All Journals (Newest to Oldest)

Success from Within

• Wednesday, 02 May 2012
• Written by Brigitte Dompierre-Gatchell

I once read somewhere that success is when you feel at ease with yourself, when you earn enough sleep at night, when your close relationships are good, and when you are a positive influence around you . . .

I am 35 years old, a wife, mother of two, psychology major, business owner, jiujitsu black belt, golden-gloves kickboxer, fitness model, and maker of the best chocolate chip cookies on the planet!

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Starting Over

• Monday, 23 April 2012
• Written by Madelaine Garcia

It’s been almost three years since I’ve stepped onstage – amazing how time flies.

In that time I’ve relocated to another city and then moved back, met and married my husband, bought our first home, launched two businesses, and became a puppy mommy all the while working full-time in a pretty hectic career. After struggling with my work-life balance, I feel like I can finally focus on my training again and I’m so excited!

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Questions and Answers

• Friday, 20 April 2012
• Written by Lauren Dempsey

I’ve received lots of messages from ladies interested in competitions, and they're all questions I had asked in the beginning when I was starting to compete! I thought I would share a few tips that I found helpful during my preparations towards competitions:

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Too Much Information, Not Enough Time

• Wednesday, 18 April 2012
• Written by Michelle Manoll

There is so much information out there it can be overwhelming. From magazines to online articles, every other Joe Blow in the gym giving their two cents, where do you draw the line? Where do you say enough is enough? If I were to listen to every article I read and everyone I meet in the gym who thinks they "know it all," I would be running in complete circles all the time. One person tells me I am not big enough, others tell me I am too big, some people tell me to change my reps, while others tell me to change my diet. When it comes down to it there are three rules that I follow:

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Ready to Compete Again!

• Monday, 26 March 2012
• Written by Lauren Dempsey

It is less than 12 weeks until I return to the SAF stage! I have to say that after I competed in my fifth and final competition in October last year (the 2011 SAF Fall Spectacular), I was ready for a "break." Now that I've had that break, my mood has changed for the better – I am beyond excited to compete again! I love setting fitness goals: marathons, competitions, strength goals, etc. It always gets me fired up to set my mind and go. Right now, I'm ready to do that.

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Prepping for a Show and Photoshoot

• Thursday, 22 March 2012
• Written by Michelle Manoll

Getting ready for a photoshoot is a lot like getting ready for shows. It takes determination, proper diet at all times, and, most of all, great workouts at the gym. I get asked all the time how I stay so lean during the year. The “secret” to competing and doing photoshoots is staying lean throughout the year so your show prep and photoshoot prep are not as painful, long, or wasteful of your time. I feel so bad for the girls who have months of prep for these events. Not only is this stressful, but it’s stressful on your body too. My secret is revealed at the end of this journal.

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