Melissa Merritt

This sleek and muscled 25 year old from Austin, Texas is Melissa Merritt.
Melissa won the Figure Overall title in Las Vegas at the Fitness America World Championships on November 21, 2008.
Melissa just ran a Fitness Bootcamp with fellow fitness stars Abby Marie and Brenda Mikalajunas.
Abby Marie is also being trained by Melissa.

Karen Zaremba

Stay at home Mom, IFBB Bodybuilder, former IFBB Figure Pro and fitness model Karen Zaremba.
Karen was born on January 27, 1964 in Detroit, Michigan.

Contest History:
2003- Michigan Novice Bodybuilding championships- overall
2004- Central States Figure championships- overall
2005- Junior USA's - third place Class A
2005- Junior Nationals- third place class A
2005- NPC National Figure Championships- second place class A, earned IFBB pro card
2007 Europa Super Show - 8th place lightweights

Katarzyna Kozakiewicz

This is Polish fitness competitor and figure athlete Katarzyna Kozakiewicz.
Katarzyna started out as a horseback rider (I'm assuming competitively) and after fourteen years of doing that, moved into fitness.
She started out in bodybuilding competitions first in 2000 and moved into fitness in 2003.
In fitness competitions, she has had several first place wins including...

1st place, Polish Cup, Ostrow Mazowiecka, 2003
1st place Championship Polish, Bialystok, 2004
1st place Krakow Polish Cup, 2004
1st place Championship Polish, Minsk Mazowiecki, 2005
1st place Championship Polish Open, Zabrze, 2006
1st place Championship Polish, Minsk Mazowiecki, 2006
1st place Championship Polish, Bialystok, 2007
1st place Open Contest in Rypinie, 2007

Melissa Dettwiller

Melissa Dettwiller was born on November 12, 1977 in Houma, Louisiana.
She is a female bodybuilder and fitness model.
Melissa actually began her bodybuilding training at the age of 15.
She combines the sleek form of a fitness model, and the size of a bodybuilder which makes her very popular online.

Contest History:
2004 NPC John Shermann Classic (Houston, TX) – 1st Place
2005 NPC Southern Classic (Jackson, MS) – 2nd Place
2005 NPC Jr. Nationals - 2nd Place
2005 NPC Louisiana State Championship - 1st Place
2005 NPC USA Championship - 10th Place
2006 NPC Jr. Nationals - 3rd Place
2006 NPC USA Championship - 7th Place
2007 NPC Team Universe Bodybuilding - New York - 1st place

Sondra Hopkins

Sondra Hopkins is a personal trainer, NPC figure competitor and she owns the Fit Life Studio in Boerne, Texas.
Contest history:
West Texas Classic 2008 Masters - 1st Place
Ronnie Coleman Classic 2008 - Masters 4th Place
Ronnie Coleman Classic 2008 - D Class 8th Place
NPC Rock Fitness Extravaganza 2008 - Masters - 1st Place
NPC Rock Fitness Extravaganza 2008 - Figure B - 2nd Place
NPC Texas State Championships - 4th Figure D

Catherine Holland (Catherine Boshuizen)

Catherine Holland (Catherine Boshuizen) is a IFBB Pro Figure Competitor, a fitness model and personal trainer
She was born on March 21, 1980 in Portland, Oregon, but she now resides in Orlando, Florida.
Catherine stands 5’7”, weighs in at 130 lbs (contest weight) and 140-145 (off season).
She has a BS and MS degrees in Exercise and Sport Science from Oregon State University and she is a business owner and instructor of Celebration Boot Camps.

Contest history:
2004 NPC Northwest Natural Figure Championships: Overall
2005 Oregon Ironman Figure: 1st place over 5’6”
2005 Emerald Cup Figure: 7th place 5’6-5’8”
2006 Emerald Cup Figure: 13th place 5’6-5-8”
2006 NPC Jr. National Figure Championship: 9th Place Class D
2007 NPC Jr. National Figure Championship: 12th Place Class F
2007 NPC Figure Team Universe: 16th place Class F
2007 NPC Figure USA’s: 16th place Class E
2008 Emerald Cup Figure: 2nd place Class F
2008 NPC JR USA Figure Championship: 1st place class E
2008 NPC JR NATIONALS Figure Championships: 1st place, Class E
2009 IFBB Europa Super Show of Champions Pro Figure: 16th

Amber Elizabeth Fournier

Oxygen covergirl and rising fitness model Amber Elizabeth.
To stay in this condition, she does Pilates, kickboxing, weight training and CrossFit.
I would say it appears to be working for her.
Besides Oxygen, she has appeared in Muscle & Fitness, HERS and Mens Fitness among others.

Fitness Model and Competitor, Laura Coleman

Laura Coleman is an up and coming fitness model and competitor.
She's 5'7" and weighs 127.
I was only able to find two competitions Laura has been in, she placed 4th at the 2005 Los Angeles Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships, Class F and she came in 1st in Figure F at the 2007 Los Angeles Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships.
Laura has appeared in Oxygen, Ironman, Muscle Mag and Muscular Development.
And as far as I can tell, she is in a relationship with retired IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Eryk Bui.

Dora Trikoupis, National Figure Competitor

Dora Trikoupis is a National Figure Competitor, a Fitness Model and she does online training and nutrition.
She has competed in:

2006-Eastern USA Championships-Figure: Class A (4th place)
2007-Bev Francis Atlantic States Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Championships-Figure: Class A (10th place)
2008-NPC Mike Francois Classic Bodybuilding and Figure Championships (8th place)
2008-NPC Lehigh Valley Bodybuilding and Figure Contest (3rd place)
2008-NPC Junior National Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships (13th place)
2008-NPC USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships (10th place)

Fawnia Mondey

Fawnia Mondey (Fawnia Mondey-Dietrich) was born in September 24th,1975, in Kamloops, BC Canada.
She has appeared in Flex, Muscle & Fitness, Oxygen, MuscleMag International, American Curves, and Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness.
Fawnia is a dance instructor, fitness model, producer, actress and columnist.
Ever notice how these ladies diversify?

Contest History:
1st Canada's Edmonton Champion 95/96
1st Canada's Western Champion 95/96
1st Canada's Rookie of the Year 95/96
3rd Miss Hawaiian Topic - British Columbia, Canada 97and 99
1st place 1999 Muscle & Fitness Mania Women's Lightweight Bodybuilding
2nd place 2003 BC Championships Figure – short
5th place 2003 Sophie’s Swimwear Pageant
9th place 2004 Canadian Nationals Figure – medium
3rd Place 2005 Emerald Cup Figure 5’3” - 5’4”
2005 NPC Pittsburgh Amateur & Pro Show – up to 5’4”

And this lady also wrestles.
No not for the WWE, she REALLY wrestles as in she got 4th place at the FreeStyle Wrestling B.C. Provincials in 1993.

And if she still looks familiar and you don't know why, she's appeared in "The Outer Limits", "The X Files" and "Millennium".

Jamie Eason

Who doesn't like Jamie Eason?
She's very popular on the internet, and she seems to be a very nice young lady, who actually goes into forums and posts.
To get into the incredible shape you see here, Jamie used a personal trainer and nutritionist.
It looks like it really paid off.
I can't really find much on her in the way of contest history....
Maybe someone out there can tell us where she has competed.

Besides being a fitness model, she is a computer software consultant.
Jamie has been on the cover of Oxygen Magazine twice.

IFBB Figure Pro Erin Stern

IFBB Figure Pro Erin Stern is from Wellington, Florida.
She's a fairly new face, but I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more of her.
Before entering competition, she competed in track and field at the University of Florida. Her specialty was the high jump and hurdles.
When she's not competing, she works in the real estate industry.
Contest history :
2003 NPC, Gainesville
2008 NPC National Figure, won F class (over 5'7") and got her IFBB Pro Card.

This 5'8", 136 pound beauty can bench press 193 lbs, deadlift 230 lbs, and squat 230 lbs.

NPC Figure Competitor Jodie Minear

This stunning young lady is NPC figure competitor Jodie Minear.
Not only has Jodie got a great physique, but those piercing green eyes could stop anyone in their tracks.
Jodie appeared in the 2009 FLEX Swimsuit Issue.

Contest History:
2008 NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic, Figure: Overall, Figure: Class D (1st)
2008 NPC Figure Nationals Figure: Class F (2nd)

Allison Frahn

Awhile back I did a write up on the lovely K.L. Frahn.
Well here is her sister, the equally beautiful Allison Frahn.
Allison was born on September 27, 1980 in Nanuet, NY.
She definitely has a ripped lean look, and if you go to her website and check out her bio, you'll see that this young woman overcame a tremendous obstacle to get to where she is today.
It's a very inspiring story.
Besides doing figure competitions and being a fitness model, she has a BA in Communication from the University of Delaware.

Contest History:
2004 NBI Tri-State - 1st Place in the Figure Short.
2005 INBF Naturalmania - 1st Place Figure
2005 WNBF Pro World Champs - 3rd Place Figure Short
2005 WNBF Pro World Champs - 2nd Place (Best Body)
2006 WNBF Pro Natural Cup - 4th Place Figure Short.
2006 WNBF Pro World Champs - 2nd Place Figure Short
2007 WNBF Pro World Champs - 4th Place Figure Short.
2008 WNBF World Championships - 2nd Place Figure Short.
2008 WNBF Kansas City Pro International - 2nd Place Figure

Fitness model and competitor Yenny Polanco

Fitness model and fitness competitor Yenny Polanco is an IFBB Athlete, born in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Like a lot of female athletes, Yenny doesn't just wear one hat.
She's an AFPA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, Licensed Board Certified Cosmetologist, owned a hair salon from 2001 to 2006, Former Public Access T.V. producer (she produced a make-over show "Re-Inventing Yourself" where she did complete make-overs on volunteers) and she's a two time Light Flight weight Golden Gloves Boxing Champion!
Believe it or not, when Jenny got to the US from the Dominican Republic at the age of twelve, she couldn't even speak English.
And look at what she has accomplished!

Contest History:
2007 INBF Northeast Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest - 1st place
2007 INBF Northeast Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest - 1st place
2007 NPC New England Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure Championship - 1st place
2007 NPC Team Universe Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Championships - 3rd place
2008 IFPA Yorton Cup Pro International - 2nd place
2008 MuscleMania Fitness America Weekend - 1st place
2009 NPC USA Bodybuilding & Figure Championships - 16th place
2009 NPC Team Universe - 1st place
2009 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Pro Fitness & Figure - 3rd place

Aline Oliveira - Fitness Model and Personal Trainer

This beautiful young lady is Brazilian athlete, fitness model and personal trainer, Aline Oliveira, from Rio de Janeiro.

I know I have mentioned "abs of steel" before, but check this out...

Contest History:

IFBB Estreantes Rio 2008 - 2nd Place
Champion South American Bodyfitness IFBB 2009
Brazilian Champion 2009 IFBB
Carioca overall champion IFBB 2009
World Cup (Italy) - 10th place

Here is a video of Aline Oliveira and Mara Blindada working out.


You can find out more about Aline at her Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Aline-Oliveira/100000513734384

Catherine Holland, IFBB Pro Figure Competitor

IFBB Pro figure competitor, fitness model and certified personal trainer, Catherine Holland was born on March 21, 1980 in Portland, Oregon.
This lovely young lady holds BS and MS degrees in Exercise and Sport Science from Oregon State University.
In addition to Figure Competitions, she is a business owner and instructor of Celebration Boot Camps.
She has competed in the:

2004 NPC Northwest Natural Figure Championships: Overall
2005 Oregon Ironman Figure: 1st place over 5’6”
2005 Emerald Cup Figure: 7th place 5’6-5’8”
2006 Emerald Cup Figure: 13th place 5’6-5-8”
2006 NPC Jr. National Figure Championship: 9th Place Class D
2007 NPC Jr. National Figure Championship: 12th Place Class F
2007 NPC Figure Team Universe: 16th place Class F
2007 NPC Figure USA’s: 16th place Class E
2008 Emerald Cup Figure: 2nd place Class F
2008 NPC JR USA Figure Championship: 1st place class E
2008 NPC JR NATIONALS Figure Championships: 1st place, Class E, and new IFBB FIGURE PRO

You can see and learn more about Catherine at her website:
http://www.catherinefitness.com/

Juliana Malacarne - IFBB Figure Pro

I did a write up on IFBB Figure Pro Juliana Malacarne last year on my other fitness women blog, but I wanted to do an update on her here.
Juliana is of Italian heritage, but was born in Brazil.
And like many of the other female fitness beauties that I do write up on here, she is multi-talented.
She's not only a fitness pro, but a female personal trainer, nutritionist and female fitness model.

Female Fitness Competitions:
2006 IFBB Europa Super Show - NP
2007 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure Championships - NP
2007 IFBB California Pro Figure Championships - 13th place
2007 IFBB Colorado Pro/Am Classic Bodybuilding And Figure Contest - NP
2008 IFBB Arnold Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest - 12th place
2008 IFBB New York Pro Figure - 13th place
2008 IFBB Atlantic City Pro - 4th place
2009 IFBB Arnold Classic - 13th place
2009 IFBB New York Pro Figure - 10th place



You can find out more about Juliana at her MySpace page here:
http://www.myspace.com/julianamalacarne

And here is a clip of Juliana working out at a gym posted by dcerbi on YouTube

Trish Stratus, Fitness Model

Of course you associate the name Trish Stratus with the WWE.
She was the WWF/WWE Women's Wrestling Champion 7 times.
But before she was a professional wrestler or television personality, Trish was a sought after fitness model.
When Trish was growing up in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, she wanted to become a doctor.
It looked like Trish was getting her wish when she became a pre-med student at York University in Toronto, Ontario.
Things looked good for her medical career until a faculty strike by YUFA in 1997 that lasted seven weeks, effectively shutting the college down.
Since Trish couldn't go to school, she got a job in World Gym, and was approached by Scott Able (who has trained over 300 bodybuilding and figure champions) to do a modeling job for a supplement line.
This lead to her catching the eye of Bob Kennedy, and being contracted to work for the Musclemag International fitness magazine from 1997 to 1999.
Trish became one of the world's most sought after fitness models, and wound up appearing on the cover of over 20 international fitness publications.
One of Trish's most remembered projects from her fitness period was the infamous The Dream Team calendar with fellow fitness model Stacey Lynn.

Torrie Wilson - Fitness Competitor and Fitness Model

Here is a blast from the past in a way.
Many of you may know Torrie Wilson as a female wrestler, but before Torrie ever set foot in a wrestling ring, she was a both a female fitness competitor and female fitness model.
Torrie was born on July 24, 1975 in Boise, Idaho.
Before becoming a fitness model, as she was growing up Torrie was into cheerleading, dance, and track and field.
But starting at the age of fourteen, Torrie began to suffer with anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
She started a fitness program, working out and eating six meals a day as a way to overcome this and plunged head-long into fitness.
Torrie entered her first fitness competition and placed third, then went on to win the Miss Galaxy competition in 1998.

Lisa Marie Varon, 2nd from left, Torrie Wilson far right
http://www.womenstri-fitness.com/art_wwf_wtf.htm

At that competition she met Lisa Marie Varon, another fitness competitor.
Lisa went on to become Victoria in the WWF/WWE and Tara in TNA.
The meeting in 1998 was the start of a life-long friendship.
Also in 1998, Torrie took part in the Women's Tri-Fitness Championships, and placed first in the Grace and Physique round, also doing very well in the Fitness Routine and Obstacle Course.
Lisa Marie was also a top ten finalist in that competition.

As a fitness model, Torrie appeared in several of the muscle and fitness magazines swimsuit issues, as did another one of the fitness beauties who later turned female wrestler, Trish Stratus.