A few years ago, Billy O’Connor would have laughed in your face if you told him he would be spending his Saturday nights sober and in the gym instead of getting completely fucked up in a bar somewhere. The Brooklynite enjoyed the nightlife and took it to the extreme, as many a young man does. But he was smart enough to get off that train before it reached its last stop.

“For many years, I had a major drug and alcohol problem and was unable to control it,” a somber O’Connor, 32, admitted to us. Starting from when he was 21, he went on a tear by getting high and drunk and slowly left behind the subtle semblances of normalcy. Part of that was walking away from an early introduction to weight training, albeit the simplest form.

“It was your typical chest and biceps routine in my parent’s basement,” said O’Connor. He did this for approximately seven years but then, “fell off the map completely.”

Although he was able to perform his job as a wedding photographer during this dark period of his life, O’Connor knew that he needed to get clean if he was going to excel at not just work, but life in general.

Three years ago, a decision was made that classified as a life changer is not strong enough. A life saver is more appropriate. And O’Connor turned again to a familiar place as part of his recovery and sobriety.

“I’m not sure my life would be what it is today if I didn’t train like an animal,” admitted a smiling O’Connor. “I love every aspect of my new lifestyle and I’m looking forward to making more progress.”

Having someone by your side makes it a lot easier and O’Connor’s girlfriend Melissa Mason is also his workout partner and they are currently taking classes together to become certified personal trainers.

“In the future, I hope to start a business that allows me to utilize my passion for bodybuilding and fitness every day,” O’Connor said. ” I have a few ideas in the works right now and am excited to see them through.”

After beating the demons he did, no on is betting against O’Connor.

Billy O’Connor works for Photo Elite in Brooklyn, New York (www.photoelteinc.com) and also lies his trade on a freelance basis. Check out some of his work on his Facebook page.

‘This is Your Magazine’ is merely one of the reasons why MuscleSport Mag is far and wide better than any other publication out there. What other media outlet features the up and coming athlete, the same as if he or she was a professional in their industry? This is the place to get your face and story out there, and who knows what opportunities may arise from that type of exposure?

“Basically, I love your message.”

That one line could have been enough for us to welcome fitness model Heather Leff into the MuscleSport Mag family, but we were sold the minute our eyes fell on the pictures she included in her initial e-mail to us.

That message was just the beginning of what has now become a working relationship, with the addition of Leff as one of our staff writers. Starting with the Summer 2011 edition of our online magazine, the 34-year-old Malvern, Pennsylvania native will be the head writer covering women’s bodybuilding, fitness, figure and bikini. But first things first.

Upon discovering our website and the “This Is Your Magazine” section, Leff knew that she was a good fit. “Why not reach out to the ones that truly represent what I’m about?” she asked no one in particular. “And once I saw your site, I knew that you were one of those companies.”

Although she began working out at the age of 16, Leff considers her ‘training’ to have commenced in her mid-20s. But she was far from your average young lady in the gym. “At first I bought into the light weight/high rep philosophy,” she recalled. “Then it clicked that the only way I’d see my muscles grow was to switch up my game and move heavier weight.”

Waking up at 5:00 AM six days a week to train is hardly an inconvenience for Leff. As a matter of fact, she treats it as if it were a second job. “Just saying I’ve made the gym a lifestyle isn’t an option,” she says rather convincingly. “I walk the walk.” She treats her diet the same way and quipped, “That’s all part of the deal. Can’t walk that walk without both feet in.”

Personal tragedy plays a part in Leff’s commitment to being healthy and fit. In 2008, she sadly lost an older brother to addiction and confided, “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him and the choices he made. That’s my motivation for only turning to positive things that make me feel good and are good for me.”

Asked when she knew that she had something special going, Leff told us, “I knew when I was voted into second place in this year’s Bodybuilding.com BodySpace spokesmodel semifinals. The response was overwhelming and it gave me the drive to make an impact.”

Leff has made such drastic gains that many people just assumed that she was a competitor, which she finds hard to believe. “Coming from the mindset where you never think you’re ‘enough’ is a difficult self-perception to shatter,” she said regarding her decision to wait until the time is right to enter her first show. “When I really think about it, I know I could do it. Part of my charm is being an overachieving perfectionist. So we’ll see what the future has in store.”

The one thing that we do know about the future is that MuscleSport Mag is a better product with Leff now on board.

Be sure to check out Heather Leff’s interview with Fit Over Fat.com:

http://www.fitoverfat.com/heather-leff-interview/

http://www.fitoverfat.com/wp-content/uploads/heatherworkout.pdf

Her Bodybuilding.com BodySpace page:

http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/zephyr893/

Her interview on Cut and Jacked.com:

http://www.cutandjacked.com/interview-with-HeatherLeff

And follow her on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/#!/hleffer

‘This is Your Magazine’ is merely one of the reasons why MuscleSport Mag is far and wide better than any other publication out there. What other media outlet features the up and coming athlete, the same as if he or she was a professional in their industry? This is the place to get your face and story out there, and who knows what opportunities may arise from that type of exposure?

Last March, Kyle somehow was able to prevail in the Ms. International (Arnold Classic), even though Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia came into Ohio looking absolutely stunning. Judging is not an exact science, but it did appear that Oriquen-Garcia was more defined than Kyle. By winning five of the last six Ms. I shows, Kyle has been a tough competitor to say the least. In 2008, she came in off due to suffering an injury and fell all the way to seventh. Oriquen-Garcia won her fourth Ms. I that year.

Heading into the Ms. Olympia, it appeared that it would be a two-woman race once again. “I’m coming in in really good condition,” Oriquen-Garcia said the day before the contest. “I did my best and I’m ready to win.” As far as peaking in March or now, she commented, “I think now is my time. Iris is a great athlete, but we have totally different lines. Let’s see what the judges are looking for this year.”

Kyle and Oriquen-Garcia stood should-to-shoulder holding hands on the stage awaiting the announcement of the winner. Kyle’s reaction seemed to be one of relief and exuberance when she heard her name called and Oriquen-Garcia appeared disappointed but showed good sportsmanship. She knows how it feels to be champion, as she did in 2005 when she won the O, and will have to wait another year for the opportunity. But at 44, the window of opportunity may be starting to close for her.

Oriquen-Garcia has already stated that she will be competing at the Ms. International in 2011 and Kyle surely will be defending her title, so both women will have a chance to do it all over again.

“The passion I have about fitness is causing my dreams to line up…and one day VERY SOON, I will be a top competitor.”

Burlington, North Carolina resident Andrea White does not mince words. She has her sights set and her mind made up, so who are we to doubt her? Since her younger days, perfection has been something she has demanded from herself. “Whether it be track and field or cross country, finishing on top of my event was the only way I felt like a winner, so that was the ranking place that I strived for.”

Utilizing many different activities to get her body in the condition she wanted, White even studied dance in order to tone her overall figure. But nothing gave her more of a thrill than being able to squeeze out extra reps in the gym. “I’ve often found myself the only woman at the pull-up bar or jumping in on a set to squat with the ‘big boys,’” she said proudly.

It was at a community recreation center where White reached out to the weight room coach and asked him about fitness competitions. “I was so pumped up with the information that he was giving me that I worked extra hard in the gym to further push myself.” White did not personally know anyone who entered these type of competitions so she did her own research by reading magazines and going online.

While she was doing the background work, White – who now trains at The Rush – was asked to assist at the rec center’s boot camp, which led her to start her own outdoor fitness program entitled “Just Do It for Christ Athletics.” She was able to feel the satisfaction when she and her athletes entered a 10K Road Race and were able to bring home trophies.

This is something that she hopes becomes common in her life as she prepares for her first competition. White does not have a trainer and is self-taught, and that will make the success even sweeter tasting. “I’ve learned through dedication and consistency that you can get started and make it through just about any journey,” she commented, “but to go that extra mile, it has to be in your heart.”

From the humble beginnings with the idea of just staying fit morphed into inspiring others to get in shape and now the possibilities are endless. “My dreams of reaching the stage in the best shape of my life are moments away,” said White.

And we’ll all be there to watch when she does.

‘This is Your Magazine’ is merely one of the reasons why MuscleSport Mag is far and wide better than any other publication out there. What other media outlet features the up and coming athlete, the same as if he or she was a professional in their industry? This is the place to get your face and story out there, and who knows what opportunities may arise from that type of exposure?

The Drug Free Sports Association (DFSA) is thrilled to offer YOU

FREE PASSES – THIS WEEKEND

for the inspirational and electrifying

BODY PROUD SHOWCASE

&

FAME INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEKEND!!

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Nov 6 & 7, 2009

EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT!

Our FAME stage features Individuals from around the world including:

* Amy Barnes – featured on The Today Show, Amy used to weigh 490 lbs., is a survivor of domestic violence, and is now a Fitness Model!  She represents true motivation for anyone to sculpt the body of their desire despite any circumstance!

* Honnor Moore – once wheelchair-ridden due to illness (Rheumatoid Arthritis), Honnor chose to live Body Proud.  Now she’s ready to WALK on stage to victory!

* Richard Sequin – 70 year old grandfather – and natural bodybuilding competitor – Richard credits healthy eating and activity to keeping him young so he can compete in the SuperMasters category.

* Julie Perez – paralyzed after being hit by a drunk driver, Julie chose to believe in herself and the power of the mind and now she feels better than ever! She’s ready to strut across the FAME.

Be Part of this Celebration of Triumphs and Transformations!!

Thanks to the Drug Free Sports Association (DFSA), its Body Proud Athlete Fund, Muscles Making a Difference Everywhere Campaign and the Amy Barnes Peaceful Homes Everywhere Fund for making this happen.

Details (Venue, Times):  www.BodyProud.org or http://tiny.cc/FAME_09_INTL

VIP Passes Available: http://tiny.cc/FAMEtix, $25 – $45

Get Your Free Tickets: http://tiny.cc/FAMEtix or at door  *** Mention DFSA
All that is required is a $2 donation to the DFSA.

SOURCE: http://www.bodyproud.org/forum/topics/free-passes-to-watch-the-fame

Even with the plethora of competitors, there are always the ones that stand out in the crowd. Erin Paige fits that description. The stunning blonde residing from Alexandria, Virginia qualified for the Nationals at the 2008 NPC Maryland and then had a top-six finish at the 2009 NPC Julie Palmer Invitational.

At a contest weight of 130 pounds, Paige works her way down on a diet consisting mostly of grilled chicken and talapia. One of her favorite ‘cheat meals’ are California rolls.

Being an athlete is nothing new to Paige, 28,who was named an All-American in lacrosse at both the high school and collegiate levels.

All work and no play is not a good remedy for anyone and Paige enjoys traveling to such locations as Las Vegas,  Amsterdam and Dubai. When asked what she enjoys to eat during the offseason, Paige didn’t hesitate when saying, “Anything Thai and California Pizza Kitchen.”

Getting herself in the winner’s circle should not be too long of a wait for Paige. One of her keys to success is “Go hard or don’t go at all.” Even one look at her photos will prove that Paige puts her money where her mouth is.

To see more of Erin Paige, please visit www.babesnballers.com. She is also available for appearances. For more information, contact Sol Tucker, CEO/President of Babes ‘n’ Ballers and Push Media Group, at sol.tucker@babesnballers.com.

By Leigh Penman - Top NPC figure competitor and fitness model Alli Moyer has been an athlete all of her life. A competitive athlete in track, field and cross country throughout her high school and college years she decided to turn to weightlifting when she was 18 in order to add some shape to her 5’ 6 ½” , 110-115 lb frame. However, what really turned her into the fierce figure competitor she is today was a life event that may have destroyed a less resilient person. Here, in her own words, is her story…..

“The desire to add some shape to my body was what brought me into the gym, but what kept me in the gym was probably one of the worst moments of my life. At the age of 19 I was raped, by someone I knew and trusted. I still struggle to really explain with clarity where my mind went after that rape. I became very withdrawn, I became very secluded, and I began to drink – A LOT. I had a lot of anger and hostility inside me – just a lot of negative energy rolling around beneath the surface, and nowhere to go with it. So I drank. I used to take rum in diet coke bottles into class (if I went to class). I drank every day and every night. I was slowly becoming the worst version of myself that I had ever seen.

“Finally, at the request of my friends I went to see a counselor. Slowly, I began refocusing on myself and trying to get back on track with school. But my self esteem was still shot. I walked with my head down. I cried continually, and I remember feeling like a very weak person. At the time, I had kind of lapsed in the gym. I was still going but I was inconsistent and I was barely working out while I was there.”

It was at this point in time that one of those ‘life changing events’ happened…in a grocery store….

“While I was in a grocery store, I saw a copy of ‘Oxygen’ magazine. Inside was a feature on abs, and the featured ab model was Tara Scotti. I remember staring at those photos for what seemed like an eternity. It wasn’t even her physique; it was the dominance in her stance and the look of pure confidence in her eyes. Something inside me moved, and I decided I wanted what she had.”

And, that was the moment that changed Alli’s life…it was the moment when the gym literally became her savior…

“I can honestly say that the gym really did save me. All the negativity I was feeling about myself, my life and what had happened to me was just fuel for the fire. Lifting allowed me to harness that anger and use it. Although I was thicker and bigger than I had ever been, I was feeling more confident. I felt secure in my body. I felt strong, powerful, and safe. My self esteem slowly began to return. I started to walk with my head up again.

“By the age of 20 I did my first NABBA show and was hooked. I set my sights on competing in the NPC and at the age of 23 I did my first NPC show and won the overall and qualified for the nationals. I have never looked back. With 7 years of solid lifting under my belt I just now feel I am beginning to mould the physique I have wanted for so long.”

The reason for this article is to provide a source of inspiration to all those who may be going through a challenging time in their life. It also serves as a powerful reminder that, despite what some media circles would have you believe, bodybuilding is a positive sport. It does not just change your physical body, it can be truly life transforming. Alli is just one example of this; there are many others whose lives have benefited from adopting a bodybuilding lifestyle. However, this is Alli’s story, so I will leave the final words to her…

“What I love about lifting, about bodybuilding, is that the sport never ends. I love that your greatest competition can be yourself – that each and every day you set foot in the gym you are challenging yourself to be better than the day before. I truly love to lift and I am sure, without a doubt, I will lift long after I cease to compete. Any love I have of the stage, stems from my genuine love and respect for the gym and the sport of bodybuilding. For me, the sport of bodybuilding is what happens day to day in the gym, in the kitchen, in the mental struggle we go through as athletes.

“The sport of bodybuilding changed my life. In a sense it saved me, and I am eternally grateful!”

Leigh Penman began her writing career in 1980 when she started her own weekly music column in a Scottish newspaper. From there she went on to writing for all the major music publications in the UK at that time, including ‘Record Mirror’, ‘Sounds’, ‘New Musical Express’ and ‘Number One’. Her work included interview such celebrities as Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner and David Bowie.

The late 80’s saw her moving into writing for nutrition companies and eventually bodybuilding magazines. She rapidly gained a reputation as being one of the top female writers on the bodybuilding scene and was a contributing editor on ‘Muscle & Co’, ‘Bodybuilding Monthly’, ‘Strength Athlete’, ‘Health & Fitness’ and ‘Fit Body’. She was also a major contributor to the Arnold endorsed magazine ‘Bodypower’ –where she went on to establish the position of ‘Show business Editor’. In addition to this she held the position of Ladies Editor for ‘Physiques International’

In between all this she has written for Personal Development magazines and organizations –including Tony Robbins UK division. Has collaborated on book projects with Leslie Kenton –the original Raw Food and female empowerment guru – and written for computer magazines…..and now she is with Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness magazine, Bodybuilding.com, RX muscle.com, Species Nutrition and of course musclesportmag.com!

She is a certified personal trainer, hypnotherapist and has been working out since the age of 15.

On Saturday at the 2009 Arnold Classic, the top three in the men’s bodybuilding all have had to sit on the sideline for various reasons. The eventual winner, Kai Greene, had a groin injury. His runner-up, Victor Martinez, suffered a leg injury and Branch Warren – who took home the Most Muscular trophy – had to wait while his triceps healed. 

All three showed what they are really made of by not only coming back in such excellent condition, but to leave the rest of the pack in the dust. 10 points separated the top three and Toney Freeman, who finished in fourth place, was 31 points behind Warren. 

This was a three-horse race and the predictions proved to be accurate that in fact Greene, Martinez and Warren would battle it out amongst one another while the rest of the field of 13 worried about finishing in the top six or ten. 

All three of these men had to miss the 2008 Mr. Olympia but are all expected to be in Las Vegas this September in search for the Sandow.

Let me clarify something first. There is no ‘right’ time to use marihuana. Adults can do what they please and all, but illegal drugs (especially ones that do not enhance your performance) such as that have no place in an athlete’s life. Certainly not one of the captains on a team that is fighting for a playoff spot, one that is having himself a creer year, no less.

Shaun Ellis is far from some teenager looking for a buzz on a Friday night. This is an NFL veteran who has been an integral part of the team and is needed at 100 percent. Getting pulled over at 8:30 in the morning with a stash of weed in your car is not what Jets head coach Eric Mangini expects from one of his leaders, but even he – one who runs a tight ship – decided to let this go without throwing down the hammer.

On the heels of the Plaxico Burress nonsense, could Mangini have felt that keeping this under the radar was the best alternative? The third-year coach admitted that he found out through a “third party” (something else that everyone should have a problem with) the night before the loss to Denver last Sunday, but decided to let Ellis play, which he will also do until further notice. He can still receive a suspension from the NFL for violating the substance policy, which he definitely should in this case.

Buy Steroids Online – http://www.steroid-club.com/Index.asp?RefId=39

From what Mangini has stated, the team has taken “internal disciplinary action” against Ellis, which one could surmise would be a fine. On how a potential suspension from the league may impact the team’s goals, Mangini was non-commital. “It’s not a function that’s anything under our control,” he said. “I respect the league and their stance on these issues.”

Losing Ellis for four games while the Jets make a run at the AFC East divisional title is going to have an impact. There is no way around that. He leads the team with 7 sacks through their first 11 games and has been such an important piece in the 3-4 defense that the team employs.

What he did and apparantly has been doing exposes him for the irresponsible person that he is. All the apologies and speeches to the coaching staff and team cannot take that away. Ellis is being counted on to come through every Sunday in a big way. Puffing on a joint or a bowl is not going to make that any easier.

And so it came to pass last week that Marion Jones decided to place herself in front of the talk show high priestess, Oprah Winfrey, and tell “all” about her brush with the law and imprisonment for anabolic steroid use during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

But did she really tell the truth this time around or was it simply a case of trying to crawl her way back into the publics’ hearts?

Well, during the interview Marion looked down a lot when formulating her answers to Oprah’s questions. Now, any student of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) would tell you that this was a sign of searching her feelings and emotions for the appropriate response. However, it could also just be a sign that she was avoiding too much eye contact with Winfrey as she considered her answers (and we don’t need to be students of body science to figure out why).

Fair enough she does admit to lying during the BALCO steroid investigation (but we already know that!) commenting that when faced with a vial of the substance known as ‘the clear’ and asked whether she had indeed taken it she, “made the decision that I was going to lie and I was going to, you know, try and cover it up.”

However, the fact that a seasoned athlete like herself claims to have thought that the substance she was talking was “flaxseed oil” is a little hard to believe. I mean, you can just see her now, “Wow guys, this flaxseed oil is amazing! Have you noticed the way my muscles are growing and my recovery rate has improved since I started taking it? Not to mention the fact that my track performances have spiked beyond belief!”

If that were the case you would have to camp outside GNC the night before they received a shipment in order to secure a bottle of this miracle oil!

She also claimed that BALCO mastermind Victor Conte was lying when he said he taught her how to use performance enhancing drugs telling Oprah, “There are lots of reasons why people lie…I don’t know specifically why he would lie.”

No kidding Marion and, to put it even better, why he would lie so ‘specifically’. I mean in an earlier statement Conte detailed his ‘coaching’ of Jones in the use of human growth hormone by saying the following:

“I sat down with Marion Jones in my hotel room at the Embassy Suites in West Covina. I showed her something I had brought with me called a Novapen. It was a cartridge injection pen that contained 45 units of Norditropin growth hormone. The injector contained enough liquid for 10 injections. I instructed her how to inject herself with 4.5 units of growth hormone and told her to follow the same protocol three times per week. I taught her to change the needle, dial up the dosage, disperse any air in the chamber, and inject the drug.”

Now I don’t know about you, but I think this is a pretty complex procedure for the consumption of flax seed oil (or creatine and vitamins which she also ‘admits’ taking). I thought you just unscrewed the lid, pulled out a capsule, put it in your mouth and swallowed it. Who knew it could be such a complicated process?!

The whole point of the Oprah show seemed to be to provide a platform for Jones to portray herself as a victim, a poor naive, impressionable athlete who should have been more careful in choosing friends and advisors.

Well, you can believe what you will. Did Oprah buy Marion’s story? Well, lets just say she must have had to put in some serious eyeball training to stop them from rolling throughout the hour-long interview!

N.B. Jones is on probation and had to get special permission to appear on the Oprah Show.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.