Big Show Return in 2012...Who Should Be Next? Part 1

I don't know if anyone has noticed this yet, but for the last couple of years, we've seen come big returns to the big stages: The Arnold and Olympia. In 2010, we saw the return of Mia Finnegan at the Fitness Olympia. In 2011, we saw the return of Jennifer Gates at this past Arnold's in the Figure International contest. The Arnold list will be posted very soon (possibly as soon as this week), and I was thinking...who else should make at least one more big show appearance in 2012? Here's a few choices I have (in no particular order) This will be done in a 3-part series, beginning with fitness. (There's a very good chance the Arnold list will be out before this series of post is completed, so keep that in mind.)

1. Tracey Greenwood

Tracey Greenwood is among the best competitors to never have won the Fitness International or Fitness Olympia title. During her time in fitness, she wowed the crowd with her routines and one of the best physiques to ever step on stage. Many people (including yours truly) were sad to hear of her retirement, as we all felt she could have been a great Fitness International and/or Fitness Olympia champion. It would be cool to see her on a Arnold and/or Olympia stage once again.

2. Susie Curry

 

Talk about leaving a mark on the scene! Before Adela became the queen of fitness, Susie Curry was the undisputed leader of the division, taking on all-comers with her trademark routines and compact physique. Very few have her impressive resume, with 4 Fitness International titles and 4 Fitness Olympia titles. There would be no doubt in my mind that should Susie ever come out of retirement, she could put herself right in the thick of things with Adela, Tanji, Myriam, and others and be right in the hunt for another Arnold or Olympia title.

3. Kim Scheideler

While some of you might not be TOO familiar with that name, you might be familiar with the name Kim Klein. Kim possessed a lower body that would make some BODYBUILDERS envious, that's how nicely developed it was. her entire physique was no weak sauce, believe you and me, but it was her legs that were the standout point throughout her career. Her routines were very enjoyable as well. She did win two Fitness International titles, and was close to winning a Fitness Olympia title. I think she could make another big show appearance down the road.

4. Julie Childs
 

In 2007, Julie Childs was hitting her stride as a fitness competitor, bringing her physique and routines to an all time best. She disappeared from the scene after the 2007 Olympia, and we haven't heard much from her since. She competed in the Arnold and Olympia a few times and placed relatively well each time, although there are some that feel she could have placed a bit higher. She came from the Fitness America organization and became a IFBB legend. It wouldn't be hard for her to make a return to fitness competition, especially on a stage like the Arnold or Olympia.

5. Jenny Worth

In 2011, she made her return to the stage via guest appearances. From what I've heard from many people, she has not lost a step in her routines. She can still go with the best of them. Physique-wise, she looks like she could just about hang with the best of them as well. During her prime, she was no stranger to the big dance, competing at the Arnold and Olympia and winning a Fitness International title and was VERY close to winning the Fitness Olympia title. Jenny has mentioned that she may very well return to competition one day. Could 2012 be the year she makes her return? And if so, would be it awesome to see it on the Arnold and/or Olympia stage?

That's Part 1 of the three-part series. Part 2 will focus on figure competitors, and part 3 will focus on female bodybuilders. I'm aware there are PLENTY more that could be on this list, but I decided to narrow the list down to five for each series. Let me know who I left out via a comment below or sending me a tweet @FitGemsNation, and your comments could be on a future follow-up post.

WWE Diva Eve Torres's Stairway to Heaven(ly) Body Workout

WWE Superstars and Divas are known to have some of the most amazing bodies in entertainment, but there are those select few that love to take their physiques to the next level. One of those happens to be WWE Diva Eve Torres. Currently, she's partnered with Kelly Kelly and Alicia Fox as part of the "models" group of Divas going against the "wrestler" Divas Natalya and WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix, aka The Divas of Doom. The D.O.D. think the "models" are a joke to the Divas division and need to be out of WWE. Well...tell me, do you see ANYTHING Barbie doll or model about THIS workout? I DON'T THINK SO!

Whew!! I'm tired just WATCHING that!

Eve is known as one of WWE's top fitness fanatics, and this video proves why. She finds a way to make her workouts interesting and challenging, never doing the same thing twice, and as someone who has seen her on TV ever since her debut, in addition to seeing her in person during Wrestlemania 27 and a few WWE shows, the workouts have paid off. We at FitGems hope to see more videos from Eve in the near future and wish her all the best of luck in her persuit in fitness and in WWE. Yes, Eve, the FitGems Nation definitely beliEVEs in you!

For more on Eve, visit her website at http://www.evetorres.com, follow her on Twitter @EveMarieTorres, and like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/evetorresdotcom.

Sharing a TenSpot...with Gail Auerbach

Gail Auerbach is part of the top muscle sites out there today, RxMuscle. She is the editor-in-chief of their female portion of the site, RxGirl, where she's known as "The Prodigy" Not only does she head up RxGirl, she's a NPC Middleweight Bodybuilder as well. Gail was gracious enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to conduct an interview with us.

Photo credit goes to Gail herself.

FitGems Nation: Let’s kick this off by telling us a bit about yourself.
Gail Auerbach: I live in Chi town and work as a first grade teacher. I have a whole ton of degrees in education and the love of my life is special education. Having a whole slew of disabilities myself these are the students I can relate well to. I am close with my family(especially my lil niece) and a core group of friends. I am pretty determined, a hard worker and will do anything to accomplish my goals.

FitGems: When did you first start competing?
Gail: My first local show was in 2007, which was when I first started lifting weights.

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?
Gail: This depends on whether I am dieting for a show or in my offseason. I usually will do AM fasted cardio and weight train in the evenings. Unless I am in prep and then I do cardio a few times a day!

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?)
Gail: Nope, I think looking at me it is pretty obvious!

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?
Gail: Absolutely! Which makes it better for all involved. I just don't want to see female bodybuilding disappear so I am hoping it continues in some fashion!

FitGems: In addition to competing, you are the head person of RxGirl (a part of RxMuscle). How did that come about?
Gail: I am extremely passionate about my job at RX Girl. I am blessed to be able to get to know so many wonderful female athletes and promote them on so many levels. When I got my minor in undergrad in PR, I really thought I would never use it, being a teacher, but I didn't want to graduate and leave college so I decided to get it. It's funny 11 years later to actually be using it! I kept nagging my diet guru, Dave Palumbo about wanting to "give back" and do more for the industry, but being a full time career driven teacher, I just didn't know how. He let me help behind the scenes at RX Muscle a bit and as the site started to grow he offered me the position. I was SO excited, I didn't sleep for a week! Now it is a dream to work with and for him and share the same vision and goals for the site. I encourage any women who may be reading this to contact me for promotional opportunities.

FitGems: Who in the fitness industry has been your biggest inspiration?
Gail: My boss, friend and diet guru Dave Palumbo, who has been my leading inspiration in life and enlightened me in numerous ways. Michael Liberatore who has been training me for years and never stops challenging and believing in me. All the middleweight female bodybuilders who graced the stage before me. I looked up to them!

FitGems: If you weren’t a part of the female physique world whatsoever, what would you be doing right now as your profession?
Gail: Exactly what I am doing...teaching little kids and loving it each and every day! (except when they bring their germs to school and get me sick! lol!)

FitGems: What (if anything) would you change about any of the IFBB female divisions?
Gail: I wouldn't change anything! Really!

FitGems: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to compete?
Gail: Make it your own journey and about you. Don't worry who else is on the stage or what other people say or look like. Find your support system who will be there for you and continue to push toward your own goals.

If you want to contact Gail, you can email her at GHAuerbach@yahoo.com. You can also "like" her on  Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gail-Auerbach-Natl-Level-Body-Builder-Fan-Page/121950654537793.

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: And the Nominees Are...

Thank you to everyone that nominated their favorites for the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards! Without further ado, here are the nominees:

COMPETITOR CATEGORIES 

Pro Female Bodybuilder of the Year
Iris Kyle
Yaxeni Oriquen
Brigita Brezovac
Debi Laszewski
Alina Popa
Isabelle Turell

Pro Figure Competitor of the Year
Nicole Wilkins
Ava Cowan
Erin Stern
Kat Rameriz
Candice Keene
Ann Titone

Pro Fitness Competitor of the Year
Adela Garcia
Tanji Johnson
Nicole Duncan
Michelle Blank
Tina Durkin
Stacy Wright

Pro Bikini Competitor of the Year
Nicole Nagrani
Sonia Gonzales
Amanda Latona
Jamie Baird
Nathalia Melo
Vanessa Campbell

Amateur Female Bodybuilder of the Year
Michelle Brent
Amanda Alger
Kira Neuman
Kimmie Morgan
Judy Gallard
Cynthia Colon

Amateur Figure Competitor of the Year
Wendy Fortino
Allison Moyer
Joni Neilson
Allison Frahn
Shelly Albetta
Cheryl Davis

Amateur Fitness Competitor of the Year
Amanda Hatfield
Lisha Dean
Meredith Miller
Sheri Vucick
Whitney Jones
Viko Newman

Amateur Bikini Competitor of the Year
Diana Graham
Candace Grayam
India Paulino
Noe Alexander
Skye Taylor
Jennifer Rankin

Amateur Physique Competitor of the Year
Jill Rudison
Jillian Reville
Rachel Baker
Tracy Bodner
Susie Fuller Torres
Dana Bailey

International Female Bodybuilder of the Year (Pro or Amateur)
Brigita Brezovac
Debi Laszewski
Alina Popa
Yaxeni Oriquen
Maria Rite Bello
Dayana Cadeau

International Fitness Competitor of the Year (Pro or Amateur)
Myriam Capes
Jodi Boam
Regaine De Silva
Mindi O’Brian
Oksana Grishina
Minna Pajulahti

International Figure Competitor of the Year (Pro or Amateur)
Larissa Reis
Rachelle Chase
Tracey MacDonald
Emily Stirling
Rosa Marie Romero
Candice John

International Bikini Competitor of the Year (Pro or Amateur)
Nathalia Melo
Jelena Abbou
Dina Al-Sabah
Justine Monro
Noemi Olah
Willeke Verhaar-Davis

Breakout Pro Female Bodybuilder of the Year
Monique Jones
Brigita Brezovac
Alina Popa
Sarah Hayes
Claire O’Connell
Angela Salvagno

Breakout Pro Figure Competitor of the Year
Sabrina Taylor
Candice Keene
Ava Cowan
Ann Titone
Teresa Anthony
Alicia Harris

Breakout Pro Fitness Competitor of the Year
Michelle Blank
Jodi Boam
Camala Rodriguez
Nicole Duncan
Myriam Capes
Stacy Wright

Breakout Pro Bikini Competitor of the Year
Christina Vargas
Diana Graham
Nathalia Melo
Vanessa Campbell
Jennifer Andrews
Jamie Baird

Breakout Amateur Female Bodybuilder of the Year
Michelle Cummings
Amanda Alger
Cynthia Colon
Pat Wentz
Pam Franklin
Judy Gallard

Breakout Amateur Figure Competitor of the Year
Tracey MacDonald
Yolanda Alvarado
Sue Knott
Essence Moneti
Laura Bailey
Wendy Fortino

Breakout Amateur Fitness Competitor of the Year
Amanda Hatfield
Paula Williams-Guliman
Sheri Vucick
Regan Grossman
Meredith Miller
Cicely Kyle

Breakout Amateur Bikini Competitor of the Year
Sherrie Carnicle
Candyce Graham
Diana Graham
India Paulino
Noy Alexander
Rebecca Staggs

Breakout Amateur Physique Competitor of the Year
Rachel Baker
Nikki Warner
Tracy Bodner
Cheryl Cooke
Dana Bailey
Jennifer Robinson

Inspirational Competitor of the Year
Mah Ann Mendoza
Tanji Johnson
Mikalia Soto
Jennifer Gates
Mandy Henderson
Ann Titone

Comeback of the Year
Mah Ann Mendoza
Amanda Hatfield
Helle Neilson
Mindi O’Brien
Dorit Silverman
Jennifer Gates

Competitor Who You Would Love to See Return To the Stage in 2012
Valerie Waugaman
Danny-J
Christine Pomponio-Pate
Jenny Lynn
Heidi Sullivan
Lenda Murray

Fitness Personality of the Year (Model/Trainer/Spokesperson)
Brittany Beede
Jillian Michaels
Jennifer Nicole Lee
Danny-J
Aubrie Richeson
Jamie Eason

Moment of the Year
Jr. Nationals 2011, where every figure class winner was of color (first in NPC history)
First-ever IFBB event in India (Sheru Classic)
First-ever Arnold Class Europe Fitness
Mindi O’Brien announcing retirement from fitness
Dayana Cadeau and Mah Ann Mendoza announcing their retirements from female bodybuilding at the Olympia
Nicole Nagrani winning the first-ever Bikini International  


MISC. Categories 

NPC Show of the Year
Nationals
Jr. Nationals
Jr. USAs
USAs
Team Universe
North Americans

IFBB Show of the Year
Olympia
Arnold
Ft. Lauderdale Pro
St. Louis Pro
Toronto Pro Supershow
Sheru Classic

WBFF Show of the Year
Worlds
Alberta
New England
Quebec
Eastern US
B.C.

Promoter(s) of the Year
Jack and Ann Titone
Stryker X
Ed & Betty Pariso
Tim Gardner
Jon Lindsay
Brent Jones

Organization of the Year
IFBB
NPC
WBFF
INBF
NABBA
Fitness America/Universe

Female Physique Site of the Year (non-competitor) (NOTE: FitGems is NOT eligible due the fact that FitGems is running the contest)
Siouxcountry
Promoting Real Women
Hardbody News
Rx Girl
Fitness Rx
Fit Model TV

Female Competitor Blog of the Year
Ashley Cooper (http://ashleycooperfitness.blogspot.com)
Mindi O’Brien (http://mindiobrien.blogspot.com/)
Stacy Wright (http://stacywrightfitness.blogspot.com/)
Ester Alexander (http://estheralexander.blogspot.com)
Nikki Roxx (http://healthhugsandheadlocks.blogspot.com/)
Cindy Phillips (http://cindyphillips.blogspot.com/)

Facebook Female Fan Page of the Year
Brittany Beede
Ava Cowan
Monica Brant Fan Page
Danny-J and Aubrie Richeson the Sweaty Betties
Tracy Bodner
Tonya Burkhardt-IFBB Fitness Pro

Photographer of the Year
Marc Thyssen
Bill Comstock
Dan Ray
Isaac Hinds
Jeff Binns
Mike Eckstut

Blogger of the Year
Jason Adams
Isaac Hinds
Dean Sucich
GeneX
Carl Burkins (dallas3)
Area Orion

Industry Blog of the Year (by a fan, industry member, company, etc.)
Promoting Real Women (http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com)
Hardbody News (http://www.hardbody.com/news)
KrivStudios Blog (http://krivstudiosblog.wordpress.com/)
Fit Model TV (http://fitmodeltv.wordpress.com)
Area Orion (http://areaorion.blogspot.com)
Female Muscle Universe (http://femalemuscleuniverse.blogspot.com)

Industry Facebook Fan Page of the Year
Fit Model TV
Siouxcountry
Promoting Women in Bodybuilding Fitness and MMA
Hardbody News
No Division Left Behind; Women’s Bodybuilding
Marc Thyssen Photography

Female Celebrity Muscle of the Year
Elizabeth Hasslebeck
Kelly Ripa
Hope Solo
Poppy Montgomery
Celeste Bonin (WWE’s Kaitlyn)
Trish Stratus

Physique Paysite of the Year
HerBiceps (www.herbiceps.com)
HDPhysiques (www.hdphysiques.com)
KrivsStudio (http://www.krivsstudio.com/)
Female-Power (www.female-power.net)
Awefilms (www.awefilms.com)
Femflex (www.femflex.com)

Male Supporter of the Year
Jason Lannigan (Sioux)
Jason Adams
Curt James
Jack Titone
Carl Burkins (dallas3)
Isaac Hinds

Female Website Site of the Year
Mandy Henderson (www.mandyhenerson.com)
Stephanie Wilkes (www.stephaniewilkes.com)
Ann Titone (www.anntitone.com)
Brittany Beede (www.brittanybfit.com)
Monica Escalante (www.monfit.com)
Tanji Johnson (www.tanjijohnson.com)

Supplement Company of the Year
Scivation
Gaspari Nutrition
BSN
Top Secret Nutrition
MAN Sports
Optimum Nutrition

Team of the Year
Team Bombshell
Total Package
Team Brownie
Tanji Johnson’s Save Fitness
Team O’Brien
Oddo's Angels


Trainer of the Year
Jack Titone
Kim Oddo
Noel Fuller
Shannon Dey
Mindi O'Brien
Erik Ledin

To vote for your favorites:

1. Email your votes at admin@fitgemsnation.net (Put 2011 FitGems Awards in the subject line) YOU CAN VOTE ONCE PER DAY PER EMAIL. No daily mutiple emails will be accepted. Those will be thrown out.
2. If you have Twitter, you can tweet your votes to http://twitter.com/fitgemsnation and use the hashtag #2011FitGemsAwards. Remember, if you do this, state the category as well as your choice for that particular category. YOU CAN DO THIS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN...JUST MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GO TO TWITTER JAIL! LOL...
3. If you're a member of the following sites, you can send me your votes via private message:

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

4. You can vote on our online poll at http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/543717. Vote as many times as you can here!

Do you have to vote for ALL the categories?! NO, however...It would be nice if you could, though. To the nominees: let your fans know that you are nominated for awards and get them to vote for you! All voting stops when the ball drops in New York (which means Midnight/11 Central). In other words, when New York City rings in 2012, no more votes will be accepted. Winners will be announced in mid-January.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS!!!

The Warrens to be on National TV

Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com

It's awesome to see those in our industry to be part of mainstream television. On her Twitter account (http://twitter.com/trishwarren), Trish Warren mentioned that her and her husband Branch will be on the Discovery Channel in the near future! Here's her exact Tweet:

Branch and I filmed a documentary for the Discovery Channel, I will keep you posted on when it will air!

 

 

So as soon as I hear word of this, I'll pass this information down to you all. So, if you haven't gotten the Discovery Channel, now would be a great time to get it. Congrats to the Warrens! Hope many of you all tune in!

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. 

3rd Annual FitGems Awards-NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITES!

The 3rd annual FitGems Awards are right around the corner, and we hope to make it in the words of WWE' 12,"Bigger. Badder. Better" than ever before! The categories have changed a bit with new categories entering the fray:

Nominate UP TO FIVE people for the following categories, with the top 6 names for each category to be put on the ballot: 

COMPETITOR CATEGORIES

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
Amateur Physique Competitor of the Year NEW
International Female Bodybuilder of the Year (Pro or Amateur)
International Fitness Competitor of the Year (Pro or Amateur)
International Figure Competitor of the Year (Pro or Amateur)
International Bikini Competitor of the Year (Pro or Amateur)
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

Breakout Amateur Physique Competitor of the Year NEW
Rookie Competitor of the Year (any division; must have competed starting THIS YEAR) NEW

Inspirational Competitor of the Year NEW

Comeback of the Year NEW
Competitor Who You Would Love to See Return To the Stage in 2012
Fitness Personality of the Year (Model/Trainer/Spokesperson) (formerly named Fitness Entrepreneur of the Year)
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)

MISC. Categories

NPC Show of the Year
IFBB Show of the Year
WBFF Show of the Year NEW

Promoter of the Year NEW
Organization of the Year NEW
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
Facebook Fan Page of the Year (Competitor/Fitness Personality) NEW
Photographer of the Year
Blogger of the Year
Industry Blog of the Year (by a fan, industry member, company, etc.)
Industry Facebook Fan Page of the Year NEW
Female Celebrity Muscle of the Year NEW
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
Team of the Year NEW

Trainer of the Year NEW

Voting for the Ones to Watch will be a bit different from previous years. You can nominate up to three people from now until the end of the year, and during the FitGems Awards Ceremony, we'll announced the top five names of those to watch in the coming year in each category below:

Pro Figure Competitors
Pro Fitness Competitors
Pro Bikini Competitors
Pro Women's Physique Competitors
Amateur Female Bodybuilders
Amateur Figure Competitors
Amateur Fitness Competitors
Amateur Bikini Competitors
Amateur Women's Physique Competitors
Fitness Personality (Model/Trainer/Spokesperson) (formerly Fitness Entrepreneur)


You can send your nominations through Twitter (http://twitter.com/fitgemsnation) using hashtag #FitGemsAwards2011, email your nominations (admin@fitgemsnation.net), or leave a comment on this post on our Facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/fitgemsnation). 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 Wednesday, November 30th. On December 2nd, check back on the blog for the official list of nominees. After that, voting will begin that same day and will last through the rest of December, with the winners announced sometime in mid-January (Exact date and format of the announcement of nominees to be determined on a later date).

Good luck to everyone! :)

Mindi O'Brien Retires from Fitness

Fitness lost one of its top competitors today, as Mindi O'Brien announced via Youtube today that she is retiring from fitness competition. It sucks to leave a sport or anything you love for so long due to an injury. She's had a great career spanning 14 years, with great routines and what some people call one of the best physiques in fitness history, capped off by her trademark arms that would give any female bodybuilder a run for their money. Some of her highlights include competing in 6 straight Fitness Olympias (although she was qualified for 7, but skipped out of this year's show due to injury) and 5 straight Arnold Classics. She would finish her career at the first-ever Arnold Classic Europe, placing 6th.

Photo credit: RxMuscle.com

Here's a video of Mindi during her trip to Spain (including her fitness routine and posing round) and announcing her retirement from fitness:

What does the future hold for her? We're unsure, but we think she will stick around in the fitness industry in some form or capacity. We at FitGems Nation congratulate Mindi on an incredible journey, and we wish her the best of luck in the next chapter of her life!

Tanji Johnson Wins Arnold Classic Europe Fitness

Photo credit: Rx Muscle

History was made this weekend at the first-ever Arnold Classic Europe took place. Tanji Johnson, one of the top competitors in fitness and according to many a future Fitness Olympia and/or Fitness International champion, will forever be in the history books as the first-ever Arnold Classic Europe Fitness champion. Bethany Cisternino took 2nd, Regiane DeSilva took 3rd place. Here are the full results as well as scorecard for this historic event:

1. Tanji Johnson
2. Bethany Cisternino
3. Regiane DeSilva
4. Myriam Capes
5. Tina Durkin
6. Mindi O'Brien
7. Diana Monteiro
8. Kayde Puckett

Photo cradit: IFBBPro.com

Congrats to Tanji on the win, and to everyone that competed at the Arnold Classic Europe! You all made history this weekend!

IFBB Advisory Rule about Competition Contracts and No-Show at Finals

This was released last week, from the IFBB:

Credit: IFBBPro.com

Let's start with the athlete competition contract ruling. There are those that take their time and want to see who else is competing and maybe they will wait until the very last minute to send in a contract. With this new ruling, that will be reduced dramatically as competitors MUST submit their contracts no later than a month (30 days) before the competition they plan to enter. And if they DO wait, they gotta pay up to the tune of 200 dollars. So make up your mind early, folks, and go ahead and submit those contracts.

As far as the no-show at finals are concerned, good ruling on that as well. If you make it, don't bail out unless you have a legitimate excuse. If you're literally feeling like you're gonna pass out, then you clearly excused from the finals. Your health is more important than a trophy and a spot at the Olympia. But if you're skipping to be skipping, you better hope it's a VERY GOOD excuse, because it's gonna cost ya $1,000. And until it's paid off, you will be kept from competing elsewhere.

While I personally love these rulings, some of you might not. What are YOUR thoughts on the new IFBB rulings? Post them below.