Last Visit: Sep 4, 2008 8:53am Last Forum Post: Mar 12, 2008 6:37pm Last Photo Upload: Jul 3, 2008 10:23pm Last Profile Update: Aug 7, 2008 12:04am Last Blog Post: Aug 17, 2008 10:36am
"All I'm trying to do is simply be at my best in mind - body - spirit. Living a compassionate life through understanding and awareness. And pushin' the iron!"
As the story goes on the hows and whys of why and how I got started at bodybuilding it goes like this.
I was sitting in my favorite bar, a nice bar at that, having a drink, when I caught a glimpse of myself in the bar mirrors. It was a simple 'Moment of Truth.' I now was that guy with the spare tire of "fat" using the aid of an untucked shirt to cover it all up...
How could this be? When did I become a jelly belly? The realization was simple. The combination of age, running a business and being a dad had taken its toll. At that moment, I discovered the "want" and the "will" to put myself back together. I thought all I needed was to lose about 10 pounds (No big deal!). Well... that "No big deal!" turned out to be 50 pounds of pure fat.
During the early stages of my transformation, by dumb luck, I ended up going to a bodybuilding competition in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As I watched the guys hitting their poses, I said to myself: I can do that! I leaned over to my then six-year old son and asked him if he thought I could do this... Looking up from his Gameboy with his big brown eyes, he said: "Yeah, Dad, you can be a showoff!" And then, coolly, he went back to playing his Gameboy.
It was less than nine months from that "Moment of Truth" in the bar, that I got up on the NPC stage and became a bodybuilder. I still laugh with family and friends about my transformation; the journey I have taken... We laugh because who would ever have thought that this Dad, in his forties, would become a "Cool Dad" to his kids and a hard body that now steps onto the NPC stage. And that is the story on how I got started. So if I can do it. Anyone can do it... All it takes is the will and the want.
Why I Love It:
You know, it's not about moving the weight. For me, it's more about true presence - it's being there - it's being in the now - enjoying the moment. If the workout is done right, there's this wonderful kind of energy that becomes in the gym. So to me, it's very much about recognizing this energy and creating from it a physique that my spirit, my soul wants to live in. The gym is a place where I create art from the within and in the without.
How I Stay Motivated:
From these eyes, staying movtivated is simply doing "One rep - One set - One workout at a time". And as I walk out of the gym I always say to myself, "I'll be back tomorrow".
One of many realities is this: So many people, day in and day out give it their best effort to run away from their workouts. Are you one those kinds of people?
BB Accomplishments:
No titles, no awards; the only accomplishement I have is the desire, the passion, the will and the want, to help others find themselves in the gym.
Forum Signature:
~The important thing is to recognize our faults, avoid self-denial, and have the courage and self-sufficiency to make constant adjustment in our lives~
Last Updated: May 1, 2008 5:30pm
Progress Pictures
Nov 19, 2004
Jun 16, 2007
This was my starting point. Yes, my somewhere in bodybuilding started for me at the age of 42. If I can do it anyone can do it. It's never too late to start.
Now 46... Let the transformation continue! Still lovin' it.
All I'm trying to do is simply be at my best in mind - body - spirit. Living a compassionate life through understanding and awareness. And pushin' the iron!
Goal (Long):
For me, One becomes a person of power by putting forth an effort and when you look back at the end of the day, you say, I have no regrets - I lived and I loved - I gave my best effort to myself, my family, and to my friends, this day. And the next day comes and you start again. And you keep building - and you keep thinking - and you keep saying - and you keep dreaming - and you put forth all of your effort and you get it done. And finally, the day comes where you become - it becomes you and you become what you search for. And that is how it has to be…
What is the most dangerous weightlifting exercise? Why?
Bench Press. However, in truth, any exercise a person does in the gym can be dangerous. The trick is simple, don’t lift beyond your capability. Control the weight, control the movement.
- Updated Mar 13, 2008 6:56am
What traps workout has worked best for you?
Barbell shrugs, Dumbbell shrugs, Seated Cable Row to the Neck; its all good.
Why I like this video: Why do I like this video you ask? It's Frank Zane - showing the physique in a artful way. Mind - Body - Spirit... , this kind of articulation is what bodybuilding is all about.
Sexy figure girl Lisa Masson from GMV BODYBUILDING
Played: 105
Why I like this video: Here's another great example of a person who understands the art of posing - Talk about hot.
Peter Lik
Played: 37
Why I like this video: Nature & Bodybuilding and of course,the love for music simply go hand-n-hand. It's worth the look.
~Robben~
Hey don't worry I eat and eat and eat all day long. I'm just naturally a thin person and am working on gaining some good lean weight, just takes some time.
okay i'm spreading the word here. i posted some unflattering posts and this rep was so pissed she made a thread just on me...check it out
http://forum.bodybuildi ng.com/showthread.php?t=109299 531
Dude, you look awesome! Again, I find another person to help inspire me during my transformation. God Bless you and I wish nothing but the best for you.
Thanks for the kind words and good advice! You have a great story as well as a great physique - Very motivating, I can feel the positive energy! :) So much of what we do is mental...
THANKS BRO! yeah he had 15lbs more muscle then me and you could tell in the biceps...thats the first in the hams dept. he didnt make weight so he had to run twice before he made it by 1/2lbs. i cant blame him being 2lbs away from the lighter class i would have done the same.
all and all i'm happy, i just cant wait to see the score card. i guess a couple judges had me in the lead, oh well there next year and i can bet you i'll be more improved and at least 10lbs heavier.
great going on being chosen amateur of the week. Those contest photographs are terrific .. especially the back shots. Good luck to you with your upcoming contests.
