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Issue #48

Contents

Editorial
by Juan Carlos Lope
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20 Questions with Cover Model and NPC Figure Petra Onhajzerova

Video Interview with IFBB Figure Pro and Cover Model Petra Onhajzerova

Nina Loos Interview
by Anne Pietila

Figure Competitions: Part of a Balancing Act
by Michelle Craven

Pictorials
Petra Onhajzerova, Tiani Thorne, Monica Brant, Tiffany Whitmore and Heather Udy

Video Interview with NPC Figure Lynn Fitzhum

Ask Misty Green
by Misty Green

Video Interview with NPC Bodybuilding Casey Daugherty

New Year's Body
by Jean Jitomir PhD (c)

Video Interview
with NPC Bodybuilding Yahaira Agosto

 

Editorial by Juan Carlos Lopez

2008 was year with lots of changes some good some bad but things just move on. There were many deaths, murders, suicides around the industry like never before maybe this is something we should look at?

You Dig Your Own Grave

During a casual conversation at my gym a friend asked me what were some of the biggest problems I saw in my industry regarding my work and with everything I do. I told him he actually should concetrate on his workout and read this editorial when had the time otherwise we would be in the gym until closing time.

Time is really the essence in this whole world, the difference between a poor man and rich man is how each person spends their time before. Both can start at the bottom and if one becomes wealthy its probably because he spent his time wisely. Bear in mind as you read this that this is not my sole job, I work in a very competitive and wealthy industry in California hence I understand about spending time wisely. After being in this industry for a few years I have seen a lot of patterns, society breeds stereotypical people given their backgrounds, religion and environment. One of the many problems female competitors face is that this industry becomes too much of an obsession given that it can offer virtually anyone their 15 minutes of limited fame. Limited means that its not a very widely known industry but it serves its purpose. A regular accountant, personal trainer, nurse etc... can become top figure, fitness or olympia competitor and get so much attention in one indsutry. It serves as the escape we all look for from our ordinary lives. The main focus of competitor is obtaining a pro card and then reaching the Olympia stage. I have seen all kinds of aberrant behavior from competitors in order to achieve this. Trainers backstabbed by women who don't respect their work and start working secretly with another trainer. Females cheating on their husbands while at shows with that good looking muscular man who is on every cover of a magazine. Men aren't too far from this either but we are concentrating on the female side. And even crimes perpetrated around the industry because it has gotten too far in their heads.

Now on the side of work I have seen many competitors with great potential stop competing for no reason or reasons that are either emotional or related to someone else. But after having offered sponsorships for the last 2 years I did also realize that many competitors really want it and then they flake out and don't return calls or emails and they themselves (not sure if on purpose or because their motivation wanes down) dig their own graves. Its interesting to see also how some competitors sign a paper and can't comply with what is on it. We have dropped a few competitors from our roster because of this simple fact and other unprofessional behavior. But largely all other ones have been pretty good so its better than worse.

After you have competed x amount of years and spent so much money in the industry what are you left with? You can make money but are you organized enough and spending time properly for it? Probably not, so all you will be left are memories, trophies, some friends, a big debt, lost friends & family and perhaps single and lonely and with a low paying job.

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