2024 Arizona Pro Bodybuilding Show Results

Phoenix, Arizona, hosted the 2024 Arizona Pro on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. This IFBB Pro League show ran alongside the 2024 Rising Phoenix World Championship women’s bodybuilding show on the same day.

All competitions served as 2024 Olympia qualifying events, meaning the winners became eligible for the Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2024. No qualification was awarded in divisions won by athletes who were already qualified.

2024 Arizona Pro Final Results

The winners of the five contests are:

Fitness — Stephanie Jones

Figure — Jessica Reyes Padilla

Bikini — Adair Libbrecht

Women’s Physique — Jodi Marchuck

Wellness — Eduarda Bezerra

The final standings for all five divisions are below:

Fitness

Stephanie Jones (United States)

Andrea Glass (United States)

Jeanine Taddeo (United States)

Aurika Tyrgale (United States)

Amanda Leal (United States)

Michelle Blondin (Canada)

Figure

Jessica Reyes Padilla (Puerto Rico)

Manon Dutilly (Canada)

Raquel Clarke (United States)

Osiris Trumpe (United States)

Mandi Morgan (United States)

Vee Sajousse (United States)

Courtney Jacobs (United States)

Gabriela Consolmagno (United States)

Katy Oneil (United States)

Sarah Antonie (United States)

Corrie Morales (United States)

Queren Pacheco (Mexico)

Samantha Jenkins (United States)

Marlen Gonzalez (United States)

Marisol Tavizon (United States)

Tied for 16th

Saundra Clarke (United States)

Monique Mealey (United States)

Sherezada Romero (United States)

Frances Shannon (United States)

Sara Taschner (United States)

Bikini

Adair Libbrecht (Canada)

Lisa Reith (Germany)

Ndeye Ndour (United States)

Lacy Rutland (United States)

Lizzie Martinez (United States)

Tanya Johansen (United States)

Zoey Panzarino (United States)

Sasa He (China)

Chantel Hall (United States)

Czarina Gastelum (Mexico)

Marcela Moreno (Mexico)

Valerie Ocano (Mexico)

Mariana Garner (Mexico)

Christine Ford (United States)

Daniela Benitez (United States)

Tied for 16th

Angalee Davis (United States)

Michelle Hurst (United States)

Erin Kamm (United States)

Wan Lam Samantha Kwan (United States)

Ashley Luther (United States)

Dayna Onaga (United States)

Leslie Potts (United States)

Amanda Rivas (United States)

Belinda Rivera (United States)

Semret Russom (United States)

Allegra Simms (United States)

Alissa Tonelli (United States)

Women’s Physique

Jodi Marchuck (United States)

Evon Pennington (United States)

Alex Hall (United States)

Paula Ranta (Finland)

Lenka Ferencukova (Czech Republic)

Carrie Hughes (United States)

Natalia Spierings (United Kingdom)

Jess Uribe (United States)

Robyn Mays (United States)

Sammica Cash (United States)

Michelle Polanik (United States)

Jessica Coleman (United States)

Lexi Lowery (United States)

Farrah Faulkner (United States)

Suzanne Davis (United States)

Tied for 16th

Nicolette Burton (United States)

Kimberly Chavez (United States)

Renee Reefschlaeger (United States)

Chelsea Rodgers (United States)

Angelina Walker (United States)

Wellness

Eduarda Bezerra (Brazil)

Simara Walter (Brazil)

Mariha Lyons (United States)

Julia Chitarra (Brazil)

Madi Begley (United States)

Victoria Reyes (Mexico)

Natasha Novak (United Kingdom)

Dannii Pickstock (United Kingdom)

Rachael Wojtysiak (United States)

Hannah Son (South Korea)

Briaunna Guthrie (United States)

Ruth Bentson (United States)

[Related: The Top 5 Factors for Muscle Growth (+5 That Don’t Matter), From a Bodybuilding Coach]

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Fitness Winner — Stephanie Jones

Thanks to this win, Jones is the 13th competitor to qualify for the Fitness Olympia. Only one point separated her and runner-up Andrea Glass.

Jones won the Physique round, but Glass won the Routine round, which counts for two-thirds of the score. Jones has competed in Fitness and Wellness shows this season, but this is her first contest win in either division in 2024.

Figure Winner — Jessica Reyes Padilla

2024 Texas Pro winner Jessica Reyes Padilla claimed her second consecutive victory. The 2023 Olympia runner-up is still considered Cydney Gillon’s number-one contender to the Figure Olympia throne, and that rematch is set. This is Padilla’s 22nd career victory in the pro ranks.

Bikini Winner — Adair Libbrecht

Libbrecht was coming off a second-place finish at the 2024 Nashville Fit Show Pro. Her win here came with a 2024 Bikini Olympia qualification. This is Libbrecht’s first pro win and Bikini Olympia qualification. She won with a perfect score from the judges.

Women’s Physique Winner — Jodi Marchuck

Jodi Marchuk has been in the pro ranks for a decade, but this is her first win and Olympia qualification. She and runner-up Evon Pennington looked exceptional in every pose, but the judges saw Marchuk’s density and shape as the difference.

Wellness Winner — Eduarda Bezerra

Bezerra was the 2024 Colombia Pro winner, meaning no Olympia qualification was awarded. This is the rookie’s second pro win. She is eligible to make her Wellness Olympia debut in 2024. Second-place finisher Simara Walter and bronze medalist Mariha Lyons have until Sept. 15, 2024, to win a pro show to join Bezerra on the Olympia stage. 

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How Does the HYROX Racing Structure Work? A Breakdown of the 2024/2025 Season

HYROX, the self-proclaimed “World Series of Fitness Racing,” has swept into the fitness world, selling out races in minutes and expanding rapidly throughout the United States in recent years.

Like many other sports, HYROX has a championship event called the “HYROX Elite 15 Series,” which is built to find the fittest athletes around the globe. 

The path to finding those athletes will look a little different for the 2024/2025 season. 

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How HYROX Changed the 2024/2025 Season

For the 2024/2025 season, there are two ways to qualify for the HYROX World Championship. 

An athlete can participate in one of four “Major Races,” being held in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, and Glasgow, or participate in a Last Chance Qualifier, which is being held in Barcelona. 

Remind me: HYROX races consist of eight different stations with a one-kilometer run sandwiched between each one. The race is a test of both endurance and strength and requires athletes to be quite well-rounded in their aerobic abilities. 

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What are Majors? 

The Majors, as they are referred to, are the first chance for athletes to qualify for the World Championship. Qualification to the Majors is earned by: 

Automatic Qualification: Major winner and World podium 1, 2, and 3 of the 2023/24 season automatically qualify for each 2024/2025 Major event. 

Time Qualification: The average of the best two individual Pro times of the past year until 15 participants are reached. This is a new dynamic ranking that is updated with each race to reflect the past 365 days from the event date. 

Worlds Qualification

The top three times at each Major qualify an athlete for the HYROX World Championships and directly qualify them for all remaining Majors. The three remaining spots after Majors will be up for grabs by the top finishers in the Pro division of the Last Chance Qualifier event. 

Qualified athletes will receive an email with all race-related information to confirm their spot. If you haven’t qualified for Elite 15, the only way to participate in Worlds is to qualify through the regular process in Age Group/Division. 

Still confused? 

Basically, if an athlete wants to become elite, they need to either place in the Majors last season or have two highly competitive Pro times during last season. 

If an athlete races in 2024 and has competitive times in the Pro division, they could potentially qualify for a Majors race in 2025. 

One Last Thing 

According to HYROX, the goal of the new season structure is to qualify more athletes for the World Championship and expand the Pro division. As these races continue to grow, we’ll no doubt see more world-class athletes clamoring to get a bite of the apple. 

More About HYROX

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Featured image: @hyroxamerica / Instagram

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2024 Rising Phoenix Women’s Bodybuilding Show Results

Angela Yeo has won the 2024 Rising Phoenix World Championship. Yeo was one of 12 IFBB Pro League women’s bodybuilders in the lineup at the 10th running of the event in Phoenix, AZ, on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.

Yeo defeated all the others, including four-time defending champion and four-time Ms. Olympia Andrea Shaw, who finished as the runner-up. Ashley Leynnette Jones rounded out the top three.

The final results are below, as shown on the scorecards on the IFBB Pro League:

2024 Rising Phoenix Results

Angela Yeo (United States)

Andrea Shaw (United States)

Ashley Lynnette Jones (United States)

Sherry Priami (United States)

Michaela Aycock (United States)

Selyka Givan (United States)

Leyvina Rodrigues Barros (Brazil)

Sheena Ohlig (United States)

Julia Whitesel (United States)

Reshanna Boswell (United States)

Irene Andersen (Sweden)

Julia Foery (Switzerland)

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Winner — Angela Yeo

This is Yeo’s first Rising Phoenix title. She is the fifth different champion in the show’s 10-year history. Only one point separated Yeo and Shaw, meaning some judges had the former champion in front.

Yeo was already qualified for the 2024 Ms. Olympia as the runner-up in 2023, so no Olympia qualification was awarded. Still, Yeo is in the driver’s seat going into the Olympia on Oct. 10-13, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV.

Second Place — Andrea Shaw

This is Shaw’s first contest loss since 2019. She remains the winningest competitor in the show’s history.

Shaw is the defending Ms. Olympia and has lifetime qualification for that competition. Some experts felt she lost the competition from the back poses. Shaw has seven weeks to adjust for the 2024 Olympia.

Third Place — Ashley Lynnette Jones

Jones was a late entrant into this contest but left with the bronze. The 2024 New York Pro winner is qualified for the 2024 Olympia, meaning the fans and judges will see all three athletes face off again in Las Vegas. 

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Featured Image: @ifbb_pro_yeo on Instagram 

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2024 Musclecontest Belo Horizonte Pro 212 Bodybuilding Show Results

Fabricio Moreira is the 2024 Musclecontest Belo Horizonte Pro 212 champion. The competition, which featured 14 athletes, was held in Curitiba, Brazil, on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. Thanks to this win, Moreira is now qualified for the 2024 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2024. Elifibrado Morais and Lucas Coelho placed second and third, respectively.

2024 Belo Horizonte Pro Final Placings

The full order of finish for this contest is below.

Fabricio Moreira (Brazil)

Elifibrado Morais (Brazil)

Lucas Coelho (Brazil)

Drey Pereira (Brazil)

Henrique Gonclaves (Brazil)

Douglas Silva (Brazil)

Lucas Garcia (Brazil)

Fernando Castro Da Silva Cavalo (Brazil)

Rafael Bernardes (Brazil)

Fernando Maradona (Brazil)

Josevan Clemente De Almeida (Brazil)

Andre Luiz Dos Santos (Brazil)

Joao Joao Paz (Brazil)

Alan Mendes (Brazil)

Tamer El Guindy was the head judge.

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Winner — Fabricio Moreira

Moreira winning was not a surprise to fans who follow the 212 division. He was ninth at the 2023 Olympia 212 contest in Orlando, FL, and made his 2024 season debut at this show.

The second-year pro won this competition with a perfect score from the judges. This was Moreira’s second career pro win.

Second Place — Elifibrado Morais

This finish may have been the biggest surprise of the competition. Morais was unknown before this show but will be on fans’ and fellow competitors’ radar going forward. Morais received unanimous second-place votes on the scorecards.

Third Place — Lucas Coelho

This was Coelho’s 2024 season debut. His most recent contest was the 2023 T.R.U. Athlete Pro, where he placed second overall behind winner Naser Mohamed. Coelho has been on the Olympia stage before but not since 2021 when he finished 12th. The cutoff for qualifying for the 2024 Olympia is Sept. 15, 2024.

Other Notes

The final 2024 Olympia qualifying event for the 212 division is the UK Pro in London, England, on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. The competitor list for that show was not announced at the time of this article’s publication. 

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Featured Image: @musclecontestinternational on Instagram

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2024 World Klash Championships Pro Bikini Division Show Results

Jourdanne Lee has won the 2024 World Klash Championships Pro Bikini division contest. The competition was held in Charleston, SC on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. Lee outlasted 13 rivals to qualify for the 2024 Bikini Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2024.

Ashley Hampton claimed silver, and Iulia Baba rounded out the top three. The final standings for all 14 competitors are below:

2024 World Klash Championships Pro Final Placings

Jourdanne Lee  (United States)

Ashley Hampton  (United States)

Iulia Baba (Romania)

Kiki Cunningham (United States)

Sierra Swann  (United States)

Jessica Nicole Dolias  (United States)

Brenda Garay – Alexander (United States)

Kerigan Pike  (United States)

Lorena Blanco (Spain)

Nicole Hermanson  (United States)

Suzie Laura Matthews (Denmark)

Nina Ditommaso  (United States)

Kristine Dunn  (United States)

Colleen Seitel  (United States)

[Related: The Top 5 Factors for Muscle Growth (+5 That Don’t Matter), From a Bodybuilding Coach]

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Winner — Jourdanne Lee

Some skeptics may have thought Lee gambled, making her 2024 season debut three weeks before the qualifying season ends on Sept. 15, 2024. However, Lee had a game plan and executed it.

Thanks to her ninth career pro win, Lee can devote the last seven weeks before the Olympia to improving and finishing better than her 10th-place finish at the 2023 Olympia.

Second Place — Ashley Hampton

Hampton competed for the fifth time this season and scored her third consecutive runner-up finish. She has not finished below fifth in 2024 but needs gold before the cutoff date to move on to the Olympia — only pro show winners advance to that stage.

Third Place — Iulia Baba

This was Baba’s eighth show of her 2024 campaign and her fourth top-three finish. The scorecards reflect that the judges all agreed on the order of finish.

Baba previously planned to enter the 2024 San Antonio Pro on Sept. 14, 2024, which is the final weekend of the qualifying season. She finished second in the 2023 edition of that contest, which Lee won. Baba could enter the Bikini division pro shows over the next two weekends as well.

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Featured Image: @jourdanne_ on Instagram | photo by Will Whittmann (@wittmannphoto)

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Emulate Wellness Bodybuilder Fafa Santos’ Leg Training For Huge Hamstrings

For Wellness bodybuilders, neglecting leg day is not an option, given the crucial role of a robust, aesthetically pleasing lower body in achieving competitive success. On Aug. 18, 2024, IFBB Pro League Wellness bodybuilder Fafa Santos revealed her hamstring-building secrets.

Fafa Santos’ Leg Training

Santos warm-ups with lying leg curls before performing the following: (1)

Warm Ups — Lying Leg Curls: 2 x 20

Unilateral Leg Curls5 x 7-15 

Bilateral Leg Curls: 3 x 8-15

Standing Leg Curls: 3 x max

Seated Leg Curls2 x 20-25

Lying Knee Tucks: 3 x 10-12

Superset — Single-Leg Leg Press & Hyperextensions

Machine Weighted Deficit Calf Raises

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Unilateral Leg Curls & Bilateral Leg Curls

Santos’ comprehensive training begins with unilateral leg curls featuring slow, controlled reps. Unilateral lifts are followed by bilateral lifts to add more volume. She pushes to failure on the final set, which has been shown to be a potent strategy for trained individuals to enhance muscle hypertrophy. (2)

Standing Leg Curls

Santos performs seated leg curls with lighter weight to alleviate strain on her calves and better load her hamstrings. She abides by progressive overload in unilateral sets.

Seated Leg Curls & Lying Knee Tucks

Santos employs full range of motion into partial reps on the seated leg curl machine. (3) She leans forward on the second set to further lenthen the hamstrings while combining full reps with partial reps.

Santos performs lying knee tucks with only her body weight, positioning flat on the floor and extending her arms overhead to grasp a pole. She executes three sets of 10 to 12 repetitions, ensuring her legs don’t touch the floor. 

Superset — Single-Leg Leg Presses & Hyperextensions

Santos trains each leg individually the leg press. She supersets with hyperextensions. She emphasizes the significance of capitalizing on the anabolic window during her rest period.

Enjoy the anabolic window, 45 to 60 minutes, after a workout. Have some type of sugar and protein. The muscle pulls in the amino acids right after the workout. 

[Related: Is There a Post-Workout Anabolic Window?]

Machine Weighted Deficit Calf Raises

Santos concludes her leg day with deficit calf raises, performing over 20 reps and utilizing different foot positioning to load the the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.

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References

Fradkin, A. J., Zazryn, T. R., & Smoliga, J. M. (2010). Effects of warming-up on physical performance: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 24(1), 140–148. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c643a0

Nóbrega, S. R., & Libardi, C. A. (2016). Is Resistance Training to Muscular Failure Necessary?. Frontiers in physiology, 7, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00010

Goto, M., Maeda, C., Hirayama, T., Terada, S., Nirengi, S., Kurosawa, Y., Nagano, A., & Hamaoka, T. (2019). Partial Range of Motion Exercise Is Effective for Facilitating Muscle Hypertrophy and Function Through Sustained Intramuscular Hypoxia in Young Trained Men. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 33(5), 1286–1294. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002051

Featured image: @fafafitness11 on Instagram

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Interview: Chris Bumstead’s Secret Weapon to Win the 2024 Olympia

Chris Bumstead has an ace up his sleeve. The five-time champ of the Classic Physique division is gearing up to defend his title at the 2024 Olympia on Oct. 10-13. After so many years at the top of his game, Bumstead has accrued more than a few bumps and bruises. 

To get in fighting shape in time for the big show, Bumstead’s turned to performance specialist and strength coach Justin King.

If you follow “CBum” on YouTube, you’ve probably seen King pop up here and there — he’s the magician who can turn one of the strongest bodybuilders alive into a pool of soup with just a resistance band or a pair of five-pound dumbbells

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BarBend sat down with King to find out how he came to work with Bumstead and what their plans are for the precious seven-or-so weeks until the biggest night in physique sports. As it turns out, it takes a village to raise a bodybuilder — here’s how King is helping Bumstead get fixed-for-win-six at the Olympia

Justin King on Chris Bumstead & the 2024 Olympia

Below, you’ll find a play-by-play of our conversation with King roughly two months from the commencement of the 2024 Olympia. We discussed King’s background, how he came to work with Bumstead, and some of Bumstead’s top priorities before the big show.

Editor’s Note: Some of the quotes in this interview have been edited for clarity. 

BarBend (BB): Tell us about your professional background. How’d you get going in your industry?

Justin King (JK): “I’ve been coaching for a decade and have been blessed to learn from some of the best minds in the industry; Charles Poliquin, Dr. James Lavalle, and Ben Prentiss. I’ve since worked with NFL athletes from 27 different teams, as well as those in the NHL, MLB, and UFC.” 

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BB: How long have you worked with Chris Bumstead, and why did he seek your assistance?

JK: “8-10 months ago, I helped Chris’ former coach and brother-in-law, Iain Valliere, transition from Open bodybuilding to sprinting. Valliere mentioned me to Chris. Since then, it’s evolved into me helping with his workouts, injuries, and improving his general health as well — all in the wheelhouse of what we do at Built Better.” 

BB: How do you balance your work with Bumstead alongside the bodybuilding programming from Hany Rambod? 

JK: “Working alongside Hany is a blessing — truly, I have to pinch myself sometimes. Collaborating with the greatest bodybuilding coach in history to help Chris bring his best package ever is an honor and a privilege.

On the rehab side of things, I took the same approach with Chris as I would for an NFL athlete or a mother looking to get active postpartum; with a custom, individualized approach. We conducted an extensive assessment to identify Chris’ limitations regarding his goals, then we tailored our approach based on his timeline and priorities.”

[Related: Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Hypertrophy]

BB: What are some of the unique challenges of working with an Olympia-winning bodybuilder?

JK: “Athletes in different sports have their own goals, needs, and challenges. An athlete’s risk of injury is also sport-specific — for a wrestler, the external rotators of the shoulder are incredibly important because they grapple with high forces and velocities, and often in very compromising positions.

For a bodybuilder like Chris, we might pay attention to some of his weak points. If, say, he had trouble with his chest hypertrophy, I might focus on those external rotators to reduce neurological inhibition, make the tissues around his shoulder capsule more resilient, and help him access a larger range of motion. 

This would lead to better muscle fiber recruitment in his pecs, fewer injuries, more neural drive to the weakened tissues, and so on.” 

BB: What techniques or tools have you had success with so far? What hasn’t worked?

JK: “Chris’ sport is, in my opinion, outdated and stubborn about change. Bodybuilders tend to have an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality. That said, with Chris we’ve had success from conducting a structural balance assessment; something rare for a bodybuilder. 

We’re working in fine motor control exercises like the trap-3 raise and resistance band external rotations. We’ve also added isometrics, both early in his rehab and deeper into his hypertrophy training. We treat these movements with the same importance as any barbell exercise.” 

[Related: Best Creatine Supplements for Strength & Size]

BB: What has Bumstead taught you as a provider and coach? 

JK: “Thanks to Chris, I’ve learned a lot about the significance of mentality and individuality. I stand by providing the best care for the athlete — even if they don’t always want to do a specific exercise — but giving them a mental win by allowing for some collaboration isn’t the end of the world.

I’d argue that accommodating the athlete’s comfort level creates positive change. Some people might say you don’t need to adjust your program to suit the athlete’s likes or dislikes. That idea makes me cringe.” 

Built; Better

King, Rambod, and Bumstead are hard at work preparing for the 2024 Olympia. To help the world’s best bodybuilder get back in fighting shape is no small feat, but King has the resources and expertise to get the job done.

If you’d like to connect with King on social media, you can find him @justinkingpro on Instagram, or check out the Built Better website if you’re an Arizonan.

Bumstead will appear at the 2024 Olympia from Oct. 10 to 13 in Las Vegas, NV. 

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From Finance to Fitness: Hilary Hoffman on The SOTO Method

The financier-turned-fitness fitness figure has created an efficient and effective workout for everyone from the stagnant investment banker to professional football players

After years of working at Goldman Sachs and Oaktree Capital Management, Hilary Hoffman found that spending 80% of her day behind a desk was impacting her health. It was then that she noticed a gap in the fitness market.

 “I realized there was an opportunity for a workout method rooted in efficiency, predictability and purpose,” Hoffman told Athletech News. She then developed The SOTO Method in 2021, a fitness model designed around maximizing one’s time and delivering tangible physical and mental strength. “I desperately required a fitness routine that could take my reality into consideration while still delivering real results.”

The SOTO Method believes in making every second count.

“By using seconds as the baseline of measurement for SOTO’s programming, I created a method that emphasizes accountability to show up every day, regardless if you have 5 minutes or 45 minutes to move,” Hoffman explained. Drawing inspiration from her high school running coach, Hoffman leaned into isometrics to build SOTO. The workout begins with a 60-second isometric hold to fire up each muscle group, followed by 10 dynamic movements designed to push the body to muscle failure. SOTO stands for sixty on, ten on.

A Predictable Roadmap’

The SOTO Method combines cardio and sculpting into one package.

“Building on the assumption that a client’s time in class may be their only movement of the day, SOTO combines cardio with sculpting to deliver a full-body workout that improves strength, endurance, and overall well-being,” Hoffman said.

One of the company’s biggest milestones came with the opening of its first permanent studio space in New York City this fall, following a successful pop-up location in TriBeCa.

“It’s important to note that this achievement was also the biggest risk we’ve taken to date as a company,” Hoffman said. “Our first pop-up location in TriBeCa was a true testament to luck, preparation, and the opportunity to reach new clients and engage with our deep-rooted community in person. Did we feel 100% ready to open the pop-up with no experience operating a studio? No. However, growth depends on artfully mitigating and taking risk, and we felt equipped to make this choice after evaluating our upside potential and making good financial decisions that offered downside protection.”

Predictable classes are also a key pillar in the Soto Method’s success.

“Soto’s predictable roadmap manages clients’ expectations from the second of their first plank when class begins,” Hoffman noted. “Knowing the flow of the entire class from the start, as well as the precise way we will cue and fatigue every muscle in the body allows for every single person to maximize their performance. The class structure is designed with the intention that instead of worrying about what comes next, clients can focus on unlocking strength in the present second.”

Focusing on Priorities

Hoffman approaches fitness with the perspective that a healthy lifestyle should not consume one’s life.

“My priorities have always been family and friends first, my professional goals second, and then being disciplined in recovering when my battery runs low,” she noted. “I prioritize sleep, hydration and eating – for both fuel and fun. Some of my must-have products to sustain my wellness priorities include earplugs from CVS, a Slip eye mask for sleep, LMNT for electrolytes, Weleda Skin Food for my body’s hydration, and NYC’s unbelievable take-out scene for my meals (both healthy and indulgent).”

Hoffman’s experience in finance has greatly impacted her approach to the fitness space.

“There are few hacks that I learned in finance that help me maximize my performance on a daily basis, and I’ve translated those lessons into Soto’s workout philosophy,” Hoffman said, adding that she learned to front-load her day with all the tasks she wanted to do the least.

“Willpower is a muscle and like any muscle, it fatigues with every decision. Capitalize on using your willpower when the tank is full to accomplish the tasks that require the most effort.”

She takes this same philosophy to her workout classes. “I front load each class with the hardest block: Cardio. Get it over early and when your discipline is fresh, and the rest will follow.” Schedule transparency also mitigates risks of frustration over surprises and allows for more mental strength.

“As we continues to scale, we will always ensure we are not losing sight of the core pillars the brand was founded on – performance, predictability and purpose,” Hoffman concluded. “Knowing every individual has a unique definition of ‘results,’ Soto will always be a method where effort and outcome are directly correlated. At the end of the day, we hope to help clients unlock their maximum strength potential through our intentional full-body workout roadmap that improves muscular strength, endurance, and overall heart health.”

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Therabody Commits to Skincare Innovation, Introduces TheraFace Depuffing Wand

The wellness technology company has continued its commitment to skincare with the new heat- and cold-therapy depuffing device

Therabody has announced its latest innovation, the TheraFace Depuffing Wand, as the company continues to invest in skincare technology. The portable skincare device delivers both heat and cold treatments to improve skin firmness and elasticity. The device is a breakthrough solution for individuals seeking visible skincare results on the go.

“At Therabody, we’re committed to expanding our beauty offerings with science-backed products that truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Monty Sharma, President and CEO of Therabody. “Our partnership with Sephora exemplifies this commitment to innovation and efficacy. The TheraFace Depuffing Wand reflects our mission to empower people to look and feel their best.”

credit: Therabody

The TheraFace Depuffing Wand was developed in collaboration with the beauty giant Sephora. The wand offers up to 30 minutes of use and charges via USB-C. It can easily fit into travel kits for on-the-go skincare. The product offers a cold treatment, a heat treatment and contrast therapy with an easy-glide applicator tip.

The device can be used to reduce undereye puffiness, brighten skin and improve product absorption. In clinical studies, 78.9% of participants showed enhanced skin firmness, while 91.2% experienced improvements in elasticity after just one use. Expert grading also demonstrated improvements in skin radiance.

Earlier this year, Therabody invested over $10 million into scientific research initiatives, forming a Scientific Advisory Board and partnering with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The company also has Therabody Labs, an in-house team of scientists and engineers to test and optimize their products.

The TheraFace Depuffing Wand is the latest addition to Therabody’s successful beauty line, following the TheraFace PRO and the TheraFace Mask. The TheraFace DePuffing Wand will have the lowest price point of all three beauty products at $149.

Starting September 3, the TheraFace Depuffing Wand will be available for purchase online and in stores at Therabody and Sephora.com.

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Total Wellness Takes Center Stage in Sports

Dr. Elizabeth Nobis helps Penn student-athletes prioritize mental health, inspired by Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka

At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, gold medal gymnast Simone Biles chose her health over her competition and took a 2-year break from her sport. In the same year, U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open, citing intense depression and anxiety. This year, the conversation on mental health care for athletes has never been louder, says Dr. Elizabeth Nobis, inaugural athletics psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Nobis has worked to support the school’s nearly 1,000 varsity student athletes since the creation of her role in 2022. Nobis holds individual and group therapy on campus, working alongside coaches and supporting the students through every facet of their lives.

Whether they are suffering from panic attacks, an eating disorder, or require assistance for anxiety and depression, these athletes have a designated safe space to turn to: the office of Liz Nobis. 

“With athletes, there’s a lot of emphasis on the performance, which can be connected to body image, weight, eating – any of those things once hyper-focused can become a concern,” Nobis told Athletech News. “And that can be true in any other high-pressure or high-performing environment.”

Something can be someone’s greatest strength until it’s overemphasized and then becomes the greatest weakness, Nobis says. 

Professional Leadership

Celebrity athletes like Biles and Osaka have helped to open up the dialogue for those struggling with mental health issues and the tough decision to publicly discuss personal battles. Their transparency is as vital for household name athletes as it is to college students. 

In April, the conversation on athlete mental health expanded to the platform of the Olympic Games themselves, showing just how important the topic is for athletes at every stage of their career. 

Prior to this year’s games, the Paris Olympics Committee interviewed nine competitors, including Biles and Osaka, asking about their mental health prioritization for the upcoming events, a never-before-seen type of feature for the Games.

From U.S. rugby champion Ilona Maher to Paralympic track and field medalist Jaleen Roberts, the diverse group of athletes confidently and honestly shared their thoughts on mental health. 

“It’s been enlightening just to try to break down the barriers of what people view athletes as,” Maher said during a press conference. “We put athletes on a pedestal and Olympians on pedestals as indestructible and really strong. But athletes are human, as you saw in the Tokyo Olympics with Simone Biles and the humanity that she showed us. Here’s the best gymnast in the world, who’s just so amazing at what she does, and she’s having bad days.”

Tokyo – Japan July 26, 2021, Tokyo2020 Olympic Games, US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles

How Fitness and Wellness Pros Can Help

According to a 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, 34% of elite athletes experienced anxiety and depression while 19% suffered from alcohol misuse. Thanks to studies like this and voices of athletes like Biles and Osaka, the International Olympic Committee announced a Mental Health Action Plan in 2023 to further support their athletes. 

“There are so many benefits of the generational conversation that have changed in athletics, as well as outside of athletics,” Nobis said. “It’s okay to seek help, it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask and not have to hold that inside.”

Nobis, who also oversees Penn’s Student Athlete Wellness Ambassadors group and works for the Sexual Trauma Treatment and Outreach Prevention committee, says that often her work with students involves working through the frustration and anxiety of training together. 

“Often, my work is ‘Okay, we’re going to do those reps, but we’re also going to do those reps from the emotional standpoint and grow those emotional muscles,’” Nobis said.

For coaches, fitness experts and trainers working with athletes, Nobis says intentional listening, accountability and self-monitoring are the best ways to support an athlete’s mental health.

“If you’re a trainer, are you asking ‘How are you doing?’ because that’s the pleasantry, or ‘How are you really doing?’ Nobis said. “And do you have room for that answer? That often means tolerating our own distress around someone if they are taking a chance and sharing something that’s difficult.”

When someone feels comfortable enough to share something difficult, it can make others uncomfortable and feel the need to problem solve, Nobis explains.

“Most of us find it’s like, ‘Oh, we want to make it better,’” Nobis said. “And [we] tighten up, and that makes it almost want to go away. If we can respond with a posture of curiosity, of opening up, that’s where things are actually going to feel loose and we can feel some relief from that.”

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