This week I am featuring Fitness America Competitor and Oxygen Model, Lori Harder. Lori Harder is a natural on stage and is sure to be one of the favorites going into next week’s Fitness America Pageant.  See how this 28 year old balances her busy schedule and is helping motivate and train others wanting to make a break into the world of fitness.

Name: Lori Harder

Age: 28

Claim to Fame: Consistently placing in the top five at every Fitness America Pageant I have entered in the past three years. Also recently being featured in several Oxygen spreads.

Hometown: Marquette, Mi
How did you get involved in the fitness industry? I remember watching Fitness America Pageants on TV and saying I was going to do it one day. Years later after going about it the wrong way, I came accross a camp put on by Cathy Savage covering all things competing. I hopped on plane to go see her and never looked back. My world was changed!

Occupation: Personal Trainer and Fitness Model

On your time….How do you balance your time between family, work, and your fitness career? I have to stay organized and schedule time blocks for work, grocery shopping, meal planning, working out and making sure to mark down times or days just for my loved ones. In this career there is ALWAYS something to do. You need to make certain things a priority and just learn to turn it off during your down time or you will go crazy! I have learned that skipping one thing on my list can throw my whole week off.

In your fridge? I try to switch it up but you can be sure I will always have Grilled Chicken, Quinoa, Brown Rice, Grapefruit, Sweet Potatos, Eggs, Greek Yogurt, Bluberries, Oatmeal, a laundry list of spices and Parmesan for when I need some cheese in my life. I like variety and cooking so this list could go on for a while!
What keeps you motivated? Knowing what is on the other side of a fit lifestyle. I come from a very inactive, heavy background and I remeber the feeling of being unhealthy, depressed, unhappy and wanting to blame everyone else for it but myself. It really spilled into every avenue of my life. I will never go back to that. I just want all people to know the power of food, activity and positive thinking.

What is your proudest moment? Each goal I have reached has been important to me. I used to never finish things I started, but now I know I am the only person who has control over my happiness and what I get out of life. Every time I compete I am so happy that I got up there and did my best to do better than the last time. I also am so proud and grateful for the opportunity to be featured in Oxygen magazine since it has been my source of inspiration for so many years.
Is there anything left that you still want to accomplish in the fitness industry? Yes, it is never ending. I want to compete in Fitness next year (not just Figure and Bikini). This is scary for me to even say out loud since I haven’t the first clue about it besides the fact that I love to watch it. I am doing yoga 2-3 times per week to try and prep for it. Also, I would of course love to keep on Fitness modeling, since it is by far some of the most fun I have ever had!
What advice would you offer to someone looking to compete? Never quit. The only difference between you and the person doing what you want is that they never stopped trying after each failure. You learn nothing from the wins, but you learn everything from the failures.

Anything else that you have in the works, (magazines, books, sites, appearances, etc.) or anything else that you would like to share about yourself. I just got back from shooting at Oxygen Magazine again!  I will also be competing at this years Fitness America Pageant in Vegas. I am so excited because I have been coaching six girls thru Cathy Savage Fitness that are new to the FAP stage! I can’t wait to see them up there. I also just launched my website recently for training and fitness modeling. www.LoriharderFitness.com. I hope to stay busy in the industry and keep helping people reach their fitness goals.

Be sure to check out Lori Harder on stage this weekend at the upcoming Fitness America Pageant in Las Vegas.  For more information about the show, check out Fitness America.com

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This week I am featuring the rising fitness modeling star, Jheri Marie Turnley.  This Southern Beauty and Texas Model Universe Champion has already appeared on the big screen and is making a name for herself in the fitness industry not only for her striking good looks but with her passion to help others.  Jheri, most recently, became a state representative for the American College of Sports Medicine and will soon be involved in how schools are addressing fitness and physical education in students’ lives.  Here is what the actress and model had to say……

Name: Jheri Marie Turnley

Age: 32

Claim to Fame: featured in 11 TV commercials and 3 movies, Texas Model Universe Champion

Hometown: Port Barre, LA

How did you get involved in the fitness industry? I have always been an athlete through high school and college. During the last few years, I competed in triathlons. A back injury caused me to hang up my running shoes. My husband encouraged me to set up a meeting with Katie Uter and talk to her about getting into the Figure competitions, etc. Once I met her and her team, I was hooked and started focusing on my first competition (August 2008).

Occupation: Full time physician recruiter; part time Performance Lab Director and Personal Trainer

On your time….How do you balance your time between family, work, and your fitness career? Sticky notes and my BlackBerry!! It’s hard but it does help to have a very supportive and motivating husband. I also have some great friends who help to keep me going and stay focused. It is easy to keep things moving along when you are passionate about something and you have a great support group.

In your fridge? Grilled chicken, grilled chicken, grilled chicken  I do cook a lot. So, we always have a variety of things to choose from in addition to grilled chicken. I prepare the common staples on Sunday afternoons for quick fixes during the week. We get a variety for dinner each night anywhere from grilled Sirloin steaks and veggies to my low fat/high protein and fiber burritos.

What keeps you motivated? I feel great when I eat clean and exercise. It keeps my mind fresh and keeps me young. I was also diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease 10 years ago. If I stray off course from my eating regimen and exercise routine, I start to feel terrible and daily routines and chores become laboring.

What is your proudest moment? Wow. Tough question…. I have many simply due to the fact that when I set my mind to something, I do not stop at anything until I accomplish my goal or figure out it was not a good choice to head down that certain path. But, my most memorable was getting accepted and attending Phillips Academy in Andover, MA during my Sophomore summer in High School. That summer session opened my eyes to many things and really set my focus in a more positive direction. I came back to Louisiana a changed and more motivated 16 year old that summer and never looked back.

Is there anything left that you still want to accomplish in the fitness industry? I want to make a difference in the lives around me, especially children. We are in the midst of a terrible epidemic that encorporates childhood obesity. I have teamed up with ACSM to become a State Coordinator for the President’s Council on Fitness. I am hoping to get started on my projects soon and eventually start to make a difference in how elementary and secondary schools look at fitness and health in our future leaders.

What advice would you offer to someone looking to compete? I would suggest that they seek out the professionals, do their research, set an obtainable and legitamate goal and GET FOCUSED.

Anything else that you have in the works, (magazines, books, sites, appearances, etc.) or anything else that you would like to share about yourself. I just started working with an Agent in New York. I hope to see good things soon come out of this partnership. I also just completed a Theory Workshop with an Instructor from The Strausburg Institute. I am actually looking forward to more acting auditions and excited about what the future holds!

We can all look forward to follow Jheri and the wonderful things she is doing for the fitness industry.  Be sure to check out Jheri’s Amazing Burritos Recipe (these are delicious and so easy to make) and for more information about Jheri, make sure to check out her site at jheriturnley.com

Be sure to stop by next week as I catch up with the stunning Oxygen Model, Lori Harder.  For more fitness celebrities follow Brooke on Twitter.

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This week I had the honor of catching up with Nicole Moneer Guerro.  Nicole, a former NBA dancer is leaving her mark on the fitness industry and giving back in the process.  Nicole just returned home from a military base appearance to support the troops and their families in El Paso, Texas this Halloween weekend.  Here is what this fitness cover girl had to say……

Name: Nicole Moneer Guerrero

Age: Almost 37!!!

Claim to Fame: Hmmm, I’d have to say being an NBA cheerleader for the Chicago Bull’s during the iconic Jordan years.  What a blast!  I still get chills thinking about being on the floor during the starting line-up. Also, winning the 2009 Ms. Bikini Classic Universe Champion.

Hometown:  La Grange/Indian Head Park, IL which is just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago.

How did you get involved in the fitness industry? I started in fitness 10+ years ago as a Bally Total Fitness Performance Team member. They performed at club grand openings, The Taste of Chicago, local TV shows, charity events and more.  Several members inspired me

to compete, teach group-exercise and personal train.

Occupation: NASM CPT, AFAA Group-Exercise Instructor, Fitness Model

On your time….How do you balance your time between family, work, and your fitness career? I’m always challenged when it comes to having a healthy balance among all 3 things listed.  Who isn’t?  However, I do make time for all and enjoy every minute of it.

In your fridge? Hard-BoiledEggs from Trader Joe’s (I hate making them), Ezekial bread, almond butter, veggies, water, turkey, beef, buffalo burgers and my infamous chicken burgers from Whole Foods.  Out of sight out of mind, I eat clean 98% of the time!

What keeps you motivated? My overall health and well being!  Goals…competitions, photo shoots/modeling jobs, I enjoy living the lifestyle!

What is your proudest moment? I actually have a few…I’m blessed!  1st is coming home to tell my parents I auditioned and was hired as a world famous Chicago Bull’s cheerleader.  I didn’t even tell them I went to the audition.

2nd, be being scouted at a fitness competition in Las Vegas for a fitness infomercial (that airs nationwide and in Canada) shoot in Cali.

3rd would be making the Top 5 at the 2009 Ms. Fitness USAs and Top 10 at Ms. Fitness Worlds.  Along with this making my first national magazine cover, Fall 2009 Ms. Fitness Magazine.

4th is capturing my first world title as the 2009 Ms. Bikini Classic Universe Champion!!!

Oh and last but not least nominated MVP of my high school pom squad…it may seem trivial and such a long time ago but I experienced so much during my teenage years that still affects me in a positive manner today.

Is there anything left that you still want to accomplish in the fitness industry? Yes but some of that stuff is in the works or I am still working at making it happen…so mums a word again.  Don’t want to jinx myself!

What advice would you offer to someone looking to compete? It’s a journey, not a destination.  You need thick skin…I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not listened to the constructive criticism of my coaches and the judges.  Be willing to hear another person’s perspective.  This is not from fitness alone but from ALL my coaches ever since high school!!!  Even some of my bosses.  None of my coaches sugar coated anything, they were brutal BUT it made me better in so many ways.  I have had good years and bad ones but someone how picked myself up again and continued to succeed, even after a failure!  Don’t let hardship stand in the way of your dreams.  One of my fav quotes, Tough times don’t last, tough people do!

Anything else that you have in the works, (magazines, books, sites, appearances, etc.) or anything else that you would like to share about yourself.  I do have a few things in the works, I just found out I’m being flown out to California again in 2 weeks for more fitness infomercial work, time to really tighten up the diet! Regarding other things that I have in the works…I prefer to not toot my horn until they come to fruition, check out my website and facebook for updates.  I don’t want to jinx myself!!!

Nicole works harder in the industry than anyone I know so I am certain that many more great things are in store for her.  Make sure to check out her website for updates and stop by and say hello on her facebook page.  Next week I am featuring Model America Champion, Jheri Bellard Turnley.

For more information on Fitness Celebs follow Brooke on Twitter

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To kick things off, I wanted to feature one of the best in the industry, this 3 time Fitness Universe Champion and mother of two is making history on and off the stage.

Age: 33

Claim to Fame: Fitness Universe Champion 2003, 2006 and 2008

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

How did you get involved in the fitness industry?
I got started in the fitness industry when I was 21 right after I had my first son Steven. I was a competitive gymnast until I was 17 and missed pushing myself and setting goals…I needed something, I’m a born competitor! So I started weight training put together a routine and a month later I did my first show and placed 2nd.  The feeling of accomplishment when I was on stage was like nothing I ever felt and the memories are something I will cherish for a long time.

Occupation: My husband and I run a Mixed Martial arts and Personal Training business called Ultimate Fighting and Fitness.

On your time…How do you balance your time between family, work, and your fitness career? Being a personal trainer makes things a lot easier. If there are days I can’t make it to the gym I just workout with one of my clients, they love it!  I do most of my cardio at home on my treadmill. I practice my routine 3x’s a week in the afternoon, Joey loves the kids area while the oldest is in school and I lift in the evening 5 days a week, which only takes about 45min. Sometimes it is a challenge to stay focused, especially with kids, however, I feel that I am leading by example and teaching my kids to live a healthy lifestyle.

In your fridge? Eggs, chicken, turkey bacon, lettuce, fat free cheese, Balsamic vinegar, fresh vegetables and lots of frozen veggies(always in a hurry), low fat cottage cheese,fresh fruit, natural peanut butter, spray butter, low sugar ketchup and 2% milk for the kids(they love cereal).

What keeps you motivated? My family keeps me motivated. Their unconditional love and support motivates me to do my best and make them proud.

What is your proudest moment? Besides having my two beautiful boys I would have to say winning the Fitness Universe title my first time there. I had always watched these shows on ESPN and was in aw of all the competitors, just hoping to crack top ten. When they announced me as the winner I couldn’t believe it….it was a something I had played over and over in my dreams and it was actually coming true, was so unexpected. Something I will never forget!!

Is there anything left that you still want to accomplish in the fitness industry? I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible.. these have been some of the most enjoyable years of my life. I feel very fortunate to have done so well and I know it would have been nearly impossible without the love and support from my family and friends. I am truly blessed!!!!

What advice would you offer to someone looking to compete?
I would ask lots of questions. Find someone who has competed before so they can give you advice and lead you in the right direction. Most important have fun!!!

We will miss seeing Sheri on the competitive scene this year as she is taking some time off.  Sheri says “Competing is my passion and it will always be a huge part of my life. I will continue to help others get ready to compete and live happier healthier lives.” We know Sheri will do just that and we can look forward to her return back on the scene in 2010 and I am sure as always, in true Sheri style, she will return to the stage with an amazing routine, perfect physique, and her beautiful smile.  Check out Sheri’s amazing “Terminator” themed performance from the Fitness Universe Show below:

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