Georgian Tamara Diahann is making her foray into the competitive fitness when she competes at Ms. Bikini & Model Universe next weekend in Miami. With her BA and MA degrees, she began her fit and wellness profession in the "glamorous world" of pageantry where she has approximately 12 years experience. As a fitness trainer Tamara’s mission is to help, her clients incorporate enjoyable exercise into their daily lives.

As an athlete, model, dancer, fitness consultant, dance instructor, dietetic technician and nutrition coach, Desiree Nathanson is as well rounded as any Fitness Universe competitor. She began her formal dance training at the age of four at Flash Dance at Florida Ballet Arts in Sarasota, and continued through her discovery of dance teams in high school. From there she became a Dazzler and went on to dance for the University of Florida Gators dance team where she performed all over the country, including the 2000 Men’s Basketball Final Four.

Following her four years at UF Desiree broke into the professional world of dance as an 'A-Town' dancer for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. Currently, Desiree serves as an official trainer for the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders. She was privileged enough to perform at both the 2002 NBA All Star game and Celebrity All Star game. She has traveled internationally to represent the NBA in China, performing in the Guangzhou and Chengdu provinces and has also performed at games for the Reynosa Correcaminos, the Hawks' sister team in Reynosa, Mexico.

Desiree has worked with several music artists including The Sugarhill Gang, MC Hammer, Kool and the Gang, American Idol finalist Ejay Day, Bryce, Cat Chang and Pilar Montenegro.

Desiree earned her Master of Science (M.S.) in Health Sciences with a specialization in Nutrition, from Georgia State University, and has since earned the title dietetic technician, registered (DTR).

Throughout the week, Desiree teaches a variety of exciting dance and fitness classes at Dance 101 in Atlanta. She also trains and manages her individual fitness clients throughout Atlanta, in person and her clients throughout the country, online. She competes on the Fitness Universe circuit.

Always a vibrant and fresh performer, Desiree is always at the forefront of any show.

'05 Fitness America Champion Else Lautala will be performing at Fitness Universe in Miami. The Finish dancer and circus performer is a 7x Aerobic Champion and always presents an awe-inspiring, creative and stunning stage performance with a mix of dance, gymnastics and acrobatics. Else will be bringing Team Finland to Miami with beautiful Ms. Bikini, Model and Figure ladies.

As one of the Minnesota's hottest fitness stars, Tarah Aandrews earned her athletic strips as a former volleyball player, gymnast and marathon runner. At 5'7", 132, the '10 Ms. Bikini Great North Tall Class winner is a striking woman. But, she's a self proclaimed wacky lady. "I'm a quirky tomboy at heart," Tarah says. "My favorite thing to do is make my friends laugh! I'm known for busting out my "Irish jig" after a good cardio session. When I'm not in the gym I enjoy having healthy lunch dates with my teammates, walking my dog around the lake or taking my little sister out for ice cream! Also, this year (January) I graced my very first COVER of a fitness magazine! I hope to keep excelling in the modeling world."

Tarah is training for Ms. Bikini Universe in Miami in two weeks. But her reasons are more passionate than one would expect. "Living a healthy and natural lifestyle is my passion in life!," Tarah explains. "And to be part of Fitness America is a true honor as it represents classy, natural and hard working women. My hope is to inspire others to compete in this amazing federation!"

At the recent Fitness New England, Cynthia Evangelous triumphed as a Top 5 Finalist among an amazing line-up of ladies. The old 42 year old PT has been competitive for 20 years including the '91 National Aerobics Champion. Cynthia has a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and a group exercise instructor for 25 years, long before it was fashionable. With 3 kids at home and at 5'4", 100 lbs., she says, "I encompass the entire essence of fitness inside and out. I live a healthy lifestyle, maintain a positive image and teach others to do the same. At 43 years of age, I have never looked or felt better!"

Cynthia will be bring her veteran years of stage talent and performance to Fitness Universe Weekend in a couple of weeks.

New to the competitive fitness scene, Lisa Eveleth surprised everyone at the Mall of America last month. The 42 year old fitness director and personal trainer swept the Model Great North show and captured 2nd in Ms. Bikini Classic. And, now Lisa is training for Ms. Bikini & Model Universe in Miami in two weeks. But winning or loosing on stage was purely secondary for Lisa for facing the challenge itself was the victory.

In her own words . . .

"I was an active child, but looking back had symptoms that were overlooked. In high school I developed ITP, a blood disease that makes antibodies against your spleen which lead to high doses of IV steroids and then a splenectomy and exploratory operation. In 1993, while in college I was finally diagnosed with Lupus after some years of struggle with many symptoms including pain and swelling in joints, skin rashes, consistent fevers, severe mouth and nose ulcers, severe numbness, difficulty breathing, bloody lips, extreme fatigue, achiness, weakness, bloody lips, extreme hair loss and migraines.

Lupus is an auto-immune disease which causes inflammation in the body including connective tissue, blood and organs. Once the inflammatory response is turned on, it is tough to turn the immune system OFF! Symptoms became only worse in my Master's program in college. My Lupus finally attacked my kidneys and brain, leaving me with class 4 nephritis and cerebritis. I suffered many seizures and various TIAs (mini-strokes) and short term memory loss. My weight got down to 72 lbs. and I was in and out of ICU several times. Another bump in the road is when I developed the West Nile and CMV virus. What a frightening painful ride!

Since then, there have been many struggles with my lupus attacking my heart, brain, kidneys and other various organs, including losing 20-30 pounds each time and all muscle mass!! I survived several years of various treatments of numerous medications including chemotherapy and purchased many fancy wigs throughout my life. I have been ill more than half of my life, but now feel very blessed these last few years and have been able to overcome many of my symptoms.

I love my career as a Fitness Director, Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor! I love the gift I have been given to help people in their struggles because we all have struggles in life that we can overcome. Life gives you challenges to face and we can only grow and become stronger from them. I treasure each healthy day and feel completely blessed and loved by all my support. I feel so lucky in this world and would never change anything I went through because it has built my character and faith, and makes me who I am today."