As I sit here on the plane heading back to Orange County from New Orleans, where I just placed 1^st in my class at the Greater Gulf States, I am pondering a bunch of questions I have been asked over the last few days.  I can’t tell you how many people have asked me why I went all the way to New Orleans to compete in an Amateur Comp when I am already qualified for Nationals. Well, just like any sport or profession it takes practice to be your best. I always like to have a practice run before the big National Stage. It works really well for me, my body always comes back stronger for the second one. My next competition being Team Universe where I will have the possibility of achieving my goal as an IFBB Professional Athlete!

So, why did I choose NPC Greater Gulf States? Well, I really like the promoters of the comp Luke and Robin Tesvich, but also as a competitor you need to know your judges. In this sport, especially at the National level you HAVE to stand out and if you don’t you will get lost in the crowd. There are so many wonderful competitors and you need to be able to set yourself apart someway. The best way is to get in front of your National Judges as much as possible and work the stage.  Also, you have to go into every comp as if it is Nationals because you have to make a statement! So there ya go, that is in short, why, I made the trip to New Orleans and competed this last weekend. I had an incredible time and I am also coming home with another 1^st place trophy, not too bad! I was also able to speak with and receive feedback from the head judge Sandy Williamson. She is absolutely incredible, she is a full time nurse, but also judges, mostly Pro and Nationals level shows and you can tell she is absolutely passionate about it and has so much respect for each and every competitor on stage. She gave me great feedback and I look forward to getting back up on stage in 2 weeks and achieving my IFBB Status!

I have to thank all the wonderful girls that are apart of the Oddo Angel clan, we have such a blast together! If you aren’t an Oddo Angel, I highly recommend you become one! In this sport you have to have fun, yes there are times when it is not fun, but if you can’t find any fun in it, then it is probably not for you! The day of the competition is always the best, especially for me, I tend to come in to comps a little too lean and so I typically get to eat some good food before going on stage. It makes the leaning out process so worth it because I really appreciate little things in life, like a tablespoon of peanut butter in my oatmeal before bedtime and a burger with sweet potato fries!  All in all, everything about this sport is a process from day 1 of prep until walking off the stage at finals! You have to be ON at all times, you never know who is watching or how your body will react to certain things and the last 2 weeks before competition are so crucial. In less than 2 weeks I will be boarding a plane to my next destination and that is my Pro Card, after that, well who knows J other than the fact that this girl has a goal of being on that Olympia Stage or Arnold Stage someday soon! Hey we have to have goals, right? We are nothing without them.

Thank you for following my journey!

Jessica Jordan

This is from my GGS Victory in NOLA June 25th: