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.

Shawna Meyer

Promoter Name Shawna Meyer

Show(s) Promoted

St. Louis Gateway Naturals, every October, this year October 3rd
Sanctioned by NANBF

Which Organizations have you promoted with?

no other

Why do you choose to work with this organization?

As a natural competitor for 7 years myself, I felt a strong desire to help build the awareness of this Natural organization in my home town. No other drug tested shows existed in the St. Louis area and I wanted to help give other natural competitors an avenue to compete close to home, along side other natural competitors!

How do you feel about the number of shows and different organizations that currently make up Natural Bodybuilding?

I think it's great...we're all out promoting a great sport for the same cause...to provide drug-free arenas to drug-free competitors. As long as the other organizations are working with integrity in their drug-testing procedures then I think it's great for the competitors to have options!

Do you ever see a day when all of the major organizations will work together?

Possibly. It would create a synergy among the natural world of bodybuilding!

Do you think the variety of organizations is good or bad for the athletes?

It causes the promoters to have to get better and better each year and differentiate themselves from the rest, which is great for the competitors because the shows just keep getting better and better!

What is your background in Bodybuilding and Fitness?

I started competing in bodybuilding at the age of 18. At the time in St. Louis the only organization that had a presence was the NPC, so by proxy, that's who I competed with. But when I moved to Kansas City after college, I was introduced to the NANBF....after my first night with them I was hooked and vowed to never compete anywhere else! I guess it helped that I won my pro-card the first show I competed with them in too! But really, the difference in the quality and the organization of the Kansas City Gold's Classic (and other NANBF shows) was nothing like I'd ever experienced in my 4 years competing prior to that!


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

Fred Rowlett, president of the NANBF, asked me to help bring the NANBF to St. Louis when I moved back there in 2005. My first reaction was, "Really, me?" He said "Yes, you!" So, I thought about it for all of about 15 seconds and then said, "I'd love to!" I loved the organization, loved the sport, and knew that St. Louis desperately needed the presence of a natural orgranization in order for bodybuilding to keep growing in the area.


Tell us a little bit about the history of your shows, when it first started, how it has grown?

The Gateway Naturals started in 2006 with 40 competitors and has grown every year since then. Last year we had 70 competitors and this year we expect close to 100 with the introduction of our Pro-Qualifying Figure Divisions.

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

I owe it to Fred Rowlett, president of the NANBF and promoter of the KC Gold's Classic, and John & Becky Arnold, promoters of the Liberty, MO Southern States Classic. I knew I would be in good hands following their lead since their 2 shows are the biggest in our organization and attract well over 100 competitors consistently, every year. Fred helped me from start to finish with organization, marketing, sponsorship accural, and procedural aspects of the show. John and Becky have been part of my judging panel since '06 and keep everything to do with the judging running smoothly and professionally!

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

Competitors trying to squeak through drug-test, reinforcing banned substance policies, competitors upset with judging calls.

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

The feedback that I have always got from both competitors and fans of my show is that it is extremely well run, very professional, first class, and they love the personal attention they get from their very first point of contact with me. Of course I couldn't make it all happen without the help of my awesome volunteer staff and judges!!!

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

Last year I had a father and son compete together and the audience just absolutely loved them!!! We had Rick, the father, present his son's trophy to him on stage and gave them special photo ops! They loved it!!!

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

Some of the routines are just hilarious! I think it's awesome when a competitor goes out of their way to entertain the crowd with some comedy in their routine, usual with some crazy dancing or funny lyrics. Also, if you've never been at a show where Tim Tialdo is the M.C., let me just tell you, he will have your stomach hurting from laughing before the night is over, I can promise you that!!!

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?

I try to get way too creative with the intro music at the start of the show every year. It never ends up working out exactly as I plan so this year, I'm going to keep it simple...still entertaining and fun, but simple!

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

Every competitor does a polygraph test and then the top 3 competitors in each Open Class perform a urinalysis, immediately after leaving stage with their awards. Then we also do random urine tests as suggested by the judging panel.

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

It's an organization standard procedure...we do our classes by height.

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

Our judges have to sit on a panel as a test judge and pass with a score of 90% or higher in order to become a judge for us. That means that their scores need to be right on with those more experienced and tenured judges.

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

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE your posing!!! There's nothing worse than seeing a competitor with a phenomenal physique that is shaking like a leaf in his/her poses or doesn't know how to best show their physique with their individual poses. FIGURE GIRLS: Get very comfortable walking in those heels! My advice is to start working with someone experienced in posing at least 8-10 weeks out from the show and plan to practice at least 3-4 days per week. If in the St. Louis area, competitors can contact me for posing help, I have group and individual posing sessions available. Also remember, almost every show offers separate awards and/or gifts for best posing presentation in both bodybuilding and figure.

What the your contact info and website for your show?

www.gatewaynaturals.com and shawna.meyer@yahoo.com

What new ideas do you have for your upcoming shows?

Spray tan on site for the competitors, on-site make-up artist and hair-stylist, individual photo shoots with photographer in between shows...and hopefully, sponsorship support will continue to grow so that we can continue to offer our competitors more and more great awards!!!

When is your next show?

October 3rd, 2009!!!

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

I have so many great people that offer to hang posters for me every year at their gyms and nutrition stores.....thank you! It helps a ton to have people helping to spread the word in their individual communities. Also, thanks to my sponsors who have been with me from the start: O'Fallon Nutrition, KoR Integrated Fitness, and Straw Productions, and FitnessSTL!!! Also thank you to all the fans who come out to the event to support the competitors they know!!! And last but not least, because nothing would be possible or have purpose without them---the competitors who devote themselves to this sport and the lifestyle! You guys are an inspiration to so many and I feel honored to have you take part in my show!!!