Jason's Weekly Blog: Hard Work, Determination and Smashley

This week I want to talk about hard work and determination. I think a great way to discuss those two things is by talking about Ashley "Smashley" Hawkins. So let's do just that.

About a year and a half ago, I covered my first MMA card. It just happened to be NAAFS Eve of Destruction. An all female card. First fight up was Ashley Hawkins against Trisha Gerus. What do I remember about that fight? In all honesty not a whole lot. But what I do remember is it was a fun fight and the two girls brought it. I do remember that Ashley showed some potential, but to me it was the potential to be a decent fighter. Not much more than that. I did not know at that time how good Ashley would become or that she would become such a good friend.

Later through mutual friends I would get to know Ashley. Her desire to learn and improve really impressed me. She was always asking questions, always trying to pick up even the smallest bit of advice. Her next fight was with Trisha Barr. Everyone knows how hard that fight was for me. Because I consider Trisha and Ashley to be such good friends. Ashley lost a majority decision, and I said then and will still say, I agree with the decision. I felt Trisha won. But Ashley impressed. She fought a girl with more experience and hung in there. In fact, if it wasn't for an incredible main event, that fight would have been fight of the night. I know Ashley wasn't happy with a loss, but I couldn't have been more proud.


Then we move to a fight with Emily Easton. Emily showed up way over the agreed upon weight. Ashley allowed Emily to drop a couple pounds and took the fight. Ashley dominated the fight. Easton was content to just get it to the ground and lay on her. From the bottom, Ashley was still the aggressor and looking for ways to finish. What I was most proud of, was in those situations, when someone takes you down and just lays there, a fighter can get impatient or frustrated and make a mistake. Ashley didn't do that. She stayed composed and did what she had to do.

Since then Ashley has left her gym. She needed a place to train. So she makes a two hour drive often to train here. So in addition to getting her frequent training in with someone I respect so much in Jessica Dinch, she gets to train with someone as talented as Jessica Eye. In a short time with people up here, Ashley's game has improved so much. I finally started seeing confidence in her eyes. While she had the talent, I wasn't sure if I saw confidence. I mean, yes she was always confident she could win, but I don't know if she was confident enough to become a star. But when you train with someone like Jessica Eye, it's naturally going to improve your confidence.

So she took a fight with Angie Reinhardt. If you are unfamiliar with her, you should know, Angie has some real skills. This was going to be a tough test for Ashley. Ashley told me her game plan, and I was impressed that Ashley developed that game plan, because it was the exact game plan she would need in this fight. Every time I watched Ashley spar or roll, I saw her more and more confident and better each time. Also this would be Ashley's first real weight cut as she was fighting at 130LBS, lower than she had before. She did everything right and actually came in at 129LBS. Days leading up, there was no doubt in her mind she was going to win this fight. I think a big part of that confidence was that Jessica Eye and Pablo Castro agreed to corner her. Jessica is atop pro who Ashley respects and admires. Pablo is an amazing Jiu-Jitsu teacher and has cornered many talented fighters. A few days before the fight Pablo worked on some very specific stuff with her, and I was impressed that Ashley never took her eyes off Pablo. Everything he said, she soaked in.

So, its time for the fight. Ashley had her bleeding almost from the beginning. Soon, Ashley had her spraying blood on those of us at cage side. Ashley's stand up was great. She fought smart. She didn't let Reinhardt drag her into a brawl. She used her jab nicely and made each punch count. In round two it was just a beautiful thing to watch. She got it down and did the exact thing Pablo had shown her just day before. I couldn't help but smile because I had watched Pablo teach her that, and it was great to see Ashley do exactly what she was shown. Round three was more of the same. Ashley controlling the fight and doing what she wanted to do. When it was over, Ashley had won all three rounds.

So whats this hard work and determination thing I was talking about? Ashley has shown me, that no matter what road blocks were put in her way, no matter how hard things got, she did what she had to do to improve. She sucked it up and said "I am going to get better. I can be a talented fighter. I am gonna show people what I can do". All the progress I have made in my bodybuilding competing goals, makes me appreciate someone like Ashley, who had road blocks like me, and she knocked those road block out of the way. That makes Ashley not just a friend, but someone I admire. I am very proud and consider myself lucky to have Ashley as a friend. Because her friendship is good enough, but there is the benefit of having someone like her who wont let obstacles get in her way, and it inspires me to not let obstacles get in my way.

Last night, Ashley Hawkins put a lot of people on notice. Ashley is here to stay and is a top prospect. Ashley Hawkins is going to be beating a lot of people and winning titles. Simply put, Ashley Hawkins is going to keep being Ashley Hawkins.

Janet Martin Interview

April 28th will be the debut card for Invicta Fighting Championships. An all female card loaded with great talent, headlined by Marloes Coenen going up against Romy Ruyssen. With the event being streamed online for free, this is a chance for you to see the event if you cant make it in person and see top level athletes do what they do best. This is the right time to try and run a successful all female promotion, and Invicta clearly has the right people involved to make that happen. One of those people is Janet Martin. I got the opportunity to talk with Janet about Invicta.

Q: Can you give a little of your background in MMA?
A: With MMA, Shannon (Knapp) and I co-founded Invicta Fighting Championships. My work is working with athletic relations and match making. I came to MMA about two years ago. I was an under-grad student and did my sociology research on the female fighter population. Its a population that hadn't been studied in sociological context. So I did in depth research and interviews as well as survey questioners, and that brought to light a lot of the deficiencies and maybe inequalities in the personal experiences of female fighters. Which spurred me to see how I could make a difference. I worked with a previous company helping put female fights on their cards. Then I came together with Shannon and we brain stormed and that's how we came up with Invicta Fighting Championships.

Q: Where did the name Invicta come from?
A: Invicta is actually a Latin word. When you are forming a company and trying to find an identity and what reflects your mission, we were struggling a little bit, so I went to my old school Latin classes. Invicta means invincible or incomparable, so those terms really reflected what we were as a company. Trying to make a difference in women's MMA, just to be invincible ad help the females by offering a platform in the sport they love. What's unique is as a Latin word, invincible and incomparable are very masculine terms, but in Latin it only appears in the feminine form. So we decided it was a great description for women's MMA.

Q: For someone would would say to you that a female only company cant have long term success, how would you respond?
A: I really think probably in the past it may not have been as viable, but it is a point in time when there is more female participation and recognition. Its about giving it its own platform, bringing it together and giving it its own identity in the sport that's going to be the key to longevity and viability of women's MMA and our company. So a few years ago might not have been the time, but we feel the time is now. There is increasing participation by females, now you have a fresh group of fighters and women are participating every day. So many now are pursuing professional careers. So its the right time and we are giving them a platform to be competitive.


Q: You are streaming the first show live for free, how helpful can that be to exposing people to the product?
A: Its giving a free sample, a chance for someone who may not have viewed female MMA as a sport. Even if they just come and look, we are giving them a chance to see the event for free. It will help us create our own audience. It doesn't cost anything, they aren't risking anything to sit at the computer and watch and be exposed to female fighting at its best. Its gonna be exciting fights, interesting match-ups, a new product, and we are letting them view it for free. It will be in HD and a quality event for them to experience women's MMA.

Q: Due to a lack of visibility, there are still a lot of women fighters who people outside the hardcore audience don't know. How helpful is it to have someone like Marloes Coenen who can draw in fans and help people learn about other fighters?
A: Marloes has had a phenomenal career so far and has created her own fan base, so it is helpful to have some of those female leaderships. They serve as role models as well as high level fighters and are veterans of the sport. Plus to have Marloes on the card is exciting, its a great match-up with er and Romy(Ruyssen). SO having recognizable names does have the event, but I feel all up a down the card the fighters will support the event and be exciting. So whether you turn in just for Marloes or for the whole night you will have entertainment.

Q: The female population is growing, but still small compared to men's, how hard is it to put together an all female, evenly matched card?
A: It has its difficulties because its not as connected as men's MMA. Its about doing research, looking around for that untapped talent or the fighter that hasn't had that exposure. I spend my time doing research, looking at video, studying, inquiring, having open conversations with camps and managers. I am looking around the world just trying to find the best talent. A lot of it hasn't been exposed to the general audience. Our goal is to create those opportunities so they are recognized by their name as high level competitors.

Q: One thing I notice is names like Marloes, Kaitlin Young, Sarah Maloy, Jessica Philippus and Ashley Cummins. Names who are like role model types for younger fighters. Did you make a conscious effort to get fighters like that?
A: I wouldn't say a conscious effort, because they are leaders in their weight divisions and have had success early on or garnered success as veterans, it was about tapping into their talents as fighters and finding an evenly matched opponent. Their are a lot of great names and talent on the card. I have met some personally and am constantly doing research learning about them. So if you have that great personality it carries over to your training and how you compete. Some of them do have a good following with the next generation of fighters. Their are young girls out there who look to them as role models in the sport, not just as females, but MMA fighters, because they have a dream to be a pro fighter some day.

Q: The women's MMA community isn't a huge group but it's a loyal group who has really been promoting this card. How important a role do they play in the card?
A: The women's MMA community has been phenomenal. They have gotten excited about what we are doing and support it. There are advocates in media and advocates who work with fighters. The community has kind of grouped around us and we believe if everyone puts it up on their shoulders, Invicta will serve as a platform for women's MMA. So we want to earn their respect, their support and their enthusiasm, to give the fighters great competition and a great event, and recognize them as fighters. The community has been so positive and we are excited to have that support and almost partnership.

Q: You announced Maura Ranallo will be commentating. Is it safe to say having someone the casual fan is familiar with will help get people to check it out?
A: Yeah, we are not just creating a stream of fights. We want you to sit and watch it or be at the arena and part of a sports event. We are making it a sporting event, it will be entertaining and exciting. So to have Mauro does give it a level of professionalism that we are striving for.

Q: Have you given any thought of how frequently you want to run show?
A: Probably for 2012 we are looking at two more events. As a business plan, three to four events a year. Things factor in so we may be able to do more as we grow.

Q: The average fan reading this, who may think MMA is only UFC, tell them why they should check this out?
A: UFC is a male product and MMA is predominantly male. So if you haven't watched a female fight, which a lot of times even regional companies don't put women on the card, sit and watch it. They are athletic, committed and dedicated. Women are training in the gym right along with the male, learning the same skills and techniques. It is MMA, women athletes who trained hard and are focused. I encourage them to watch it with an open mind and enjoy the energy and excitement. They are all striving to be the winner, have their hand raised and be a champion. People can relate to that. You want to be the best at what you are doing, and its the sport they love. Sit and watch and enjoy.

Q: Before we finish, anything you want to add?
A: We are excited about the enthusiasm and support by fans, by media, and Invicta is working hard to move women's MMA forward. We are moving at a professional level and working hard for the fighters and fans. We hope to earn everyones respect and support and create a fan base that will keep the excitement going into the future.

Jason's Weekly Blog: A Tribute to Danny-J and Zoa Linsey

I like to write. I often look for reasons to write. So I decided to do a weekly blog. About whats on my mind in fitness or MMA, or in this case, to pay tribute to people. No better way to start then to pay tribute to two very special women. Danny-J and Zoa Linsey.

First let's talk about Danny. Perhaps you know my story. I was 300 pounds and hated who I was. It became time for a change. I needed to get in shape. I got some good advice from people, but it was too much. Too many people telling me what to do. I knew Danny from Facebook, and had occasionally sought out her advice. Finally it dawned on me, I need to just hire her. One year later I went to the Arnold's and weighed 175. Yes, that's 125 pounds in one year. Now people say, "you did the work" or "give yourself credit to". I do give myself credit, but Danny is the one who showed me how to do the work. After this surgery I will be on stage, and its because of her. Many of you know Danny, but few of you know about Danny. There is a difference. If you knew her, you would know how truly inspiring she is. There have been interviews, including my own interview with her, where she talks about her life and her past. Find them and read them. Throughout her life from what I know, and even since I have known her, if she wanted something, while it was challenging, she went out and got it. That has had a bigger influence on me then she probably even knows. When people used to doubt me or say negative things, I let it affect me and bother me. I don't do that so much anymore. Its because of her. I see her never say die attitude and it makes me realize I cant and wont quit either.



Another way she has rubbed off on me is one word..... HELPING. I help people with things like diets whenever I can, and its partly due to Danny. She loves to help people. Even before I hired her, she helped me when she could. Go on her facebook page or her fan page, you have a question, she helps if she can. She likes to educate and see people succeed. Even when she is having problems or issues, she still makes time for others. In an industry that has its share of selfish people, Danny and the word selfish will never be in the same sentence.


The best thing that has come from my weight loss and everything is Danny. Not Danny the trainer, Danny the friend. As you have likely heard me say, when I compete, I want her to be proud. Her pride is better than some trophy or pro card.

Let's talk about Zoa now. Zoa Linsey, before I even knew her, was someone I admired. I admired her for her physique, cause that's all I knew about her. I got to know her and she was amazing. She was so supportive of me and gave me advice when needed. She even sent me two cameras to make my progress pics better. Shortly before the 2010 Ms. Olympia Zoa suffered a bad back injury that caused a lot of pain. If anyone knows pain its me. I have a degenerative hip that needs replaced. She still competed. Look at her pics from the Olympia. Yo would never know she was hurting. She looked amazing and had a big smile on her face.


She finally made her return at the Arnold's this year, and again looked amazing. Just getting on stage made her a winner. No one needed a judge to tell Zoa she was a winner. She won before she walked onto that stage. But she also taught me something. She battled back. She didn't let an injury get in her way. She taught me that my hip problem is just something I have to overcome. That if I do my best and am satisfied with how I look, then I am a winner before I even get on stage. At the Arnold's I got to see Zoa on stage for the first time in person at Pre Judge. I stood there watching and while watching, I envisioned myself on that stage and hoped one day she would see me on stage, and be as proud of me as I was of her.


While I have friends in and support all the divisions, I wanna be a competitive bodybuilder, I AM GONNA BE A COMPETITIVE BODYBUILDER, so it stands to reason that at least some small part of me will most enjoy watching the bodybuilders. Often I am asked who my favorite bodybuilder is. The answer is quick and easy, Zoa Linsey will ALWAYS be my favorite bodybuilder.

Crystal Wheeler Interview

Crystal Wheeler has been in the gym since a very young age. She did powerlifting and then even before the age of eighteen did a bodybuilding show. Recently he has been competing in figure, but realized physique may be better suited for her. So now she is training to make her physique debut this year with the hopes of an eventual pro card. Will she get it? Only time will tell, but it would be impossible to doubt she has the right attitude towards achieving her goal. There is something I learned from this interview about Crystal. Sometimes in this industry you meet people and they exceed expectations, and sadly, sometimes they don't live up to expectations. Crystal quickly became someone, just by talking to her, that you cant help but root for. With Crystal, I knew f her, but knew little about her, so I didn't really have any "set" expectations. But she was pleasant to talk to and as I said, just easily became someone you have to root for.

Q: Can you talk about what initially got you into the gym?
A: I actually started when I was about fourteen, kind of working out and everything. I wanted to set myself apart from everyone else at school, they were all athletic, and I wanted to do something different. I got into powerliftng and at the age of fifteen and I think even sixteen I set four American and four World records in powerlifting. From there, a friend of mine was joking around and said "why don't you try something more challenging, like bodybuilding". So I competed in my first show when I was sixteen. So I was a sixteen or seventeen year old kid, not a ton of muscle, but for me, not bad at that age. We had a team of five of us who stuck with it. I took a break, had a family and everything, got divorced two years ago and got back into it.Is tarted with bikini and then figure and this year I will do physique at the NPC level and go for my pro card in natural bodybuilding.

Q: Back when you started would you have ever imagined it getting to the point it is now for you?
A: I always knew I would do something in health and fitness and so did my family and friends. Its kind of funny because I grew up doing theater and dance, and that's what everyone saw me doing. But fitness and health and the aspects of it really tempted me a lot more. But I did not think I would still be competing at the age of thirty-one. It was expected I would do something in the field, but not to this extent. I am a trainer and I enjoy it, but this is a hobby for me, almost more than a hobby. I didn't see myself at this point, but I am glad its gotten here.

Q: At most gyms, women with your physique are still rare, do you get a lot of unwanted attention when you are there?
A: This is funny that you bring this up, because just recently there is a gentleman I encountered about two weeks ago. He said some things that I guess would be pick-up lines, they were a little bit crude. I am not a mean person, I see good in everyone. I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I vented about it a little to a friend at the gym, and last night I was working out and he was right on top of me everywhere I went. So finally I said something, I wasn't rude about it, but it was "you gotta stop". I would say that's the furthest extent its gone. There is staring going on, but I take that as a compliment and its how I have gotten a lot of clients.

Q: When you are training, do you have a specific routine?
A: I have a specific routine as far as what I lift on what days of the week because of ow my diet is right now. In the off season I change it up. People tell em I have ADD in the gym. If I don't have something set I am all over the place. I have a coach I work with, I don't like to do my own thing, I have one of the best coaches and teams I could imagine. I do what he says and it has not failed me. It keeps me in line so I cant go off the map. I like the accountability.

Q: When you compete, do you still get nervous?
A: Oh absolutely. A lot of people say "it will come natural to you, you have the theater and stage background". But its completely different. One of the first figure shows I did in 2010, I got on there and tripped on the stage as I walked off. I just smiled big and waved and kept going. Its not the first time its happened. I get so nervous I walk on stage and my legs shake uncontrollably or I smile so much I get those muscle twitches. Yeah, every show, its the same, there is always something going through your head. I wanna make sure I am doing the best I can do. So there is nervousness and anxiety.

Q: A lot of people say after the first time on stage it becomes addicting, was that the case for you?
A: Yes! I thought about how it was when I hit the stage. The team I am with, we have our own private facebook page. I looked at the comments and knew I couldn't let it go. There is a fine line between doing it as a hobby and an addiction, and it controlling your life. I have two kids who love what I do, my daughter wears my heels and poses, they have shirts that say "welcome to the gun show", they love it, and no matter what I do it does not go past a hobby, because I have to put my kids first. But there is an addiction and as long as my body allows it and I keep my priorities straight, I will keep doing it.

Q: Last year you did Jr. nationals, how was a National show different than another show?
A: So much competition. It was my first National show. I had no idea what the judges wanted. I went out and did the best I can. There was a lot of nervousness because you are being judged on every level. It messed with my head. There were twenty-seven girls in my line-up alone. Its a whole different ball game. At the regional level I am more comfortable. The judges can make or break you. It was a great experience, but a lot different.

Q: When I saw your pics from that show it seemed you had the body frame to hold a lot more muscle, and you say your switching, why did you decide to?
A: Because of exactly what you just said haha. I do have the frame to hold more muscle. I have held more muscle. I was dropping weight like crazy. I was 123 pounds and now am holding steady at 151. My goal was to put on more muscle, I didn't like looking so thin, I got into it in the first place to have more muscle. I want to change it up and do the bodybuilding side of the natural realm and get a pro card in that. I like the challenge of adding as much muscle as you can and seeing how long you can hold onto it.

Q: To train for figure and train for bodybuilding, do you have to change your training?
A: It is on the same level. But I find with bodybuilding the diet might be a little different, the way I train is different as far as more reps with higher weight. Yesterday I was doing hammer curls and lifted so heavy I got to the point where I couldn't bring it back up. I m taking on more weight than with figure. Figure now, depending on which organization you compete in, in natural shows like NANBF or NGA, they want that muscular figure look. The NPC shows, they don't want so much muscularity and definition. They want it toned down now. That's another reason I decided to step it up. I like the muscle gains, I enjoy it. I am lifting heavier than I have in a long time.

Q: Have you given any though to what shows you will do?
A: Yes, August 4th I will do the Arkansas State Championships in physique and then September 17th I think, in Kansas City, that's the show where you can win your pro card in bodybuilding, so that's the big one.

Q: Before we finish, anyone you want to thank?
A: Yes, John Gorman and the rest of Team Gorman. He is fantastic, the whole team is. Its not a team its a family. They are the best to work with. My friend Christina, a figure girl, she has had y back for the longest time. Without them I would have no motivation. And my kids, they have so much patience and understanding.

Kelly Warren Interview

Kelly Warren is coming off two tough losses. A loss to Aisling Daly where Kelly actually controlled most of the fight until getting choked followed by a decision loss to Jessica Eye, where even in defeat, Kelly impressed. While some may take an easier fight just to get back to winning, Kelly is jumping right back into it with a fight on March 30th against Tara LaRosa. With the long term goal of getting into Strikeforce or Bellator, a win over someone of LaRosa's caliber would go a long way in helping her reach that goal.

Q: Can you first talk about how you got started in the sport?
A: I have done martial arts since I was six. I was doing Karate for ten years and then took a break. I found this place called Dragon MMA where I started doing kickboxing in 2008. I took my first amateur fight at the end of 2008 and lost to a standing guillotine so I decided I should probably practice Jiu-Jitsu haha. I just progressed from there.

Q: Recently you were with Jackson's but came back to Michigan, what was the reason you went back there?
A: My family is here and my son, he's eight. Out there I was trying to get things set up to bring him down there with me. Unfortunately I couldn't financially do it. I was there six months and it was the hardest thing to be away from him.

Q: Before we talk about the next fight, I want to go over your last two here in Ohio. First, you lost to Aisling Daly. You were controlling that fight all the way till the end. How frustrating is it to be in control of the fight and then in that one second get caught?
A: Oh my gosh, that was the worst feeling ever. I put myself in a bad situation, but it was a good fight for me because mentally I was struggling not knowing how my skill set was. Knowing she was ranked in the top ten and had a lot of wins, going in standing up I felt good, and most of the time I get caught up in a clinch game or on the ground. I was happy to be able to stand up more in that fight.

Q: Afterwords are you able to look at it and say "this girl is in the top ten and I was controlling her, so I must be pretty good"?
A: Yeah it was definitely a confidence booster. Also it made me realize that I needed to start training Jiu-Jitsu more to because I was working on stand up for awhile and lost track of my ground game. I went back to my old gym at Dragon MMA and it is a great school and it is starting to come back.

Q: After that you lost a decision to Jessica Eye. Afterwords she gave you respect saying you were tough and knew how to fight her. Is that a fight you can walk away from with your head held high?
A: Definitely. I was just talking about that fight, it was the funnest fight I ever had. I was planning to take her down cause I knew her stand-up is good and she was skilled there. I know she has a good ground game but I was hoping to show my ground game as well. She made it hard, she moved a lot and I didn't feel comfortable trying to shoot in on her. I had more fun standing up, it made it a very fun fight.


Q: A lot of people come here and fight her and don't realize how much the crowd gets behind her. Does that make it intimidating?
A: Kind of. They are gonna cheer the home town girl. But mentally I felt o.k.. When I first met her at weigh-ins, we shook hands and she was right there and I could tell she had respect. It wasn't one of those "I hate this girl" battles. She was one of the coolest girls I have met so far in female MMA.

Q: Those two are fighting in April, how do you see that going?
A: I think Jessica is definitely going to dominate Aisling. She wants that belt. I think she knows how to fight her.

Q: March 30th you fight Tara LaRosa, how has the training been going?
A: Excellent! I haven't stopped training since my last fight, I was right back in the gym that week. My conditioning has only improved, and I have a grappling tournament this weekend so I have been working on that to. I never let the training drop. I went to Integrated Training Systems last night and am getting in some really good sparring sessions, so I hope this is a really good fight for me.

Q: How do you feel you match up with Tara?
A: We are completely different I feel like. She is super strong on the ground. I think stand-up wise I am more energetic and move around more. I think she will try and stalk me down. But she has been out for awhile and people's games change.

Q: Coming off a couple losses do you see this fight as extra important to get a win?
A: Yes and no. I am fighting high caliber people who are very talented. I feel like I learned from those losses and will be a different fighter my next time out.

Q: Some people would lose two and take an easier fight, which you are obviously not doing. Why jump back into it with someone like Tara?
A: I feel the more active I stay and more goals in front of me, its easier to stay focused. I like to stay active, the longer time off, I feel worse mentally about my skills and fighting.

Q: What would a win over a name as big as Tara LaRosa do for you?
A: It would do a lot for me. Like you said, she is a big name. Win or lose, its really gonna do a lot for me. Just being in there with her, she has been around a long time, she was a girl who when I started I said "I wanna be her". Its an honor to be able to say I got in there with her.

Q: Is there a key to you winning?
A: Stay moving. A lot of footwork and stay away from the clinch. Just be me.

Q: Do you have a prediction?
A: No, honestly I don't. I am hoping we will go to war and have a good three round fight.

Q: Awhile back you had a fight were you missed weight, and some people still get on you for it. How frustrating is it to keep having to defend yourself?
A: Its very very frustrating. I know a lot is my fault cause I am not very vocal. I let people talk and hope they realize I apologized and it will die down, but it really hasn't. It came up after the last fight, I apologized and realize I cant make 115 anymore. I killed myself trying to make weight. Its not like I haven't fought at 115 and that's why it was so frustrating. I had made it before so why wasn't I then? It was being sick, stress and adding more muscle mass. So 125 is better for me.

Q: Long term is the goal Bellator or Strikeforce?
A: Definitely. I cant wait to fight for one of those organizations. I have to stick to what I am doing and not be broken down mentally.

Q: Anyone you wanna thank or mention?
A: First off, you for giving me a chance to talk. All the fans, my coaches and the guys I train with. They have been pushing me and its good to be home in Michigan. My family, my fiance Justin and our boys Matthew and Max.

Lauren Ashby Interview

I have long said that Lauren Ashby is the owner of one of my favorite physiques in the industry. Her physique on stage is a display of great conditioning and symmetry, highlighted by great abs. Laure is taking this year off, both to let some injuries heal and to focus on getting her personal training business going. After a year off to make improvements, Lauren is going to be someone to watch out for in 2013.

Q: First, can you talk about how you got started in the gym?
A: When I stopped swimming competitively when I was seventeen, I started going to the gym and lifting weights. It was just a hobby for me to do in place of swimming, and I kind of got hooked on it from there.

Q: When you first started, would you have ever imagined it would get to the point it is now?
A: No, I never thought I would actually make a career out of it or end up competing. It really was just a hobby to start with, just something to stay in shape and then I got bit by the working out and fitness bug.

Q: What led you to competing?
A: It really started when I moved to New York City from the Washington D.C. area. Its pretty big here and a lot of the guys at the gym where I worked were really into it and convinced me to train for my first show. So it was a lot of encouragement from the other trainers at the gym.

Q: I have often said you have one of my favorite physiques. To me, what stands out is your abs and conditioning, would you agree?
A: Yeah, I think the conditioning started with swimming, I developed a pretty good v-taper, and most of us have strong cores just from being in the water. So those are the areas I have the least trouble getting into stage shape. It was leg strength and muscle that was a struggle.

Q: Many people say they wish they had abs, would you have any tips for people?
A: Everyone has abs, its just a matter of getting rid of the layer on top, if that's the problem, which it is for most people. It is seventy to eighty percent what you are eating. If you clean up your eating, your abs really do change drastically.

Q: When I see your stage pictures, I never see you without a smile. I that a reflection of how you generally are?
A: It depends day to day. I am a pretty happy person. I live in New York, I guess we don't walk around and smile all day here. When I am on stage I am super happy, it is a release and exciting to be up there so it comes naturally.

Q: You aren't competing this year, why is that?
A: Well, I just found out yesterday I have a tear in my hip. I am dealing with a couple injuries and have been for a long time. Its a matter of I was ignoring them, but I have pinched nerves in my back and tears in my hip and I am getting a bit older and have to listen to my body and rest. I cant do the kind of workouts that I would like to do for my lower body because my back wont allow it right now. So I won't get on stage if I cant train the way I like to train. I am also busy building my personal training business. Living in the City you have to go after it. Its expensive here and highly highly competitive here. Things are on a roll and I don't wanna stop the roll. I am also spending time traveling and experiencing different cultures. I don't want to travel and train and diet at the same time.


Q: What do you enjoy about training others?
A: Its great to be able to get people to actually enjoy fitness, try different things and get outside their comfort zone. They might not love it everyday, but its great for them to do something they never thought they could do. Introducing different kinds of ways to work out or look at their diets and nutrition. I also enjoy working with post rehab clients, I have quite a few people with injuries. Its nice for them to be able to get up off the floor without pain.

Q: Some trainers only do the training and some only do the nutrition, do you do everything?
A: I am open to doing everything. I customize according to the person. Some people are resistant to the nutrition side of it, they don't wanna hear diet. I feel them out and make suggestions. Then other people want a complete overhaul, so if that's the case, I am happy to do both. I got certified in both training and nutrition, so I have enough knowledge to guide them in nutrition.

Q: For people new to training why is it important to look for a new trainer and what should they do?
A: I think you have to research. There are a lot of great great trainers out there and there are a lot of not so great trainers. People tend to develop relationships with people and don't realize their trainer is not so good. Ask around, ask for referrals, I've done interviews with people before they sign on with me. I think its important to do research and get with someone knowledgeable.

Q: If someone wanted to contact you, how can they do that?
A: I have a website, www.trainingwithlauren.com. All of my contact info is on there, and my email and a little bit about me and my background.

Q: When you are at the gym, is there a question or comment you would call the most ridiculous you have heard?
A: That's a tough one. The gym I am at now is pretty no nonsense so there isn't a whole lot of that going on. You can tell when people come up and ask a question but are really just looking at you. Its more the uncomfortable eye contact or looks than the comments I think. I don't workout with headphones on because I find music to be distracting when I am lifting, so I think that makes me more approachable, so people tend to come up or speak because I don't have things in my ears.

Q: With the eye contact, some can block it out and some can't, are you able to?
A: Yeah, I can completely. I have done it long enough I don't even make eye contact with people. I am there to workout and then have to leave so I don't have time for socializing.

Q: If you compete next year, are there any improvements you want to make?
A: Yeah, I need to put some roundness on my shoulders. I have very very long arms so my arms tone up nicely but my shoulders are just there. I am just thinner in the shoulder and delt area. I am always working on my legs and glutes, keep everything tight and lean.

Q: With physique starting, would you consider that?
A: No, I will stick with figure. It would be difficult to put that amount of muscle on my frame. I am kind of taller and lose muscle pretty easily on top. So I am good with figure.

Q: Anyone you want to thank or mention?
A: There are so many people in this little fitness community that I have become friends with. I have always done NPC shows and people in the community here are great. Its nice to have people to turn to and help out.

Tarna Alderman Interview

I remember the first time I saw Tarna Alderman. I was blown away by her. Such an amazing combination of physique and beauty. When I got know more about her I really became a fan. Tarna reminded me so much of me, just a little ahead of me. She was overweight and decided it was time to get in shape. Little did she know she would end up being a competitive bodybuilder. As I said the first time I interviewed her, I fully expect Tarna to one day be holding a pro card. Tarna's transformation is a bigger achievement than any pro card though. She is someone women and men alike should admire and look up to, I know I do. So here is what is now one of my all-time favorite interviews, with Tarna Alderman.

Q: Can you talk about what initially got you started in the gym?
A: I was overweight and decided to get my act together. I realized I was the only person who could make myself happy and took action on it. I got online and found some forums and magazines, did some research and saw what it was gonna take. For me bodybuilding was the most common sense way to lose weight.

Q: Going back to that first day in the gym, if someone told you that you would become a competitive bodybuilder, what would you have thought?
A: Haha I would have laughed. I wouldn't believe it. It was never a goal to be a competitive bodybuilder. It was just to be a size ten again.

Q: At what point did you realize you could compete?
A: I was at the Emerald Cup in 2009 and someone asked if I did compete. I was flattered and they said I should and I laughed it off. At the beginning of last year I was approached by a couple people who said I would do well. The more I dieted towards that goal, the more excited they got and they told me I had a future in it. It kept me going.

Q: You did the Emerald Cup in 2011 and took fourth place at middleweight. For a fairly big show, how satisfied were you?
A: I wasn't that satisfied. I knew I could look better. I wasn't happy but it was where I deserved to place I think.

Q: You said you could have looked better, what could have been better?
A: I flattened out a lot for that show. I tried to lose a lot of weight really fast. I was trying to make lightweight and was half a pound up from lightweight so ended up at the bottom of the middleweight class. In order to do that I ended up looking flat, I dried out to much an couldn't fill back up in time.

Q: You are in prep now for the Emerald Cup, is there a specific reason you wanna do that show?
A: Its a prestigious show, its kind of a big deal with the competitors in my area to win that show. How well I do there will determine for me whether I want to go to a National show in the future or hanging up the bodybuilding thing and focus on being happy and healthy and having a life outside the industry. A lot is riding on my placing there and how I look.

Q: So if you do well then the goal is a National show?
A: Yeah, compete at a National level. I have been told by people who have a better eye than I do, that a pro card is in my future. That would be cool, but I look at it and think down the road from that, what is that gonna gain me in life or to fulfill me as a person, a mother and a spiritual being. How much do I want to put into that, what sacrifices I am willing to make to go for that. If I do well I will at least compete once at a National level and decide things from there.

Q: That leads to my next question. When I did your first interview, I called you a future pro, and others have said that to. Does it mean something to you when others say that?
A: It does. Coming from being overweight and such an unhappy place with my body, I don't think I will ever look in a mirror and not see my flaws. So to have somebodies outside view, it is completely different from what I see in a mirror. So it does mean a lot. People everywhere say I should do it and it would change the face of women's bodybuilding. That would be cool. I would love to see that because I love bodybuilding and I think it has gone to a dark place in the industry. I would hate for it to be gone and left with just physique, figure and bikini because my body is naturally huge and there are women who wanna lose weight and do this and are told they will never get bulky. I am a perfect example, I lifted weights and I did get bulky. For me it was like, crap, what do I do. Then bodybuilding came into the picture and it was something for my body type. That propelled me even more into it. People are telling me I am special and that always makes you feel good.

Q: One of the reasons you are one of my favorite people is because we have a similar story. You mention always seeing the flaws, and I get the same thing. People say nice things but we see the negative. People don't understand that. Do you think its a case of if people haven't been through it, they will never understand it?
A: Yeah, I don't think you can make someone understand it. If they haven't been overweight, they don't know what its like to be overweight and hate your body. Its on your mind 24/7. During the weight loss its worse. You say "I lost ten pounds and still look flabby". So there are negatives as well as positives. My body doesn't look like it does on stage a week out from the show. Its the dehydration that pulls everything tight, the areas with stretchmarks and loose skin stay that way till I dry out. So I don't walk around feeling good about my body. So I don't think people can begin to understand.


Q: Looking at pictures from last year and current pictures, it seems to me, your biggest improvements are delts and biceps, would you agree?
A: I am excited to hear that because my delts are something I have been working hard on. My back width and learning how to pose has been huge. Working with Noel (Fuller), we did a completely different diet than the one for Emerald Cup last year. So I stay big and full the whole time. I don't lose a lot of pounds on the scale as my body changes. I think my arms are the same size, I was so flat last year that they just didn't peak as they normally do.

Q: You are at the gym, beautiful woman with a great physique. Whats the most ridiculous comment or question you have gotten?
A: Wow! People recently ask me to pose or flex for them haha. That's awkward when you are working out. There isn't a lot of ridiculous questions. The hard thing is people always asking what you eat. Its no secret, just being consistent and not expecting results right away. I guess a ridiculous question is "How many times a day do you lift", as if I lift several times a day.

Q: Prep is different, but during off season do you have a set routine you stick to, or do you change it up?
A: I train a body part a day. I might change my reps and stuff, but I have a back day, a chest day, a shoulder day. Never been much change in that. Sometimes I will do burn outs or drop sets or volume training. It depends on my energy level. I like to train legs so when I can I like to train those twice a week.

Q: When youa re in public, do you dress to show it off or hide it to avoid attention?
A: I would say both. it depends on how I am feeling. If I need an ego boost I will go sleeveless or if I just wanna get in and get out I will cover up. One of the coolest thing that happened is I was at Costco and a little kid just dropped his jaw and said "Oh my God dad", it was the cutest thing, so funny. So it just depends on how I am feeling.

Q: You are becoming popular with the people who follow the women's side of the sport. Do you realize it and what would you attribute it to?
A: I have been surprised at the amount of women who say I inspire them and have become a fan. I think that makes me feel better than any male attention because its not about having a good body or looking cool or sexy. its inspiration from my story. Its from doing interviews and talking and sharing the story. People see where I come from till now and it hasn't taken twenty years. I am a mother and have a life and do struggle and people relate to that. I think its important to talk about your struggles. Everyone has them.


Q: Before we finish, anyone you want to thank?
A: Noel Fuller, he has been steady, he is strong in his beliefs. He keeps my on tack, doesn't get worked up if I am losing weight or not. Nicole Berg, she has become a friend through this prep and she helps with my posing. Big thanks to her. My fiance Martin for putting up with me hahaha. My daughter of course, my family and God for always being there and being supportive. You for the interviews, always keeping in touch and being positive.