JANUARY 2012
UNFINISHED BUSINESS HAROLD BRIGHT PLUS: The
Man Behind the Medal Daniel Eslinger OCTOBER 2012 JUNE 2012 MARCH 2012 JULY 2012
Hello Readers: The Central Texas Showdown was a complete success. Bob and I are planning next years ventures with a few surprise annoucements. Stay tuned to Pose Down once we finalize our plans. I have the distinct pleasure of revisting with a friend of mine in this issue Nancy Di Nino. Please read her updated news and ventures.
HALL OF FAME TEXAS METRO FLEX FT WORTH TX
OCTOBER 20, 2012 COPYRIGHT
All content included in this publication, including but not limited to, text, graphics and images, is, unless otherwise noted, copyrighted under United States law and protected by worldwide copyright laws and treaty provisions. The compilation (meaning the collection, arrangement and assembly) of all content in this publication is the exclusive property of Pose Down Muscle and Figure Magazine LLC and protected by United States and international copyright laws. No use, including the reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, republication, display or performance, of the content in this publication is permitted without Pose Down’s written permission. LIMITS OF LIABILITY This Publication is provided by Pose Down Muscle and Figure LLC on an “as is” basis. Pose Down makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the content written in articles and columns of the publication or the information, content or materials included in this publication. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Pose Down disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to, interviews, photos, written content of articles and perspective views of its columnist.
Cover Picture: Harold Bright Cover Page Photo Stephen by PoseFrazier Down Magazine Ray Rojas Editor In Chief : Bob Johnson Editorial /Director/Designer: Laura Johnson Publication Interest: Aaron Fletcher Photographers: Dan Ray Contributing Column Writers Jillian Reville Michael Bell Jack Duncan Ryan Ellison Noah Williams Pose Down Magazine accepts photos from individual athletes with the understanding that each athlete own the rights to photos submitted…….
JCW FITNESS CALL BOB JOHNSON 972-822-7965
METRO FLEX GYM FT WORTH
Champions this month Beth Hagendorf By: Mike Bell
PD: How old are you and how long have you been competing? BH: I am 30 years old and I have been competing for only 1 year. PD: Did you play sports in high school or college? BH: Yes, my high school coaches had us in the weight room 2 or 3 times per week. I enjoyed lifting so much I joined the powerlifting team. I also played volleyball, softball, tennis, basketball and was a cheerleader. Unfortunately, in college I just worked with a different kind of 6 pack. PD: I can understand that, I think we all went through that stage. What got you into the sport? BH: In my later 20’s I was unhappy with my body. I wanted to be one of those super fit girls in the gym. When I moved to CA in April of 2011 I dedicated my life to improving my physique. Moving took away any temptation I had like friends and Mexican food. I met Spencer Aiken and he took me to Jon Lindsay’s NPC bodybuilding show. The moment I saw the girls painted orange in their clear heals on stage I was immediately envious and motivated. All I knew was I wanted a hot picture of me on stage. PD: What are some of your recent shows, and how did you place? BH: I won the Overall Bikini, Most Symmetrical, and 1st in Sports Model in my last show here in San Diego this past May. This was a special win for me because my contest history was always improving. I didn’t tell anyone but I felt a lot of pressure to win my most recent show. My prior show I had placed 2nd in Dave Goodin’s NPC show in Austin TX in April. That was a meaningful show because I had my entire immediate family there as I am from TX. I lived in Austin 8 years before I moved to CA. Contest History 1st Southern California San Diego CA, Overall 5/12/12 2nd Texas Shredder Classic, Austin TX, Class B 4/14/12 11th Arnold Classic Columbus OH, Class C, 3/1/12 3rd Gold Coast Muscle Classic San Diego CA, Class D, 2/11/12 4th Excalibur Los Angeles CA, Class C, 12/3/2011
One of my favorite things to do here at Posedown Mag is introducing new athletes to our readers. Most of these athletes you haven’t heard of yet but you will be seeing a lot of in the years to come as they work their way up to the Pro and even Olympia level. Beth Hagendorf is this months CHAMPION. I had a chance to visit with her and get some insight into not only beautiful young lady but an inspiring person too.
Champions this month
Beth Hagendorf By: Mike Bell
PD: What are your plans for the rest of this year? BH: I will compete in Flex Bikini Model Search Contest held at The Olympia’s Expo in Las Vegas September 28 & 29th. I was voted in so I get to automatic pass into the finals. I’m busy hosting a small TV show called The Talk of San Deigo, finishing a movie, starting a short film, and modeling when there is a gig worth doing. I also am currently writing the pilot for a fitness TV show. So I have a lot on my plate but all of it was made because of this sport! PD: What do you find to be the most difficult part of this sport? BH: The diet. Some enjoy eating clean but I don’t; probably because my cooking sucks. When I started competing I had my roommate teach me to cook rice and how to use the George Foreman. The diet can play into the mental challenges for me. Bodybuilding is a sport where it’s you against yourself in your head. So if I wasn’t well fed it really affected my mental state which had an impact on my training. I sometimes got in a bind running errands and not have packed my food. I would be in tears I was so hungry. But determined to kick ass I wouldn’t eat anything until I got to my food. PD: What are some of your favorite exercises in the gym? BH: I love deep squats, the dead lift, and exercises using my body weight. PD: Do you work with anyone for your prep? BH: I actually don’t which is rare. I didn’t know it was an option at first. So I just read and talked to as many people as I could. I’ve got a big mouth so after my first contest I became pretty well connected into the scene and learned a ton from just networking as I went. PD: What have the judges told you need to work on in order to place a little higher? BH: The judges at The Shredder Classic in Austin had me in 1st then they bounced me to 2nd because they said my glutes were too “jiggly” when we did our comparison walks! It’s so true though, I need to tighten my glutes and get that high round curve on top. Besides my glutes I personally want to have bigger obliques and round out my delts. PD: Is there anyone you would like to thank? BH: My Father, Matthew Hagendorf. He has flown to all my shows and has been in the front row behind the judges helping me ensure I’m giving the judges my best angles. Also Spencer Aiken of True Fitness, Danny Torgl of San Diego Fitness, Jeff McCarrell and Amber Littlejohn for contest advice, Christian Zepeda & Bryan Balingit for being my entourage, & all of the amazing women I have met competing especially Grissel Martinez who helped me realize we make our destination on where we take ourselves within our fitness journey.
WWW.JCWNUTRITION.COM
By Laura Johnson Chicken Pitas Ingredients (Makes 4 servings) 2 cups chicken 4 oz g) of Green Chilies’ 1 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon garlic salt ½ cup lettuce 1 tomato 4 pita,large 6-1/2" Bread 1 Light! Low Fat Dressing 1 medium onion Directions cook chicken with chili’s in olive oil...season as you cook. After cooked prepare in Pita Bread with lettuce, tomato and onion (dressing optional).
Legend: Fat Protein Carbs Alcohol Other
Good points Low in saturated fat
High in manganese High in niacin Very high in selenium
For Contest Prep, Posing and MORE CALL BOB WITH JCW FITNESS 972-822-7965 We want you to: “Keep Your Eye On The Prize”
Stephanie Hurstrom 4th Place at NPC Muscle Contest Championships
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Sherry Perper
My Bio
My name is Sherry Perper I am 47 years old. I am divorced and a single mother of three. Work full time as a personal trainer/fitness consultant and nutrition consultant. I have been an athlete all my life. Marathoner triathlons cycling, fitness instructor. I started competing 4 years ago. I have competed in the OCB and won Masters in 2010 in figure. I also competed in npc in figure taking 2nd and 5th places in several shows in 2010 2011 and 2012. I am now competing in women’s physique I placed 5th in the Philadelphia classic Tracy greenwood show and currently training to hopefully do the national masters in Pittsburgh in 2013. I also qualified this last July to do the team universe show and did that show as well. I am very passionate about fitness and love competing and hope to earn my pro card next year. I love weight training and keeping a healthy life style. My goal is to be a good role model to my three children when it comes to a healthy life.
JOSE DEJESUS Hi my name is Jose Dejesus and have been competing in bodybuilding since 1985.I am originally from the Bronx NY but now reside in Orlando Florida.I started training with weights because of High School football,but realized that wasnt a sport for me.I was given an old Muscular Development Magazine with Ed Kawak on the cover and wanted to look like that.I switched up my training and 6 months later was competing in my first teen bodybuilding contest.I placed second and was hooked from then on.I have since competed in 40 bodybuilding contest.My most notable wins are: 1987 Npc Teen NYC Overall winner 1989 Npc Teen Northern States overall winner 1995 Npc Sunshine classic Mens overall winner 1998 Npc Southeasten USA Mens overall winner 2010 Npc Lakeland classic Mens and Masters overall winner 2010 Npc Southeastern USA Masters winner 2010 Npc Allsouth mens overall winner 2011 Npc Jr. Usa 3rd place Light heavy 2011 Npc Masters Nationals 5th place Light heavy 2011 NAbba American bodybuilding championship Overall mens and masters winner
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E N IN
T T I SB
V L E K
I am Kelvin Nesbitt and I am from Spartanburg South Carolina. I am a certified personal trainer and owner of One on One Fitness LLC. I have been competing now for two years. My ultimate goal is to one obtain my pro card. My history of competitions thus far are as follows: -Carolina Supernatural 2011 1st Place Men Open Light & 2nd Place Overall for Mr. Spartanburg, 1st Place Best Poser Men’s Lightweight -NPC 2011 Stewart Fitness Championship 1st Place Men Novice Light weight 1st Place Men’s 35 and older Lightweight 5th Place Open Mens Middle weight -2011 NPC MID-Atlantic Classic 1st Place Open Men’s Lightweight -Si-Flex Club Natural Physique Association. 2012 4th Place Lightweight under 165 2nd Place Men’s Master. - 2012 NPC PALMETTO Cup 2nd Place Men’s Open Lightweight - NPC 2012 Junior USA 4th Place men’s bodybuilding Lightweight.
Jen Cook- Posing & Competition Consulting By Tye Sheets Pierpont
Jen Cook - Posing & Competition Coach - IFBB Pro Athlete - NPC Texas Judge Jecho Enterprises, Inc. Personal email: jct@jen-cook.com
Location: Metro Flex Mid Cities 1820 Reliance Parkway #100 Bedford, TX 76021 (817) 266-8082 I am a DJ/Music Producer I also offer Music mixes for posing and other events. Contact Information: jc@jen-cook.com Jen Cook: IFBB Pro Athlete/NPC Texas Judge Texas NPC is a legit and a true Organization. Because of my passion for the competitors. I’m not Judging this year - I am focusing on keeping our Competitors being the best they can be. I do not want any type of “Conflict of Interest” or “There’s Politics” type game. We, NPC Texas, doesn’t play that game. As a NPC Head Judge (the 2nd FEMALE Head Judge for NPC.... in HISTORY!!!!), I am excited to offer Posing, Competition Prep, and Consultation.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS Written By: Ryan Ellison
Most may find it inconceivable to believe that a skinny thirteen year old boy would grow up to become a top ranked super heavyweight national competitor. As well as earn himself the nickname “Black Beast” from his all out beast mode training style. It all started with a scrawny 13 year old Harold asking his mother if he could join the football team. She explained to him that he was too small and would get injured to easily. This gave Harold the inspiration he needed to start lifting weights and for his birthday he got a DP weight set, and got right to work. Even at a young age Harold had the Genetics to make large gains in a short period of time. These gains eventual lead him to participate in his High School football team. Once Harold turned 16 he started training at Hard Body’s in Arlington, Texas. After observing the radical changes to his physique, football quickly took a backseat to weight training. Even though football wasn’t his main focus he continued to play for several more years and even played semi pro in the military
UNFINISHED BUSINESS By: Jack Duncan Tye Sheets Pierpont
Harold never thought of himself as a bodybuilder but more as a weight lifter he never had an interested in competing. One day while working with a client at Victory Gym one of the gym’s that he worked for during his extensive career as a personal trainer. Harold just happened to catch the eye of current IFBB Pro Physique competitor Sheilahe “Flexy” Brown who instantly noticed his potential. Sheilahe asked Harold if he had competed or given any thought to entering a competition. Sheilahe went ahead and handed Harold a business card and told him to give this person a call. The business card she handed to him said Optimum fitness and the name on it was none other than Prince Harrison. Harold called Prince and arranged a meeting to discuss entering a bodybuilding competition. When the two meet Prince saw the same potential that Sheliahe did, and convinced Harold that he had what it took be a champion. This prompted Harold to begin training immediately for his first bodybuilding competition.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NPC Heart of Texas on Sep 28th was supposed to be the show that Harold made is bodybuilding debuted. In spite of all the hard work and months of preparation that Harold had put into getting ready for the show. There was a somewhat unexpected surprise. The birth of his son on Sep 22nd just shy of week before the show, and since Harold is such a family man he opted out just days before the competition. It wasn’t till a year later in 2004 that Harold final competed in his first bodybuilding show. NPC Heart of Texas winning 1St place in the novice heavyweight division. 6’1” and 218 pounds may have been enough to win the novice at the Heart of Texas, but Harold was determined to move on to bigger and better things. So throughout the offseason he concentrated on putting on more mass. After all, the next show he would be competing in would be a national qualifier. When Harold weighted in for the Europa in 2005 he weighed in at massive 235 pounds. Qualifying him to compete in the Super Heavy Weight division with the big boys. Just like he did a year earlier at the Heart of Texas he sweep 1st place. After this win Harold decided to take a couple of years off to raise his kids, get his personal training business in order and make some more improvements on his physique.
Five years later Harold got the itch to compete again. He set out to win the NPC Texas State in 2010. Unfortunately you can’t win them all and Harold had to settle for Second in the super heavy weight division. The very next year he made a run for Europa a show that he had won just 6 years earlier as a heavyweight, but yet again he didn’t win in fact he wasn’t even placed in the top 5. After this disappointing performance Harold was more determined than ever to win every competition from then on. With sure will and determination driving his offseason training, and the memory of the previous year’s By: performance in the back of his mind. Harold made a crack at another national qualiJack Duncan fier the NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic in 2012. All the hard work and mental fortitude that Harold had endured during training had paid off. He walked of the stage with 1st place and was once again on top of the world and ready to dominate the national circuit.
Deciding not to take a year off but instead head right for a national competition Harold made the Jr USA’s his next destination. This being Harold’s first national competition he had no idea what to expect from the other competitors. Harold was pleasantly surprised after making the first call out. When it was time for the judges to pick first and second place there were some discrepancies. Both Harold and Dan Newmire had brought great packages, but there was not clear cut winner. The judges had them both go over pose after pose for several minutes before deciding a winner. Unfortunately, for Harold the judges felt that Dan was the winner. Harold feels a bit disadvantaged, because of his height it’s not easy being a 6’1” bodybuilder. Shorter competitors have an easier time with symmetry, so this year Harold will not be concentrating on putting on size and becoming a mass monster. Instead his main focus is to win with his conditioning. Harold wants to walk onto the stage with bulging veins and every muscle having perfect striations almost as if he had just jumped out of a comic book. Harold is training harder than ever to putting together his best overall package yet and intends to make 2013 his year. Proving that last year was a fluke and returning to Jr USA’s then to the USA’s to claim his 1st place trophy. Harold has some unfinished business that needs to be dealt with.
Daniel Eslinger The Man Behind the Medal By Noah Williams
These days, you’ll find NPC super heavyweight Daniel Eslinger training in the gym and battling it out on the bodybuilding circuit. But just years ago, he was doing a very different kind of battle — in physical therapy after a roadside bomb in Iraq nearly killed him. Awarded both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star after he was critically injured, Eslinger had to reach deep for the same warrior spirit he brings to competitions today to help him fight his way back.
The most incredible part of Dan’s story — something that would change his life and forever be burned into his memory — began in Baghdad on March 14, 2005. Attached to the Army’s famed 101st Airborne, he was out on patrol in an area of the city that was an airport supply route. Suddenly there was an explosion — his vehicle had been hit by a roadside bomb. Horribly injured in the blast, Dan had fractured his neck and c5, c6, and c7. He had also fractured his left shoulder, his clavicle, and his left hip. By chance, the U.S. Air Force Special Operation Para Rescuemen just happened to be in the air nearby as the ambush occurred. They got to Dan and took him to safety. That’s when the battle really began.
Daniel Eslinger The Man Behind the Medal Enlisted in the United States Army for eight years, Eslinger was born in Florida and grew up in a small town called Sebring. He and his father were the only men in a six-member family. Dan first thought about enlisting in October of 1999 as a way of getting out of the shadow of his siblings. “Growing up,” he says, “I always felt second tier to my siblings, so I saw [going into the service] as a way of separating myself and creating my own identity.”
While in the Army, Dan trained in a bodybuilding fashion and tried to gain size but just couldn’t keep up with the amount of calories he was burning per day. Despite pouring down food and training like an animal, he started dropping weight. Still, leading up to his injury, he was in tip-top physical condition from training every day, going through bootcamp, and having to do immense physical labor, which made getting injured that much more debilitating.
After hip and neck surgery, Dan was stuck at home; with no day-to-day help, it was a very challenging experience. Cratered physically and thrown back into normal everyday civilian life, he was tested to his limits. The road back to strength would first be through physical therapy. Due to the head trauma he suffered from the bomb, Dan doesn’t remember much about his physical therapy except for the fact that he was practically bedridden for nine months before being able to even begin to work on himself. What he does remember is the psychological battle: “It was the most humbling and belittling experience in one,” he says. “Nine long months of humble pie, and I’ll never forget the taste.”
Daniel Eslinger The Man Behind the Medal Getting used to civilian life was difficult, but it taught Dan some hard lessons about life. “The world,” he knows from bitter experience, “is a cruel and unfair place and it will bring you to your knees if you let it.” But the vet. who had been awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star wasn’t going to let that happen. The Purple Heart, the oldest medal still given to members of the U.S. military and one of the most prestigious, is given to soldiers who are wounded or killed in the line of duty. The Bronze Star, the fourth highest combat award and the ninth highest award the U.S. military gives, is awarded for acts of heroism or valor during combat. Dan’s service to his country and the medals — which had been awarded to him on September 11 — meant a lot. But a medal doesn’t get your broken body back in shape. For that, Eslinger had to hit the gym — and hard.
Once Dan was fully healed and the doctors had cleared him, the gym was the first thing on his mind. Even though he felt like the whole world was working against him, Dan still found happiness and positivity in bodybuilding and going to the gym. It gave him a way to keep his anger in check, to channel it: “The day the doctors cleared me, I went balls to the wall in the gym.” Eslinger had first gotten into bodybuilding when he saw it televised on ESPN, but it wasn’t until 2008, three years after being critically wounded, that he got serious about it. Now, with idols like Cedric McMillan, Tony Freeman, Dennis Wolf, and favorite Lou Ferrigno, Eslinger is all the way back and training full time. Dan prefers a regimen that hits one body part every day with high volume. He hits abs three times a week, and despite being in deep offseason he will still do his cardio for a few minutes after every workout. His advice for any aspiring bodybuilders going in to the Armed Services? “Be humble, or it will humble you.”
Daniel Eslinger The Man Behind the Medal
Since fighting his way back, Dan has taken his warrior attitude onto the competition stage. He first competed in the 2009 NPC Panhandle Showdown, where he placed 4th in men’s open super heavyweight, and the 2009 NPC Tampa Bay Classic, where he placed 3rd in the heavyweight class (there was no super heavy class in this show). In 2010 he competed in the NPC All Armed Forces National Bodybuilding Men’s Championship and the 2010 MidFlorida and placed 2nd in both. More recently, he competed in the 2011 NPC Powershack Classic, where he won 1st in the open super heavyweight. After all he’s been through, Dan Eslinger is still a grateful man. He’s thankful to his wife, sponsor Ironmaglabs Nutrition, the United States military, and his little girl, Jordan, for giving him hope and daily inspiration to keep moving forward. And to any servicemen and women who are injured and hope to continue bodybuilding, Dan says, “Just keep faith in a higher being. Fear God, not heavy ass weight.” We at Posedown mag would like to thank Dan and all other servicemen and women for risking their lives to protect us and our country.
PD: What shows have you done and what did you place? MA: 2009 Northeast Grand Prix Hw 3rd 2010 Jay Cutler Classic Hw 4th 2010 Atlantic States Lhw 2nd 2011 Jr Nationals Hw 7th 2011 Northeast Muscle Classic Hw 1st 2012 Connecticut State Championships Hw 1st and OVERALL Winner PD: What does your training split look like? MA: I go 2 days on, 1 off, with shoulders every third week PD: Why do you only do shoulders every third week? MA: My shoulders are a genetically gifted part of my body. I took a whole year off of them and they are still dominant. They make my arms look alot smaller than they are, which throws my symmetry off a bit. I believe by training this way I fixed the problem for now. PD: Do you believe in high volume or a HIT style approach to straining? MA: I approach all my muscle groups differently. Some respond differently than others to specific stimuli. I tend to run high volume training sessions on all bigger muscles, and HIT on smaller. PD: Who is your favorite bodybuilder or bodybuilder that inspired you? MA: PJ Braun and Evan Centopani. PJ is my prep coach. He’s taught me a lot about the industry and the mentality I need to be a champion. Evan is the pro I aspire to be like. He’s popular, has a unique point of view, and treats others with utmost respect. They’re both great guys and I enjoy learning from them.