Ms. Bikini and Model America competitor Candi Alterego believes we are who we choose to be. She says, “Nobody is going to come and save you. You’ve got to save yourself. Nobody is going to give you everything you want; you have to go out and fight for it. Nobody knows what you want except you and nobody will feel sorry for you if you don’t get it. So don’t give up on your dreams! – www.fitnessuniverse. – Photo by: Digital Icon Photography – Make-up by: Veronica Fensel Makeup Artistry

’14 Musclemania® America Physique Women Champion and personal trainer Laruen Austin says she has a passion for fitness and helping others. “I grew up being athletic but never in great shape. I suffered from an eating disorder for 10 years. Despite where I started and when I began my fitness journey, I always had a certain determination to follow through with something I start. I always wanted to compete in a fitness competition and so last year I started training with Dewayne Malone for my first figure show. I wanted to build a strong physique. So as time progressed, I planned to compete in Las Vegas in both Figure and Women’s Physique. Winning 1st Place in Women’s Physique was an amazing moment and I hope that other women will follow and help grow the new division.”

Isabelle Atkinson dreamed about competing at her first Fitness America Weekend show since the day she started training in September. She had already claimed 2nd place at the ’14 Fitness New England show. Isabelle says, “It was such an honor to place 2nd in the Ms. Bikini Open Medium amongst beautiful women from all over the world. I truly love competing in FAP. It gives me the opportunity to meet men and women from all different walks of life where we all have one thing in common – our passion for fitness. I’m excited to start working on my fitness career this upcoming year and my second season as a Ms. Bikini competitor!” – Photo by: Gordon Smith

Figure Universe Pro and Korean Fitness star So Hee Lee is looking hotter than ever! After a 2 year absence, she came back and placed 2nd in the Model America Sports division at the ’14 Fitness America Weekend show. The 2012 Figure America short class champion says, “I was so excited to be back on stage, but this time it wasn’t on the Figure stage. I wanted to change and step outside my comfort zone. I competed in the Ms. Bikini and Model Divisions this time around.” – Photo by: Steve Baek

Model America Commercial competitor Katie Stevens placed 2nd at the’14 Model America show. This high energy individual is a business owner of a promotional modeling agency. Katie says, “I am still so overwhelmed. I have just placed 2nd at Model America! I will never forget that day and the incredible world class athletes I met at the show. My next goal is to earn my Pro Card status!” – Photo by: Gordon Smith

Ms. Bikini America Nicole Matthews placed top 5 in the Ms. Bikini Classic division at the ’14 Fitness America Weekend Show. This brilliant beauty opened her own fitness and makeup studio. She loves teaching and hopes to create a brand of herself in the fitness industry. Nicole says, “I was so inspired by all the women that competed that day. Some went through transformations that would blow your mind. Others had overcome cancer and or another medical setback. I walked the stage with seasoned competitors, moms, business owners, doctors and so many more! Thirty seconds is our time on stage, but a lifetime of memories, friendships and lessons learned. To all the beautiful competitors of ’14 Fitness America Weekend, you are amazing! Let’s make 2015 a rock n’ year!” – Photo by: Gordon Smith

The enchanting Aubrey Worek placed Top 3 at the ’14 Fitness America Weekend show. This certified Personal Trainer and nutrition specialist owns her own business. Aubrey says, “I had tons of laughs, special moments, & saw incredible performances. Congratulations to all of the athletes! My fitness routine scored a perfect 20 from all seven judges this year! I was floored! I felt really good about my performance. I’m already conjuring up my next routine!” – Photo by: Gordon Smith

’14 Ms. Bikini All Forces Champion Karye Mclendon competed in her fourth competition this year at the ’14 Fitness America Weekend show. This beautiful business owner placed third place in a division filled with 34 other dazzling ladies. Karye says, “I am still in awe of the experience and my third place finish. But beyond all that I got to spend time with my amazing fitness family, meet new fitness friends, laughs with my always supportive hubby, bonding with my coach, great food and even better memories. Thank you for all the congratulatory posts, calls and texts. Now it’s time to enjoy the holidays and set new goals for 2015!”

Model America Champion Alina Adams was the top commercial model at the ’14 Fitness America Weekend show. The 5’7″, 123 lbs., corporate personnel recruiter has been competing for only two years, won both the Model Texas and Ms. Bikini Texas and is already generating numerous agency and photographer interest. No doubt, Alina will soon become a popular commercial & fashion model. 

Samantha Symes placed top 5 in both the Ms. Bikini America and Model America divisions! However, she received more than trophies that evening. Live on stage at the ‘14 Fitness America Weekend show in Las Vegas, Mick Hayes proposed to Samantha Symes. Congratulations to this wonderful couple may their life be full of wonderful moments. Thanks for bringing energy, fun and success to our 2014 Vegas Journey

’14 Ms. Bikini All Forces winner Karye McLendon loves to compete all year long! She is currently registered for the ’14 Fitness America show. Karye is an ambassador for a clothing line and a working mom of 5 boys! She says, “Always have a desire. Without it you will never get up at 5 a.m. to workout or drive to the gym after work and push yourself once you get there. You will never pass on the cake, stick to your healthy choices or skip happy hour. You will never stay committed without the DESIRE. It might be your desire to lose weight, build muscle, get healthy or enter a competition. Once you find your desire, don’t let it go. It will drive you to be successful. It will keep you going when you want to stop. Feed it. Embrace it. Nurture it. It will pave the way to your goals

Katie Stevens is readying for the ’14 Fitness America Show. She is excited and grateful to be traveling to Las Vegas to compete with some of the World’s best athletes! Katie says, “If you are persistent you’ll get it; If you are consistent you’ll keep it. The hardest thing to sometimes remember is you’re not competing against anyone but yourself. You are your own competition. Work hard, stay focused and day by day you will only improve.”

After eating at different restaurants, having cocktails, celebrating, plane rides, being delayed in airports for 2 days,’10 Ms. Bikini & Figure America Champion Lori Harder is ready to relax. If she had it her way she would sit on the couch, eat chocolate, pizza, pop chips and watch television reruns all day. Despite that, Lori came home to a coaching call that she had booked knowing she would need it. She wants to feel energized, happy and she wants more for herself and the people that rely on her. This means Lori will have to do the tough stuff to get the really good stuff. Lori says, “You have to prepare for times like this and have a cut-off date. Make sure you have appointments and goals and anything else that gets you back!”

At 43 years young, Amy Gaskins could still be considered a newbie by competition standards. In fact, the Jacksonville, Florida native says, “I competed for the first time last June at Fitness Universe in Miami. I had the time of my life. Competing has always been a goal of mine. But, Amy admits, she was a girl who wouldn’t put on a bikini in public. And, she had a terrible dose of stage fright. “I told myself it was time to start chasing my dreams and ever since there’s been no turning back.” From Miami, Amy went to Fitness America Weekend in Las Vegas and says she found her passion. “I’ve since gotten my personal training certification in hopes to help others reach their goals.” Amy is currently training for a return performance at the Fitness Universe Weekend in June in Ft. Lauderdale.

Originally from Minnesota, 28 year old Leah Gruber now lives out her passions and dreams in the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Just last fall, Leah came out on top twice when she placed 4th in ’13 Ms. Bikini and 4th in Figure America in Las Vegas.

Leah explains, “An unforeseen blessing of pursuing my fitness goals was my inspiration to pursue goals in other aspects of my life as well. After my first Fitness America competition in Vegas I decided that I wanted to move to Las Vegas and try to pursue a career in aerial arts. Up until then it had just been a passionate hobby of mine. But here I am living, training and performing in Vegas for the last two years. And I have had the time of my life with no regrets.

One of my next goals is to take my aerial, dance, and gymnastics background to the Fitness America stage this year and compete in fitness.”

Leah’s Fit Tip: Find a workout you really enjoy doing. Switch things up and try a new class like yoga, boxing, pole, rock climbing, crossfit, ect. Your workout will feel less monotonous and you will probably hit some muscle groups you don’t work that often.

33 year old mother, Brianne Corral owns a gym with her husband called “Corral’s Martial Arts” in Schererville, IN. She teaches Female Cardio Kickboxing, Female Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Strength/Conditioning class.

“Six months after having my son I decided to enter in my first fitness competition. I did a little research and found the Fitness America federation. I then decided to enter the Fitness America Midwest show only 6 months after having my son in 2009. I had 6 months to get back in shape before the show, but not just in shape, ‘competition shape’.

I wanted to push myself to get into great shape, lose the baby weight and tone up. If I couldn’t make it to the gym I would work out at home using my growing son as weights by doing lunges and squats with him in a harness. I had to get creative. Entering the competition was the push I needed to achieve my goals and then some. I was in the best shape of my life just one year after having my son. I took 2nd place in my first show and that motivated me to keep on growing and getting better, building more muscle, changing my diet and exercise routines, getting more confident on stage and with posing, learning what poses work best for my body. This confidence wasn’t just improved on stage but also in life.

Since then my classes have grown tremendously and I have motivated others to join me in competing to give them the extra push to reach their goals. I started Team BeFit for the girls who wanted to push their limits and possibly compete. Two of them competed in the Fitness America Midwest show in 2013 taking 2nd and 3rd in their divisions. I was overjoyed when I won 1st Place in Model and became the Fitness America Midwest 2013 Bikini Overall Champion! Winning only motivated me to compete more. So I decided I was ready to take the big stage! I entered the Fitness America Weekend Las Vegas show. It was a great experience and I met a lot of wonderful beautiful and talented people. Now I’m hooked! This year I will be competing in the Fitness America Great North Show, Fitness Universe, Fitness America Midwest, and again at Fitness America Weekend Las Vegas. I hope to continue building my BeFit team and finish in the top 10 in Vegas.

From discouragement to digging deep, Stephanie Sschmid focuses on putting energy into others. The 22 year old personal trainer is from South Windsor, CT and studies Nutrition and Dietetics full-time.

“I started competing in 2011 with Fitness America. I placed first in the figure short division and was hooked there after. I continued competing locally as well as in Miami. I have been striving for my Pro status for sometime and almost came close last year at Fitness New England; placing first once again. It has been a struggle for me to say the least, and sometimes discouraging. I came to realize that this journey isn’t about obtaining a “PRO” title, or a plastic trophy… but instead reflecting on the confidence, self respect, dignity, strength, power, and friendships I have gained over these last four years.

I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had never taken the stage. It has given me the ability to succeed in all areas of my life. A lot of people don’t understand why we take the stage or why we train so hard every day..but that’s okay. I do it for me. I love pushing my body to new limits and watching my physique change over the years. Building a physique is something that needs to be worked at every single day. To me, having a strong work ethic in the gym represents a person who is strong in all aspects of their life. Lifting and living a healthy lifestyle is my meditation, my drug, my release; It drives me to be a better person every single day. It’s my WHY.

As of now, I am unsure as to when my next show will be, but when I do compete again I will make sure I bring the best package to the stage. Right now, I am focusing on my clients, building a better physique, and graudating in December my degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.”

“She leaves the audience stunned as she Soars in the air across the stage like a real super hero.” Fitness America Pro Champion, Stacie Venagro is a 29 year old personal trainer from Cranston, Rhode Island. She first decided to learn about personal training at the age of 18 because she wanted to change her fate. Not only does obesity run in her family but she saw herself slowly realizing that outcome.
Stacie made this change because she was afraid to let her health deteriorate at such a young age. She improved her overall health and then started assisting others with her methods. She started with family members and they saw amazing results! She continues to better herself physically as well as her family and current clients. Due to her addiction of watching bodies transform so she became an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer.
“While I still continue to challenge myself in competing in fitness, it shows my family, friends and clients that anything is possible.
My most accomplished moment was when my name was called for the 2nd time in a row for World Miss Fitness America! Winning back to back titles is a huge accomplishment! Knowing that I was able to make history in FAP didn’t hit me right away, it was when I got home to my supporters, family and friends! They are what keep me going on a daily basis to show them that it is possible!
This picture is my favorite as it captures this exact moment as stated above.
My best comp prep advice is to trust the process and enjoy the journet! Nothing happens overnight but you can do it!”

As an Emergency Medicine Physician, you could say that Christine Huang is the most unlikely fitness competitor. For the past 4 years, she has competed in Fitness New York, New England, Universe and America shows in both the Fitness and Musclemania® Divisions. At 5’3″, 116 lbs., 44 years old, Christine is a New York native and Taiwanese American with a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She is a book author and petite runway fashion/swim wear/lingerie model. When asked why someone with such academic and professional achievements enjoyed competing in fitness shows, Christine answered simply, “I just thrive on living all of my passions no matter how unique.”

Hailing from the Rocky Mountains, Anita Lee swooped into Las Vegas and nearly won the Figure America™ Classic Division. The 5’5″, 125 lbs., home maker and mother of 4 children was a former Miss Arizona Teen and Mrs. Colorado Finalist. Anita has a BA in Journalism and English from the University of Arizona. She says her culture has played the biggest role in her life. “I am a first generation Greek American,” explains Anita. “Greek culture and tradition played a huge role in my life and instilled confidence in in me!” But, she also says that, “Fitness and sports have played an equally important role since childhood and has positively impacted me in many ways.”