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.

Fitness America competitor Aubrey Worek is never bored with all the recent fitness trends. She says, “I see an endless supply of fitness trends from which to choose! We can never get bored. Have fun trying at the different classes and workouts that are out there. Give each style at least 3 tries before moving on to the next.”

- Photo by: CLiK studios

Congratulations to Ms. Bikini Universe Pro Jamie Lynn Hughes for her partnership/sponsorship with Fit City Foods. She says, “They’ve got some serious stuff planned for the year ahead. The 2015 Fitness America is in eleven months and by adding Fit City Foods in with my already stellar prep resources, this should be my best shot yet to finally break that 2nd place cap.”

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!”

Fitness America competitor Jessica Halbert shares some advice on what to do after a show is over. She says, “Set bigger and better goals! I have some really exciting things ahead and I’m set to compete again late next spring. The work starts now; it’s building season! A little secret of the competition world is that you are either building or dieting down. There’s no doing both at the same time. I’ll be putting those extra calories that crept in over the holidays to work! I can’t wait to see what results I can bring. How about you? Are you waiting to set goals for the New Year or are you getting busy with the barbells now!? – Photo by: Noel Daganta

’14 Physique America winner Lauren Austin is a former 5th grade teacher who found a passion for fitness. She always sets short term goals to complete. Some people pressure Lauren to eat more than she should. She says, “Being a fitness competitor has taught me loads on how to stick to my goals and not get side tracked. No matter what happens I will not be tempted at the social functions I attend! Stick to your goals! When your friends, family, and coworkers start to see you change, then you will be the motivation for them to change their lifestyle!” – Photo by: Gordon Smith

Congratulations to the mesmerizing Shannah Baker for winning the ’14 Ms. Bikini America Overall! She won the Open Medium Class, went on to win the overall and earned her Pro card. Shannah is part of Team Natural bodz that took First place in the Team Championships. She says, “A big thank you to all my friends and family for giving me support. I also want to support others by inspiring them to reach their goals. Eventually, I want to study nutrition and pursue a career in the health & fitness industry.”

Romanian beauties Vanda Maria Hadarean(left) and Anca Bucur(right) rocking a photo shoot at the ’14 Fitness America Weekend show. Vanda teaches the fun of fitness to youths by coaching the kids in the Fitness division at the show. Anca is 28 years young and won 2nd place in Fitness America Pro. She says, “I was in the best shape I was ever in due to an intense training program and diet. Thank you to my friends and family for their words of encouragement. I have plans to come back even stronger for 2015!”

Figure America Pro Champion Ashleigh Bible teaches Pre-Calculus and calculus at a high school. She not only won the Figure America Pro division, but she is also the Overall Figure and Fitness Champion for the Lone Star show. Ashleigh says, “I do not think it will ever sink in that I won the title of Ms. Figure America 2014 this past weekend. I am so thankful for everyone who has stood behind me during this prep. I want to teach and inspire moms to live healthy lifestyles.”

Ms. Bikini Universe Pro and Model America Sports competitor Sharon Pasqual-Diaz fulfilled a rather tall order at the ’14 Fitness America Weekend show. She is not going to say that her journey was an easy one. Sharon says, “At the end of my journey, I found a stronger me. My body, mind and spirit became stronger. I wanted to give up many times. I would not have been able to do this without my friends, family and faith. I am here to encourage others and they are there to encourage me. Thank you everyone!”

Ms. Bikini Universe Pro Leslie Pantigny experienced an extraordinary competition at the ’14 Fitness America Weekend show. She met some outstanding people and great teams. Leslie says, “No top 5 for me, but I am proud to have reached Las Vegas in less than a year. I had a great time with the competitors and my team, Otem France. The next few months will give me some time for pancakes with Nutella. Coach Issiaka is going to kill me for that! Thank you everyone for supporting me!”

Only 2 weeks until Nicole Matthews reunites with the stage at the ’14 Fitness America show in Las Vegas. She has spent the last year of her life developing her physique, her stage presence, her confidence and poise. Nicole has overcome so much, pushed hard and held steady to her goals. She spent her time in the gym looking forward to and envisioning the moment when she will take the spotlight. Nicole says, “My heart is invested in any commitment I make. It beats a little faster each time I reflect. I can feel the obstacle, victories, sweat and battles overcome. It isn’t the show that defines me, it’s each step I took to get there and the person I became on the way there. It’s more than a body that competes; it’s a person’s heart, soul and inner beauty that finishes! Thank you to my friends, family, and coaches for being the lights in my life and supporting me! Time to rock on! 

Paris Ashley Mcbride is still hanging strong after an extremely busy weekend filled with training, family and shows. This is her 7th year training after losing 120 pounds. The ‘14 Fitness America show will be her 11th Show and her 4th Year at the Fitness America show. Paris says, “My Journey has been filled with laughter, friendship, love and tears. I have made friends with many of the great competitors from around the world. I always look forward to spending time with all of them at each show. Money can’t buy the memories that I cherish or the moments that make my life with you nothing short of an epic adventure! I look forward to seeing you all at the ‘14 Fitness America show in Las Vegas. My body will be the best it has ever been and I am very excited to show the physique that I have been sculpting. Thank you Garey Macdowell, my coach, for helping me bring my body under subjection to create a beautiful masterpiece for the ‘14 Fitness America show. Everyone have a safe trip and a blessed last few weeks of training. Cherish the days as the show is upon us!

This November marks the 25th Anniversary for the Fitness America show. Although Norsiah Castellanos has competed in competitions before, this will be her first time at the ’14 Fitness America show. Even though she is swamped with Med School, she has planned something special for the show. Norsiah says, “Though a trophy would be nice to finally get, it’s not the reason why I do what I do. I want to inspire others and to be inspired. All of your kind words keep pushing me to go that extra mile.”

’14 Ms. Bikini America competitor Andrea Baker is in the process of launching a virtual fitness business that focuses on physical and mental health. She was not always this active in the fitness scene though. In the beginning, Andrea just wanted a smaller waist, to look good in a bikini and a tighter rear. She soon found out she needed both physical and mental strength for her fitness journey. Andrea says, “I can push myself to get through that last 10 minutes of cardio. I can pump myself up enough to increase my barbell weight. I can exhale harder to knock out those last few reps. What I have struggled to do is shake off the judgments and negativity of others. It has taken all of the mental strength I have to keep going when I’m faced with these challenges, but I have done it and I’m doing it. With my chin held high, I say to you, now that is something to be proud of.” Catch Andrea Baker at the Fitness America Show on November 21-22.

Ms. Bikini Universe Pro Jamie Lynn Hughes is holding nothing back for her return to the ’14 Fitness America Show in November. She had 11 Top 5 placing’s with 4 of those being runner-ups. Jamie says, “Although I compete because I love every second of it, my repeated placing’s as runner-up to world titles has only fueled my desire to chase an overall title.” Beyond competing she wants to be featured on popular fitness magazines.

With the ’14 Fitness America Show just 6 weeks away, Joyce Emily had to get serious and honest about her goal to return to the show. Since her last competition, she had gained 14 pounds. With the help of her training coach, Joyce became aware that for months now she had been in denial about her eating behaviors and she not being honest with herself. Her life had changed radically after starting her own business and putting too much on her plate. Joyce says, “Trying to spin and balance too many plates has made me miserable and 14 pounds heavier. Does it scare the crap out of me, the way I look now knowing in 10 weeks I need to be in a bikini? Hell yes! I had the most incredible experience last year competing in the ’13 Fitness America Las Vegas Weekend. Spending 4 days in Vegas with over 500 competitors all in one resort is the ultimate girl’s trip for me. I took 5th place in Bikini Classic and quite frankly I don’t want to regret missing all the fun preparing and going with my girlfriends!”

’14 Great North competitor Ann Mairs Farrah is ready to start training again. Ann was training hard, but took a break to spend more time with her kids. She says, “For me, my children always come first. I might not be perfect up on that Vegas stage in November, but I will do my very best to bring my very best!” Come see Ann Mairs Farrah at the ’14 Fitness America Show on November 21.

Nicole Cohn-Matthews is getting prepared for the ’14 Fitness America Show on November 21. Last year Nicole prepped for her first show at the ’13 Arizona show. Nicole was nervous and placed 5th out of 5 in the Bikini. She did not let that loss stop her. She used that loss fuel her motivation instead! Nicole went on the ’13 Fitness America show and placed 11th out of 35. Finally Nicole took on ’14 Fitness Universe show and placed 4th! She says, “Each time I learn something new. Every journey to the stage offers a new experience. I am pumped up for my next show and can’t wait! My prep has begun and I’m focused like never before. A big shout out to my team and support system! I’m ready! 100% committed! Let’s do this!”.

Figure Universe Pro Michele Welcome has been practicing yoga and has done some on-the-fly workouts at the outdoor track. However she has not done weight workouts for a couple of months. The workout was quite humbling. Michele mentally prepared herself and knew she would not be at the conditioning level and strength she was at before. She was curious how her performance would be since the first day, being farther away from the goal, is always the hardest. Michele then thought back to 2010 when she went through a similar situation. Then she won Figure Universe™ Natural Pro status in the ’12 Figure America™ show. Michele says, “Just like then I’m taking it easy, doing what I can, and not looking to do a quick fix to achieve the results I want. Real results take time and a balanced nutrition. Life has its ups and downs. As I dust myself off from a year of deep depression and personal chaos, I’m not too proud to hold 10lb dumbbells while wearing my “Kill it with Drive” tank top and rock a leg workout when at one time I held 40s doing the same exercise. Keeping it real because that’s the way I roll. Day 1 – the hardest day – is over.”