Tag: nEWS
Zane Watson: Bodybuilding Doesn’t Have To Be 24/7 And 365 Days A Year
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Pro Bodybuilder Zane Watson explains why he’s not afraid to call bodybuilding a hobby.
Zane Watson is a Men’s 212 Pro Bodybuilder who takes his job as a competitor seriously. That being said, he has stated in the past that he considers bodybuilding a hobby. This can have negative connotations in a professional sport. The word hobby implies something less serious and certainly less competitive. This is a far cry from the mantras we hear from professional athletes. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Zane Watson explains why he calls bodybuilding a hobby and why it doesn’t need to be a 365 days a year obsession.
Often when speaking with pro bodybuilders, or any pro athlete for that matter, you hear certain advice. One major point often made is this – if you want to be successful in a professional sport, you have to make it your life. That means sacrificing other things in order to try and become the greatest.
This is a far cry from our conversation with pro bodybuilder Zane Watson. He wants to send a message out to aspiring bodybuilders – pro bodybuilding does not have to be the only thing in your life. But don’t be fooled. That doesn’t mean Watson is a bodybuilder who doesn’t take his sport and craft seriously. He simply wants the world to know – you can have more than one joy in your life and still succeed as a pro bodybuilder.
In our new interview with Zane Watson, we probe this idea a bit further. People can often take Watson’s words as not being serious enough about his success in the sport. Zane Watson argues that life is never really about putting all your eggs in one basket. Watson has a career, he’s an entrepreneur, and he has a family. In fact, a big part part of what brings him joy in bodybuilding is having his family by his side.
The truth of the matter is, Zane Watson has more than one thing that fulfills him in his life. He believes he can succeed as a pro bodybuilder without throwing those other things away. But he also doesn’t want people to accuse him of being lazy. When he dedicates himself to a show date – he will “disappear” for three to four months during his contest prep. He has a competitive spirit in him and he wants to win.
That being said, Zane Watson reiterates one final time, “eat, sleep, breathe bodybuilding 365 days a year is not something that I live by.” There is never one right way to do something and find success. Yes, some will live 24/7 bodybuilding and fully succeed – whether that’s through winning Mr. Olympia or building a following for lucrative sponsorship opportunities. But there are also workhorse bodybuilders who find success while also making time for other things in life.
There’s a fine line between passion and obsession. Each person needs to decide what ultimately works for them. But the key is to be honest. When reflecting on your life – decide what you really want and the “why” behind doing it.
You can watch Zane Watson go into full detail about his relationship with pro bodybuilding in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Greg Doucette Calls Out Larry Wheels For Allegedly Using “Fake” Weights
Greg Doucette calls out Larry Wheels for fake weights.
Greg Doucette is taking Larry Wheels to task. After a recent video repost, many people have been calling out Larry Wheels for using “fake” weights. While that may not be entirely true, Doucette went on to explain in further detail.
The weights used in Larry Wheels’ most recent training video showcases the popular strength athlete lifting two loaded barbells. The video in question shows Larry lifting a supposed 185lbs in each hand.
After the video came to light, IFBB Pro Greg Doucette had a lot to say. The bodybuilder was says Larry Wheels was misrepresenting the weights he was lifting in his video. His comments pushed Larry to respond to the accusations.
“This needs to be addressed as Greg is yet again attacking my image for his own monetary gain.
“The barbell was 185lbs in each hand. YouTube search “CRAZIEST SHOULDER PRESS YOU’VE EVER SEEN”
“To see the full video where I specify how it’s 185lbs in each hand.”
The Beginning of the Beef
Greg Doucette decided to issue a response of his own.
Be ready for me Jen my YouTube video comes out as it’s 100% undeniable that’s you on purpose chose to deceive the viewers into thinking u were pressing 225 in each hand. I specifically said in my video that you could not do 225 in each hand and therefore it had to be fake Waze last I checked 185 is a heck of a lot lighter than 225 and his fake.
No one said you weren’t strong I just simply said you’re not strong enough to do 225 for 5. And that post lead to other people re-sharing that post even powerlifting websites making it look like you were pressing to place a side which perpetuates the myth that humans are somehow lifting these incredible weights.
It’s deceiving and it’s fake. Of course you don’t like being called out and proven that you’re deceiving the public but it’s not the first time you’ve lied which I also showing this video just so that people see your history.
The smarter play would’ve been to say I forgot to put that it was 185 in the post I put on Instagram not to later add that it’s 185 after the fact and then when you get called out on it you remove the fact that it says 185 because it’s highly suspect to go in and edit the title to make it look like you would actually been in the right the entire time when you weren’t.
While nothing has been confirmed it certainly sparked a controversial discussion. Greg Doucette appears to be relentless in “exposing” other athletes who are misrepresenting their own abilities. With that said, it’s clear that Larry Wheels is legitimately strong.
Still Going Strong
Despite the controversy, Larry Wheels appears undeterred. He recently posted another video of himself lifting 225lbs with one arm.
No matter what others may say, Larry Wheels is an absolute beast. Will Greg Doucette call him out for this one? We’ll have to wait and see. The GI team will continue to follow this news as it develops.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Former Ms. Olympia and WWE Competitor Melissa L. Coates Has Passed Away
Melissa L. Coates has passed away due to unknown circumstances.
The bodybuilding world has lost another veteran as Melissa L. Coates has reportedly passed away. The cause of her death is currently unknown. The former Ms. Olympia and WWE competitor would face adversity late last year.
After suffering a great deal of pain in her left leg, it would be discovered that the pain was caused by blood clots. After performing a number of surgeries, the decision was made to ultimately amputate Coates lower left leg. The procedure was performed last October. After the life-saving surgery, Melissa L. Coates would incur a large amount of medical bills. This would prompt her to start a GoFundMe as to help her pay for the bills as she would be out of work due to the surgery.
While this has not been confirmed, it can be speculated that Coates potentially contracted the sickness that put the world in peril during the last two years. One of the side effects of the sickness is developing blood clots. Again, nothing has been confirmed, but it’s something to consider until more information comes to light.
The Canadian bodybuilder competed for several years on the professional scene. Below is a list of her contest history.
Contest History
1994Canadian Championships – CBBF, MiddleWeight, 1st
1996Jan Tana Pro Classic – IFBB, WinnerOlympia – IFBB, 9th
1997Ms International – IFBB, 6thOlympia – IFBB, 11th
1999Ms International – IFBB, 13th
Melissa L. Coates wasn’t only a bodybuilder but a professional wrestler as well. She played a character named Super Genie and seemed to truly embrace the role.
The Generation Iron team sends condolences to the family and friends of Melissa L. Coates.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Gunter Schlierkamp: The Biggest Reason Lee Haney Should Be Considered Greatest Of All Time
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Gunter Schlierkamp goes into great detail as to why he believes Lee Haney is the undisputed greatest bodybuilder of all time.
There are only two people who earned the world record of most Mr. Olympia wins. Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman have yet to be matched in the years since their bodybuilding careers. But for the most part, it seems history has favored Ronnie Coleman of the two. He is often considered the greatest bodybuilder to ever live. This is due to his unfathomable mass monster size. A size that still has not been matched to this day. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Gunter Schlierkamp explains why Lee Haney, and not Ronnie Coleman, is the undisputed greatest bodybuilder of all time.
Gunter Schlierkamp is an old school kind of guy. That becomes clear in the beginning of our latest interview segment. We discuss bodybuilding’s popularity in mainstream culture and how the internet influenced it. Schlierkamp goes into detail as to why he feels something has been lost in all the technological change.
There are too many options for things and consumers seem to favor cheaper items over high quality items. It’s a quantity not quality world. He finds this to affect bodybuilding itself. It’s evident in the supplements people buy, the influencers people follow, and the number of divisions the sport now has.
So it makes sense that Gunter Schlierkamp considers Lee Haney his favorite bodybuilder of all time. Haney was the first bodybuilder to achieve a world record eight Mr. Olympia wins. This was later matched by Ronnie Coleman. Often times, Coleman gets more of the spotlight. This is due to his inhuman physique that would make Haney look small in comparison.
But Gunter Schlierkamp has very good reasons for favoring Lee Haney as the greatest of all time. Side note – he also puts Ronnie Coleman in his top five, just one notch behind Haney. We asked Schlierkamp why he felt Haney is the ultimate best bodybuilder of all time. In a refreshing move, he gave a very detailed answer. The answer is so convincing – that it might perhaps cause others to pause and reconsider their own “best of” list.
Gunter Schlierkamp first defines what, in his opinion, makes a bodybuilder the best. Who did it and was the most dominant at the end, who is still healthy today, and who did it the right way. These may seem like vague terms – but what he’s talking about here is the past, present, and future of a bodybuilding icon.
Lee Haney was the first to change the game of bodybuilding. He was the first to win eight Mr. Olympia competitions. Schlierkamp also believes that Haney could have won more if he hadn’t decided to retire. And that’s exactly the point, Haney went out on top instead of slowly dwindling down into a has-been. This is rare in the bodybuilding world.
Gunter Schlierkamp also points out the Lee Haney is healthy and active in his twilight years after bodybuilding. Ronnie Coleman, on the other hand, has had a massive amount of health issues – very possibly due to how hard he pushed his body. We covered it extensively in our documentary film Ronnie Coleman: The King.
Lastly, Gunter Schlierkamp believes that Lee Haney “did it right.” Meaning that he knew his own limitations, knew how to keep his achievements as healthy as possible, and still changed the game in memorable way. It’s the reason we still talk to him today. Perhaps by today’s standards, if you simply compare physique to physique – you would be more impressed by a mammoth like Ronnie Coleman. Again, Coleman’s achievements are incredible. But for Schlierkamp – Haney gets a notch above for doing everything perfectly right.
You can watch Gunter Schlierkamp go into full detail about Lee Haney in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
George Farah’s Honest Opinion On Phil Heath’s Olympia 2020 Comeback
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George Farah: “They put Phil Heath exactly where he belonged.”
Not too long ago, Phil Heath was the dominant champion with seven Mr. Olympia titles under his belt. He seemed unstoppable and many believed he would match, if not surpass, the 8x Olympia record set by both Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney. In the end, this didn’t happen. Heath was dethroned in 2018 by Shaun Rhoden. He then took a year off. Many thought he may never return.
But with a sudden burst of excitement, Phil Heath announced he would make his comeback just one year later in 2020. He seemed more confident than ever and was laser focused on matching Ronnie Coleman’s and Lee Haney’s eight title wins. The drama was set. It seemed to be the ultimate comeback story. Except it wasn’t. Instead, Phil Heath seemed plagued by the same problems he held in 2018. He ultimately placed third at the Olympia 2020. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, we turn to legendary trainer George Farah for his honest opinion on Phil Heath’s comeback physique.
George Farah has been behind some of the most legendary pro bodybuilders in history. His name is known for a reason. He is noted as one of the most legendary bodybuilding coaches in the history of the sport. A bodybuilding coach that had the magic touch. That’s why we asked him for his honest analysis of Phil Heath’s physique during the 2020 Mr. Olympia. Was he better than his 2018 performance and simply outmatched by young blood? Or was he missing the mark in terms of expectations?
George Farah felt a little disappointed by the physique we ultimately saw on Phil Heath. this was largely due to the perceived rejuvenated energy of Phil Heath leading into the show. He seemed rested after a year off and ready to bring a physique more matched to his prime years. Perhaps it was just the narrative that drummed up excitement – but Farah truly believed we would see Phil Heath back in pitch perfect form.
George Farah didn’t see that on stage. Instead, he believes that Phil Heath still had the same problems he suffered from in 2018. Not only that, but his stomach, in Farah’s opinion, looked worse than ever before.
“It’s a little disappointing. Honestly, I can say I’m a little disappointed because… the way he talked I was like, ‘Oh my god this is going to be his show.’ He really made us all believe he is right on the money. And Phil never said anything like that and he didn’t deliver, you know? But then as soon as he came out I was like, ‘Oh my god his stomach is worse.’ He didn’t even not fix it. It looked worse.”
Farah made a point to mention that Heath is still one of the greatest of modern bodybuilding. In fact, his physique was still impressive compared to most on stage. That’s why ultimately, George Farah 100% agrees with the final score given to Heath.
“And I love Phil as a person. I’m just saying as a bodybuilder, they placed him exactly where he belonged. That’s why I feel… because he deserves some respect. Because he still ahs one of the best double biceps, glutes were in, striated hamstring, everything. But that stomach man. It just took a lot off his brilliance.”
It’s commonly known at this point that Phil Heath was dealing with a few surgeries over the years that was affecting his ability to bring in his stomach. Some fans even noticed a difference in the symmetry of his abs due to the surgery. Unfortunately, it seemed as if Phil’s prime was behind him. That is, unless he can bring out something shocking the next time he competes – if he decided to return again.
You can watch George Farah’s full comments on Phil Heath’s Olympia 2020 physique in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
2021 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Competitor List and Preview
The 2021 Puerto Pro competitors list has been revealed.
This weekend’s Puerto Pro will showcase some of the best of the best in the IFBB. The Men’s Open Bodybuilding division features some of the top pros in the game today. Competitors have a great chance to showcase their abilities and physiques at this Olympia qualifier.
Akim Williams vs Hassan Mostafa
Akim Williams in particular has a great opportunity here. Williams has been showcasing a pretty incredible physique in the off season. With competitors like Hassan Mostafa ready to battle for a spot at the Olympia, Williams will have his hands full.
Hassan Mostafa may have fallen short in the previous two competitions, but his willingness and determination is pushing him forward. Akim Williams will have to be diligent if he hopes to secure his position at the Olympia.
Competitor List
With ten divisions competing at this show, a great deal of athletes will be battling to earn their ticket to the Olympia. Below is the full competitors list for the 2021 Puerto Rico Pro.
Men’s Open
Eddie Bracamontes (US)
Jamie Christian-Johal (United Kingdom)
Camilo Diaz (US)
Dorian Haywood US)
Theo Leguerrier (France)
William Martins (Brazil)
Hassan Mostafa (Egypt)
Andrea Muzi (Italy)
Andrea Presti (Italy)
Mohamed Shaaban (US)
Robin Strand (Canada)
Akim Williams (US)
212 Division
Piotr Borecki (Poland)
Gaetano Cisternino Jr. (US)
Isaiah Hawthorne (US)
Boas Henrique Oliveira (Brazil)
Robert Taylor (United Kingdom)
Classic Physique
Sam Adiki (US)
Neil Currey (United Kingdom)
Christopher Hunte (US)
Gregory Kerr (US)
John Small (US)
Herbert Surita (Puerto Rico)
Men’s Physique
Todd Love Ball Jr. (US)
Alessandro Cavagnola (Italy)
Dani Dal (US)
Raynor Ferguson (US)
Anthony Gilkes (US)
Alex Hessam (US)
Mehdi Kabbadj (US)
Luis Leon (Costa Rica)
Diogo Montenegro (Brazil)
Alan Olvera (US)
Darrell Rabess (United Kingdom)
Victor Ramirez (Costa Rica)
Ramses Rams (Spain)
Scott Schulze (US)
Franklin Turner (US)
Eric Wildberger (Brazil)
Women’s Bodybuilding
Nadia Capotosto (Italy)
Susanna Jacobs (US)
Jennifer Sweeney (US)
Fitness Division
Anna Chism (US)
Debbie Fowler (US)
Tamara Vahn (Canada)
Derina Wilson (US)
Figure Division
Jessica Belt (US)
Luana Carparelli (Italy)
Theresa Dekker-Buie (US)
Analia Galeano (Argentina)
Jacquelyn Hurry (US)
Jennifer Iritano (US)
Desiree Jackson (US)
Karrie Kallbach (US)
Kristen McGregor (Jamaica)
Samantha Mills (US)
Brittanie Molina (US)
Jessica Reyes Padilla (Puerto Rico)
Danielle Rose (US)
Lauren Roussel (US)
Laura Saccomoni (Paraguay)
Erin Thomson (Scotland)
Sheena Wilson (US)
Bikini Divison
Elisangela Angell (Brazil)
Milena Bonio (United Kingdom)
Dulce Cristal Lopez Castellanos (US)
Mayra Yudith Rocha Hernandez (Mexico)
Lauren Huddleston (US)
Maria Julia Lemos (Brazil)
Ottavia Mazza (Italy)
Abbi Gaetano (US)
Shelby Pierce (US)
Stella Roberts (US)
Alexandria Ross (US)
Cristane Silveira (Brazil)
Whitney Spence (US)
Francesca Stocia (Italy)
Women’s Physique
Rachel Aronson (US)
Cindy Baggelaar-Reyes (US)
Christina Bitner (US)
Teresa Brooks (US)
Daphney Carter (US)
Alejandra Chacon (Spain)
Tanya Chartrand (Canada)
Marysel Cruz Cruz (Puerto Rico)
Heather Grace (US)
Ann Gruber (US)
Katherine Hall (US)
Kiera Hall (US)
Jennifer Jaques (US)
Marcel Mayfield (US)
Stacey Nunez (US)
Rebecca Short (US)
Jennifer Singleton (US)
Aubrey Whitley (US)
Julia Whitesel (US)
Candice Willmore (US)
Margita Zamolova (Czech Republic)
Elisama Manuel Benta Zorzetto (Brazil)
Wellness Division
Jennifer Bryant (US)
Devyn Cambre (US)
Julia Chitarra (Brazil)
Casey Delong (US)
Ellis Gonzalez (US)
McKayla Measner (US)
Lori Penn (US)
Lorena Ragusa (US)
Katherine Lebroon Virola (Puerto Rico)
Kenea Yancey (US)
With only a few more shows that will allow competitors to qualify for the Olympia, this show is a major one. Who do you think will win at the Puerto Rico Pro?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Managing editor of Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. He has been writing about bodybuilding, combat sports, and strength sports for over 8 years. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Victor Martinez Is Open To Rematch Jay Cutler In A Special “Exhibition” Show
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Victor Martinez would be more than happy to have a bodybuilding rematch with Jay Cutler.
Most bodybuilding fans know the infamous Olympia 2007 battle between Victor Martinez and Jay Cutler. Many believed that Martinez was a shoe-in to defeat Cutler and become the new Mr. Olympia. That ultimately didn’t happen. In a major upset, Cutler retained his champion. To this day many fans and even athletes believe Martinez should have won that show. Now all these years later and with the rise of “super fights” in boxing – could we one day see a rematch between them? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Victor Martinez opens the possibility of an exhibition rematch with Jay Cutler.
For Victor Martinez, his bodybuilding career didn’t go as expected. By 2007, he was one of the biggest threats to the Mr. Olympia title. The controversial loss to Jay Cutler still stands out as a big moment in bodybuilding history. After that, Martinez found himself incarcerated, which completely removed his ability to maintain his superior physique. His attempt to return was chronicled in the original Generation Iron in 2013.
Since then, Victor Martinez has had some ups and downs in the sport. He’s found some success on major bodybuilding competitions – but never came as close to Olympia victory as he did in 2007. Most recently, he hardly competes.
That’s why during our most recent interview, we asked him what his future plans are in and out of bodybuilding. He is a man who has started a few businesses in the past. He has an entrepreneurial spirit – and is eyeing a few options ahead. But what about in terms of competitive bodybuilding?
Victor Martinez admitted he has little reason to return to seriously competing. But there was one catch. He discussed how he would be open to rematching Jay Cutler. Not in a tried and true IFBB league show – but instead as a sort of super match. Something similar to the recent super fight between Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather.
“Now I’ll tell you one thing. The only way I will compete is that if we do some Mayweather or Connor stuff.,” Victor Martinez states in our interview. He continues:
“Let’s say Jay Cutler says, ‘Vic I want to challenge you’ or say I want to challenge Jay. Let’s go for a one on one pay per view, you know, and make it American Idol type – let them choose the winner. Let’s collect funds Jay.”
At this point, the entire conversation is completely theoretical. There is no match being prepared and not even a clue if Jay Cutler would be interested. But one thing that’s important to note – is that Martinez states this is the only way he would compete again.
It seems whether or not this dream rematch will come true – that Victor Martinez has little interest in competing within the traditional IFBB path. He’s moved onto other future plans. Whether or not that would include a special battle against Jay Cutler… well, maybe it will become a reality if the fans make enough noise after his statement.
You can watch Jay Cutler discuss his future plans and his dream rematch against Jay Cutler in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Strongman Rob Kearney Has Been Diagnosed With Testicular Cancer, Undergoes Surgery
Rob Kearney has received some pretty upsetting news.
It appears that strongman Rob Kearney has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. The strongman broke the news on his social media where he went in depth about his recent circumstances. Kearney also went on to reveal that he underwent surgery and now awaits test results.
Rob Kearney took to his Instagram to address his current situation.
Over the past couple of weeks I have been dealing with some health issues and just recently, I have been diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. I go in for surgery tomorrow to remove the testicle and will then know the type of cancer we are dealing with after the results come back from pathology.
The timing is unfortunate because I have been feeling so strong and healthy as of late and was so excited to get back to competing soon. This is just another obstacle to overcome and I never back down from a challenge!
I want to give THE BIGGEST shoutout to my husband @worlds_gayest_strongman for being the most supportive/loving/caring man in the world during this entire process. He literally is the best! To all of my family, friends and fans… thank you for the love and support and let’s come back stronger than ever!!!
This comes as truly shocking news. It’s unfortunate that Rob Kearney had to go through such a tough situation, but it’s certainly uplifting to see him in such a positive mood. Despite the diagnosis and despite the uphill battle, Kearney is ready to fight.
Surgery and Potential Diagnosis
In a follow up post, Rob Kearney revealed that he underwent surgery and is now awaiting the test results. Here’s a blurb of what he had to say about his surgery.
Out of surgery and feeling pretty good! Surgery went well, with no complications. Now the waiting game begins to get the sample back from pathology which will determine the next course of action.
Rob Kearney has established himself as one of the strongest humans on the planet. He along with Rhianon Lovelace were both considered the pound-for-pound strongest people on the planet.
The Generation Iron team sends well wishes to Rob Kearney. Hopefully the strongman will receive good news about his diagnosis.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Brad Castleberry Bares All On How He Deals With Depression
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Brad Castleberry talks about the lowest moments of his life and how he deals with depression to this day – in hopes of inspiring and helping others.
In a previous interview we did with Brad Castleberry last year, we discussed the lowest moment in his life. It was a devastating moment of his business career that left him broke on Christmas day. Since then he’s recovered but he still struggles with anxiety and depression. The feeling of never being good enough often looms in his mind. Castleberry has found healthy coping mechanisms that have gotten him through low points. In our latest GI Exclusive, Brad Castleberry reveals all about his inner thoughts and how he overcomes depression and anxiety.
2020 was a tough year for nearly everyone in the world to different degrees. It’s been reported that depression and anxiety are on the rise after such a turbulent time. While things do seem to be getting better globally – the mental struggles of many individuals could continue to press on for quite some time.
That’s why we asked Brad Castleberry how he deals with depressive thoughts and anxiety. Castleberry has dealt with many past traumas in his life between a business partnership that left him penniless, personal family struggles, and being a controversial online persona that receives extensive online hate.
Over the past few years, Brad Castleberry has grown into a very different kind of bodybuilder and man. What used to be of value to him today is very different than just five years ago. Most notably, he is open to speaking about it candidly and at length. In our latest interview, Castleberry held nothing back discussing not only his past struggles – but how he continues to have be, in his own words, “crazy in my mind a lot of the time.”
Brad Castleberry starts off by expressing the importance of communication and finding help. He cannot stress enough how much unloading depressive thoughts can be towards finding stability. Keeping it bottled up inside can only lead to more torment and possible dangerous actions – including self harm.
Brad Castleberry also understands that some people are in tough situation. They may be lonely with no one to turn to for an open conversation. He presses that therapy or counseling should not be taboo. It should be something everyone has access to and should not be ashamed to engage in.
Brad Castleberry also shares some small habits that can help bring out more calming thoughts. When Castleberry faces darker thoughts of feeling unsuccessful or incomplete – he takes a walk, goes hiking, and simply makes sure to be outside in nature. While this isn’t medical advice – breaking bad habits and entering out into the world, even alone, could have healing affects on a moment of crisis. Or at least, that’s what works for Castleberry.
He also points out how even the most basic principles of bodybuilding are helpful in keeping a more stable foundation both mentally and physically. Eating healthy and finding a routine in training that betters your body can bring a sense of progress at times when a person might be feeling lost. Small incremental improvements day by day can make a big difference in dealing with anxiety and depression. Bodybuilding provides exactly that. Daily small improvements to your health and physique
But the true crux of Brad Castleberry’s advice doesn’t necessarily come from his specific tips – but more from how earnest and honest he is in this conversation. More than anything, he seems like a person who hopes to make some sort of connection through his transparency. A far cry from the viral bodybuilder who was often dodgy and accused of lifting fake weights.
You can watch Brad Castleberry bare all about his past experiences with depression and how he continues to find healthy ways to cope to this day. Watch it all in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Samir Bannout’s Critical Analysis Of Big Ramy’s Olympia 2020 Physique
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Samir Bannout reacts to Big Ramy’s physique at the Mr. Olympia 2020.
Samir Bannout is a legend in the world of bodybuilding. A competitor with an incredible physique, he eventually solidified his status by becoming Mr. Olympia in 1983. With an incredible reputation and successful pedigree, we decided to ask Bannout about his thoughts on the Mr. Olympia 2020. More specifically, his reaction to Big Ramy’s physique and big win. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Samir Bannout critiques Big Ramy’s Olympia-winning physique.
After many years of ups and downs, Big Ramy finally won the Mr. Olympia in 2020. It was quite a rollercoaster of a journey – with some fans unsure if he was ever going to actually pull it off. Then everything clicked and Big Ramy showcased one of the greatest physiques of his career. It earned him the title of Mr. Olympia 2021.
True to his name, Big Ramy represents the modern look of pro bodybuilding. He has incredibly massive size – sometimes weighing close to 300 pounds on stage. This size had always been a push-pull aspect of his success. His mass monster look was reminiscent of Ronnie Coleman – but it also took away from his conditioning. This ultimately put him on a path of falling short at the Olympia for nearly a decade.
Samir Bannout recognizes this when analyzing Big Ramy’s latest showing that earned him the gold. According to Bannout, Ramy had so much massive size on him – that he was easily able to take off some points to work on conditioning without losing his freak factor. In fact, this is the element that Bannout believes was off all these years. Ramy didn’t have the confidence, or perhaps the guidance, to cut off some weight.
Samir Bannout has been watching Big Ramy’s career from the start. He’s even, in fact, had some one on one conversations with Ramy throughout the years. From what Bannout can gather, there was some element of disconnect between Ramy’s talent and his training in Kuwait.
There’s no denying that the Oxygen Gym crew can help transform bodybuilders into mass monsters worth noting. Brandon Curry struggled through his mid-career only to completely change gears upon moving to Kuwait. He eventually won the Mr. Olympia title for himself in 2019. The training in Kuwait helped Big Ramy in this way too – but when it came to the finish line – something was off.
“I think Ramy with his coach was saying… that they are going back to the old school way with Big Ramy,” Samir Bannout states in our interview. “When Ramy was in Kuwait, he was trying very hard with the Camel Crew and sometimes they weren’t on the same page.”
Samir Bannout goes on to say that trainers and coaches are not solely responsible for Big Ramy’s success or failure. Bannout praises Big Ramy’s work ethic and heart for the sport.
“Everybody wants to get the credit… but come on, Ramy is working very hard.” Bannout continues to say in our conversation. “All he needs is the minor tweaking to make him pop.”
There is no one right way to win a Mr. Olympia show. The road to success is different for each individual. Big Ramy simply took some time to find what works best for him. In 2020, Samir Bannout saw a bodybuilder in complete form. His size and conditioning finally met in the middle for a superior physique.
You can watch Samir Bannout’s full comments and analysis of Big Ramy in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!