Eric Cressey as far as I’m concerned is the best of the best in the world when it comes to all things resistance training.

My passion for his work began with Shoulder Savers Part I, II & III in 2007 during my first and second shoulder surgeries. Then I moved onto Assess & Correct, Magnificent Mobility & Inside-Out in 2009. Maximum Strength was next and then The Human Guinea Pig. I’m a subscriber to his blog and also read his articles over on T-Nation. So yes, I love his work and believe whole heartedly in what he teaches.

I’ve always said that, given the opportunity I’d love to travel over and work with him at Cressey Performance. Well this dream is once step closer to possibly becoming a reality. I’ve emailed him asking if I could book a consultation whilst I’m visiting New York City. It’s too good of an opportunity to not at least try so fingers crossed I can pull this one off.

I want him to go through and design an individualised program for me that’s designed with my wants and needs in mind; taking into consideration my training history, injury history, goals, postural deficiencies, mobility restrictions, weaknesses, strengths, and imbalances, just to name a few.

It’s about training smart, not hard for me. Because if I don’t look after my body it won’t look after me. This will definitely work in conjunction with my goals for returning to the stage. That way, when it is time, my body will be firing on all cylinders and running like a finely tuned oiled machine.

Michelle Nazaroff, my coach, will be taking care of my figure preparation. She is passionate about putting healthy, extremely lean, hard, full muscled figure girls up on the stage, who also look sexy and glamorous all at the same time. I ♥ her approach and ethics she has towards everything and trust her work.

So who knows what the future holds for me at this point, but I’m excited to find out.

Yoga for Beginners arrived in the mail last week. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I feel that now is the right time to do it. “Everything I need comes to me at the perfect time” ~ Louise L. Hay. This quote pretty much sums it all up for me. I’m trusting more in the process of life and trying to learn to live in the now. It’s not how it’s always been for me, but I am trying.

DVD’s are so much more convenient in this day and age. Having one that I can play at home in lieu of attending classes gives me the freedom and flexibility I need. Not only can I do it in the privacy of my own home but also at a time that suits me and my schedule.

I’m always in search of new ways to improve my health and well-being because I’ve always said that if you don’t look after your body it won’t look after you. First I started with Foam Rolling & Dynamic Stretching and then it was Assess & Correct. All three are still a part of my training program as much as the actual exercises themselves. Although I’m still in pursuit of a healthy mind-body and spirit all working in conjunction with one another the next natural progression was to move onto doing yoga.

Yoga is not only going to help me physically but also spiritually. I’m introducing it into my morning routine and this is how I’m going to start my day, every day. Following that it’ll be off to the gym and then onto work. Change is always good and I often mix things up to keep it interesting. Only difference is that this isn’t a short-term thing, it’s a permanent thing.

It’s also something that I can take and do no matter where I am in the world. Flexibility is the key for good health and fitness.

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Day 2 – Hamstrings & Glutes

Day 3 – Back & Abs

Day 4 – Chest & Shoulders

Day 5 – Arms

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Raechelle Chase

Photo: Jelita Magic

Melita Jagic is one of the silent heroes of bodybuilding. For those that don’t know her, not only is she an incredible physique competitor herself but she’s also one hell of a photographer too. You’ll see her at many of the bodybuilding shows photographing competitors and making those images readily available on many of the social media and forum websites shortly after it’s over. Usually at the detriment of her sleep. Of course, she doesn’t have to do it but she does and it’s out of the goodness of her heart. It’s not for the recognition or the praise, she does it because she enjoys doing it. It is that simple. More importantly, Melita’s passionate about her sport of bodybuilding and this is just one aspect of it for her. She doesn’t want recognition although after today’s post she’s going to get some whether she likes it or not. Sorry Melita. I guess, I didn’t want all of her hard work and effort to go unoticed and this was my way of doing something about that and saying simply thank you.

Seldom in life are individuals given credit where credit’s due. But here’s my chance to do exactly that and in a much more public manner.

Melita your hard work doesn’t go unrecognised, not in my eyes. I’ve sat next to you on many occasions at these shows and know only to well how long a day it is shooting bodybuilders and that’s only the half of it until you get home, upload, watermark and compress before posting them online. Your work has come a very long way and is now spread far and wide over the internet. I know I’m one of those people who waits patiently for you to upload your photos because I’m obviously not there to see them for myself.

So thank you from me to you for what you do for the sport of bodybuilding in Australia.