Courtney Wins Houston Pro; Keeps to Her Word of Donating Money to Breast Cancer Research

This weekend, Courtney West made her pro debut at the Houston Pro, and I mentioned earlier that should she placed in the top three in her debut, she would donate her entire winnings to breast cancer research. She ended up winning the Houston Pro Figure contest, qualified for next year's Figure Olympia, and kept her word by donating her winnings this weekend toward the fight against breast cancer. A very memorable way to kick off a pro career, as well as giving back to those that need it the most. We at FitGems Nation send out our deepest and most sincere gratitude to Courtney for this awesome show of class. If more people were more like Courtney, this world would be a much better place.

Photo credit: RxMuscle

If you want to follow Courtney, join her Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/ifbbprocwest.

2nd Annual FitGems Awards...Time to Nominate Your Favorites! (DEADLINE EXTENDED)

It's that time again, for the 2nd Annual FitGems Awards. Last years was a great success, so we're going it again this year with a few new categories and a few minor changes to last year. Below are the categories for this year.

Nominate up to FIVE people for the following categories, with the top 6 nominations being on the ballot:
NPC Show of the Year
IFBB Show of the Year
Female Physique Site of the Year (non-competitor) (NOTE: FitGems is NOT eligible due the fact that FitGems is running the contest)
Female Competitor Blog of the Year
Photographer of the Year
Blogger of the Year
Industry Blog of the Year (by a fan, industry member, company, etc.)
Female Physique Paysite of the Year
Male Supporter of the Year (through shows, message boards, donations to competitors, etc.)
Female Competitor Site of the Year
Supplement Company of the Year
Pro Female Bodybuilder of the Year
Pro Figure Competitor of the Year
Pro Fitness Competitor of the Year
Pro Bikini Competitor of the Year
Amateur Female Bodybuilder of the Year
Amateur Figure Competitor of the Year
Amateur Fitness Competitor of the Year
Amateur Bikini Competitor of the Year
International Female Bodybuilder of the Year
International Fitness Competitor of the Year
International Figure Competitor of the Year
International Bikini Competitor of the Year
Breakout Pro Female Bodybuilder of the Year
Breakout Pro Figure Competitor of the Year
Breakout Pro Fitness Competitor of the Year
Breakout Pro Bikini Competitor of the Year
Breakout Amateur Female Bodybuilder of the Year
Breakout Amateur Figure Competitor of the Year
Breakout Amateur Fitness Competitor of the Year
Breakout Amateur Bikini Competitor of the Year
Competitor Who You Would Love to See Return To the Stage in 2011
Fitness Entrepreneur of the Year (Model/Trainer/Spokesperson)
Moment of the Year (when certain people win a competition, return to the stage, retire, etc. This is for any federation and can be about any of the divisions)

Ones to Watch in 2011 (nominate up to two people for each category with the top 5 nominations to be placed on the ballot)
Pro Female Bodybuilders
Pro Figure Competitors
Pro Fitness Competitors
Pro Bikini Competitors
Pro Women's Physique Competitors (should this happen in 2011)
Amateur Female Bodybuilders
Amateur Figure Competitors
Amateur Fitness Competitors
Amateur Bikini Competitors
Amateur Women's Physique Competitors
Fitness Entrepreneur (Model/Trainer/Spokesperson)

You can send me the nominations through Twitter (http://twitter.com/fitgemsnation), email (admin@fitgemsnation.net), or leaving a comment on this post. I'll also take your nominations through private messages (PMs) through the following message boards:

Siouxcountry (under cray17)
RxMuscle (under FitGems)
FTVideo (under cray2005)
Unreal Muscle (under FitGems)
Muscular Development (under cray17)

You can nominate between now and November 19th November 27th (DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED) On November 19th 29th at Noon Central Time, the nominees will be announced via a FitGems Award Nominations Live FitChat. More details on the exact time as we get closer to the date. After that, voting will begin that same day and will last through all of December, with the winners announced mid-January. Exact date has yet to be determined.

Good luck to everyone! :)

ATTENTION ALL IFBB FEMALE PROS!

IFBB Pro Tammy Patnode has been asked if any existing pros would be interested in a 2011 pro show for the upcoming women's physique division. Who is eligible? IFBB Pros of Women's Bodybuilding, Fitness, and Figure. If you're a figure or fitness competitor who's been marked down in the past due to being too muscular, or if you're a female bodybuilder who has been deemed far too small, this is definitely for you. If you're interested, leave a comment below, or email me at admin@fitgemsnation.net and will forward all your messages to Tammy.

You have a voice in what happens with this division. Please take advantage of this!!!

Brittany Beede: Fitness's Next Breakout Diva

Fitness industry...meet Brittany Beede!
Photo credit: WWE.com

A couple of weeks ago, Jamie Keyes was eliminated from WWE's show NXT. This week, she was given her pink slip from the entire company altogether. Needless to say, this struck a nerve with quite a few people, including yours truly. So what's a girl to do after seeing her dreams of becoming a WWE Diva crumble before her eyes? Simply...pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and go forward. Jamie is doing more than just going forward, folks. She's aiming to create a fitness empire!

Fresh off her WWE venture, she's hopping right into the fitness world full-steam with a campaign unlike anything I've seen from one individual. She's launched a Youtube channel, a Google profile page, and an official Facebook fan page, not to mentioning changing her Twitter name to better suit her current and future fans, and that's just within a mere few hours! Imagine how things are going to be for here when everything starts to take off! THIS is what is going to set her apart from many in the fitness industry. She's aiming to become someone in the industry, not just a name or a face in the crowd. It's pretty clear she doesn't need the WWE to succeed (Trust me, they need her a hell of a lot more than she needs them), but I wouldn't rule out a possible return somewhere down the line. But for now, look for Brittany to make an huge and lasting impact on the fitness industry. There's a possible chance that you might see her at the 2011 Arnold "hint..hint". Just like when FitGems Nation supported Brittany during her days as a WWE Diva, we will continue to support Brittany during her journey to becoming fitness's next breakout diva. Good luck, Brittany!! :)

Here are the links to follow Brittany on her quest to becoming the next fitness icon:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BrittanyBeede
Official Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brittany-Beede-Jamie-Keyes-WWE/151485664892299
Google profile page: http://www.google.com/profiles/britter1231
Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/britter1231
And of course, her fansite that was created prior to becoming a star in WWE: http://www.jamiekeyes.com

EDIT: For all fans of Brittany, I've created a fan page called the Brittany Brigade, to help keep up with all things Brittany, from the beginning of her career until now. You can join it by clicking here.

Courtney West's Heart of Gold

I read a Tweet from IFBB Figure Pro Courtney West (who turned pro at the NPC USAs by winning her class and the overall title) that definitely made my day, and shows that the world is not a cruel place. Courtney will be making her debut at the Houston Pro Figure in less then two weeks, and she stated in her Twitter account that should she place in the top three, her entire prize money will go to cancer research. Not part of it, not half of it...ALL OF HER WINNINGS. To me, that shows the true character of a competitor, not to mention the true character of a human being period.

Best of luck to you, Courtney at the Houston Pro, and we just want to let you know you have the heart and soul of a champion.

Courtney West to make her pro debut at the Houston Pro
Photo Credit: Muscular Development

Tracey MacDonald's Got a New Blog!

One of FitGems's proud supporters, and all-around awesome lady, Tracey MacDonald has just started a new blog. She's a favorite to follow on Twitter (http://twitter.com/fit2atworld), so now she has a place where she can speak her peace, regarding fitness, her recipies, life in general, and more...now in more than 140 words. :)

Please check out her blog at http://traceyfitnesslife.blogspot.com/.

Tracey has a new blog! Visit it often! :)

Jason Adams Industry Blog

I have written about Zoa Linsey already. Well I have decided to do it again. It is my blog and I can do what I want LOL.

As everyone surely knows Zoa just competed at the Ms. Olympia. Many may know of her injury. Zoa had a herniated disk. She could not even pump up beforehand and was in pain. Yet she still went out there with a smile on her face and looked incredible.

Afterwards Zoa said she hoped she didn't let anyone down. Zoa, are you crazy? Let anyone down? NEVER. In fact I expect I speak for everyone when I say how proud we are of you. You were on the biggest stage in the sport, and you BELONGED there, and you will be back there. Will you win? Well I do not have my crystal ball handy. But does it matter? When you went into the gym the first time, did you say " I am going to be Ms. Olympia"? Somehow I doubt it. You started training because you enjoyed it. Something tells me you still enjoy it. And that is what it should be about. You wanted to be fit and healthy I imagine. Well you achieved that, so you already achieved what you set out to achieve, and everything from here on in is icing on the cake. No one can ever be disappointed with what you do competing wise from here on out.

There are a lot of amazing people in the industry, and some..... well not so nice people. I have heard so many people say so many things, but no one ever says anything bad about Zoa. Zoa makes you proud to be a part of the sport. Zoa is a role model, not just for a person who wants to train and/or compete, but just because of the person she is. I know from experience with the encouragement she has given me. Zoa is proof that a muscular woman is a beautiful woman, Zoa is proof of what hard work can produce, Zoa is proof that good things happen to good people. Let's be honest, we can look at Zoa, and you are blind to not think she is a beautiful woman. But that is not why I am a Zoa Linsey fan. Eventually if you get to know her, that beauty becomes the last thing on your mind. Because you are too busy respecting her for the bodybuilder she is and even more importantly for the woman she is.

Before the Olympia, everyone asked who I picked to win. I said Zoa. And I wasn't wrong. Zoa did win. Zoa won because she got on stage when most wouldn't have been able to. Zoa won because she was on stage with the Elite, making her one of the elite. Zoa won because she is Zoa Linsey. You don't need to be on stage with a check or a trophy to be a winner. A trophy doesn't make you great, you make you great, and Zoa you made yourself great, and so many people are so proud of you.

Zoa thank you for being a role model and an inspiration to me and so many other men and women.

Sharing a TenSpot with...Monica Escalante (Olympia Edition)

As you all know, the Olympia is this weekend! The best in men's bodybuilding, women's bodybuilding, fitness, figure, and bikini will step on stage to decide who is truly the best of the best. One of those ladies will be Monica Escalante. Making her Figure Olympia debut, she's had quite a ride in the IFBB this year, debuting at the Phoenix Pro, competing in her first Figure International and sharing the stage with her idol Monica Brant in what was probably her last IFBB competition (Brant is now a WBFF Pro, for those that don't know) and placed in the top six at the Europa Show of Champions and Europa Super Show (the show that got her to the Olympia). Monica was very gracious enough to take some time mere days from the Olympia to do this interview with us.

Monica qualified for the Olympia at the 2010 Europa Super Show in Dallas
Photo credit: Muscular Development

FitGems Nation: Thank you very much for taking this time out of your Olympia prep to do this interview! Monica Mark-Escalante: You are welcome.

FitGems Nation: In a few days, you will be competing in your very first Olympia ! How does it feel to step on the stage that many competitors strive to be a part of, but only a few get that opportunity to do so?
Monica: It feels incredible. I only dreamed of one day stepping on the Olympia stage a little less than 10 years ago, and now my dream has become a reality. I feel privileged and honored to compete at the Olympia alongside the best women in the world.

FitGems Nation: This year was your first year to compete as a pro. What competition was your favorite to compete in this year (not including the upcoming Olympia )?
Monica: I would have to say the Arnold . The show was an amazing experience. Truly, however, all of the shows have been a great experience because of the camaraderie amongst the pros.

FitGems Nation: When you found out that you were heading to the Olympia , if you can recall, what was the first thing that popped into your head?
Monica:I truly don’t remember…that’s how shocked I was.

FitGems Nation: You are one of the most muscular figure competitors, but regardless of muscle, it seems to flow well with you. How do you maintain your muscularity yet keep it to IFBB standards?
Monica: Over the last year, I have actually been working to lose a little bit of muscle. I have adapted my training so as not to add (or even keep) all of my muscle.

FitGems Nation:I think many people loved your look at both Europas you competed in (Battle of Champions in Hartford and Super Show in Dallas ). Which look do you plan to bring to your first-ever Olympia ?
Monica: My goal is to bring in a slightly less muscular package than I had at those 2 shows. I hope to bring in similar conditioning as I had in both shows, but a little less muscle mass.

FitGems Nation: Has anything changed in prep between your last competition and the O?
Monica:Not really. Since the Europa in Connecticut , my goal has been to become a little less muscular and maintain conditioning.

FitGems Nation: Where would you love to place in your first Olympia , and what would you be content with?
Monica:Well of course my goal is to one day win, but I would be content with a top 6 finish my first time out. I know it’s difficult because the women at this level are all amazing.

FitGems Nation: If you could have the Olympia anywhere else BESIDES Las Vegas , where would it be at?
Monica:I grew up in San Diego and my family all lives there, so that would be ideal. But who can go wrong with Vegas? Vegas is great.

FitGems Nation: Any final words for your fans and supporters out there before the Olympia?
Monica: Much thanks for your support. I have been working hard to finish up my website, which should be up and running in the next few weeks. The cover page is up, but more is coming soon. My website is www.monfit.com.

How will Monica fare in her first Olympia competition?

Once again, Monica, thank you for taking the time out of your Olympia prep to do this interview with us! We at FitGems Nation wish you the best of luck this weekend at the Olympia!! :)

Jason Adams Industry Blog

Well it is that time of the year. The biggest time in the industry. Olympia is upon us. A gathering of the elite in Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, and Bikini. So that made it clear to me, this is what I should write about.

I am not going to the Olympia, but will be living there next year so can go every year. Sure I would like to go. I could see Danny J (my trainer) as she is working the EST booth. And I could meet, see, and hang out with many of the friends I have made in the Fitness Industry. But what I would really like to see is Zoa Linsey on stage. On my own fan page I have made it Zoa Linsey week. A couple have said I should not show favoritism. Maybe that's true, but really I do not care, it is my page after all. I am not doing this to downplay any other competitor, I do it to support Zoa. Zoa is someone I really admire and look up to. For me personally with my own training, I believed I was a bodybuilder when Zoa said I was.

I remember the first time I ever saw Zoa. It was a picture on a website, and actually was just a leg shot. I was amazed. Then I saw another picture which was fully body, but with her head turned. Her physique was just amazing to me. I right then said that is the best physique I have ever seen. Then I looked more, and at the risk of looking like a dork, I found her to be a very beautiful woman. I was from that day a Zoa Linsey fan. Since then I have met and talked to Zoa. That physique and beauty I mentioned is really just a tiny part of who Zoa Linsey is. There is so much more that makes her amazing. She is a sweet woman who truly appreciates the support she receives. The inner beauty of Zoa is what really sets her apart.

There are so many amazing women in this industry. Each of us has our favorites for whatever reason. You know who the important ones in my life are if you know me. And Zoa is one of them. Zoa is someone I think everyone who is newer to training can look up to. Her dedication, hard work, attitude, and love for what she does is admirable to say the least. I have met some great women and men in the industry, and to be honest some very stuck up people. Zoa is one of the ones who qualify in the great part.

Zoa, I am honored to know you and am so happy for and proud of you. You are now preparing to be on the biggest stage of them all, and you earned and deserve it. Regardless of placing, you will shine on that stage. This is YOUR moment. So go on that stage, give it your best shot, be proud of yourself, and most of all have fun and enjoy every minute of it.

"M2-NRG" with Jenny Worth; SAT SEPT 18th @ 10:00AM (and also every Wednesday and Saturday)

For those in the California area, if you want to get a great workout in with a top IFBB legend, come down to Long Beach tomorrow for a new workout class called M2-NRG, by M2 Fitness Pros. Below is the description:

RESERVE YOUR SPOTS!! Come kick up the HEAT with Fitness Champ Jenny Worth in this HEART PUMPING, super Fat Blasting, High NRG... A TOTAL Strengthening Body Weight & Core conditioning workout that will leave you SUPERCHARGED... it's 100% effective and 100% Kick-ass... AND it's on us!!!

And for those that want to do this every week, you can join Jenny and FEEL THE HEAT with "M2-NRG"
every Wednesday morning at 5AM and Saturday morning at 10am @ the M2 Studio in Downtown's LB. For more info, go to http://www.m2fitnesspros.com/events/event/show?id=3114248%3AEvent%3A2190.

Join legendary IFBB star Jenny Worth in SoCal for an awesome workout
brought to you by M2 Fitness Pros!