People ask Ms. Bikini New England Competitor Molly DelleChiaie, Why would you continue to torture yourself by eating like you do if you have 18 weeks before your next show? She responds,

“If I was feeling tortured or unhappy– I wouldn’t do it.  I completely changed my life and nutritional lifestyle and I don’t ever want to go back.  All of this has been for ME, and that is why I continue to do it.”

Molly has learned great ways to cook and discovered delicious meals to eat.  They are also much healthier than what she was eating before she began training.  Molly has been prepping early not just for the show but for herself also.

Four years ago, Genieve Sanchez challenged herself to compete in Fitness New Mexico Championships to expand her athletic horizons.  She became the fitness transformation story she had always been inspired by in Oxygen Magazines.  Genieve says, “That show was a catalyst for future shoes and athletic adventures, self-discovery and incredible friendships.  To the competitors I applaud you all on reaching this goal.”  Over the years Genieve has become more involved in the Fitness Industry.  She competes in shows, involves herself creatively through graphic design promotions and judging shows.

‘13 Musclemania® competitor Melanie Redington suggests adding 2-4 ingredients in your kitchen that supports health from the inside out.  She considers healthy skin, digestion, and reduced pain in the wake of increased activity a few of her own personal markers of beauty.  Melanie hopes people realize three important concepts. Melanie says, “Beauty is not a dirty word reserved for a certain physical look. Beauty is from the inside out and the better we feel, the better we project our own unique look.  Health is a habit that we choose daily. Supporting health and beauty does not have to cost a fortune and we ALL have access.  25% of this challenge is having healthy ingredients on hand, the other 75% is forming the habits to use those healthy ingredients regularly enough to reap their benefits.”

Follow Melanie Redington on Facebook for daily inspiration and the August 100-mile challenge.
http://www.melanieredington.com/site/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/mel.joeredington

Shining last month in Florida were Fitness Universe Champions (L-R) Sheri McCall Vucick (Open Women),Mike Peele (Open Men) and Stacie Wildenhain Venagro (Pro). Sheri was making her return to the FU stage and is now an unprecedented 4x Fitness Universe Champion!  Mike a heralded Hollywood choreographer was making his fitness debut.  And, Stacie was hot off her Fitness America win last November in Las Vegas. They raises the roof at the show with so much excitement to their routines.

Some words of wisdom from Ms. Bikini Universe competitor Erika Laura Strimer. “Life takes courage! It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them. It takes courage to refrain from gossip when others delight in it and stand up for the absent person who is being abused. It takes courage to live honestly within your means, and not dishonestly on the means of others. It takes courage to be a REAL man or a TRUE woman.”

Just in from Ms. Bikini Universe 4th Place Finalist Melissa Darmawan . . .

“
As I fly home to Australia tonight, I want to leave the States with a thank you.

I flew to the States with a journey different to any other contest preparation in my 3 years as a competitor. All I wanted to do is to do well. For me, this show was on the other side of the world where as an independent woman, I had to create the pathways to finance, design and create everything that I needed to be here. From qualifying to compete to studying on how to work smarter, my 17h days of training and working grew me into a woman that pushed the barriers of what seemed the impossible, possible. So I want to acknowledge some key players who have helped me in the last 6 months.

Maria Andriano – You are Figure Pro for a reason and even though you’re competing in the Arnolds at Madrid in Sept to WIN your pro card, to me you’re a pro for all the training, nutrition protocols and most of all, your love to see me on this stage. Thank you, I can’t wait to create the next part of my journey with you! x

Dymatize Nutrition – We are who we are cause our products are one of a kind and with the number of awards we have won, I am proud to be your Aussie athlete cheering you on! From our winning ISO100 to our Z Force (ZMA), I love you guys as you really do care about this – “Your ambition. Our Nutrition” so thank you. Thank you for the true Dymatize experience and I look forward to seeing you guys again. xx

Superior Supplements – You raise the bar every month on me as an athlete and there’s a reason why. You believe in the best and to be the best, you need to deliver the best and because of that, I know myself as an entrepreneur like no other. From developing my designing skills, to training and event appearances, I am grateful for the playground to grow as your athlete so thank you. xx

Fitness Universe Tour / Fitness-Universe Tour- Your shows are like no other. The production back stage is one unique package and the overall experience as one of your competitors is one glamourous one. I love it and thank you for having me at your show. I’m happy to hold 4th place in the Model Universe for 2014.

Musclemania Australia – Steve P Jones / Steve Jones / Antonietta Jones- The founders of Musclemania Australia. Thank you for what you do and the opportunity you give to all the athletes who step on your stage. It’s a testament for the team you bring to these shows in the US to highlight the Australian fitness talent we have. I have valued your support and feedback to develop as a competitor and with that, deserves a standing ovation for the behind the scenes work you both do to produce the shows, tours and magazines that we see year after year so thank you. xx

Roger Fabri and the Ramjet group – Speed and agility. Short and sharp. My performance with the group has been at its peak in the last 6 months and that’s because of the group and the coach that you are Rog to ensure all of us are on track. I can’t wait to hit out a good 100m. See you soon and thank you. xxxx

JQIIX – Jacquii Alexander & Tammie Sarkozy. Figure Champion – Two years later, we reunite. 2012 saw us come together to compete in Las Vegas and now, Miami. I love our friendship and the journey we have had and I’m sure our next trip will be beyond fun!!!!! I love you both and thank you for being part of this trip with me. In ‘mallet smashes’, Mel. xxx

Lucky last – ALL OF YOU. No athlete is on stage without each of you playing a role in some way. If that is from following our posts to look for that inspiration to the emotional support that we need from time to time, without you, I know that I wouldn’t be a the Model that I am today and I’m sure I could say the same for the other athletes who love the sport so thank you for what you do. You matter and whatever your health and fitness goals are, you have my support. Go make it happen and in the journey of it, have fun and do well. Thank you. xxx

See you all back when I land in Australia! Thank you once again and I love you. Mel. xx

“

Desiree Nathanson brings dance to the stage in an exciting way.  The Georgia native explains, “I was a dancer before I was a fitnesser.  I was technically trained at Florida Ballet Arts in Sarasota, FL. The fun part about this fact is that dance sneaks it’s way into my fitness classes and fitness sneaks it’s way into my dance classes. Come see for yourself!”  Desiree is always a Top 5 Finalist at Fitness America and Fitness Universe shows.

A veteran to the Ms. Bikini Universe™ stage and one of the first selected Ms. Bikini Universe™ Pros, Sally Leung has been busy promoting her brand internationally. She is currently being featured on the cover of British magazine Ultra-FIT (below) and the cover of a Chinese lifestyle magazine INSERT. “I’m excited to continue promoting the Ms. Bikini Universe™ brand and to be an active ambassador in Canada and throughout Asia,” Sally says. She’s been a Top 5 Finalists in all her shows over the past few years and will be on stage at Ms. Bikini America™ in Las Vegas in November.

Competing for the first time, Bostonian Isabelle Atkinson nearly snatched the Ms. Bikini New England Medium Class. The 5’6″, 130 lbs., 22 year old advertising and marketing administrator says, “I love the fitness industry and helping empower other women.” Isabelle explains she wants to become a fitness model and continue to experience being on stage and in front of the lights.