Publishers Note
2
Florida Fitness Photography
John Hawley, Publisher
Photographer/Videographer
John Hawley (904)333-3527
11604 Surfwood Ave, Jax. Fl 32246
Editor Nellie Hawley
In This Issue:
Tessie Lobon
Please share something of your background and how it relates to your current interest in fitness.
I've always been athletic.
As far back as I can remember I played a sport. In high school I lettered in softball, basketball, and volleyball and I was voted most athletic. In college I took karate as an elective and by the end of the semester I was hooked... Fast forward 4 years I was chosen to represent the US at the Intercollegiate Karate Championships in Kobe, Japan. I took home two gold medals. During this time I was introduced toweightlifting and once again I was hooked. Twenty-eight years later I still love lifting iron.
I never thought about competing but I would constantly be asked if I was training for "something". Soon my competitive spark became a flame and I entered two local bodybuilding shows. This was before there were figure divisions. Only bodybuilding and fitness existed. I won both with overalls and then entered a national qualifier show. I placed second in my class. The judge’s critique was that I needed to get bigger. Well at 5'9 and 165# I didn't want to get any bigger so I hung up my suit. Now athletes have more options since the introduction of figure, bikini and physique. And so I decided to compete again this year in figure.
Share with us a bit about your contest history and most memorable show experience.
My first show I won novice, 2nd in open/tall and 3rd in over 40. My second show was Masters nationals. I was in over 45 class F in which I placed 8th. My most memorable show experience was being backstage at nationals in a sea of beautiful women all striving to be at their best. I was awestruck to be part of this great sport and how far it all has come since I first stepped on stage nearly 15 years ago.
What motivates and/or inspires you to workout, diet and compete?
What motivates me to work out, diet and compete in fitness is the challenge. Your mental fortitude is tested during prep, which fuels me. It's the athlete in me that says anything is possible. My children inspire me. There is no better feeling in the world than to hear my 19-year-old son say "I'm proud of you mom", my 17-year-old son asked me to write out a workout plan for him and his friends (cont. pg. 6).
Florida Fitness Photography