New Elite: Sherrie Carnicle

Photo credit: Muscular Development

There are those that look better with a lot of muscle, there are those that look better with a little less. There are those who look better harder and more conditioned, and there are those that look better softer and less conditioned. And then...there are those that look amazing no matter how big, small, hard, or soft they look. Sherrie Carnicle is one of those competitors.

I became a fan of hers during her first year of National competition in 2007 in figure. People were amazing at how awesome she looked. At the time, she was streamlined and not that muscular, but everything flowed well. A year later, she remained in figure, and it was clear as day that she packed a bit more muscle to her frame, and I can't tell you the amount of compliments she got from the message boards. Off-the-charts crazy. Then bikini came along, and she decided to give the bikini division a try. So obviously, she took off some muscle, but the flow in her physique was just as good during her figure days, if not better. After her overall bikini win at the Sacramento Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure and Bikini Championships, many were convinced she would be a future IFBB Bikini Pro. If she were to have competed in the National scene in bikini last year, I would guarantee you she would have walked away with a pro card last year.

Sherrie will be returning to National competitions at the Jr. Nationals this weekend. I don't know who all if competing, but I'm going to say this..I will be one shocked person if Sherrie does NOT take home a pro card this weekend. Call it bias, but I'm only calling it like I see it. If she doesn't get a pro card at the Jr. Nationals, I definitely see a pro card in her future. Her physique now is what I was hoping for when the bikini division was created. With her National bikini debut mere days away, it might be only a matter of time before Sherrie takes her rightful place among the IFBB athletes.

New Elite: Kimmie Morgan

Photo credit: FLEX Online

Every year, there's seems to be that ONE competitor that just stands out and makes you take notice. You look at that competitor and say "Now SHE'S the ideal competitor" or "She has the ideal look". Fans try to find a flaw to their physique and overall beauty, and try as they might, they can't. They're THAT good. Monica Brant is one of those competitors. So is Juliana Malacarne. So is Gina Aliotti-Silva. Those three names (according to countless of you out there) represent what many people feel figure SHOULD be. After this past year, you can add Kimmie Morgan to that list.

In 2010, Kimmie joined the very popular and successful Team Bombshell, and she represented them proudly in the local ranks by placing 2nd in the Open Short Class at the 2010 Battle of the River Championships in Chattanooga, TN. She would follow that impressive debut with a short class and OVERALL figure victory at the 2010 NPC Southeastern Golds Gym Classic in Glasden, AL. The message was clear as day...Kimmie's ready for the big time.

Kimmie would make her National debut at the 2010 NPC USAs in Vegas, and although she didn't place in her class, she gained quite a bit of fans due to her impressive conditioning, overall muscularity, and elegant stage presence. She went on to compete at the IFBB North Americans, placing 13th out of 14 in a competitive Class A. She was noticeably softer this time around, but her now-trademark muscularity and stage presence was still there.

There are those out there who want her to be a part of some paysites such as HerBiceps, Femflex, Muscle Angels, etc, as her build is MORE than acceptable there. Others (myself included) think she could run away with the new women's physique division. Whatever she decided to do, expect Kimmie to make a name for herself in 2011 and beyond, and don't be surprised if she happens to become an IFBB Pro in the process. Keep a close eye on Kimmie in the coming months ahead; she's going places in this industry.

New Elite: Tracey MacDonald

Tracey is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most ripped and conditioned competitors in all of Canada right now. She's been a personal favorite of mine for quite some time, and for some people (including yours truly), it's only a matter of time before she joins the IFBB rankings. Which division will it happen in is a bit of a mystery right now because basically, she's done it all in the sport, except for getting that pro card.

While I call her a "New Elite", truth is Tracy has been competing off and on for nearly a decade now, being in fitness and figure since 2000, in the Canadian BodyBuilding Federation (CBBF) and also in a few NPC competitions. She's gradually improved on her physique (which I've always been a fan of) year after year after year. But it was the year 2007, at the CBBF Nationals Fitness and Figure Championships that made message boards and fans all over the world (not just Canada) take notice. She came in with a look and physique that defied logic, even for Canadian standards, which definitely saw her fanbase grow tremendously. She would get a bit softer (I know, I know, some of you are going "BOO!! LOL.) in 2009, as she would win the Open Class Short and Masters (Over 35) Figure, as well as capture Open class Figure Overall Title at the Muscle Beach Championships.She would go on to place 7th in the CBBF Figure Nationals in the Masters class.

With her insane physique, many people were wondering and hoping that Tracey would give bodybuilding a shot. She finally did in 2010, as she competed in bodybuilding for the first...and possible last time. Why last time, you ask? Well, she placed very well, and even won best poser. But she felt like she would have to possibly do things she would later regret in order to be a top bodybuilder, and she decided that it wasn't what she wanted. I 100% respect her decision in that. She shouldn't risk Instead, she's returning to her roots in fitness, hoping her more muscular frame will be more accepted by the judges.

Regardless of what the judges think of her physique, Tracey is a winner in my book and in many others as well. This proud Canadian native now SoCal resident is definitely "Fit 2 a T" and will remain that way as long as possible.

For more on Tracey, you can follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/fit2atworld, join her fan club on Yahoo (http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/fit_2_a_t/) created by yours truly, follow her and her California business on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fit-2-a-T-Personal-Training/78266751763?ref=ts), and of course, don't forget to check out her website at http://www.fit2atworld.com.

New Elite: Lori Steele

Lori Steele is to women's bodybuilding what Johnnie Jackson is to men's bodybuilding. Not the biggest, but DEFINITELY the strongest. Lori might just possibly be the strongest female bodybuilder in the IFBB today. She's had quite a ride becoming an IFBB Pro.

She spent her life as a competitve gymnasist. After that, she entered the world of female muscle as a figure competitor in 2005. She would compete in figure until 2007, where she made her switch to bodybuilding. But she goes beyond just bodybuilding. She is also a very accomplished powerlifter, setting and shattering records like crazy. According to her Facebook fan page, she's holding off her IFBB debut until 2011 at the New York Pro. This year, she's qualified to compete at the 2010 USA Powerlifting Nationals in Cleveland, Ohio, so she'll be focused on powerlifting for 2010, and will enter the IFBB competition rankings the next year. The FitGems Nation wishes her the best in powerlifting and bodybuilding, and everything else in between! :)

If you have Facebook, become a fan of Lori.

New Elite: Monica Mark-Escalante

Monica Mark-Escalente has been someone who many people (including yours truly) viewed as a future IFBB Figure Pro ever since she won the 2007 Ironman Figure overall title. She would go on to compete 5 more times prior to her breakout year in 2009. She placed in the top ten in each competition she was in during her time in the NPC.

In 2009, she would redefined her physique for a somewhat softer look than what she had the last couple of years. The changes worked, as she won not only her class but the overall title at the 2009 Team Universe, thus earning her pro card and a chance to compete with the biggest names in figure, including her idol, Monica Brant. She will get her chance to show the world what she's capable of at the 2010 Figure International at the 2010 Arnold Sports Festival. Monica can correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I've heard throut the grapevile that this figure competitor is one strong female. I think I read on one website that she can carry around 120lb dumbells (I'm not kidding). Strong yet beautiful...what more can you ask for?! With her impressive resume in the NPC, expect Mrs. Escalente to make a "Mark" in the IFBB Figure division.

New Elite: Ava Cowan

Last weekend, the NPC crowned several new IFBB Pros. Of everyone that became a pro, perhaps there was no name bigger in any division than the one of Ava Cowan. Ava is one of the most recognizable competitors in IFBB Figure, and she hasn't even stepped on a IFBB stage yet. Her participation in various federations prior to the IFBB, as well as her many television appearances, have made her quite the star these days.

At the beginning of her career, she competed in the NPC in hopes of becoming an IFBB Pro, and things didn't go as she hoped and things just...well, erupted, to put it nicely. She then decided to go to the FAME organization, and things began to click for her. She took over FAME and the Fitness Universe organization like it was no big deal. She also went on to be in several television appearances, including MTV's Made and Lifetimes The Balancing Act.

Earlier this year, Ava revealed that she was planning on reentering the NPC again after putting her demons aside. She didn't have a long stay in the NPC thought, but for great reason. Within a matter of literally a couple of contests, she won her pro card and fulfilled her dream of becoming an IFBB Figure Pro. With her dominance in every federation she's ever been a part of so far, it's only a matter of time before she brings that kind of drive and determination to the IFBB. Look for Ava to shine bright in 2010 and beyond, and possible go down as one of the top figure competitors of all time.

New Elite: Natalie Ariel

Nataile Rae Ariel began her career in the fitness industry as a figure competitor. In 2006, she competed at the Jr. Nationals. The following year, under the direction of new IFBB Pro Elena Seiple, she made an amazing transformation on her body, and many people began to notice, especially Joe Bayer of HDPhysiques. He saw a star and arrange an awesome photo/video shoot that has made her among the most popular models on the site. She is not only built like a tank, but she's very strong as well. She isn't called the "A-Train" for nothing. Her strength and ability to grow muscle fast, as well as the new figure guidelines, played a key role in her switch to bodybuilding.

Many were anticipating her arrival in the bodybuilding world, and she did not disappoint whatsoever. She made her bodybuilding debut at the 2009 NPC Western Michigan and won the middleweight class and overall women's bodybuilding title. Apparently, Natalie made the right decision in crossing over from figure to bodybuilding. Next up for her is the 2009 Ironman in Chicago this Saturday. If this keeps up, look for her to do some serious damage in the IFBB when (not if) she earns her pro card in the years (by that I mean, two, three at the most) to come.

For more on Natalie, visit her website at http://www.natalieraeariel.com/.

New Elite: Wendy Fortino

(Photo courtesy of Muscular Development)

One of the rising new faces of figure, Wendy Fortino is fastly becoming a top name in NPC figure and, if 2009 was any indication, is well on her way to becoming an IFBB figure competitor. From what she has told me in the past, she is aiming to have a Monica Brant-like physique (as Monica is (like many competitors) her role model. Judging by what she has brought to the table so far in regional competitions, she's on the right track. Speaking of the word "track", she actually competing in track and field prior to getting involved in fitness and figure competitions. Believe it or now, she was RIPPED then...without touching a single weight! Don't believe me, I'd go check out this Kriv Studios blog post and see for yourself.

In every competition she's entered in prior to her first major NPC National show (The USAs, where she placed 6th in Figure Class A), she has won her class, as well as the overall title on more than one occasion. Something tells me a pro card is imminent in the future of Miss Fortino. :)

I can see it now..."It's WAY better than regular figure physiques...It's Wendy's" LOL...sorry, had to throw that in there. I believe her next competition will be the 2010 Jr. USAs.

For more on Wendy, check her out on MySpace, Facebook, Hardfitness, and a slew of other sites.

New Elite: Carla Gutierrez

What's the New Elite? I just find female bodybuilders, fitness, and figure competitors that I feel will be the next big thing in this industry. I'm kicking it off with a Canadian who has all the tools to make it in the IFBB figure if and WHEN she becomes a pro. I'm talking about the Canadian Chica, Carla Gutierrez!




(Picture courtesy of TwixPix)

In such a short amount of time, Carla is looked upon as one of the top figure competitors in Canada and future IFBB figure pro. She's also an accomplished model in various publications, including Playboy.

In addition to being a figure competitor, She is also on HerBicepsCam, and it has been told that she blows the roof off the place. In 2009, she entered her first National competition and placed third in her class, which is a great debut for anyone who enters their first National competition. Look for this Latina Canadian to make more waves in the coming years as she aims to become an IFBB Figure Pro.

She is on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and FitGems Nation. You can also visit her upcoming website at http://www.carlitagutierrez.com/.


If there's a star in the making that you want me to spotlight in the future, Twit me (http://twitter.com/fitgemsnation) or Email me (admin@fitgemsnation.net) a suggestion, and I'll feature them here on this blog.