It's Time to Rock 'n Roll

It's an absolute delight for me to introduce our next featured athlete. Her name is Katelyn Aseltine, a Michigan native, with a disciplined work ethic and the determination to succeed on and off the stage. And although we've not met in person yet, I can tell you, quite confidently, that this is a truly mature and well-rounded athlete. Katelyn is the type of competitor that will gladly appreciate applause and accolades, but she'll take in constructive criticism and comparisons with the same level of professionalism - local Lansing competitors should take note.

Before we get into her feature, I'd like to announce that there are plans to shoot a short video featuring Katelyn and physique competitor Kyle Hein for the StrengthAddicts Channel in the near future. There will also be a full interview with Katelyn within two months time.

Please take the time read this wonderful feature, as well as two announcements immediately following it.

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Name: Katelyn Aseltine
Age: 21
Ht: 5'7
Contest Wt: 140
Regular Wt: 157
Hometown: Goodrich, Michigan

I am an ISSA Certified Exercise Therapist who currently works with Strength Training and Recovery (STAR Rehab) of Grand Blanc, MI with SCI and amputee athletes. I am currently in my Senior Year acquisition of my BA in Exercise Science at Oakland University of Auburn Hills, MI.

I began lifting weights when I was about 15 for a Goodrich High School’s Power Lifting team. From my very first competitive meet, I was absolutely hooked. The rush of testing the maximum potential of my complete strength was rewarding in every essence. I suppose you could say I was a bit of a tom boy. I fostered a passion for the science of strength, muscular endurance and means of nutrition through my trials of progression in the sports’ ADAU and USAPL sanctions. After earning state and national records in both divisions, I decided to hang my hat on the sport and try an entirely new challenge; The art of diet. I could produce high numbers during single presses and compound movements but I was always lacking the aesthetic “wow” factor of your prototypical “gym rat“. In late 2010, I made the personal commitment to compete in my first figure competition.

After weeks and weeks of vigorous research and preparation, I stepped on stage for the first time at NPC’s 2011 Grand Rapids National Qualifying Figure and Bodybuilding Champions where I went on to achieve first place in my height division and was presented with the Overall Figure Champion award for the entire show. Without taking a breath, I made my debut National appearance at NPC’s Jr. USAs and achieved Top 10 ranking. The feeling of being on stage is almost supernatural to me and I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel on the competitive season just yet. Still yearning to top my previous presentations, I committed to Michigan’s final state level national qualifier, NPC’s Western Michigan Championships where I was once again crowned the reigning Overall Figure Champion of the show. I was now the first female competitor awarded back-to-back Overall Figure Champion at the two biggest national qualifiers in Michigan at the age of 21.

Now that I've got a few shows under my belt, I am more than eager to debut a more refined presentation to the stage starting at NPC's 2012 Jr Nationals held in Chicago.I have also picked up the passion for suit designing and will be wearing my second ever Swarovski custom made suit to Chicago! I have remained hungry and focused in my progression leading to my first show in 2012. By my side is my team, Genomyx, a global supplement company tailoring innovative products to athletes, who have provided me with an exclusive edge to my nutrition regime. Products like Gut Health, a potent probiotic that I take with each of my 6 daily meals, and Slin-Sane, a nutrient partitioner that I use as a pre-workout that helps to shuttle nutrients into my muscles during vigorous, glyogen-depleting sessions are just a couple of my secret weapons issued by Genomyx!

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First and foremost to our good friend Becca Johnson, who suggested I reach out to Vanessa Naesheim for an interview. Vanessa just won the Overall in Figure at the 2012 NPC Emerald Cup - the premier event in the Pacific Northwest. Expect a full-length interview within the coming days, available at StrengthAddicts.com.

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Our good friend Kerri Baker took 5th Place in the Bikini Division at the 2012 NPC Emerald Cup. [Contest photos will be released Monday] She had this to say, for FigureBikini.com:

"I'd like to thank my coaches at Team Bombshell - it's been a dream to have coaches who help me focus on continuing to improve and bring the best "Kerri" to the stage and just focus on getting better every time. If I just worry about myself and continuing to grow, competitions become more enjoyable for me and experiences I can grow from. That's what keeps me going!

Never give up on your dreams. If people tell you to quit or you aren't good enough, don't listen. Listen to your heart, follow your plan, and never stop pushing towards a goal. You've GOT this!"

Kerri Baker

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Kerri's Revolution - A Life Changing Decision!

Name: KerriAnn Baker
Age: 35
Ht: 5’9
Contest Weight: 135
Regular Weight: 140
Hometown: Covington, WA

"I spent the majority of my 20’s very overweight. After weighing in at 238 at a doctor appointment at age 26, I decided it was time to learn how to take better care of myself. I immediately hired a personal trainer, learned how to eat clean and within a year, found a passion for health and fitness I never knew could exist.

 In 2010, I was inspired by an article I read in Oxygen Magazine about Jamie Eason and it triggered something inside me to take my fitness to the next level. I loved how she absolutely glowed – she seemed to radiate health and fitness and I wanted to experience that! I spent the next year working with an amazing trainer, researching everything I could about clean eating, and learning the ropes of competing and placed 1st in my very first bikini competition in June of 2011 – I was hooked! 

 In 2011, I continued to surround myself with positive, motivating women who also enjoy the sport of competing. I made it my entire world! Waking up at 5am for cardio is much easier when you can scroll through your Facebook posts and hear from fit women all around the country that are already up getting after it. Slowly, my friends that weren’t supportive of my new healthy lifestyle fell away and I found myself surrounded with nothing but support and motivation. I started training with Team Bombshell in late 2011 and my goal for 2012 is to hit the stage READY and hopefully qualify to compete in a national show. I currently train 6 days a week and keep my diet very clean with lots of lean proteins and healthy carbs like sweet potatoes and brown rice. I’ve also found that eating clean and healthy can taste great – but it also makes you FEEL great. I really have adopted the mentality that food is my fuel – so fueling up with the ‘good stuff’ makes me run better. I recently started a fitness page for fun to track my progress, post fun healthy recipes, and connect with other fitness enthusiasts at www.facebook.com/kerribfitness that has been a ton of fun.
 

One thing that keeps me going is my support systems - I am blessed to have amazing support in my life including all the coaches at Team Bombshell, other fitness competitors who understand how challenging this sport can be, and my wonderful boyfriend, Justin, who helps keep me inspired and uses his amazing grillmaster skills to help me with my weekly food prep! Staying motivated is so much easier when the people in my day-to-day life are supportive and give me the extra push I need to get through the day, and I’ll never stop appreciating that."

Kerri Baker

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Editor's Notes

It's great to see a person that once had weight issues and was able to get in shape - without having a huge chip on her shoulder or being difficult to work with. It looks like Kerri did what she needed to do, revolutionized her body, linked up with Team Bombshell and now - the sky's the limit. This is the kind of story that truly motivates people. And I want to thank this awesome girl for sharing her story with us.

You will all be seeing much more of Kerri, as well as reading much of input on our polls and articles. I expect great things out of her, and I will make sure to keep all of you informed on any developments in her career. Finally, I just "liked" her Official Facebook page, so please - go over there and do so as well! 

Love 'n Steel

Imagine walking into the gym, down a busy row of store fronts, or just looking up from you empty matini glass - and there she is - your other half. She looks so amazing in this light; she's got long blonde hair, perfect lips, a certain glow all around her, what a pretty smile.. but wait...she's also got guns (arms!), legs (long 'n strong), and she walks with a certain confidence about her - she's 100% feminine, but she's not June Cleaver, she's more like Wonder Woman!

But this is prolly just a phase - this weightlifting thing - will pass. Many men and women who date weight-lifting enthusiasts just don't get it -- it's as much the men dating fit women, as it is average women dating fit guys. And if training isn't viewed as a fad, it may very well be viewed with contempt - and even jealousy. Some [non-training] significant others may feel intimidated to the point they'll make you choose - 'it's me or the gym!'

But enough of what I think. I wanted to know what the champions felt; I wanted to know what they've experienced - in the dating world.

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"The gym and being healthy was NOT a big part of my life at all before I met my husband four years ago. He had a much healthier lifestyle when I met him than I did, so when I decided to make health and fitness a major part of my life a little over a year ago, it made it a lot easier because he was very supportive. He has consistently supported me in my fitness journey and rigorous diet/training routine that I have as a competitor. Although he doesn't compete, he closely follows my program (with modifications of course) which makes it sooo much easier for me to stay on track! I have been very lucky to have a spouse who pushes me to be the best version of myself. I do know some women whose significant others are not supportive of their fitness goals, which I know must make it difficult to keep going. If someone you are with is trying to hold you back from bettering yourself, I would seriously consider if it is a healthy relationship. I think women who are interested in competing should be up front about it with the person they are dating/considering dating because it can definitely cause tension if both people are not on the same page!"

Sally Lunsford
NPC Star
(here is a pic of me and husband, Michael)

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"When you are single, like me, dating can be very difficult. Finding someone who shares the same passion as you do for working out and eating healthy, can be hard; but my advice would be to not give up what you love and enjoy doing for another person. It might take some time, but to be truly happy with someone, you need to do whatever makes you happy."

Tiffany Reffner
NPC Star

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"Fitness has always been a part of my life so it's no surprise that I met my husband at the gym. I'm blessed to have such a supportive partner who will do anything for me. When he and I started dating I told him, there are two things with which i will not let him interfere. My God and my gym and he has been supportive since day one. My advice for single ladies is to be up front about your passion and love for fitness. It's better to find out early on if a man is going to have a problem with your training schedule or your eating habits. Never change for a man. Do what you love and look around while you're doing that...there will likely be plenty of men that share your passion and will support your goals."

Janessa Mitchell
NPC Star

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"Fitness has been the biggest part of my life since I was 19. Therefore, it has always been understood how important my own fitness & nutrition are to me to everyone I surround myself with.

If one should date a fellow competitor, there is a great support system from day one to the day you walk on stage. You can lift and do cardio together, and you form a bond that is really special because what you're training for is really special to both of you. However, if one has a bad day and their day is affected, usually yours is too. You simply have to calm that person down and get them back on track. It can be stressful, but only you can decide if it's worth the stress or not. Let's face it--all competitors get cranky towards the end of the show prep, so beware during those last final days! You'll find there are pros and cons of dating another competitor who loves you and wants to see you succeed just as much as themselves, you just have to find a good one!

Then there are those you'll date who don't compete and do not know what it takes to get into that top shape to grace the stage. They truly admire the hard work you put in to look the way you do, and view it as an attractive quality. They see you as a strong, driven individual.

Fitness and nutrition are not just something to do, they are a way of life. My advice would be to integrate time spent together in the gym. Try to help your significant other who could use some tips on form or gaining/losing some pounds. You have to be attracted to who you're dating right? And of course you're concerned about bettering their health because you care about them!

At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter what fitness/nutrition level your significant other is on, it's about the love you share for each other. Try to remember the qualities which you adore about each other, breathe deeply when you're frustrated, communicate, and try to be understanding should silly issues arise. They will understand you're feeling a little deprived and moody as the show gets closer. Your significant other will be your biggest cheerleader,so welcome their support and address the fact how good it makes you feel that they truly care."

Laura Ridings
NPC Star

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"My feedback on your post about dating - When I decided to make fitness and competing in NPC bikini competitions a full time lifestyle last year, I assumed dating wouldn’t be an option for me. I was single and living in Seattle at the time, so I had all the time in the world to devote to training, food prep, and myself. I poured my heart and soul into my new lifestyle and embraced it, but honestly felt if I tried to date AND be committed to my rigorous training, I would be thrown off balance and destroy all my fitness goals. I avoided dating like the plague out of sheer fear that I’d lose sight of my goals. Over time I started moving forward with my goals, but was admittedly lonely.

When I joined Team Bombshell I September of 2011, I had the opportunity to attend a fitness camp in Daytona Beach, FL and meet dozens of other women who compete – AND maintain healthy relationships. Could it be? You can compete AND be in a relationship? I spent a lot of time asking these amazing women all kinds of questions and the biggest trend I noticed was one thing – INVOLVE your partner. Make him feel important. Pay attention to him. Appreciate him! It’s hard when we’re so focused on ourselves and our training to remember someone else and their needs. With that in mind, I opened myself up to dating again and actually met a great guy who really supports my lifestyle.

I’ve found success in involving him in food prep (he’s great on the grill!), and working out together has also been a great way to keep myself feeling on target. He’ll attend his first NPC show in March with me – and while it’s nice to have someone around to tan my back, it’s even better to have love and support in the audience. While my lifestyle can be a little hard to take at times, I’ve found a lot of success in remembering SHOW my appreciation for him, do little things for HIM to make his life easier, and never stop being grateful all the love and support he gives me. It can work, you just have to be open with each other about your needs right out of the gate and communicate when you feel things heading south."

Kerri Baker
NPC Star

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Marilena EchoHawk Speaks!

"The show was the FIRST ever IFBB PRO Women's Physique show! The Desert Muscle Classic held in Mesa Arizona; the Promoter was Stryker. I Placed 2nd place! My Tan was done by Liquid Sun Rays, Posing /diet was done by my trainer/coach Allen Watkins.

The contest prep was a little more intesnse this show, due to it being my first PRO show and also the new division WOmens Physique. We really were not sure if the judging was going to go on the harder/leaner/more muscular side, or a little softer. so I had to put all my trust (which I always do) in my trainer Allen Watkins. All the girls in the competition came ready to battle and all had great physiques, some were a little more ripped, softer but muscular, leaner but muscular, but OVERALL THEY ALL looked amazing.. The great thing about this show was every single female on that stage was cheering for one another, the camaraderie was like I've never seen before. Being on a pro stage and sharing it with that select group of women is definitely always going to be a good memory, and I made some good new friends out of it!

ALways a special thanks to my daughter, Brooklyn, for being one of my best supporters, and always my family, friends, and all my employees at work for understanding the crazy dieting lol..."

Marilena EchoHawk
IFBB Women's Physique Pro

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