Follow Shelley as she makes her WBFF Diva Fit Model Debut!!!

Circle of Life...

Spring 2010 and my junior year at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI.  My team of four just received our direct work experience project from our professor.  We would be doing a consultant project for Kevin Topka and his gym, Body Language Spoken.  When my group and I were researching Kevin, we were shocked that he was a professional bodybuilder, and put on these "body building competitions".  We pulled up to his gym a few days later and saw all these huge muscle men trophies in the windows.  I remember joking that he would probably break my hand when he shook it.  I mean come on, this guy is huge!  We worked with Kevin for a few months, built relationships,presented our work to him, and then the trimester was over.  When I returned to Providence, after my summer abroad trip, I noticed I gained a lot of weight.  Nervously, I reached out to Kevin to see if we could meet.  Right away, he put me on a 21 day cleanse and taught me the ins and outs of clean eating and living a healthy lifestyle.  On that day, I weighed in at 166lbs and 32.59% body fat.  I couldn't believe it. I was considered obese.  It was time to change my life around.

November 2010, after training with Kevin all summer he asked if I could help work behind the scenes at his annual Body Language Natural Physique Association New England Championship Show. I absolutely said yes.  I honestly thought all these girls were going to look like 'men' but I was wrong. Watching those girls on stage in their sparkling bikinis, tanned skin, toned ( but not super bulging) muscles.  I was stunned.  I wanted to do that.  I mean, they did it. Why couldn't I?  Long story short, there was no way I could fit comp prep into my routine. I was a full time senior in college working two part time jobs, and president of my sorority.  I used to study on the elliptical just to get a workout in.  However, the thought of competing never left my head.

Fast forward four years later, I'm working  in NYC with a full time job at Alternative Investments.  I managed to make it to the gym to lift 3-4 times a week and meal prep, even though I was utterly exhausted from work.  I was still trying to follow the healthy lifestyle habits I had learned just a few years prior.  I followed so many fitness competitors on social media still with the thought in the back of my mind that I wanted to be on stage one day too.  Before I knew it, business picked up and the hours got longer.  The only way to get the work done was to skip the gym.  Soon enough, I was working 10-12 hour days on a regular basis, eating out every day, binge drinking, and being a couch potato on the weekends because I was too tired to do anything else.  The stress was REAL.  I was utterly miserable, depressed and felt disgusted every time I looked in the mirror.  I promised myself that when 2015 started I would do what it took to become a better me.

In the beginning of 2015, I switched jobs, still in the same field, but with half the stress as before.  I finally had free time again.  I slowly got myself back into a gym routine, but something was missing. I knew I needed help to get me where I wanted to be fitness wise, and possibly get on stage.  One Saturday morning, I was at SWERVE, a spin class in Manhattan with a colleague, and ran into an old college friend, Lauren Lelli, who happened to be a WBFF pro.  She told me about her competition experience, her team, (The Elite Heat) and her amazing coach, Malenna Saunders.  I contacted Malenna right away, because this seemed to be the part of my life I was missing. Within a few weeks I was on the Heat 9 crew with my fellow fit sisters training throughout the summer.

Competition prep was rough, both physically and mentally.  Physically, I was excited to be in the weight room.  I enjoy pushing myself, and watching the amount of weight I could lift increase each week.  The heavier I lifted, the more gains I would have.  Who doesn't love the gains?  At the same time, it is tiring pushing your body that much. Mentally, I didn't realize who would actually be there to support me. When I completely switched up my lifestyle and was restricted on doing the same things as others, I began to see people's true colors.  Some friendships were lost, but others were gained in this incredible journey.  I felt that a majority of my prep was a mind game as well as a self-reflection.  It took a lot of will power to say no to food and alcohol.  Also, I had to constantly remind myself that I am doing this for me, and no one else.

Time is almost here until I make my first appearance on the WBFF New England stage and I could not be more excited.  After five years of having this dream goal in the back of my head, it is finally about to become a reality.  I am beyond grateful and appreciative of everyone who has been there for me throughout this journey.  Words cannot express how much your support means. Thank you! Cheers to meal prep Sundays, Costco trips, team sprints, lifting sessions, fasted cardio, ab circuits, pull ups, day dreaming about pumpkin spice everything, photo shoots, posing practices...Countless memories to last a lifetime.

No matter your situation, always remember to KEEP GRINDING!  Someone you don't even know is rooting for you, while someone you know isn't.

Follow Jasmine as she makes her WBFF Diva Fit Model Debut!!!

With Love, Dignity and Pride

In just two days, I will be stepping on the WBFF stage for the second time in 8 months.  Throughout this entire prep all I an think is, what in the world was I thinking doing this again?!?! But here I am.  There is just something about the sport that makes you want to see just how far you can go.  To see just how much your body can take and how much better you can make yourself inside and out.  The idea of being able to do something the average person couldn't even fathom, and successfully too, excites me.  Unless you have been on this side, no one will ever understand the discipline it takes.  The physical pain and shock you put your body through on a daily basis, and more importantly, the mental games it can sometimes play with your mind is ...well mind blowing.  The moment I step off stage, I know all that hard work has paid off.  I again, accomplished something the average person couldn't. I went up there a better version of myself and no matter the outcome, I couldn't be more proud.  Now, I can finally be reminded as to why I'm doing this again.

Eight months ago, I competed in WBFF Rhode Island as a bikini competitor.  I took 5th place in a class of around 20-30 incredibly fit females and was in utter disbelief.  I expected to jut go up there, look good, and have a great time.  I came off that stage with so much more.  That moment was hands down, one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  This year, I am competing in the fit model division at WBFF NYC where the women are a bit leaner and a bit more muscular.  Even with all the incredible competition I'll be facing, I am excited.  This is exactly where I want to be in terms of how I would like my body to progress.  Always being very petite, I am sure that I will be going on stage a little smaller than the rest of the women, and still, that doesn't bother me one bit.  Knowing that I'll be going up there better, stronger, and leaner than last time is all I need

My support, just like before is amazing, especially from my family.  My mother's been a life saver this entire prep. With working crazy hours and trying to find time to train, even if it has to be at midnight, she preps all my meals for me and makes sure I'm all ready for every single day.  Without her, there is no doubt I would have crashed and burned as soon as I started. My father asks me to see my progress almost as much as my coach does, and trust me, sugar coating anything is not an option for him.  My sister, who was literally my backbone the first time I competed has taken a small step back which I appreciate so much.  It's given me a sense of responsibility and leadership.  I used to drag her everywhere with me from my workouts to picking which suit I should buy.  She's showed me that I am able to do this on my own, but being one call away when I need her.  My younger brother doesn't have much to say about it, but the moment I mentioned the tickets for the show, he didn't hesitate one bit to ask how much and when can he buy one.  Lastly, my boyfriend has been a major part in my success, more than he will ever know.  He is a competitor in NPC and understands what I go through more than anyone.  He keeps me in check with my food, my workouts, and motivates me every single day.  Words wouldn't be able to explain how thankful I am to have him by my side.  My family has forever been a backbone and will always continue to be.  Everyday I thank God that he's blessed me with such an amazing boyfriend and amazing parents and siblings.  I am one of the lucky ones.

I never want to use the word easy because nothing at all about this was easy, so I'll use the word smooth.  The second time around went a bit smoother for me. This time, I knew a little bit more about what to expect and what I was getting myself into.  I was prepared.  My discipline was better than last time and my attitude is also.  That's what it's all about.  Being better than the last time.  In a few days, I am going to step on stage for the second time, MUCH better than the last time.  And still with all the blood, sweat and tears put into this.  All the sore body parts, the sleepless nights, social seclusion, the countless dollars and endless work, I can almost guarantee, this next time you see me on that stage, will not be the last time.

Follow Sabrina as she makes her WBFF Diva Bikini Debut!!

The grass is not always greener...

For me, the journey to stepping on stage has been emotionally trans formative as it has been physically.

Growing up I was criticized constantly for being too skinny.  People would make comments about it relentlessly - "Ugh, you're SO skinny", "Go eat a cheeseburger","Easy for you to say, you're skinny!"  As many comments as the people made about wanting to be skinny, I began hating myself for it, and became extremely self -conscious of how long and lean I was.

Everyone is met with obstacles in life, and I was faced with a few that really knocked me down and kept me down for a while.  But after each one I pressed forward stronger and learned to grow from each challenge I was faced with. The problem was that as much as I had accomplished and as much adversity as I had overcome, inside I still felt like that skinny self- conscious little girl I had always been.  I couldn't shake her.  

For me, there is something that translates from physical strength into being able to feel confident in all other areas of your life. The first time I stepped into the weight room at the gym, I had not idea what I was doing. I just anted to get in shape for summer.  What it turned into was something so much greater than I had ever imagined.  The more work I put in at the gym to becoming physically stronger, the more my emotional strength befitted. 

After a while, I started asking myself "what next" - I loved the changes I was seeing in my mind and body and loved that every day I was becoming a better version of myself than the day before.  With that in mind, I decided I wanted to start competing and joined the Elite Heat to surround myself with like minded women searching for the same things I was.

One thing I know for sure is that this competition is not the end of my journey; it's the very beginning. When you are on a mission to be the very best you can be, there's no tellin where your drive will take you.

Follow Jennifer as she makes her WBFF Diva Fitness Model Debut!!!

The world is my stage..... 

My fitness journey has been just that - a journey.  A journey filled with self doubt and fear.  I've been struggling to lose weight my entire adult life.  I'm a confident girl, but I've never been able to look in the mirror and feel confident about my body.  I would look at the other girls and friends and think , " I wish I had that small waist or tight stomach", but in truth wouldn't stick to a diet long enough to have it. I am an aspiring actress and at the end of the day, the last thought I want to have when I don't book a role is ' Is it because of the way I look?'  My weight has fluctuated over the years but never to a point where I felt like it was my best.  This is where I had it wrong.  I needed to worry less about my weight and more about my lifestyle.  I had to ask myself what does it take to have the body I want.  Well, for starters it takes a lifestyle, not a quick fix diet that will put me back in the same position once it was over.  In the past, I've had personal trainer, worked out 5-6 days a week but I learned all that was useless unless I decided to change the way I eat.

2013 I decided to give it another go.  I was looking for a personal trainer in which I could feel comfortable with and who would motivate me to push myself.   I met Malenna Jan 2013, and shortly learned that she was just what I needed and more.  Although, she had been consistent in doing her part, I was not.  I still wasn't giving it 100 percent.  IT'S HARD. VERY HARD. Food makes me happy.  I needed something sweet everyday to fulfill my cravings.  I started slowly winging myself off tings such as pastas, breads, and alcohol.  After about 6 months of training with her, she started telling me more about her team and about competing.  I wasn't really listening because I didn't think someone like me had the will power to get onstage to compete in a fitness competition.  I didn't think I could be determined enough to say not to my cocktails, bagels, cakes, cookies, and so forth.  Actually, I didn't want to. But how could I get the body I wanted if I wasn't willing to make sacrifices? Well I couldn't.  I would ask her questions and even started searching online for what it took to compete but I stayed quiet for so long about it because i as afraid of saying it out loud. Me compete?  Yeah right.

About 3 months ago, I still wasn't making the progress I wanted to make so I told Malenna that I thought I wanted to compete.  Without hesitation, she said, " Okay. I know you can do it"  She has had so much confidence in me from the beginning and it's because of her confidence and faith in me, that I am doing this. I knew at the end of the day, if I set a goal to compete in a fitness competition, that I would do my absolute hardest because I didn't want to be the 'big girl' onstage next to all the other sexy athletes.

Here I am eleven weeks later and I have to honestly admit that it's been probably the hardest experience of my life.  I struggled the entire time and my biggest one was saying no to sweets.  Sugar is really addictive.  Yes, I failed at time. No I didn't devour cakes and cookies like I used to. The most important thing is I really gave it all I got.  This has definitely been a learning experience.  Do I have the body I always imagined?  No, I don't but I do have the best body I have ever had in my life. I am still earning and struggling.  This isn't the end for me.  In fact, I wanted to compete to make a new beginning for myself.  I wanted to learn self control and discipline so that I could input that in other ares of my life as well.  If I want the body of my dreams. I have to control what I put into it - bottom line.  I've lost more than 20 pounds, and will continue to get better from here.  After this show is over, I will take time to reflect on my mistakes and work hard to get better.  This isnt' over and I'm looking forward to living a git and healthy lifestyle.

Follow Tiffany as she makes her WBFF Diva Bikini DEBUT!!!

My journey to the stage is a funny one. I look back and think, "How did I get here?".  It seems it was always in the cards for me....

I'm 5'11" with an athletic build.  The athletic build is really accredited to my "Johnson shoulders"  Everyone in my family has them. Like we never needed shoulder pads!  I was a competitive cheerleader in high school.  We were required to run a mile, lift and fly girls in the air and get though a three minute routine with a smile.  Don't get me wrong.  I considered myself an athlete as a cheerleader because all of those things were hard, challenging, and took team work to accomplish.  But I kept getting pegged for this 'athlete' who played some kind of ball, swam or ran some kind of race. The truth was, that I hated gym class and really hated when they would make us go to the weight room.  My idea of fit was on some kind of cardio machine or in cheer practice. A girl had no business being in the weight room.  It didn't help either when I entered college that I was the manager on the girls' basketball team.  People still think I played on the team. Clearly they didn't attend any games.

A few years later, I was living in Brooklyn and joined a gym.  Fitness had always been in my life.  As a kid, my mother was a jazzercise queen.  So, it was natural to join a gym and get back on the elliptical, take some dance classes and lose some weight.  I had gained a few pounds during my transition from the quiet suburbs of NJ to the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn, and the abundance of fast food places open after 9PM!!!  That's where I discovered pole fitness. After months and months of practice, I was able to lift myself up in the air and do 'tricks' while I was up there.  I was addicted. It had become my adult cheerleading.  I had completely forgotten about losing weight and just focused on sticking the next 'trick'.  Before I knew it, my athletic build was showing up even more and I could do pushups and pull ups with ease.  I was getting stopped on the train with people asking me how I got my arms so toned  The faces when I told the what I was doing was hilarious.

I was amazed how stron I was getting , how much I loved my new body with muscle tone and wanted to get stronger, but just didn't know how.  I heard it over and over again to get in the weight room.  But that place was just not a place I saw many women. I didn't like the idea of being in that area with a bunch of dudes who would probably be looking at  like why is she here.  In reality, I would be looking at myself asking 'why are you here?  You have no clue what you are doing'

I continued to take bootcamp classes where the free weights were bright colors and I had an instructor tell me what to do.  I loved it all so much that it grew into me teaching not only conditioning classes, but also pole classes.

I was teaching 4-6 times a week and really loving every moment of it. As an instructor you don't realize how much you influence people's lives.  I had many students come to me and tell me how grateful they were for the words I said in class or pushing them to their limit, only for them to exceed what they thought they could do.  This in turn made me think about my limits.  How could I push Tiffany above and beyond what she thought she could do

Luckily, I ran into a friend/coworker at the pole studio and I noticed her dramatic weight loss and muscle gain. I asked her immediately ' What are you doing? What is your secret?' You look amazing.

She told me she was competing. I naturally thought she meant pole. Instructors at the studio are always competing. She told me about a bikini competition.  We had a pretty lengthy discussion about the process and what she was doing and when it was, I was so intrigued.  I went on to teach class and she said if I was interested to let her know.  Weeks had gone by and I thought maybe this was the challenge I was looking for? Maybe I can set this goal to one day hit the stage, and work really hard and 'leave it all on the floor' as we would say in cheerleading.

My first bootcamp with Malenna had transpired shortly after.  And after the first class, I knew she would be a great coach.  I started with her transformation programs to get me into the groove adn told her I was interested in competing in the future, but not right now. I had just gotten engaged and now it was about being fit for the wedding, but after the wedding I was super serious about this bikini competition thing.



A week after my wedding, I emailed Malenna and told her 2015 was the year I was going to do this. Set a goal, work hard, and 'leave it on the floor'. I knew a few things about this journey from the start.
1. Getting my husband on board was going to be a challenge .  2. I would have to tackle that weight room I had been ignoring since high school. 3. It would be both challenging mentally and physcially 4. with God all things are possible.

This Journey
I can say that after 6 weeks of nagging my husband to compete, he finally said 'yes'  After a few more weeks, he finally asked the details of what it all entails, showing his undivided attention and full support of my competition.  I am happy to say I now help out guys in the weight room. HA!  I feel very comfortable asking to use a machine or jump in on sets.  I am well respected in any gym I set foot in, and even get called a 'beast' with some of the crazy things my coach has me doing.  The weight training has actually empowered me not only as a woman, but as a human.  I will never set limits on my capabilities. I also know life hands us these huge challenges and honestly if I can give up cheese and bread, life's challenges are a piece of cake...had to give that up too!

I initially set this goal to challenge myself, which I did. What I didn't expect were the extra things that came along with this journey 1. A greater understanding of self worth and self love. 2. The woman's body is incredible and to love it during every stage and change (6 pack rolls, 6 pack abs, pre/post baby body) 3. if you give it your all, you will always win 4. the new friendships of 3 amazing ladies who have shared this journey with me 5. I am and will always be an athlete. 6. My love and admiration for my coach. She is one incredible woman. 7. An even stronger belief that with God all things are possible.

I set a goal...I worked hard...and on April 11th, I'll leave it on the floor....

Photo Credit SXF Photography

Laura - WBFF Diva Bikini Competitor

   







After stepping on stage for the first time this past spring, I knew that I wanted to do it again! It's an incredible feeling being on that stage. Months of sweat, pain and tears all building up to that moment where no matter what happened or how you placed, you felt victorious. Victorious,  because you knew only a select few had the courage and discipline to do what you had just accomplished.  
     
Placing top  5 in my first show was a total shock for me. Initially, I wasn't even expecting to place. I simply wanted to do something I'd never had the backbone to do before.  I had a new outlook on life. I was determined because I knew that after this metamorphosis, anything was possible. From then on I saw opportunity in every obstacle.
     
After an overwhelming response from those I inspired with my transformation, I understood that my journey was about so much more than just losing weight. No one is perfect and it is for this reason that I will always be a work in progress. My journey now is to keep inspiring and giving hope to those who like me had no direction and felt lost in their struggle to succeed.
        

Although my show preparation is similar to my last, I was presented with new mental and physical feats. Right after the show, I literally could not stop eating! Don't get me wrong I was still training and making healthier choices. Yet, I was so happy to not have to log my meals and finally be able to have some forbidden carbs! I was happy that I finally got a chance to get away with my love and just relax. I stayed active while I was away but came back tired and sluggish.  
          
Mentally, I was not ready. I was not ready to give up my quest bars and my rice and beans. I was not ready to put my body through endless hours of cardio and lifting. However, I also wasn't ready to undo all I've worked for and give up on my goals. Six pounds and a few stomachaches later I got over it and I began to put in the work. 
     
 I began to reflect on my life and how unhappy I was before this new lifestyle. I thought of how incredibly supportive my boyfriend, friends, and family were and still are. I thought of all the people that look up to me. Then I thought, a year ago I would've never even dreamed that I'd be where I am today.  
        
Life is about finding that balance. Life is what YOU make of it, not what it makes of you. I understood that it didn't matter how far I had to go. What mattered was how far I had come. Right there and then I knew this is who I was and wanted to be. What I've learned and who I've become is my prize. 
     
The hardships that we encounter may break or make you. Yet, whatever happens we must get up, learn from it, and move forward. Not wanting to regress is what motivates me everyday. To be better than I was before and the best ME I can be  +today; that is my goal.  Hardwork pays off and I'm so ready to hit that WBFF stage one more time!! I can't wait to see you there!

Cary - WBFF Diva Bikini Competitor

Leading by example....

WBFF New England 2013

Why am I competing again? And why this show ?

To be honest, it was a struggle to commit to it at the beginning.  I kept questioning whether I was ready or not. I questioned more the MENTAL aspect than the physical. Then, I wondered, once my mind caught up, will my body be stage ready on time? Blood , sweat, tears , discipline and hard work all go into competing. I wasn't so worried about giving up my guilty pleasures such as peanut butter , chocolate , wine and social gatherings with friends and family (well perhaps a little), It was more about failure.





Failure of starting something and not finishing it all the way through. I then decided that the not knowing is what probably would be worse.  As a teacher I lecture my students all the time about having to work hard to achieve their goals and to not think of how long it would take them because the time will go by anyway. So, here I go. I hope I can be a good role model and set an example to others to crush their goals either way regardless of their starting point or how long it will take them. We just have to be willing to put in the work.

I also can't imagine a better place to walk on stage than in Times Square NYC. I'm a Brooklyn born and raised girl and I'm proud to represent my home town.

Courtney Allen - WBFF Diva Fit Model Competitor

So much more to gain...

Photo credit SFX Photography

When I joined The Elite Heat some time back, I never expected to compete. And then a star fell from the sky, knocked some sense into me and I remembered how much I love to challenge myself. So I competed. And I was hooked!! Then I decided to do more than be active, fit and strong. I decided I wanted to re sculpt my body and embark on an unexpectedly LOOOOONG road of bulking. 

Last summer marked the start of a new 2 year acting conservatory at William Esper. This was on the heels of my first competition, and the beginning stages of "bulking". I can recall taking pride in my new body, enjoying the look and feel of things and quietly blushing at the lovely compliments I received from my classmates. Then things progressed, and bulking got REAL! I was new to it all and had no idea what to expect, on any level. 

A few months in, I realized I couldn’t fit into some of my favorite clothing. A close friend told me that I looked “Full”….and secretly, I wanted to cry. In those moments I began to recognize an ugliness that I’d let seep into my spirit making me insecure about my physical imperfection. I was heartbroken by the idea of having developed an insecurity with my transformation. But even more so, I was deeply disappointed with myself. How could I have become so shallow? So superficial? How would this affect me as an actress? I can't be this fluffy? What is this extra stuff? But wait, why am I judging it? What standards was I trying to measure up to?  And as I beat myself up over this, I fell deeper and deeper into my discomfort and confusion. It was no longer just a physical thing. This journey began to open itself up as an emotional struggle. Between training, and classes, I felt like a train wreck. But I continued to push.Through the extra pounds, the ripped jeans, the "harmless comments".... One day at a time. I allowed myself to experience these very human feelings. These very human ups and downs. These very human doubts and struggles. I stopped judging them. And myself. In doing that, I slowly began to heal. I allowed myself to experience the process more freely, openly and with unconditional love. I began to restore a healthy body image, reignite my relationship with food and find a NEW, more comfortable balance with who I am, where I am going and everything in between. Sure, my body is my temple. But my spirit is the intangible essence that is Me.

I will be honest and admit that I absolutely eat for pleasure. For joy. For experience. But that all takes on new meaning for me. I find joy and pleasure in eating healthy foods that make my body feel amazing. I take pride in working out and find that I am building both my body and my character when I lift like a beast and sweat like an animal. I am proud of the skin I am in, with all of its muscles, lady lumps, curves AND human flaws. As I look back on the past year plus, I am glad to have allowed myself to fall apart in order to find treasures painfully hidden in the nooks, crannies and crevices of my being. Grateful to my family and friends for their patience and to my partner in crime, my Elite Heat Sis, Dawn, who got me to the gym at 630am on those cold winter mornings when all I wanted to do was roll over and sleep. Thanks for weathering the storm right along with me. I am bringing both of our hard work, blood, sweat and tears to the stage! It was only after I allowed things to get messy, that I was able to begin making myself whole again. This time, stronger, bolder, wiser, happier and with more mass

At just 6 weeks out, after missing out on THREE (3) previous WBFF shows over the course of 7 months, I asked myself “Court. Why do this? Why compete?” ....In that moment I could not answer the thought. I could only keep searching for the “Why?” until finally it hit me, in the most random moments. I am sure I was stuffing my face with asparagus when I was reminded “You are doing this as a celebration of all you have done to become who you are today.” It has never been about competing with anyone other than myself. And my very best.

Thankful to my coach for trusting me enough to allow me to learn. First go round, I relied so much on what I was being told to do, every step of the way. This time around, I am applying knowledge learned from others while finding my own way. I will walk away from this experience feeling grounded, armed with information and full of confidence in tomorrow. It's strange to imagine just how amped I am about post show maintenance, but the truth is, this is my new life. My new body. And my new perspective.

I am excited to take the stage, in my home town of NEW YORK CITY, and celebrate my courage to break myself down only to build a stronger, better version of myself. How wonderful to share that joy with my beautiful and supportive family AT HOME! The road to the WBFF NYC Stage has been so much more than a fitness adventure. It has been a journey and evolution of my full person. 

ATTENTION all FITNESS COMPETITORS and POSSIBLE Competitors!!

COMPETITION Prep WORKSHOP THIS SATURDAY..

If you have ever been interested in competing, may be competing in the near future, or just want to see what it's all about, this workshop is for you. We will go over all aspects of competition from posing, suits, color selection, themewear, YES THEMEWEAR for some, gowns, etc.

Coaches, trainers, makeup artists, pro athletes and other competitors will be on hand to answer questions and provide a wealth of knowledge so you are prepared to take that next step if you choose. Don't miss this opportunity.

DATE:  July 19th
TIME : 11-2
PLACE : Disclosed upon registration
EMAIL us at info@jointheheat.com to sign up or if you have questions

Follow Joesie as she makes her Fitness America Bikini debut!

When SKINNY Isn't Enough....

As much as I thought of myself as somewhat in shape, I'd never really been fit. In hindsight, I now know what I really was. I was “skinny fat.” I was the girl who never paid attention to her diet, worked out once in a blue moon and still always looked thin. The first gym that I ever joined was three years ago. It was one of those self-proclaimed gyms for women. This basically meant there were a ton of classes, archaic machines and cardio machines of which there were never enough to go around. This is where I thought I belonged. Coed gyms intimidated me and since this gym was designed for women I believed this was all I needed to stay in shape.

I started going to the gym twice a week doing 30 minutes of cardio on my own, or attending a class for 45 minutes. I was content, I thought I was looking and feeling good.  As I look back I think deep down I knew I could do better.


Last year I had an epiphany. I had just come back from a 10 day trip to Nicaragua where I was eating gallo pinto by the bucket. When I got back I started back up with my same workout routine and realized my body was not bouncing back to the “skinny fat” that I was so used to. I looked in the mirror and realized I was just plain old chubby. At this point I knew I had to make some changes. I did some research and finally joined a “real” gym. I started to incorporate weight training into my routine, but after a short time I reverted back to my comfort zone and slipped back into my old cardio-only workout habits. I realized then that I needed help. I needed an accountability partner and after a little research I found Malenna Saunders and the Elite Heat. Through Malenna, I began to truly learn about my body and how to effectively incorporate weight training and nutrition into my everyday life, for this I am forever thankful.

It’s hard for me to qualify the confidence and physical and mental benefits I’ve received on my journey from “skinny fat” to “skinny fit.” I began this year with the desire to try new things outside of my comfort zone and to constantly set new goals for myself. So far, I’ve exceeded all of my expectations and now have a new outlook on what I can accomplish. I've met an amazing group of women on this journey and cannot thank them enough for their constant support and camaraderie. I look forward to helping them reach their goals and to growing with them as we continue to challenge ourselves to be the best that we can be.

Follow Daphne as she makes her WBFF Diva Bikini Debut

His Death Ignited My Vision...

I never really struggled with weight until after getting married and giving birth to my beautiful baby.  I guess with the balancing act of having a career in the financial world,coupled with being a wife and mom, it finally took its' toll on me.  Not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. After several years of what seemed like an out of control, undisciplined lifestyle, I knew I needed to do something and get my life in order.  I chose to start with my weight. I couldn't believe how much weight I gained and I started to hide who I knew I was behind it.  A person who was once confident, believing she could achieve whatever her heart desired was feeling insecure, ashamed, embarrassed and ugly.  I started going to the gym and I was losing weight, but I as what you called ' skinny fat'.  You know, when you look great in clothes, but once the clothes came off, everything else falls out along with it.  

I could not figure it out.  I was no stranger to the gym.  When I was 21, I went to the gym all the time and in three weeks, I was in shape again.  I was going to the gym for about a year and still left with a gut and skinny legs.  I decided to hire a trainer. His name was Alex.  I told him my story, and he said to me, ' You are not 21. You are 36. And there are factors in your life that you didn't have when you were young that can affect you physically. Some of those factors are stress related.' 

In my research regarding fitness, I came across an advertisement that asked  - Do YOU want to look like a fitness competitor/model - And immediately thought HELL YEAH!   This brought me to another personal trainer named Jennifer.  Her program alongside Alex's guidance at the gym triggered the necessary changes in my body.  Nutrition was a huge part of the program, and believe it or not, getting plenty of rest.  Jennifer then planted the competition seed. ' You are training so hard, so why not compete?'  I was so excited that she actually thought that I could compete and at the moment I believed I could too,...and then I got into my head.  I didn't think I was pretty enough.  I didn't believe my body would ever look like the girls on stage and that BIKINI! It's way too small. There's no way I'm wearing that.  I prepped for roughly four months for a show in April of 2013, and then I chickened out.  The thought of getting on that stage freaked me out! ' I am going to FAIL! I am going to look stupid.  It's not gonna happen'

That summer, I lost Alex to a massive heart attack.  I knew him for about a year and a half so he was not only my trainer. He was my big brother, and a good friend.  Competing came back into my head. One thing he always told me was that I needed to remain consistent.  Stop putting in the work, and then just give up.  Then, a couple of months later, I lost my job. These events kicked the 'thought' of competing into 'action'.  It was time to face my fears.  I had to do this, for me. For other women like me who feel like they are too old, or don't have time, or can't juggle that lifestyle and a family.  For the mothers who are tired of their ever changing bodies and want to FEEL SEXY again!  I reached out to Malenna, and she responded right away. I went to a workshop and was blown away by the warmness of The Elite Heat, the fitness team.  Right then and there, my journey began.  It's been an amazing journey. The physical aspect was pretty easy. I was able to stick to the diet and fitness program.  The emotional and mental part was my challenge.  Everyday, I worked through so many of my insecurities, and built up my confidence.  And now, I could and would probably walk the streets of NYC with a bikini and heels in a heartbeat! 

All that being said, that was not even the best part of this journey.  The best part to me was meeting so many amazing women and the support they have provided me throughout. I cannot wait to hit the stage!!!

In loving memory of Alex Hillian

1970 - 2013