| Archives May 1, 2010

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SAF
"Superstar" Fit Camp founder Michelle Matthews (right) with Vanda Hadarean, who
also happens to be on the cover of Oxygen this month.
(Photo Apr. 2010 by Doug Schneider) |
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The SAF "Superstar" Fit
Camp, April 17-18, 2010, Kingston, Canada
The first SAF "Superstar" Fit Camp was held just
over two years ago at the GoodLife fitness center in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The SAF
Camp founder is Michelle Matthews, a registered nurse, an SAF Elite star, and an
accomplished figure competitor she was the 2007 Eastern Ontario Figure Champion and
also placed second at the 2006 IFBB North American Figure Championships. We now call her
the "SAF Superwoman" because she accomplished all this when she was about 40.
Today, shes training for her comeback to the figure stage. Michelle has been the
lead instructor at every SAF Camp.
In 2008, the SAF "Superstar" Fit Champ was a
one-day affair, and remained that way until the end of 2009. Right from the start, the
camps were a huge success every event had plenty of attendees who were eager to
learn. There was only one problem: one day wasnt enough to teach everything.
We always found ourselves rushing to finish on time. As a result, in 2010, we decided to
extend the format to two days, and we chose to increase the number of instructors to allow
for more diversity and better expertise.
Given Kingstons place in the SAF
"Superstar" Fit Camp history, it was fitting that the first two-day event would
be held on April 17 and 18 at the same GoodLife facility where we started in 2008. Of
course, Michelle was at the helm, and joining Michelle and myself as instructors were
Vanda Hadarean, Rosa Valente, and Denis Pedneault. Vanda is one of the most accomplished
physique competitors and fitness models in Canada. Shes an SAF Elite star who won a
silver medal at the 1992 Olympics (in gymnastics, as part of the Romanian team) and, since
then, has won many fitness events including Ms. Fitness Canada (five times) and Ms.
Fitness World (three times). SAF Elite star Rosa Valente is a personal trainer and an
expert on nutrition, and shes also the 2009 Ontario Figure Champion. Denis Pedneault
is a three-time, all-natural Canadian bodybuilding champion who placed fourth at the 2009
IFBB Mens World Bodybuilding Championships, the highest placing of any Canadian male
in over a decade. Denis brought with him Marie Pier-Blais, a therapist and exercise expert
who is also an accomplished figure competitor. All told, it was the best group of
instructors that weve had to date.

The team: Michelle Matthews (left), Rosa Valente
(center front), Marie-Pier Blais (right), Denis Pedneault (middle), and Vanda Hadarean
(behind).
The first day focused on beginner and intermediate training
and nutrition basically all the information one needs to get into amazing shape.
The second day focused on advanced training and nutrition, as well as competing. Women
could come to one day or two, and those who came to both went home with all the knowledge
necessary not just to get into great shape, but also to prepare themselves for the
competitive stage if they wanted to pursue that goal.

Denis Pedneault instructs
Was the first-ever two-day SAF "Superstar" Fit
Camp a success? Obviously we think so; but dont take our word for it because
were biased. Instead, we asked for feedback from some attendees and this is what
they said:
"The camp offered by SAF is incredible. Everything
you want to know to succeed in this industry, and get in the best shape of your life, is
spoken about during the Camp. By far, the best camp offered by an organization I have been
to."
-- Brittany
"It gives you that extra push and
encouragement that you can reach your goals - just focus and it will happen!"
-- Tammy
"I found the camp to be an awesome educational
experience for me. I loved the caliber of instructors Denis is so knowledgeable
Id love to soak up all he has to offer. As a newbie to this type of
fitness, it really opened my eyes to what the competitions are all about and whether or
not I plan to compete in the future, Im always looking for new ideas for my fitness
plan and this camp didnt let me down. I brought back a ton of ideas to my
trainer and plan to put most into play in the near future. Thanks for a great
experience!"
-- Charlotte
"The SAF was a day of discovery for me. I
attended one day of the camp weekend and it was both inspiring and a new experience! Doug,
Michelle, Vanda, Denis and Marie all brought tons of experience to us in a very easy
manner."
-- Sandra
"I learnt a lot during the SAF Camp and met a lot
of great people! I only got to go to the second day and I wish I had been to both days
because of all the helpful information that was given! Thanks a lot guys! You were
great!"
-- Carla
So the first SAF "Superstar" Fit Camp was another
incredible success. If you attended it, we hope that you thoroughly enjoyed it and can
take what you learned and apply it positively to your life. If you werent able to
come, make sure that you dont miss the next one. Right now were planning
another SAF "Superstar" Fit Camp and will announce the date on the official
website, SAFCamps.com. The SAF "Superstar" Fit Camps are getting better all the
time!
. . . Doug Schneider
das@seriousaboutfitness.com
For information on the SAF "Superstar" Fit Camps,
please visit SAFCamps.com. |