Tragic Loss of Dan and Erin Schoen

On Sept. 8 a private memorial service was held on behalf of competitive bodybuilders Dan and Erin Schoen at Hurlburt Field Squadron base. At 7:30pm, Sunday August 31 a drunk driver killed these two respected active duty Air Force sergeants while they walked their dog a few blocks from home. Dan was the 2008 NPC Southern USA Heavyweight Champion and 2006 overall NPC Southern USA champion.
“We in the bodybuilding community have lost two very special friends,” Roger Puffer, National Physique Committee (NPC) judge and promoter of the NPC All Forces Championships said. “Not only the bodybuilding community but also the United States Air Force has been devastated by this loss. Both Dan and Erin were career military and were devoted to our country beyond compare. They made the commitment to serve and protect our country until retirement. A decision that not everyone can make. Their hearts were bigger than life. I first met Dan in 2006 when he won the Southern USA overall. I spoke to him and Erin about the All Forces National Military contest this year and they were both very excited about preparing and competing in the contest.”
Lost so young with Erin at 31 years old and Dan at 32 they had so much of their lives still ahead of them. “It is especially difficult to come to grips with such losses especially when they are younger NPC members who have promise and potential that are not given the opportunity to complete the goals they have set for themselves,” Peter Potter, NPC Vice Chairman said. “Losing one NPC athlete is a great loss, but losing two tragically is very hard to come to grips with especially considering how they died. The NPC is a family. If you want to consider it somewhat like a triangle at the base are the athletes and every single athlete is a part of our family. We believe they are part of our group whether an official, young or old, whether they compete, help out at contests, or just join and train. I can only say this tragedy demonstrates why we should show our love and affection for our friends and family today as we never know what is going to happen tomorrow. We at the NPC extend our deepest sympathy to his family and friends and feel badly about losing them.” Four children survive Dan and Erin Schoen.

So You Want To Promote A Show?

by NPC District Chairman and Publisher Pete Fancher,

At least a couple of times during the contest season we are approached by someone that is convinced that they can promote a bodybuilding, fitness and figure event much better than the show that they just attended.
Sometimes this is a lot easier said than done - - it always looks easy from the back row.
There are several steps necessary before even to be considered to promote an NPC sanctioned event in the Central District of Florida, or in any NPC district. First we need to know your background - - experience in bodybuilding, fitness or figure; promotional experience; knowledge of the sport (continued).

by NPC National Level Figure Competitor, Model, and Personal Trainer Karla Podewils,

Four years ago I drove to Florida from Wisconsin in a 1993 Topaz with $200 in my pocket.  Four years ago, my daily routine included smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and eating McDonalds.  I hadn't always been that way. In high school I played soccer, tennis, basketball, and was on the Varsity Cheerleading squad. The contents in my locker were another story.  12 pack of Mountain Dew a day (drank it warm) and CANDY, CANDY, CANDY!  My first year in college I played tennis and danced on the Wildcat Dance team.  My lunch?  Fried cheeseballs and a salad drenched in dressing.  I played on these teams for fun.  I wanted to be a part of something.  I always gave it my best, but I never excelled or grew as an athlete.  At least I wasn't sitting on the sidelines!  Competing in figure, I never sit on the sidelines. I am both the ally and the opponent, offense and defense.  I create and present my best physique possible. I place or I don't, but either way each show I compete in becomes a landmark of progress (continued).

Yoga Releases Your Creative Potential

by NPC Figure Competitor, Resort Manager, and Personal Trainer Lisa T. Daniel,

Yoga is an ancient art based on a subtle science of uniting the body, mind, and soul. Yoga which was once accepted by a select few is now universally practiced. Due to the therapeutic affects on both mind and body, yoga has enabled many practitioners the enjoyment of a profound sense of peace and well-being (continued).

Colored for Competitive Success

by Competition Spray Tanning Professional & Owner of www.HotSpotSarasota.com Alisa Hostettler,

You all might know me by now or al least heard of me or seen me. I am Alisa Hostettler and I own Hot Spot Tanning. We have a salon in Sarasota, FL as well as a completely mobile spray tanning unit catering to the Psysique Conscious Community. You have seen us at most of the NPC BB, Fitness and Figure Shows throughout Florida and Alabama for the past year.

Our service includes spraying on your color for a minimal fee. We provide spray tanning to the competitors on the Friday's before the show at the host hotel and backstage at the venue the day of the event. We use the competition colors from JanTana, ProTan and Liquid Sun Rayz. The reasons competitors use our service are numerous. Putting your color on yourself can be quiet the endless task (continued).

Upcoming NPC Competitions in Florida

-Sept. 20- Hurricane Bay Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure/ Typhoon Bay Bodybuilding (Level IV). Contact: Tim Gardner, 3960 Premier North Drive, Tampa, FL 33618 (tel. 813-908-7763). Web site: www.hurricanebay.net Photo coverage by www.IajePhoto.com & Video by www.USAMuscle.com.

-Oct. 4- Southeastern USA Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure (Level V). Eaddy-Williams Events, 640 N. Pine Ave., Oviedo, FL 32765. Tel. 407-721-7306 or 407-474-8502. Web Site; www.southeasternusa.com Photo coverage by www.IajePhoto.com & Video by www.Musclepapa.com.

-Oct. 18- Greater Gainesville Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure (Level II). Contact Brian Elliott 352-672-1611 ESA-Realty@inbox.com.

-October 25- National All Forces Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure Championships (Level V). Tampa, Florida. Contact Roger Puffer RPUFFER@Tampabay.rr.com.(863)409-8725. www.theAllForces.US & www.AllForcesChampionships.com.

-Nov. 8- All South Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure Championships (Level V). Contact: Pete Fancher, 4230 Stoney Pt. Rd., Melbourne, FL 32940 (tel. 321-917-1340) and Gene Schlossberg, WORLD GYM, 1650 U.S. 1 South, St. Augustine, FL 32086. www.AllSouthChampionships.com

-Nov. 15- Florida Gold Cup Bodybuilding Championship (Level IV). Contact: Frank Dalto, 2 Old Meadow Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 (tel. 561-627-9638).

-Nov. 21-22- NPC National Bodybuilding and Figure Championships Atlanta, GA, for entry forms and general information contact pambetz@aol.com or go to www.nationalbodybuilding.com

-Nov 29- South Florida District Championships Bodybuilding, Fitness, & Figure. Contact: Sergio Pacheco & Mari Redondo redondomari@aol.com 305-823-8346. www.SouthFloridaChampionships.com.