'11 Figure Universe Shannon Petralito is continuing her training for Miami. In her latest update, she talks about her leg trainer and how much he matters in her regimen.

"Its week #2 in my countdown until Figure Universe! Time is flying by and I am excited to share this weeks update. I have the honor of working legs this season with the one and only Mick Souza - Mr. Universe 1992! Mick & I have been training legs now for 3 weeks & I can tell you this - he brings it back old school & I love it!

Lying Ham Curls, Dead-lifts, Suspension Lunges, Squats, Leg Extensions & Sissy Squats & we end with some old school calve exercises. One word - AWESOME! Well maybe two words - OUCH - lol!

I have learned so much already training with Mick. He has helped me understand the biomechanics behind each exercise, helped me improve my form & has taught me that with focus I am stronger than I think! He is an incredible trainer - breaths every set with you - he is inside your workout with you - totally in that moment pushing me harder than I ever thought possible!

These past few weeks Mick & I have talked a lot and his stories are amazing! In 1980 after high school, Mick went to California with nothing more than his gym bag and some big dreams. His first night there he slept outside of the gym only to be greeted in the morning by Roger Callard (from Pumping Iron) who then took Mick under his wing. Within the first 24 hours of being there Mick was now training with Roger & Arnold Schwarzenegger! Mick trained with Arnold any many others such as Tom Platz who taught him about real intensity in training. Mike Christian was like a brother to Mick & many others such as Lee Haney while he was training for his first Mr. Olympia title. Mr. Olympia's Chris Dickerson and Franco Colombu and Mr. Universe Samir Bannout - literally the list goes on and on! Mick even placed third in the World Sumo Championships in Tokyo! Imagine that! You have got to check that one out - http://mick13.com/

Mick’s gym is filled with amazing photos that capture many incredible moments from those years. You can’t help but feel like your training “old school.” It feels as if your stepping back in time & it’s a whole different vibe when you train with him - I love it!

Today Mick is married to his beautiful wife Carla and he continues to train hard & spread his knowledge to others. Mick also teaches Religious Education to 5th, 9th and 10th graders as a volunteer! One of my favorite qualities about Mick is his faith in GOD - Mick has always had a strong faith & has always believed that his path has been chosen for him by GOD & he shows gratitude everyday.

I hope you enjoy this weeks video - it was a great workout & I wanted to share a bit of my experience with you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ujpS-h9ziQ&feature=player_embedded#!

I am very thankful to have the trainers & coaches that I have - we are all working together to help me be the best that I can be this season!

A special thanks to Mick this week for taking the time to pass

'11 Figure America Champion Jessica Rinaldi & '11 Ms. Bikini America Champion Cara Ovis will be hosting Fitness New Mexico on May 19 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Both National Champions live in Albuquerque, train together and are great friends.

As last year's Ms. Bikini Kumite, Amber Knarr surprised everyone with a stunning stage presence. Now, the 21 year old cosmetologist is aiming for a repeat performance at the May 26 show. Amber says, "My family and I live in a small town in Muncy, Pennsylvania where there is not much to do but hang out with friends and family, shop or hit the gym. I graduated high school and went to Beauty School where I got my Cosmetology License and about a year later opened my own salon. Soon, I learned about training and hit the gym which became more interesting than cutting hair for a career. I took my training to the next level and started to compete in 2010. Not long after competing in my first show I knew this is what I wanted to do for many years to come."

Fitness New England will be produced as a 1-hour television special and broadcast on NESN (New England Sports Network) and ESPN. The reality style format show will feature competition action, backstage and what's happening behind-the-scenes throughout the day. The moment competitors arrive in the morning until they leave with their trophies at night, everything will be recorded and edited into an exciting television program. Also, a LIVE broadcast from the Foxwoods Resort Casino on Saturday, April 28 will be available at www.fitnessuniverse.tv for worldwide Fitness Universe fans. Prejuding 1 PM ET, Finals 6 PM ET.

The ladies will be in motion at Fitness New England at Foxwoods Resort Casino on April 28. Over 200 amazing competitors will be performing at the beautiful Fox Theater in the Fitness, Ms. Bikini, Figure, Model and & Musclemania divisions. Response for the show has been incredible with twice as many tickets as last year already sold! Most family, friends and fans of the competitors are coming for the whole day to enjoy the show and all of the great restaurants, shops and clubs at Foxwoods.

With her academic and functional understanding of the real body in motion, Amber Lilyestrom is figure competitor whom understands the workings of her body. The 5'8", 140 lbs. former NCAA Division I soccer player is a Professor of Kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire. Amber will bring her experience and knowledge to the stage again soon. She says, "Fitness New England is a celebration and exemplifies the true beauty of living a healthy lifestyle, respecting one's body and sharing positivity and gratitude with others."

After becoming a mother for the first time, Tara Arellano went on to win the '09 Ms. Bikini New Mexico. Then, last year, she went on to win the Ms. Bikini Universe gaining national literary exposure. Tara has since signed an endorsement deal with nationally distributed supplement line Fluxotrim. The Albuquerque Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist is also a total body conditioning coach & boot camp instructor. She graduated Summa Cum Laude at University of New Mexico in only 3.5 years with a 4.02 GPA. Tara was also a competitive gymnast, cheerleader and dancer for most of her childhood. Now, Tara is training and using her vast experience and national exposure preparing for a report performance at Ms. Bikini Universe in Miami and hoping to capture the gold once again.

As one of the most beautiful Ms. Bikini America's, and the youngest ever, Cara Ovis shined last season. The 21 year old, New Mexico native is a full time business student at UNM working on her BA degree. She burst onto the fitness scene by first winning Ms. Bikini New Mexico and 2nd Place at Ms. Bikini Universe in Miami. But is has been a long, hard road to fitness success for Cara. In high school she was often bullied for being overweight - at one point over 160 lbs.! So, with the encouragement of her friends and family, she joined a gym, got her diet under control and started to live a healthy lifestyle. Cara hired respected fitness coach, Mike Donathan and started collaborating with '09 Fitness America Short Class Champion, Cristin Kiburz. The team approach helped Cara rise to the top of the fitness industry. She says, "It's truly surreal what a journey I've been on. I have taught myself that through hard work and determination anything is possible. Fitness has completely transformed my body and given me a quality of life I didn't think was possible."

As an athlete her whole life, Morgan Swinburne has taken her experience and applied it as a personal trainer for the past 10 years. And, now the 29 year old EMT, firefighter and ocean lifeguard is taking her athletic prowess to Fitness New England - Figure Division later this month at Foxwoods.

Morgan explains, "I have gained knowledge and skills to help people gain strength and endurance, and improve their overall health. I have worked with a wide range of clients from athletes to seniors. Currently I also teach a Healthline running and strength class that helps participants train for and run in 5 and 10k events locally. Helping others reach fitness goals is my passion. I want to make a positive difference in people's lives."

"I am no stranger to real life struggles with fitness. I was an overweight child through middle school until I was able to work with a trainer through my swim team. She put me on the right path and I was able to become an all state swimmer and record holder throughout my high school and United states swimming career. I went on to swim Division I at University of Hawaii. Two knee surgeries put a stop to my college swimming career but I never stopped spending time in the gym. Years later I became pregnant with my little girl and I gained 85 pounds. After giving birth I was determined to get back my athletic body so I set a goal. A year and a half later I lost the 85 lbs and I competed in my first figure competition."

With a passion for fitness for nearly 10 years, Tammy Wylie has competed in numerous Minnesota area fitness competitions. She will be competing at the Ms. Bikini Great North at Mall of America on April 21. The 29 year old, 5'3", 115 lbs. ball of energy was a high school cheerleader and on the hip hop dance team. Tammy a BS in Biology and AAS in Veterinary Technology. She works as a certified veterinary techniciany with hopes to soon work in research for forensics, pharmaceutical or medical devices.

'11 Figure Universe Champion Shannon Petralito says that training and competing has given her the ability to take any negative energy or stress and turn it to positive. But the 35 year old mother and wife says her biggest positive is her family and, especially, her son. She explains more.

"For those of us who have children most of us if not all of us wish for nothing but the best for them. We strive to give them all we can, raise them with morals & instill values in them. When asked what we want for our children we answer things like “ I want my child to be successful, I want my child to be independent, I want my child to live a happy, healthy, long & productive life. I want my child to leave his/her mark in the world, I want him or her to make a difference. I want my child love him/herself & find love with another & make their own family.

Do we ever really stop & think how all of these things begin to take shape & eventually happen for some & why they do not happen for others? The reasons are quite simple.

Your child’s happiness,health, success, morals & values begin with YOU, yes I dare to say it - YOU THE PARENTS - not teachers, not society - YOU!

Parents give their children the first building blocks of life - we need to make sure that these are solid blocks that will withstand most storms that come their way throughout their lives. I’m not saying they are not influenced by others throughout their lives but what I am saying is most children live what they learn which usually begins at home.

We have all heard the saying that being a parent doesn’t come with a manual but being a parent does require some common sense! Your children need you to guide them & show them the right paths to take to get them on that road to success that you want for them as adults!

If your children see you fighting & angry all of the time then what do you think will happen? If they see you treat others with disrespect & talk about others when they are not around then what message are you sending? If you let people disrespect you what message does that send? If you live a negative life & surround yourself with the same guess what? So will they! If they see you everyday eating like crap & sitting around watching television why shouldn’t they? Do you get what I am telling you here? PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH to your children - it works people !

I can tell you this - my healthy lifestyle & my positive outlook on life has taught my son at a very young age how important it is to eat clean, exercise, set goals, work hard till you achieve them - when you achieve your goals take what you have learned & share your knowledge and your passion with those around you. Always work hard & never give up, believe in something!
My son watches me on a daily basis live with passion & purpose & I can see & feel how much he respects me & how much he believes in me. This is what it is all about folks! You are their hero! Don’t let them down. Teach them good not bad, teach them health not sickness, teach them to be active not lazy, teach them all that is good in the world so they pay less attention to the bad. Help them understand how beautiful they are inside & out! This is your job! Your # 1 job, spend time with them, show them that they are important, really listen to them when they talk to you, let them know you are interested in their lives.

Parenting is not easy no one said it would be but if you want the best for your children then you have to be the best to them, they follow by example, be the right leader!"

Mixing a unique blend of beauty and muscularity, Jenny Gaidoukevitch brings a special class of ladies on the Musclemania® stage. The Belarus native is always a Top 5 Finalist. Jenny started to train in 1998 with a motivation that stemmed from a personal dissatisfaction with her looks. "I used to be really fat," she explains. "I had two children and did not having exercised at all. My lifestyle was sedentary - working as a software engineer and playing piano as a hobby. Then, at age 29, I turned to weight training and lost more than 20 kg. (44 lbs.). I went to the best trainers and sport clubs in Holland to learn as much as possible about training, fitness, fighting and bodybuilding. And I completed my certification as a personal trainer. Then I opened my own sport club - www.sunnysport.nl. Late in 2007, I began competing, appearing in more then 15 bodybuilding and figure shows in the last couple of years." "Now I am doing a lot of weight training and I train many other people from professional athletes to businessmen and house wives, helping them to achieve their goals from improving competition results, to just getting fit and figure correction. I also train at Amsterdam's best kickboxing school, Vos Gym. It's very handy to be strong if you like fighting! :) In general, a strong body gives you a strong mind - handy for whatever you do in life!" Currently, Jenny is training for MM Universe in Miami and MM Europe in Paris.