Ms. Bikini Paris Leslie Pantigny says she started fitness training after moving to French Polynesia a few years ago. The 5’3″, 118 lbs., 31 year old fragrance ambassador explains, “My passion for fitness and competitions started with some guidance from my coach in Tahiti. I was working and living in paradise and the change of life made a difference in my whole mindset. For me fitness changes your appearance but also the whole thought process. I think clear and live the fitness lifestyle! I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Leslie is training now for Ms. Bikini Universe in Miami / Ft. Lauderdale in June.

Fitness Texas Champion Daisy Mastroianni says she had amazing time at the show. But the 35 year old Houston native explains keeping her kids involved with her in the gym is most rewarding. “My kids have been involved from the beginning and come and watch me train as I do for them when they train in Tae Kwon Do,” Daisy explains. “For me it’s about keeping the family fit and showing them you go after your dreams no matter what.” Daisy was is a trained ballet dancer also performed professionally for the NBA Houston Rockets and MLS Houston Dynamos. This season, Daisy is preparing for her FU Pro debut. “The opportunity to perform on a Fitness Universe stage has been a dream come true. I am very excited and working hard.”

Figure Classic competitor Liva Rivera says she’s getting show ready for Fitness Universe™ Weekend in Miami / Ft. Lauderdale. The 5’7″, 140 lbs., 40 year young marketing representative is a veteran Figure Universe competitor and also competes in Trifitness, Crossfit, marathons and ultramarasthons. As a mother of 3 beautiful children, Liva says the fitness lifestyle transcends to them, too, with healthy eating and an staying active.

Always an all around athlete from team sports to extreme sports, Trisha Platerito is taking her athleticism and beauty to Ms. Bikini Universe in June. The 5’3″, 120 lbs., 36 year old Floridian says she currently practices bodybuilding, yoga and sprint triathlons. But, Trisha says she also coaches kids soccer teams in weekends. “I love sports and even though soccer wasn’t a team sport when I participated in during school, I enjoy showing the kids how to work as a team,” she explains. Happily married to a wonderful, supporting husband, Trisha has 5 year old twins who keep her busy. She says, “When I give support and love to others, it comes back around. Leading a healthy lifestyle and teaching our kids by example is very rewarding especially watching them make healthy choices on their own.” Trisha will be on stage in Miami / Ft. Lauderdale on June 19-20.

’14 Ms. Bikini America Competitor Erika Strimer takes her stand and knows when enough is enough. She says, “Throughout your lifetime some people will discredit you, disrespect you and treat you poorly for no apparent reason at all. You don’t have control over what others think about you, but you do have control over how you decide to internalize their opinions. Leave them to their own judgments. Let people love you for who you are and not for who they want you to be.
– Photo by: JWAtherton

Fitness Universe™ Bethany Nelson quoting, “Don’t ever take a job because it pays well. Too many of us focus on dollar signs instead of focusing on our passion. A good paycheck will be a side effect of a deep love for what you do. Perfect your craft and you will have all the money you need.” She explains, “Even though I don’t have it all, I have enough. Most of all I get to spend my days doing what I am most passionate about – breathing life into people, making new relationships, using my talents and giving back with a positive example.”

2014 Ms. Bikini Universe Master Champion and Figure Pro Ann Hubbard Says “Ladies, NEVER give up the fight as your body goes through hormonal changes as you age. If you are patient and consistent you will WIN.” As she fought 15 years of infertility and 12 documented miscarriages, her body was stretched back and forth like an exercise band. “All I wanted was to have children.” Says Hubbard. She couldn’t understand why, but believed that GOD had to have a reason. After her 3rd miscarriage she knew she needed to do something about the excess weight and to feel better both physically and mentally. This is when she started her journey in Fitness 19 years ago at the age of 29. After numerous treatments finally she gave birth to her MIRACLE baby Hunter Jośe Hubbard. “After each miscarriage she accepted her out of shape body as the starting point and worked from there to RECLAIM her health, wellness and body. “It is amazing how our bodies can transform through training and natural clean foods and specific nutrition to achieve a certain look. Bodybuilding, figure, or bikini I have done all three. There doesn’t have to be fad diets or any drugs just hard consistent and disciplined actions that can be duplicated over and over at every age. Your body will respond but it takes time. “2012 it was my first Pro Figure competition at Fitness America in Las Vegas at the age of 47. No age, no height or weight classes in the Pro Division. 4th Place overall and I was over a decade older than these other beautiful ladies in the winners circle. It proved to me once again that AGE, pregnancy, or hormonal changes does not have to be a reason to let yourself go. Just believe in the process and never give up on yourself and it will work throughout your lifetime.” Says Hubbard

As a mother of two, Melissa Ioja is an active lady. But the 36 year old, Huntington Beach, California resident is even more active in the gym. She’s an athlete, on-line workout and Athlean-XX Training System trainer, has done Krav Maga martial arts for a couple of years and former host on Bodyrock.TV. Now Melissa is moving on to her next challenge by competing at Fitness Los Angeles show in April. “I am so excited to get on stage for the first time,” Melissa says. “Its almost like a culmination of putting all of my experiences and hard work and showing the world. It will be some special for me.”

’14 Ms. Bikini and Model America finalist Samatha Symes is nervous of her goals for this year. She says, “Can I actually do this? I’m going through a roller coaster of hesitation. Going through the time effort if I fail. You know what this means? It means I have learn to take chances and step up.”

’14 Commercial Model America runner-up Katie Stevens wakes up determined and goes to bed with satisfaction. She says, “If you don’t feel a buzz and get excited to reach new goals, you need to change your way of thinking. Life is meant to be lived with passion and becoming the best you! Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.”

At a seasoned 43 years of age, Washington state native Yvette Briant has competed in NPC shows for the past 6 years. But the Carlsbad, California resident is training now for her first Fitness Universe show this spring. Usually a Top 5 Finalist, Yvette has plenty of competitive experience and says, “You’re never too old to start pursuing your dreams.” Currently, she is back in school to earn her degree in psychology and just started a home business as an independent skincare consultant. Yvette’s ageless beauty will be on stage at Ms. Bikini Los Angeles in Commerce in April.

Ms. Bikini Universe Pro Jamie Lynn Hughes says imitation is the highest form of flattery. She says, “When I started in fitness competitions, I no doubt looked to my idols in the industry to take my cues. But I’ve noticed that as one is transitioning from “newbie” to “example,” there can be a sort of annoyance bubble up when you see your marketing, ideas, programming, branding, etc being duplicated by others. This is what you want to happen! No matter what, the talent and skill to create is worth far more than any one creation could ever be. But only so long as you keep doing it!”
– Photo by: Jason Halbert Visual Arts LLC

’14 Ms. Bikini Australia Classic Champion Kathryn Magnus made every excuse for 20 years to not finish her goals. She says, “When I was really truthful with myself, it was my lack of will power over alcohol / food, multiple injuries, lack of confidence and lack of money that stopped me. So I wrote down my goal having no idea how on earth I could possibly accomplish it. Some days I wanted to give up, petrified of getting on that stage. But it’s amazing that every day you practice or focus on just being the best you can be. I was honestly so proud of myself just to get on stage and not shake!”

– Photo by: GW Burns

Pennsylvania Aubrey Worek was a Top 5 Finalist at Fitness America Championships in Las Vegas. She graduated from Slippery Rock University and earned her B.S. in Exercise Physiology with minors in both Dance and Gerontology. Aubrey is Captain of the Pittsburgh Passion Dance Team and is Assistant Program Manager of Westinghouse Energy Center’s corporate wellness center while working part-time teaching many forms of dance and fitness classes.