Mr. Olympia Contest
 For the second year in a row, I was fortunate to work the Mr. Olympia Expo at the Optimum Nutrition/ American Bodybuilding booth. The Expo and contest were held on Friday, September 26th and Saturday, September 27th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The weather was wonderful, the crowds were great and the competition was incredible.
We had a great group of fitness models and athletes who worked the huge Optimum/ABB booth. Optimum always has the best samples and giveaways of any of the companies working the Olympia Expo. They were also giving away free Mr. Olympia Optimum Nutrition T-shirts this year.
The contest itself was very exciting as Dexter Jackson pulled an incredible upset by defeating two-time champ Jay Cutler. (Click here for the full contest report). Normally, the Mr. Olympia contest is a pretty predictable outcome with the reigning champ always winning, whether he deserves it or not. However, that tradition seems to be changing with two champs being dethroned in a three-year period. I’m looking forward to next year’s contest!
 Presentation at Google
On October 8th, I was invited to the Google Headquarters in downtown Chicago for a presentation on Exercise and Nutrition. A few dozen Google employees came by to listen to the free seminar and they also received a free copy of my book, “Natural Bodybuilding” for attending.
I was also treated to a tour of the facility by my friend Patrick King, who also works at Google. Google is a very hip and progressive company and it was a pleasure to be invited to give a presentation on Exercise and Nutrition for their employees.
MTU Seminar
On October 13th, I traveled to Houghton, Michigan again for a seminar at Michigan Tech University. This was my third time appearing at MTU and I wanted to thank Andre Bonen, the director of Student Services at Michigan Tech. Andre is the person who is instrumental in inviting the guest speakers to the school for the students who frequent the weight room.
I gave an extensive seminar on weight training and nutrition for the MTU students. I had a lot of questions from the students, which was great. In addition to the seminar, Optimum Nutrition provided free samples for the students including their new Natural Oats and Whey protein and Mini Steel Bars.
Natural Bodybuilding Radio Show
I am proud to announce my new radio show, Natural Bodybuilding Radio, which I will be hosting each week as part of the Dave Depew radio network. The show began on October 15th, 2008 with a new show being broadcast every Wednesday. Each week, I will be interviewing individuals who are a part of the Natural Bodybuilding world. These guests will include natural bodybuilders, promoters, writers, contest organizers and anyone else associated with the natural bodybuilding world.
I am truly excited about this new internet bodybuilding radio show. Natural bodybuilding is getting bigger and bigger each year and a radio show such as this was long overdue. What better way to unite all the different natural bodybuilding organizations as well as share valuable training and nutrition advice among the top natural bodybuilders in the world than to have a weekly radio show that is available to everyone on the world wide web? Log onto www.naturalbodybuildingradio.com each week to listen to a new show. You can also listen to all previously recorded shows on the site. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed!
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| Massive Victor Martinez was the guest poser at the NPC Continental USA |
The competition in the Men's Masters division was tough! |
NPC Continental USA
On October 25th, 2008, I worked the Optimum Nutrition booth for the third annual NPC Continental USA in St. Charles, Illinois. Promoted by my friends Rob and Darlene Mayo, the Continental USA has quickly become the biggest show in Illinois. The 2008 version of the contest attracted an astounding 140 plus competitors.
This year, Rob and Darlene brought in Arnold Classic champ and “Uncrowned Mr. Olympia” Victor Martinez as the guest poser. Big Vic didn’t show any signs of slowing down after his recent surgery to repair his torn ACL. He should be the favorite going into next year’s Arnold Classic, judging by his appearance onstage at the Continental USA.
NPC Midwest Ironman
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| Working the Optimum Nutrition booth with Danny Stevens, Sean Royer and Jenifer Digiovanni |
Hanging out with my friends at the NPC Midwest Ironman contest. |
One week after the Continental USA, I was back at the Optimum Nutrition booth for the NPC Midwest Ironman at the Gateway Theater in Chicago, Illinois. Promoted each year by NPC Illinois District Chairman and IFBB pro bodybuilder, Chuck Sanow, the Midwest Ironman always features top-notch competition and excellent guest poser.
The guest poser this year was 2 time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. Jay recently lost the Olympia title to Dexter Jackson in a surprise decision but he was in excellent shape for his guest posing appearance. Jay is planning on coming back next year to reclaim the title. If he is successful, he will make history as the first Mr. Olympia to lose the title and then come back and win the title back.
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With INBA President Denny Kakos after being inducted into the Natural Bodybuilding Hall of Fame
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With INBA Vice President Lorenzo Gaspar |
Natural Bodybuilding Hall of Fame
On November 8th, I traveled to San Francisco, California to serve as a judge for the INBA Natural Olympia contest. This is the premier competition for the INBA and it was a very large and competitive contest featuring competitors from all over the world. Congratulations to all the winners including Philip Ricardo who again won the Professional Men’s division.
In addition to judging the Natural Olympia, I was also honored to be inducted into the first annual INBA Natural Bodybuilding Hall of Fame. It was a very nice gesture by the INBA to be chosen for this honor in the first year that they held the Natural Bodybuilding Hall of Fame. Denny Kakos, the president of the INBA, and Lorenzo Gaspar, the Vice President of the INBA, made a very nice speech about my accomplishments in the sport and it made for a very nice evening. Thanks Denny and Lorenzo!
NPC Nationals
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| Claudia and I at the Optimum booth |
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| At the Optimum Nutrition booth |
On November 21st and 22nd, I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to work the Optimum Nutrition booth at the NPC Nationals. Believe it or not, this was the first NPC Nationals I have ever attended. The competition was, as expected, very competitive. This was not surprising since the NPC Nationals features the best amateur bodybuilders in the country who are all vying to get their pro card
Optimum representative and IFBB Figure Pro Jessica Paxson-Putnam was on hand to see her husband, Peter Putnam, win his pro card in the light heavyweight division. Optimum athlete Brad Davis was also competing in the light heavyweight division that night and he looked excellent, showing great improvement over his last competition.
Lafeyette School
 I was invited to speak at the Lafeyette School in Chicago on December 19th, 2008. My cousin, Susie Drake, has been a teacher at Lafeyette for several years and she thought some of the middle school students would appreciate a presentation on nutrition and exercise.
The kids were full of questions and they seemed to be pretty impressed with my muscles. We did a brief exercise session that included push-ups, crunches, squats and lunges. That was followed by a short speech on exercise and choosing the right foods for good nutrition. I had a great time!
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