who inspired you to start competing

**anntitone** · #1 10-10-2009, 04:04 AM

Well, for me it was my husband and Angie Semsch! They got me involved in training 2-years ago. 2-years later and 20 pounds, here I am !!!!!

**2hot4u** · #2 10-10-2009, 01:06 PM

for me it was a personal trainer at my gym her name is Debbie Elking. She competed in 1999 and came in 2nd out of a big class in Rockford IL. I did my first shows in 2001 and came in dead last at the Caveman Classic but came back to win the overall at the Show Me Naturals which then hooked me from
there!!

So competing 31 pounds heavier (contest weight) then from 2001 here i am in the national level fighting for the few fbb pro cards available. The fight is on and coming out from my hernia sugery this past week i plan on showing my amazing improvements at the 2010 Nationals in dallas so stayed tuned!!!

**Andy Vogel** · #3 10-10-2009, 01:15 PM

Hey Lisa,

Great story! But no more Dallas. Nationals are being held in Atlanta next year. From now on it is only Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale. And as far as I know they also changed the date. Nationals will be in October in 2010 (at least that is what I heard).

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2hot4u

for me it was a personal trainer at my gym her name is Debbie Elking. She competed in 1999 and came in 2nd out of a big class in Rockford IL. I did my first shows in 2001 and came in dead last at the Caveman Classic but came back to win the overall at the Show Me Naturals which then hooked me from
there!!

So competing 31 pounds heavier (contest weight) then from 2001 here i am in the national level fighting for the few fbb pro cards available. The fight is on and coming out from my hernia sugery this past week i plan on showing my amazing improvements at the 2010 Nationals in dallas so stayed tuned!!!

**anntitone** · #4 10-10-2009, 01:28 PM

Thats great Lisa!!!!!!! As mentioned in another thread Lisa is one That I believe should already be a Pro!!!!! I cant imagine what one more year will do for her. Watch out.

**2hot4u** · #5 10-10-2009, 01:33 PM

well, that sucks but if anyone finds out more confirmed information on this change please pass it on!!! I will still be ready and Atlanta is cool too so whatever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Vogel

Hey Lisa,

Great story! But no more Dallas. Nationals are being held in Atlanta next year. From now on it is only Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale. And as far as I know they also changed the date. Nationals will be in October in 2010 (at least that is what I heard).

**Suzanne** · #6 10-10-2009, 03:26 PM

I had been training at my gym for a few years for my weight loss. I started training at home for about a year or 2 then after I got laid off i returned to my gym this was the end of 2001. At this point i had lost all the weight and had some muscle. I was often asked if i competed at the gym and just out and about like at Starbuck's. There was one member at the gym who used to be a NPC judge who said i would do well if I considered competing. So i talked to a trainer there who competing in bodybuilding ( i had never used one before) and was on the stage 4 months later March 2002 at the San Diego World gym classic I was LW and did masters and novice. I think i got 2nd and 3rd then I competed in 2 more shows that year which was NUTS!!

So there really wasn't anyone person just the combination of lots of people asking if i competed.

**jzubire** · #7 10-10-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anntitone

Well, for me it was my husband and Angie Semsch! They got me involved in training 2-years ago. 2-years later and 20 pounds, here I am !!!!!

Hey Ann! Job well done! onto the next journey on the pro stage! xoxo~~J

**KP DIVA** · #8 10-10-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Vogel

Hey Lisa,

Great story! But no more Dallas. Nationals are being held in Atlanta next year. From now on it is only Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale. And as far as I know they also changed the date. Nationals will be in October in 2010 (at least that is what I heard).

Wow, thanks for that info!! Not so great for the folks from West Coast but great for us East coasters!!!

**DanielleA** · #9 10-10-2009, 04:45 PM

Grace Rivera got me to start competing. She has been involved in the industry for years and is a trainer at my gym. She saw how hard I trained and told me I'd make a great competitor. And Voila! the rest is history...

**Shelly** · #10 10-10-2009, 04:56 PM

deb judy! luv her. she inspired me!

**DJudy** · #11 10-10-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelly

deb judy! luv her. she inspired me!

Now you guys inspire me to keep going

one for each of you

**2hot4u** · #12 10-10-2009, 06:12 PM

andy, you are correct pam betz replied to my email and the nationals is october 15 and 16 next year in atlanta!!! So now i can start my stategy for 2010!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Vogel

Hey Lisa,

Great story! But no more Dallas. Nationals are being held in Atlanta next year. From now on it is only Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale. And as far as I know they also changed the date. Nationals will be in October in 2010 (at least that is what I heard).

**Andy Vogel** · #13 10-10-2009, 06:14 PM

Thank you for confirming this Lisa. I got it from a pretty good source so I was sure the information was correct.

**Teree Newell Rae** · #14 10-10-2009, 08:34 PM

For me i had come across a copy of ''Oxygen magazine'' in a bookstore and as i looked through it i was inspired by the physiques that i saw....

**chicky9914** · #15 10-10-2009, 10:57 PM

Kelly Ryan and Monica Brant

**Alli** · #16 10-11-2009, 01:44 PM

My friend, and NPC national bodybuilder, Mark. When I was just 19 he came up to me in the gym I was training in and told me I should compete, that I had great genetics for figure. He trained me and put me through my first contest diet.....and was there when I won my first show (NABBA at age 20!) lol.

He's been a part of my journey ever since!

**titonej** · #17 10-11-2009, 04:03 PM

Well, the kid who ate all those hot dogs in the hot dog eating contest inspired me. I wanted to be just like him.. to funny right!

Just kidding.

Arnold inspired me as he did with many....................

**DANISH DYNAMITE** · #18 10-11-2009, 04:39 PM

When I was "growing" up in bodybuilding I was in AWE whenever I saw Kim Chizewsky. She was the most amazing woman in my world. I never dreamed I could look like her.. just secretly hoping.. and working my ass off.
In my old room at my parents house her photo is still hanging over my bed.

I met her when I was about 18-20years old at the FIBO. It took me hours to approach her booth. I was so intimidated. LOL. Finally my boyfriend pushed me all the way to her booth. I got an autographed photo of her and she was so nice to spend some time talking to me. I really appreciated that.
I had never competed at the time, and Kim said I should. That I had great genetics and great legs! I was thriiiilled. It made the rest of my year!
A few years later I competed and won the Danish and Scandinavian Nationals.

paa400 · #19 10-12-2009, 03:08 AM

The first time I saw pics of you Kim Chizevsky is the first person who came to mind.

**Making_A_Change** · #20 10-12-2009, 04:50 AM

Sasha (in the middle) helped me get my feet wet in figure. She broke down what figure was--from the expense, peaking, walking, and those little things that make you look more polished. While I am still learning, I consider my first competition a success because I was well-prepared. Figure opened the door for many wonderful peopleto come into my life!