Tag: All GI Exclusives
Victor Martinez Opens Up About The Moment Diuretics Made Him Scared For His Health
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Victor Martinez talks candidly about a “miscalculation” with diuretics that made him fear for his health before a bodybuilding competition.
2021 has been a tragic year for bodybuilding with many beloved and legendary athletes passing away far too young. Most of these reported deaths are not connected nor have they revealed conclusive evidence on the cause of death in each case. However, many have started reflecting inward and posting publicly about a change to health standards in the sport. During our recent conversation with Victor Martinez, we asked him if he was ever scared for his health during his career as a bodybuilder. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Victor Martinez reveals the one time diuretics almost put his health in danger.
Victor Martinez has always been candid and honest when speaking with Generation Iron. He’s not afraid to tell it like it is – but he’s also not one to point fingers. So when we asked him if he had ever faced a bodybuilding situation where he feared for his health, he was more than happen to speak openly about it. However, he also chose not to mention names or even the specific bodybuilding event in his story. His reason? Because he doesn’t cast blame on any specific coach, promoter, or event.
In our conversation, Victor Martinez describes a moment when his use of diuretics before a show led him to fear for his health. He awoke the day of the show to shallow breathing and incredibly low energy. He felt that he didn’t have the strength to stand, let alone pose.
“I remember being in bed, man, it was this one… I’m not going to name the show because I don’t want to pinpoint the coach. I don’t want to pinpoint anybody again,” Victor Martinez states in our interview. He goes on:
“You guys have to understand this, I’m not one to throw people under the bus just because of a miscalculation. But I still remember just being in bed, Vlad, I didn’t even want to pose man. I was just there and I was just breathing. My friend came into the room and he goes… I can hear such shallow breathing.”
Victor Martinez then describes that he went back to sleep four four more hours. And at that point upon waking – he felt he could sleep even more. This was not typical for Martinez, who would often have trouble sleeping before a competition.
Victor Martinez goes on to describe actually competing. He felt that each pose was a struggle. His arms felt like they weighed a ton. He describes his legs feeling like stilts. After posing, he drank massive amounts of water. He couldn’t eat. He just kept drinking water. Eventually he started to feel recovered – luckily avoiding a trip to the hospital.
“It all had to do with diuretics man,” Victor states at the end of his story. “I knew there was a better way. A healthier way in bodybuilding terms.”
Shortly after that incident, Victor Martinez decided to train himself and make some slight changes to how he prepared for a show. He again reiterates that it was no ones fault – and that these kinds of risks are inherent in an extreme pro sport like bodybuilding. What was important is that he learned from that incident and decided to change strategies to lessen that risk in his future.
You can watch Victor Martinez’s full comments about diuretics and his health as a bodybuilder in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Robert Timms On Cheat Meals: “I Don’t Cheat. I Do Everything To The Gram”
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Robert Timms shares his philosophy on whether or not pro bodybuilders can afford cheat meals.
In pro bodybuilding, genetics can have a large role in the success of an athlete. Hard work and dedication always reign supreme – but genetics will affect how far that hard work takes you. For example, every individual body reacts differently to food. Some can get away with eating “dirty” food more often. Some can’t afford it at all. Robert Timms is a genetically gifted pro bodybuilder. He has consistently gotten away with only 3 hours of sleep without adverse effects (so far).
So do those blessed genetics also afford him a cheat meal every so often? Robert Timms doesn’t even allow himself to risk it. Even with blessed genetics, he wants to be the best of the best – so why possibly set himself back with dirty foods? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Robert Timms explains his philosophy behind cheat meals and why he avoids them at all costs.
There are two prevailing schools of thought when it comes to cheat meals in diets. One is that you avoid them at all times and focus on clean healthy foods. The other is to allow a limited amount of cheat meals. The idea behind the latter is that allowing the occasional cheat meal psychologically satisfies your cravings and makes you less likely to fall off your diet completely. We all have human desires for tasty food. To deny them completely would lead to an eventual crash from a person’s healthy eating habits.
During our conversation with Robert Timms, we asked him his thoughts on cheat meals. It’s been well established that Timms has impressive genes. So it’s likely he can afford the occasional cheat meal without issue. While that might be true, Timms refuses to risk it. He avoids all forms of dirty food 24/7. His reasoning, is that if he loses a show he will instantly think back to the cheat meal he treated to himself. Whether it was the real reason or not – his mind would shame him and blame the cheat meal for his loss.
Robert Timms also doesn’t see the reason to take that risk with cheat meals. With blessed genetics, he can use hard work and consistent dedication to be the best of the best. Meaning he wants to be the best of the other athletes with impressive genetics. If other bodybuilders sometimes cheat but he doesn’t – then he has an advantage.
“If I just go with just my genetics and then just eat whatever I want, yeah sure I would still be lean. But why not be the best I can be by keeping it clean.”
– Robert Timms
On top of this, Robert Timms also has seemingly trained himself out of desiring cheat meals through consistent and healthy eating habits. According to him, he does’t want or desire dirty foods anymore. It’s no longer a temptation for him. He mentions this in an anecdote from a conversation he had with his coach:
“I know the other athletes he is working with that need that for their mental clarity. Right? They need that. They need that burger because it’s been so long. No, I don’t need it… because I always look at the goal. The goal isn’t to feel better. The goal is to look the best you can on stage.”
Robert Timms understands that our desires when it comes to food is mostly self taught. Some of us build such a strong relationship to tasty food – that we need cheat meals to give us little gifts and avoid crashing completely. For Timms, he instead chose to go cold turkey and eventually retrain his brain to not desire dirty food or cheat meals. His desire to be the best helped him stick to this plan and eventually lose the “need” for cheat meals.
You can watch Robert Timms go into full detail about his diet and his thoughts on cheat meals in bodybuilding by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Jujimufu: Eddie Hall & Thor Bjornsson Boxing Is The “Best Thing For Their Personal Lives”
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Jujimufu believes Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson were smart to transform their physiques for boxing.
What started out as beef turned into a boxing match. That boxing match transformed the physiques and lives of two legendary Strongmen. Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson, after trading some heated words related to Strongman, were set to face each other in a boxing match for a special event. Hall ended up suffering a bicep injury putting off the event (for now) but both athletes remained focused on their boxing training. Thor even set up different matches to get some competition experience under his belt.
Now both athletes have become incredibly lean and shredded – a far cry from their original Strongman size and shape. Both have been astounding fitness transformations – and Jujimufu believes it was the smartest thing they could have done for their health and longevity. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Jujimufu explains why now was the right time for both Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson to transition into boxing.
The idea of two Strongmen becoming boxers sounds a bit absurd on the surface. While these athletes are heavy lifters – that does not require nearly any of the required training and skill needed for the boxing ring. What could have been a stunt turned into an impressive life change for both Eddie Hall and Hafthor Bjornsson. Now over a year later, this seems like no stunt and rather a possible new future for both athletes.
Jujimufu is an athlete who is more than familiar with transitioning into a new fitness endeavor. Jujimufu started out with a life in calisthenics, stunts, and gymnastics and this past year transition into competitive bodybuilding to see where that leads. He just recently made his debut at the Olympia Amateur 2021. That’s why we asked him for his thoughts on Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson’s transition into boxing.
Jujimufu had nothing but positive things to say about the transition. In fact, he thinks that now was the perfect time for these two strongmen to make a change. They had already solidified their names as legends in Strongman. Moving to something new not only can lead to new opportunities but can also be a smart move for their personal health and future.
While strength is important in boxing, it’s also a very aerobic sport. Requiring endurance and bursts of speed. By not only focusing on strength and size, both Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson have made some incredible transformations to their physique. Thor in particular has dropped over 100 pounds.
“I think it was the best thing that both of them could have done for their personal lives,” Jujimufu stated in his interview. He continued:
“Because Thor just broke the deadlift record. Eddie Hall had the deadlift record for a while. They are both legendary strongmen in their own rights. But staying 450 pounds is not the smartest thing for their health in the long term… It’s genius. Let’s do a boxing match so it gives him a reason to lean down and get his health in a different state where he has more longevity. Thor looks amazing. He’s shredded.”
On top of the health benefit, their decision to do a boxing match has garnered a lot of attention. Will these two Strongmen become pro boxers? That might not be the case – but the matches Thor has done brought in numbers and certainly when he faces Hall it will be a blockbuster. This was a good business move and inspired them both to change their lifestyles possibly for the better.
You can watch Jujimufu’s full reaction to Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson’s boxing transformations in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Talking Huge With Craig Golias | EP 19: Remembering Shawn Rhoden
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Craig Golias and Vlad Yudin spend the entire episode this week reflecting on Shawn Rhoden’s life and his tragic passing.
Welcome to another episode of Talking Huge – a weekly digital series in which Craig Golias talks in-depth with Vlad Yudin on the latest trending topics in bodybuilding. Raw, honest, and uncut – Craig Golias shares his opinions on all things bodybuilding. In this episode, Craig Golias reacts to the passing of former Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden, reflects on his legacy, and speculates if the bodybuilding industry could have done more for Rhoden.
2021 has been a very tragic year for the bodybuilding industry. There have been numerous reports of too-soon deaths ranging from active competitors and retired athletes – most under the age of 60. Sadly some far younger. Most recently, Shawn Rhoden passed away at 46 years old. It was gut punch in the sport after an already very challenging year.
This week, we dedicated our entire episode of Talking Huge to the memory of Shawn Rhoden. We discuss the reporting of his passing, look back on his illustrious career and eventual Mr. Olympia victory, and talk about the allegations that came shortly afterwards. Many in the bodybuilding community have been quick to point fingers at AMI and the IFBB/NPC for abandoning Rhoden. Some even believe that Rhoden died of a “broken heart.” Craig Golias is one such bodybuilder.
Craig Golias believes that the stress of the allegations alongside losing his entire career and nearly all sponsorships contributed to so much stress that Shawn Rhoden suffered a heart attack and died. While it’s easy to look back in hindsight and wonder “what if” – what is most important is respecting the legacy of the man who we have lost. While Craig is certainly frustrated – he is also respectful and somber in a way we rarely see Craig on Talking Huge.
Is Craig Golias Concerned For His Personal Health?
Craig Golias also discusses how Shawn Rhoden’s passing alongside many other recent deaths might be changing his perspective. Craig Golias is a very large bodybuilder, even by bodybuilding standards. That’s been his entire brand. So is he worried for his health and possible future heart complications?
The answer, somewhat surprisingly, is yes. Craig Golias states that he is starting to slow down for the time being due to thinking harder about his health. He’s thinking – what kind of repercussions might he face for his current lifestyle? Since Craig is currently suffering from nerve damage anyways, he figures now is the right time to overall reconsider his tactics.
Will Shawn Rhoden’s Death Change The Bodybuilding Industry?
Towards the end of our conversation, Vlad Yudin asks Craig Golias if he thinks Rhoden’s death alongside George Peterson’s will change the industry moving forward. Craig plainly and somewhat nihilistically says no. He thinks nothing will change. Instead, small actions will be taken for publicity – but no real meaningful change will occur.
Craig Golias believes that bodybuilders will always do whatever it takes to be the best and biggest in the world. And he doesn’t believe the pro leagues will start doing mandatory drug testing before every major competition. Unless something that drastic happens – nothing will deep change about the sport or the community.
Wrap Up
To wrap it all up, we asked Craig Golias how he believes Shawn Rhoden will be remembered. Craig thinks he will be remembered first and foremost as a Mr. Olympia champion. And second, he will be remembered as a gentle giant. A man who hardly anyone can say a bad word about and was a kind father, friend, and man – more than just a bodybuilder.
You can check out the full conversation in the latest episode of Talking Huge above. Make sure to check out Talking Huge every week on Friday – only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network!
Derek Lunsford: “Phil Heath Is The Greatest Bodybuilder Of All Time”
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Derek Lunsford opens up about who inspired him in bodybuilding and why he thinks Phil Heath is the number one greatest of all time.
Derek Lunsford skyrocketed into the spotlight this year with an epic victory at the Men’s 212 Olympia. The division was one of the most competitive categories of the event – making his victory that much more exciting. We had an opportunity to speak with Lunsford following his big win and asked him about his biggest influences that inspired his physique. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Derek Lunsford explains how Phil Heath inspired his career and why he believes Heath is the greatest bodybuilder of all time.
Ronnie Coleman. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Lee Haney. These are legendary bodybuilder names that are often in contention for the greatest of all time in the sport. Phil Heath, a seven time Mr. Olympia champion himself, is often in the mix. But perhaps due to Heath being a relatively recent athlete – many do not cement him above the these legends that came before. There is a strong argument for claiming Phil Heath is one of the best of all time but there has not yet been the time yet to let it all sink in.
However, Derek Lunsford has no qualms calling Phil Heath the greatest bodybuilder that ever lived. Even compared to the likes of legends such as Ronnie Coleman or Dorian Yates – for Lunsford it’s all about Heath. During our recent video conversation after his big Olympia win, Lunsford explains how Heath inspired his career.
Derek Lunsford is a young bodybuilder and part of the new generation of athletes coming into the spotlight. So it might make you feel old to hear that Lunsford was inspired by Phil Heath and the original Generation Iron film growing up. Everything from Heath’s aesthetics, shape, size, and conditioning seemed like perfection to Lunsford. Heath was the pinnacle of what Lunsford wished his physique could look like.
Derek Lunsford ultimately hedged his bets on the smaller Men’s 212 division for success (though now he seems to plan to eventually move up to Men’s Open). During our interview, you could still hear the elation in his voice post-victory. In many ways, he still sees himself as a bodybuilding fan who was watching the films and looking up to Phil Heath on stage. Now he’s a champion himself.
Lunsford acknowledges that everyone will have their personal favorite. He knows that Ronnie Coleman and Arnold Schwarzenegger are both legends who changed the sport forever. But for Lunsford personally, Phil Heath changed his relationship to bodybuilding forever. At Lunsford’s age, Heath is from another era. He’s already a solidified legend separate from the competitive bodybuilding world Lunsford battles in today.
Derek Lunsford doesn’t need more time to evaluate how Phil Heath’s legacy will look as time recedes farther – he already knows everything he needs. Heath is an example of waht the perfect bodybuilder should look like as far as Lunsford is concerned. Without Phil Heath – we may not have Derek Lunsford he Men’s 212 Olympia champion that we do today.
You can watch Derek Lunsford talk in detail about Men’s Open and his bodybuilding inspirations by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Interview: The Reason Chef Rush Does 2,222 Push Ups A Day
Chef Rush does 2,222 push ups every day for Veteran suicide awareness.
Chef Andre Rush made headlines last year for being the most jacked White House chef ever seen. That might seem like an easy feat (there aren’t that many White House chefs in the world). But when you look at the man, you’ll quickly realize he might just be the most massive chef in the world. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Chef Rush explains why he does 2,222 push ups a day not for building muscle but for suicide awareness.
Chef Rush does 2,222 push ups every single day (except Saturday and Sunday). This takes him over an hour to complete each time. That sounds maddening, brutal and, for many, seemingly impossible. But Chef Rush isn’t doing this as a realistic way to build muscle. Actually he recommends against it. The real reason he dedicates himself to so many push ups a day is for suicide awareness.
Specifically, the number of push ups have a significance. They represent, according to statistics, 22 veteran suicides a day. Chef Rush has been in the military himself and served over seas. He also suffered from post traumatic stress and depression – something he admits he would have never been able to say on camera only three years ago. He had been in mental health facilities and struggled with trying to find a way to gain inner peace. He understands what many veterans (and even the broader scope of people who suffer mental health issues) goes through.
That’s why Chef Rush does 2,222 push ups a day and talks about it as much as he can. He wants to help change the way the world looks at mental health; the way the government supports veterans and suicide prevention; and hopefully show others who are suffering that they are not alone.
The 2,222 push ups are not Chef Rush’s workout. They don’t give him the massive size you see on his physique. But it’s a different kind of sacrifice he’s willing to make every day. Something for himself and for all others that are desperately seeking relief from their mental health issues in a world that often ignores them.
Check out the full GI Exclusive interview clip of Chef Rush above and make sure to stick around the Generation Iron Fitness Network for more bodybuilding exclusives and news updates!
Chef Rush On The Hardest Part Of Fitness Success: “A Lot Of Times You’ll Be By Yourself”
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Chef Rush reflects back on his success and details the hardest part of success in this industry.
Chef Rush started out as a viral meme. He was the “bodybuilding white house chef.” Over time he turned that wave of attention into an entire career. He’s written a book, is set to start in many high profile TV projects, and always uses his platform to spread awareness about important causes. While his internet fame might have seemed immediate, his journey to success was not an easy one. In our latest GI Exclusive, Chef Rush talks about the hardest part of attaining success in fitness and entertainment.
Chef Rush could have had his 15 minutes of fame and then faded into the massive pile of viral personalities that disappear as fast as they’ve arrived. Instead, Rush was able to transform his opportunity into multiple entrepreneurial endeavors. He’s now an iconic name in fitness, nutrition, and health. In our latest video conversation, we asked Chef Rush about his latest book and what it was like to look back on his life and rise to success. He called it, “A blessing.”
And while Chef Rush does truly feel blessed, he also knows that his success comes directly from sacrifice and hard workout throughout the years. If there’s one message he wants to share with aspiring individuals in fitness, it’s this: the hardest part of this industry is navigating the loneliness.
Chef Rush certainly has close people in his life, but he admits that rising through success in fitness and entertainment opens your eyes to those who want to take advantage of you. He mentions that he’s had to leave family members behind and also friends. He reflects on many moments where the only way for him to succeed without sacrificing his own sense of self – was to only rely on himself.
“This industry, and you know this, I had to cut loose a lot of people. Family, friends, because of this mindset,” Chef Rush states in our interview. He goes on:
“And I’m doing this I’ve had to do everything by myself. I’ve had agents and I’ve had lawyers and I was called a serial firer because if I’m working harder than you, there’s a problem… and instead of us being successful together, everyone wanted to take from the top. I’ve always had that self motivation which you’re always going to need because a lot of times you’re going to be by yourself. And that’s the hard part.”
When applying this to bodybuilding specifically, the sport can already be a lonely one. The dedication to be a true champion pro bodybuilder does not jive well with normal life. Add to this the success that might come with it – and those who suddenly want to latch onto you to reap the benefits. It can be a real struggle. It’s important to not be exploited nor to become an exploiter yourself.
For Chef Rush, his therapy is ultimately helping others. That’s the guiding light that helped him get through times when he had to trudge through the industry alone to get out the other side successful. His advice for others is to do the same. Learn to not lose yourself as you rise in the industry.
You can watch Chef Rush’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Philip Ricardo Jr: How Mr. America Will Help Him Reclaim The Natural Olympia Title
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Philip Ricardo Jr. was a last minute entrant into the Mr. America 2021 – but he’s confident the experience will help him be better prepared for this month’s Natural Olympia competition.
In 2019, Philip Ricardo Jr. became the new champion of the Natural Olympia competition. The event is an all-natural WADA compliant version of the Mr. Olympia. They have no direct affiliation – but the prestige is the same for the natural athletes who compete in the INBA/PNBA bodybuilding leagues. Ricardo Jr.’s victory also came the same year Generation Iron produced Natty 4 Life – the fourth film in the Generation Iron documentary series.
Now in 2021, Philip Ricardo Jr. is ready to reclaim his title at the Natural Olympia happening in November. And he believes that the Mr. America might just be the linchpin to help him bring his best physique to the stage. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Philip Ricardo Jr. discusses the challenges of being a late entrant into the Mr. America 2021… and how it will ultimately help him win the Natural Olympia later this year.
Philip Ricardo Jr. is one of the most iconic natural bodybuilders currently competing in the division. He won the Natural Olympia in 2019 and has remained one of the most skilled and impressive competitors in the league. So it was exciting when he was announced last minute to compete at the Mr. America 2021 competition earlier in October. While the announcement was exciting for fans and helped bring an even bigger spotlight on the historic competition – this wasn’t a secret announcement that Ricardo Jr. had been prepping for.
In fact, the decision was just as much a last minute call for Philip Ricardo Jr. as it was for the fans. This meant that his contest prep was shortened. It wasn’t ideal and it was a true struggle for him in the weeks leading up to the show. Ultimately, Ricardo Jr. did not win the Mr. America competition. He’s not concerned though – as he saw this event as a key strategy in preparing for the biggest natural bodybuilding event of the year. The Natural Olympia.
It’s a strategy that is equally risky as it is rewarding. IFBB Pro competitor Iain Valliere committed to the same sort of tactic when he competed at the Arnold Classic just two weeks before competing at the Mr. Olympia. On one hand, it can throw off timing and cause the athlete to be “off peak” when he or she steps on stage. On the other, it can keep the athlete in full preparation weeks before – and then adjust any small issues noticed in the first competition just in time for the second.
Philip Ricardo Jr. seems to believe that the prep for Mr. America will push him harder – giving him an advantage when he steps on the Natural Olympia stage this month. So perhaps the goal wasn’t to put all of his eggs in the basket of winning Mr. America. Instead, it pushed his contest prep harder than ever before, took the Mr. America placing in stride, and is now confident he will be in the best shape of his life when he steps on stage in Las Vegas for the Natural Olympia.
Only time will tell. But as a previous Natural Olympia champion – we know he has it in him to present a championship-winning physique. Will the Mr. America prep do him more harm than good? That remains to be seen. We wish him the best as he battles to reclaim his title as Natural Olympia champion.
You can watch Philip Ricardo Jr. talk in more detail behind the scenes of the Mr. America 2021 in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Iain Valliere: Men’s Open Bodybuilding Is About To Explode In Popularity After A Lull
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Two years ago, Iain Valliere thought the future of Men’s Open bodybuilding was looking grim… now he thinks it’s about to explode into new levels of popularity.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – bodybuilding has been going through a bit of a transition period over the last five or six years. The old guard of champions have slowly stepped down to new younger athletes – but the younger athletes have yet to truly enter their final form. This explains criticism of conditioning issues and questions of whether or not Classic Physique could take over as the number one division. Iain Valliere was worried as well just a few years ago – but now he believes we are on the verge of a new rise in popularity. In our latest GI Exclusive, Iain Valliere explains why Men’s Open has had a lull… and why he thinks it’s about to explode to new heights.
Iain Valliere is a Men’s Open bodybuilder who has been getting a lot of hype and attention in 2021. He’s not alone. He’s one of many younger athletes finally coming into their own and catching attention at major shows. Hunter Labrada, Regan Grimes, Sergio Oliva, and Nick Walker have all been turning heads. The best part? They aren’t even at the prime of their careers yet.
During our conversation, we asked Iain Valliere what his outlook for the Men’s Open division was in the next decade. He answered that if we had asked him two years ago, he would be pretty pessimistic. However now in 2021, Valliere is extremely optimistic and confident that the division is about to see a massive rise in attention.
Iain Valliere rewinds us back just a few years. Classic Physique was newly introduced during a controversial moment in the sport. Many fans and even experts were complaining about Men’s Open physiques. They felt the physiques were too soft and too bulky and that aesthetics were falling to the wayside. At the same time, Classic Physiques focus on aesthetics over mass monster size really caught on. It’s now one of the most exciting divisions in the sport. Many wondered if it could overtake Men’s Open as the most popular division – or at the very least change the way Men’s Open physiques looked.
During this time, we also had constantly shifting Olympia champions. First a final win from a waning Phil Heath, then Shawn Rhoden’s more aesthetic physique, then Brandon Curry – who received some criticism for the state of his physique at the time. Iain Valliere thought things were looking grim. Where was the excitement for the original division that made bodybuilding great?
But then suddenly everything changed. The younger bodybuilders were finally making headroom on the stage. They built more of a fanbase and are the first generation to really embrace and be born with the social media era. Valliere believes that this engagement with social media alongside physiques that are finally coming into better form are bringing Men’s Open bodybuilding back to a boil.
“I think right now when you look at how many young guys there are that have been really good about putting content out and giving access to the lives of pro bodybuilders and keeping that tradition alive,” Iain Valliere stated in our interview. He continued:
“…And I think there are so many promising young athletes… guys like me and Nick. Hunter, Akeem, Nathan, James Hollingshead. Guys that are in their early 30s that are so promising that are also so good at talking to their fans and so good at putting good information out there. I think these guys are gonna be the leaders on the forefront of keeping that division growing. And I think really over the next five, six, seven years – I think it’s going to explode again.”
In 2013, the film Generation Iron gave an inside look into many of the greatest bodybuilders competing at the time. As of today, many of those athletes are now retired or slowly stepping aside. On top of that, the insight into pro bodybuilders’ lives has blown wide open due to social media. It was a turbulent time of change but it seems that the change is finally making headway to a new pinnacle era of the sport. Perhaps Valliere is right. In the next five or six years we very well may have another Golden Era of bodybuilding.
You can watch Iain Valliere’s full comments on Men’s Open bodybuilding in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Patrick Moore Reveals The Game-Changing Advice He Received From Phil Heath
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Phil Heath gave Patrick Moore some powerful advice that may have affected Patrick Moore’s decision to sit out of the 2022 season.
Patrick Moore is a pro bodybuilder that has gained a lot of attention and hype over the past few years. So it came as somewhat of a shock when Moore announced he would not compete in 2022 and focus on growing and improving his physique. During our conversation with Moore right before the Olympia 2021, he revealed some key advice he received from Phil Heath. Looking back, that advice might play into Moore’s 2022 decision. In our latest GI Exclusive, Patrick Moore details the valuable advice he received from seven time Olympia champion Phil Heath.
Patrick Moore considers himself lucky to call Phil Heath a friend. They exchange texts and talk somewhat regularly. That’s a powerful friend to have in the bodybuilding world. Moore is able to pick the mind of one of the greatest Olympia champions in the history of the sport. During our conversation with Moore, we asked him about that friendship and if it’s provided insight into his own training and contest prep.
Patrick Moore reveals that he, in fact, trained with Phil Heath not too long before the Olympia 2021. During that training session, Moore also received sage advice from Heath. Our conversation took place before the Olympia and well before his announcement to not compete in 2022. But looking back at our discussion and the details of Heath’s advice – it seems that perhaps he had some strong influence on Moore’s recent decision to focus on growth and not compete next year.
During our interview, Patrick Moore explains that Phil Heath strongly urged Moore not to compete in the Olympia 2021. This ultimately didn’t happen. While Moore has not publicly confirmed this – it seems a combination of his recent Olympia experience and his conversation with Phil Heath ultimately led to his new direction going into the 2022 season.
“The biggest thing that he told me was in line kind of what I wanted to do already. He told me to take my time,” Patrick Moore stated in our interview. He continued:
“And he actually advised me to entertain the idea of sitting out of this Olympia. Which I 100% understand because he was saying, ‘Man, I want you to be successful. I want you to crack the top spots…’ He told me, ‘If you want to be the best you’re really going to have to go to another level with your dedication.”
Patrick Moore goes on to explain that Phil Heath went into more detail about exactly how Moore could improve to get to the next level. Moore was lucky enough to have Heath sit down and go over every aspect of living the life of a pro bodybuilder. While Moore did not reveal the exact secrets, he made it clear that Phil Heath broke down exact areas where Moore needed to improve – not only his tactics but his dedication.
While this might sound like a slight on Patrick Moore’s passion, the reality was far from it. Moore admits that he is extremely passionate and dedicated to the sport. In fact, speaking with Heath opened up his eyes to just how far beyond greatness a competitor needs to be in order to become the absolute best in the world. Heath shared advice on not only how to win one Olympia – but to be a consistent champion for years to come.
The hard part, of course, is taking that concept and turning it into reality. Patrick Moore ultimately decided to compete at the Olympia 2021. Now, shortly after that competition, his announcement of staying off stage for 2022 seems to be a direct reaction to Phil Heath’s advice. He’s taking a long needed break. Not from bodybuilding but from the stage. So he can dig deep and focus on upgrading to the next level.
With Patrick Moore already an impressive bodybuilder and now with Phil Heath’s occasional advice in his corner – we believe that it’s very possible we see an even further transformed Moore in 2023 and beyond.
You can watch Patrick Moore go into full detail about Phil Heath’s advice in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!