- Fitness Newsletter - Special Edition 2007 - Nicole Weeks.com
Pro Figure Champ
NGA World Bodybuilding & Figure Championships
Last Saturday I competed at the NGA World Pro-Am Bodybuilding and Figure Championships. And victory was sweet! This was the toughest group of competitors I have ever seen. We have been raising the caliber of athletes in natural figure, and this show was definitely an apex. With 20 competitors including last year's champion, Melody Melton, the current NGA Champion, Jesse Grand, and a former IFBB Fitness competitor, Beth Horn, I was honored to stand among their ranks in the top 5 let alone standing in the center as the winner.
This was my first pro show with the NGA although I have been competing in the natural pros of the OCB and formerly the WNBF (until I pulled my head out of my ass) since 2005. I earned my NGA Pro Card by winning the overall amateur figure division at the NGA American Internationals in Parkland, FL last November 2006.
I'd like to dedicate this win to everyone has done or are currently doing the Body for Life Challenge. Day one for me was August 14, 1999. And I set the dream for this day in motion shortly after that in 2000 when I decided to compete in fitness competitions. I really didn't think a day like this would realistically manifest itself. But there was always that little part of me that said, "give it a try, because you never know what might happen". I kept that part to myself for fear people would think I was crazy. But it was a child-like dream that I kept reaching for because I just felt it deep inside and could see it in my mind's eye....me on stage, satisfied in myself that I had reached my goals, healthy, best shape of my life, confident in front of an audience, and comfortable being judged.
Whatever YOUR goal is, keep it with you tucked away close to your heart, always putting into motion the steps that will help you achieve that goal. Let the skills you learn in the gym apply to your life in the outside world. What you give to yourself, give to others. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Always give 100%. Find the positive in all situations and all people and verbalize it so that others may grab onto that foundation of hope to build upon.
xoxo, Nicole Weeks
Upcoming Contest Schedule:
October 27th: OCB Yorton Cup, Washington, DC
November 3rd: NGA Natural Night of Champions, Houston, TX
November 10th: appearance at the NGA American Internationals, Parkland, FL
BIG THANKS TO:
Tony Wilder: This is a team effort, and we did it on our own.
I can not emphasize enough how important it is to learn training and nutrition for yourself.
Never let anyone take credit for YOUR success. No big name trainers, big name nutritionists, no one.
You can do it on your own. Educate yourself.
Andy Bostinto, head of the NGA, for giving me the venue to display my talents and hard work.
And to the judges who give of their time and treasure to fly to these shows to make them a fair and non-political venue.
Carlos Jordan, promoter of the NGA Pro-Am World Bodybuilding & Figure Championships,
for putting together a dynamic show and the sponsors that put up the highest amount of prize money in natural bodybuilding to date.
Matt Shepley, head of the OCB, for helping me see that I am worth more to the natural bodybuilding community than settling for the WNBF.
And HUGE thanks to the peeps from the OCB message board.
Fizogen, for their supplement sponsorship
Lucy & Clyde from Suits You Swimwear
