What a journey

This past weekend the ladies participated in our final show for the season. The WBFF New England Fitness and Fashion Weekend, hosted in Providence, Rhode Island.  It was a whirl wind of excitement, anxiety, and emotions.  The 16+ weeks of prep from posing, makeup, hair, tanning, workouts, bikinis, theme wear, gowns, heels, all finally had to come together for prelims and finals for a few brief moments on the stage. The ladies put in SO much work and determination to feverishly flaunt their bodies in a few microseconds of time to be compared to 30-50 other well polished athletes.  It was an amazing day.

We took 6 ladies to this show. We had 4 place top 10, three of which placed top 5. To place top 10 at this event in and of itself is an amazing accomplishment. You walk a stage for 60-90 seconds to give judges time to decide whether you are fit to be the next 'WBFF Pro' against 50 other athletes that are working equally as hard to prove the same. Sitting in the audience for over 3 hours just for the pre judging reminded me of how grueling this process can be both on the athletes as well as the judges.

As much as I love these shows, I am thankful for the finish. The team competed in 7 shows this year and we are already prepping for 2014.  With the ups and downs of these events, I learn something new about our team, the industry, coaching, even myself and am grateful for these opportunities of growth. What I am most grateful for is the growth I see in each of these ladies as they continue to become stronger both physically and mentally. Every day better people, teammates, and friends.

Congratulations ladies...And thank you for making this an amazing season.

Follow Sarah Koste as she makes her FIGURE debut with WBFF

Saving the best for last.....

Sarah is not new to the stage, fitness or competition. Having been an athlete all of her life, being a personal trainer herself and competed in 3 shows to date, one of which placing first in figure, she is what most would consider a seasoned athlete. Sarah shares here her story.....

I have a passion for training my clients and getting them to where they need to be, but realized I wanted more for myself about 14 months ago. I took my training to another level and last year September 4th 2012 I decided I was going to compete in a fitness show and fulfill my goals of stepping on stage as a figure competitor.

As a fitness competitor, there are many challenges that come into your life while preparing for a show. Competing can sometimes feel like it takes over your life-because it does! You have to be mentally tough and I have learned a lot about myself and how I deal with life in general. I have changed for the better, physically and mentally.

A few months into my training, I was having a tough time with some changes that were going on with my body. I had lost a lot of body fat and my chest had disappeared. I was very self conscious about this and I despised chest workouts. I was training with a male trainer that I feel didn't 'get me'. I met a few girls on my team soon after I left this trainer and I haven't looked back since. Within a few weeks, I was on the team, had different goals set out for myself and was ready to work! 

I want to thank everyone I have in my life that supports my fitness goals and my journey. My family, my friends, my coach, and my teammates. My nickname during my last week before each show is 'crazy'. Competing is hard to understand unless you put yourself through the process. I love everything about competing and I am excited for my next show. 

I can look back in this last year and be very proud of myself. Consistency is key. Discipline is key. Goals were set and I got to work. I am part of an amazing team and support system- we are The Elite Heat and we will be burning up your stage!


Eat, sleep, train. Never skip a workout. Become your dream!

In two days, Giselle will make her WBFF DIVA Bikini debut!

The Ties that Bind....

Two years ago from today,  Giselle  decided to make a change in her  life.  A change that began with a conscious decision to want a different lifestyle than what she had traditionally known.   A change that required her  not only to eat less but differently and build a physique that again, traditionally and culturally were not necessarily acceptable.  ' I remember the minute I started to lose the weight, my family was concerned ... they thought I looked too skinny...but in reality, I was the healthiest I have ever been in life." 

This  journey started for Giselle when she joined the the  Elite Heat and was introduced to her soon to be coach, Malenna Saunders.  ' The main reason I joined this group was because it was not just based on competitions, but lifestyle changes and other goals, recognizing that you have to be able to maintain a proper balance both on and off the stage.' 

The transition not only provided Giselle a healthier physique, but allowed her to be an inspiration to her friends and family.  Seeing her transform provided the confidence and courage to others close to her to reach out and try and do the same.  

" Honestly, my journey has not been easy.  It's had its' ups and downs,  but seeing my body change throughout the year made everything worth it. Being able to do things I had never imagined ...and doing it, ..it is the most amazing feeling ever.   And ,  I have been able to inspire my friends and some family members to change their habits and become healthier,  which was one of my goals when I first started."  

With a couple of shows under her belt, and wins to match, this lady will now grace the stage in Providence, RI for the first time, as a WBFF Diva Bikini Model athlete.

'Now that I'm a few days away from my first WBFF show, I'm super excited to take on this new challenge in my life.'  Look out for her, as she rocks the stage in less than 2 days!...The best of the best! 

Follow Karen as she prepares for her WBFF Diva Bikini debut

Against all odds....

About a year ago I was back stage at my third show frantically packing up my belongings so I can get out of the venue looking like I was perfectly okay with not having placed again. The truth was I felt so ridiculously broken and defeated I was consumed with self disappointment-feelings I identified the most when dealing with myself. I felt like I was running searching for the exit but before I could runaway I bumped into the overall bikini winner who was so gracious and kind to me throughout the entire competition -about a week later she went on to earn her pro card. She instantly became an inspiration to the kind of person I aspire to be because should have been off celebrating her big win along with her teammates' victories but instead she thought of someone else: walked me over to her coach and founder of Elite Heat, Malenna Saunders-and the rest is history.
Joining Elite Heat and not giving up on a new passion became bigger than finally experiencing a taste of victory by placing at my first 2013 show and FINALLY being able to claim the title as overall bikini winner recently.  An honor an accomplishment I feel proud to carry on as a Elite Heat tradition. These accomplishments significance is so much grander than the hardware because it was the story behind the scenes that has left a profound mark on who I am and what I have overcome.

Pursuing this sport has become bigger than just stepping on a stage and showcasing your physique and beautiful stage wear. It has become the catalyst that has made me own up to who I am, make peace with having been affected by the devastating affects of having an abusive and alcoholic father. Training for a show with the company and support of Elite Heat has evolved into deep friendships and connections that has served as an outlet I need in order to get up each day and face my facts square in the face: I can't change the deep wounds and irreversible damage caused by my father's addiction and abusive ways or how it affected my sister and our relationship. I can't change their decisions nor the past but I can make peace knowing if I can survive an extensive list of hardship and obstacles then I can finally dig deep to find the courage to take control of my life-end a vicious life long cycle of self destructive behavior and not falling into addiction. I am barely a few days away from stepping on to the WBFF stage for the very first time. Even though I have had the privilege of experiencing stepping on a stage I can't help but feel so many emotions all at once: excitement, nervousness, optimism, happiness...

I would be a complete liar if I said there aren't moments I become overwhelmed with self doubt but I've become better at telling my brain to "HUSH, ain't nobody got time for that". I've come too far to let myself get in the way of myself-and so as I prepare to finally make my WBFF debut I stand a little taller knowing I have found the inner strength I needed in order to break free from the past thanks to the immense support of my team-the amazing group led by a one of kind leader that enables each of us to be the best we can be in this moment.

Watch Jadi as she makes her WBFF Diva Bikini debut

Although Jadi is new to the WBFF stage, she is definitely not new to the stage.  This beauty stands at a mere 5 feet but a force to be reckoned  with. Don't take our word for it. This personal interview says it all.

"I can't even begin to tell y'all how thrilled I am to be debuting on the WBFF stage. I have always been kinda "fit," but in recent years, I just haven't quite been able to get back to my "no flab just fab" days. So here’s the deal, I’m an actor, and the reality is that appearance DOES matter. If I am doing all that I can in terms of training and skill, then I need to be doing all I can to physically look the part too.  I found the ELITE HEAT through my good friend WBFF Pro Esther Lopez and I was on track to reach my goal. So what’s my goal? LLP: Leading. Lady. Physique. 

I want to be lean, sculpted and solid as a rock… without losing my curves of course.

  

Prior to this, I could not tell you what the inside of a gym looked like and was rather intimidated by lifting so finding inspiration and motivation to hit the weights 4-5 days a week was quite a challenge and a complete shock to my system.  And don't even get me started on food prepping! Phewww, I almost freaked out the night I had to turn on the oven; nonetheless, this journey has and continues to push me past what I believed my limitations were and is exactly what I strive for.  I strive to live in a world of YES, a world where the "best" is defined by whatever our minds conceive, believe, earn and achieve.

After all, the best of the best DOES compete with the WBFF; so tell me, what will you say yes to?"

Brandy Jean's journey to her WBFF Diva Bikini Debut

Finding home away from Home 

When Brandy moved to New York from Washington, D.C.  in 2011, it was a very hard transition.

“I grew up in Washington, D.C. and it has always been “home” for me. I was surrounded by long-time friends and family. Unsurprisingly, that manifested itself in my outlook and physical condition. I worked out regularly (and even competed at the collegiate level in my sport of choice, Cross Country). In short, I was happy, healthy and comfortable.”

When she moved to New York, however, things changed. She disliked New York from the outset and immediately fell out of her comfort zone. It took a long time for her to make new friends and she grew increasingly depressed. She stopped exercising and gained a lot of weight. That slowly began to change one day in 2012, when one of her friends invited her to attend a Phoenyx Fitness “Boot Camp” class. It sounded interesting and she purchased a "Groupon" for several classes. The class was very challenging and made her realize how out of shape she was. Unfortunately, at that time, she was not quite ready to dedicate herself and she stopped attending classes. After the Groupon expired, she started a new job, which was highly stressful and involved long hours, and she fell back into a personal slump. she lost even more confidence, stopped working out entirely and had a terrible diet.  She never forgot, however, how great the Phoenyx “boot camp” class made her feel. The “seed” of change had been planted (even if it would take some time to grow).

By late 2012, she was the heaviest and most of out of shape she had ever been in her life.

“My clothes no longer fit me and I “maxed” out at 145 pounds. So-called friends, family and colleagues continuously made rude comments and reminded me about my appearance. On top of this, I found out from my doctor that I had high cholesterol. In early 2013, I had reached my breaking point. In short, I was finally just fed up with myself! I decided to make maintaining a healthier lifestyle a priority, to become the BEST me that I could be and step out of my shell. I remembered at this point how much I had enjoyed the Phoenyx classes I had attended and ended up signing up for several kettlebell classes in January of 2013. I looked forward to attending each class. But, naturally, I was anxious to find out just how far I could push myself.”

One day after a kettlebell class, she noticed that a few girls from the class had put on clear high heels and overheard them talking about bikini suits. When she asked them what they were talking about, one of the  girls told her that she was a member of a fitness team named “Elite Heat” and told her about a fitness competition they were training for. At once, she knew that that was what she wanted to do. 

" In fact, it felt like a sign. Years ago, when I was in college, I met some women who trained for fitness competitions. The women were very inspiring to me and made me realize that I wanted to compete someday. I knew that the discipline involved in becoming stronger, maintaining a healthier life style and building the self-confidence needed to compete would be amazing! Competing in fitness competitions has been on my “bucket list” since that time (i.e., 2003)."

After hearing about the Elite Heat team, she expressed her interest in joining the team to the instructor of her kettlebell class (and, coincidentally, the Elite Heat coach and leader), Malenna Saunders. She accepted her with open arms and she joined the Elite Heat team in the middle of February. 

" Since that time, Malenna and my  Elite Heat teammates have been amazing! I have attended several competitions supporting my teammates. In July, I decided that I was ready to accept the challenge - - to compete in a fitness competition this year (and cross that off my “bucket list")!  In the last few months, I dedicated my life to achieving my goal. I changed my diet, began working out extensively, and generally cut unhealthy or negative things out of my life. By October 2013, I had lost 30 pounds and changed my outlook completely. Last week, I competed in my first fitness competition and placed! Although I am excited that I placed, I am more proud that I accomplished my goal of making it on stage in the first place. "

Needless to say, surrounding herself with the positive and inspirational people at Elite Heat (who are now her “Fit Family”) has been integral in helping her reach her goal. In addition, her boyfriend, family and close friends that have been very supportive has helped her through the challenging process. ' I am very thankful for their support. ' 

" My “Fit Journey” has been a life-changing process for me. It has given me self-confidence and allowed me to realize one of my life-long goals. It has also allowed me to grow to accept (and even like) New York and to realize that life is entirely what you make of your situation(s). Although there were times when it was difficult, and I don't expect everyone to understand my journey, that is okay with me. It is and has been "MY" journey. I have come a long way and I am proud of myself for all I have accomplished this year. Hopefully, what I’ve done may inspire others to take “fit journeys” of their own. I am already looking forward to a stronger year for 2014!"

Cary Barrett makes her WBFF debut

Love Conquers All

A year ago from this date, Cary was recovering from knee surgery.   During this time, she had promised herself that 2013 was going to be her best and healthiest year ever.   Perhaps it was the surgery or turning 30 years old that contributed to this major lifestyle change, but all she knew was that she was determined to recover as soon as possible, so she could lace  her sneakers back up,  rekindle her passion for running and sign up for a few local races.  ‘I just loved the energy at the races and the adrenaline rush.’

As disappointing as it was for her delay hitting the track, she became fascinated with strength training.

“It was as if my knee injury was a blessing in disguise, because I was able to develop a passion for lifting.  It had become my new outlet.  I remember walking into the gym with cane in hand, ready to work out.  I saw my body transforming.  Then I shared a secret with my husband, Dennis Barrett that I wanted to compete in a show. I recall that Christmas morning, he handed me my gift and when I had opened it, he had surprised me by signing me up for WBFF workshops.  I was overwhelmed with tears of happiness because it was the most amazing feeling to know I had his full support in perusing my dreams.  I could have not been anymore grateful for his kindness and support.”

By attending the WBFF workshops hosted by The Elite Heat, she met her amazing coach Malenna Saunders and the wonderful ladies of the team.  Every Saturday morning for the next 6 weeks she travelled into the city to practice posing, learn about nutrition and learned all the facts that go into competing.  Those 6 weeks turned nearly into a year now with the team.   Dennis drove her to the ferry and picked her up every weekend.   He also helped Cary food prep and even trained with her.  It was soon became their little secret that she was not ready to share with family or friends because not everyone was as supportive or understanding as Dennis in the beginning of her journey.

Later, Dennis shared that he too wanted to compete in his first show. 

“ I was so happy and excited for him that as soon as he told me I signed him up to compete in the male fitness model category as his birthday present.   He told me that I had inspired him, and I am so happy that I could do that because he makes me want to be a better person. “

Unfortunately a few days ago Dennis’ brother passed away unexpectedly.  This has been a devastating tragedy to the whole family.  Deciding to still compete was very questionable.

“I was not going to do the show without Dennis by my side and of course I would understand why he wouldn’t be able to compete.  However we decided that we would still compete together.  This competition is giving us a positive outlet to deal with this tragedy. “

For those that have competed before, they understand how time demanding it is from training, to food prep, to posing and dieting. Now they are past that point and digging really deep to get through each workout and avoid temptations that come along the way.

“These past few days have been physically, mentally and emotionally draining. However I know we have each other’s support to get through the next few days.  I look forward to our WBFF debut and being able to share the stage with my husband. He said that I was the one the inspired him the truth is that he inspires me with all his hard work and perseverance and better yet a good heart. “

Little do they know, they have both been an inspiration to us all.  The ladies of The Elite Heat send out their heartfelt condolences to both Dennis and Cary during this time. We love you both and understand the courage it takes just to step on that stage. Just know that we are behind you both especially during this time, as you take the stage with your love, in honor of a love lost.

Elite Heat Spotlight : Cary

I can truly say that I had never considered myself as an athlete. I was never part of any sports teams in school or out of school. However I did have a love for working out. At 16 years old I signed up for the gym and would go straight after school. I was a cardio bunny and you could not get me off a treadmill. I did endless amount of reps with light weights and that was about it. Then after college I had a new career and my endless cardio sessions had gone to the wayside as well as my eating habits.

I remember clearly one day I was unhappy with my reflection in the mirror and the numbers reflected on the scale. I was living an unhealthy lifestyle. That is when I had a turning point and decided to lace up my sneakers and take back my passion for running but this time outdoors. With the encouragement of my husband, I signed up for a few races. I remember the great adrenaline rush, the butterflies in my stomach, and the people at the races. The races were all fun and exhilarating. Not too long after my first half marathon I had injured my knee. I was unable to do what I had loved to do so much and I had to find new ways to work out. I started a Pilates routine, as well as weight lifting (this time heavier). All of a sudden I had started to see my body transform and the weight melt off without any cardio, but also better eating habits.

I am trying to learn so much more about health, nutrition and my own body. My informal education had started by following Casey Ho from Pop Pilates (she is a great inspiration to me) and reading Oxygen magazine as well as other health and fitness related articles.

I want to be a positive role model for my family, loved ones and the community. This new fitness venture will encourage me to become stronger physically and mentally through disciplined dieting and training. I am truly happy that I have met a group of wonderful ladies that are supportive and encouraging as we each achieve our own fitness goals and enjoy the journey.

Elite Heat Spotlight : Marina

Hi! My name is Marina Rymar and I'm on my journey to become a fitness competitor. I have never been into sports (I played piano through the school years instead) but I climbed all the fences and trees in the neighborhood and enjoyed beating all the boys in bike rides and soccer games...

After moving to the USA from Russia I found myself a little bit chubbier than I would like to see myself in the mirror. My weight loss process started with serious research about foods and diets. I succeeded. More than that - nutrition became my passion and profession. I'm on my senior year of a clinical nutrition program at a university and I love it.

To be slim was not enough for me so I went for more - gym, weights, clean eating, supplements opened up a new page of my life. Kickboxing is also a big part of my life especially since i was asked to teach classes at the place i was working out myself. It is just amazing to feel the strength of your body and be able to push through the pain and see all those changes in your own body! So one day I decided to see what competitions are about and went to a workshop and ended up finding amazing ladies with the same passions. They do not know yet how much i have learned from them ;)

I decided to do the things I love now instead of waiting for that perfect time and place which will never happen. And I noticed that other stuff we all "don't like but have to do" got better and I look at it from a different perspective. 

I'm on my journey to become a competitor. And I want to thank Elite Heat Team Ladies for giving that missing piece of the whole puzzle. Now I'm doing what I love and it's an amazing feeling. I will shine for you on that stage on April 13!