Julia Stamper at Nationals

Julia Stamper placed 6th in the heavy's. She was in fantastic condition with a very impressive level of muscularity. It's extremely difficult to compete twice in one year. To make improvements for the final show is really hard, but Julia managed to add muscle and get leaner for this show. Unfortunately, she was overlooked for the first call out, which is a shame. Only the top 5 are allowed to perform their posing routines during the evening, so most people only got a brief look at Julia. I'm confident that she'll move up next time she competes. Julia will be 35 December 30th which means she can compete at Master's Nationals. Funny thing… I did Master's Nationals when I turned 35. It wasn't a pro-qualifier until 2005 when I took the overall. I hope Julia doesn't have to wait that long to turn pro!

I've worked with Julia for two years, but this is the first time we've met. Julia is a class act! She knows that she looked her best ever and is totally satisfied with the outcome here and in Las Vegas at the USA's.

Here are some of my favorite shots of Julia...

2007 NPC Nationals

Trying to catch up on the news...

This year's Nationals was a (mostly) terrific event with the exception of flashbacks - Nationals, 2004 when I competed in Dallas and stayed at the Fairmont. Word from the meeting of the officials was that, yet again, the NPC wants the women bodybuilders to back off from the densely muscled, hard/dry look and to consider shape and overall presentation as the winning factors. The judging fell in step... for the most part. There seemed to be confusion reminiscent of 2004 in two of the classes. It's only lack of consistency from class to class that gets people confused and pissed off.

Congratulations to overall winner Kristy Hawkins, who looked amazing. Britt Miller was equally stunning - I'd hate to be judging that class. I like lightweight winner Beni Lopez who proves that you can cross over from figure quite successfully. I loved Kris Murrell's posing routine. It was one of the best I've seen at the amateur level. I don't think Kris will have to wait much longer to become a pro. It's really great to see so many attractive young women doing well in the sport.

Muscular Development Magazine features ME!

I'm honored to be featured in the December issue of Muscular Development Magazine in Steve Wennerstrom's column Femme Physique. Steve shot these photographs in a gym in Houston, Texas following The John Sherman Classic that I won to qualify for the 2005 Nationals the following weekend. This was a wonderful opportunity to catch up as I hadn't seen Steve in awhile.

Steve is one of the best to shot with. He gives direction well and makes you feel like a goddess. I learned a lot over the years working with him and watching him shoot. Recently, at the NPC Nationals Bodybuilding Contest, Steve received a well deserved award of recognition. It's impossible to imagine the sport of women's bodybuilding without his contribution.