NEW CONTEST BEGINS NOW! / Prize - Marika Johansson's DVD

[Siouxcountry]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/martlink.jpg (http://www.mjviking.com/)

The Contest will end 10 days from the moment I post this.

No moderators can enter this contest.

The contest is simple. Answer these questions as detailed as possible...
Who in your family has been the most supportive to you, and why? (does not have to be about competing)
How does weight training help you in other areas of your life? (give us an example)
Your most successful routine?
Your opinion on children and weight training?
Name 5 pros that impress you the most, and why?After the 10 days are up our moderators will read each contestant's questions and choose the poster who's answers impressive them the most (they will make their decision in private). I will break any tie if necessary.

Good luck! :awesome:

[Siouxcountry]

The winner will receive Marika Johansson's DVD, Cinderella Story.

You can purchase her DVD... HERE (http://www.mjviking.com/)

The trailer to her DVD...

LINK (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZefu27KZ2g)

LZefu27KZ2g

[IslandGirl]

Ooooo, great questions and very challenging. I like that! Let's get going ladies!!! :bowdown:

[Shelly]

Great contest Sioux....


Cmon ladies!!! Don't be shy! :)

[DANISH DYNAMITE]

Great contest!!! Lets go!!:)

[Femphysiquefan]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/martlink.jpg (http://www.mjviking.com/)

The Contest will end 10 days from the moment I post this.

No moderators or male members can enter this contest.

The contest is simple. Answer these questions as detailed as possible...
Who in your family has been the most supportive to you, and why? (does not have to be about competing)
How does weight training help you in other areas of your life? (give us an example)
Your most successful routine?
Your opinion on children and weight training?
Name 5 pros that impress you the most, and why?After the 10 days are up our moderators will read each contestant's questions and choose the poster who's answers impressive them the most (they will make their decision in private). I will break any tie if necessary.

Good luck! :awesome:

WAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! MOOOMMMMM!!!! SC'S NOT BEING FAIR!! NO FAIR!!! WHERE'S OUR CONTEST??? WAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! :mad::ct::banghead:

.............OK, so I felt like whining and this gave me an excuse:sue me. :D :p Seriously, good luck to all you ladies...........since none of us guys are going to get a chance at this DVD. :( :pout:

[Siouxcountry]

WAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! MOOOMMMMM!!!! SC'S NOT BEING FAIR!! NO FAIR!!! WHERE'S OUR CONTEST??? WAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! :mad::ct::banghead:

.............OK, so I felt like whining and this gave me an excuse:sue me. :D :p Seriously, good luck to all you ladies...........since none of us guys are going to get a chance at this DVD. :( :pout:

Are you sure? Check again. ;)

[Femphysiquefan]

THAT'S more like it!! :)

[KMS]

ALL I know is I watched that trailer and I sat there and said HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.....Now that was motivating.

Good luck to errrrrrbody

[Siouxcountry]

So who is going to be the first to enter? :popcorn:

[KMS]

I'm still thinking of my answers. I missed the last one by like one hour. LOL

[Siouxcountry]

I'm still thinking of my answers. I missed the last one by like one hour. LOL

It was up for 10 days! :p

[MsGuns]

But I feel alseep wow in the middle of the day...whats up w/ that...

Ill post after eating my meal...

[MsGuns]

Who in your family has been the most supportive to you, and why? (does not have to be about competing)

The person in my family that has been the most supportive to me would be my MOM and why- because she has always supported me in my athletic career..

Purple"]I started running track in the 7th grade...Im getting old so I cant remember if my mom was @ my meets during my MS yrs (but 9 times out of 10 she probably was there)...but when I got to HS...she was at all my meet close and far away...she went to my local field hockey games too (I did this so I didnt have to run cross country..lol...just a lil 2 far...smile) while in high school. During college she wasnt able to go to all our meets...my team was made up mostly of east coast athletes so we went back to the east coast every yr for a BIG track meet called Penn Relays in my birth place city - Philadelphia...my mom would always sit @ the finish lines and tell the other die hard fans to watch out for me...even during HS. When I stopped running track my mom was very disappointed because she felt I still had it in me...I had lost the desire to run and when u dont have the desire you wont perform...So I took up working out in the gym again and then I started doing shows and my mom was right there for me again...she loves what I have sculpted my body into. The past month she has been very supportive when it came to me trying out for American Gladiators...when I had given up because I didnt hear anything she was still encouraging me and speakin positively about them calling...she would say they have up to the day b4 bootcamp or even during bootcamp to call you so dont give up...When I meet my mom's friends I know she is PROUD of me because they tell me all the stuff she says and tells me how they love my pictures and keep up the great work.

How does weight training help you in other areas of your life? (give us an example)

Weight training helps me a lot in other areas of my life...
One GREAT example is my JOB:

I am a middle school physical education teacher/track and basketball coach. In this position I am able to teach the students and athletes the benefits of working out and eating healthy. During our PE unit I take the students thru a demo session...I show them how to do the weights properly, I tell them about breathing, I tell them about having a workout partner. Answering this question has insipired me to have an open gym session after school. After the track season I will stay after school so the boys and girls can workout. I will have 2 days each for them. Then at the end of the school year we can have a lift off- to see who is the strongest boy or girl in the bench and squat and if they can out lift Coach Long...smile

Everyday I get a boy to tell me his muscles are BIGGER than mine...he seems to do it around his friends and when I bring out my guns I seem to shut him up and his friends walk off all talking about him...LOL


Your most successful routine?

My most successful routine has been all over them except 1...smile
Ive always did my own routines and Ive even added on to them the night of...lol
The one that wasnt successful was at my Pro debut last yr....the music man stopped my music early...I was one HOT competitor...As a Pro our routines count in our score and I looked VERY LOST when it happened. So I knew my placing was in trouble...my competition all had props and outfits and I didnt. One of the gurls even did the same song as me...To my surprising I WON...smile

Your opinion on children and weight training?

My opinion about children and weight training is that I think its ok for MS/HS children to work out...I think coaches should teach them the basics and tie in cardio workouts. I dont think they should lift heavy unless they are in HS and doing powerlifting...I wish I had that in school...That would have been fun. I also think if the athlete is a shot putter or a discus thrower they should be on a different weight training program than the runners and jumpers.

Name 5 pros that impress you the most, and why?

The 5 Pros I am impress with the most are:

Lenda Murray-
I got my fav pose I do from her...front lat and on my toes...I would love to meet her one day!!! Plus she is a former runner like me.
Tina Chandler- my former posing partner and good friend
Lisa Bickels-
Debi Laszewski
Mah Ann Mendoza- I met her and she is very cool...

I picked all of them because I love their physiques...I think all of them represent the total pacakge a FBB should carry. When it comes to Tina, Lisa, Debi and Mah Ann they have a physique that is not too BIG or too small but just right.

[Siouxcountry]

Thanks, Drexel, and good luck! :)

[MsGuns]

I hope Im not the only one...smile

Thanks, Drexel, and good luck! :)

[Amy]

Hello everyone....well, let me give this a shot...lol:waving:

Who supports me the most?:

That would have to be my children. At 15 and 12 they understand what I do, why I do it and what I go thru especially when I prepping for a show. They make sure I put nothing in my mouth except what is on my diet, they hide food from me when I am weak, they take my progress pics when my trainer needs them, they encourage me when I'm down, they help me with housework when I'm just too tired to do it. They put up with my moods and crabbiness. And despite it ALL...in the end, they still love me for who I am.

How does weight training help in other areas in my life?:

I am a trainer, so being healthy and fit can only benefit when a client sees results that I get from weight training. I want woman to know that at the young age of 45.....its never too late to get in shape, be healthy and confident and have the body that you desire. It also benefits my children seeing their mother workout, train hard, eat healthy...leading by example can only be an advantage for them now and in the future.


Most successful routine?:

Well I"ve only done one...My very first BB competition. The Mr. Missouri 2006 I won first place lightweight, first place masters, best female poser and the overll. It was a great show.

Children and Weight Training?:

HELLO!?!?! Have you seen the kids today??? :banghead: Heck yeah..and ONLY my opinion, but I think every child in HS...should be required to take weight training. (given there are No health issues). I see young girls walking around today with a coke in one hand, cheeseburger in another and a belly hanging over their jeans that should be outlawed. Weight training can only be a great start to a healthier future.

5 pros that I admire:

1. Gina Atiotti - I absolutey love her physique. Her overall look is beautiful.
2. Antionette Thompson - Thats the bodybuildind BODY that I want when I go back to light weight bb.
3. Angie Semsch - Great friend and supporter.
4. Amy Fry - I love you legs...
5. Ronnie Colemen - OK...THE MAN JUST ROCKS!!! :awesome:

[Siouxcountry]

Hello everyone....well, let me give this a shot...lol:waving:


Hi Amy! Good luck to you! :)

About the routine question. You can answer it like the women above have, or you can give us your most successful weight training routine.

[KMS]

It was up for 10 days! :p


I know I was a bit dense during that ten days obviously. LOL

[Shelly]

cmon girls keep em coming!!!
:D:D

[Amy]

Now if only I could spell...or maybe I should proof read before submitting......or maybe stop drinking wine when I'm trying to type....:awesome: lol
ie:
Routine....

Workout Schedule

Monday:
Chest; Pre exhaust with cable cross overs, Incline presses, Hammer Strength Lateral Press (for chest muscles), Decline press, Peck Deck
Back; Seated cable pull downs (wide grip), Seated cable rows (close grip) dumbbell rows, overhead pull downs (use cable machine with rope kneeling down and flex your chest to focus the isolation of your lats)
Abs; 100-150 reps your choice of movements

Tuesday:
Quads; Light leg extension warm up followed immediately by seated hamstring curls (3 sets light weights), leg press, hack squats, seated leg extensions, front squats (Smith Machine), lunges (4 sets).

Wednesday:
45 minutes of cardio and Abs; 100-150 reps your choice of movements.

Thursday:
Shoulders; Dumbbell laterals (side and front) increasing weight through 4 sets, Hammer Strength Overhead Press, Rear Delts (on Cybex machine), Dumbbell Shrugs
Triceps; Straight bar press downs (cable machine, arms move in an arching motion), Ropes (cable machine), V-Bar press downs (arms move in a straight down motion similar to a close grip bench press), Single arm reverse grip pull downs
Biceps; Seated Alternating DB Curls, Standing Barbell Curls (camber/ EZ-curl bar), Preachers (machine, super set with standing straight bar curls using cable machine)
Abs; 100-150 reps your choice of movements.

Friday:
Hamstrings; Seated Hamstring curls, Lying Hamstring curls, Stiff leg dead lifts, lunges (4 sets to failure).
Calves; Standing calf raises, seated calf raises, calf presses (leg press machine), free standing calf concentration isolations (squatting down to the floor and flexing your calves)
Glutes; Hammer Strength/Glute machine (4 sets of 12-16 reps)

Saturday:
Cardio 45 minutes and Abs 100-150 reps your choice of movements.

Amy Fry....Meant I love HER legs......hahahaha

And I'm not even depleted....Diet starts Saturday for Jr. Nationals....
Bring on the fish and broccoli

[KMS]

OK here it goes....

Who in your family has been the most supportive to you, and why? (does not have to be about competing)

I would honestly have to say my Tim, my love, my significant other, my live in cabana boy. LOL And this is not just about competing. He and I met each other when we were both right at the end of going thru our divorces. We had an instant connection. You really have to know him to be able to appreciate his candidness. He is an all or nothing kind of guy. Always athletic in HS and College and coached swimming for 12 years before starting a career in treating cancer. He has always pushed me to BE THE BEST ME I CAN BE. This isn't just about fitness and health but in all aspects of my life. What I took early on to be an unwillingness to give compliments...I found later to be his way of always striving to be the next best thing then you currently are. If it wasn't for his pep talks on being a better worker, mother, partner etc...I don't know if I would have been able to make it the long haul to where I am today. For those of you that don't know I was once almost 200 lbs. I didn't meet him at that time but met him at about halfway to my goal. He has always stood beside me and pushed me and guided me and I love him dearly for that. Sometimes I wanted to hit him but I understand now why. Now he is my biggest supporter, helps me train, loves to help pick out my photo shoot clothes...runs all over looking for the perfect photo shoot site etc. He rubs my back when it's sore, wakes me up for one last feeding of protein shake because I am too tired to stay up and is ALWAYS in the crowd come show day yelling SHOW ME YOUR MONEY MAKER! (His way of telling me to stick my butt out) LOL Second biggest supporter would be my 13 year old son...WHY?.....because he is very proud of his mother.


How does weight training help you in other areas of your life? (give us an example)

This lifestyle in general is a huge benefit to every area of my life. It teaches structure, adapting, discipline...you name it. Let's face it with only 1% ever able to do what we do...it takes someone who is strong mentally as well as physically. It takes complete discipline and the ability to adapt to change.

Your most successful routine?

On stage I don't do a routine but my best placings have come from stage presence. SMILE and making eye contact with the judges even from the top of the stairs before coming on stage. Look them in the eye coming out and look them in the eye upon leaving the stage. My most successful routine for building muscle or coming in for competition.....

It really depends on being offseason or on but I find that my body responds the best with cardio in the morning on an empty stomach...mixing it up always to not stay in a rut.

My typical best split would be

Monday Chest and Tri
Tuesday Legs heavy
Wednesday Back and bi's
Thursday Shoulders
Friday legs again lighter and higher reps

I also do best when during my resting periods I do some sort of plyos or just always keep moving with lunges, pushups etc.

Your opinion on children and weight training?
I feel that all children will benefit from some sort of physical training. I do believe there is an age though that needs to be met before actually handling the weights. Before that...all sorts of exercises that incorporate bodyweight are great. My son comes to the gym with me daily and works out and has just started really lifting weights. He will be 14 next week. Before this...I would let him cardio on machines with me, do push ups, pull ups, dips, squats, lunges, you name it but I really watched his picking up a weight. I wanted to make sure he was completely ready to learn about proper form rather then just throwing around a heavy dumbell because it felt like superman. Most children today are spending way to much time in front of tv, video games etc. Gone are the days that I had growing up of climbing trees, riding bikes, walking 2 miles into town to play with friends...our children need to get back to the basics.

Name 5 pros that impress you the most, and why?

Well....I can honestly say that I don't impress very easily. When I say this I mean I don't idolize people put them on pedestals etc. What I will say impresses me is the competitor that is REAL. One that doesn't go around with aires about them. The ones that haven't let it go to their heads.
There are many pros that have been there for me from the beginning when I just followed the sport and never once thought that I would compete. The ones that I have found to be the MOST REAL to me....

Jennifer Nicole Lee....I wrote to her a long time ago...not one of those i'm wild about you fan things but rather a cry for someone to talk to. Just talk and that is just what she did and still does today. JNL has been a great motivator and mentor for me all the while never asking for anything in return. I was honored and touched when she called me before her competition last year when she was having trouble the last few weeks coming in the way she wanted and asked MY advise.

Amanda Savelle....again someone that has always told me exactly the way it is..taken the time to speak with me and help me along the way. Girl trains like a maniac and that is impressive. Anyone ever seen her box jump? omg

Ronnie Coleman....Well he is just amazing to see period so even though I don't worship or idolize him....I AM IN AWE

Dexter Jackson....again a guy that keeps it real. He didn't even care of blink an eye when I didn't know who he was. I just knew he was my friend and fellow team mate Gayle's boyfriend. LOL

Lastly I would say Jenn Gates as well. I respect her so much for the way she can balance it all. Full time career in the health field (never easy and emotionally draining) Mother, Wife and pro competitor. And honestly that has got to be some kind of schedule she keeps because I know where she lives and it isn't close to the city so for training at her gym and such it requires drive time or going afterwork because it's closer which requires less time with her family. I am fortunate that my gym is literally out the back side of my neighborhood. If my son doesn't come with me he can ride his bike up to see me. It's hard to balance it all and get it all right and I feel she just does a super job in that aspect.

WHEW that was hard...there are so many people that I respect the heck out of and actually many of them aren't even the pro's

[Siouxcountry]

Good luck, Kate! :)

[marikajohansson]

Hi Girls!!
I just wanted to drop by and wish you all the best and good luck in the contest.
You all are such a great girls and doing a great job. I am proud to give out my dvd to any of you girls;-) xo Marika

[IslandGirl]

Hey there Marika! Thank you so much for supporting SC and your warm generosity!

[Shelly]

Hi Girls!!
I just wanted to drop by and wish you all the best and good luck in the contest.
You all are such a great girls and doing a great job. I am proud to give out my dvd to any of you girls;-) xo Marika

Marika you RULE:)

Thank you for everything!:bowdown:

[Siouxcountry]

Hi Girls!!
I just wanted to drop by and wish you all the best and good luck in the contest.
You all are such a great girls and doing a great job. I am proud to give out my dvd to any of you girls;-) xo Marika

Hiya, Marika! ;)

[Kiwijo]

Who in your family has been the most supportive to you, and why?

My husband is my support system - he is my steady rock... he kicks me out of bed in the mornings to cardio a few mornings a week when it is a struggle. He gets up at 4.45am x 3 mornings a week to train me and my training partners.. He was a very sucessful bodybuilder here in NZ and gained his procard in 1996 , but it would of been too hard both of us competing with 5 kids between us so he gave up his love, but he gets his satisfaction through my success and through being the President of the NZFBB and organising the bodybuilding events here in NZ . He always buys my 10kgs of chicken, gets my supplements for me and supports and looks after me in all those ways. Its not that I cant do those things myself, it is his way of looking after me since i put in the hard physical and mental work. My kids are hugely supportive of me but at the same time would love me to drop this crazy sport of mine asap... lol..

How does weight training help you in other areas of your life?

It has helped my personality and my attitude to life.
Bodybuilding has given me patience and tolerance. Firstly I learnt patience with waiting year after year for my body to improve and show the changes which my regular weight training resulted in. Bodybuilding has also taught me tolerance as I strive to help other people perhaps not so gifted as myself to achieve personal goals with bodybuilding or weight training in general. That in inself can be a test of anyones patience... Bodybuilding helped me to find my career path. I have bodybuilding in my heart and have done since I was 19 years old. At 47 now, that is sure some long time. and I cant see it changing any time soon..

Your most successful routine?

It has to be my running routine... I run the flat and I run the hills and I run the bleachers, and I run the treadmill - you could call me the only Bodybuilding running addict in New Zealand .... I combine weight training, 5 days per week off season and 6 days per week contest season, with running 5 days per week. Some crazy days I have been known to run twice a day....
I know people say dont run, you will burn your muscle but I have been a runner - well a jogger all my life and running to me is my relaxation time. It is time to clear my head, and to rationalise things that perhaps arent going as planned, or it is time to mentally prepare myself for upcoming events. I run with my ipod with only 1 peice of music on it, my 60 sec routine music and while doing my 30 min run i play it over and over whilst I picture my event, my training, my posing, my rivals and everything regarding the upcoming contest... To prevent me from burning muscle, I allow plenty of recovery time either side of weight training and ensure I have two meals between weights or running. One of those meals I have my carbs.. Staying fit and mentally relaxed helps me get through the whole contest training regime.. sometimes it makes me feel like I havent a care in the world unike cardio in a gym which I find really irritating..


Your opinion on children and weight training?

All of our 5 kids do average amounts of weight training. They have never been forced to but with having a gym at home it has just been natural for them to follow us and pick up some weights.
Our kids are 25 years, 23 years, 22 year and 20 years and there is my
youngest boy who is 10 years old and he loves to weight train. WE dont push him, but he had the love of training there from a very young age.

We have been know to hold the street "Childrens Strongman" Competitions where the kid with the best lifts (safely of course) wins one of my bodybuilding trophies... It is a great way to recycle them..

Our 10 year old goes through periods of wanting to train and periods of not doing anything at all, but we have taught him that good form is important and he is very focused on that when doing any particular exercise. It took me a very long time to recognise in myself that I was not into team sport but I was a strong individual competitor in sport. I recognised that in my son as well, so we do not push him into team sports although he plays rugby and dreams of being an AllBlack one day, or a Dexter Johnson .. one or the other.

Name 5 pros that impress you the most, and why?

I have to say Cory Everson, she is beautiful, sexy and improves year by year. It was Cory who first got me into bodybuilding
Lenda Murray is another one.. She is amazing, in a different way obviously to Cory but so so inspiring.
Melvin Anthony, we just got to know him personally when he came to our NZ Pro show 2 weeks ago. He has the personality and the moves - and he is a genuine nice person to go with it. I felt like a little baby amatuer (which of course I am) beside him and the other Pros but he treated us well and was very respectful and thankful for what we were doing for them.. He was a peoples person and I loved that quality about him..

Kristy Hawkins is another - I watched her in her amatuer shows and was very proud of her entry into Pro Level. I wish her all the best for her Pro Future.

Moe Moussawi. He is my training partner. He lived in LA and has lived in NZ for the last 4-5 years. He placed 3rd in the Ironman, what a huge success! and then competed in the Arnold where he didnt place as high. He is a very successful business man in NZ with 9 supplement stores and he is opening 2 more in Australia. He has 2 children and works full time.. WE both inspired each other to train as hard as humanly possible - he for the Ironman and me for the Arnold. Training with Moe took my training to another level.

Jo Stewart

[Siouxcountry]

Good luck to you, Joanne! :waving:

1 day to go.

[SBT]

Good luck to everyone who has joined :D

[Shelly]

ditto on the good luck girls...

[Siouxcountry]

Contest is over.

I'll let you all know who won as soon as possible. Hopefully tomorrow.

[Siouxcountry]

The winner is Kate (poster KMS).

Congrats, Kate! Please PM Marika your contact info. I'll email Marika today, and have her check her PM.

:)

[ripitupbaby]

Congrats Kate! Everyone had great responses, it was hard to choose a winner!

:awesome:

[SBT]

Congrats chick a dee!!!

[Shelly]

WOOHOO congratulations girl!

[IslandGirl]

Congrats to Kate!!!


and to all the other ladies that participated! :bowdown:

[KMS]

OMG Thanks so much. Good lord I never win anything....I mean anything. :kiss: :Melissa 2:
Dang...I need my own smilie. LOL I had to use Melissa

[marikajohansson]

Congratulation KMS!!!!!
I be happy to send you my dvd. You are truly amazing. But all of you girls are amazing. You are all winners inside yourselves. Keep it up and believe in what you want to accomplish.;-) Thanks again for participating and thanks Siouxcountry for having me here.
Love ya all!!

[ibarramedia]

Who in your family has been the most supportive to you, and why?

My husband is my support system - he is my steady rock... he kicks me out of bed in the mornings to cardio a few mornings a week when it is a struggle. He gets up at 4.45am x 3 mornings a week to train me and my training partners.. He was a very sucessful bodybuilder here in NZ and gained his procard in 1996 , but it would of been too hard both of us competing with 5 kids between us so he gave up his love, but he gets his satisfaction through my success and through being the President of the NZFBB and organising the bodybuilding events here in NZ . He always buys my 10kgs of chicken, gets my supplements for me and supports and looks after me in all those ways. Its not that I cant do those things myself, it is his way of looking after me since i put in the hard physical and mental work. My kids are hugely supportive of me but at the same time would love me to drop this crazy sport of mine asap... lol..

How does weight training help you in other areas of your life?

It has helped my personality and my attitude to life.
Bodybuilding has given me patience and tolerance. Firstly I learnt patience with waiting year after year for my body to improve and show the changes which my regular weight training resulted in. Bodybuilding has also taught me tolerance as I strive to help other people perhaps not so gifted as myself to achieve personal goals with bodybuilding or weight training in general. That in inself can be a test of anyones patience... Bodybuilding helped me to find my career path. I have bodybuilding in my heart and have done since I was 19 years old. At 47 now, that is sure some long time. and I cant see it changing any time soon..

Your most successful routine?

It has to be my running routine... I run the flat and I run the hills and I run the bleachers, and I run the treadmill - you could call me the only Bodybuilding running addict in New Zealand .... I combine weight training, 5 days per week off season and 6 days per week contest season, with running 5 days per week. Some crazy days I have been known to run twice a day....
I know people say dont run, you will burn your muscle but I have been a runner - well a jogger all my life and running to me is my relaxation time. It is time to clear my head, and to rationalise things that perhaps arent going as planned, or it is time to mentally prepare myself for upcoming events. I run with my ipod with only 1 peice of music on it, my 60 sec routine music and while doing my 30 min run i play it over and over whilst I picture my event, my training, my posing, my rivals and everything regarding the upcoming contest... To prevent me from burning muscle, I allow plenty of recovery time either side of weight training and ensure I have two meals between weights or running. One of those meals I have my carbs.. Staying fit and mentally relaxed helps me get through the whole contest training regime.. sometimes it makes me feel like I havent a care in the world unike cardio in a gym which I find really irritating..


Your opinion on children and weight training?

All of our 5 kids do average amounts of weight training. They have never been forced to but with having a gym at home it has just been natural for them to follow us and pick up some weights.
Our kids are 25 years, 23 years, 22 year and 20 years and there is my
youngest boy who is 10 years old and he loves to weight train. WE dont push him, but he had the love of training there from a very young age.

We have been know to hold the street "Childrens Strongman" Competitions where the kid with the best lifts (safely of course) wins one of my bodybuilding trophies... It is a great way to recycle them..

Our 10 year old goes through periods of wanting to train and periods of not doing anything at all, but we have taught him that good form is important and he is very focused on that when doing any particular exercise. It took me a very long time to recognise in myself that I was not into team sport but I was a strong individual competitor in sport. I recognised that in my son as well, so we do not push him into team sports although he plays rugby and dreams of being an AllBlack one day, or a Dexter Johnson .. one or the other.

Name 5 pros that impress you the most, and why?

I have to say Cory Everson, she is beautiful, sexy and improves year by year. It was Cory who first got me into bodybuilding
Lenda Murray is another one.. She is amazing, in a different way obviously to Cory but so so inspiring.
Melvin Anthony, we just got to know him personally when he came to our NZ Pro show 2 weeks ago. He has the personality and the moves - and he is a genuine nice person to go with it. I felt like a little baby amatuer (which of course I am) beside him and the other Pros but he treated us well and was very respectful and thankful for what we were doing for them.. He was a peoples person and I loved that quality about him..

Kristy Hawkins is another - I watched her in her amatuer shows and was very proud of her entry into Pro Level. I wish her all the best for her Pro Future.

Moe Moussawi. He is my training partner. He lived in LA and has lived in NZ for the last 4-5 years. He placed 3rd in the Ironman, what a huge success! and then competed in the Arnold where he didnt place as high. He is a very successful business man in NZ with 9 supplement stores and he is opening 2 more in Australia. He has 2 children and works full time.. WE both inspired each other to train as hard as humanly possible - he for the Ironman and me for the Arnold. Training with Moe took my training to another level.

Jo Stewart


Wow. Most of your kids are in their 20's.. I'm sure you could blend in with them. Their friends are probably happy to hang with you. ;)

[KMS]

I got my DVD and I love love love it. Thanks again so much. Very inspiring. Now if I could just watch it each day before I go workout. LOL MUAH

[Siouxcountry]

I got my DVD and I love love love it. Thanks again so much. Very inspiring. Now if I could just watch it each day before I go workout. LOL MUAH

Awesome! :cool: