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Meteorological Muscle Expert Meteorologist, Competitive Bodybuilder: AccuWeather.com's Joe Bastardi Brings Equal Passion to Both Roles (State College, PA, June 13, 2005) - In most people's minds, a muscleman and a weatherman are two different things; however, in Joe Bastardi's case, they are one and the same. Bastardi, an Expert Senior Meteorologist and world-renowned hurricane expert, recently won the Masters Division at the U.S.A. Bodybuilding Championships and placed third in his class in the Open Division. The gregarious meteorologist also won the 2002 North American Drug-Free Bodybuilding title in his age class and earned a top-three finish in the 2003 National Bodybuilding Over 40 Championships, the original "Mr. America" competition immortalized on TV and in film. That victory, combined with a second place finish in his age division and third overall at this past November's North American Championships qualified Bastardi for International competition. If Bastardi wins the Over 50 Division at the upcoming National Championship in Harrisburg, he will be eligible to represent the U.S. at a competition in England. Bastardi developed his remarkable work ethic while competing as a walk-on member of the Penn State University wrestling team. Bastardi is the only known person to receive both an NCAA Division I letter in wrestling and a degree in meteorology. This passion for science and fitness continues to drive his success today both as a bodybuilder and as a meteorologist. Bastardi attributes much of his success in the weather industry to the commitment to excellence he developed while wrestling at Penn State and competing in bodybuilding competitions. "Whether it's a few more hours studying weather data, or spending an extra hour in the weight room, I want to do what it takes to be the best," Bastardi said. As AccuWeather.com's hurricane and long-range forecasting expert, his dedication to his profession and confidence in his research have enabled him to make predictions about major weather events - such as some of last season's hurricanes - earlier than anybody else in his field. Bastardi's passion for meteorology and his goal of being the most consistently accurate forecaster in a highly technical and competitive industry has given him a reputation as the hardest working person in the weather business. At times, Bastardi sleeps less than four hours a night as he monitors the weather for the millions of people who depend on AccuWeather.com forecasts. His day begins at 1:30 a.m., when he checks the weather at points all over the world. Then it's time for his 15-20 radio reports, his daily weather column, and his daily morning reports on CNBC. In addition, he records three streaming video programs: The Long Ranger™, a long-range at the weather patterns and storm potential; The Tropical Storm Outlook/Winter Storm Outlook, depending on the time of the year, he either cuts a look at the tropics or focuses in developing winter storms; and Point-Counterpoint™, the informative and entertaining debate about current weather issues. Bastardi's dedication and commitment to both weather forecasting and bodybuilding were never more evident than when he competed in this year's U.S.A. Bodybuilding Championships. While most of his competitors spent the day of the event preparing for the contest, Bastardi spent his free time in between rounds preparing weather forecasts. About AccuWeather and AccuWeather.com AccuWeather.com, The World's Weather Authority®, provides a portfolio of products and services through the airwaves, via the Internet, in print, and behind the scenes that benefit hundreds of millions of people worldwide. AccuWeather.com services approximately 235,000 paying customers in media, business, government and institutions, and millions more through its free website. AccuWeather.com also provides content onto more than 1,200 Internet sites including CNN Interactive, ABC's owned and operated stations, The Associated Press©, The Washington Post and The New York Times. To speak with an AccuWeather.com meteorologist about breaking weather news, contact 814-235-8650. |