Follow Laura as she makes her WBFF Diva Bikini debut!

Not Just Another Pretty Face

  


Being the first born of an extended immigrant family was never easy. I had to take on many responsibilities at an early age.  I also had to be a good role model for my siblings.  These life challenges, though, made me the independent individual I am today.

Shortly, after graduating high school, I moved out on my own. My parents could not afford to pay my college tuition, so I had to work three part time jobs, in addition to attending Long Island University full time.   My schedule would consist of my morning job, classes,  my night shift, and finally I would bar tend on the weekends.  This is the time in my life I put on the most weight.    ' All nighters ' to study and then running to class and work left me with little or no time to prepare my own meals.  After graduation, I found one full time position as a clinical lab technologist, and was able to ditch all my other part time gigs.  With the extra time, I attempted to workout and eat healthier.  A few fad diets and trainers later, I was still overweight and could not understand why.  It was then that I started doing research on macros , clean eating and weight lifting.

One day, I ran across a familiar face on instagram. She had just one her pro card with WBFF and her transformation inspired me.  I attended a competition workshop held by Phoenyx Fitness and that was when I met the Elite Heat.  I then decided I wanted to do something for myself and compete.  I had already tried everything and felt this was my last chance.

I distanced myself from family, friends and food as I knew it.  I set sail on my journey towards better health with the WBFF show as my goal. I cannot lie! It was not easy.  I was still working and going to school, this time for my masters. I knew how badly I wanted this, so I cut the excuses and made the time.  I was fortunate enough to have an amazing man by my side.  He would push me to my limits and helped me every step of the way. He is my rock and my number one supporter!







My goal was never to win, but simply to fit in on stage.  To me, my progress was the prize, and that prize is one only I could win.  Since then, I have lost nearly 30 pounds, and have overcome my tachycardia.  With every week, I saw a change and I loved it.




I slowly regained my confidence and control of my body.  My relationships are stronger with those who understood and supported my journey.  Today, I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been. As they say, eat clean and train dirty. STRONG is the new SKINNY!

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

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?"