Pat & Betty Cunneen

Art Gearing, 67.

I'm happily married to my beautiful wife Gerry for 48 years. She deserves the Purple Heart. After some problems, Gerry bore two fantastic sons,Vince & Dan, my two best friends! Vince has 4 year old twins, Sam & Olivia. DYNAMITE !! Dan has three beautiful girls, Melissa 12, Meagan 11, and Shannon 7.

I`ve been a high voltage lineman for 45 years in various parts of Canada and the U.S. I was born in Englehart, Ontario, Canada, in 1934. We are now naturalized U.S citizens. I`ve enjoyed playing hockey, baseball, golf, water sports and working out with weights all of my life. I also do cardio kickboxing.

Art Gearing

Melanie Granada
Before and after weight training.

I'm Melanie Granada, age 51. I'm 5'4" and weight 143, off season (I'm a competitive bodybuilder), and 125 for contests. I live in Buffalo, New York, and have been bodybuilding for 6 years. I supplement my diet with with multi-vitamins and glutamine.

I work as a street light mechanic, NiMo (I install new lights, or change the lights around the city in a bucket). A major accomplishement was losing 100 lbs and going into bodybuilding and winning my first show at the age of 50. I got started working out after I almost died from a bleeding ulcer in 1996. I had a reality check and decided to turn my life around.

In 1997, I found a couple trainers at Gold's Gym. One was into fitness, the other bodybuilding. I had always wanted to get into bodybuilding, even when I was in high school, but it never happened. Once I started training, I was inspired by my trainer, Julie, who got me on the road to bodybuilding. She's been training me for 6 years now. I work out 6 days a week, 3 days with weights and cardio and 3 days either just cardio or both weights and cardio.

I regularly take a multi-vitamin and I like glutamine after my workouts. I also take dandelion and milk thistle for my liver. I eat properly and have the right combination of carbs, protein and fat in my diet, but I do have one day a week when I eat whatever I want. My favorite breakfast is egg whites, oats and cinnamon mixed together to make pancakes.

I love bodybuilding because it helps me stay healthy, and I like to look good. It is also important in my job; I'm the only woman in the department and I like to be able to pull my own weight. Weight training has given me self-confidence and like seeing the changes in my body.

My trainer has taught me that it's never to late to get better, that you have to give it your all and keep working. Never give up. Stay focused and always try to be the best you can be. That is all that counts.

In 1999, in the Mr./Ms. Buffalo, I was third in masters, 2nd in the open heavy. In the 2000 Mr./Ms. Buffalo, I was 2nd in both masters and open, Can-am 3rd open and masters Olympus (buffalo) 3rd open, 5th masters, 2002 can-am 3rd, northern states super natural 1st, both masters and heavy weight. Before all shows we are polygraph tested to make sure we are natural.

My training never stops. I have had liver problems and thyroid problems, but it doesn't stop me. The hardest body part to grow is my legs, so I continue to work on them. With the extreme weight loss, my legs need to grow into the loose skin. But they will come along; my trainer said it takes at least 3 years for them to start showing.

It's very rewarding having people tell me that they are inspired by me. It proves that you can achieve your dreams at any age. I plan on training and doing shows for as long as possible. Heck, I am still young at 51!

Health problems have slowed me down, but I don't stop for long, all you can do is keep trying and not to let anything keep you from your dreams. --Melanie Granada, 8/03

Deborah Jackson with Ian Mercer, Master Personal Fitness Trainer.
Deborah is a competitive natural bodybuilder and
INBF Promoter of the All Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness Explosion.

I started training for competition in January 2001. During the 2001 season, I competed in five shows, placing in the top 5 in both categories except one. I compete as a Novice (someone who has never won an open competition) and Master (over 40). Frankly, my placements have been fair (second, fourth and fifth) due to the fact that I need to shed some excess bodyfat and develop mature muscle.

If I had to say what keeps me motivated to be a competitive bodybuilder, I would have to say because it's a win/win. By that I mean, you stay in good shape, therefore you look good on and off the stage. In addition, the health benefits go without saying. Some people might think it is an unhealthy lifestyle in that many bodybuilders balloon up after a show and then have to diet down drastically for the next event. This is why the trend now is not to go more than 15-20 pounds above your competition weight off season - - difficult but doable.

At the moment, I train five days a week with the most intense training days being Monday, Wednesday and Friday, reserving Saturday and Sunday for heavy cardio, abdominal and touchup work. Monday (chest and triceps); Wednesday (legs and shoulders); Friday (back and biceps). I also do cardio on the days I don't work my legs. In addition, I split my leg workout -- quads one day and then hamstrings. I am getting wonderful results with the hanging leg raises for the lower abdominal area. Sadly, still the only way to get that enviable six pack ab is to have a good lowfat diet.

I am also doing another aspect of competition for the 2003 season. I will be competing in the Figure portion of the Northeast Classic to be held on May 10th in Worcester, MA. This calls for the two piece posing suit and high heels. The judges will be looking for symmetry, poise and a bit less muscle, which is wonderful for me as I attempt to grow.

Bodybuilding is a wonderful confidence builder for anyone but I think even more so for women. As challenging as it may be, if you have the discipline to do this, you can probably do almost anything. I promoted my very own bodybuilding show last August under the auspices of the INBF. If anyone told me I would be doing this one day, I would have thought they were crazy. The show is scheduled for August 9, 2003 in Brooklyn, New York.

What advice would I offer anyone interested in competitive bodybuilding? Find a good gym with free weights, machines and good cardio equipment. Seek the advice of a reputable personal trainer if you can afford it, train hard, eat well, rest and have some patience. You're going to need it.

Professor Navarro, 67, is married, the father of 2 sons and 2 daughters, and the grandfather of 4. He teaches a Muay Thai and kickboxing group class 2 hrs. twice a week; private Muay Thai and kickboxing classes 1.5 hrs. 3 times per week; Kenpo karate group classes 1 hr. 3 times per week; Kenpo karate private classes twice a week; Crush Kick cardio kickboxing group classes 3 times per week; and private Crush Kick cardio kickboxing classes twice a week

His own personal cardiovascular workout follows:
Kenpo Karate 2 hrs. twice a week.
Muay Thai kickboxing 1 hr. twice a month.
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu 1.5 hr. once every 2 mo.
Jogging 5 miles up and downhill once a week
Competing in "forms" in a karate tournament twice a month.

He also serves every weekend as a judge in martial arts tournaments of different styles and systems, e.g. Muay Thai, kickboxing, sport Jiu-jitsu and boxing.

Here is the "One Hour Carlos Cardio Workout":
a) Jump Rope 3 min./Rest 30 sec.
b) Push Ups 50 reps/Rest 30 sec.
c) Heavy Bag 3 min./Rest 1 min. (Execute kicks, punches, knees, and elbows w/speed & power.)
d) Speed Bag 3 min.
Repeat a) to c) until one hour is up!

He trains with weights every other day.

Personal Recommendations: Make sure you play safe and consume no alcohol and do not smoke cigarettes but drink plenty of water, breathe fresh air, and eat good food. Maintain the desire of feeling young and staying young!
Workout Motto: Improve technique, speed, power, and foundation. Always look for perfection!