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I had a great time at this show, but no doubt was tired physically, psychologically, you name it…I was that kind of tired. You see, I started training and competing in early 2011. From my first show that April, I was hooked. I loved the feeling of working hard, pushing my body to and beyond its limits, looking/feeling better than I ever had. I did three shows that year, and four in 2012. Regardless of how much you enjoy this sport or anything that you love for that matter…BALANCE should always be taken in to consideration. In my next few blogs, I am going to address WHY I say this, what my triumphs and trials have consisted of in my competitive journey, and will be completely honest with you all.

Today, however, I want to give some special recognition to my beautiful friend Sierra Swann. She is just 19 years old and has completed her first Bikini competition this past weekend at the 3rd Annual Mega-Muscle Expo in Burlington, NC. I had the pleasure of working with Sierra and coaching her on her posing, as well as doing her makeup for the show. I should add that until recently, doing my own make-up for shows was very scary to me, so doing someone else’s was like driving someone else’s car…DON’T MESS UP!! It turned out okay thankfully, for the both of us.

From the moment I began helping her with her posing, I knew she had some talent and do well. She has a great group of friends and family that were there for her throughout her prep, and even the day of the show. I can say most of us there for her were probably more anxious and nervous than she was, as we sat there anticipating her presentation on stage. My heart was racing, I got teary-eyed (what the heck? lol) as they announced her name and gave a brief summary about her, her supporters, and what her first competition meant to her. No matter if she won or can in lost, I had told her she was a winner already. Competing is something one must do for themselves first and foremost. It’s about setting a goal for yourself, believing in yourself and pushing yourself beyond what you thought you were capable of.

Needless to say, she did well, and placed 1st in her class! Here she is backstage:

This was the first show where I was present, not competing, or working a booth, but simply there to support someone else. Being there for her, along with her friends (Hethera, Ceyonne, Joel, Nic) and her parents no doubt was a hugely rewarding experience and I know she appreciated the support as well.

The key takeaway here, is that whether you are a competitor, ex competitor, thinking of competing, a friend, family member, whoever you are…there is a place for you. It’s a highly rewarding experience to be able to help someone do something that you love, and to see them succeed, hold that same passion and the happiness it brings them. No matter where you are in the competing scene, I encourage you to be there for your friends and loved ones. Show them that you care, and that you support them 110%. I guarantee that support will go much farther than any trophy or prize to be won.

Here I am with Sierra before Finals:

Getting prettied up for finals!

After the victory!!

She won!!

Hey everyone! Hope your week has been well so far. As you may or may not know, I’ve been competing in NPC bikini for a couple years now. There have been ups & downs as with any sport and new challenges to face. Obtaining a sponsorship in an sport can be quite challenging, and very rewarding. For the past 2 years, I’ve wanted, hoped, and finally TRIED to go after this goal.

If you’re unfamiliar with sponsorships, these are agreements made between athletes/persons and companies such as supplement, clothing, tanning, or any other company or brand that sells a product or service in your industry (ie. fitness industry). There is usually a contract involved in which the athlete agrees to certain terms, such as promoting the product, providing reviews, handing out samples, basically being a billboard for the said product.

On the other hand, the company provides the athletes with the “tools” (supplements, clothing, samples, exposure, etc.) in exchange. While you may not actually be receiving money per se, you are gaining much more. It is the mutual relationship and exchange of support between athlete and company that provides such a positive benefit.

I am very blessed and humbled to have been given the opportunity by my sponsor’s at Athletic Xtreme. They are a supplement company that provide a wide array of pre-workout, during, and post workout products. Whether its strength gains you’re after, an extra boost of energy, or a fat-loss plateau buster, they’ve got the product for you. NOT ONLY do they have supplements, but also a community forum that you can join, where you can post questions, share and gain knowledge from other athletes from different backrounds. As if that wasn’t enough, they even have a personal training app that you can get with a purchase…COOL right? I thought so. Anyhow, check them out on Facebook and let me know products you’d like to learn more about.

In the mean time, some tips for you if you are seeking sponsorship:

• Partner with a company you truly BELIEVE in. Be real, and be honest. How can you represent a brand or product you know nothing about or don’t even use? This is KEY.
• Be ORIGINAL. Don’t give a cookie cutter essay as to why you’re the best candidate for sponsorship. Bring something to the table that no one else is doing. Be creative! Don’t be afraid of no. And YES, I got a few NO’s before I found the company that was right for me and vice versa.
• Be willing to put in some work. That is, seeking out the company you’d like to represent, showing them why YOU are the one for them, and then you’ll be doing plenty of work after ofcourse to maintain and cultivate that sponsorship.

Those are three things you can keep in your pocket as a reference….it’s still new to me too, and I’m still learning as well! I hope this helps someone out there

hey everyone!

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