Natural Contest Promoter Profiles
Featuring the those individuals who work so hard promoting Natural Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness competitions and who share our enthusiasm and dedication to drug-free bodybuilding and fitness.

Delbert and LaDawn Hickman, 2Fit Productions

Promoter Name

Delbert and LaDawn Hickman, 2Fit Productions

Show(s) Promoted

INBF Tri-State Bodybuilding and Figure Championships held every 2nd weekend in May.

Which Organizations have you promoted with?

The International Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (INBF)

Why do you choose to work with this organization?

Having both competed as amateurs in the INBF and subsequently qualifying as professionals in the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation, it is our desire to grow our organization and increase opportunities for others to compete as natural athletes.

How do you feel about the number of shows and different organizations that currently make up Natural Bodybuilding? Do you ever see a day when all of the major organizations will work together? Do you think the variety of organizations is good or bad for the athletes?

It’s our hope and dream that one day the numerous natural organizations will unite as one. Doing so will offer pro competitors an opportunity to realize increased monetary return and therefore broaden the interest from competitors looking to compete. Also, the increased revenue could be used to assist promoters with marketing and advertising. This will allow us to reach out and touch fitness enthusiasts via radio and local televisions spots, etc.

What is your background in Bodybuilding and Fitness?

Over the past 10 years, Delbert has competed in 25 contests as an amateur in the NPC and INBF and qualified as a pro in the WNBF in 2002. Delbert is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) certified personal trainer, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) certified kickboxing instruction, group exercise (boot camp) instructor, and writer for Bodybuilding.com (since 2000). LaDawn has competed for 5 years as an amateur in the NPC and INBF and qualified as a pro in the WNBF in 2007. LaDawn has been a fitness instructor for over 10 years. She is a certified AFAA Fitness Instructor, Pilates instructor certified through Physical Mind Institute as well as a Spinning instructor certified by Mad Dog Spinning.

How did you get started in promoting shows? What made you decide to become a promoter?

The decision took several years in the making. Delbert was inspired after several years of competing and the related experiences (likes and dislikes) and sought LaDawn’s support and buy-in after initial discussions with the INBF chairperson.
Tell us a little bit about the history of your shows, when it first started, how it has grown?

Delbert and his wife LaDawn provided a "stage" (literally) for other natural bodybuilding and fitness enthusiasts to share their accomplishments by promoting the inaugural International Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (INBF) in May 2008. It’s going on its 3rd year of existence. The fan attendance doubled from 2008 to 2009. In 2010 it has been approved to become a pro qualifier.

Who were your mentor(s), if any when you started promoting shows and how did they help you?

Karen Miller was a mentor who provided Delbert (and later LaDawn as well) the opportunity to participate as a Judges and Head Judge at the INBF Karen Miller Classic (now known as the INBF Cardinal Classic). Being a judge provided Delbert and LaDawn a different perspective and more insight into the inner workings of show promotion.

What are some of the challenges you have had to deal with as a promoter?

Advertising an event on a shoestring budget was very challenging. Also, due to unforeseen circumstances, we had two judges cancel and had to identify replacements at the last minute. Finally, we had a close call with our trophy vendor who lost track of the event date and did not have our trophies ready on the date requested (talk about pucker factor). A continuing challenge is growing natural bodybuilding and figure in our area.

What makes your show different from the others and why should competitors choose your show(s)?

The show is unique in that Delbert and LaDawn both have competed as amateurs and pros for several years in the U.S. and abroad. With this vast experience, they have a clear and undeniable understanding on how to satisfy the needs of competitors, judges, and support staff. That understanding is what it takes to make the experience as enjoyable and stress free as possible.

What are some of the most memorable moments from your show(s)?

The most memorable experiences come following the show and all the positive emails and remarks we receive from competitors and fans alike. Particularly, when new competitors tell us they really enjoyed competing so much that they plan to compete again. Although, it never matters where they compete (to us) but that they do continue to compete! When this happens, we have helped grow our sport and it energizes us to continue.

What are some of the funniest moments from your show(s)?

LaDawn and Delbert stumbling through as emcees at the inaugural show in 2008. No one seemed to notice but we were quietly whispering sweet (okay, not so sweet) nothings as we corrected each other over and over again. It was a hoot. Too bad we weren’t wired with a microphone!

If you could do it all over again...what, if anything, would you do differently? What do you wish that you knew then that you know now?

We always take detailed notes and reflect on how to do things better each show. For our next show, we plan to have competitors’ CDs provided in advance so that they can be cleaned and checked. We had an issue at our last show where posing oil/gel on a CD caused problems with the player.

How do you drug test at your show? Polygraph or urinalysis? All competitors, class winners or random?

All competitors must submit to polygraph. As a pro qualifier, urinalysis will be required as well.

Is your show judged by weight class or by height class. Why did you choose the method you use?

Both. We have weight classes for our Bodybuilding divisions and height classes for our Figure and Ms. Fit Body Divisions.

How do you select your judging panel? What qualifies someone to be a judge at your show?

Our judging panel is staffed with WNBF professionals that have several years of competitive and judging experience.

What advice do you have for competitors getting ready for the show, on the day of the show and after the show is over?

Show Preparation: Develop a well thought out plan of action and execute it consistently (meals, training, posing, etc.), visualize your end goal and how you will look and believe in it. Meditate daily upon waking up. This is especially important in the final weeks. Helpful advice should always but appreciated but help and advice from a seasoned competitor that has achieved the goal you are pursuing is best.

Day of Show: Maintain your commitment to the plan you’ve created. Do EXACTLY what you have defined in your plan no matter what. Always create a plan for the day of the show that considers you making it to the Overall pose down. While on stage, smile, stay tight, control your breathing, and always, always flex from the bottom up. Ask the judges for feedback. Enjoy the experience. Remember. You have achieved the goal you set out to achieve and it’s your moment in the sun so catch some rays!

After the Show: If appropriate (meaning you don’t have another show in the near future), take a few days rest and ensure that you intake calories consistent with offseason growth goals. After depleting your calories for several weeks, the first couple weeks following a show is a prime opportunity for growth. Reflect on the show and the experience. List what improvements you’d like to make for next time, identify your strength areas, and modify your plan accordingly. Openly share your experience with other competitors.

What is your contact info and website for your show?

Delbert and LaDawn Hickman

(937) 344-9884
wnbfprofessional@aol.com
www.gemcityclassic.hostjava.info

What new ideas do you have for your upcoming shows?

Too many to name but one that we feel is most important is to expand sponsorship to help our athletes. If we can find more sponsors that are willing to contribute just a little to our athletes, it will help broaden natural bodybuilding and figure’s presence and fulfill our mission (dream). The men and women who compete in our show (any show) work so hard each day to realize their own personal fitness goals. While at the same time, they work full-time jobs and/or raise families and care for loved ones. We know full well what it’s all about and facilitating the means to help others realize their dream and live in the moment is our passion. Unfortunately, we cannot do it alone and sponsorship helps a great deal.

When is your next show?

May 15th, 2010

Who are the folks you would like to thank for supporting your show?

1. Leslie Barrow, Dayton Convention Center – Leslie has done a marvelous job creating the venue for our show.
2. Mary Ciesa and Amy Toth, Dayton Marriott – Have been a joy to work with and was a God send.
3. Ian Mercer, WNBF/INBF, Expeditor Extraordinaire – No one better in the business. Thanks for always being “johnny-on-the-spot”.!
4. Our Judges: Karen Miller, Stephanie Foley, Heidi Andonian, Bobby Turner, and Rich Lauro – Thank you for such a wonderful and professional job and the detailed competitor feedback.
5. Marilyn Spatola, Liquid Sun Rayz Professional Spray Tanning – Awesome is the only way to describe Marilyn. Thanks for providing on-site spray tanning.
6. Michael Milligan, LA Fitness - Thanks for providing the 1 year free memberships to LA Fitness.
7. Russ Wilson, Russ Wilson Photography – Best quality stage photos I’ve ever seen.
8. Michael and Sonya Pope, Pope Health Zone – Thanks for donating performance drinks to help re-hydrate our competitors.
9. Phil Placko, BM Wear Clothing Co. – Competitor in our Inaugural show and sponsored us the next. Thank you so much Phil for donating the clothing and gift certificates.
10. Larry Silcox, Truth Graph Polygraph Services – Thanks for getting all of our competitors through their polygraph as scheduled.
11. Darren Matlock, Posedown – Thanks for donating some great gear and awesome steel brush trophies.
12. Roger and Sandy Riedinger, Beverly International, Ky – LaDawn and I attribute our own success to Roger and Sandy’s interest and knowledge as well as their great supplements (i.e. Cookies and Cream Ultimate Muscle Provider). Thank you for providing the supplements!
13. Linnel Hickman, my brother who needs to bring up those legs…LOL! Thanks for just being there.