Who is JM Manion? Photographer and son of IFBB overseer allegedly forced female bodybuilders to pose nude
CARNEGIE, PENNSYLVANIA: JM Manion, son of Jim Manion, who is one of the powerhouses of the National Physique Committee (NPC), the Fitness Pro League, and the International Federation of Bodybuilding, allegedly forced female bodybuilders to do nude photoshoots in return for favor at competitions and climbing up the career ladder.
In an investigation conducted by the Washington Post, some of his alleged victims revealed their excruciating experiences in the bodybuilding industry. They claimed their photos were sent to JM Manion's soft-core fitness pornography websites. Had they refused, they would have been taken out of the industry, the victims claimed.
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Who is JM Manion
JM Manion is the son of Jim Manion. Jim Manion is a film producer and has also been the president of International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Pro League. According to the LinkedIn profile of his son, JM Manion has been involved with the bodybuilding industry besides having experience in media and journalism as well. He has worked with various media outlets including Flex magazine and Muscle & Fitness Hers. He has also worked with NPC News and NPC News online. He also co-founded the California Activewear and Iron Sirens Comic Books.
One of the bodybuilders, Jenn Gates told Washington Post, “I never consented to having my pictures put on a soft-porn site." She also stated he asked her to take off her bikini top and bottom for photos. According to Dailymail, some of the former competition judges revealed that they observed that Manion kept changing competitors' scores and placings based on their favor with him. One of the judges also revealed that John Tuman, a judge who was close to Manion, once suggested improving the placement of one competitor who was "one of JM's girls." “Tuman leans over to me and says, ‘You know that girl that you got in fourth or fifth place? That’s one of JM’s girls,’” Jim Rockell recalled.
Aly Garcia, another former bodybuilder, claimed she left the sport in 2017 as she realized she would never get a top win if she didn’t have sex with the power brokers. “This is the only way I’m going to hit my goal?” she thought. “Guess I’m not going to hit my goal.” Mandy Henderson, a former sheriff’s deputy in Santa Clara County, also claimed she agreed to nude photography with the expectation of winning a pro card. "He put his arms, his hands, on my shoulders, and he put his groin against my rear end. It was absolutely disgusting," she said, according to DailyMail.
She also explained how she confronted Tuman, "So you're saying that because I didn't go to your room and give you a blow job or f*** you, I didn't get my pro card today?" Speaking to The Washington Post, Tuman said he responded, "I don't know what you are talking about. I'm a married man. I'm a family man. I have no idea what you are talking about." Though Manion did not respond to the publication, The National Physique Committee and the International Federation of Bodybuilding responded with a statement, "We are not interested in responding to tabloid reporting based solely on unsubstantiated tales from unreliable sources with a clear animus against our organizations as opposed to the truth."
It added, "As part of our efforts to grow the sport we have expanded events and opportunities for all competitors, grown prize purses for female athletes, and improved communications for our competitors to raise any concerns they may have with an event or their experience. We address all concerns raised with the utmost care, concern, and timeliness."