This weekend was just wonderful. It was a great experience all the way around. We were never rushed or panicked. Everything was very well planned and organized, down to the last detail. That’s a great testament to Shannon and Rob. Backstage, all I had to do was get a glaze put on by the tanning people, and wait my turn. No problem!

I know deep in my heart that there was nothing else I could have done to get any more ready than I was, given the time I had to prepare. Am I as ready as I NEED to be? No WAY! But considering I just started this journey in August, with the plan of training for a small regional show, and then ended up at the biggest, most prestigious NPC Nationals show–and PLACED!!!–I am absolutely thrilled with my progress.

If you haven’t seen it online, I placed 12th in my class. That may not sound very impressive, but it was a big accomplishment. First of all, none of the judges had ever seen me before, didn’t know me from Adam’s housecat, and had not seen me progress over a series of shows. That’s a big deal. Human nature dictates that when you see a girl over and over, and she improves every show, and there a million good physiques on the stage in front of you, you tend to gravitate toward those you know have been on the circuit and working hard for a long time. Rob told me before the show, that even though I looked great, to expect to not even be called out, and certainly not to place in the top 15. He said it was just a matter of unfamiliarity, and that next year, when I am on the circuit, I would be a recognizable face and stand a much greater chance.

I was perfectly OK with that, so I went on stage with no pressure, just wanting to pose my best. And I ended up in the third callout, and I DID get noticed! Considering half of the girls in the top 10 have been in all kinds of magazines, websites, etc, and I held my own against the best bodies in the business–I felt great! Rob and Shannon were thrilled with the results. I didn’t even hit my back pose well , and I still made top 15! I am going to GET that back pose, if it KILLS ME!

One reason I screwed up one of my back poses was a bit of a mishap on stage. When we are doing our quarter turn comparisons, when we move from our side pose to our back pose, we are taught to step out a bit with the left foot to make the turn to the back. Well, when I stepped out, the girl beside me stepped RIGHT, and put her clear high heel right into my left foot! It hurt, and bled, and we both tripped a little. So I was way late on even getting turned around to pose! Oops! But you never know when something like that is going to happen, so you deal with it, and we both laughed about it back stage afterwards.

I definitely need to add size to my shoulders, back and legs. But then again, that is what I have known all along. I have come so far, and feel very confident that given the next 6 months to work on them, I will present a totally revamped package next season. I will be focused on adding size for the next few weeks, not dieting down for a competition, so it will be much easier to gain the muscle I need. Plus, I have all the faith in the world that Rob and Shannon will put together the perfect plan for me to make the gains I need to make. I just can’t wait to see it, and get rocking!

Shannon told me not to work out for an entire WEEK. Arrrggghhh!! That is SO hard for me! I actually feel really rested and recovered, since my final prep week was very laid back, and I am raring to go.

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The Westin Diplomat Resort was the host hotel and venue, all in one, for the Nationals. Wow! What a gorgeous place! Our room was the corner with a balcony overlooking nothing but miles of the beautiful turquoise waters of the ocean. Our room was very well-appointed and comfortable. The convention center was attached, and a simple elevator ride and short walk from our room. So convenient. The hall was HUGE–both the contest and the Expo were all in the one big room. They had big screens up and we could even see the contest while we were backstage on the screens.

The Expo was awesome, and star-studded. I saw one of my heroes, Jennifer Nicole Lee, who is just as gorgeous in person as in her pictures, and taller than I expected. Miss Figure Olympia, Nicole Wilkins-Lee was there, as was the current Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler and last year’s Mr Olympia Dexter Jackson. We met Dexter’s fiancee, Gail, in the fitness center, and she was one of the sweetest, most outgoing people I met during the whole time we were there. What a great lady! We scored some great deals at the Expo, and I even made some great contacts with VPX Sports, and hope to be hired to represent them soon for modeling in some shows and booths at various places.

I met the awesome owner and creator of my FAVORITE supplement Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Protein, Nick Stern! He is a fireball in person, as I knew he would be. This new product is so amazing, and really needs to be more well-known in the marketplace. We discussed some possible strategies, so look for some cool new videos and things coming out soon featuring me and the awesome Sun Warrior products. They have some really cool things on the horizon too, so stay tuned for more muscle-building foods to come! You can order Sun Warrior by clicking the link to the right of the page. It’s an absolute MUST in my nutrition program, and I highly recommend it!

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I want to also thank my incredible husband and Soul Mate, Michael, for all his support, encouragement, and unwavering love throughout my journey. He is my rock, and I appreciate him so much. He was by my side the whole weekend, helping me any way he could, the entire time we were there. Many of my Bombshell ’sistas’ commented on how great he was, and I am so proud to be the one on his arm. He is a true treasure, and the answer to my prayers. If I lost everything else, and still had Michael, I would still be the luckiest, most blessed woman in the world. I love you, My Baby!!!

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So now begins my new journey, through “Improvement Season”, to next year’s competition circuit. I hope each of you will join me on this great adventure of self development, and self-discovery. Your friendship, support and encouragement means the world to me! You can support me even further by joining Team Defiance, and I will support YOU in turn with great workouts and superior nutrition plans! See the Team Defiance tab at the top of the website page.

Have an incredibly blessed Thanksgiving, full of love and laughter, and be grateful for all your blessings. Your health is your greatest gift! If it’s not where you want it to be, Be Defiant! Defy all the forces keeping you down, and let’s get going on YOUR new adventure to vibrant health!

Be Defiant!

Christy

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I am here in our hotel room at NPC Nationals. I didn’t win my class, or get top 5, but my coach thinks I am in the top 15! That is a pretty big accomplishment for my first big National show, especially since I am a completely unfamiliar face to the judges. Don’t get me wrong, there is no ‘politics’ and things are judged very fairly. Human nature, however, leans toward rewarding the girls that you have seen over and over again, and know their face.

My coaches told me they thought I looked great, but didn’t expect them to even notice me among all the competitors. There are about 40 girls in my class, with some SERIOUS competition. One girl, who will probably win, is currently featured in an ad in all the big fitness magazines! Heck, I have admired her as a role model, and here I am competing against her! So obviously, she has j-u-s-t a bit of a leg up on me! But she is phenomenal, and so are so many of the other girls. Wow, what beautiful, fit women! It is a pleasure to be around them, and so motivational!

I have got to run to the night show, so I don’t have much time, but I wanted to share a few of the photos I found online!

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More to come when I have some time! This is a wonderful experience, and I am so glad I came! I am now REALLY motivated for next year!

Be Defiant!

Christy

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