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May 2013 JUNE 2013

“TRAINING FOR TWO”

TINA NGUYEN AND AMBROSE MIDDLETON “LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST” MICHIEL ESPACH “DETERMINATION AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE” LAURA PAYNE ALSO INSIDE: POSE DOWN BACK SERIES SEPTEMBER 2014

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Hello Readers:

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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.

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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.

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HALL OF FAME TEXAS METRO FLEX FT WORTH TX

Cover Picture: Tina Nguyen and Ambrose Middleton Stephen Frazier Cover Photo by Brian Oliver Ray Rojas Editor In Chief : Bob Johnson Editorial /Director/Designer: Laura Johnson Publication Interest: Aaron Fletcher Contributing Column Writers Tyler Picard Mike Bell Noah Williams Jack Duncan Ryan Ellison Tina Nguyen and Ambrose Middleton photos by Brian Oliver Michiel Espach and Jesse Huerta photos by James Allen Note**Some specific photographers for photos turned in by athletes for “Back Series” are noted by the athlete’s name.

Pose Down Magazine accepts photos from individual athletes with the understanding that each athlete own the rights to photos submitted…….

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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS IFBB Pro Antione Williams

Page 6 - 7

Living Life to the Fullest Michiel Espach

Page 8

Determination and Postive Attitude Laura Payne

Page - 9

Kenny Farris

Page 10

Jesse “James” Huerta

Page 11

Training for Two Tina Nguyen and Ambrose Middleton

Page 16 - 20

Pose Down Back Series

Page 21 - 26

DECEMBER 6, 2014 ARLINGTON, TX

IFBB PRO ANTIONE WILLIAMS Antione J. Williams 38 yrs old Former Ft Worth Police Sergeant

I began competing in the NPC back in 2006 in Lightweight Bodybuilding. My first competition was the Europa Supershow in Dallas, TX where I placed 2nd in Novice LW. Ever since that day I knew that this was a sport that I really enjoyed. My second competition was the West TX Classic in 2007 in Lubbock TX where I won my first Bodybuilding competition in Novice Lightweight.

Two days later I had a major knee surgery that I didn’t anticipate keeping me away from the sport for over a year. I was able to work myself back in shape and competed in Open MW at the Ronnie Coleman Show in 08. I placed third in that competition. I also competed in the TX Shredder that summer where I placed 3rd in Open LW. Due to unexplained swelling in my knee, I went back under the knife. This time put me down for the count but I was determined to make a return to the sport I loved.

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BREAKING NEWS ANTIONE WILLIAMS EARNED HIS PRO CARD AT MASTERS NATIONALS After talking to my good friend Dre Dillard she convinced me to try this new division called Men’s Physique. Well long story made short, I competed in the Lone Star Classic September of 2010 and placed 6th. I knew that there was room for improvement so I vowed to return and win in physique. I returned in 2013 at the Ronnie and won Men’s Physique Masters Class B and placed 4th in Open. I competed in the Ft Worth Classic weeks later and won Masters there and placed 4th in Open Class. I traveled to Houston and competed in a very tough class at the TX State last October and won my class and placed 2nd in Open. That gained me my national qualification where I’m now 7 days away from taking the stage at the Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh. If I was able to win and get my pro card I can look back and appreciate the struggle that it took to get to this point. I can’t wait to compete against the elite competitors to see where I measure up.

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MICHIEL ESPACH “LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST” Living life to its fullest is Michiel Espach’s daily motto. One year ago this month Michiel was diagnosed with stage four terminal lung cancer. Despite his prognosis of only months to live, he enrolled in a clinical trial for an experimental drug that miraculously slowed the disease growth and awarded him more time.

In January of this year, as his body grew stronger and responded favorably to the drug he made a commitment to get in the best physical shape of his life. He competed and placed 2nd in Men’s Masters and 5th overall in NPC’s Battle of the Bay, Corpus Cristi, TX, but his ultimate bucket-list goal was to compete in NPC’s South Texas Showdown, San Antonio, TX honoring his one-year anniversary since the diagnosis. Although he placed 2nd in Men’s Masters and 3rd overall he really wasn’t concerned about the results or placing. All he wanted to do was walk on stage and feel blessed that he was able to accomplish his goal.

While the reprieve is only temporary, Michiel is blessed to have each day that comes where he can be with his wife, friends and family. With his fitness goal now behind him he wants nothing more than to relax and eat everything in front of him. Congratulations, Michiel for reaching your goal and never giving up. You are an inspiration to us all!

You can follow his journey at this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/155328074661793/ Written By Sandra Seidel Photography James Allen

LAURA PAYNE DETERMINATION AND POSITIVE ADDITUDE DEFEATS THE ODDS My name is Jason Payne. I wanted to share my wife’s story and photos with you. My wife competed in the physique division in Jr Nationals in Chicago. She placed 5th and this is only her second event to ever compete in. Laura had an eating disorder throughout college and was actually expelled because the college thought she was going to die from her disorder. She was down to 82lbs. She has struggled with this disease for her whole life.

After we met she started to overcome this and eat better and started working out. She had our beautiful daughter and delivered at about 195lbs. This was shocking to her and she started to revert back to old habits. She struggled and then set out to do a competition. She placed first in her physique division at the 2013 Ft Worth Classic. This led us to Chicago where she placed 5th in Physique at Jr Nationals. She has overcome more than anyone I have ever known and always has done so with a positive attitude. I am a full time registered nurse in the Emergency Department and she works full time as a regulatory analyst. She has way more to her than a great physique, she has an amazing story that I believe people can relate to. She went from the brink of death to become a top national competitor.

Jason Payne RN, MSN

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KENNEY FARRIS

Started competing in 2006 as a middle weight had several 2nd and 3rd place finishes up until about 2009 I finished 3rd at the LA State Championships as a heavyweight I went through a divorce at the end of 09 and had a really tough time going through all that wound up getting back together with my life long love affair as my buddies call her (my wife now) we had known each other since before I started competing. I got custody of my son from my previous marriage another big change and finally in 2012 decided it was time to go back to the stage. Won the heavies at the Optimum 220 on stage in 2013 had been 201 in 2009 and then this yr 232 at the Southern Classic where I won the super heavy class my wife now has been a big part of the winning formula as well as my coach Robert Jacob and best friend IFBB Mike Ergas as far as future goals we are planning on making a strong run at the heavy class at the 2015 USA’s Most recent wins 2013 Optimum Classic heavy weight winner 2014 Southern Classic super heavyweight win.

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NPC MENS PHYSIQUE I am new to the competitive portion of bodybuilding but have been working out since 2000 when I first started working out in my high school’s powerlifting program. Ever since then I’ve loved the feel of a good pump and how I can control how my body looks. I’ve wanted to compete in the last 5 years but have not had the courage to, just this past year I finally jumped all in and received my NPC card. I competed in the Texas Shredder Men’s Physique and placed in 16th place.

Since that competition have have competed in Texas State and placed 13th and the Central Texas Showdown and placed 8th.

By Tye Sheets Pierpont

NPC STRONG

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Training For Two Tina Nguyen and Ambrose Middleton Find Inspiration In The Gym — And Each Other.

By Noah Williams Photography By: Brian Oliver

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Ambrose Middleton and Tina Nguyen are a Texas-based Tina Nguyen and Ambrose Middleton couple who compete in the NPC, both with high hopes of going pro. Nguyen competes in figure and got her start in the gym when she decided to lose a few pounds for a swimsuit competition that she was looking to compete in.

After much procrastination, she finally made the decision to step into the gym. Though Nguyen started off like most do, lacking knowledge and not knowing where to start, she was determined and soon found a trainer, Ambrose Middleton.

Nguyen has been training for a little over two years now, and competing for one, and Middleton has been there every step of the way. In her first competition at the 2013 Ronnie Coleman Classic, Nguyen’s hard work along with the training and encouragement of trainer-boyfriend Middleton took her to a 2nd place finish in the figure division against 26 other competitors. “My biggest issue was my lats and my hamstrings,” Nguyen says.

“Everyone has their strength and weaknesses, right? My hamstrings take forever to grow as well as my lats, and sometimes it can get pretty frustrating, but I never gave up.”

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In her off-season, Nguyen does less cardio, and less weight training, just focusing on her lagging body parts and trying not to overtrain herself. When prepping for a show she’ll do cardio six days a week and train for up to two hours a day. Asked about her off-season, all Nguyen has to say is “I love my off-season!” To bring up her lagging back, Nguyen attributes the main reason for her back growing to Middleton having her do countless sets of pull-ups. “It was so hard for many weeks,” Nguyen says.

“It was hard because I had never trained like that before, but we’ve been working hard and I’m happy with where I am now. ” Where is she now? With Middleton’s help, Nguyen came back after her 2nd place finish in 2013 to take the overall figure in the 2014 Ronnie Coleman Classic.

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Tina Nguyen and Ambrose Middleton

For his part, Middleton, 46, is a real estate agent, and a very impressive super heavyweight bodybuilder sitting at a ridiculous 265 pounds two weeks out from USAs. A self-described “late bloomer, Middleton got his start competing at the young age of 30 and got his start with weight training after realizing he wanted to add some muscle because of all the recreational basketball he’d been playing. Middleton says he was heavily inspired by the classic Nineties physiques of Shawn Ray, Kevin Levrone, Flex Wheeler, and of course, Ronnie Coleman, and that they have also influenced his training style and methods.

“I was a major fan of the guys I saw back then, and my training style is based off of a lot of the old-school principles they used.”

One of Middleton’s first competitions was the North Texas, or what is now the Europa, where he won the show. A turning point in both his professional and personal life came during the real estate recession, when Middleton took a lot of time off and ended up going through a divorce and some very rough times, Nguyen helped him “find inspiration again in his love for her.”

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Tina Nguyen and Ambrose Middleton

By Noah Williams

Reinvigorated, Middleton went on to become the 2013 Texas State Champion. He attributes a lot of his success to the help he’s gotten through the years from various individuals in the fitness world such as Sheilahe Brown, Prince Harrison, IFBB Pro Stephen Frazier, IFBB Pro George Farah, IFBB Pro Vicky Gates, and IFBB Pro Lorenzo Jones, among others. “It has been a long process of finding what works best for my body,” says Middleton.

Currently Middleton and Nguyen are both aiming to earn their IFBB Pro cards.

With each other’s help, it will only be a matter of time.

Page 20 Dan Cross

Kevin Gore

POSE DOWN BACK SERIES

Kenny Farris

Dion Friedland 71 Years Young Aaron Fletcher

Tina Nguyen

BC Howard

IFBB Pro Antione Williams

Christopher Cruz

Celia Cadena

Page 22

Danae Zaitz

Connie Pratt

Danny Rossner

David Nguyen

BY: MIKE BELL

Devon Cooper Erika Hamilton

Diamond Shelby

Shannon Catullo Tea Salinas Photography Jane Santos

by Reg Bradford

Kori Scott Jill Miller

Shawn Oddo

IFBB Pro Kevin Ofurum

Mick McKee

Drew Faulkner

Perry Myers

Tyler Picard

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