08/26/2025
Aaand… the 2025 The Open Natural weekend is a wrap!
I’d like to thank every participating athlete for inspiring us all to be active, get stronger, and not only look better but feel better.
A huge thanks to our staff and volunteers: our MC, DJ, and judges (Marla, Louie, Sekona, Jess, Benny, Loren, and Lionel), as well as our stage expeditors Anita and Sarah. Thanks to our guest poser Jeremy Williams. Every single person supporting the show was a volunteer and a personal friend, many of whom I met through strength sports.
I also want to thank our generous sponsors: Flex Velasco with Waves Lifestyle, Marlina Velasco Barker with ASEA, and Arny Alejandrino with Vibrant Health in Bellevue. Our trusted spray tanning artist Terrie with Westcoast Competition Tanning.
Gratitude as well to the coordinators, stage manager, and the audio and lighting technicians at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, along with their dedicated community of city volunteers. Thanks to our photographers, videographers and photobooth helpers: Stefan, Charlie, Matthew, Kelsey, Emilie & Gavriel. Sports Journalists: Manuel Luengo and Claudia Guzman.
Finally, thank you to the spectators, fans of the sport, and the friends and families of our athletes. You all help us showcase and celebrate what can be achieved strictly through training and proper nutrition.
We hope you found the event inspiring. This was a unique opportunity to see, in person, what the human body can accomplish naturally, true to the roots of our sport.
More photos and videos to be added.
