The television set in the Brooklyn home housing the Vale family was similar to many others with adolescent boys growing up in them. Each Saturday morning, the then-World Wrestling Federation broadcasts exploded with cartoon character-like heroes such as The Ultimate Warrior and Lex Luger. As a young child, David Vale took notice to the huge biceps being shown during the battles in the squared circle and wondered to himself, “Wow. I want to be just like them.”

With the guidance of his older brother, Vale later began working out in a gym and had formed himself quite a physique by the age of 19. Needing a push to take the next step, Vale’s brother once again came to his aid. “He made me do that first show,” recalled Vale, 35. “With me being real shy and never doing anything in front of an audience, it was a huge step for me.”

Taking a break during a training session at Richie’s Gym in his hometown of Brooklyn, Vale thought back on the other inspirations that brought bodybuilding into his life. “At first, it was Arnold Schwarzenegger,” he said. “But as I got more into bodybuilding, I started watching guys like Rich Gaspari and Kevin Levrone. They were the ones who really made me want to compete more.”

In his latest show, Vale felt the taste of the winner’s circle for the first time by taking the top spot in the 2010 NPC Atlantic States novice lightweight category. As he basked in the light of victory, he couldn’t help but think back on the six separate occasions when he finished as a runner-up.

But the humble Vale wouldn’t let on. Just another special trait that he possesses.

‘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?

“A co-worker at Bally’s Total Fitness, Jimmy Amalino, encouraged me to enter my first contest when I was just 17,” Jean recalled from that day when he stood in the winner’s circle at the Bally’s “Best of the Best” competition. After tasting victory, Jean was inspired to forge ahead with this new endeavor.

“I next competed in a show run by the All Natural Physique and Power Conference (ANPPC) and won,” said Jean, 38. “Then I joined the NPC in order to test myself against some of the best competitors in the nation.”

Jean had a homecoming of sorts when he competed at the 1991 Bev Francis Atlantic States, which was held at his alma mater, Hofstra University on Long Island, a place he resided in for the majority of his young life. “I took second place in the teenage category, which qualified me for the Nationals that year.”

A series of personal issues, including the death of his mother and father’s wife, sidetracked Jean’s bodybuilding career. Over the next 14 years, he continued to maintain his physique with a personal training business and as a member of the United States Army, which he joined after working as a corrections officer for three years in Nassau County.

Then in 2005, Jean got the itch to don the posing trunks again after meeting IFBB pro bodybuilder Darrem Charles at the gym. “With his support and guidance, I turned my focus to bodybuilding with full determination to become an IFBB professional,” Jean said.

After preparing with Charles, Jean entered the NPC Southern USA in Panama City, Florida and won the lightweight class. He then took a full year to add some mass and move up a class to the middleweight division. Another victory awaited Jean at the 2007 NPC Shawn Ray Pro/Am Classic and he then set his sights on the newly-formed welterweight division.

“I then consulted some friends, including Charles, WWE wrestler Kenny Theissen, IFBB pro Petra Mertl and former NPC competitors Brian Lederman and Adam Honowitz,” said Jean. He went for his pro card at the 2007 NPC Nationals in Dallas, Texas and finished fourth. “Shawn Ray offered me some comforting words, ‘you did the best that you could; the rest was up to the judges.’ “

Jean was in full preparation mode for the 2008 North Americans when he learned that one of his uncles was tragically killed in New York. “He was like a father figure to me,” Jean admitted. Even with the tragedy, Jean placed third but was still on the outside looking in.

A few months later, Jean’s hard work would finally pay off. “With the help of my very close friends, I was able to refocus and prepare myself for this show, which I won,” he said. “Kristen Cabibi became my training partner and best friend I needed at the time. She became my right hand and kept me focusing during such a difficult period of my life.” After turning professional, Jean was signed by MuscleTech, which afforded him the opportunity to advance his career.

In 2009, Jean competed in his first two shows as a professional and finished ninth at both the Jacksonville and Tampa Pro shows. After getting his feet wet, he has a goal for the new calendar year coming up. “My plan for the 2010 season is to qualify for the 202 Olympia,” Jean said. “The route to this goal starts in my home state of Florida in Jacksonville at the Dexter Jackson 202 on August 7. The following week, I’m off to Dallas to compete in the Europa Super Show 202.”

Hoping to qualify for the Olympia at one of these two shows, Jean has a back-up plan in the event that things do not go well for him. “I can always depend on the John Simmons 202 premiere show a week before the Olympia as a birthday gift on September 16,” Jean said with a laugh.

Photo by Dan Ray

English followed up on his victory at the New York Pro 202 by defeating a deeper line-up in Las Vegas. Henry – who finished in third place in New York – was the runner-up while Eduardo Correia took third in only his second pro show. Mark Dugdale and Flex Lewis rounded out the rest of the top five.

Since the 202 began at last year’s Olympia, English and Henry have been the top dogs. That has intensified in the year since then and the Long Islander views that as a positive. “For me, David motivates me to be a better bodybuilder,” said English.

Heading into the O, the confidence level that English showed was apparent. He did so with good reason and looked tremendous at a guest posing appearance two months before the show. Although he knew that the competition would be difficult, nothing would stop him.  “At this point it doesn’t matter,” he quickly quipped. “I’m so immensely focused and pumped up for the show…anybody can go in. It’s my show.”

Now that he has beaten his rival in consecutive competitions, English will have more people gunning for him the next time out. He surely will not overlook Henry, either. Both have found a home in the 202s and should continue to go at it for a long time to come.

KEVIN ENGLISH CONTEST HISTORY

*1996 Atlantic States Championships – 2nd Place

*1998 NPC Nationals – 1st Place

*2000 IFBB Night of the Champions – 14th Place

*2006 IFBB New York Pro – 17th Place

*2008 IFBB New York Pro – 2nd Place

*2008 New York Pro 202 – 1st Place

*2008 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 16th Place

*2008 Olympia Showdown 202 – 2nd Place

*2009 New York Pro 202 – 1st Place

*2009 Olympia Showdown 202 – 1st Place

The 6’4″, nearly 300-pound giant finished in the winner’s circle at two shows last year, the NPC Atlantic States and Junior Nationals. In his first shot at a pro card, Allen finished ninth at the ’08 USAs and the ’09 Nationals. He did bounce back by taking the overall at the PDI Night of the Champions but could not follow that up in Vegas just four short weeks ago.

Now Allen faces a panel of judges that can make or break his career. How many more chances will he get? He has been competing for over 10 years and the pressure may start to take its toll on Allen, if it hasn’t already. He has the size to make it happen. His conditioning and symmetry will have to be on for him to be named overall champion and turn professional.

On May 30, Allen weighed 295 pounds and was looking huge without that puffiness that some bodybuilders are still sporting eight weeks out from a show. The Garden State native felt that he was giving back at the event. “I just wanted to come out here and show that I’m one of New Jersey’s finest and mingle with the fans and show some support,” he said. He was unquestionably the largest person there and deservedly received a lot of attention. He was cordial and friendly and had a lot of fun with the youngsters that were in attendance, something that can go a long way in ensuring that the next generation of bodybuilding fans will be represented.

This weekend, Allen will be looking to earn his pro card and faces a line-up of over 500 competitors in Las Vegas. He seemed to be on his way in 2008 when he took the overall at both the NPC Atlantic States and Junior Nationals but apparently hit a wall after that. Allen finished ninth in his two next shows, the USAs and Nationals, and missed out on two chances of walking out with his pro card.

Afterwards Allen did admit that he may have been “burnt out” and was going through some personal issues that affected his preparation and performance. He then went on a new nutritional program and won the PDI Night of the Champions at a ripped 286 pounds.

Allen listened to some of the recommendations of the judges to fill out his frame and went away from the keto diet. He felt that he was depleted at the two main shows in ’08 and is more comfortable filling out, saying on one of his recent MDTV videos, “A big man like me has to start eating like a big man.”

The video was filmed nine days out of the USAs and Allen looked incredible. As he said, “I’ve never felt this good. I’m 290 pounds dry and we didn’t cut the sodium yet or the water.” Allen has been competing for 10 years and has the experience to take it to the next level. He will walk on that stage in Nevada competing in the Super Heavyweight division and more than likely will be the largest man there. He will stand out and receive a great ovation and hopefully the judges will agree with the fans.

2009 NPC USA CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE

Thursday, July 23rd:
6:30pm @ the Weigh-Ins – Men’s Bodybuilding

8:00pm @ the Weigh-Ins – Women’s Bodybuilding, Figure, Fitness, Bikini

Friday, July 24th:
9:00am @ the Final Weigh-Ins/Check-Ins

4:30pm @ the Prejudging Men’s Bodybuilding & Bikini
MD PLAY BY PLAY with Shawn, Flex, Team MD Members & We Welcome Our On-Line Community!!!

Coleman originally intended on competing in this year’s Olympia but his travel commitments with BSN proved to be too much and would have affected his preparation.

The back injury that caused him to finish in fourth place at the 2007 Mr. Olympia and subsequent surgery  that made him sit out 2008 is 100 percent and was not a factor in Coleman putting off his comeback by a year. Coleman feels that the time off will be an advantage for him, as far as the back recuperation and not putting his body through contest prep for the past few years.

Coleman made a recent guest posing appearance at the Atlantic States in New York City and stated that he weighed under 300 pounds that night. During his active career, he said that he would go as high as 320 in the offseason and cut down to approximately 295 on stage.

Tied with Lee Haney for the most Olympia wins, Coleman still has that fire and desire to go out there and will make history with his ninth Olympia victory.

When ‘The King’ walks on the stage next year in Las Vegas, it will be the biggest comeback in bodybuilding history since Arnold Schwarzenegger returned in 1980 after five years away from competing.

The episode including the interview can be heard using the media player below.

BE SURE TO READ OUR UPCOMING ONLINE MAGAZINE FOR UPDATES ON THE RON COLEMAN COMEBACK. THIS WILL BE PRODUCED THE SAME AS A PRINT PUBLICATION AND HAVE A ‘PAGE FLIPPER’ VIEWER.

Last time around, Doug Beadle of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was named the Men’s Open Heavyweight and Overall Winner. The last time we saw him on stage, Beadle finished ninth in the Light Heavyweight division at the 2007 Atlantic States. Prior to that, he was victorious at the 2001 NPC Northeast and at the 2001 Junior USA Championships Beadle finished 11th.

By competing again at 38 and gaining another victory, Beadle proved that staying the course can pay dividends in the end.

The Men’s Open results from last year’s Bill Grant Classic:

HEAVYWEIGHT

1- Doug Beadle

2- George Reels

3- Alex Frekey

4- Greg Borzilleri

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT

1- Welton Darmacemo

2- Jody Crouse

3- Dave Englehardt

4- Jamie Rivera

5- Ken Soucy

6- Todd Smith

7- John Vinkovics

MIDDLEWEIGHT

1- Luis Gomez

2- Michael Bricker

3- Harry Petaccio

4- Brett Giandomenico

5- Michael Jon Luciano

LIGHTWEIGHT

1- John Conte

2- Jose Troche

This is part of an exclusive series by MuscleSport Mag on the 2009 NPC Bill Grant Classic, for which we are one of the show’s official sponsors. The show will take place on Saturday, July 18 in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

P.J. initially started out in powerlifting and was successful, but decided that his ultimate goal was standing in the winner’s circle on the bodybuilding stage. At 22, he entered his first competition and placed fifth as a novice light heavyweight at the 2003 Atlantic States.

“I was the youngest in the class,” Braun wrote on his official website, www.pjbraun.com. “Success. This felt amazing and I was now addicted to the sport for life.”

Two top-three finishes in a row gave Braun the confidence that he needed to make the commitment to take it to the next step. He took off nearly two years to add some size to his frame and came back at 220 pounds for the 2006 Junior USA, where he finished what he described as a “controversial” fourth. A week later, Braun won the New England Bodybuilding Championships with a heavy heart. “Two days prior to the show, John Stavidris, one of my best friends, had passed away,” wrote Braun. “That winning moment was so surreal. It will live with me forever.”

Since then, Braun has finished 11th at the 2007 IFBB North American Championships and 9th at the same show a year later. He then was victorious at the 2008 NPC Atlantic City Amateur as the super-heavyweight and overall champion.

Braun is also one third of the famous Brat Pack along with Evan Centopani and Guy Cisternino. P.J. is the last one without a pro card, so he is keeping good company and on his way to joining his mates before too long.

This is part of an exclusive series by MuscleSport Mag on the 2009 NPC Empire States for which we are one of the show’s official sponsors. The show will take place on Saturday, July 18 in Suffern, New York.

Fast forward to May 6 at the Atlantic States and Penteado strolled onto the same stage at BMCC looking even better. She took the lightweight division and then had to go head-to-head with Andrea Giacomi and Charlene Maschette, the winners of the heavyweight and middleweight divisions, respectively.

Even giving away some size, Penteado was the clear cut winner and showed a good deal of stage presence, flair and personality. Couple that with her sheer beauty and it will not be too long before she is knocking on the door for her pro card. She will need to add some mass to her physique to get to that level and become a favorite, but hopefully she will not take it too far and lose some of the positive attributes that she brings to the sport right now.

Although this is the offseason for them (with Coleman rumored to be making a comeback this year), all three appeared to be much bigger than the last time they were on the stage, and not entirely in a good way. Jackson, who has always been in exceptional condition while competing in multiple contests a year, looked the best out of the three and apparently has decided to put on more size to compete against a big line-up. 

Cutler, who has always had enough size, seems to be inclined to put on more mass instead of honing what he already possesses. As far as Coleman goes, if he decides to return he has a lot of work ahead of him. He looked extremely wide in the middle and even softer than he has ever in the past. 

Either way, having these three men in the same auditorium is a special occassion and it will be very interesting to compare the pictures from June to the ones in September at the Mr. Olympia. 

(Cutler photo from 2008 Mr. Olympia)

To see Atlantic States photos, visit the coverage by Muscular Development:

http://www.musculardevelopment.com/browse/index.php?mode=contest&eventcode=1327