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My Life in Bodybuilding
My first Bodybuilding contest was in 1990 as a Novice in the Natal State Championships and from there, as you can see, I have gone on to achieve major International success. My goal now is to start placing in the top ten in Pro Shows. Bodybuilding is, for me, a way of life, achieving optimum development of mind and body, through commitment to hard work and careful control of all aspects of diet and nutrition. Like all things worthwhile, the sport of Bodybuilding can bring its highs and lows, but success depends on being able to overcome every setback and then to progress to the next stage.
I have made terrific progress since I came to the UK gaining 55lbs of muscle between my first contest in 1998 and my competition weight for 2007. I have been disappointed in my placing at the Pro Shows that I have competed in in 2005 and 2007 but to do well in your first few contests particularly in America requires something very special.
What Comes Next in 2007/2008
With Troy and some of the guys from The Forest Gym at the presentation of Troy’s Overall Winner’s Trophy in Nottingham on 8th October 2006. The end of a great day.
Well it’s been a hectic few months. After all the events of 2006, this year was bound to be an anti-climax — unless we could do it all again, of course. That would be asking too much. So what has been happening in the last year now that the contests are over for 2007 — except for the NABBA Universe and Novice Britain? First of all the winners from 2006. Troy Brown has had another great year. After placing 15th at his first Pro Show in Montreal, he went to the Spanish Pro Show and out of a line-up of 28 on stage competitors he grabbed 6th spot. Troy was amazed when he was called out for top six. But he looked terrific and well deserved the placing. I can still hardly believe the changes he has made over the last three years. Standing alongside Marcus Ruhl and Armin Scholtz and winner Paco Bautista, Troy looked every inch a pro. He should now be able to look forward to a great future. He has done an all day photo session in California with Chris Lund, so expect to see some impressive pictures in Flex and other mags in the coming months. Our other Overall winner from 2006, Michelle Jones has taken time off from contest considerations but she has not been wasting time. She has been in the gym and growing. You will see the transformation when she next competes.
Forest Gym competitor, Terry Watson qualified for the UKBFF Finals via the Stars Show last year and he has been able to really plan to be in his best condition for the Finals. He has come up to the line in great condition and was an impressive winner in Nottingham. Well done Tel! The surprising thing was that he was a good 5Kg below the U70 Kg weight limit. Plenty of space to gain some more muscle for next year.
Joe Essadi was very ripped for the E. Midlands Qualifier in Leicester but did not get an invite to the finals. He is now working towards entering the Stars of Tomorrow next month on 25th November. If he can qualify early — like Terry did — it will allow a good long time for preparation for Nottingham. Terry is already starting to think about next year.
Gary Jones is shaping up well for the NABBA Novice Britain Finals in Brierley Hill on 18th November. He has said that above everything he wants to turn the tables on those who placed ahead of him in the West Britain qualifier. We will see. He has a great shape and providing he can get his condition spot on, he will do well.
My impressions of the UKBFF Finals were of a well organised show with some terrific physiques. With such a big turn out of competitors, we have to believe that Bodybuilding is thriving in the hardcore gyms of Britain. We have had many Bodybuilders coming to the Forest Gym for help and advice in the weeks leading up to area qualifiers and the finals. I hope to develop more long term relationships with some of the men who are serious about doing well in Bodybuilding contests. It is essential if we are to get the best results that the programmes are developed long term. Trying to sort things out in just a couple of weeks before a major contest is a hopeless task when standards can be so high. I have said it before — to plan for success in the finals needs a year of preparation so that the mass is gained, imbalances sorted and dieting for top condition is controlled throughout the year. All bodybuilders, even the most experienced, need to have a coach or guru they can rely upon because once dieting starts a bodybuilder is no longer capable of taking rational decisions.
My own contest appearances this year were a big disappointment. I went to the Atlantic City Pro Show and to the Spanish Pro Show in Santa Susanna but I have to say that the package I presented was not what it should have been. I was heavier than at any previous show but on stage I did not look it. I came in flat. There were a whole range of things in my programme that did not quite work out this year and I have had to have a big think about the plan for next year. Competing at the Pro level is hard. There are no easy contests and there many guys from around the world making great commitments to try to get into the top six in a Pro Show and give their careers a great boost. I have had some disappointments but I will be back on stage in 2008. I intend to stay nearer contest weight in the months leading up to next year's pro contests so that I can come up to contest condition without the need for excessive amounts of aerobics. It has become apparent that when I have to do high levels of aerobic work to harden up I will flatten out. In addition, I have some star spots and promotions coming up and I will need to stay in condition year round. I am hoping in the near future to do a big photo session with Eric Guy in and around the Forest Gym. At this time of the year the leaves are starting to fall off the trees and there are some great colours for outdoor shots.
I don't know yet which contests I will do next year. A lot depends on the contests available. The American based IFBB has cut back considerably on European contests — now that the Post-Olympian GP tour is apparently a thing of the past. There will be a contest again in Santa Susanna and I will be there. The way they treated the competitors in Spain was superb. Never have I experienced anything so good. We were met at the station, taken to the hotel where everything for bodybuilders was laid on — including the right food. If anything was missing the hotel staff would provide it almost instantaneously and all was of the best quality. At the venue there was ample room for preparation and excellent tanning facilities. All in all it was a pleasure to be there.
I made many new friends over the last few months in Atlantic City and in Santa Susanna. Some Bodybuilders are guys with great physiques and with great personalities. Some are complete a******** and they need to be avoided. Luckily there are not too many of the latter.
More news next month. Keep training and Stay Hard.
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