’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

Ms. Bikini Universe Pro Jacquii Alexander is the captain for Team Australia which won the Fitness America Team Championships 2 years in a row. When not competing, she is a senior executive with American Express. She says, “I have always loved being active. Growing up I was always doing something physical. I studied ballet for 12 years and represented my high school and college in eight “First” teams; everything from swimming, track, and baseball to water polo and snowboarding. My dad sailed yachts so I spent lots of weekends and holidays body surfing & swimming and even my first job, a paper route, involved exercise!”

Jo Loeskow at her first competition at the ’14 Musclemania Australia show! Here she is presenting in the Clubwear round of the Model Women Open division. Jo says, “This was my very first time on stage at my very first competition. I was pushing myself completely outside my comfort zone. A comfort zone is a nice place, but nothing ever grows there! I’ve learnt so much about myself this year by challenging myself to be the best version of me that I can be. I’ve set myself some massive goals for 2015 that scares the daylights out of me, but I’m excited to see where this journey leads!”

Congratulations to Kathryn Magnus for winning 1st place in the ’14 Ms. Bikini Australia division. Throughout her life she has overcome injuries and genetic issues in order to be the healthiest she can be. Kathryn’s surgeons told her she needed surgery for her scoliosis and 3 herniated discs, but she opted for long-term rehab & weight training. She says, “Due to my genetic issues, I’ve had to adjust my diet. Due to my injuries, there are many exercises I can’t do. However, I focus on what I can do! I want to help people be their best through awesome nutrition & inspire those with injuries that you can still be fit with the right training.”

’13 Australia Bikini competitor Natasha Seeto puts great emphasis on symmetry. She says “You have to work with what you got. I’ve always had a butt and hips with a tiny waist but haven’t always had a set of shoulders to balance that butt out. Instead of wishing I had someone else’s body, I begun sculpting the body I wanted.This year has been all about building a nice frame through my delts and back to create symmetry. Take caution, beautiful broad shoulders will taper your waist! Now my waist looks even tinier!”

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

“

With over 150 competitors, the Ms. Bikini America was a lot than a beauty contest. Winning the Tall Class was Australian Jacquii Alexander, a stunning 5'8", 120 lbs., 38 year old She is a very active lady who also competes in snowboard events and was a ballerina for 12 years. Jacquii has an MBA in strategic management and is an American Express operations director.

The Fitness America Weekend™ Team Champs was just awarded to Team Australia, a hotly competitive group of 6 competitors who accumulated 95 points by winning multiple classes or divisions. Top Aussie point winners included new Ms. Bikini America™ Hattie Boydle (27 points), Ms. Bikini and Model Classic Winner Kristen Lonie (20 points) and Musclemania® World Champion Nathan Wallace (20 points). Other Top 5 Teams including Team Savage Warrriors (2nd Place, 82 points), Team Korea #1 (3rd Place, 71 points),Team Australian Natural Bodz (4th Place, 65 points) andTeam New Mexico Iron (5th Place, 60 points). Complete placings and scores are available here.

Competitors can represent a trainer or coach, local, regional or national fitness centers, sports clubs or other companies and national teams.  Teams can be composed of 3 to 10 people and each with a team leader. Each team may have competitors that are competing in different classes and divisions. And, if a team gets too large, then they can split and form two or more separate teams.

In the 2014 season, the following shows will feature the Team Championships:

• Fitness Universe Weekend
• Fitness America Weekend
• Fitness Asia
• Fitness India
• Fitness Latino
• Fitness Mexico
• Fitness New York
• Fitness Paris
• Fitness Texas

Australian sports fitness model Renee Brady will bring her exotic appearance to the Model Australia & Ms. Bikini Australia this month on the Gold Coast. The 5'9", 134 lbs., 21 year old personal trainer and lifestyle coach has already won two major regional model shows, so stepping on the Fitness Australia stage could be a major jump to her competitive career. Renee says she loves all outdoor and water sports, traveling and very passionate about her training and living a healthy lifestyle.