But then again Amber Elizabeth Simerly is not just anyone.

“I received my first weight set when I was 12 years old and have been hooked ever since,” the 32-year-old mother of one said. “I powerlifted through high school and began bodybuilding in my 20′s. Six weeks out from my first show I dropped out and it drove me nuts for the past 10 years that I didn’t get up on that stage and finish what I started.”

What transpired since then was a whirlwind of negativity in Simerly’s life. “My mother was diagnosed with cancer for the third time, there were several deaths in my family and I was in a bad relationship,” she recalled. “I went through a divorce and had to face life as a single parent.”

Simerly met a woman in her gym, Natlia Zapata, that had competed in the past and won her class in fitness. After a short period of time, Simerly felt that the time was right to make her comeback. She had her sights set on the Elite Muscle Classic in Greensboro, North Carolina just a few short weeks ago.

“Even though I didn’t place, it didn’t discourage me one bit,” Simerly said confidently. “Natalia and I are going back for more in April at Johnny Stewart’s and North Carolina State.”

Because she has experienced such difficult times, Simerly uses her training as an outlet and something positive to focus on. “When I go in there I take every bit of passion, craziness and stress out on those machines,” she said. “I believe that you can literally think yourself hard. I love being able to say, ‘I want my glutes to come up.’

“Think of some crazy workout to do, do it two or three times and physically see and feel the results,” she added. “I believe, bottom line, is that it is all about intensity. In all aspects of life. You get what you put into it.”

And Simerly has put an awful lot into ‘it’ lately.

http://www.myspace.com/amberelizabeth77
http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/AmberMagliocca/
http://community.worldphysique.com/profile/AmberElizabe…
http://www.muscle-ink.com/profile/AmberElizabethSimerly

Photos courtesy of Tyson Arts

The first one came at the 2008 New York Pro 202 when English edged out Henry. Four months later, Henry took out English at the inaugural 202 Olympia Showdown. At this year’s New York Pro, English won going away with Henry finishing third behind veteran bodybuilder Mark Dugdale. Now the big question is if Henry can bounce back and repeat in Las Vegas, but English will definitely have something to say about that.

“For me, David motivates me to be a better bodybuilder,” said English. “So I know going in that he’s going to be hungry. He wants to avenge that last loss to me. I know he’s pushing hard, so that means that you’ve got to get your game up.”

Last year, the 202 competitors had the opportunity to compete in both divisions. It is a different story this time around but the trade off is that the posedown and placings will take place at the Orleans Arena instead of the Expo stage. “It wasn’t a big decision as far as this year goes,” English said in regards to going after the Sandow or staying in the 202. “Once I achieve that (winning the 202 Olympia), then next year I’ll compete in the open class.”

The Great Neck, New York native feels that he is in much better condition this time around. “Last year I didn’t prepare properly,” said English, who began his diet in the middle of July at 244 pounds. “I wasn’t at 100 percent. So that’s why I want to avenge that loss.”

When asked if the rivalry with Henry was of the friendly variety, English was stone-faced and all business. “We’re respectful towards one another but to me, I don’t let any negativity into my life,” he said. “Negativity is like a seed. It just spreads. I try to keep a positive mindset.”

If there was anyone else in the 202 division that English has his eye on, you couldn’t tell. “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.”

When it comes time to get to Sin City, put your money on English.

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

If prisoners in a random federal penitentiary were asked what percentage of them were guilty of their crimes, how many would be honest and admit that all or the vast majority of them deserved to be behind bars? It’s merely human nature to put any type of blame on your own shoulders and deflect criticism.

With sports and steroids intertwined so much today – and the ridiculous negativity that it has spawned – asking a professional athlete if he feels his brethren are using is not a true test. After seeing the results of the recent poll in Sports Illustrated, you will feel that it is more comical than accurate.

320 NFL players were surveyed and 32 percent said that zero to four percent use performance-enhancing drugs. Only 12 percent said what most of us would surmise – that 30 percent or more are using. From this group, the highest according to position were defensive lineman, who had 23 percent avoid their noses growing.

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The other numbers were: five to nine percent using (23%); 10 to 19 percent using (20%); and 20 to 29 percent using (12%). A mere one percent answered “not sure,” most likely from the kicker category.

Including the six players recently suspended for using Star Caps (although five of them have stayed on the field by appealing), a total of 20 NFL players have been suspended for violating the substance-abuse policy in the past two years. In comparison, Major League Baseball had seven suspensions (two for Neifi Perez) in the same time frame.

Are NFL players using PEDs at a high rate? It would seem to be a good argument that they are just by the sheer brutality of the sport and the appearance of many of them. It is obvious why they would rather keep things behind closed doors and in reality, that is the proper way to do it. Why give people like Joe Biden any more ammunition to blow this thing out of proportion any further?