The trampoline event ended up much like expected, with a few missteps from top contenders. But, that’s sport.  What surprised me was the results of the Men’s Platform Diving event.  The winner, Mathew Mitcham, who was not Chinese, but Australian … and he was a World Double Mini-tramp Champion (2001 Junior World Champ).  

This is significant in several ways. Read the rest of this entry »

The local newspaper in my home town, The Advertiser, published a couple of wonderful articles about local connection to Olympics in China.  When you get a chance, check them out: Blanchard Relishes Olympics Spotlight and The Godfather of Trampoline in the US.   Read the rest of this entry »

Two Louisiana athletes, Erin Blanchard and Chris Estrada, made the USA’s 2008 Olympic Trampoline Team this week. Considering that only 12 countries qualify to participate in this event, and only one male and one female per qualifying country can earn a spot to compete, this is a huge accomplishment for Lafayette’s shining stars. Read the rest of this entry »

Last year I worked on this Toyota Prius commercial.  I’m driving the car in nearly every shot, but only recognizable in one shot for just a second as the Mom driving her teenage son to a stop near the “telemarketers picking up trash.”

It was short, but sweet, because I nearly skipped the audition altogether. Castings for car commercials are cattle calls.  A thousand actors show up all claiming to be expert precision drivers.  It’s usually a waste of time.   Read the rest of this entry »

Upon moving to L.A. to become a Hollywood stuntwoman, I brought my athletic skills to the table. My skills gave me a leg up in the film business. I had just competed in the US National Championships and made the US National Trampoline Team to compete in the World Trampoline Championships in Porto, Portugal in 1994.  This video is a sample of my skills back then.

If you have the wonderful opportunity to watch the Trampoline competition in the upcoming Summer Olympics, you’ll be amazed at how it has evolved in such a short period of time.  I don’t know if I could have kept up!  Today’s trampoline athletes are absolutely amazing.  Check them out this August.

Leigh: ULL Years

Recently, a college classmate wrote to me.  He shared a link to a sports discussion forum for my alma mater, ULL - University of Louisiana in Lafayette.  It put a huge grin on my face.

The upshot: it appears that a great way to be remembered is to don a tight leotard and jump high in the rafters on a trampoline during local college basketball game half-time shows in front of thousands of screaming fans with a little beer in their bellies  - especially for such a popular and successful basketball team as USL (now ULL).  

We had so much fun back then.  It’s nice to know that my college mates and community remembers me and my sports activities from those days.  

Happy New Year Everybody! It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but I ended the year on a positive note which leads me right into an optimistic new year.

Just before my Christmas vacation, I worked on a horror film called Alien Raiders. I doubled the charming wife of Brandon Routh - Superman, himself. He spent the day on the set with his wife, Courtney Ford, so I got to meet him. Let me tell you, he’s much more attractive in person. Not only that, both he and his wife were simply adorable: nice, accommodating, professional and all good things like that.

As for my stunts, it was a brutal day. I slammed myself against walls, floors and tables all day. It was one of those kind of jobs where you are reminded that the body can take so much more than you think. I really pushed the limits. It’s a miracle that I wasn’t torn up after that. I guess your body gets used to it after years of stunting.

BOY!

Now - for 2008! … with Enthusiasm!