Saturday, May 10, 2014

Rising Star - SAMANTHA STEFANSKI



As most of you know, I'm very picky when it comes to who I cover, but Alaska's Samantha Stefanski has all the tools to win shows, and more! She has an incredible physique for only having done one contest and she has a glowing personality. Make sure to stay tuned for more coverage on her, right here at FigureBikini.com and of course StrengthAddicts.com

Click Here to read her Interview with Christian Duque of StrengthAddicts.com - HERE!!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Norway's LINN MADSEN Speaks!

Name: Linn Madsen
Age: 22
Height: 176cm
Weight: On season: 65kg /Off season: 73kg
Hometown: Oslo, Norway
Gym: Elixia



Christian Duque: Talk to us about the first you walked into a gym and knew this place was for you? Did it become apparent almost immediately that you wanted to compete?

Linn Madsen: I've trained for many years but the last years I got really serious with my diet and exercice and I saw the results. This got me motivated and I decided I wanted to take it to the next level. So I decided that I wanted to start training specifically for bikini/fitness competitions!


Christian Duque: Why did you choose to compete in Bikini? And how would you describe your training?

Linn Madsen: I love the lifestyle of fitness, with training and healthy foods. That's why I felt it was so right for me to compete in bikini! My training includes cardio, weight-training, dumbbells and machines.


Christian Duque: You have a beautiful face and very feminine features, talk to us about the future. Would you like to do movies and/or television? Would you consider runway modeling or theatre?

Linn Madsen: Thank you:-) I don't know what the future brings, but for now I am happy with being a student and competing in bikini!



Christian Duque: Thanks very much for taking the time to be featured on our page. Please take this opportunity to thank all those that have helped you along the way. Please tell your fans how they can keep up with you.

Linn Madsen: Thank you so much!:-) I have many people around me that help and support me. I would like to thank my team, Team Toppform, my coach Kenneth Foss, my parents and a very special friend of mine Andreas Adolfson, who helps me with my training and keeps me motivated!:-)



Feel free to check out my blog:
www.linnsfitness.blogg.no


My facebook page:
www.facebook.com/LinnMadsenBikinifitness


Instagram:
Linnsfitness

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Prepping for WBFF Worlds!



WBFF Pro Bikini Diva TIANA KOSTIC is currently prepping for the 2013 WBFF Worlds, held this Saturday in sunny Las Vegas, NV, USA.


TIANA took the time to speak with Christian Duque, founder of StrengthAddicts.com & FigureBikini.com for a sizzling new feature!


That feature is available *HERE!*

Monday, August 19, 2013

Sizzling New Features!!


OPA Bikini Competitor
LAURA GRAY


NPC Figure Competitor
KATIRYA NIEVES


NPC Bikini Competitor
THALITA PASCUAL


NPA Bikini Competitor
KATIE RINGLEY


 NPC Figure Competitor 
SHELA ROLES


NPC Figure Competitor
GABBY AGUILAR


WBFF Bikini Diva
JULIE STILO


Saturday, July 13, 2013

3 Great Features!

Welcome back to FigureBikini.com - a page that celebrates the Women's Divisions "from Bikini to Bodybuilding." We have three great features you really don't want to miss. Look below for details!!


NPC Competitor Sarah McDonough - Click Here to Read the Feature!!


NPC Competitor Feather Hadden - Click Here to Read the Feature!!


NPC Competitor Sonya Urff - Click Here to Read the Feature!!

Friday, June 28, 2013

Heather Blystone - Ron Love Classic 2013

 

Heather Blystone is a Michigan based NPC Figure Competitor and Fitness Model. She works very hard in the gym and spends a great deal of time perfecting her diet and posing. She recently participated in the 3rd StrengthAddicts.com Fitness Seminar held at Infinity Fitness - Lansing, MI.

Tomorrow, she'll be competing in her second contest - the 2013 NPC Ron Love Classic; she took Runner-Up at her first show, the 2013 NPC Flint Mid-Michigan Championships. Keep an eye out for Heather!!

Monday, June 3, 2013

3rd StrengthAddicts.com Fitness Seminar


This event was a huge success for StrengthAddicts/FigureBikini, as well as our co-presenter Blind Squirrel Photography. For the third time, our venue was Infinity Fitness - Lansing and this time we were sponsored by a Michigan company that's shown a great deal of support for the Fitness industry!! As I've said from Day 1, exposure is key to all your goals in the Fitness Industry - whether you just want to place better, get signed, or transition into modeling and/or acting. If people don't know your name - you could have the best physique on stage - and the best you'll get for all that hard work is a plastic trophy to collect dust on your mantle. Some call me a wannabe, but I'm making things happen. Are you? Get out there! Get noticed! I'm not running a team. I don't want your money. Just show me you want the success, and I'll lend you a hand. Nuff said!

Melissa Hughes dominated the Bikini Division at the
2013 NPC Flint Mid Michigan.
At only 20yrs of age, Heather Blystone took Runner-Up
at the 2013 NPC Flint Mid-Michigan. She's also joined Overcome Fitness.

IFPA Natural Pro Bodybuilder Susan Parker alongside
2012 NPC GrandMasters Mr. Lansing John Nolan Sr.

Thanks to Heather & Melissa - the panel rocked! But we also had some great talent in the audience!! In attendance was IFPA Natural Pro Susan Parker! This native of Grand Ledge, MI has an impressive physique, with plenty of muscle and symmetry. We posted interview and training clips available at StrengthAddicts Tv.


Paula Danielle looking to make her mark. Look for future videos!!

Also in attendance was Paula Danielle, who we plan to work with in the future. This beautiful lady is actually one of the strongest girls to ever attend our Fitness Seminars! She's planning on making her mark in the Powerlifting/Strongman community, and we'd love nothing more than to help her make it happen!!

As always - Stay Tuned to FigureBikini.com for more!!


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Make Every Second Count!

I always tell the competitors I speak with to take advantage of every second they're on stage - but especially for the ladies of Bikini. Lacking mandatory poses, and coupled with the huge numbers of competitors that get on stage, these ladies must really make every second count.

1. Shift your hair on back shots to show your detail
2. Smile. SMILE. SMILE!
3. Show off your Glutes, never relax them
4. Never relax your midsection
5. Move gracefully (practice transitioning)
6. SASHAY - ON - & - OFF stage. Walk with rhythm, style!

I personally believe that for Bikini, a large amount of your placing deals with the interaction and reaction you get from the audience (similarly with Men's Physique). The judges realize that that Bikini is a cash cow & I think they want the fans to leave happy. I don't have proof of this, except for the fact that I've never seen a crowd-pleaser finish last or down in the second half.

Make every second count. Just because you're not up, doesn't mean you're not being watched. There's a sea of beautiful women - STAND OUT!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Flint Mid Michigan Bikini Battle - 1 Point Difference

The 2013 NPC Flint Mid Michigan, held yesterday at the Flushing High School Auditorium, was a huge success! The competitors loved the production, the fans were extremely pleased, and everything went off without a hitch. The contest was on perfect schedule and the venue couldn't have been more comfortable - there wasn't a single bad seat in the house.

I had a great time, interviewing many talented athletes (which I'll showcase here in the coming days) like Heather Blystone, Christina Bellinger, and Victoria Bial. However, the battle of the day was in the Bikini Open/Short, where Holt, MI's Jamie Lenon battled it out with Melissa H.

I had Melissa for the win. When she won the Masters, I didn't see anyone that could stop her; however, in the Open/Short, my eyes almost immediately darted at Jamie Lenon.

When I taped the Division Overall, my camera was alread moving towards Melissa, even before they announced the winner. I want to stress that the Tall/Overall Winner looked absolutely amazing; however, both Melissa or Jamie would have defeated her in my book. These two were quite simply the best. And the judges knew it too.

On a sidenote, I'd hope the Judges wouldn't suggest a competitor this near perfection to drop size or gain size, that's really a body transforming tip - you don't say that to someone that's 1 point away from winning a contest - if she was even behind to begin with.

In fact, to many insiders a "1 point" difference is basically a nice way of breaking a very real tie. Much love to the judges, but if you're 1 point away from victory, there's really nothing the athlete can do from a training, posing, or nutrition standpoint. And it's pretty messed up to suggest otherwise. If you disagree, tell me this, "how does one improve their physique by 1pt?" If she's gets too big you say she's Figure; if she gets too small, you say she's too soft. You can't improve a physique by 1 point, or even 1%.

I'm just going to bite my tongue. I'm biting it right now. I will stop typing. Great job ladies!!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Samantha Hastins Wins - Again!!

"So happy to have placed 1st in open class C & bikini northwest florida in NPC Panhandle Showdown in Pensacola, Fl. Thank you to all my supporters, my sweet supportive fiancee, Team Relentless, & my girls Brenda Valdez & Brenda Shropshire.

Samantha Hastings
NPC Bikini Star



Samantha continues to rise up the ranks of NPC Bikini, fighting hard for every title, at every contest. She's one of those lovely ladies that you know will turn Pro and continue to work hard once achieving that milestone. These are the kinds of women the IFBB should be looking for.

I wish her continued success.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

I Got Stood Up!


Everyone's time is valuable. Think this way, and you'll be a success!
If you're going to get involved with the fitness industry, and you take only one lesson away from this article, let it be this - don't play with others peoples' time. In five years, I can count on one hand the number of times I've been stood up - "2." Does that number surprise you? It shouldn't. People in the fitness industry are usually very considerate when it comes to punctuality, but especially so, when the appointment is for someone trying to help you - For Free!

I'm often asked why do you do what you do for free? I've helped people get signed, I've helped people keep their contract, but I've never asked for a fee, I've never tried to get a freebie (heck, every gym in Lansing I've trained at, I'm known for spoiling my friends with everything from protein to fat burners to ph's). So why do I do it? 

I do it because I'm a fan. I do it because I see potential in people. 

Being stood up is just about the most offensive thing an athlete can do to me, with regards to my pages. StrengthAddicts.com and FigureBikini.com are real pages, with real followings. We have dozens of interviews, features, hundreds of videos, thousands of photos, and millions of views. We're YouTube Partners. What else can be said about these pages.

About a year ago Michelle M. stood us up. We've given her enough press. This week, Catrina Whitman became the second person to do this. Ms. Whitman offered to give me a Cellucor product, as she has some kind of relationship with them, for my trouble. I politely declined. 

I planned a day to shoot. We discussed possible video ideas, location, day & time. The night of - we were on. The morning of - we were on. One minute before the scheduled time, she canceled. After I was noticeably upset and had essentially communicated my displeasure, she then suggested we meet for coffee. Ugh what? Get stood up again? (Lol.) 

Remember ladies - if you're pretty - SO WHAT? Pretty girls and handsome guys are a dime a dozen. You'll have work for five, maybe ten years, then you'll be forgotten. But if you're a professional and you treat everyone with an ounce of respect, you'll have a great career.

I know some people think I'm a loser and this website's a joke, but I wrote this and you're reading it - and we count for something. I don't think we're losers. I think we're pretty cool people. 

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Amy Watson Wins Big

Legendary Lansing Figure Star Amy Watson scored another big win at the recent Beverly International contest in Northern Kentucky. Watson, who stunned dozens last year by edging out Class A Champion Michelle Mosher won the overall at the Lansing Grand Prix.

I tried contacting Ms. Watson, but in typical form, she ignored me. There is no doubt she will eventually go Pro, as she's the top athlete in the area. Dozens are expected to be in attendance at next week's Lansing Muscle City, which Watson co-promoted.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Was Figure Star Margarita Beale Robbed?

She's one of the most talented Figure Stars in the Michigan circuit; she's been on national stages, and people rush her for photos. She's an artist; she's bilingual. Margarita Beale has a great deal to offer the sport of Figure. She makes the sacrifices to get on stage, and her dedication to the support stays strong, even in the face of defeat.

But this past Saturday, Margarita believes was something worse than defeat. A champion wins some, loses some. But she took exception with Judge Rhonda K. Jones, who she believes didn't even lift her head to assess her physique when she walked on stage. Ms. Jones also ranked Ms. Beale dead last.

I don't know what happened, but I do know that Ms. Jones blocked me on facebook (for what reason - I don't know). I understand that we're only human, but if you're going to serve as a judge, you need to at least appear as if you're doing your job. To not even look up is just shameful.

I wasn't there and I'm basing my opinion strictly on the word of a very close friend, Margarita Beale, but her perception is 100% accurate, then I don't think Ms. Smith should be allowed to judge for a quite a long time.

We need to have some accountability in the judging panel at local shows. Outside drama, Team affiliations, and/or personal reservations cannot creep into the scorecards. That's my two cents on the matter.