Quick Details: (eg. name, age, background) Co-President & Co-Founder, Body Proud Co-President, FAME Media Group Inc. Co-Founder, WNSO (World Natural Sports Organization) Co-Producer, FAME World Tour Head Judge, FAME World Tour & WNSO

From an in-house fitness training business in Toronto to the international stage, Jeff Kippel and Mindy Blackstien have revolutionized the world of fitness. Armed with a common ambition, a love of fitness and a focused determination, Jeff and Mindy have seen their vision of the World Natural Sports Organization (WNSO) grow to become a global force in the multi-billion dollar health & fitness industry. Answering the call for high caliber fitness events that promoted natural training and competing, the FAME World Tour was launched as the competition and exposition division of their company. As a fitness organization based on professionalism, consummate performance and commitment to the fitness, modeling and talent community, the FAME World Tour proved to be a milestone in the worldwide fitness scene, providing a natural forum that paralleled the status of other high profile sporting events, and ultimately launched the natural fitness movement in Canada. Now with events worldwide and a publication, FAME Magazine, that caters to them and their athletes, this husband and wife team has had unprecedented success and continues to build the brand they have made synonymous with fitness, modeling and talent: FAME. Who are the visionaries behind the organization? That would be Jeffrey Kippel and Mindy Blackstien a husband & wife team who have dedicated the last decade to building their vision. How did they meet? They feel as though they were destined to meet. Upon reflection, they realized there were many opportunities where they could have met - they were both trainers at the same gym; they both almost enrolled in the same program at a school in California; they attended the same tradeshows; they even had a conversation at one event about judging at physique competitions; and actually lived down the street from one another! In the end, they met after Mindy contacted Jeff to discuss potential business opportunities in the world of fitness and training. Mindy had just finished university but was not sold on a specific direction for her future career and in the meantime took up personal training and aerobics instructing while she tried to figure out the path that was best for her. When her sister and brother-in-law both pointed out a sign on the lawn for BodyBasics private personal training studio, Mindy thought that this would be a good opportunity to explore options outside of the gym and be her own boss. Having once worked as an accountant, Jeff realized that this was not enough to fulfill his entrepreneurial spirit or his new love of fitness. Like Mindy, Jeff too wanted to go beyond basic training and actually only kept the gym going to supplement his income while pursuing his vision, World Natural Sports Organization (WNSO). That fateful day when Mindy and Jeff met to discuss the business of personal training something unexpected happened. Their eyes met, conversation flowed and 2.5 hours flew by without even mentioning the gym. "As soon as I saw Mindy I knew she was the little red headed perfect angel I saw in my dreams", Jeff recalls. "Plus, the fact that she also had brains and was extremely interested in my business vision, I knew we shared a special bond". How did it all begin? Jeff was not feeling fulfilled in the career path he had chosen and was looking for something new. One day while at the gym, he happened to catch the end of a bodybuilding competition on TV. At that moment he knew... he wanted to be the biggest name in natural bodybuilding, whatever that meant. Recognizing that there was a void for bodybuilders who were drug free, Jeff sought to fill the void. He learned all he could about competitions and organizing events which even included competing himself. He knew firsthand what athletes wanted and how to modify what was currently in existence to make it even better. At the same time, Mindy who was always very athletic and into fitness, had watched a aerobic type stage competition during her last month at university. This was the first time she realized something like this existed and like Jeff, she too felt an immediate attraction to the world of fitness stage competitions and knew that she wanted to be involved, but not necessarily as an athlete. She emailed that organization to get more information but the information never came. Then 2 weeks later she met Jeff, who was just about to produce his very first Fitness and Natural Bodybuilding competition!!! Mindy immediately offered to volunteer her time to help build up the business as she felt an immediate connection. Since it was a new company with no outside funding, resources were limited but as it turns out, both Mindy and Jeff had completely different abilities that complemented each other perfectly and from the very start were each able to learn new skill sets to adapt to all aspects of the company that needed work. Mindy even donated her last $800 to incorporate the company and then the two of them moved into Mindy's parents basement as they worked all hours of the day to eat, breathe, sleep their new shared vision. How has it evolved? In the beginning there was a general category for all athletes in each of the categories (Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Fitness Model Search). Eventually, as the shows started to become successful, an expansion ensued and so did their vision. Their events were attracting people from all walks and stages of life, many who use the goal of competing and setting foot on stage as incentive to reclaim their health, get in shape and start treating their body with more respect. What once started as some local area shows is now a worldwide tour, complete with new categories (Fitness Model Search, Muscle Model Search, Bikini Model Search, Glamour-Fashion Model Search, Figure) called the FAME World Tour which has multiple events, competitions and workshops every month. Plus now the large international championship shows also have their own live web broadcast allowing viewers from around the world to see their idols, new heros and magazine cover models live in action! What makes them keep going: Both Mindy and Jeff find it hugely rewarding to hear the stories of the athletes who feel more confident and more healthy now that they compete. It’s amazing to them to learn how the contests have impacted so many people’s lives for the better, and those around them. What is their main message: Anyone can compete. Physique competitions are a unique sport which requires no past experience, no prior athletic accomplishments nor previous training and at the same time also allows individuals to express their personality and creative flair. FAME Competitions attract people of all ages and backgrounds: new mothers; the cancer survivor; lawyers; high school jocks; cheerleaders; grandparents; physically challenged; firefighters, personal trainers and everything in between. Anyone who wants to take on a challenge and/or set a goal to improve their lifestyle should sign up for the FAME World Tour. End Vision: To impact society and help more people enjoy their body, become Body-Proud, change their lifestyle overall and improve ultimately their thoughts, physique, energy and overall health.