Jim Stoppani reacts to modern bodybuilding, drug use, and respect in the sport today.
Jim Stoppani is an Exercise Physiologist and a passionate fan of bodybuilding. While he never became a career competitive bodybuilder – he did compete in the NPC and continues to track the sport closely to this day. This passion alongside his deep education and research has made him the perfect bridge between the love of bodybuilding and focusing on health. That’s why in our latest GI Exclusive partnered with Barbend, Jim Stoppani reacts to the current state of bodybuilding – including drug use and health dangers. Is it facing a crisis? Has it lost its way?
Competitive bodybuilding as we know it has existed in some form or another for at least 100 years. It exploded in the 60s and 70s during the Golden Era and has continued to break ground ever since. However, the world changes and with it the sport changes as well. With more history behind competitive bodybuilding, more criticism is brought up comparing the present to decades past. Is drug use worse? Are more bodybuilders dying? Are physiques today better or worse? The questions and criticisms are endless.
Much of the criticism is based on gut feelings, personal experience, or mob mentality. That’s why, during our conversation with Jim Stoppani, we asked him to share his reaction to bodybuilding today – combining his personal bodybuilding experience with expert researched knowledge. Cutting the bullsh*t from facts. Does Stoppani see a crisis in modern bodybuilding?
Jim Stoppani: “The Sport Is Not Causing Drug Use, The People Are”
Despite the recent news driving fear for the health of bodybuilding athletes today more than any other time in the history of the sport, Jim Stoppani still finds competitive bodybuilding a respectable sport as it is today. Stoppani does not believe that bodybuilding as a sport drives drug use – it’s the people and athletes behind it who do. But this isn’t just to lay the blame on athletes and call the irresponsible.
In fact, Jim Stoppani believes that the drive behind people to be the best in the world is what brings individuals to dangerous drug use. That’s not just in bodybuilding. That’s in every single sport in the world. Move beyond sports and it can be found in any arena where individuals strive to be elite.
Jim Stoppani, having competed in bodybuilding, understands the rare feeling of doing anything possible, including dangerous risks, to be the best in the world. To build one extra inch of muscle at all costs. It’s this drive that many average people, even bodybuilding fans, don’t really understand. Sadly, experiencing it directly is nearly the only way to truly understand it.
No matter the regulations or laws – people with this sort of drive will always find a way to possibly endanger themselves to be the best in the world. To be bigger and stronger at any cost.
Jim Stoppani Supports Education To Steer The Drive Behind Bodybuilders
So as Jim Stoppani understands it, professional and competitive bodybuilding will always be dangerous. Is it particularly more dangerous today than at any time in history? That cannot be proven without vigorous study. But what can be done, regardless of the current risks, is bring more education behind the strategies known in bodybuilding. We can’t remove the drive or the dark corners of markets to receive drugs – but we can help educate athletes further so they understand the risks.
Jim Stoppani respects bodybuilders. He loves the mass monsters all the way through to the Bikini competitors. He respects their drive despite limited prize money and, in some cases, even respect within their own sport. Jim Stoppani will not disparage the love that bodybuilders have for perfecting their physique. He can only hope to bring more education to help those driven athletes stay safer. It can never be completely safe – but to make it as safe as possible is most important.
Wrap Up
So is modern bodybuilding facing a crisis? Jim Stoppani doesn’t see anything particularly more dangerous now compared to the past. The danger has always been there – but technology has allowed us to see it faster and due to the immediacy of social media. That doesn’t mean that things can’t be improved. All professional sports are dangerous on some level – but their can always be more effort made to make it safer.
You can watch Jim Stoppani’s thoughts on modern bodybuilding and the current state of drug use and health in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!