The 2023 NGA Bluegrass Bodybuilding Championships held at the Rupp Arena/Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington, KY, was a huge success. The contest brought the most elite-level natural athletes in the Bluegrass and beyond. Promoters Josh and Melissa Miller struck a homerun with a world class production that focused on customer service and giving promoters, vendors, sponsors and fans terrific morning and evening presentations. The expediters ensured for an orderly backstage experience and the judges worked hard to look carefully at each athlete – both individually and collectively. Their work is never easy, but great judges answer the call. The fans were also a huge part of this contest – filling the seats both for the Prejudging and the Finals. Contest-goers also had a chance to visit some great vendor booths – both in the hall and just a few steps outside of it. The contest had its very own in-house photographer backstage to give competitors the photoshoot feel while competing in a first class physique-based contest. And the venue? What can I say about that? The Rupp Arena/Central Bank Center is a world class facility in Lexington, Kentucky’s second largest city. Everything is state of the art and cutting-edge. The 2023 NGA Bluegrass Bodybuilding Championships was one for the for record books!! If you didn’t make it this year, I hope to see you there in 2024. I know I’ll be there!
Huge congratulations to Women’s Physique Winner ALICIA FRASIER!! You couldn’t ask for a more deserving winner. She brought a tremendous amount of positive vibes backstage and she was focused on pumping up, getting mentally-ready for the stage, and really just hanging in there. Sometimes your division isn’t called first and sometimes there’s some waiting that’s involved. How you choose to use your time is critical to everything coming together. When it was time to hit the stage, Alicia was more than ready to go!! Give her a follow on IG: Alicia_Frazier
I’d like to take this opportunity to send a huge shoutout to Austin Baird, who self-prepped for his first bodybuilding contest. We repost him often StrengthAddictsKentucky and I had no idea he was doing this show. He posts consistently and shows his progress every step of the way. He doesn’t use goon lighting, shadows, or any special effects. Not a lot of people can post that transparently on social media, but Austin is cut from a different from cloth. He’s going to do very well in the sport!! Be sure to follow him on Instagram: Austin_Baird16
One of the best parts of competing in physique-based sports is the many friendships that are made. While conversations that deal with nutrition, supplementation, and training are great ones to be had, sometimes chats delve into far more personal matters. Sometimes competitors come together by sharing difficult parts of their lives and in so doing show each other tremendous solidarity. Bodybuilding can be the catalyst for creating very strong bonds that can make a difference!!
The 2023 NGA Bluegrass Bodybuilding Championships drew out the best natural athletes from throughout Kentucky and surrounding states. The competitors made great use of every minute backstage. They talked about their journeys and they pumped up. No one was just standing around looking into space. Some opted to kick their feet up and rest, which is another great use of time, but absolutely no one was bored. The vast majority of athletes were deep in own tunnel vision and working out with whatever they could – from dumbbells to bands to their own bodyweight.
Backstage vibes are key to having a great contest. Happy competitors make for a top-notch production. Everything that went into this show, from choosing the best venue to having the best contest staff, ensured that everyone backstage was all smiles. If you missed the 2023 NGA Bluegrass Bodybuilding Championships, you should most definitely consider coming out in 2024. I expect to be there!
StrengthAddicts is all about the competitors. This page has been covering contests and writing about bodybuilding since it’s Day 1 way back in August 2008. The NGA is a fantastic organization to compete with and I’m so happy to have found a home in it. I look forward to taking StrengthAddicts to more NGA shows, other natural federations, powerlifting, strongman/woman and more!! We couldn’t do any of this without the ironclad support of our title sponsor Titan Medical Center!! We owe so much to them!!
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