Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Emergency services, Aug. 17 ... Judge sides with Ashland Gun Club ... Discovery keeps jet boats launching despite lack of parks permit ... Emergency services, Aug. 17 ... Judge sides with Ashland Gun Club ... Discovery keeps jet boats launching despite lack of parks permit ... BODYBUILDING Eagle Point woman fares well at nationals Desire to improve appearance prompted dedication to fitness Glowing under coats of heavy bronzing lotions, Dani Craig flexed her biceps and posed in a flashy bikini as the judges facing her scribbled down notes and numbers. Comment By DAN Jones MailTribune.com By DAN Jones Posted Jan. 12, 2010 at 12:01 AM By DAN Jones Posted Jan. 12, 2010 at 12:01 AM » Social News Glowing under coats of heavy bronzing lotions, Dani Craig flexed her biceps and posed in a flashy bikini as the judges facing her scribbled down notes and numbers. The 41-year-old bodybuilder, who lives in Eagle Point, was hungry for a strong showing at the 2009 NPC National Bodybuilding Championships in Hollywood, Fla., on Nov. 21. After finishing in 15th place out of 22 women at the prestigious event, Craig was also just flat-out hungry. The single mother capped off 16 weeks of extreme dieting and training with a little indulgence at an Italian restaurant. "I had lamb and then a Haagen-Dazs triple-scoop waffle cone after we finished," says Craig, a 1986 Phoenix High graduate. "I was so ready for that ice cream." Competing in the light heavyweight open division (for women who weigh 125.5 pounds to 140 pounds), Craig outscored seven others using a fine-tuned reggae routine. Nicole Berg, a Washington resident, secured first place at Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, the national venue. "It was pretty intense," Craig says of her first national show. "When you have so many women in one weight class, you are up on stage for a long time. It's grueling I guess." After treating herself that night, Craig's next priority was washing off the hot layers of competitive tanning products that she'd put on earlier. "I had to have four coats," Craig says. "I work in a tanning salon, but it is totally a different look. It defines your muscle, but feels sort of sticky ... as soon as you are done, you jump in the shower." Her drive to look and feel better started six years ago, when Craig took a vacation to a beach resort in Mexico. "I left thinking I looked fabulous," Craig says. "Looking at the pictures afterward, I thought I looked horrible. I was always genetically lean and had let myself go." Six months after her trip, an employee at the gym Craig exercised at asked if she competed. Flattered and curious, Craig decided to sign up for a figure competition — in which participants wear high heels and execute a series of quarter-turns — at Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino in Canyonville. Her rock-hard efforts in the gym culminated in South Florida, where after a critical morning preliminary session, Craig took to the stage. "At night is when you put on your big hair and big rhinestone earrings," Craig says. The bright lights and grand venue didn't faze her. "I don't get nervous," Craig says. "I know what I have to do. For some reason nerves have never been a problem." At the 2008 Emerald Cup in Bellevue, Wash., Craig captured first place and qualified for nationals while competing in the middleweight class. Two weeks later, she took top honors in the heavyweight, overall and masters divisions at the NPC Bill Pearl High Desert Classic in Bend. Craig says her secret to success is her diet. Mike Best, one of her trainers and a bodybuilder himself, sold Craig on the benefits of white rice and tilapia, an inexpensive fish. The results were astounding. "I met Mike at the Emerald Cup in the lobby after competing and we shared the same love and desire for the sport," says Craig, who now weighs about 140 pounds with an 8.6 percent body-fat level. At nationals, she weighed in at 127 pounds with a 5.8 percent body fat. "He helped me get ready for the show two weeks later and I was seven pounds lighter. It was incredible." Craig, who says she's a "country girl at heart," has three children: Zach Glanz (21), Jordan Glanz (19) and Caleb Glanz, who's a junior at Phoenix High. Craig works as a nail technician at Escape Tanning Spa Salon on Jackson Street in Medford. Cheryl Conway, a customer at Escape, says she admires Craig's dedication. "I think it is exciting that she has worked this hard," Conway says. "It's a lifestyle and she is very committed." Craig says she's been on "active rest" since leaving Florida. She is, however, contemplating a second run at nationals, which would lead her to a qualifier in Los Angeles in July. "I am training, but just not training for a competition," Craig says. "Now I'm doing a lot of lighter weights, higher reps and more cardio." Best, who lives in Phoenix, Ariz., says he's never charged Craig a dime for his services. The reason why? "I admire anybody who is willing to be a bodybuilder," Best says. "It is a hard sport. The thing I admire about Dani is her commitment. I've never charged her a dime because she is willing to do what it takes to be the very best bodybuilder out there. She takes me back to the days I was young in the gym and my mentor took me aside and helped me." Reach reporter Dan Jones at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] By DAN Jones MailTribune.com By DAN Jones Posted Jan. 12, 2010 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501