HELLO FROM OUR PROMOTER

I would like to welcome you to the 45th Annual NPC Southern States Championships. This show holds a special place in many of our hearts as it has been one of America’s biggest stages to compete on for several decades and it was the show to be seen at in the South if you had aspirations to go Pro.

It was one of the first shows I competed in back in 1998 and I have been involved with the show ever since. I would like to thank Peter Potter who brought me in as a promoter and Tim Gardner who has been in my corner and has been a great friend since we were the Color Commentators on this show’s TV broadcast.

I would also like to show my appreciation to all of our sponsors here this evening. Especially to ProTan, Fuze Vitality, Redcon1, BPI, and Blackstone Labs who went above and beyond for the show this year. Please visit all the vendor booths, check out their quality products and join me in showing gratitude for giving back to our sport.

We have a prestigious panel of IFBB PRO LEAGUE & OLYMPIA judges here to give our athletes the due respect that they deserve. This year’s Head Judge is Tim Gardner from Tampa, FL and he is joined by Bubby Lupo (New Orleans, LA), John Hnatyschak (West Palm Beach, FL), Dr. Peter John Rhoden (Miami, FL) and Leo Mackesy (Tampa, FL). THANK YOU for your continued support.

This year we have two amazing Guest Posers. First we have Fitness rising star Anna Fomina, who just won the Bodybe1 Classic and is now Olympia Qualified! She is originally from Russia and is now based in Key West where she is a fitness coach and a performer. Her routines combine strength, flexibility, and artistic storytelling, making her a captivating presence on stage.

Our second guest poser is Brittney “FLEX” Herrera, an IFBB Pro League Women’s Physique who was our Women’s Bodybuilding Southern States Overall Champion in 2015! What a full circle moment this is! Brittney finished 10th at the Olympia and more recently came in 3rd at the Chicago Pro. She says she is going to rock the house with her routine and we can’t wait to have her join us.

We are most proud of the hundreds of our NPC Southern States competitors who have gone on to become IFBB Pro League Pros. Tonight, you will see several athletes who have similar aspirations and may well follow in their footsteps.

Be sure to cheer as loud as you can for everyone, even though your favorite may not win, know that everyone who steps out on the stage is a winner.

All of our athletes have sacrificed for weeks to prepare for this show, so please show your support to them this evening. Each and every competitor is an inspiration in their own way.

Of course, I could not do what I do, or put on this show without the support of my husband, Alan and my sons Joey & Matty; as well as all of my family and friends that came out to help in making this show the best. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.

COMPETITORS REMEMBER! All the hard work is done, now go out and have some fun!!!