2008 Arnold Amateur Figure - Class A Preview
FigureRX Online Magazine Volume 3
February 10, 2008
Official 2008 Arnold Amateur Figure Class A Preview
Welcome to our preview coverage for Figure Class A, which looks dramatically different than when the original competitor lists came out. At first the affectionately labeled "short class" had 29 competitors. Now it is at least down to a much more manageable number of athletes and will probably shrink even more after the weigh-ins (we left a few athletes who are unsure and right on the cusp of 5'1" in Class A).

Class A Old Height Class: Up to and including 5'2” (29 athletes)
Class A New Height Class: Up to and including 5'1” (18 athletes)

The original competitor lists used the old height classes, but all athletes will be measured and placed in the new height classes on site. We have already moved several competitors from Class A to Class B and the list and preview that you see below has been adjusted to the best of our knowledge. If we have not been able to reach someone to make an adjustment we will make the correction in the contest reports!!



FigureRX Class A Spotlight Athlete - Keisha Pedigo

Our spotlight athlete Keisha Pedigo first caught our eye at the KentuckyMuscle in Louisville when we were on site for coverage back in November. Keisha has the incredible legs that one would expect from a former track star, and will also be bringing one of the best overall upper body shapes in the Class. But in the course of talking to her for her interview, we became even more impressed with the knowledge that she brings from her training in the renowned program at Ball State and the mental approach that drives her accomplishments. We always think that it is extremely helpful to learn from the best in the sport, whether that be national level trainers like Mike Davies or Mike Horn, because they have the perspective regarding what the judges want to see, or local experts to help with diet, training, and presentation (in Indiana that would be stars like Jennifer Gates and Jessica Wright).

But ultimately, regardless of what advice you receive, every athlete must become an expert on what works for prep, based on his or her own body. It's that knowledge, combined with her physique tools, drive and determination that leads us to believe that Keisha is a future star.

You can read Keisha's full spotlight interview by going here.
(Disclaimer: Keisha is one of the athletes who may move to Class B!!).

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NPC Figure Arnold Keisha Pedigo Zionsville Indiana
One of the best from Europe will be making the trip across the Atlantic to make what we think will be a huge impact at this show. Linda Fodor-Egelstig from Sweden has the type of physique that we feel should be rewarded on any stage, with the right combination of fullness, size, figure shape, and hardness. Add in Linda's beauty and we think she is definitely top three in Class A and may even challenge for the overall title. Linda took 2nd at the Amateur World Championships in 2006 and won Swedish Nationals in 2005. Her preparations for this show have been well documented thanks to her supportive husband, and you can check out some great video here as well as progress photos four weeks out (LINK) and two weeks out (LINK).

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NPC Figure Arnold Linda Fodor-Egelstig Stockholm Sweden
Another competitor who we are sure will be ready to challenge for the top three here is Melissa Froio, who has a string of top level placings at the national level and will be looking to take that one additional step to a pro card this year. Melissa has recently simplified her life and moved to South Carolina to focus on her goals for this year. We believe in her and highly recommend that you follow her frequently updated blog on her web site (accessible from the FigureRX links page).

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NPC Figure Arnold Melissa Froio Atlanta Georgia
This show has a strong Alabama contingent, and we think Misty Tidmore is another competitor with a top national level physique who will challenge for the top five at the Arnold. Misty has terrific quads, especially with her outer sweep, and she comes in very well conditioned. She has a background in bodybuilding and she competed a couple of times at the national level in 2006.

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NPC Figure Arnold Misty Tidmore-Schaffer Boaz Alabama
Kelli Correa is the overall champion from the 2007 NPC Natural Northern and also won her height class at an OCB show and competed at an IFPA show last year. Hopefully she is in the NPC to stay because we think she will do better at the national level this year relative to 2006, especially if she can duplicate the look that she brought to the 2007 OCB Natural Spring National Championships in Cape Cod.

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NPC Figure Arnold Kelli Correa Plymouth Massachusetts
Heather Bear contacted IFBB Pro Fitness star Jenn Hendershott to lose weight for her wedding a few years ago, and hasn't looked back. She's now a certified trainer and Jenn's personal assistant, which she balances with being a veterinary technician and a mother. Heather looked very good at the 2007 North Americans and she'll only get better this year.

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NPC Figure Arnold Heather Bear Aurora Indiana
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New Yorker Debbie Bell has a superb resume and she just upped her figure game while competing at the 2008 NPC Ironman Figure in Los Angeles (see the preview here and the contest report here). She competed as a professional level gymnast in high school and was the captain and choreographer of her cheerleading squad at New York University. Debbie is also the founder of the Body Catalyst System of training.

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NPC Figure Arnold Debbie Bell New York New York
Another competitor who stepped on stage at her personal best for the 2008 Ironman is Shawna Kondo from the Bay Area. You can check out her Ironman pics here. Shawna's strengths include a very tight waist and great presentation.

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NPC Figure Arnold Shawna Kondo Mountain View California
We think that North Carolinian Stacey Pillari is particularly inspiring. Not only does she have a gorgeous physique, but she is also a successful business woman, personal trainer, and equestrian riding instructor. Her background includes bodybuilding at age 19, competing in fitness at age 23, power lifting at age 34, and she is now doing figure competitions at age 42. Stacey's strengths include her abs, glutes and quads - frankly, we think that she looks phenomenal!!

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NPC Figure Arnold Stacey Pillari Hurdle Mills North Carolina
Lindsey Bundy from Ohio is the 2007 NPC Ohio State Figure A and Overall champion, but we will be taking a look at her for the first time in Columbus. Floridian Jennifer Hoffman is another short class and overall winner, at the 2007 NPC Southeastern Championships. You can check this top contender out behind the scenes and on stage in a video here. And we really like Virginian Patricia Crvich, who has been turning heads for a year on the strength of her outstanding symmetry and great figure focal points.

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NPC Figure Arnold Patricia Crvich Rural Retreat Virginia Jennifer Hoffman Winter Haven Florida Lindsey Bundy Westerville Ohio
Sue Ellen Dent won class A at the 2007 NPC New England Figure Championships, while Bethann Hyndshaw is the founder of her owning training studio called Inspiring Bodies and she competed here at the Arnold last year.

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NPC Figure Arnold Sue Ellen Dent Enfeils Connecticut Bethann Hyndshaw Flemington New Jersey Catherine Norris Edmonton Alberta Stacie Domhoff Ypsilanti Michigan
Gloria Puckett placed 2nd in Class A at the very competitive NPC San Diego in 2007, while Marjan Washington competed at the 2007 NPC KentuckyMuscle. We have no information on Stacie Domhoff or Canadian Catherine Norris and will be seeking to learn more about them on site in Columbus.

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NPC Figure Arnold Gloria Puckett Fayetteville North Carolina Marjan Washington Huntington West Virginia

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www.FigureRX.com

FigureRX Class A Spotlight Interview - Keisha Pedigo
FigureRX Online Magazine Volume 3
February 17, 2008

To see the full Arnold Amateur Figure Class A event preview, please go here.

Our spotlight athlete Keisha Pedigo first caught our eye at the KentuckyMuscle in Louisville when we were on site for coverage back in November. Keisha has the incredible legs that one would expect from a former track star, and will also be bringing one of the best overall upper body shapes in the Class. But in the course of talking to her for her interview, we became even more impressed with the knowledge that she brings from her training in the renowned program at Ball State and the mental approach that drives her accomplishments. We always think that it is extremely helpful to learn from the best in the sport, whether that be national level trainers like Mike Davies or Mike Horn, because they have the perspective regarding what the judges want to see, or local experts to help with diet, training, and presentation (in Indiana that would be stars like Jennifer Gates and Jessica Wright).

But ultimately, regardless of what advice you receive, every athlete must become an expert on what works for prep, based on his or her own body. It's that knowledge, combined with her physique tools, drive and determination that leads us to believe that shat Keisha is a future star.

(Disclaimer: Keisha is one of the athletes who may move to Class B!!)

Keisha's Fast Facts:
Name – Keisha Pedigo
Height – 5'1-1/2"
Weight – 119 lbs contest/ 126 lbs off season
Birthday – March 3, 1983
Home town – Columbus, Indiana
Hair / Eyes – Brown, Brown
Favorite music – Country (yay!)
Favorite diet food – Apples & Peanut Butter
Favorite cheat food – Anything Chocolate!
Latest news – I am applying to Physical Therapy school this year, and just added an addition to the family – Bailey, a Daschund/ Pekingese mix

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Please tell us a little bit about your background, such as where you grew up, when you began weight training, and how you became interested in competing.

The focus of my background has been centered on competition and athletics. Strength training has enabled me to excel in high school and collegiate track and field, and is now preparing me for national figure competitions. A former strength and conditioning coach first recognized my potential, and motivated me to compete and win an amateur bodybuilding competition.

What is your current occupation and how long have you been doing it?

Since completing my collegiate studies in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, and earning my NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification, I have pursed a career as a health educator and personal trainer. Currently, I am in pursuit of a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree.

Tell us a little bit about the fitness culture at Ball State, since a lot of impressive people have come out of that school including Beth Horn, Kira Neuman, and Nikki Warner.

Ball State University has a nationally recognized exercise science program, which encourages students to participate in any athletic field, including physique competitions. While at the university, I won the Ms. Ball State Bodybuilding Competition.

What were your specialties in track and field, and how far did you take it? Where are some of the places you competed, and your best times? What was your coach's reaction when you left the team to take up bodybuilding (great choice)?

I competed as a 100 and 200-meter sprinter, and ran a 55 second 400-meter time. My efforts on the 4x400 meter relay team earned us a gold medal at the Mid-American Conference Championships.

After careful thought and consideration, I came to the conclusion that pursuing physique competitions would better prepare me for my professional career and personal fitness goals.

What is your training philosophy (heavy or light, cardio, lifting)? Any particular body parts that you consider to be strengths, or weaknesses?

My overall training is based on science and research. Each phase of my training meets my specific body needs: Power, Strength, Hypertrophy, and Endurance.

When we saw you competing at the KentuckyMuscle, we were very impressed with your physique. We know the legs come from running track, but what are your favorite methods for training back?

As a natural competitor, I developed a high intensity strength program to best prepare my physique for the Kentucky Muscle. I have found that high repetitions of unilateral and neutral grip back exercises work best to accentuate my V taper.

How did you decide to compete at the Arnold? Is there anything in particular that you are doing differently to prepare?

The Arnold Classic has an outstanding history of producing high caliber athletes, and was the most appropriate competition to put my training and diet to the ultimate test.

Where do you find the best training and diet advice? Where do you work out and who do you work out with? Is there anyone in particular who you would like to thank, such as a sponsor, significant other, etc?

I am in continual search of my own recipe for success regarding dieting and exercising. To determine the best dieting and training plan, each individual competitor should conduct extensive research and experiment with program design.

I would like to thank my wonderful boyfriend, Johnny, who has loved me throughout my entire journey. My parents and best friend have also supported me over the years, as I continue to strive to reach my full potential. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge my friends and colleagues who have offered their time and expertise in helping me with my goals.

Thanks Keisha!!

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www.FigureRX.com