Ambassadors

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We invited 16 guys with different training backgrounds and different training goals as well as various history regarding their relation to Better Bodies to hang out, train, share thoughts and ideas, and provide product feedback.

The participants were everything from profiles who have been Better Bodies ambassadors for 10 years to ambassadors who are completely new to the brand.

CrossFit athlete and coach Måns Pettersson gave the guys a real challenge and for some of them this was their first time trying out CrossFit. .

Check out the recap of the workout and get some updates from Better Bodies Ambassadors Ahmad Ahmad and Pontus Koskelainen as they tell us about their upcoming plans.

Better Bodies Men’s Meet Up August 24th

Living the fitness lifestyle can mean a wide diversity in what and how to exercise. Different passions, different goals – but with the same dedication for training and living an active and healthy lifestyle!

Something that often is a common denominator in above is gym training. This serves as an important foundation to succeed in different kinds of sports.

During the upcoming months we will publish a series with several different Better Bodies ambassadors who are passionate and active in different kinds of sports but have one thing in common; the gym as the foundation. Whether the main purpose is to build strength, stability, becoming more explosive, loosing weight or gaining weight they all go to the gym to achieve it.

Fredrik Blomstedt is 28 years, born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden. Him and his girlfriend Sophia are new parents to their daughter Zoe. Fredrik is a racecar driver and here we get to know him a little better.

**July 28th 2018 i was in a crash in a Lamborghini Hurracan. i fought for the first position and I was pushed straight into a pole in 230 km/h. When I woke up in the ambulance my first thought was that something had gone completely wrong. I didn't know what it was but I asked the ambulance staff to call my very pregnant girlfriend. My fear was that she'd go into early labor in a foreign country. When I reached her she was relieved at first, but when she heard how I was talking and that I had no idea what had happened to me, she got worried.

**Motorsport have always come natural for me. You are aware of the dangers in the sport but at the same time while you're in the car and the adrenaline pumps through your body, the only thing you want is to give a little more and risk a little more to get that little extra.

After the crash many have asked me whether I'd want to race again. The answer is simply yes. Since I don't remember anything from the crash I could've jumped right into the car and continued the race - but physically I wasn't able to.

The experience has though given me a deeper understanding to what kind of emotional stress you put on the ones closest to you.

**My carreer started thanks to my father being a real moto fanatic. My 5 year older sister wasn't as interested in motors and despite my fathers repeated desperate attempt to make my sister start racing he didn't succeed. When I was born her first comment was; 

"Dad, now you finally have someone who can do racing!"

When I was four I started competing in motocross which later transferred to gocart. I was mostly competing in Sweden but even the other Nordic countries (Norway, Denmark, Finland). When I was 12 we started traveling around Europe for competitions. Most of the time was spent in Italy where gocart people from all over the world gathered to compete against each other. This was a very enjoyable period in my life where also most of the big stars have grown up for then to proceed to the biggest racing series.

I won some Swedish Championships qualification rounds but I ended second total and third in the Nordic Championships.

**We chose to progress to formel Renault 2.0 after we'd been offered to come test it out in Asia. At this time I was 15 years. Before I even was allowed to test drive I was racing and competing in a car where the average speed on some tracks was 200 km/h and top speed 270 km/h. It was an extremely cool feeling! My first and only year in Asia I managed to get some top 3 placigs and a pole position.

**When The Spark Disappears - And Comes Back

**I raced another 2 years in formel car in one of the toughest series. For me it was hard to balance everyday life and racing. Due to this I laid off my racing career 2009 and it took me 6 years, until 2015, to find that spark again.

My first year after comeback I took home the title in Euroseries by Nova and my passion for what I did was stronger than ever!

After that I haven't placed less than top 3 in any races, except for 2018 when I had to end the year due to the crash. I still ended it on a high note though since I won due to the race being red flagged.

**The driving force for me is simply that I love to race and push the limits. It is fun to get to compete against other great racing car drivers and strive to get a little bit better every time. To have balance with training is extremely important in motorsports. You have to be able to keep the focus 100% during the whole race, in every round and every curve. A slight mistake and it can end really bad.

A training week in the gym for me could look like this:

Five days per week where I started on the crosstrainer for 35 mnutes, then bike for 25 min and ended with rowing 15 minutes.

Then some balance exercises. One of them could be seated on a ball while at the same time holding a weight as a steering wheel while visualizing one of the upcoming tracks that I was going to race on. So, with eyes closed I'd race that specific track in my mind while keeping the balance.

The two remaining days were more free where I could do anything from wake-boarding to climbing or something else fun that I enjoyed training.

**This year I haven't competed myself but I have started a racing team together with Sebastian Arenram. The goal is of course that we'll race ourselves too, but also that we'll take in other drivers who, with our help, can get into the motorsport and progress to higher levels. This year we have so far taken home several top 3 positions and now this weekend we will be in Gelleråsen where we have our goal set on a first win!

**I am very pleased with the collaboration with Better Bodies and in this community we can all learn a whole lot from each other. I have gotten a lot of help with my own training from people in the team.

Purpose Driven Training: Fredrik Blomstedt

"Everyone is pushing it really hard in the gym so it comes down to who has the best mental game. Sometimes I feel bad because I come off kind as aggressive. I just have to get in the zone because we are lifting tons of weight and its not a pretty thing."

Mary Rossi is an olympic lifter from Plano, Texas. After growing up as a very energetic child and getting involved in gymnastics and athletics at an early age, she would move on to other sports when her current sport got too intense and advanced.

"I want to prove something to myself too. I had a habit of quitting when it got to the advanced level. I just really want to stick with something to the end."

The lifts Mary competes in are the snatch and clean and jerk. Mary has to build explosiveness with box jumps shown here and very sound technique to utilize leverage and momentum to lift as heavy and safe as possible.

"The very end goal would be the Olympics. I love this sport, I just have never been as passionate as I am about this. I just love it."

Purpose Driven Training: Mary Rossi

IFBB Pro Ahmad Ahmad has been competing in various physique divisions for almost 20 years. Last year he changed from the 212 Bodybuilding class to Classic Physique. Right now he's getting ready for his 5th Olympia competition in Las Vegas - his first Olympia in the Classic Physique division.

I came to Sweden when I was 9 years old. Together with my family we fled from Iraq and the ongoing war as so many other immigrants did.

Since I was young I've always loved sports and I have played Rugby on elite level and also some soccer.

How was your interest for bodybuilding training born?

Year 2000, when I was 20, I did my first bodybuilding competition. I did my debut at Decembercupen Bodybuilding -70kg Junior and placed 2nd. I loved competing and showing off what I had worked so hard for in the gym.

Even though I didn't know too much about training and nutrition at the time, I loved what I did and I feel the exact same today. I believe that my big passion for this sports is what has made me able to keep going and on such a high level.

I did more than 30 competitions as an amateur where I placed within top 3 in all of them - of which 3 were gold at the Swedish Championships. 2008 I went to the U.S. for the first time to compete at the LA Championships where I won both my class and the overall. This resulted in a Pro qualification (IFBB Pro).

So far I've competed at the Olympia in the 212 class 4 times with my 8th place 2015 as the best.

What are you doing when you're not training and competing?

I work with nutrition supplements and I have my own brand Elit Nutrition which is manufactured here in Sweden.

After Olympia 2018 where I didn't place very well in the 212 class I decided to try Classic Physique. I think my physique is a good fit and have the right standards to be able to place well in this division. I did my Classic Physique debut at Hurricane Pro the week after Olympia 2018 and won my first shiow. Thereby I was qualified to this years Olympia in Classic Physique.

Do you have any tips for others who look at you as inspiration?

It is all about getting up and working even harder, and to not give up when you fall.

I feel like I've succeeded with this for myself which was extremely important for my confidence.

The preparations haven't been the best due to having biceps and shoulder surgery November last year. This made me unable to train for 6 weeks. Thankfully I'm back on track now and I feel like I'm where I need to be thanks to hard work and discipline.

Now there's only about 4 weeks left until I'm on the big Olympia stage for the 5th time and I look so much forward to it!

What is your connection to Better Bodies?

I've been a Better Bodies athlete since around 2009 and I am very thankful and proud of that. To be a part of such a big and professional company means a lot to me.

Ahmad Ahmad – Towards New Goals

I’ve been involved with sports my entire life, one sport I excelled at from a young age was martial arts. I earned my black belt at the age of 14, from one of the best in the business- Grand Master Roy Kurban. By 15 I had achieved a national ranking, won state championships and was training with the US Junior Olympic Team.

After a heated disagreement with the grand master a year later, I had given up martial arts because I believed it wasn't the "cool" thing to do anymore. I wanted to hang out with my “friends” and rebel all the time. For the next few years, I was in and out of trouble- drugs, alcohol, fights and depression. Later that year, I was shipped off to a juvenile detention center.

At school I was picked on and made fun of for being different. The only thing that helped me take my mind off things was working out. I found myself doing thousands of push ups, pull-ups and crunches wishing I were bigger and stronger so that I could defend myself. After a few months being away from the drugs, alcohol and partying my body started getting back to how it was when I was in my prime doing martial arts. When I turned 18 I was released from Juvenile Hall, and received my diploma, and moved to Galveston, Texas get away from my negative peers.

To help make ends meet I had my friend, who was recovering from drug addiction move with me as well. I could help him get clean and he could help me with the bills. I got a job as a valet and working the 5am shift of a small gym on the boardwalk. I would work all day and night then train, read, and lay in the sun early mornings to midday. I read every magazine article, book, and training cert I could get my hands on, I was hooked. I stayed in Galveston and methodically lived the life.

No partying. No poor influences. No distractions.

But my friend began having issues on his road to recovery and I decided it was time to come back. After a full year of my commitment to this lifestyle change, I came back and shocked the people who had been around me before.

People started treating me with this respect I hadn’t been given before, girls who had no interest in me in the past, seem to all of the sudden love me. I started to have more confidence in who I was, what I was capable of, and I found my real passion in life.

The lifestyle changed helped me physically – yes. But it changed my mentality more.

I began to believe I could achieve things. I realized I was a leader meant to guide people to a healthier lifestyle. I could motivate people and help them improve every aspect of their life!When I got out of boarding school I had the first major tragedy in my life- my best friend who was battling his demons with drugs and alcohol passed away. It was then that I decided to dedicate every second of my life to helping others conquer their challenges. To push past the fears holding them back in life. They could surpass the limits they put on themselves.

After working for others for 5 years at box gyms, I opened my own gym that offers rehabilitation, sports specific training, sports massage, yoga and nutrition coaching. We are private so the client can focus solely on themselves and not have to worry about being judged or intimidated. We increase their strength physically, spiritually, AND mentally.

Changing your life won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it!

My Journey: Chase Berger

"I was whispering because I didn't want people to hear me vlogging. A lot of the early ones were awkward and embarrassing. I ended up falling in love with it. Both the content creation and the editing - the whole process."

Hope Allen @Hopescope "The legging queen" on Instagram tells of her great discovery of vlogging and her subsequently meshing her passions of fashion and ultimately fit fashion with this discovery.

Check out her full interview and how she recognized huge opportunities in something that started as an "awkward and embarrassing" hobby.

Hope Allen @hopescope - The Legging Queen

Elin Söderström grew up horseback riding and playing soccer. She stumbled across a crossfit gym known in Sweden as a "box" and was impressed with the athletic capabilities of the athletes and admittedly "wanted to do it too" but doubted her own potential.

She realized that by giving 100% in training, technique and recovery she could be "as good as she wanted to be."

"That's the fun part about crossfit. You can come here and not have trained a day in your life, and start training." - Elin Söderström

Elin Söderström - This Is For Me

Swedish Figure Champion and Better Bodies Ambassador Jackie Masete gives her best tips around how you'll get as strong as possible during the month.

**Focus on base exercises such as deadlifts, chins and squats. These are the ones that gives pure strength! Take your time and dare to try something new, maybe sumo deadlifts or stiff deadlifts might be your next favorite.

**Take the opportunity to spend some time working on your technique. When that's in place, you'll reach your strength goals faster without getting any injuries on the way. Try using a lighter weight and focus on muscle mind connection. It will be worth it in the long run.

**When you have the technique in place, make sure you put on some extra weight on that barbell. You have to challenge yourself to develop. But make sure to periodize your scheme with lighter weeks as well, then you can give it your very best both in mind and physically when the heavy week approaches

**Is your grip to weak? Work on it! But sometimes it's also a good idea to use tools such as lifting straps to enable to max out in the most heavy lifts.

**Probably the most important point on this list. If you really find that what you´re doing at the gym (or outside of it) is fun and thrilling you'll lift more and heavier without thinking of it. And everything has a greater point when it's done with joy! Now is the perfect time to set up a fun challenge, try to say hi to a new person at the gym every day, or give a compliment on their technique. Spreading positive energy will always get back to you, I promise!

5 Tips For A Strong March with Jackie Masete

Men’s Physique Pro and World Champion Pontus Koskelainen gives his best tips around how to reach your training goals in a smooth, fun and effective way.

An important thing is to set milestones on your way to your long term goal. It makes you more aware of the progress you make and keeps your motivation high.

If you're motivated everything will go both easier and faster, and you will experience more excitement during your way. I use different techniques to get motivated. One of them is watching other athletes and people I find inspiring on Youtube. I often do this right before going to the gym.

To be prepared is to take responsibility for what you're doing. I plan my upcoming training session while drinking my pre-workout at home before going to the gym so that it kicks in when I start my session.

I use different outfits and gym gear depending on what session I will be training. For example I like to wear tights for leg sessions and I always use a pair of lifting straps during my back sessions.

Find your way to stay focused during your gym session. I always bring a pair of headphones to the gym. I like to get into the zone when I train. Find music that "get's you going"! For me hardstyle is the genre of choice.

I find that whatever goals you have in training, the right nutrition is what makes them attainable. Keep focus on eating mostly quality food in enough amounts, and if needed, complement with selected supplements. I always bring an intra workout and a post workout shake (BCAA’s or hydrolysed whey) to the gym and I make sure to eat a proper meal, preferably within 45 minutes after the training session.

I’ve found that no matter what you do you can’t make everyone happy. You will have people doubting and questioning the way you travel your journey. Remember it’s your journey – be you!

Reach Your Training Goals - Pontus Koskelainens 7 Best Tips

For those of you who don’t know me, I am Erika Boström, the Marketing Director for SF Group and also the Brand Manager for Better Bodies. I have been with the company for 15 years and the past few years I’ve been out on two rounds of maternity leave. My 3 year old daughter and 1 year old twins keeps me busy when I’m not working.

I am so excited to be back full speed at the office and I am looking forward to get to know all of you!

I wanted to reach out and say thank you for being a great ambassador for Better Bodies! Whether you’re new or have been with us for several years you’re an important part of the core of our brand. It’s important that you’re up to date on what is going on - so going forward, you’ll receive a monthly update from me where I’ll give you a run-down of any important events, releases, news, as well as anything you can do to help us spread the message!

Better Bodies is a gym and lifestyle brand that targets everyone who lives the fitness lifestyle. 

We want to inspire and engage those who takes their training seriously.

An important piece of that is our website

 (which all of you are or should be familiar with). We have a lot of things in the works including everything from a refreshed website with an entirely new technical structure, to a serious mission to create more content than ever before and get it posted and shared through our website, email newsletters, and social media. If you aren’t very familiar with our website/social media or aren’t signed up for our email newsletter, be sure to make that happen so that you have access to all the information needed to fully contribute to our brand and the rest of the

Better Bodies community. This way you can also engage with others in the community whenever and wherever possible.

I’d love for you to pass along any feedback, personal stories (that could make good/relevant content for our site), or anything else you have for our team. We’d love to be in touch!

I'd also like to mention that we have an open door concept. If you find yourself in Stockholm or Dallas where we have offices, don't hesitate to stop by and say hi!

If you own any of the below items, please try make some current content with them. We’d also love to hear your opinion of these specific items.

BBW: Performance LS Hood, Gracie Hotpants, Chrystie Shiny Tights, Astoria Curve Tights

BBM: Harlem Oversized Tee, Tip-Off Tank, Hamilton Shorts

April 27 - Better Bodies Content Shoot in Dallas, TX

Ambassador Update April 2019

Donna Bruns (Design Manager) and Jessica (Better Bodies Designer) will be spending a few days in Los Angeles and would love to learn from you and listen to your ideas about what you'd love to see from the brand.

This is your opportunity to get your voice heard and give feedback together with other local Better Bodies ambassadors.

We'll be meeting up in Venice on Sunday May 5th at 11 am. See address below.

PLACE: 545 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA 90291 (Look for the Better Bodies logo)

*We do not cover travel and accommodation.

Attention California Ambassadors

May is here with lots of things in the pipe!

First of all, it’s been a true pleasure to get to know many of you after my 

! I appreciate when you reach out with feedback, ideas, or “just” to say hi and introduce yourself. I hope to meet you in person sometime during this year!

We have high priority on updating the site every day with focus on content. Make it a habit to check out the 

 section on the site every day to ensure you don’t miss out on anything - and feel free to give us your feedback on the content. We strive to offer inspiration and information way beyond “just” products and sale activities, and your play an important role of spreading the message about the Better Bodies content on the site.

A couple of weeks ago I sent out an email encouraging all of you to 

 about how you are living the fitness lifestyle. To help you get started with the writing, a template with questions was included in the email. Our plan is to publish several stories on 

 every month and we are really enjoying getting to know all of you. There is so much inspiration within the team that can be shared with the Better Bodies community. If you for any reason have not sent your story yet and have some questions about this, don’t hesitate to contact us on collab@betterbodies.com.

AMBASSADOR MEET-UP IN DALLAS AND STOCKHOLM

An invitation has been sent out to our Ambassador Meet-Up in Dallas at …destination Friday May 10th  at 7 pm.  We hope as many as possible of you can join us for a fun evening together with staff and other ambassadors! Check out the invitation 

For those of you who don’t have the possibility to attend the event in Dallas (or are able to join both), SAVE THE DATE for Saturday June 15th. This day we will arrange a SUMMER AMBASSADOR MEET UP in the Stockholm area. This will be a daytime event between 11 am - 3 pm. More information will be sent out in a few weeks!