Hangin' up my 2 piece....

After much thought and consideration, I've decided to retire from the stage... I really had a difficult time making this decision. My head was saying that it was time, but my heart was saying otherwise. Competing and the spotlight has always been a large part of me, and to give it up was like giving away my right arm and a piece of my soul. Not easy, and not pleasant! BUT, I knew that there had to come a point where I'd have to make a decision. I knew that I couldn't compete forever, and also knew that my energy was waning. I've had a GREAT run in my years as a professional with the IFBB, and wanted to leave on a high note. I won my title last year in the Motor City (first EVER Motor City Pro Figure Champion... a VERY cool title I must say!), did the Figure Olympia two years in a row, and placed in the top 10 in the WORLD two years in a row... I really felt like I had done enough. I decided that I would be content with that instead of continuing on. I know that my body had more years left in it for the stage, but I'm not sure my head did. Last season was especially tough for me prep-wise, and it really made me realize a few things about what my goals are. Did I want to continue to beat myself up in the gym, and diet like crazy for the same rewards I've been getting, or did I want to focus again on my work with other girls and building my business as a coach and trainer... I really had a difficult time balancing both. SO, I decided to pick the latter and focus on helping other girls have their time up there on the stage.

I get so much satisfaction from seeing others succeed, and to know that I have a chance to be instrumental in others success in this sport makes me so happy! I've had my success, and fulfilled the dreams of getting my pro card, winning a title, and placing in the top 10 in the world. Now I want to help other girls do the same. If I can help just one girl fulfill her dreams as a competitor, then I'll have won the grandest of trophies....

I also am going to begin judging at the NPC level. I can't wait! I also am hoping to someday be on the Olympia panel of judges. Another dream of mine that I feel I can achieve if I just try. Then I can say I've been on both sides!

I plan on being at many of the shows this year, but not as a competitor or sponsored athlete, but as a friend and supporter to the many friends I've made while competing in the IFBB. I'm really looking forward to watching and enjoying myself now! I'll still be forever tweaking and refining my own body in the gym... how could I not, it's what I know and what comes naturally to me! My body is my project, and something I can always work to improve upon.

Still look for me and say hello if you see me, because I will still be around!!

What happened to the members area??

For those of you who were members to my site when I had the private section, thank you so much for your interest and support! As you know, I’ve decided to do away with the section for various reasons. I am adding new features to the main site in hopes of making it enjoyable and interesting for ALL. For those of you who enjoyed the photo updates done in the member’s section, I have something for you too…. I will be adding featured galleries several times a year to keep you interested (a little more PG than the old member’s site photos, but still fun to look at!) I truly hope you enjoy, and am open to suggestions. I’m only an email away – let me know what you think!

Well, off-season is in full swing folks! I've been truly enjoying a little rest and food.... MUCH needed rest and food I should say! I've decided NOT to compete in the Arnold, but will be there at the expo at the Pinnacle booth (I hope...) So come by and say hello!

I plan on doing my next show in September - the Montreal Pro show... I need to bring my musculature down a little and streamline my physique, and need some time to do just that. Losing muscle is not the easiest thing to do, and it simply takes time to do it right, so... I'll be off the stage for a bit BUT plan on being around on the circuit doing shoots, making appearances, and cheering friends on at the shows, so I'm sure I'll run into some of you!

Until next time, look out for me, I'm definitely going to be around!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

TOP 10 AT THE 2006 FIGURE OLYMPIA!

I placed 9th out of 21 in my second Figure O... and I am VERY excited about it! Top 6 would have been great, but I told myself that as long as I do as well or better than I did last year (9th place last year too) then I'd be happy... and I did it! More photos of me at the event can be seen at http://hardfitness.com/competitions/olympia2006/profigure/jennifersearles/onepiece/index.html and http://hardfitness.com/competitions/olympia2006/profigure/jennifersearles/twopiece/index.html Thanks so much to all that stopped by the Pinnacle booth after the prejudging... it was GREAT to meet you! 2007 is going to be a great season, but for now, it's time to rest and make some improvements to the ol' bod. I will be updating my events page soon, so keep an eye out for where I'll be creepin' around this winter!

I know what I have to do for next year... GOTTA STILL BRING THE LOWER BODY MUSCLE DOWN... but personally, I like my curves.... we'll see, maybe I'll just keep 'em and make the judges adjust LOL!

Full results (courtesy of www.IFBB.com):
FIGURE OLYMPIA
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
September 30, 2006

Jenny LYNN* USA 5 5 10 1
Amber LITTLEJOHN* USA 15 10 25 2
Monica BRANT-PECKHAM* USA 15 15 30 3
Christine POMPONIO-PATE* USA 17 20 37 4
Mary Elizabeth LADO* USA 24 25 49 5
Gina ALIOTTI* USA 34 36 70 6
Amanda SAVALL USA 41 32 73 7
Gina CAMACHO USA 40 36 76 8
Jennifer SEARLES USA 38 50 88 9
Latisha WILDER USA 49 52 101 10
Jessica PAXSON USA 57 50 107 11
Valerie WAUGAMAN USA 63 57 120 12
Michelle ADAMS USA 65 70 135 13
Inga NEVERAUSKAITE England 73 73 146 14
Andrea DUMON USA 67 80 147 15
Jane AWAD USA 80 80 160 16
Michelle FLAKE USA 80 80 160 16
Nina LUCHKA Canada 80 76 156 16
Tara SCOTTI USA 80 77 157 16
Chastity SLONE USA 80 80 160 16
DJ WALLIS USA 80 80 160 16
*Qualifies for the 2007 Figure Olympia

OFF TO THE FIGURE O!!!

I'M OFF! I fly out to Vegas in about 3 hours, so I have to leave the homestead in about an hour. I have waited all year for this moment... and have worked my butt off! My second Figure Olympia, and I couldn't be more proud of myself. I feel like I'm at my best, and am hoping to place as well or better than last year (which I was 9th). A top 6 finish would qualify me for next year's O, and would be AMAZING, but with such an unbelievable lineup, I'll be honored to make the top 10!

I'm looking forward to a fun weekend, regardless of where I place. IT'S THE OLYMPIA for cryin' out loud.... who cares where I end up in the race, I've already made it to the finish line!!! I get to be on stage with the best figure athletes in the world, get to see friends, and get to EAT until I turn green.... what more could a girl ask for LOL!

I'll be posting full results on Monday 10/2, so check back to see.......

2006 Motor City Pro Figure Champion!!

Just a quick post to tell all of ya that I WON!! My first pro win... I now have a title and couldn't be more excited! The results are as follows:

1 Jennifer Searles USA 8 5 13
2 Julie (D.J.) Wallis USA 18 13 31
3 Michelle Flake USA 14 18 32
4 Jane Awad Canada 16 20 36
5 Melissa Frabbiele USA 19 19 38
6 Christine Wan USA 44 34 78
7 Amy Fry USA 40 40 80
8 Chandra Coffey USA 38 46 84
9 Carina Dupree USA 54 32 86
10 Zivile Raudoniene Lithuania 58 38 96
11 Cheri Lewis USA 59 53 112
12 Liane Seiwald USA 53 65 118
13 Petra Mertl Czech 54 80 134
14 Laura Sutter USA 71 67 138
15 Shelly Taucher USA 71 71 142
16 Karen Zaremba USA 80 68 148
17 Amy Peters USA 79 80 159
18 Kristina Henn USA 80 80 160
18 June Monroe USA 80 80 160

Next stop, LAS VEGAS - September 29-30 FIGURE OLYMPIA.... Here I come!

Round 2 - Motor City Pro Figure - Detroit, MI - 8/12

As of right now, I'm a week out from my 2nd show of the 2006 season. The Motor City Pro Figure Championships www.Motorcityfitness.net is being held at the Hyatt Great Lakes in Detroit, MI on Sat. Aug. 12th. I was originally planning on doing this show, but when I qualified for the Figure Olympia at the NY show, thought I would forego it. I realized that I needed a wakeup call after seeing the pictures from the NY show.... I was happy with how I looked, but knew I could've been much tighter. I felt like I needed to kick my butt, and step on stage one more time before the O in unbelievable shape. I also had forgotten that I was already locked into a contract to do the show in the first place LOL!

I have been taking no prisoners with this one... I can honestly say that I have been training and dieting harder than I ever have before! Never have I done so much cardio, or eaten such a tight and strict diet. I WANT this one. One of my goals in this sport is to win a title before I retire. I want this to be a realization of one of my dreams... and I am working hard to get there... Although this has been an extremely uncomfortable few weeks, I KNOW that I have done my homework and am bringing a VERY different look to that stage in Detroit. I'm tighter than I've ever been and am confident that I've made some significant changes since the NY Pro in July. I am excited and ready!!!

I also am very tired and have a cold right now LOL! Hard training is not too kind on the body.... Only a few days left... 6 days and counting.......................

New York Pro Figure Championship Update

I placed 2nd!!! I'm qualified for the Olympia!!!!! 23 BEAUTIFUL women competed - it was definitely NOT an easy show! I'm very excited to be going back to Vegas this year... the Olympia will be held September 28-October 1st. For more info visit www.2006Olympia.com For pictures and full results of the NY show visit www.graphicmuscle.com and click on the NY Pro Figure picture. Congrats to all the ladies that competed! We made it through another show!

I'm pleased with my placing, but know that I have alot of work to do to prepare for the O. I was a little softer than I'd like to be for the NY show, and plan on coming in a little harder and tighter. I also plan on lightening up my lower body musculature a bit. I'll be going for more of the streamlined look. I've never come into a show this way, so it shall be an interesting journey. I am taking it easy this week to let my body rest. THEN, the next 10 weeks after that will be spent with my nose to the proverbial grindstone as I go underground in preparation. It's going to be grueling, as I have to lose a bit of muscle - which is no easy task - but it's going to be a worthwhile adventure! I'm psyched and ready to go!!!

Until next time..... Stay Healthy!!!