Spotlight Athlete of the Week...Erika Anderssen

Lets see how do we spot a Swede...ah of course fair skinned complexions with long strikingly pleasant looking blond hair...etc wait didn't you second grade teacher tell you it is not nice to stereotype people? Erika Anderssen does fit the Swedish stereotype that the woman there are beautiful but actually less than 50% are naturally blond. Anderssen is relatively new to the sport of bodybuilding and has succeeded in winning both shows she has previously entered. Erika, who is a full-time student, hope to be a fitness trainer in the future joins the ranks as one of the sports young guns that will keep female bb going for years to come.

The Questions...

1. What is your athletic background like?

EA- Since I was little I have been in to different kinds of sports, it started with icehockey for some years, then I played football and after that I did a commitment to wrestling but I got so much performance anxiety (despite it went pretty good) so I gave up, instead I started to work out at the gym and it fitted me perfect!

2. What inspired you to start training for bb?

EA- The thing that inspired me the most was the possibility of forming the body. I have always like muscles and when the results started to come I felt so good and decide to se how fare I could go...There cant be anything more presentable than a fit body!

3. What is the best compliment your have received in regards to your physique?

EA- I don't know but something like...you have a great symmetry

4. Tell us something unusual about Sweden that us Americans probably don't know?

EA- What do you know? Hard question...In Sweden its a tradition for some Swedish people to drill a hole in the ice and jump in to it for a few seconds and then run naked back into a sauna (I'm not included in that troop) Apart from that we are a very friendly breed

5. Briefly, what is you competition history and what is the next show you plan to do?

EA- I have only done two competitions....the Swedish Championships and the Junior World (both I won ) . My plans for now is to try to build some muscles and then compete in the Swedish Championships 2008, in both the junior class and the senior class -55kg. I will maybe do some more competition but its my primary goal for now...

pics are courtesy of Claus Thomsen

Chit-chatting w/t the athletes...

Jill Lundy



The Dublin, Ohio, native was the 2007 NPC Kentucky Muscle Classic winner.



Shannon Trimble



Personal trainer from Michigan where she placed 3rd in the tall Figure class at the Western Michigan Natural this past September.



Nicole Vitale



The Bronx, NY, native and personal trainer placed 3rd in the Figure F class at the 2007 Junior USA contest.


1. What was your New Year's resolution?


Lundy- To be a better mom by creating a greater sense of balance in my life. I live in a world of EXTREMES. Everything is BLACK or WHITE, on or off, fit or fat... There is so much more room in the 'Grey area'... I would like to know if I can exhist there and be comfortable. Being Super EXTREME and Ultra Supreme does not necessarily make me the best mommy. I want to excel at that. I am a single mom. I want to be the 'Ms. Olympia of Moms' in the eyes of my kids. (I probally am already, but I sometimes feel guilty because bodybuilding is a very selfish and self-centerred sport. I just want to make sure I give as much to them as I give to this sport)


Trimble-To finish up our business plan in order to get our business up and running, or find the location anyways


Vitale- Resolution...To Stop Procrastinating!!


2. Your biggest gym pet peeve?


Londy-WHEN MEN STACK 1000+ lbs on a bench or squat rack and then leave it there without re-racking their weights. UUUgghh! I bet they leave their dirty undies on the floor at home too! Nasty lil' Buggars...! Hahaha


Trimble-Grunting and throwing weights, is it reallllllllly necessary


Vitale- Biggest Gym Pet Peeve...So many to choose from...Probably slobs!! Those who can push heavy weight, but cant rack it!!


3. Favorite post-workout meal?


Lundy- 2oz Flank Steak, 3oz Chicken Breast, small baked yam, & 10 asparagas spears (grilled or steamed). Yummie!


Trimble-Hmmm I think it was when I came home and we made HUGE banana splits but sushi is a close second!


Vitale- Favorite Post Workout meal...I'd have to say a steak.


4. Who would you like to see be the next U. S. President? (doesnt have to be an actual candidate)


Lundy-I think my 14yr old son would do a better job than our current 'Fearless Leader', but if I had my choice it would probally be Barak Obahma, or OPRAH!!! (lol)


Trimble-Hmmm someone or anyone that will put an end to the dumb war already!!!


Vitale-Next U.S. President...Lewis Black...lol


5. Next show you will be competing in?


Lundy-I would like to compete at Master's Nationals in July, so that's what I'm preparing for. I'll be 41yrs old this year. I'm not getting any younger; just sexier! Hahaha! :}


Trimble-Two shows this spring, one looking to be around April/May and the other later on probably June/July time frame


Vitale- My next show...May 17, Charleston, SC--Jr USA

Spotlight Athlete of the Week...Shawn Tan

Contrary to belief being a 6'0 tall female athlete does not automatically imply that they must be a volleyball player or that they spend their Summer's playing in the WNBA. Female bodybuilders can be tall athletic and have vibrantly good looks as well as demostrated by none other than British Columbia's Shawn Tan. Tan is a mom of two kids plus she operates and owns Amazon Athletics based in B. C. Canada.

The Questions...

1. If you could be president of the IFBB for a day what is one change that you would make concerning women's bb?

ST- 1. I would change the IFBB's criteria. I would make the "winning look" be a softer look. Yes, this is bodybuilding so I believe you need a lot of muscle mass to do well, along with symetry, and we are woman, so I also believe we need maintain our femininity. Implants and a two piece posing suit does not give us femininity. It is in our face, our skin, our smile, our overall look and how we carry ourselves. I feel a major downfall in fbbing is the criteria demands size, symetry, and the exteme hardness, that typically only men are able to achieve. I believe that the drugs that are being used for this "exreme hardness" are primarily what is taking the femininity out of fbbing.

Please, don't get me wrong; I love the PHYSIQUES that a lot of woman are achieving, but I think that in order for fbbing to me more successful it does need to be toned down. This would in turn allow more business opportunities for fbb's and therefore the ability to make fbbing more of a lucrative carreer.

2. What are the advantages to being the tall girl on stage?

ST- Well, being the tall girl on stage I am usually noticed first regardless of my size and/or condition in comparison to my competitors that day. It also helps that I am very comfortable on stage. This, in conjunction with being tall, and blonde :) only helps to keep eyes drawn to me.

3. What are your plans for 2008?

ST- I have suffered a lot of injuries over the past two years. I persavered and trained through them last year, but I have had to change my training drastically in order to keep the pain at bay. I am awaiting my second knee surgery. I don't have a date for this yet, they will just call me and give me anywhere from a week to four weeks notice. This could throw a wrench in any plans like it did last year. I was called four weeks before provincials for my knee surgery last summer. I had the surgery and still tried to do what I could in order to be on stage. I didn't come in my best, but my mind was set. I don't want this to happen again this year but it is out of my control.

Given all of this, as it stands now, I plan to compete at The Emerald Cup, and Provincials again this year. I am saving Nationals for 2009 when they are going to be held here in Vancouver BC.

Career Highlights-
Placed 4th in her class (HW) at the CBBF British Columbia Provincial Championships July 2007. PHOTO
Placed 4th in her class (HW) at the NPC Emerald Cup April 2007. PHOTOS
Placed 1st in her class (HW) at the CBBF Sandra Wickham Fall Classic 2005. PHOTOS

Spotlight Athlete of the Week...Tracey Bodner

In light of tonight's Sugar Bowl match-up between the Universities of Hawaii and Georgia I present to you Tracey Bodner who is known as Island Girl on the message boards since her native State is the place where the phrase Aloha is ever so popular. Bodner has since traded in the Hula skirt for ski's to tackle the slopes in the Centennial State where she now lives and is a fitness trainer along with her husband Cameron plus she is a head Colorado NPC judge.

The Questions...

1. Briefly, what was your background like prior to getting involved in the fitness industry?

TB: I use to be a runner and ran in marathons in Hawaii. I did that for several years until a knee injury caused me to re-evaluate things. It was a difficult decision at the time, but I'm so glad now because it was then that I joined a gym and the rest is history. :)

2. Please tell us something the normal fan doesn't realize about judging athletes on stage?

TB: Good question. I'll have to get back to you on this. I can't think of just one...

3. Being the holiday season what is at least one tip that you give to people not wanting to put on those unwanted pounds?

TB: "Moderation". It's difficult to try and keep your diet in line during the holidays (unless, of course, you're on a contest prep which I think there is no question there), but if you do everything in moderation and be sensible about it, that should help prevent unwanted pounds.

4. Do you have a website you would like to share?

TB: Currently, my personal site is being worked on. Once I launch that baby, I will let you know. But in the meantime come visit http://www.femininebodybuilding.com/ and http://www.intensemuscle.com/

pics courtesy of Isaac Hinds of Lift Studios