“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

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

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!!!