Hidetada Yamagishi Two Weeks Out from the Phoenix Pro
Stan the Man, Eli’s Coming
Got a lot done in my trip to Gold’s, Venice today. Did several video interviews, with Bill Comstock behind the lens, including one with Hidetada Yamagishi, who looks right on track a little over two weeks before the 2010 season opener, the Phoenix Pro. Check back soon to see the Asian Sensation posing at 225 pounds . Naturally, he’s bit flat at this stage, but I think the guy will be sharp as a tack come game day, and is a definite top three contender.
LT & Eli Blahut
I did an up close and personal taped interview with Stan McQuay, who is tentatively scheduled to be on the June cover of IRON MAN; think you’ll be as surprised as I was to find out some of the "interesting" things about Stan the Man’s background. Also, finally met 22-year-old wundkerkind Eli Blahut, who is featured as one of my Rising Stars in the current issue (March). Eli and brother Mike, who recently spent over two years in the Peace Corp, ventured west in the past two weeks, all the way from Queens, New York, in their VW van. As luck would have it, they arrived just as I was about to make the hour trek back to Pasadena; make sure to view the video we did with the Blahut brothers, coming soon . Ain’t exactly a version of MTV Cribs, let’s put it that way. By the way, make sure to read the segment I wrote on Eli in my "News and Views" column in the April issue, which should be out before the end of the month..
Stan McQuay
MD Radio with Shawn Ray
The All New MD Radio Show (click on the iTunes link) kicks off the 2010 Season with an update from our Pittsburgh, PA Correspondent & NPC Judge/Promoter, Gary Udit who will bring us up to speed with the upcoming year in the NPC.
Also calling in at 4pm PST will be Promoter of the Fit EXPO in Los Angeles, California, Marc Missioreck. The Fit EXPO officially kicks off the first major event of the year in the Bodybuilding industry as this EXPO has taken on a life of its own and now showcases events like; The BodySpace Spokesmodel Search, MMA Demonstrations, Strongman Competition, Curling Contest for Body Weight, Pro Athletes Signing Autographs and Sponsors galore giving out tons of Free Samples starting on Saturday, January 23rd & 24th at the LA Convention Center.
West Coast Classic Gets (Ami) Lean
LT and Vince Kandis
Drove out to DNA Nutrition last Friday in Northridge, the work place of Ron "Yogi" Avidan. About a 35-mile trek, but it was well worth it. No, it wasn’t in honor of Elvis’ birth date (the King would have turned 75), I was meeting Vince Kandis there so Yogi could snap the picture of Vince signing on as the new Title Sponsor for my June contest.
Tylene Marie
Yes, I lost Bodybuilding.com after a six-year run, but Vince (and brother Spiro ) came through, and the show is now offically called the 2010 NPC AmiLean West Coast Classic. AmiLean is the new "Tighten, Tone & Define" solution the former owners of VyoTech have produced.
Vince, his pretty young lady, Tylene Marie, Yogi and I celebrated the new venture by venturing to a nearby IHOP. As the other three tried to eat clean, I gobbled up a plage of whole grain pancakes–with plenty of syrup, thank you. Tylene was by far the best looking body at that table (or any other table, for that matter), but I have to admit Yogi is slimming down these days. He’s about 20 pounds lighter than he was at ‘Olympia time.
Still, we both have a ways to go to steal the show, so we pondered rubbing some AmiLean up, down and ’round our bellies. But, we decided even this product can’t help us at this point. Another two months, Vince, and we’ll give it a go.
Hell, by the time the West Coast Classic rolls around on June 26, you may want to consider both of us as models for the product. Love my sense of humor, eh Vince? And, breakfast on me next time.