8TH ANNUAL SWIMSUIT ISSUE
SPORTS. DIVERSITY.
REAL ATHLETES SUITED FOR SUMMER MLB SCOUTING REPORT NASCAR SPOTTER’S GUIDE
APRIL 2014 • VOL.8 NO.4
•
$5.95
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r e h t e h w t o n s ’ it e s o l r o n i w u o y
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Go All Out. REGISTER NOW AT www.2014GayGames.com
2014_03_23_Compete_Werq_8.5x11_V1.indd 1
3/23/14 6:33 PM
Photo by Thomas Fleisher
APRIL 2014 Volume 8, Issue 4
FOUNDERS Publisher/Sales Manager Eric Carlyle • eric@competenetwork.com Publisher/Website Production David Riach • david@competenetwork.com COMPETE MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief Connie Wardman • connie@competenetwork.com Community Editor Ty Nolan • ty@competenetwork.com Art Director Jay Gelnett • jay@competenetwork.com Contributors Harry Andrew, Renee Chase, Ian Colgate, Joseph Gaxiola, Amy Jones, Jeff Kagan, Miriam Latto, and Brian Patrick Photographers Gregg Edelman, Thomas Fleisher COMMUNICATION, MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA
Patrick Gamble • patrick@competenetwork.com SALES & PARTNERSHIPS Joseph Gaxiola • joseph@competenetwork.com Steve Trebowski • steve@competenetwork.com Copyright 2014 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC 4703 South Lakeshore Drive, Suite 3 Tempe, Arizona 85282 P 480.222.4223 • F 480.889.5513 Compete is a trademark of Media Out Loud, LLC
22 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
OUR 2014 SWIMSUIT SHOOT
14 NASCAR SPOTTER’S GUIDE KICK–OFF 10 LEFT FIELD DEPARTMENTS 34 TRAVEL
Gay Games Host Cleveland+Akron
38 SPORTS
Seven MLB Players to Watch
40 FITNESS
Get Fit for Your Blood Type
OVERTIME 41 GYM BAG 44 EVENTS/ON DECK Pride Season Begins
46 SPORTS YEARBOOK
MISSION STATEMENT Compete unites the world through sports.
COMPETE ONLINE
COMPETENETWORK.COM
JASON COLLINS – A Class Act
FACEBOOK.COM/COMPETEMAG @COMPETESPORTS
COVER PHOTO
L to R: Aaron Marner, Travis Bestenlehner, Candace Dickens Photo by Thomas Fleisher
Check out these additional Compete Online stories at www.competenetwork.com
WINNING FANTASY BASEBALL
ALL OLYMPIC MEDAL WINNERS AT SOCHI SOCHI GETS SOCIAL DISCRIMINATION IN THE NAME OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: Arizona SB 1062 Vetoed by Governor Jan Brewer POTTIE WARS REVISITED
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| COMPETE | April 2014
I fought my way back from addiction. Carl, D.A.P. client
D.A.P. treats and supports the whole person Like everyone, I’ve made lots of mistakes in my life. One of the biggest was letting alcohol and crystal meth consume me for a time. It led me into unsuccessful relationships, homelessness, and even ignoring my HIV medication therapy, causing me to lose one of my eyes. With the help of a counselor at Desert AIDS Project, I’m in recovery and am proud of my accomplishments at College of the Desert. I may have lost an eye...but I’ve never seen more clearly than I do today.
This and more...all under one roof
Thanks to your generous support, Desert AIDS Project has been saving lives for 30 years. Please continue to help by donating at desertAIDSproject.org, joining one of our annual giving programs, or by saving the date for one of our upcoming fundraising events. Celebrity Doodles | April 5, 2014 Thirst for Life | April 8, 2014 Dining Out for Life | April 24, 2014 Queen of the Desert | May 28, 2014
760.323.2118
desertAIDSproject.org
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| COMPETE | April 2014
o celebrate our eighth annual swimsuit issue we have temporarily changed Compete’s important mission from “Uniting the World Through Sports” to “Uniting the World Through …” well, “Swimsuits.” What I mean by this is that our eighth annual swimsuit issue really brought together a diverse group of participants and supporters. This issue of Compete would not be possible without people of all backgrounds — lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, allies and more. And not just the swimsuit portion of Compete but the magazine as a whole. Diversity is ever present in the swimsuit models themselves, our employee team, our distributors, our advertisers and more. In fact, when we put out a call for athlete models we had more inquiries than we had available positions. Obviously, sports are important to everyone at Compete. Even this year’s photographer is an athlete. Thomas Fleischer comes to us via IGBO, the International Gay Bowling Organization. Being an athlete himself, Thomas was enthusiastic to photograph this year’s group of amateur athletes. Where will we shoot our 2015 swimsuit issue? That is really up to you, our Compete readers. Please give us your thoughts and suggestions so once more we can “Unite the World Through …” well, “Swimsuits”. Sport On,
Eric Carlyle, Co-Founder eric@competenetwork.com
Presented by:
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Dine Out, Fight AIDS
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Sponsored by:
RESTAURANTS & BARS CONTRIBUTING 33% AJ’s On The Green and Splash Bar B/L/D Acqua Pazza B/L/D Aspen Mills Bakery B/L Azul / Georgie’s Alibi L/D BAR B/L/D Cello's L/D Citron At Viceroy D Eddie's Frozen Yogurt L/D El Mirasol L/D El Mirasol at Los Arboles L/D Escena Lounge & Grill D Espresso Cielo L Giuseppe’s Pizza and Pasta L/D Guacamoles L/D Hunters Happy Hour Jake’s L/D Miro's Restaurant D Native Foods L/D Oscar’s Café & Bar L/D Palm Greens Café B/L Pinocchio in the Desert B/L Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill D Smoke Tree Supper Club D Smokin Burgers L/D Terrace Restaurant At The Hilton Palm Springs D Tinto D Tropicale D The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge D *as of March 12, 2014
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FROM THE CATBIRD SEAT BY CONNIE WARDMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
An Embarrassment of Riches
T
here are times when we have so many great things to share with you that there simply aren’t enough pages in the magazine. This issue is one of them. Our eighth annual swimsuit shoot has been geared to include you in the behind the scenes goings on. And with the largest field of rookie NASCAR drivers in recent years, Michael Myers of Queers4Gears has prepared a Spotter’s Guide for Compete readers to help you know who’s who and in which car. We’ve also got a scouting report on MLB. These are the stories we squeezed in the magazine. But don’t miss the additional stories on Compete Online (www.competenetwork. com). Are you a fantasy sports player? If so, don’t miss our interview with the author of “Winning Fantasy Baseball: Secret Strategies of a Nine-Time National Champion,” Larry Schechter. His book is already the #1 bestseller for Fantasy Sports books on Amazon and his tips can also be applied to football or basketball. We’re also doing a follow up on Jason Collins as he returns to active play in the NBA thanks to the Brooklyn Nets signing him, now for the full season. Everything he has done since he came out publically reflects his character and professionalism. He is truly a class act! There’s a wrap up of all the medal winners at the Sochi Winter Olympics as well as a look at the huge difference in the way social media was treated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Sochi versus their failed attempt to control it at the 2012 Summer Games in London. Make no mistake—the Olympic Games aren’t just about athletic competition—they’re big business. There’s also a recap on the anti-gay legislative climate in Arizona where just weeks ago the LGBT and business communities were successful in urging Governor Jan Brewer to veto SB 1062, the so-called religious freedom bill that would enable business owners to discriminate against gays on religious grounds. This follows just months behind the defeat of SB 1045 (referred to as the Pottie Bill) aimed at the transgender community. These bills have been carefully watched by other anti-gay legislators as potential test cases for their own states. Enjoy the many riches found in the pages of Compete Magazine and on our website as part of Compete Online. And just for the record, we’re not really embarrassed by these riches—we’re excited to share them with you! Keep Smiling,
Connie Wardman, Editor-in-Chief connie@competenetwork.com
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Kickoff
LEFT FIELD
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC)
BILLIE JEAN KING
U
nable to attend the opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics because of her mother’s declining health, out tennis great Billie Jean King was able to attend the closing ceremony as part of the U.S. delegation chosen by President Barack Obama. King was able to watch the gold medal men’s hockey game, attend the bobsled competition, greet U.S. athletes and meet a gay Russian teenager. She noted Russian President Vladimir Putin is a hugger. He hugged bisexual Dutch speed skater Ireen Wust who led the Sochi medal count with five – two gold and three silver. King says it doesn’t make any difference whether or not Putin knew Wust was bisexual, saying that it’s “the way the world should be. He should be embracing humanity.” A long-time human rights supporter, King has spoken out against the Russian law passed last year banning gay “propaganda” to minors that’s punishable by fines and prison, saying she’s concerned for the Russian LGBT community. King has not only advocated for the International Olympic Committee to add sexual orientation to the list of protections in its charter but is also asking them to consider this issue when selecting host countries for future Olympic Games. More on the Sochi Games can be found on Compete Online – www.competenetwork.com.
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C
ritics from around the world have accused the IOC of turning a blind eye to Russia’s anti-gay legislation and abandoning Principle 6 of the Olympic charter stating that sport doesn’t discriminate on any grounds, including race, religion, politics or gender. Although Russian officials told the IOC prior to the Olympics that they wouldn’t discriminate against gay people, approximately 100 people were arrested after the Sochi Games began. Many organizations, including the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) and the Russian LGBT Sports Federation have expressed a desire for a safe space for LGBT athletes. Marc Naimark, FGG vice president for external affairs, also expressed hope that sexual orientation will be added to the Olympic Charter’s Principle 6 as a type of explicit discrimination. New IOC president Thomas Bach has begun a wide-ranging Olympic review known as Agenda 2020. Responding to reporters’ questions if a rule based on Principle 6 could become a pre-condition for cities wanting to host them, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said that while Agenda 2020 is looking at everything regarding the running of the Olympics, Principle 6 isn’t something to be looked at specifically but “if there is a groundswell of opinion it could be.” While human rights group All Out is campaigning for the IOC to make Principle 6 an enforceable binding condition for all countries applying to host the Games, others say that it could simply be a factor that could be overruled by other factors. But the Games scheduled for Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 2016, Pyeongchang, South Korea in 2018 and Tokyo, Japan in 2020 won’t be impacted by the outcome of the IOC’s decision.
THUMBS UP
THUMBS DOWN
THUMBS UP TO
THE MYRTLE BEACH MUTINY OF THE NATIONAL PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE … for signing Anton Hysén, out Swedish footballer (soccer) to the team that’s headquartered in South Carolina.
THUMBS UP TO FACEBOOK
… for adding at least 56 custom gender options for its users who don’t identify with basic “male” or “female” as well as offering a choice of preferred pronouns, such as “her,” “him” or “them.”
… NBA Hall of Famer for his defense of Michael Sam and LGBT equality. Barkley supports same-sex marriage, saying all that matters with gay athletes is their game performance. Responding to locker room concerns, he said “I think it’s an insult to gay people to think that they are going to be looking at their teammates in a sexual way. That’s an insult to all gay men. And we welcome them to the locker room, and I wish Mr. Sam the best.”
CROSSFIT
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
SPORTS
CHARLES BARKLEY
THUMBS DOWN TO
THUMBS UP TO ... for sponsoring Family Outfest July 1-7, joining other event sponsors that include Hilton Hotels, Macy’s and Nickelodeon Suites Resorts.
THUMBS UP TO
… for insisting female transgender athlete Chloie Jönsson compete as a man in their CrossFit Games, showing the company has not bothered to learn the scientific research findings behind transgender hormone replacement therapy that has already been acknowledged and accepted by such organizations as the NCAA and the International Olympic Committee.
Who is the most decorated Olympian of all time and what is his sport? A: Swimmer Michael Phelps with a total of 22 medals.
QUIZ
www.CompeteNetwork.com
| COMPETE | 11
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NASCAR Spotter’s Guide BY MICHAEL MYERS OF QUEERS4GEARS PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES FOR NASCAR
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E
very season a few drivers change sponsors or a new driver arrives in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series. But 2014 will have more changes than any season in recent memory. With the largest rookie field in years and several veteran drivers moving to new teams, it may be hard for some fans to keep up with who is in what car. Queers4Gears has compiled a few visual aids to help you spot the new drivers and paint schemes you’ll see on track this season.
#3 – Austin Dillon
Last year’s Nationwide Series Champion, Austin Dillon moves into the Sprint Cup Series in 2014. Dillon will be driving the #3, an iconic number that has been absent from the track since Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in the #3 at the 2001 Daytona 500. There are mixed emotions among the fans about the #3 returning to the track. But Earnhardt’s son, Dale Jr. has expressed his support for Austin Dillon’s efforts to return NASCAR’s most famous number to the track.
www.CompeteNetwork.com
| COMPETE | 15
#42 – Kyle Larson
Juan Pablo Montoya has left NASCAR to return to his racing roots in the Indy Car Series. Montoya is being replaced by rookie Kyle Larson in the #42 Target Chevrolet. Larson was the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year and his win in the Camping World Truck Series at Rockingham marked the first NASCAR “Drive for Diversity” graduate to win a NASCAR national series race.
#78 – Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. replaces Kurt Busch at Furniture Row Racing in the #78 for the 2014 season. Truex brings his two Cup Series wins and seven poles to Furniture Row Racing, the only Sprint Cup series team that is headquartered outside of NASCAR’s “capital” in Charlotte, NC. Truex finished 16th in 2013 points driving for Michael Waltrip Racing.
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#31 – Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman replaces Jeff Burton in the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. Newman, a 14-year series veteran most recently drove for Stewart-Hass racing and brings an impressive resume to RCR. He won the 2008 Daytona 500 and has 17 career wins and 51 poles. Newman did make NASCAR Championship “Chase” Playoff in 2013 ... barely. He made the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup after point penalties were levied against Michael Waltrip Racing and Martin Truex Jr. coming out of Richmond, removing Truex from the Chase field.
#4 – Kevin Harvick
After spending his entire career at Richard Childress Racing, Kevin Harvick moves to Stewart-Hass Racing in 2014. Harvick will take his primary sponsor, Budweiser, with him to SHR but will now be driving the #4 car. Harvick brings an impressive 23 wins, and he’s coming off a third place points finish in last year’s Championship, tying his career best. Off to a strong start with new crew chief Rodney Childers, Harvick won in Phoenix, the 2nd race of the 2014 season.
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| COMPETE | April 2014
#41 – Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch moves from Furniture Row Racing to field a new entry for Stewart-Hass Racing in 2014. Busch will be driving the #41 with HASS Automation as the primary sponsor. The self-proclaimed “Outlaw” is coming off a 10th place finish in the 2013 points. Busch brings 24 career wins and 16 career poles to SHR. This new ride marks a new highpoint for the Vegas native after bouncing around through several lower level teams since he left Penske Racing at the end of 2011.
#47 – AJ Allmendinger
AJ Allmendinger is back with JTG Daugherty Racing in 2014 and will be driving the #47 carrying several major sponsors. Allmendinger has competed in the Sprint Cup Series since 2009 and has two career poles, and his 2nd place finish at Martinsville in 2012 marks his career best. Allmendinger split time in 2013 between Phoenix Racing and JTG Daugherty, but now he’ll be full time with JTG, having recently inked a three-year contract. Known as a superior Road Course racer, AJ raced in two NASCAR Nationwide Series events in 2013, winning at Road America and Mid-Ohio.
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Ready For Our Closeup, Mr. DeMille!
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| COMPETE | April 2014
PHOTOS BY THOMAS FLEISHER
Compete Magazine presents its eighth annual swimsuit edition and we brought the shoot back to Phoenix to celebrate! Over the years we’ve been on location in cities such as Seattle, Dallas, Phoenix, New York and Las Vegas. Each location has provided us with different venues—from being waterside in Seattle to being on the Las Vegas Strip. This year we decided to throw a party and include you as part of the photo shoot. The footage is raw, fun and puts you, our reader right in the middle of the shoot. This year we selected Exposed Studio & Gallery as our shoot’s venue. The shoot was open to the public which made the event fun for both the models and on-set guests. Special thanks to Exposed Studio & Gallery owner Gregg Edelman, photographer Thomas Fleisher and his assistant Anthony Holscher and stylist Alfonzo Chavez.
www.CompeteNetwork.com
| COMPETE | 23
Daniel Wrestling Suit by ES
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| COMPETE | April 2014
Rusty Swimming Suit by ES
Ray Soccer Suit by Timoteo
L to R: Daniel,
Ray, Rusty
www.CompeteNetwork.com
| COMPETE | 25
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FRESH FROM THE KITCHEN
TasTe | service | QualiTy
Travis Volleyball Suit by Baskit
Joen Hiking Suit by ES
L to R: Rickey, Elyse, Paco
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| COMPETE | April 2014
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
We want to thank all our models: Todd Bailey Travis Bestenlehner Stacey Jay Cavaliere Paco Chairez Candace Dickens Fernando Philip Austin Fernandez Elyse Fune Rickey Hodinh Christopher LaFayette Aaron Marner Joen Martinez Daniel Mefford Rusty Sayer Ray Solis Eric Thurnbeck Steve Youngdahl
Fernando Football Suit by ES
Stacy Jay Swimming Suit by ES
Swimsuits provided by: Off Chute Too www.offchutetoo.com 4111 N. 7th Avenue Phoenix, Arizona Baskit, Junk, Pistol Pete, Timoteo suits are available at Off Chute Too TUC by Tan United www.tanunited.com 4700 N. Central Avenue, #16 Phoenix, Arizona ES, Go Software, Aussie Bum suits are available at TUC by Tan United All tops by Go Software
Catering provided by: Ticoz and Harley’s Italian Bistro
Costumes provided by: Mardi Gras Costume Shop 30
| COMPETE | April 2014
Aaron Football Suit by Aussie Bum
Candace Fitness Suit by Aussie Bum
Christopher Bowling Suit by ES
Travis Volleyball Suit by Baskit
Todd Dancer/Acrobat Suit by Pistol Pete
Elyse Softball Suit by ES
L to R: Rusty, Rickey, Daniel, Travis, Joen, Fernando www.CompeteNetwork.com
| COMPETE | 31
Ricky Hodinh Rugby Suit by ES
Steve Weightlifting Suit by Pistol Pete
Elyse Softball Suit by ES
Paco Rugby Suit by Aussie Bum
Eric Running Suit by Junk
Ray Soccer Suit by Timoteo
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Travel
ALL-STAR
BRIAN RAYMOND OUT DESTINATIONS
GAY GAMES ARRIVE IN CLEVELAND+AKRON THIS SUMMER From August 9th through the 16th more than 11,000 athletes from over 60 countries will be competing in the Gay Games’ 35 different athletic competitions in the Cleveland+Akron area. And with an additional 25,000 spectators and visitors coming to celebrate Gay Games 9 with the athletes, that means it’s time to book your reservations now if you haven’t already. Brian Raymond Competition will be spread over various venues in both cities, but stay in downtown Cleveland near the Public Square area. Many of the events as well as concerts and themed parties will be held within walking distance of this city center. Fortunately, Cleveland has an excellent public transit system which can transport you to most venues, plus it offers discounted 7-day passes for $22.50. While the days are packed with competition, make sure you save time to explore these cities. Just northwest of Public Square is the Warehouse District, the newest trendy spot lined with old Victorian era warehouses that have been rehabbed into modern lofts, upscale restaurants, wine bars and clubs, including the mixed chic Anatomy Nightclub. Other gay bars are scattered near the waterfront within a six mile radius of downtown. On the waterfront just north of the Warehouse District is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame containing over 150,000 square feet of exhibits covering seven stories. With a mix of permanent and changing exhibits, it is dedicated to the history of Rock and Roll and chronicling its impact on American culture. About four miles east of downtown via the HealthLine rapid-bus is University Circle, the cultural center of Cleveland. This scenic park-like setting is home to the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Botanical Garden, Museum of Natural History, Museum of Contemporary Art, Western Reserve Historical Society, and Severance Hall, the winter home of the renowned Cleveland Orchestra. Finally, Cedar Point Amusement Park is a mere 90 minute drive west of Cleveland. Known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the Word,” it boasts 72 rides, including 16 roller coasters. Amusement Today ranks it as the best amusement park in the world. With so much to see and do, let’s bring on the games! Brian Raymond from Out Destinations can make your travel dreams come true. You can contact him at brian@OutDestinations.com or 866-217-2341.
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Focus on Development
START YOUR PERSONAL VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
D
O YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE THE internal power and ability to change your life for the better? If you don’t … and even if you do, a good place to come for guidance on your discovery voyage is to Danny A. Cabrera, C.Ht., owner of Now, Voyager Counseling Hypnosis. His slogan, “Your mind is the greatest vessel,” reflects both his belief and professional experience that hypnotherapy can help any of the difficulties or challenges that are part of the human condition. Cabrera has decided, however, to change the name of his business begun in 1996 from its original Now, Voyager Hypnotherapy to Now, Voyager Counseling Hypnosis. This name change is two-fold. First, meant to reflect the importance that solid counseling and coaching play in the healing and growth process in addition to the tool of hypnosis. But it’s also to allay concerns people may have over losing control of their free will while under hypnosis. According to Cabrera, the media still unfairly portray hypnosis. We’ve all seen tricks done on television, in movies, and even at sporting events where people undergo hypnosis and then do and say foolish things for the entertainment of the audience. But the truth is that under hypnosis, you cannot be made to do anything against your will or moral standards. It is imperative to Cabrera that you understand you are safe with him helping your mind address issues ready to be examined and worked on. Hypnosis is a clinical yet relaxed state of mind which enables the messages discussed during a session to be absorbed faster and in a more enhanced manner by the subconscious mind that controls over 95 percent of what you think, say and do. An important difference between traditional psychotherapy and hypnotherapy is that the former can take years to reach core issues, while with hypnosis counseling people can often achieve success in six-to-seven sessions. Another important difference is that Cabrera is a trained counselor; he’s had more than just hypnosis training so he’s not simply reading from a prepared script. His sessions are custom to you. His original business name came from the 1942 Bette Davis movie, “Now, Voyager” that recounts how a psychiatrist helps a woman in crisis through counseling. Seeing this film at a young age, Cabrera was intrigued by
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| COMPETE | April 2014
Danny Cabrera C.Ht. the ability to help others through counseling – it seemed magical to him and he knew it was what he wanted to do in his adult career. Eventually majoring in psychology in college, he went on to earn a master’s degree in counseling from Ottawa University. He then studied hypnosis at New Beginnings Wellness Institute and was fortunate enough to be mentored by Dr. Edwin Druding, a direct disciple of Milton Erickson, the father of modern hypnotherapy. He has also done extensive hypnosis work at Phoenix Shanti, a center for people with AIDS and alcohol/drug rehabilitation. We all have things in our lives we’d like to improve and achieve – like the perfect body weight, better sports performance, increased prosperity, enhanced relationships and better memory. We also have challenges in our personal and professional lives, like stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, pain management and sometimes addiction issues, like alcohol and drugs – really anything affecting our human condition. The good news is that hypnotherapy can work for you if you’re ready to take charge of your life. And if you are ready to improve your life, contact Danny Cabrera C.Ht. to be your personal guide on your voyage of discovery to a happier, healthier life because, as he says, “Your mind is the greatest vessel!”
Sports
SEVEN MLB SPRING TRAINING PLAYERS TO WATCH BY JOSEPH GAXIOLA SPRING TRAINING FOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
(MLB) starts the end of February and runs to the end of March. With spring training coming to an end, the Internet is filled with predictions on everything from who will win an MVP trophy and the Cy Young award to teams making the playoffs and the team to win it. On a less grand scale, however, based on spring training performance between Florida’s Grapefruit League and Arizona’s Cactus League games, here are seven players who are worth watching in 2014 season play. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS DIDI GREGORIUS — SHORTSTOP When Kevin Towers signed Didi Gregorius from the Cincinnati Reds during the off-season in a three-team trade deal it was widely criticized. Gregorius has potential with the bat and the ability to turn on some pitches with seven home runs. He has room to improve against left-handers but his numbers look pretty good for a shortstop. CHICAGO WHITE SOX ERIK JOHNSON – PITCHER A second round pick out of California in 2011, Erik Johnson dominated the minors, allowing just 100 hits in 142 games. Johnson can mix up his pitching to neutralize right hand batters. He has room to improve his curveball but he could develop into a middle-of-the-rotation starter. CLEVELAND INDIANS COREY KLUBER – PITCHER Having a very good last season with a 3.85 ERA in 147 innings was Corey Kluber. Originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2007, Kluber put everything together in 2013, finishing sixth best in the American League and he has a solid fastball. Batters who faced Kluber’s pitching last season only got a combined total of two home runs, 50 strikeouts and no walks.
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KANSAS CITY ROYALS YORDANO VENTURA – PITCHER Another pitcher who should rank high on prospect lists this season with his high-octane heater is Yordano Ventura. He struck out 155 in 134 innings in the minor leagues. While Ventura’s curveball and change still need some work, he is known for his fast ball which has been clocked at 101.9 mph. That alone should put him in the rotation as a starter. LOS ANGELES ANGELS KOLE CALHOUN – RIGHT FIELDER Left-handed batter Kole Calhoun can handle left-handed pitchers well enough. Calhoun is 26 so his star potential is limited but he has a good approach while batting, hitting 15-to-20 home runs. This is one of the reasons why the Los Angeles Angels could trade for Kole Calhoun. SAN DIEGO PADRES JEDD GYORKO – SECOND BASE Jedd Gyorko had a very impressive rookie season with 23 home runs in 125 games. But Gyorko didn’t make an impression on the public because there were four big rookie players last season. If he can overcome his bad habit of chasing pitches out of the strike zone, then this season he will be one of the stars in the San Diego Padres bullpen. SEATTLE MARINERS JAMES PAXTON – PITCHER Another left-handed pitcher, James Paxton is ready for the majors in this upcoming season with a good fastball, curve and changeup. Unfortunately, Taijuan Walker is the Seattle Mariners’ rookie starter who is receiving most of the attention. Paxton needs to work on his shaky command while pitching, but with the Mariners’ shaky defense, this can hurt a young pitcher’s confidence.
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Fitness BY MARK MOON
GET FIT FOR YOUR BLOOD TYPE Getting fit may sound simple enough but the fact is that with the busy lives we live, staying fit seems to be more of a luxury than a necessity these days. It’s a fact that not everyone has the same basic needs – one person only needs to think about exercise and they drop 10 pounds while another can exercise non-stop in the gym for months on end with seemingly few results. Possible reasons for this can include a bad diet, bad trainer or quite possibly you are causing your body more stress than is good for it. There’s no one-size-fitsall approach toward exercise and diet that will work on everyone.
MY TOP THREE TIPS FOR SUCCESS
1.
DO HIIT FOR BLOOD TYPE O I find an intensive combination of resistance and cardio exercise using the principles of HIIT (high intensity interval training) works best with blood type O. CrossFit, circuits and indoor cycling classes are perfect.
2.
DO MORE LOW INTENSITY STRENGTH, YOGA AND MEDITATION FOR BLOOD TYPE A I think there’s a reason why vegetarianism is associated with yoga and meditation. It’s because blood type A does best on a vegetarian-style diet and also responds best to an exercise program that favors more calming and relaxing exercise. However, strength training is still important for numerous reasons. When doing more intensive exercise sessions, take a good 10-15 minutes at the end to relax.
3.
DO FIND A BALANCE FOR BLOOD TYPE B AND AB It’s no wonder I have spent the last 18 years teaching group fitness classes. Being a blood type B myself, group activities are perfect and the balance of different training styles keeps us interested and motivated. Mark Moon is one of today’s leading health, wellness, and fitness trainers, influential Blood Type Diet expert and creator of the Get Fit Fast online fitness and lifestyle program. To learn more visit www.markmoonfitness.com.
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MY TOP THREE TIPS TO AVOID
1.
AVOID SETTING UNREALISTIC GOALS THAT YOU CAN’T ACHIEVE No one likes to fail so why set yourself up for failure before you have even started? Setting small achievable goals is the quickest way to fitness success. Being able to track and see results while you are still in the early stages will be motivation to keep going.
2.
AVOID COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHER PEOPLE We have all done this, including me; however this is the biggest mistake you can make. It’s hard to avoid it with TV, magazines, billboards, you name it, all telling us how we should look. The fact is you are never going to look like that person you are comparing yourself to because we are all different.
3.
AVOID LIVING ON DIET/LOW FAT AND PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS I can’t emphasise enough how bad “low fat” products are. You need to remember that when something is taken out, something else is put in to keep flavour and consistency. Usually those additives are far worse for you then the fat!
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A once-a-day body spray, Exert Smart Body Coolant® keeps you cool and dry for an entire day. Whether your body temperature spikes due to physical exertion, stress, anxiety, excessive sweating, hot flashes or your environment, this spray helps regulate skin temperature easily and at any time. Exert draws heat away from the skin during temperature spikes via their patent-pending technology which “kicks in” and automatically cools the skin. When body temperature drops back to normal, it quickly recharges and is ready to go again without the need to reapply. Exert is fragrance-free and the natural product smell disappears after application; it does not leave any residue or stain clothing. Using pressurized air instead of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), the coolant is safe for the environment. It doesn’t contain any aluminum or heavy metals and is also alcohol-free. A can typically lasts 4-6 weeks and is $30.
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The Halo Belt 2.0 is an LED-illuminated and rechargeable safety belt for use in cycling, motorcycle riding, jogging, hiking and skiing. It’s also handy for child and pedestrian safety, roadside emergencies and more. The Halo Belt Company is a San Francisco-based start-up funded by Kickstarter in August of 2012. This new 2.0 version is brighter and safer than the original and is rechargeable via micro USB. It accommodates waist sizes 0-to-46. The original Halo Belt retailed at $85 but the new Halo Belt 2.0 is now available on Kickstarter to the first 500 pledgers for just $35 and then $37 once the first 500 sell out. Additionally, the team is offering a new reward for this time around – the Halo X, two Halo Belt 2.0s clipped together, forming an “X” across a wearer’s back and chest for ultimate and stylish visibility.
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Overtime
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Overtime
EVENTS
GAY SPORTS EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY Find more events online at competenetwork.com
BOWLING Gotham Open Bowling Tournament Syosset, NY April 4 OK Classic Tournament & Scratch Masters Oklahoma City April 25 Columbus Ohio Midwest Invitational Classic Columbus April 25 Funlovers California Spring Classic Fountain Valley, Calif. April 25
RODEO
PRIDE EVENTS IN APRIL
L. A. Rodeo Los Angeles April 18-20
Phoenix Pride April 4-6 Miami Beach Gay Pride April 14 Tallahassee Pridefest April 14 New Orleans Gay Easter Parade April 20 Cleveland Claw Leather Awareness April 24-27 White Party Palm Springs April 25-28
SOFTBALL Tulsa Up All Night Tulsa April 18
TENNIS LA Open X Los Angeles April 20
VOLLYBALL Last Dig XVII Denver April 5 Irvine Splash 9 Irvine, Calif. April 5 Spring Challenge IV San Diego April 12 Lone Star Volleyball Classic XXV Houston April 18 Big Apple XXX1 New York April 26 Lake Erie Classic Cleveland April 26
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ON DECK
NEXT MONTH IN COMPETE MAGAZINE Phoenix is celebrating its 34th Annual PRIDE Parade & Festival on April 5-6 and Compete Magazine will be manning a booth both days so be sure to stop by and say hello. And on the 5th, the Phoenix Frontrunners will be holding their 16th Annual Pride 10K/5K Run & 5K Walk. And if you were a fan of “The A-List: New York” and Austin Armacost, mark your calendar for the weekend of April 25th. Compete is bringing him to Phoenix for a photo shoot and a series of appearances, including a Saturday appearance at Exposed Studio & Gallery in the Melrose District on 7th Avenue.
Overtime
YEARBOOK
THIS MONTH IN SPORTS HISTORY: APRIL
1
2
Hockey great Wayne Gretzky breaks Bobby Orr’s record with 103rd assist - 1980
Baseball season opener delayed until April 26 - 1995
3 1st roster of Silver Bullets, all-female pro baseball team, announced - 1994
5
6
“Tarzan “ Johnny Weissmuller set swim records in 100 and 200 m free style -1927
Sugar Ray Leonard upsets Marvelous Marvin Hagler - 1987
12
13
2nd lowest NBA scoring game - Detroit Pistons 72, New York Knicks 61 - 1992
Saints owner Tom Benson agrees to purchase New Orleans Hornets from NBA for est. $338 mil. -2012
19
20
21
Gregory Robertson does 200mph free fall to save unconscious skydiver - 1987
Pete Rose pleads guilty to hiding $300,000 in income - 1990
General Tire World Bowling Tournament of Champions won by Mike Aulby - 1995
24
25
26
Highest scoring baseball game in 17 years Twins 24, Tigers 11 - 1996
A’s manager Billy Martin restrained by ump from attacking a fan - 1980
Source: www.brainyhistory.com
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| COMPETE | April 2014
7 Kelly Robbins wins Sacramento 12 Bridges LPGA Golf Classic - 1996
14
4 50th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Kansas beat Oklahoma 83-79 - 1988
8 Bubba Watson defeats Louis Oosthuizen at 2012 Masters Tourney in sudden-death playoff - 2012
9
10
11
Major League Soccer announces Miami and Chicago expansion - 1997
Pittsburgh Penguins win their NHL record 17 game winning streak - 1993
KDKA broadcasts 1st radio sporting event, a boxing match (Ray-Dundee) - 1921
15
16
17
Boston Marathon bombing kills 3, wounds scores of others - 2013
Arthur Ashe retires from professional tennis - 1980
1st Boston Women’s Marathon won by Nina Kuscsik of New York in 3:10:26 - 1972
22
18 Quarterback Joe Montana announces his retirement from football - 1995
23 Kareem AbdulJabbar plays his last game as a Laker - 1989
27
28
29
NFL officially recognizes Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio - 1961
Boston Celtics score most points in a playoff, beat New York Knicks 157-128 - 1990
ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” debuts - 1961
30 New York Knights 1st arena football game beats Cobras 60-52 in Los Angeles - 1988
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