During all my years of travelling, one continent I managed to evade was North America. Why?
1. I just never felt the need to to include the U.S. as I felt it would never change like a storybook locked in history, that whether I went there , now or later, it would never change.
2. Out of the 50 states, it would be too hard to choose where to go first. Choices stress me out.
Things changed this year though and Livefitter.com sponsored me a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada for the biggest Fitness Expo and of course Joe Weider’s 49th Olympia, where I got to watch and interview some of the industry giants such as athletes from Optimum Nutrition. This was by far the best reason for me to start the epic journey across the world.
The founder Joe Weider who passed this year, changed the way generations looked at fitness, health and nutrition. Born in 1919, he was a pioneer that dreamt big and transformed the modern day man and woman. To read more about him, go to his official webpage > Joe Weider .
Unfortunately after 4 planes, a delay , and 30 hours, I made it to The Caesar’s Palace , but fell terrible sick for the next 4 days only recovering as I left!
What really got me through the sickness was the excitement of seeing the epic proportions of the Las Vegas Convention Center and every single athlete and company involved .
Meeting the athletes from the City Athletic Club and Optimum Nutrition was humbling, learning about their thoughts, where they came from and their individual beliefs. they were so down-to-earth and most times, people forget these were just everyday people, with exceptional dedication and commitment that had other jobs a the end of the day to go back to.
For two days, fans and fitness buff crowds, thronged the entrance to the expo to see the different booths of supplements, types of fitness (i.e. cross-fit, lifting) , apparel, fitness applicators and the stars of the Olympia themselves. I even got the opportunity to meet and greet personalities from the U.S who I had previously interviewed.
On Saturday night, with the founder of The Absolute Group in singapore and LiveFitter.com, we made our way down to the New Orleans Hotel and Arena,which showcased the Olympia, of which the crowd favourite and under dog Kai Greene once again conceded to all american bodybuilder Phil Heath. Industry veterans like Jay Cutler, took part one last time and though placing in the top 10, it was more like a farewell party, this year being the toughest and highly decorated competition so far.
Other events running through out the full 3 day event was the Men’s 212 category, Women’s IFFB Bikini and the new in-betweener, Mens and Women’s Physique competition, where the highlight was Dana Lynn Bailey one of the founder’s of Flag nor Fail, was the females very first winner!
If there was no bigger inspiration from the dedication and commitment that each and every person who participated , than this, then I don’t know what would be the push-start for all those in the search for the motivation.
Though the Men’s and Women’s Body building and Physique , may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I was won over by what I saw, and heard.
This was art and the body was a canvas.
Thank you to LiveFitter.com , Jon and all those I had interviewed and guys and girls from Optimum Nutrition, who also took home the awards for Brand of the Year and Supplement of the Year.
Till next year!
Checkout www.LiveFitter.com , AMAZING. FITNESS. CONTENT.
For more photos check out www.facebook.com/clairejedrek
Mr.Olympia at the New Orleans Arena
What is True Strength to you ?
Brand & Supplement of the Year – Optimum Nutrition
With former contender Hidetaka Yamagishi at City Athletic club
The ON athletes
Branch Warren
Shawn Flexatron Rhoden
With Founder of La Bella Mafia and Livefitter.com, Jon chew
Women’s IFFB
Jose Raymond
Women’s Body building
Power lifting competition
ON guys
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