So here we are, a couple days post wrap from our largest show to date. The WBFF Team in mid flight to Calgary, holding hands and saying our “If we build it, they’ll come” chants in hopes of a turn out of no less than 100 athletes. Having a fitness show of any sorts in ‘new territory’ is often a scary endeavor as you never know how strong of a foothold you’re able to gain being the new kid on the block.

Well, with the thanks of WBFF Pro Annette Milbers Fleck and photographer extraordinaire David Ford, 153 athletes were gathered at the athlete registration to listen to my ‘throne speech’ about who we are and why we do what we do…

Many ‘thanks’ and praise have continued to rush in and has filled our facebook accounts and email in boxes with gratitude. This, in itself, makes every ounce of everything we put into these shows worthwhile. YOU are the WBFF and we share a small part in it. This is something that I personally promise we will never lose sight of. The growth of our organization has been staggering. Athletes from 19 countries are registered to compete in our World Championships; giving rise to the “World” in WBFF. Again, thanks to all of you who believe in what we believe in…that bodybuilding and fitness doesn’t have to be relegated to a small group of fitness lovers.

The bee that buzzes in my bonnet is the small group of haters that seem to attempt to knock on us for what we’re doing, while at the same time singing their praises of how they are ‘all about the athletes’. If ANY organization is ALL about the athletes, they wouldn’t be hating on anyone for doing a good job in the fitness world. Let me clarify what I feel is a ‘good job’ in fitness competitions. I’m going to throw this out there to those organizations that choose to banter ill will…(this is the part where Daryl is standing on top of the mountain, red cape a dazzle and blowing his horn)…

* athlete inquiries are handled promptly and courteously
* athletes that register with the WBFF receive a boat load of goodies that FAR exceed the value of registration (last event alone each bag contained over $400 in products)
* venues are of the highest caliber and contain a production value that is ‘made for TV’ atmosphere
* marketing of events are spread globally and utilize WBFF athletes to increase athletes’ marketability
* prize packages are ‘career starting’ – contract endorsements, trips, etc.
* guaranteed ‘covers’ of mainstream fitness magazines
* photographers who are directly affiliated with magazines in attendance at EVERY event
* partnerships with companies that align themselves with our vision
* WBFF Pros compete for over $35,000 in cash alone which is within reach of every successful athlete
* an ongoing partnership with the WBFF which supports your fitness and business goals
* events are entertaining, competitive and are guaranteed not to contain any saturated or trans fats
* the emcee is rather attractive, witty, debonair and articulate (who writes this stuff?)

As you can see, why the hell would anyone consider competing with the WBFF??

Do we have a ‘hate on’ for any of the other fitness organizations? Hell no….in fact, if you’re one of those avid supporters of ANY federation, I’d be happy to list your event for you and extend an invitation to come to our events and mingle with the WBFF athletes…. when you have a nice home, you’re not afraid to invite people in…

Come on in!

Go WBFF! Go NPC! Go IFBB! Go CBBF! Go CBBF Ontario Division! Go OPA! Go ABBA! Go NABBA! Go IDFA! Go UFE! Go Fitness Stars! Go FAME!

As you can see…regardless of where the chips fall and wherever athletes decide to compete….it’s all good! I enjoy fitness and I enjoy fitness competitions…wherever, however, whenever…with whom, matters not..

Respectfully,

Daryl Gazey
WBFF Director of Operations

I Look Great!…So now What???

By

Daryl Gazey

Director of Operations WBFF – All Around Good Guy

In over two decades of my involvement in this wonderful sport of bodybuilding & fitness, a prevailing attitude always seems to surface and I’ve rarely seen it addressed. Certainly we’d all agree that encyclopedias have been compiled on ‘how to get in shape, how to lose the last ten pounds, how to carb load, etc. etc.’ to the point where you’d likely rather throw your hands in the air and hail that you’ve had enough diet and training advice already!

Quite often, some avid trainers wish to pursue the very (sense the sarcasm please) lucrative world of fitness modeling in their quest to ‘get discovered’ or perhaps have their name attached to a piece of cardio equipment or something of that nature ala Tony Little.

That’s not to say that fitness modeling can not lead (please stress on the word lead) to bigger and better ventures but in itself, you’d likely be better off playing ‘Powerball’ than you would carbing up for the “Mr. or Mrs. Tucked Out of the Way Junior Novice Sunshine Mayhem” competition if you desire to load your coffers. (more…)

The “W” in WBFF and everything in between…

By

Daryl Gazey

WBFF Director of Operations/All Around Good Guy

Canadian bodybuilding and fitness….fact or fallacy?

The bitter and hard reality of fitness in Canada is in desperate need for the winds of change to breathe new light into a struggling industry. It is a hard pill to swallow when we realize that athletes who strive to be the ‘best of the best’ climb through the fitness ranks of their organizations only to be forced to leave Canada to seek the greener pastures of competition. This strongly suggests that something must be done to keep these elite close to home and provide opportunities that rival or surpass those ‘pastures’ commonly found in the United States or overseas. Let’s face it, in many respects we’ve become the ‘red-headed step son’ to the United States in the light of the entertainment and sports arenas; fitness and bodybuilding being no exception. (more…)

The Top 20 Reasons You Know You’re ‘Hardcore’ when…

hard-core

Pronunciation [hahrd-kawr, -kohr] –adjective

Def: unswervingly committed; uncompromising; dedicated: a hard-core segregationist.

You know you’re ‘Hardcore’ if…

20.  You’ve ever put chalk on anything in the gym

19.   You take Ibuprofen before you train, while you train and after you train

18.   Nobody else in the gym has access to weights on your leg days

17.   You’ve experienced projectile vomiting after a set of squats

16.   You’ve experienced projectile vomiting during a set of squats

15.   You diet for the Arnold Classic, the Olympia and the WBFF Worlds even though you’re not competing (more…)

You Know You’re a “Fitness FREAK” When…

By Daryl Gazey

WBFF – Director of Operations

20.   You’ve ever missed a family function to train legs
19.    You’ve individually purchased all the ‘B’ Vitamins
18.    You’ve used more ice on your body than you have in drinks
17.    Lululemon sends you greeting cards
16.    You know how many calories you burn in 42 minutes on the elliptical machine
15.    You know what polyunsaturated means and actually take it into consideration (more…)

Maintaining WBFF Pro Status
by Daryl Gazey – WBFF Director of Operations

There’s nothing people cringe at more than the proverbial “do’s and don’ts” but alas, we need some parameters in which to structure guidelines in order to uphold the credence of our WBFF Pros and to ensure that the ‘best of the best’ are competing within those pro ranks.

The WBFF aims to reward their pro athletes with very distinguished prize purses, monetary compensation, endorsement contracts and status within the fitness community. In order to achieve and maintain this, the WBFF must request that strict guidelines are upheld by those athletes that ascend to these ranks so that we may continually ensure the caliber of the athletes receiving these rewards and the fairness of the amateur athletes that wish to attain this status.

Having said that, please take close note of the guidelines that will be instituted as of our 2009 season with respect to the WBFF Pros…

All WBFF Pros, having attained Pro Status, must compete as a WBFF Pro within two calendar years of having attained such status. A WBFF Pro may choose to elect to compete in whichever Pro category they choose but will only be permitted to compete in one division per event.

All WBFF Pros who choose to compete as an amateur (in any federation), are required to notify the WBFF in writing, not less than 30 days prior to the event, indicating the following: event, location, category entered and date of event. A performance stipulation may be instituted upon the athlete that may result in suspension or revokation of WBFF Pro Status if not met. Please note that this stipulation is not being instituted to dissuade a competitor from competing with the organization of their choice, but moreso to assure that the high standards of our WBFF Pros are continuously maintained. This specific guideline only applies to competing within the same category in which you have WBFF Pro Status i.e. a WBFF Pro Figure Competitor competing in another federation’s ‘bikini division’ does not have to comply with this guideline. An amateur WBFF competitor may compete with any organization he/she chooses without affecting standing with the WBFF.

All WBFF Pros must remain in good standing with any companies in which they receive compensation through sponsorship contracts or paid engagements.

Any deviance from these guidelines, may at the discretion of the WBFF President or designate, result in revokation or suspension of your WBFF Pro Status.

We hope you understand the necessity of implementing such a policy and welcome any questions you may have in relation thereto.

Good luck in 2009!

Yours in good health,

Daryl Gazey

So….what’s up for grabs at our WBFF World Championships this September??
Well, aside from the allure of competing at the Living Arts Center amidst a stage setting that is second to none, here are a few teasers that may sway your competitive decision making skills…

* the cover of Status Fitness Magazine
* Oxygen Magazine photo shoot
* Inside Fitness Magazine photo shoot
* $10,000 paid contract with EAS and be part of the EAS Team
* $10,000 paid contract with Muscle Pharm
* $10,000 paid contract with Goliath Labs
* $20,000 fur coat
* 2 trips to the 2010 Arnold Classic with Grizzly Fitness
* Cardio bike from JK Fitness
* $16,500 in CASH
* overall amateur class winners will receive WBFF Pro status (more…)

WBFF Director’s Rant – “Juiced up or Natural – A Moral Dilemma?”

by Daryl Gazey

WBFF Director of Operations’

First and foremost, I owe a great deal of gratitude to all those who took the time away from their oatmeal and egg whites to read my last, somewhat lengthy rant about the political side of competition.  My goal is to shoot from the hip here, knowing all to well that the people in front of me may catch a bullet or two but those who stand behind me (the WBFF) may revel in my/our viewpoints.  Where do I gather my material from you ask?  In the past couple of decades or so, concerns from ‘would-be’ competitors, seasoned competitors, spectators, promotors and die hard fans of our industry have always arose and left me scratching my head.  Once the splinters were delicately extracted, I would do my due diligence to find the answers sought and then ‘delicately’ provide what I felt was an honest answer.  Now I know that when I use the word ‘honesty’, a few feathers will ruffle and more than a few eyebrows will perch.  What the heck does this have to do with honesty?  Hang fire…I’m getting to it.

With the competitive fitness season finally upon us (dam you people who have year ’round sunshine!), questions and concerns are abounding.  Valid questions that would apply to not only the WBFF but every organization’s policies and procedures.  I’ve responded ad nauseum to the “How come it’s so expensive?” and the ever so popular “Is it drug tested?” inquiries.  Hmmm…a couple of valid zingers huh? I’m sure more than a few contest promoters have wiped the sweat from their keyboards when responding to these requests.
So….why are we gouging you and how come the lady standing next to you weighs 230 and has shredded glutes and a 3 o’clock shadow?  Let’s draw our proverbial gun and fire off the first shot. (more…)