Figure Universe Natural Pro Paula De Markey says visualization is what helps make her achieve her goals. The '13 Figure Universe Master Class Champion is always a tenacious and positive influence at shows both on and off-stage. Paula explains, "It took a lot of focus, hard work and truly believing in myself and visualizing my dream to become Figure Universe Pro." Paula not only achieved her Pro status, but she also received the highest score of all 43 competitors in her class on stage in Miami. "I like to create a vision board, feel & see myself accomplishing my goals!" The Massachusetts native says, "I am excited to see other competitors’ dreams come to fruition." So, being an award presenter at Fitness Boston this weekend will bring it all full circle for Paula.

Miss Uruguay Patricia Callero came to the Superbody Championships yesterday in Atlantic City and made the judges gasp. The 5'8", 125 lbs. beauty queen was competing in a fitness show for the first time and won both the Ms. Bikini and Model Divisions. Patricia is a college student and professional model and knows how to present her sass. But, she realizing that to move forward in fitness shows, she needs to get into a little better shape. "I realize that I need to tighten up a little and spend more time doing cardio. I'll do it and be ready for Las Vegas."

Lexine Kolb is the newest Figure Universe Natural Pro. The Pennsylvania native surprised even herself last night at the Superbody Championships by winning the Masters and overall title. The 46 year young mother of two teenagers thanks her husband David for his support. Maxine compete in ballet for 15 years was she was younger. She says, "I started competing at 40 and love to improve myself each day. I try to teach my kids this also to prepare them for their life ahead." Lexine is always a lot of fun at the shows and great role model for the younger gals stepping on stage.

Congrats to Carolina Beginner Champions! Held last Saturday in Charlotte, the annual camp style show welcomed first time competitors and introduced them to an exciting stage experience. Winners included Thomas Tourville - Musclemania®, Michael Brickhill - Model, Eve Freeman - Ms. Bikini™ & Model, Renee Sanders & Jennifer Kasmer - Figure Masters & Open and Marcy Lee - Fitness. Remaining Beginner Shows this season include Boston (Oct 5) and Ohio Valley (Oct 19).

Earlier this year Figure and Fitness Universe Natural Pro Bethany Nelson visited Albuquerque as a guest speaker at a competition prep seminar and the guest performer at Fitness New Mexico in June. She made the crowd roar in excitement with her "Toxic" fitness routine and left a lasting impression with the competitors she got to know back stage. A special connection from New Mexico to Minnesota had been made and now the ladies want more! A group of fitness competitors teamed up and invited Bethany back for one of her special Team Peanut fitness prep camps yesterday. Bethany says, "I was talking to a friend of mine from New Mexico and encouraged her to come out to Minnesota for my prep camp. With traveling being so expensive the trip would be super difficult. So, I told her to rally a couple of friends who would want to attend my camp and I would fly back!" Bethany will be coaching on nutrition, training, posing, modeling and especially positive self-image exercises. What a great way to continue the "fitness bond" between women who enjoy competing! Bethany will also be competing in the Figure and Fitness Universe Natural Pro Championships at Fitness America Weekend in Las Vegas in November.

New York trainer Jodi Mehan says she's on a mission to teach people that discipline is the guardrail on the journey to self esteem. As the owner of Challenge by Choice Training, she has recently added the challenge to her trainees to actually compete. Jodi's studio is home to instructors who have all competed. Jodi explains, "I know how fulfilling the journey to the stage can be! teach class and sass to all need to learn presentation in competing. Most of all, it is the gratification if reaching the goal and the fun had at the amazing events Fitness Universe puts on!" Jodi's next competition outing will be Superbody in Atlantic City this Saturday. You can watch her and all of the talent on stage, LIVE at 6 PM ET, 3 PM PT.

New Mexico bombshell Danielle Duran had some exciting news last week. "I am beyond honored to share that I was featured in the August, Swimsuit Edition of Fitness Gurls Magazine," she announced. "I am grateful for the path that Fitness Universe has lead me on with fitness which has allowed me the privilege to meet and work with so many talented artists in the industry! Featured here in an outstanding image by LGFX, Danielle will appear at Fitness America Weekend in Las Vegas in November.

Figure Universe Natural Pro Jessica Rinaldi Donathan was stunning at the Miami Beach show and easily winning the world class line-up. But, it is not enough for the Albuquerque mother who's training for Figure America Pro Championships in Las Vegas in November. Jessica says, "I am very excited about this next show. Fitness America has a lot of wonderful memories for me and I always enjoy my prep during this time of year. I love my winter squash as one of my prep staples and they are now getting to their peak season. Also I have cut my steady state cardio out and this prep will be relying on interval stairs, sprints, HIIT and heavy resistance to bring a sleek athletic shape to the stage for my 2nd Pro Show. I never want to come in the same and am maintaining good shape and muscle mass so my challenge this time is to do what I love and come in the leanest I have ever been. 12 weeks to go!"

Bulgarian rhythmic dance coach and professional performer Silviya Taseva moved to the USA 10 years ago and has never looked back. Soon after arriving in America, she because a gymnastics coach and currently trains girls for national level events  Based in New York City, Silviya is training for Fitness America Championships in Las Vegas. "I plan to use all of my experience in dance, gymnastics, acrobatics and choreography into making an amazing performance," she says.

'09 Ms. Bikini America Mari Kasvi may not be planning to take the stage again anytime soon, but the Finnish model says, "I am enjoying my pregnancy, a sort of competing in my own fitness competition." Mari has appeared in dozens of commercials including Pepsi, Maybelline, Live Nation and many more, but that's on hold for bit longer. Mari explains, "This fatness has not really got me at all. I am 8 months pregnant and still training, although not like for a contest. And, I admit I have some cheat food more than usual. It's helping to keep me sane during the pregnancy." But, Mari says, the real test will come once she has the baby and wants to get back on stage. "That will take some time."

Congratulations to Janelle Tapia who won the Figure Mid America Championships! The New Mexico fitness trainer competed in her first show in June surprising the home town fitness community. The 5'2", 115 lbs., 24 year old is now Figure Universe Natural Pro qualified and will make her debut at Figure America in Las Vegas in Las Vegas.

Sports fitness model Nikol Krcova is the reigning Ms. Fitness Slovakia. The 5'3", 120 lbs. technical school graduate is training for both the Fitness Paris and Fitness America Championships this fall. Nikol has been an athlete since school days including track, volleyball and water polo  She began training for and competing in fitness shows when she was just 20 years old and says she enjoys more than any other sport. "It gives me such a charge being on stage and performing for people," explains Nikol. We will see that energy on stage in Paris in October.

The new Fitness Mid-America show in Kansas City will feature a bevy of new and refreshing fitness talent. One of the most exciting is Abigail Kluttz, a Kansas nutritionist who is applying her professional knowledge into competitive scene for the first time. At 5'10", 130 lbs., she was collegiate basketball player and coach while pursuing her Bachelor Degree in English Literature and Communications. Abigail says she has a "passion for speaking to women on self-esteem and health. Married and the proud mother of a 15 month old, she will appear on stage primed and ready in the Figure and Model divisions in two weeks.

As a track and field athlete, Brittany Noelle says she was intense competitive and disciplined. Now, the 5'6", 130 lbs., 23 year old UCLA graduate is turning her competitiveness to fitness competitions and will be on stage at Ms. Bikini Southern California with her BS degree in Physiological Science, Britanny is a personal trainer at Equinox Fitness. She is also a former Miss Califronia USA, Miss Regional California USA and Miss Malibu USA competitor. Britanny says she's also a fitness, lifestyle, and commercial model.

It could easily be said that Ms. Bikini New England Classic Winner Jodi Mehan injects any theater where she competes with a huge dose of excitement and energy. The 5'1", 120 lbs., 40 year young mother of two beautiful daughters says they are the ones where she gets her enthusiasm is derived. Jodi has her Bachelor of Science degree in cardiac rehabilitation from Ithica College and owns Challenge by Choice Training. Jodi says, "I was a dancer all through high school and entered college a communications major and dance minor." She will step on stage again at the Superbody Championships in Atlantic City on September 7 and will bring another dose of her effusive personality.

Fitness Universe Natural Pro Else Lautala was the '07 Fitness America Champion and has been a Top 5 Finalist at the Fitness Universe Championships for many years. But the former professional acrobat from Finland also competed in the Ms. Bikini Universe last month. "It was something I thought about a lot for a couple of years," Else says. "So, the time was right. I thought my diet was good and body was ready for it." And, the decision paid off with Else capturing 5th in Fitness Universe and 2nd in Ms. Bikini Universe Medium Class (of 33 competitors). Besides Else, Finland had an impressive team of 5 competitors in Miami Beach.

The Fitness Europe Championships in Rome last month featured the best natural fitness athletes on the continent. Championships included Sarah Hoey, Germany (Ms. Bikini™ Short), Minna Ronkonen, Finland (Ms. Bikini™ Tall), Elsa Hirvonen, Finald & Kamal Amroche, Italy (Model Women & Men), Ana Zujovic, Finland (Fitness) and Simon Panda, England (Musclemania®).

As one of Britain's hottest fitness competitors, Emma Louise Burrows brought her stage game to Ms. Bikini Universe last month in Miami Beach. She says, "I was incredibly proud to represent the UK and placing 8th at the show. The standard of girls was exceptional and I am so happy with the me I took to the stage and that I was able to put on a show worthy of a top ten placing against such fabulous girls from around the world." Emma will be on hand at Fitness Britain on September 21 in London.

And, the winner is . . . again . . . Anca Bucar! The two time Fitness Universe Champion Just seems to get better with every appearance with imaginative routines, energy and a personification of true athleticism at its best. Complete Fitness Universe Weekend results, photos and archive videos are available at here on this website.

As one of the industry's foremost cosmetologist, Jenny Karl Hair & Make-Up Agency has proven to be a big resource for Fitness Universe competitors. And, as the exclusive make-up service provider at the Universe, America, Superbody and other FU shows, her teams of experienced artists make those secret, unlicensed scammers look like amateurs. Jenn says, "We really go beyond what the wannabe make-up people do. We're among the few that take the time to apply the magic of airbrush!" And, Jenn's teams provide all the make-up supplies any competitor could want or use including lip gloss, foundation, eyelashes and more. "We include all of that in our rates. You only have to bring yourself!" At the recent Fitness Universe Weekend in Miami Beach, the unlicensed people couldn't help their clients because they were stuck, hiding in a hotel room 10 minutes away while Jenn's clients were being getting all fixed up and touched up backstage through the weekend. Jenn says, "We really take an interest in our clients and not only make them look their best but are as excited about them winning the show as they are."