Exclusive Interview with Cheerleader Anna Watson

College bowls season is upon us, and many teams are getting ready for these special games. One of those teams is the Georgia Bulldogs, who will be playing in the Outback Bowl on January 2, 2012. Toward the end of the season (specifically during the Georgia/Kentucky game), a Georgia Bulldog turned some heads on the internet...but it wasn't a football player. It was a cheerleader by the name of Anna Watson. Her pictures gathered a pretty decent following among female muscle fans, hoping to see more of Anna in the near future. We appreciate Anna for taking time from her busy schedule (she is in college, after all) to do an exclusive interview with us.

Photo credit to the original owner. FitGems does not claim rights to this photo.

FitGems Nation: What is your main profession?
Anna Watson: I am a full time student at the University of Georgia. I also cheer for the dawgs and work at the Ramsey student center in the strength and conditioning department.

FitGems: How did you get into cheerleading?
Anna: I started cheering my sophomore year in high school after ten years of competitive gymnastics. I was burnt out on gymnastics but wanted to continue to tumble, so I decided to try cheerleading. Over the last five years I have learned a great deal about the sport and have a much greater respect for it and the athletes who participate in it.

FitGems: How did you get into the fitness industry in the first place?
Anna: I have always loved keeping myself busy and active, so I guess Ive really been a part of it my whole life! Exercise and the benefits it offers intrigue me and keep me coming back for more!

FitGems: While it seems that many cheerleaders these days wouldn’t be out of place in a fitness show, it seems you are far and away the most muscular female cheerleader that has emerged in quite some time. Do you consider yourself “America’s Fittest Cheerleader”?
Anna: Oh I doubt I am the fittest cheerleader in America, but I may have the biggest biceps among the girls!

FitGems: Photos were posted of you at the Georgia/Kentucky game on November 21, 2011, and in some sites, they were among the most viewed photos in those sites’ history. How do you feel about that?
Anna: I think it is hilarious that those pictures have gotten some attention on several websites. I am honored that people would post my picture on their site and think its exciting!

FitGems: I’m not kidding when I ask you the following question: Has anyone from the Georgia Bulldogs football team encouraged you to join them on the field? You seem like you could hold your own out there! LOL. :)
Anna: No, I have not had any offers! I definitely get some stares on the sidelines though! Maybe if the team hadn’t picked up some steam in the second half of the season, they would have started recruiting cheerleaders!

FitGems: In all seriousness, though, the mainstream public (as a whole) is (unfortunately) very subjective to what they like and don’t like, and one of those things they still can’t accept as of yet happens to be a woman with muscles. How do you deal with criticism from some who think you are too muscular?
Anna: I haven’t really faced too much criticism, but I try not to let it get me down. I love to workout and the muscles that come along! I think that women can be muscular and still feminine. Strong shoulders, buns of steel, and washboard abs are striking attributes that I’m pretty sure any woman wouldn’t mind having! I am confident in who I am and proud of my muscles!

FitGems: Have you competed yet? If so, what organization and division was it in?
Anna: My first show was the NPC Georgia this past July. I competed in the tall figure division.

FitGems: Do you see physique competitions being something you might do in the future?
Anna: I would actually like to get into the fitness side of it. I think my gymnastics and cheer background would allow me to make that transition well.

FitGems: Who are you favorite people in the fitness industry?
Anna: Erin Stern is my favorite figure competitor. I think she has a beautiful physique that is the epitome of femininity and strength.

FitGems: How have you been a positive influence in the University of Georgia?
Anna: I have only been there a short while, but I hope that I have made a positive impact. I consider myself a joyful and considerate person, so I hope that others have noticed and been inspired and encouraged by that.

FitGems: Have you encourage your fellow cheerleaders to follow your lead to living healthier lifestyles?
Anna: I am not sure if they have made any changes, but they have commented on my healthy eating and dedication to working out. I hope that I have influenced them to be healthy and love themselves!

FitGems: What advice do you give to those who want to pursue the fitness industry, especially women who are under the assumption that having muscles is manly (when there’s PLENTY of proof that it isn’t the case)?
Anna: I would encourage others to just be true to themselves. I don’t think that muscles or a great physique define who people are. It is important to know who you are inside and let your light shine wherever you go! Also, make sure that working out and exercise remain something they enjoy and don’t turn into feeling like a job.

FitGems: What are your future plans after college, and will it involved the fitness industry in some way, shape, or form?
Anna: I plan on graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in exercise and sports science and then pursuing a career in the strength and conditioning industry. I would love to train athletes and give them the tools they need to be the best athletes they can be. I also plan on getting certified as a personal trainer.

FitGems: Any final words you want to share to the FitGems audience?
Anna: Keep working hard and remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139:14 God Bless and happy training!

Again, we thank Anna for doing this interview with us, and we wish her the best of luck as she continues to pursuit her dreams and completes her education. Best of luck to you, Anna!

Sharing a TenSpot with...Amanda Hatfield

This year saw the return of one of the best built and conditioned fitness competitors the NPC has ever had, Amanda Hatfield. Wait...you never heard of her? If you were a fan back around 2004-2005, you might have heard of the name Amanda Swallow. Same person, but a bit older and wiser, and clearly from her return, better than ever. Still possessing her trademark arms, she's back and looks to be heading towards a pro card, either in fitness...or quite possibly, women's physique.

Photo credit: Krivs Studio

FitGems Nation: Let’s kick this off by telling us a bit about yourself.
Amanda Hatfield: I am the General Manager of PowerHouse Gym in Berea, Ohio. I recently started a fitness team, which has really taken off and keeping me super busy. In fact some days I put in about 16 hours! I love what I do and I have come across a great group of young women!

FitGems: When did you first start competing?
Amanda: My very first competition was when I was 10 years old. I had made our local gymnastics team after only 2 years of training. My first fitness competition was in Phoenix, Arizona in April of 2004.

FitGems: What is your strategy when you head to the gym? Is it mostly weight-training, mostly cardio, a balanced mixture of the two, or something else?
Amanda: It really depends on what on want to accomplish. In the past couple of years my focus was trying to improve on my shape. I love to train heavy and push myself to lift more weight. But being in fitness cardio is such a big part of training, so you have to keep a balance. This off season I am concentrating on improving my routine. I have been going back to my roots of gymnastics training.

FitGems: At first glance, has anyone mistaken you for being in something OTHER than physique competitions (MMA fighter, boxer, pro wrestler, track and field runner, softball player, etc?)
Amanda: People usually have me pegged as a gymnast. I always get asked the same two questions, “Do you work out?” Or “What do you do for your arms?” I usually reply, “Its Hydroxy Cut.”…LOL! Then I confess and tell the truth, followed by business card.

FitGems: With women’s physique and bikini now part of the NPC and IFBB, do you feel that there’s now a division for every female who wants to compete?
Amanda: Absolutely!

FitGems: You recently returned to competition this year, ALMOST winning your pro card in fitness. What made you decide to return to competition?
Amanda: I wish I had never left. My career took a different turn. I was a platform artist for Aquage Hair Products. I did a lot of traveling and long hours, which made it impossible to compete. Recently my boyfriend, Joe Mazzone and I purchased the PowerHouse Gym in Berea, Ohio.

FitGems: To many people, your biceps are among the best in fitness. (Okay, that wasn't a question, but a statement. LOL.)
Amanda: That’s funny, because I think I am the only one who doesn’t like them. In fact I don’t even train arms anymore. I would trade them in on a good pair of shoulders any day! (Interesting....)

FitGems: If you weren’t a part of the female physique world whatsoever, what would you be doing right now as your profession?
Amanda: I would probably still be slaving behind a stylist chair!

FitGems: What (if anything) would you change about any of the IFBB female divisions?
Amanda: I would prefer fitness be judged more on conditioning. I love Oksana Grishina. I think she should be taking first. The comments are always that she is too lean. I believe most women prefer her physique. I also feel to be physically capable to perform the routine that she brings to the competition you have to be in that awesome condition.

FitGems: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to compete?
Amanda: My advice is always to compete for the right reasons. Through my years of coaching gymnastics and now training fitness, figure and bikini competitors, I have learned you have to do it because you love it. I mean love all of it, even leg day! I make sure I enjoy every training session! I am trying to pass this on to my girls.

For more on Amanda, you can find her on Facebook under the name Amanda Hatfield. 

Welcome Back, Sue!

This past weekend was the 2010 Jacksonville Pro, and it was a DEEP contest. Six ladies punched their tickets to the Olympia being held next month, but there's one person who can claim an award that's just a big as qualifying for the Olympia. That competitor is Sue Upson, who returned to the stage for the first time since the removal of a brain tumor last year.

Jacksonville Pro 2009-Her Pro Debut

I became very familiar with Sue on the Siouxcountry board. In fact, she became the first person on the board that became a pro, so I call her one of the S.O.S. (Siouxcountry Original Stars) (Editors Note: S.O.S....hmm, that sounds like a future part of my blog. Will keep you all posted.) Anyways, Sue competed for a good deal of 2009 (three shows to be exact). SO...other people compete in three shows. Well, try competing in three shows, much less at least ONE show...with a freaking brain tumor!!! So, she did what she needed to do in terms of competing last year, and in October, she had her tumor taken out. During that time, I saw and part of EXACTLY why Siouxcountry's more than just the leading board for the female physique world, it's a family that sticks together through thick and thin. The moderators got together and decided to surprise Sue with a gift, and asked for members to donate. I didn't hesitate and donated, as I knew Sue was AND IS a special competitor. For those wondering about the surgery, it was a 10-hour process. OUCH!!

Europa Super Show 2009 (She will be at this show this weekend)

This past weekend, she made her return to the stage that was her proand looked better than ever, and it was just like how she competed last year; no signs of a tumor whatsoever. No signs that the average person can see, though. Sue has some complications with the right side of her face, but that's to be expected after having a tumor removed from her head. Despite a few minor setbacks, she's looking to continue her comeback to the stage in Dallas at the Europa Super Show (the original Europa extravaganza). We at FitGems Nation welcome you back Sue and wish you best of luck this weekend in Dallas and for the remainder of your pro career! :)

2010 Jacksonville Pro. Welcome back, Sue!!!

For more on Sue's comeback, check out RXMuscle's interview with Sue after the 2010 Jacksonville Pro.

Save Fitness Now is now on Facebook

In addition to the Save Fitness Now blog and Twitter, I've finally created a fan page dedicated to helping spread the world about the NPC and IFBB fitness division and help reignite the fire and passion of it. If you're on Facebook, please "like" SaveWomensFitnessNow! :)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SaveWomensFitnessNow/135101573195195

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.

BREAKING NEWS: Gina Aliotti to Skip 2010 Figure International

The 2010 Arnold list hasn't been released, and already there's guaranteed of a major shake-up in one of the divisions. Flex Online broke the news today that Gina Aliotti, 2008 Figure International Champion and one of the elite IFBB figure competitors, has decided to skip out on competing in the 2010 Figure International.

http://www.flexonline.com/ifbb_figure_gina_aliotti/news/1051

To say that is big news for IFBB Figure would be a heck of an understatement. With Gina taking a break from the stage, and Zivile (the reigning Figure International Champion) trading in her figure high heels for wrestling boots, not to mention that the other Figure International champions (Mary Lado and Jenny Lynn) have retired from competition, it's all but confirmed that a new Figure International champion will be crowned in March.

I'll make this one thing clear. DON'T look as this as a retirement, because it's not. The business is more than just competing in contests. For those that want to be successful, you have to take risks and implement your figure lifestyle to business, whether is be producing your own healthy cookbook, running your own gym, being a personal trainer, having a clothing line...you get the point. Gina, at 25, is doing many of those things, as well as maintaining her newly-improved website (which is the December Site of the Month for FitGems, by the way). Her days on stage are not over by a long shot. So for those that feared Gina, they can breath easily...for now. If and WHEN she returns to stage, whether it be late 2010 for the Olympia or later on down the line, you can be sure she will be an immediate threat in the competition she enters next.

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!

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!

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.

2009 Jacksonville Pro

This weekend is the Dexter Jackson Classic and the Jacksonville Pro. Three more figure competitors will qualify for the 2009 Figure Olympia. Below is the list of everyone competing in the Jacksonville Pro:

Tina Marie Bloomfield
Tivisay Briceno
Krissy Chin
Melody Clere
M.J. Fox
Alicia Harris
Alana Hernandez
Jacqui Jarrett
Candice Keene
Jenny Lynn
Amanda Marinelli
Petra Mertl
Karen Mularkey
Marcy Porter
Jessica Putnam
Sandra Simons
Amy Stephens
Erin Stern
Sabrina Taylor-Gibson
Michelle Theison
Siobhan Tewari
Sue Upson
Julie (DJ) Wallis
Tessa Wood-Thomas

Siouxcountry will be providing coverage of the event all weekend long, thanks to new IFBB Pro Sandi Stewart.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE THIS WEEKEND!!

Celebrity Muscle-Torrie Wilson

Torrie is one of the most popular female personalities in the history of professional wrestling. Before she became a household name, Torrie was a fitness model and champion prior to entering the wrestling world. Her journey into fitness began after battling anorexia nervosa and then bulimia that lasted from ages 14 to 20. She entered the Tri-Fitness competition, placing third in her first competition, and went on to win it the very next year. Side note, one of her best friends, Lisa Marie Varon (who I'll highlight later on), was also a fitness competitor.

She was a part of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) during its final days. She was asked by a friend that she would be perfect for a storyline that they were doing, which lead to her being WCW's answer to WWE's Trish Stratus. Torrie then went on to join World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and became of the top ladies in the organization. During her time in the wrestling industry, she dazzled audiences with a body that put others to shame (very few can beat her in bikini contests) and tried her best to put on a show every time she entered the ring. Despite her lack of wrestling talent, she more than made up for it with her connection to the wrestling audience, something that the current WWE Divas can't do.

Now retired from the ring, she now runs her own clothing line/store called Jaded with her boyfriend Nick Mitchell, a former WWE wrestler. She was recently a part of the celebrity survivor show "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" on NBC, and lasted all the way to the finals, where she was beaten by eventual winner Lou Diamond Phillips. She is planning on releasing a workout video soon, so be on the lookout for that.





For more on Torrie, go these links:
http://www.t-wilson.org/
http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/torriewilson/

FitGem of the Week and Photo of the Week

On the main site, we're going to honor a competitor/model from any federation in any division each week with a special page for them. This page will be called "FitGem of the Week" and will honor the great athletes in the female physique world. They can either be competing now, have competed in the past, or will be competing in the future. This is especially good for up-and-coming competitors. They can come from any federation and division.

She will be featured on the site for a week beginning on Sunday and will go the rest of the week, with a new one chosen the following Sunday, unless noted. If you would like to be nominated or if you like to nominate someone, send me an email with the following information:

• Name
• Recent Photo
• Website (if one is available)
• MySpace/Facebook page (if one is available)
• Mini-Biography about Nominee
• Length of Career
• Contest History
• Favorite Competitor(s)
• Best Lifts
• One Unknown Fact about Nominee
• Best Accomplishment So Far
• Future Goals
  

You can view how your page will look here. She's the first (and right now, only) FitGem of the Week.

In addition to this, you can also submit a photo to be featured as the FitGems Photo of the Week. Send me an email with the photo and your photo might be posted on the front page! It can be any competitor, including yourself, but I do ask for no nudity or porn, or anything that might be viewed as offensive.

Anyone can submit a nomination or a photo: competitors, fans, promoters, photographers, industry experts...whoever! Keep supporting the great athletes of this sport, and to all the ladies involved, keep up the good work! We are all proud of you and support you in your journeys!

Fitting Observations: Victoria Larvie and Ariel Khadr...Future of Fitness?

At the age of sixteen and seventeen, what are teenagers doing? Rebelling against their parents (and all forms of society) and lying to them, discovering new ways to get high and drunk without getting caught, getting the big head thinking that they know everything, and there isn't a damn thing anyone can tell them. Admit it, everyone reading this has done one or more of those things during their teenage years (Thank God I'm out of that stage). However, not all teenagers are bad people. There are some that set examples for those that are getting up there in age. In fact, two female teenagers might be the key to resurrecting the fitness division. I'm talking about Victoria Larvie and Ariel Khadr.

First, let talk about Victoria.



Victoria is only 17 years old, and she's has accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. She started to compete nationally in 2004, when she was just becoming a teenager. Yes, she's still a teenager, but she has accomplished more than most competitors have that are twice her age. This past weekend, she cemented her name in the history books as she became the one of the youngest fitness pro EVER at the age of 17 to attain her pro card. And on top of that, she just graduated from high school!! She's also a Level 10 Gymnast, which is the toughest level to master right before elite status, which is Olympic material, folks. Clearly, the sky's the limit for this unbelievable superstar.

Victoria isn't the only youngster looking to bring fitness back into the spotlight. Ariel Khadr is definitely getting people's attention as of late.



As I was checking the winners of the Atlantic City this year, I was immediately drawn to Ariel. Little did I know that she's just SIXTEEN!!! She has great genetics for this sport, and her energy during her routines (from what I've heard) is off-the-charts, almost at the level of Jenny Hendershott (who happens to help her out with her routines). Whoever is her date at her senior prom next year is gonna be one lucky guy. Like Victoria, she's a Level 10 Gymnast, so she's capable of crazy stuff on stage. Expect her to make history on stage before she starts her freshman year at college.

With Victoria and Ariel showcasing talent with their routines and well-developed physiques on stage, all while studying for the next math exam, both ladies have what it take to one day join the ranks of Adela, Kim, Jenny, Tracy, Tanji, and other top IFBB fitness stars. These two future superstars are proof that fitness isn't going anywhere anytime soon. :)

Judging a Book (or Magazine in this case) by its Cover?!

Wow...wow...wow. So much fuss over one little cover. But that's exactly what's going on with the July / August Issue of Muscle & Fitness Hers. Celebrity figure Kim Kardashian is on the cover, and it has caused quite a stir in the industry, to say the least.

To view the entire article and the cover, and read the various comments, click here.

From what I've read so far in the comments, it looks like the men are FOR Double-K on the mag cover, and the women in the industry are AGAINST her on the cover for the most part, with some exceptions on both genders. However, I can understand where the women are coming from in this issue.

I looked at this as a business guy, and came up with this conclusion (BTW, I posted the exact same thing on Siouxcountry) :

I'm no Issac and I'm no Scribbler, but I definitely understand why someone like Kim would be on the cover, and as someone who wants to see this industry flourish as much as possible, I support Weidler's decision to put Kim on the cover.

If anything, this will bring more exposure to the sport, which is always a good thing (if done right). I mean, people outside this industry might not have a CLUE who Christine Pomponio-Pate, Nicole Wilkins-Lee and Kristi Tauti are. But they sure as hell know who Kim Kardashian is, whether they like her or not. No, this sport will not appeal to everyone (that's a given in anything), but if more people see this sport due to seeing something that has a celebrity they know, then the more exposure the sport itself will get. More exposure could mean more participants in the future, and possibly more money into the industry, and in this economy, that's a very good thing.

I'm not a fan of Kim or her show (not my thing), but speaking as a business person, I applaud what you're attempting to do.

Long story short...never judge a book by its cover. Or in this case, a magazine.

Again, this is strictly my opinion, and no, I'm not trying to kiss anyone's posterior on this issue. I'm just stating my thoughts on the whole thing and that's all. However, how do YOU feel about this? Do you see this as a chance to bring the sport more women with a celebrity status? Or do you think M and F Hers went about it the wrong way?

Fitting Observations: Is Gina Aliotti this generation's Monica Brant?

In every sport, you have that main person that the fans define as someone special. People like Micheal Jordan, Brett Farve, Kobe Bryant, Trish Stratus, Hulk Hogan, Venus and Serena Williams, Troy Aikman, and others are synonymous with greatness for their field of sports and entertainment. And in the world of female muscle, there may not be a more famous name out there than Monica Brant.





She has done more in her career than most will do in a lifetime, despite only winning one Olympia championship (Fitness Olympia in 1998). She has graced in more fitness magazine covers than I dare to count right now. It it hard to find any fitness or figure competitor that has NOT been influenced by Monica. Without question, Mo is a bonafied future IFBB Hall of Famer.

With that being said, who has what it takes to step up and be an iconic force like Monica? No disrespect to the competitors, but there's only one person I can think of right now that has the ability to not only be a icon, but maybe...just maybe, surpass the legendary status of the Brant one, and she's only in her mid-20s! I'm talking about the one and only Gina Aliotti.




Gina has accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. She became a pro at the age of 21 at the NPC USAs, by winning her class. She has proven to be a force to be reckoned with ever since. She has placed high in every competition she's entered in so far. In her first Olympia (in 2006) and Arnold (in 2007), she placed sixth in both of them. The next go around, she was super-close to winning the Figure Olympia title in 2007 and actually captured the Figure International title in 2008, with an overwhelming unanimous approval by judges AND fans. She has remained in the Figure Olympia title hunt despite the changes made within the IFBB (but that's another story). If the fans has any say in the matter, she would have been Ms. Figure Olympia by now.

Gina is young enough to become the face of the IFBB for years to come, and it won't be done by the IFBB itself. With her ever-growing fan base, and competitors that are looking up to her the way Gina looks up to Monica (and others), they may have no choice but to market the division around her. I have no clue when Monica will hang up the figure suits for good, but when she does, look for Gina to grab that torch and become her own icon. Then someone can write down who's the future Gina Aliotti in the year 2050! :)

Fitting Observations: Is Brittani Simpson a future superstar in this industry?

Crossing over to a different division (fitness/figure to bodybuilding and vice verse, or fitness to figure and vice verse) is nothing new. It's been done for quite some time now. Some have competed in either fitness or figure, and put on muscle for about a couple of years to become bodybuilders, while those in bodybuilding have taken off some muscle to become fitness/figure. Now imagine having the right balance of muscle to not only do bodybuilding, but figure as well...for the same contest...and actually doing well in BOTH divisions. That's exactly what Brittani Simpson did at the 2009 Emerald Cup.

For those that are unfamiliar with the Emerald Cup, it's arguably the best regional shows in the nations, and one of the best ran shows period. A lot of big stars have come from the Emerald Cup, and I feel Brittani is going to be one of those stars.

Before I go on, how about you get a little visual aid of Brittani from the Emerald Cup earlier this year:



(Brittani competing as a bodybuilder at the Emerald Cup 2009)



(Brittani competing as a figure competitor at the Emerald Cup 2009)

Brittani isn't your typical physique star. Prior to competing, she has been involved in dance, cheerleading, rock climbing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and just about everything in between. (Source: Twixpix) In addition to having that in her resume, she's also a mother of two.

In her first year competing (2008), she competed in the Vancouver Natural (yes, her physique is natural) and won her class, won the overall title at the 7 Feathers Classic, and placed in the top three at last year's Emerald Cup. And then she kicks off 2009 in a big way by placing in the top three in both bodybuilding AND figure in her classes. Call me crazy, but that screams future pro to me. According to a video interview she did for Hardfitness (click here to view the video), look for her to make her national debut this November at the NPC Nationals.

She's only been competing for a couple of years now, but I feel it will only be a matter of time before she turns pro. Whether she will get it for bodybuilding or figure remains to be seen. Regardless of what she gets it for, look for Brittani to do big things in the years to come. And with her being a natural athlete, that says a lot about her character and determination. At this point, the only person that's gonna hold her back is herself, and I doubt that it will happen anytime soon. :-)

Brittani, on befalf of the FitGems Nation, we wish you the very best of luck in the future and hope you serve as an inspiration to working mothers around the world. The world is yours for the taking. GOOD LUCK CHAMP!!!

For more on Brittani, check out her website at http:///www.brittfit.com and her blog at http://wwwbrittfitcom.blogspot.com/.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE FITMOM!!!

Thank you to everyone that entered this very special contest. There are 11 great individuals who entered this year. Those women are:

Cathleen Kronemer
Kassandre Harper-Cotton
Jade Smart
Amanda Zawojsky
Liza Hughes
Lori A.T. Raper
Ginny Gardea
Niki DelGrosso
Theresa Winterhalter
Suzane Germano
Amber Lobao

View each of their stories and a pic of them as well. After you do that, vote for your favorite mother. You have until Mother's Day to vote. GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!

The poll is at the front page of my site: http://www.fitgemsnation.net.

(UPDATE)FITGEMS FITMOM CONTEST DEADLINE HAS BEEN MOVED TO MONDAY AFTERNOON!!!!

Yes, instead of this Saturday at Midnight Eastern Time as originally planned, the deadline for entries has been moved to Monday at noon eastern time. After Monday, no more nominations will be taken for the FitGems FitMom Contest.

http://www.fitgemsnation.net/page/fitgems-fitmom-contest

As of this post, there are six nominees in the running.

http://www.fitgemsnation.net/page/nominees-1

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!! :-)

Twitter FitGems Nation!

Yep...I've gotten involved in the Twitter movement. HEHE...

For everything up-to-date on the FitGems Nation site, blog, HDPhysiques blog, and other things that I'll be doing involving the industry, Follow us on Twitter! :-)

http://www.twitter.com/FitGemsNation

SPEAK UP! Why hasn't Monica Brant-Peckham won a single figure title?

SPEAK UP! is a blog segment where I ask a question and you speak your peace in the comments below. There's no right or wrong answer, just your honest thoughts.

In a profession where there's a lot of beautiful and talented females, Monica Brant is in a class of her own. One can argue that she's the most popular fitness/figure competitors in our time. However, there's one thing that's alluded her throughout her career...and that's winning a figure pro show.

My question to you is...Why hasn't Monica Brant won a single figure title? Is is something she's doing or not doing? Does it have to do with politics? Are there people within the IFBB that just don't want her to win despite her coming in the way the judges want her to?

Again, I don't know the question. I'm just wanting to know your thoughts on this.