Issue #4

Contents

Editorial
by HardFitness

2005 Canadian Fitness/Figure Nationals Contest Coverage

2005 Emerald Cup Contest Coverage

2005 Canadian Fitness/Figure Nationals Review
by HardFitness

2005 Emerald Cup Review
by HardFitness

Canada's New IFBB Figure Pro Tammy Strome Video Interview

Cover Model Search Results by HardFitness

Breast Implants Before and After
by Shelly Pinkerton

Chest Training by Sandra Wickham

Back Training Video
by Jamie Senuk

Gina Aliotti's Prep for the San Diego World Gym Classic
by Gina Aliotti

3 weeks and counting for the Pittsburgh NPC Fitness
by Kristi Wills

Video Interview with our Cover Model Search Winner Antonia Grady

Pictorials
Brittany Thorsch, Mindi O'Brien, Mavis Tozzi, Antonia Grady, Christine Roth and Melissa Dettwiller

Self Tanning an Alternative includes Video Footage
by Troy Landerville on Shelly Leversage

From Powerlifting to Figure
by Traci Saba

What National Level Judges are looking for a Video with CBBF Judge Chris Yakimchuk (Model: Nina Luchka)

Carb Cycling
by Shelly Pinkerton

20 questions with our Cover Model Antonia Grady

Max Muscle at Bellevue posing seminar with Pete Grubbs, Tanji Johnson and Jason Troll

 

Self Tanning an Introduction by Troy Landerville

The gym is Shelly Leversage's sanctuary.

She clears her mind there, because training is the foundation on which she stands whenever her outside world seems to shake around her.

The 34-year-old and her family - which includes two young children - have endured rough times. Five years ago, Shelly and her husband Ivan sold their leaky condo and lost several thousands of dollars in the transaction.

Then, just when it seemed they had turned things around financially, Ivan, an environmental engineer, got laid off from his job. He was a casualty of the volatile economy. The couple had to take out RRSPs to make ends meet and provide for their two children Katrina, 5, and Tyler, 3.

To channel her frustration, Shelly started training for her first bodybuilding competition in October, 2002. She hired personal trainer Martin Crowder, and noticed immediate changes.

"I resolved right then and there that things were going to be different," said Shelly, who is also a fitness model. "I had decided that, rather than self destruct, I would turn this situation around and view it as an opportunity to make things happen for me."

Through the tough times, weight training has been Shelly's therapy. Pre-competition, she works out seven to 10 times a week, and she'll often go to the gym twice in the same day. Before an event, she'll get down to as low as six per cent body fat.

The competition she originally trained for was cancelled, so Shelly focused on the World Natural Sports Organization Musclemania meet, that was scheduled to take place at the Stanley Theatre in Vancouver in April.

The 5 a.m. workouts and regimented diet paid off when Shelly earned runner-up in the lightweight division at the Musclemania event.

In September, she performed well at the FVF Femsport 2003 at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.

Training also sparked a business venture. Preparing for Musclemania meant Shelly had to make time from her job as a dental hygienist to go to a tanning salon.

"I was often interrupting co-workers during their lunch asking them to apply tan enhancer to my back. Then I'd drive off to my appointments, slather more lotion on and tan," Shelly recalled. "It was ridiculous. I knew there must be a better way."

Shelly thought about it and invented a vinyl tanning lotion applicator that is called Lion-In-the-Sun. Self tanners, sun block, tan enhancers, Dream Tan and after tan can be applied with the vinyl strap that is used for the back and shoulders. It can also be used with a stick-on disposable sponge to apply liquid Pro Tan.

"I feel this is revolutionary," Shelly said. "Now competitors can manage their time better during their very exhausting and stressful contest preparations, without the need of waiting for help from most often a stranger, who they ask to 'paint' them."

The idea expanded into a business she calls Ty-Kat Designs, which she named after her two children. She's now selling her patent-pending product.

She said her invention is a spin-off of her love of training.

"Bodybuilding centres me, and there are so many off-shoots from that," Shelly said. "I've found out that if you put the kind of energy that you put into training into other aspects of your life, you can't help but succeed. I really love the challenge and having something to work towards.

Lion in the Sun Applicator

Fawnia Mondey National Level Figure Competitor on Lion in the Sun

Please check upcoming issues of HardFitness to find out how Lion in the Sun works, step by step video demonstration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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About Shelly...


Shelly Leversage

Born in the "Summer of '69"
Grew up in Richmond, B.C.
Married in '94
Two children: Katrina (7) and Tyler (5)
Height: 5' 4.5"
Weight: 118lbs off season and 110 lbs on season
Occupations: Business owner/inventor, Ty-Kat Designs (Lion-In-the-Sun Lotion
Applicators) www.lioninthesun.ca, and Dental Hygienist

Proudest moment: Hearing my kids say that they "love me so much, and are lucky to have me as their mommy", they are the reason I am striving to meet my goals! (they deserve the most that life has to offer).

I have lifted weights (I asked for 10lb dumbbells for my 8th birthday, thanks to Charles Atlas on T.V.), and played numerous sports most of my childhood years. I became more involved in weight training in my late teens. However, it wasn't until 2002 that I started training to compete.

I competed in WNSO 2003 (Vancouver, World Natural Sports Organization) placing 2nd in the women's Light Weight Class. My Second competition was the FVF Femsport 2003 competition in Vancouver (I trained so differently for this and I loved it!). I will be competing next year, once I get my Lion-In-the-Sun product soaring.

I love competing, there is nothing that I have every done in my life that can compare to the exhilaration that I feel up on stage.

I was amazed by the incredible changes to my body that I saw every morning I woke up. What a great motivator. My body was transforming right before my own eyes. I owe so much to my trainers and nutrition counselors: Dawn Allison, Martin Crowder and Brent Axman. For without their professional care I could never have achieved 6% body fat while maintaining my Lean Mass.

I invented a product called Lion-In-the-Sun while preparing for my 1st competition. . . My life's path has changed as a result! I am now actively pursuing my dream of making my creation become a success. If you read my article you will certainly understand what motivates me. I have never worked harder in my life then I have these last 3 years (training and building a business). But I can honestly say that I have enjoyed and grown in so many ways as a result of my dedication and determination. I look forward to what the future will hold for me and for my family.

 
 
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