I got a two for one gossip this week! I really got three, but I’m still researching the third story, plus I don’t want this thing to drag on. It’s funny, in the bodybuilding world, it seems like the gossip comes in waves. It’s feast or famine. The second half of the season has just really begun, and as the shows continue to roll in, I’m expecting more feast than famine… Let’s hope anyway!
He’s Tricky!
Next weekend, July 29th and the 30th, marks the second year of Ed and Betty Pariso’s Europa Battle of Champions held in Hartford, Connecticut. As this show has gotten closer and closer the line-up has remained fairly bare. Up until earlier this week the Men’s Open Bodybuilding division only had four competitors officially entered. A few days ago three more names appeared on the official competitor list, bringing the total to seven. Now just because there are only nine men currently on the list doesn’t mean that that’s all we will see on stage come July 29th. I asked the Men’s Athlete’s Representative, Bob Cicherillo when the last chance to turn in an application was and he said, “All applications must be turned in by this coming Wednesday.” 
The lack of names on the list has spurred at least one guy to see how he fares in Connecticut: Ricky “Tricky” Jackson! Tricky was dieting for Dexter Jackson’s Jacksonville Pro 202 Show on August 5th, and still plans on doing both Dexter’s show and the Dallas Europa Super Show the weekend after. Tricky has always wanted to jump into an Open show, and when I asked him about it he told me, “Seeing Mark Dugdale do well at the PBW Championships in Tampa, and Flex Lewis qualifying in Spain makes me want to see what I can do against some of these big guys.” Interestingly, Tricky also mentioned that another factor that influenced his decision to do the Battle of Champions was, “I heard Bob Cicherillo on ACCESS BODYBUILDING saying that if these small guys can’t hack it in the Open then they need to pack it up and go home… yada yada yada… That’s another reason I wanted to do this show, because it’s not always necessarily about not being able to compete against bigger guys. I have done that my entire career and I’m not running from it. When 202 goes to 212, I’ll continue to compete against guys that are bigger.”
Personally, I think Tricky has made an excellent strategic move by doing this show, and I can’t wait to see him onstage against Will “World” Harris and Johnnie Jackson!
Putnams Kaputnam
I have heard many times that relationships within the industry can’t work. Even more so, two athletes that compete and work inside our industry are doomed to eventually fail. I hate hearing that, and I often like to quote to naysayers all of the couples happily married or together that prove this theory false. I often use Branch and Trish Warren as an example. I also regularly mention Mark Alvisi and Ava Cowan, my co-host Cristina Vujnich and Michael Liberatore. All six of those folks are IFBB Pros and seemingly happily living together. But the couple I mention the most when disavowing people of their mistaken beliefs are the Putnams. Jessica, the former cheerleader, and Peter, the All-American athlete. Hell, they were the first married couple to ever appear on the covers of FLEX magazine. The two have been married for a little over 4 years, and until recently there were no outward signs that anything was amiss. 
Peter and Jessica met at the 2004 Collegiate National Championship in Pittsburgh (which is actually going on this weekend). Peter won the bodybuilding and Jessica won the figure. They both were in relationships at the time, but obviously the meeting made an impression on each of them. As soon as Peter was single, he emailed the also newly single Jessica. The rest was a fairytale, until now.
Before I get really going, I want to say I was directed to some very strange postings made by Peter on his personal Facebook page. I originally didn’t know what to think of them, as I thought maybe his continuous mentioning of “someone special” must mean Jessica. It just seemed too strange that he might be posting about cheating on his spouse publicly on Facebook, even if it is your private page. These posting started around the first of the month. Here is a screen shot of his page:
(This page was supposed to be "secret", and has since been deleted. Thank GOD for screen shots.)
"Someone special"?
NEW ADDITIONAL screen shot- The Putnam Family isn't happy:
Posted by Jessica Putnam:
On Monday 18th July 2011, @JessFit said:
Dear friends,
Instead of answering individual messages or posts, it is with a heavy heart that I am addressing the fact that you may have heard (or will be hearing) that Peter and I are in the process of finalizing our divorce. I would never feel the need to explain something so personal if we didn’t have so many great supporters that I feel obligated to.
I wanted to make a single statement to all of our incredible friends and supporters.
My obligation lies in the fact that Peter and I have openly professed our faith and I cannot let those that know that we made a vow, promise, and covenant before God think that we gave up or that it just didn’t work out… That is far from the truth.
Without going into detail, I will say that over an extended period of our marriage there were inappropriate relationships between my husband and other women. Recently a full blown adulterous affair was committed and he continues to pursue that, instead of our marriage.
I feel the need to state the obvious…I have been far from a perfect wife and take ownership of the fact that I have a lot of things that I need to work on, but biblically none would have been reasons, or excuses for an affair or a divorce.
I have fought for my marriage because I love my husband; believe that marriage is for life, and that God blesses that union. There comes a point, though, when one has to let go. I was given no choice when things became so unhealthy.
I trust that God is working through this very difficult time in my life. I know this because I received a word from Him that not only comforted me, but possibly changed my life forever. I will leave you with that word:
*I was told by the pastor that married Peter and I (Pastor Michael Wenger http://www.strongholdministries.com) that the Lord spoke to him and told him that I should take a pen and piece of paper and write, not think about what I was writing but let the Holy Spirit guide me. He said that God would speak to me.
(Peter, Pastor Mike, and Jessica)
I was nervous about doing this, but I took his word and began to write…I started off feeling cautious and over thinking things, but all of a sudden my hand started to fly over the paper and before I knew it I was done writing, but I had no clue what I had just written.
This is what I wrote:
"March on.
You are a soldier and warrior of God and you will lead others and be an inspiration.
You have SO much more to give and you have been held back.
Gifts have been given to you and you must serve.
I am God.
Trust
Trust"
You may not believe in God, but I know in my heart, mind, soul, and the very depth of my being that this was a direct message from God. He said, “I am God”!!!
As Pastor Mike said, “some people go their whole lives without hearing God in such an amazing way, but the God of the universe was gracious enough to speak to you in this miraculous way".
This will forever change me and I know He is watching over me. I hope and pray my story will touch your hearts and you will consider getting to know this amazing and powerful God that is comforting and walking me through one of the hardest times in my life.
I ask for your prayers and thank you for all of your love and support.
In Him,
Jessica
Remorse And A Heavy Heart
by Peter Putnam on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 10:56am
Some paths are highlighted with markers easily leading you to a point or destination. Others are unclear, uneven, and often have obstacles. As life unwinds and the journey continues I realize more than ever, life is about choices. It's not always fun or easy but we know this is true. Some choices you never imagined making. Things become murky; they can become unclear, but as a Christian I know God's Word IS very clear.
It's with remorse and a heavy heart that I've brought pain and anguish to someone who loves me deeply. I acknowledge I'm a sinner. I'm a proud man who is humbly pursuing the Lord. I have confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of the Lord. Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son... And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.
There’s many sides to the equation and two sides two every story; often the accounts differ based on who's version you hear. This isn't that or intended to shift guilt or blame. I recognize my need to become a better man and I need to be broken to do so.
I appreciate everyone's prayers and support during this time and hope that even when looking at this insanely emotional situation that Christ's love and grace can be displayed. I'm thankful for His mercy. The cross is the ultimate example of sin being used for God's glory. May this prove to be a story of redemption and Christ is made known.
I don’t know if it’s in bad taste to say this, but… What’s with all the religious/Jesus/God references? Oy vey! Anyway, looks like I am going to have to find a replacement for my list of “relationships that DO work in the industry.” Anyone have any suggestions?
*Multiple sources tell me that this is not the first time Peter has cheated on Jessica and was the cause of her withdrawing her name from the Bikini International last year.*
If you have any feedback, tips, suggestions, and especially new gossip, please email me at [email protected]!
Thank you to Curt James for the editing!
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