro card at the 2007 NPC Nationals in the figure division. During that time, Gina Alotti, Jennifer Gates, and Jenny Lynn were at the top of the pro rankings. The one-piece swimsuit round was also part of the figure division as well. Fast forward seven years later, Nicole Wilkins, Erin Stern, Candice Keene, and Camala Rodriquez-McClure are the top names in pro figure and the one-piece swimsuit round is a thing of the past. Tara made ​​her pro debut at the 2014 Emerald Cup, a competition she competed in as an amateur figure competitor. Placing despite lower than many hoped, it was clear to all that saw her that day that Tara could be a major part of the figure division. Her Physique was complete, great shape, size, and conditioning that fits right in (in my honest opinion) with today's top pros. Whatever her flaws and her team saw were worked out at her next show, the New York Pro, where she came in with Physique an even more refined than what she had at the Emerald Cup. 

To us, it's only a matter of time before Tara is up there with the top stars in the division, especially if she keeps bring a similar package to what she's brought in her first two shows as a pro. A wise man once said, " Good things comes to those who wait. " We at FitGems Nation think Tara Chandler is a perfect example of that. We look forward to seeing more of her in competition in the near future. Good luck in the IFBB, Tara!

Tara @ 2014 New York Pro. What's next? We'll soon find out!
Photo credit: Muscular Development

IFBB Pro's Unique Charity Game

It's always a great thing to see people think of others besides themselves. We didn't come into this world alone, so why should we have to ignore others who are struggling just to make it? Seeing people give back in the form of charities shows the world that that there are still good people left in the world. While people and celebrities give stuff away to specific charities, one of our own is doing things a bit different.

Credit to original poster

IFBB Pro Christine Pomponio-Pate loves to give back to others, but rather than choose a specific charity, she gives her fans the opportunity the choose the charity they want her to help. She dubs it a game called "Choose Your Charity". How does it work? You buy an item (any item) off of Christine's website (http://www.christinepomponio.com). That automatically puts you in the running for "Choose Your Chairty". Each month, a winner is chosen out of those who purchase from her website. Christine donates a portion of her earnings from her website to the charity of your choice! Those that have benefitted from this cool game include The Scleroderma Foundation, The Breast Cancer Foundation,Liguori Publications, The American Stroke Association, Prevent Child Abuse of America, DAV, Hearts United for Animals, and Childhood Disease Research Foundation. This is a win-win for everyone because you are helping others out in need, and all you have to do it buy an item from an IFBB legend (BTW, I heard she has a hot calendar out that I would recommend you take a look at. Just saying...).

For more on Christine and to visit her online shop, visit her website at http://www.christinepomponio.com and "like" her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChristinePomponio.

Nicole Wilkins: Why 2011 Was Her Defining Year in IFBB Figure

In 2009, Nicole Wilkins climbed to the top of the IFBB Figure division by winning the Figure Olympia title, the biggest championship in figure. Obviously, this was a major win for her and a big win for the new faces of the division, but WOW...she got some serious flack on some message boards, even the most polite ones. Obviously, she had her supporters but her detractors. I think the problem was for some was that her look was seemingly (at the time) too small and not hard enough for figure. Some feel there were physiques out there better than hers. That, and the previous champions (Davana Medina, Jenny Lynn, and Jennifer Gates) came in pretty conditioned (size varied between the three, though) From what I saw online, fans weren't exactly too thrilled with the outcome of the 2009 Figure Olympia competition.

Nicole @ 2009 Figure Olympia
Photo credit: Muscular Development

She made a bit of improvements since then trying to show others that she deserves to be at the top of the figure world. While the changes were there ever-so-slightly, and there were some willing to embrace it, the detractors still outweighed the supporters. But everyone has their defining moment, that one moment where everyone (those for and against you) stands up and takes notice. That moment came at the 2011 Tournament of Champions when Nicole stepped on stage. Most people though she would be the favorite to win, but no one, not even yours truly, expected her to come in the way she did that day. I had to take a double take to make sure the woman was indeed Nicole Wilkins.

The Nicole Wilkins that shut the detractors up. 2011 Tournament of Champions
Photo credit: MuscleContest

She clearly added significant size, definittion, and cutness to her physique. I honestly don't know how many pounds of muscle she added since her 2009 Figure Olympia win, but it was clear as day that it was a nice amount. Add to her posing, beauty, and structure, and you got the ultimate figure machine. Nicole might have not been the woman people wanted to be the face of IFBB Figure back in 2009, but that has changed big time now. I'm not saying everyone has suddenly become a fan of hers, but others are starting to see Nicole as a rightful champion. If she keeps this up in 2012 and beyond, Nicole might want to start making room for more medals and trophies. Just saying.

An improved Nicole @ 2011 Figure Olympia
Photo credit: FitnessRx

What are YOUR thoughts on Nicole Wilkins? Did you think 2011 was the year she proved herself? Do you like THIS Nicole better than the old one? Sound off in the comments below.