Did you know?
The 2007 Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am is next week!
Welcome to the second installment of 'The Colorado Connection.' Each month I will feature a competitor, trainer, gym, and more. I'm here to show you that life in the bodybuilding and fitness world also exists outside of California.
It's been awhile since the last Colorado Connection, and lots of things are going on in the land of the Rocky Mountains. So, let's get right down to it...
Pro News
Heather Policky
You saw her exclusive training videos and progress photos here on
Bodybuilding.com first! Yep, that's right: Colorado's own Heather Policky represented the Rocky Mountain state in her IFBB debuts.
RELATED ARTICLE
An Interview With Heather Policky, IFBB Pro Bodybuilder. Heather Policky (pronounced po-lisk-y) is 4½ weeks out as I catch up with her at Harry's Colorado Pro Gym. [ Click here to learn more. ]
Heather won the 2007 Sacramento Pro show, and keep in mind this was her first IFBB pro show! What an accomplishment for your first time out in the pro ranks. Heather followed up her strong showing with an even
tighter physique in Columbus, Ohio.
Heather made her Arnold Classic debut and placed third, some myself included, had her in second but
hey top 3 your first time out - not too shabby! Heather is taking some
deserved time off from the diet and plans on doing the 2007 Olympia in
September. Many people have talked about her potential for years and
now they are seeing her reach it in the pro ranks. Great job, Heather!
Phil Heath
What's happening with Phil "The Gift" Heath? Phil's debut DVD is out now, entitled "The Gift: A New Beginning." I followed Phil for 12 weeks as he
prepared for his pro debut at the 2006 Colorado Pro show last May. You'll
see how he trained and a behind the scenes look at what went on the
day of the show. This is definitely a must have for bodybuilding
fans.
RELATED BLOG
Update in the Lift Corner Phil Heath's DVD is in duplication and I'll have it in hand before the Arnold Classic, where Phil will be making his Arnold debut. [ Click here to learn more. ]
I caught up with Phil 10 days out from the 2007 Arnold Classic as he
was doing a photo shoot for Flex Magazine. Look for the photos and
story in the current issue. You can also check out a bit of Phil's
Training with video coverage on Flexonline.com.
Phil's been busy with
guest posing recently making the trek out to Hawaii, San Francisco, and is set to hit Japan. We're planning out when we'll start filming
his next DVD. It will depend on if he does the 2007 Olympia or not. I'll
keep you posted on the details here. As most of you know by now, Phil
finished 5th in his Arnold debut. It's a great accomplishment for any
bodybuilder and you'll see him use that placing as motivation for his
next show.
Chaundra Tangi & Lisa Marie Bickels
We're loosing one pro and gaining another in Colorado. IFBB Figure
Pro, Chaundra Tangi will be relocating to Chicago in the next couple
of weeks. Chaundra will be missed in the Colorado community as she
helps out a number of competitors with posing, makeup and training.
Click Image To Enlarge.
IFBB Figure Pro Chaundra Tangi.
We'll be gaining another pro when Lisa Marie Bickels relocates back to Ft.
Collins, Colorado. Lisa turned pro last year and taking the year off
before making her pro debut on the pro bodybuilding stage.
Lisa Marie Bickels
Come see the beautiful figure competitor & IFBB Pro Bodybuilder, Lisa Marie Bickels at TheFitExpo!
IFBB Fitness Pro Jen Hendershott brought her PHAT Camp to Loveland,
Colorado a few weeks ago. I attended the event and caught up with my
old pal, Hendy. She puts on one helluva camp and I'd encourage any
women considering attending to do so.
She's one of the most
motivating and inspiring people you'll encounter. She hasn't ruled
out competing in the Olympia this year, so fans may see her back on
stage!
Jen Hen's PHAT Camp
Come see IFBB Fitness Pro Jen Hendershott get PHAT in Colorado!
The local NPC crew recently met for a bowling night where we talked
about the year ahead and enjoyed knocking a few pins around. I'm
happy to report I bowled a whopping 131, which was enough to take top
honors. Yes, we'll all be sticking to our day jobs and won't be on
the pro bowling tour any time soon.
Click Image To Enlarge.
Colorado NPC Bowling League.
Wedding Bells in the Colorado Air
IFBB Pro bodybuilder Heather Policky and NPC National level
Bodybuilder Dylan Armbrust will tie the knot this month. I'll be
attending the ceremony and will report back next time with photos and
more. These two are great people and wish them both the best.
To View Policky/Armbrust Wedding Photos, Click Here.
Fresh off his national debut at the Jr. USAs, Shawn Mack popped the
question to his girlfriend, NPC fitness competitor Rachel Patton.
Mack Wheels is happy to report she said 'yes' and the two will be
setting a date soon!
Click Image To Enlarge.
NPC Amateur Bodybuilder Shawn Mack.
IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Phil Heath and his long time girlfriend Jen will
tie the knot on June 23rd in Colorado. I've had the pleasure of
getting to know both of them over the last couple years and they are
good people.
Colorado Competitors Head East
A few Colorado peeps made their way East to Charleston, South
Carolina for the NPC Jr. USAs - and some faired better than others. It
was a tough lineup in the figure divisions as there were over a 140
competitors total.
The best showing was from Shawn Mack who placed
second in the Heavyweight division. It was Shawn's first national
show and by far his best showing on a bodybuilding stage. I saw Shawn
a little before prejudging and you could tell he was excited. He had
the look of a competitor who knew he was on. His wheels were peeled
and he came a long way in the 12 weeks of his prep.
Carla Sanchez's
Performance Ready Team was represented with 3 competitors. Liza
Kampstra placed 11th in her first national show and had the best
figure gesture of the show (you had to be there).
Mother of four
children and no stranger to the national stage, Anna Laratta placed
14th, while firefighter Kristine Reinking burned up the stage and
finished 7th. Look for these three ladies on a national stage again
later in the year.
IFBB Pro Carol Semple trained a team of 4 women
for the Jr. USAs. You may have seen the preview of them here on
Bodybuilding.com before the show. Rachel Patton placed 5th in the
fitness short class, and Tara Carrillo took 6th in the fitness tall
class. Renee Paul and Mary Cencich both held their own in the figure
divisions.
IFBB Pro Carol Semple & Team Click Play To Start The Video. Or Download Here: Windows Media (7.5 MB)
- Quicktime (6.1 MB)
- iPod (15 MB)
The Colorado Pro Show
On June 1-2, 2007, pros and amateurs will find their way to the
Colorado Convention center for the second annual Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am
show. The show promoted by Jeff Taylor and Shawn Ray promises to be
bigger and better than last year. This year the promoters have added
a ton of events outside of bodybuilding that should attract a large
crowd.
RELATED ARTICLE
2007 IFBB Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic The 2007 IFBB Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic will be held in Denver, Colorado June 1st and 2nd. The weekend will include an expo and many events like MMA, boxing, strong man contest, bikini model search...
[ Click here to learn more. ]
I caught up with two local competitors who are preparing for the
show. Sara Hurrle will be competing in her first figure competition
while Paul Pfeifer is looking to re-qualify for nationals and head to
the USAs in July.
When I caught up with Sara she was eating a few hard-boiled eggs and
preparing for a grueling leg work out with her trainer, NPC National
level figure competitor Jennifer Schumm. I joined them in the workout
for awhile but quickly became gassed. They trained legs for a good 2
hours which to me is insane but they did a circuit training of a
variety of workouts. Seeing Sara's legs she's doing something right
so who am I to comment on her training methods.
Jennifer Schumm & Sara Hurrle Video
Get the inside scoop from Jennifer Schumm & Sara Hurrle in Colorado!
I've since seen her
in the gym and she is getting leaner and tighter every day. She's
doing something that I feel most competitors don't do while training
for a show - balance. Sara is a yoga instructor, manages a clothing
company and still finds time to hit the golf course. Watch for Sara
on stage in a few days, she looks awesome.
Click Image To Enlarge.
Sara Hurrle.
Paul Pfeifer is a large man on a mission. I met up with Paul four
weeks out from the show, snapped a few shots and did a video
interview with him and his trainer Skip. Paul is looking to re-
qualify for national status, which means he'll have to place in the
top two of his class. He was tipping the scales around 235 when I met
up with him and was looking lean. Where he'll end up come weigh-ins
is anyone's guess but he will be in contention wherever he ends up.
Paul Pfeifer Video Interview
Get the inside scoop from Paul Pfeifer in Colorado!
There will be a number of Colorado competitors in the line up. Look
for Colorado Pros Jessie Palmer, Heather Mae French, Tamara Sherrill,
and Liane Seiwald to take the pro figure stage. For more information
on the show visit coloradoproshow.com. I'll be there photographing
the event and doing video interviews with my partner in crime Ron
Avidan.
Heather Policky
Click Image To Enlarge.
