Pro-Bound.com

The Evolution of World Natural Sports & FAME World Events
By
Daryl Gazey
Director of Operations/Judging Coordinator WNSO

The fitness and modeling business has always held lucrative venues for getting discovered and setting a path towards a rewarding career in the fitness industry. In an era where natural bodybuilding and fitness were seen as implausible, drug free competitors had little option to shine in Canadian sporting events. With an eye for competitive sports and an accounting and marketing degree, Jeffrey Kippel along with his partner and wife, Mindy Blackstien of World Natural Sports have exemplified that the birth of a fitness organization can establish a growth of worldwide proportions.

From his first bodybuilding competition in 1996, Jeff saw that the Canadian federations lacked the luster in promoting true drug free events that properly rewarded their athletes through professionalism, marketing, media exposure, prize purses and a commitment to their involvement in this growing field. At this point, Jeff was an established personal trainer and operating an in-house training business that catered to physical transformations through diet, training and nutrition. Jeff saw that the needs of athletes were not fulfilled through what was currently available and drug use was still evident in so called “natural competitions.” The caliber of these contests left little to be desired and the athletes were often left lacking any future desire of continuing to compete.

The union of Jeff Kippel and his newly acquired (soon to become business partner and spouse) trainer Mindy Blackstien whose chance meeting with Jeff resulted from her spotting a sign while driving past his residence. Mindy, at this point credited an honors degree in nutrition and psychology, saw that the basis of her teachings fueled her desire to pursue a career in the fitness industry. Mindy had been avidly involved in fitness and was establishing a repertoire of personal training clients when she first glanced at the sign pronouncing “Personal Training Services.”

At a time where natural sports was not particularly in vogue, the ability to earn a living through a venture such as this was greeted with responses such as, “This isn’t where the industry is,” and bluntly, “You’re crazy, this is a hobby and not a profession!” Not to mention the additional challenges that starting a federation or any new business would pose. Despite this, the two shared their visions with each other to stake ownership in having the largest recognized natural fitness organization of its kind that would focus around the professionalism, degree of entertainment and commitment to the athlete that many of the present organizations allowed to fall by the wayside.

The pair plotted a blueprint for their success based on their growing exposure to fitness competitions and sponsors which led to their first event in 1999 under the umbrella of the Musclemania Canada & Fitness Canada brand which they propelled to fame; launching the natural movement in Canada to unparalleled proportions.

Jeff recounts those earlier years when his position entailed picking up 500 posters from the printer, attending business meetings with sponsors and making all of the arrangements for the event without the luxury of having his own vehicle. Hours would stretch to days, months and years while the explosion of growth continued to match their dreams that they once shared. This first event bore only 18 competitors (11 Body builders and 7 fitness competitors), 100 spectators and a handful of sponsors; ProLab Nutrition, EAS, Nature Egg and Nu Life – all of which have remained with the federation through their tenure and growth.

Six months following their chance meeting and unbeknownst to Mindy, Jeff bonded this union by proposing marriage on the fitness stage that set the background for their future as husband and wife and solidified their lifetime dream of taking fitness events into an uncharted direction. The two Canadian natives were set to forge ahead with their dream by centering on the importance of combining their efforts through grass roots marketing strategies and strict drug testing policies to ensure a fair playing field for all involved.

The structure and format of these shows proved to be a huge success; athletes were receiving recognition in print, television, internet and the network of sponsors maintained a prize purse that had been unequalled in bodybuilding and fitness; exotic vacations, cash, endorsements, motorcycles, exercise equipment and the list would continue to grow.

By 1999, the pair had credited two Toronto events to their fitness portfolio and had established a growing presence in the fitness industry due to their full time commitment to these events.

The stage continued to grow, along with the caliber and number of competitors. 2002 saw the introduction of the internationally acclaimed FAME: Fitness And Model Expo presented by Faremon Sport wear, where competitors of all levels of experience and age could compete in bodybuilding, fitness, figure and fitness modeling amidst an electrifying exposition of sponsors (over 350, boasting an incredible 80% retention rate of sponsorship at their most recent FAME Expo) and exhibitors displaying the latest cutting edge items and ideas of the industry. Guest speakers, including Robert Kennedy, Lee Labrada, Laura Creavalle, Shawn Phillips, Udo Erasmus and many others provided an insider’s look at their contributions and success in the sport. Oxygen Magazine cover model and fitness superstar Margaret Diubaldo claimed her status through her overall win at FAME; launching a full time career in fitness after besting 150 competitors in the fitness model portion of the event. Thousands of spectators cheered on hundreds of competitors to victory during this gala event which would springboard into FAME World Events; spanning across the United States, Canada and overseas.

The meeting of Jeff Kippel and Mindy Blackstien proved to be a milestone for fitness as their once glittered dreams had quickly developed into an empire that failed to show signs of slowing down.

Fast forward to 2004 where the pair had enlisted a full time staff to cover all aspects in full detail; graphic designers, marketing specialists, web designers, business consultants, athlete liaisons, writers and regional event coordinators to ensure the reliability of their vast expansion. WNSO at this point had a strong following across Canada with 8 events; over 1400 athletes flexing on stage to the audience of over 20,000 spectators who responded to 1.5 million print ads, television and radio commercials and their web site which at that time was receiving 2 million hits per month.

At a point where most promoters would allow this crippling growth to force them to rest on their laurels, the WNSO staff prepared to launch their success world wide and focus on the success of their FAME name. The once “small time fitness show” had become a giant to be reckoned with as FAME & WNSO expanded to include a U.S. series, a newly introduced Pro Division and events in Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Holland and the Caribbean. The printers are set to forward 3 million posters and a marketing campaign which will put over 3,000 competitors to the task of competing in these landmark events in their efforts to reap the rewards that are deserving of the diligence that constructs a fitness competitor.

The introduction of their newest venture, The FAME Agency would further assist athletes in reaching the pages of print, magazines and television by responding to casting calls that would seek the fittest to partake; all with the support of their popular web site (question, comment and answer) type forum and seminar series which would guide those new competitors towards attaining their fitness dreams.

World Natural Sports & FAME World Events has set the bar well above the reaches of contest promotions and will continue in the mold that has garnished their respect throughout the body building and fitness world.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Put your fitness foot forward with FAME World Events. Your Look….Your Desire…..Get Fit…Get Fabulous…Get FAME!!

For more information on World Natural Sports and FAME World Events, visit their websites: www.FAMEworldevents.com and www.WNSO.com.
Contact us at 905 709 WNSO (9676) or email: getFAME@wnso.com