I Find this very inspiring!!!

Millionaire Is Giving Away His Entire Fortune

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Terence Neilan Contributor
(Feb. 14) – If money can’t buy you happiness, what do you do? If you’re Austrian millionaire Karl Rabeder, you give it all away, right down to the last penny, or, in his case, euro.

“My idea is to have nothing left. Absolutely nothing,” Rabeder, 47, told The Daily Telegraph of London. “Money is counterproductive – it prevents happiness to come.”

On the block, or already sold, is his luxury villa with lake in the Alps, his 42-acre estate in France, his six gliders, and the interior furnishings and accessories business that got him rich in the first place.

telegraph.co.uk
Millionaire Karl Rabede says getting rid of his fortune makes him feel “free.”
Actually, everyone will get the chance to live the Alpine luxury lifestyle, because Rabeder has decided to raffle off his home at $134 a ticket.

When every penny of his estimated $4.7 million fortune is gone, he says, he intends to move into a small wooden hut in the mountains or a studio in Innsbruck.

“For a long time I believed that more wealth and luxury automatically meant more happiness,” Rabeder said. “I come from a very poor family where the rules were to work more to achieve more material things, and I applied this for many years.”

After a while, however, he felt he was working “as a slave for things I did not wish for or need,” adding, “I have the feeling that there are a lot of people out there doing the same thing.”

What brought him to his current conclusion? A three-week vacation with his wife in Hawaii, plus gliding trips to South America and Africa left him with feelings of guilt, he said, and the sense that there was a connection between his wealth and the poverty of the people he saw.

“It was the biggest shock of in my life, when I realized how horrible, soulless and without feeling the five-star lifestyle is,” he was quoted as telling the Telegraph.

Since selling off some of his possessions, with lots more looking for buyers, Rabeder says he has felt “free, the opposite of heavy,” which was the feeling all his wealth gave him.

All his money will go to the non-profit Mymicrocharity, which Rabeder says he has set up to offer small loans to needy people in Central and South America, and to encourage development and self-employment in the region.
Filed under: World, Money

Reflecting on NPC Bikini Competition Season 2009

The past year was an honest shock to me. I did my first local show, won the overall title for bikini, and became instantly hooked. I did five shows in the 2009 competition season. I don’t care what anyone says about the new Bikini division being an easy way to get a pro card. Coming from a girl who trained for figure shows before bikini, I can say that it is easier in some circumstances but harder in others.

Like figure the Bikini Division is looking for a specific build. Bikini competitors do not bulk up, try to build as much muscle mass, or try to get as lean as some figure competitors. The majority of people who I have talked to, think Bikini competitors just work out for a month and prance on stage. Although I have seen this occur, most girls that look like that, did not do so well in the competitions.

Has anyone ever wondered if Bikini is harder??? The judges want a Bikini Competitor to have the look of a woman who puts work in at the gym (lifting weights moderately, box jumps, mountain climbers, squat jumps, lunges, stair climber, running, walking up hill, interval training, sprints) who has a feminine athletic build. Although some are more genetically gifted than other, being lean almost year-round is not just a walk in the park. When I trained for figure I was lean from April to August. I found Bikini more challenging, because I had to have the consistency and will power to stay lean from March to November. Some figure competitors can amazingly keep their shape and symmetry and stay lean year-round, but to keep that muscle on, most need an off-season and bulk up.

Another thing I found very interesting about Bikini is that you have to find a balance between keeping muscle on, but not getting to big or losing too much. When I am training for shows I try to eat a balanced non radical meal plan that slowly helps maintain my muscle while losing body fat, but also gives me the softer full fit look for Bikini. I think the best looking bikini Competitors are the ones that have full glutes, toned legs, and are about 16% body fat.

Doing that many shows was exciting, fun, but was hard work. The past few months I have taken a much-needed rest . This week I started my Bikini Meal Plan that will hopefully keep me consistent for this season. My first show is in 12 weeks in Pittsburg, PA. From there I am Competing in Junior Nationals in Chicago, IL. I will keep you posted.

If you are a competitor, I wish you do the best. If you are thinking about competing, just do it !!! ha. If you want to ask any questions about competing, I will be glad to answer them. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and have a blessed day!!!

Love,

April Curry

Featured in Muscle and Fitness Hers

Muscle and Fitness Hers Publication

featured in Flex Magazine

Jan 2010 issue Titled The W’s Curry Conga Line

Flex mag publication

MTV aired a pic of April Curry during the July 6th, 2009 show

July 6th 2009 “It’s On” With Alexa Chung Show – clip of ME, April Curry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5obrtd6jmc

Hard Body… News article link

http://www.hardbody.com/news/

Check it out peeps : )

April Curry Posing

April Curry

APRIL CURRY – MY WEBSITES – COMING SOON!

http://www.AprilCurry.com – April Curry’s Bio and Career Goals

http://www.BikiniApril.com – April Curry, the Fitness and Fashion Model

http://www.ShapeUpPro.com – April Curry, the personal trainer

COMING SOON!

Junior Nationals – Fitness & Bikini: Bikini F Class (2nd Place)

April Curry

April Curry

April Curry

April Curry

April Curry

April Curry

I got second in my height class (F Class) at the Junior Nationals in Chicago this past weekend… Sooo close : (

April Curry – Recent Fitness Shoot : )

April Curry

Here is a recent photo shoot I did. I thought they came out well. Enjoy ; )

April Curry

April Curry – Just Do IT!

April Curry

April Curry – Time to cool down… Man, it’s hot in herrrre!

April Curry

April Curry – Boxing… Put your dukes up!

April Curry

April Curry – Takin off the tape after kickin some butt!

April Curry

April Curry Going Hunting haha : )

April Curry

April Curry About to take a jog!

April Curry

April Curry’s Pants just keep falling down… ; )

April Curry

The sneaky photographer stole my damn shirt / bra haha

Hello world!

April Curry

So I wanted to talk about the NPC’s Bikini division. When I tell people that I am attempting to get my IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilders) pro card they are a little puzzled. It isn’t because I am not hard as a rock or ultra toned.

It is however because my muscles aren’t massively huge for a woman. I am so glad that the different amateur and pro body building organizations are allowing us to have the opportunity to be recognized for our hard work. Many have launched a new category within their organizations called the “Bikini Division.” So, without further adieu, here are the official guidelines and requirements for the National Physique Committee’s Bikini Division as they seem to be a little obscure and hard to locate for the general internet user presently:

NPC MEMBERSHIP

• Each competitor must be a member of the NPC.

SANCTIONING A BIKINI DIVISION EVENT

• An NPC BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS must be run along with another NPC division i.e. Bodybuilding, fitness or figure contest.

CONTEST ENTRIES

• All height classes and awards must be awarded as advertised on the entry form.
• Height classes may not be combined on the day of the show and this cannot be advertised as a possibility.

AWARDS

• Cash awards are not permitted.

CHECK-INS

• BIKINI Division competitors will be checked in and measured the same as Fitness and Figure competitors.

HEIGHT CLASSES – For Pro qualifying event

• Up to and including 5’1”
• Over 5’1” and up to and including 5’2-1/2”
• Over 5’2-1/2” and up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’5-1/2
• Over 5’5-1/2” and up to and including 5’7”
• Over 5’7”

If promoter chooses to do fewer height classes:

For all contests with two (2) classes:

• Up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4”

For all contests with three (3) classes:

• Up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
• Over 5’6”

For all contests with four (4) classes:

• Up to and including 5’2”
• Over 5’2” and up to and including 5’4”
• Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
• Over 5’6”

COMPETITOR RULES

• National level contests do not permit competitors to crossover into Bodybuilding, Fitness or Figure at the same event. All other competitions are permitted to have crossovers at the discretion of the promoter with district chairperson approval.
• Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. No thongs are permitted. Competitors can compete in an off the rack suit. All swimsuits must be in good taste.
• Competitors must wear high heels.
• Competitors may wear jewelry.

COMPETITION JUDGING

Presentation

• Competitors will walk onstage alone and perform their Model Walk (personal preference)
• The Model Walk consists of the following:

Walk to the center of the stage, stop and do a front stance then a full turn and do a rear stance then turn to the front again in front of the judges and then proceed to the side of the stage.

Comparison Round, Two-Piece Swimsuit

• Competitors will be judged wearing a two-piece swimsuit and heels.
• The competitors will be brought out in a group and directed to do a full front and rear stance.
• Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in half turns. (No side judging permitted, front and back only.)
• Judges will be scoring competitors on the following items:
  • Balance and Shape
  • Overall physical appearance including complexion, skin tone, poise and overall presentation.

QUALIFYING FOR NATIONAL LEVEL EVENTS

• The following placings will qualify competitors for one year for the NPC national level Bikini contests:

Top 5 places in each class at National Qualifying events only.

• The NPC national level contests are listed below:

• JUNIOR USA BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIP
• JUNIOR NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
• USA BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
• TEAM UNIVERSE BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
• IFBB NORTH AMERICAN BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
• NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS

QUALIFYING FOR IFBB PRO STATUS

• The following placings at selected national level events will qualify competitors to turn professional and compete in the IFBB Pro Bikini Contests.

• USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card (6 height classes)
• NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card (6 height classes)
• JUNIOR USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – top 2 in the Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards – (6 height classes)
• JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – top four (4) in the Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards (6 height classes)
• IFBB NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top two (2) in Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards (6 height classes)
• TEAM UNIVERSE CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top two (2) in each height class earn their IFBB pro Card (6 height classes)

I came in third in the Charleston event and I just missed receiving my IFBB pro card (by one place)! So disheartening but I have been back in the gym working harder than ever and I cant wait to show off all this hard work at the next upcoming competition. Hope to see all of you other competitors there and good luck!

If you are a fan or a fellow competitor and would like to connect with me on the social networks then hit me up : )

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