Tag: Originals
WATCH: An Inside Look At The Natural Olympia 2021 | Backstage, Posing Routines, & Awards
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A visual deep dive into the Natural Olympia 2021 competition.
November 11-13th, 2021 held the Pinnacle of Natural Bodybuilding – the Natural Olympia. This is the biggest event of the year for the INBA/PNBA natural bodybuilding league. Much like the IFBB Pro’s Mr. Olympia – it showcases the best athletes from across the world who have fought to qualify for this yearly event. With strict WADA drug testing guidelines to ensure that all athletes are natural – this event is the biggest weekend of the year for natural bodybuilders across the world.
Generation Iron was on the ground floor reporting on the event as well as capturing footage with our camera crew. We captured a behind the scenes and on stage look to give a full encapsulation of the event. With 20 divisions across both traditional and masters categories – this is one of the most super-sized bodybuilding events in the world.
You can watch our full behind the scenes look at the event above. Read on to get a full break down on the details of the Natural Olympia 2021. You can also check out our official results from the event right here.
What Defines INBA/PNBA Natural Bodybuilding?
There are many natural bodybuilding leagues – but the INBA/PNBA is certainly the biggest – reaching across the country and having athletes representing over 15 different countries across the globe. While nearly all pro bodybuilding leagues claim to condemn steroids – only certain leagues dedicate themselves to drug testing athletes before every competition. The INBA/PNBA leads in this regard. They use the most technically advanced drug test system (WADA – which is used by the Olympics) to ensure fairness across all athletes and competitions.
How The Drug Testing Works
The INBA/PNBA league uses the most sophisticated and advanced drug testing system in professional sports – the World Anti-Doping Agency (also known as WADA). WADA testing is the same system used for the Olympics every four years – and is known for it’s accuracy and quality.
The INBA/PNBA league uses WADA testing before every major competition. If a pro natural bodybuilder should fail the test, their titles are revoked and they are placed on the INBA/PNBA Wall Of Shame – a virtual list of competitors who have attempted to cheat the competitions and drug tests.
How The Judging Works
The Natural Olympia is a natural show which means that there are some differences from the IFBB shows. The biggest distinction when it comes to judging is the size of the athletes. There is not as much muscle mass for natural athletes as opposed to IFBB competitors, specifically Men’s Open. Despite the difference in size, athletes compete in similar categories.
In the Men’s Physique division, competitors perform bodybuilding poses and a T-walk. The judges have to adjust because the muscle mass is smaller despite the level of conditioning remaining high. Athletes can qualify for the Natural Olympia by competing in one PNBA competition. This has to be a professional show and they do not need to win a specific placing.
The Divisions
While there are a lot of similarities – the INBA/PNBA features a wider array of divisions that might seem familiar but with a slight twist on the typical formula you see in an IFBB Pro show. Below is a quick list of the full divisions (please note that each division also has a masters counterpart for ages 40+.
Men’s Bodybuilding Open
Men’s Classic Physique Open
PNBA Angels
Figure Classic
Men’s Sport Model Open
Women’s Sport Model Open
Women’s Physique Open
Figure Open
Bikini Divas Open
Men’s Physique Open
Women’s Bodybuilding Open
The goal for the INBA/PNBA is to provide as many opportunities for athletes to compete. Whichever physique type goal an athlete might desire there is a division for it – so long as there are enough competitors interested in competing.
Creativity is also rewarded across these divisions. The PNBA Angels must showcase custom made costumes as part of their routines. Other divisions such as the Men’s Classic Physique also usually feature some element of a costume to coincide with the posing routines.
Wrap Up
There’s no doubt that the INBA/PNBA’s Pinnacle Of Natural Bodybuilding Natural Olympia is the biggest natural bodybuilding event on the planet. This year’s showcase was no different – and we were excited to provide a deeper inside look than traditionally seen over the years. You can watch our full recap and behind the scenes look in our GI Exclusive video above.
Colin Congo: It’s Naive To Think Drugs Are Not Related To Bodybuilding Deaths
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Colin Congo finds it “appalling” and “scary” how many young bodybuilders are dying and believes drug use cannot be discounted.
Colin Congo is a pro natural bodybuilder in the INBA/PNBA league. As such, he is subject to drug tests for any pro show that he wants to compete in. He finds this important, not only for the integrity of the sport but also for the health of its athletes. Congo has been paying attention to the recent deaths in bodybuilding as a whole and is worried about the trend he’s seeing. While we don’t know the cause of death for many of these athletes – Congo thinks drug use cannot be discounted from the conversation. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Colin Congo explains why it is naive to assume there is no relation between drug use in bodybuilding and the tend of young deaths in the sport.
It is important to note the difference between correlation and coincidence. Just because something seems to be happening suddenly doesn’t mean they are all related. This distinction seems to be at the core of the recent deaths we have been seeing in pro bodybuilding. Many athletes have recent passed at a much too soon age. Some see this as a warning sign of health issues in the sport. Others point out that, without a real cause of death announced in any of these cases, these deaths could be a very tragic coincidence.
In either case, it’s important for all leagues to take this moment seriously. Even if this does turn out to be a coincidence – it’s most important to know this for sure to avoid potential more lives lost in the future. That’s why during our recent conversation with natural bodybuilder Colin Congo, we asked for his thoughts on the string of recent deaths and controversy surrounding them.
Colin Congo, being a natural bodybuilder, certainly has a bias against drug use in the sport (It should also be noted that other pro leagues do not endorse drug use either – but simply do not provide testing). When asked if he thinks that drug use in pro bodybuilding is responsible for young deaths – Congo believed it is very likely this is the case.
“I think we’d be naive to think that there’s no relationship,” Colin Congo states in our interview. He continues:
“I mean, we are talking about folks that, especially the younger folks right? That are like, man, heart issues in their 20s? Yeah, I mean, there are people with heart issues that die in their twenties. But at the number that we see them in the bodybuilding world, in our sport, it’s appalling and it is scary.”
Colin Congo understands that studies would need to be done and hard facts to absolutely prove it. But he also thinks without the facts, it would be foolish to completely discount drug use as a cause completely. He also takes a moment to point out that natural bodybuilding leagues don’t seem to have these kinds of young tragic deaths happen. He mentions this specifically in relation to diuretic use in bodybuilding:
“It’s [diuretics] got guys going to the hospital routinely. You know, in the last couple of days pre-contest. The week of the show, you’re like, ‘Oh, he had to drop out because of this.’ And you’re like, man, you don’t see that with the natural guys I’ll be honest with you.”
Colin Congo goes on to say he understands the psychology of why bodybuilders would take risks and turn to drugs. When you are young and want to reach that next level – a person with championship goals will do whatever it takes to succeed. That’s why Congo likes drug tested leagues. Those regulations put a full stop on drugs being an option for success.
Do you agree with Colin Congo about drugs being related to pro bodybuilder deaths? Watch his Congo’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above and decide for yourself.
INTERVIEW: Berry De Mey Is “Shocked” By The Amount Of Drugs Modern Bodybuilders Use
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Berry De Mey believes that modern bodybuilders take far higher doses of drugs than past eras of the sport.
The health of pro bodybuilding athletes has been a topic of major discussion this past year. Sparked by many untimely deaths of competitive bodybuilders – many experts, athletes, and fans have been making public statements about their concern over the health of the sport as a whole. Have we finally reached a tipping point in the risk vs reward of drug use in bodybuilding? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Berry De Mey explains his shock over the increase in doses and types of drugs modern bodybuilders use today.
Berry De Mey has been one of the more vocal bodybuilders speaking out about health in bodybuilding this past year. This has not only been sparked by the recent deaths in the sport – but also the physiques De Mey is seeing on stage. His reaction to the Arnold Classic 2021 earlier this year drew criticism. He has also clarified those statements in a previous interview with us – stating that “bodybuilding is becoming insane.”
We’re now pulling another segment from our conversation with Berry De Mey – this time focusing on the drug use prevalent in competitive bodybuilding today. Specifically De Mey shares his opinion on diuretics and insulin. He also speaks more broadly about the amount of drugs that athletes are taking during this era compared to his own. While he often clarifies that he is not a doctor – he finds himself worried about what he is seeing in the sport today.
While nearly all of the recent deaths this year have not announced official cause of death – many point towards diuretics as a possible cause. Especially for those that happened just before competitions. Diuretics are often used to dry out just before a competition – but accidentally overdosing on it can be extremely dangerous and possibly fatal. Victor Martinez just recently spoke with Generation Iron on his personal health scare involving diuretics before a show. Milos Sarcev did not want to go into specifics as he is not a medical professional – but he can confidently say it’s a dangerous drug used in the sport.
Berry De Mey also points out insulin as a very dangerous compound used by modern athletes. He admits that this was a drug available during his prime as well. He even sought it out as he wanted to do whatever he could to become the best. But his doctor refused to support insulin use – even when he was open about supporting use of other drugs such as steroids. This was enough for De Mey to avoid insulin – and looking back he’s happier for it.
But it’s less about one specific drug and more about the big picture. Berry De Mey believes that it’s an increased combination and higher doses of drugs that is the real issue. He claims to have seen lists of what young bodybuilders take today – and is “shocked” by what he sees.
“If I see some of the lists that they are all taking, I’m in shock,” Berry De Mey states in our interview. He continues:
“So of course yeah, diuretics is one of the things, but there is also a lot of other things that I am shocked about. Particularly in the amounts and the substances. The different kinds of substances.”
We then follow up asking him if he thinks that the amount of drugs taken today exceeds what he saw and used during his prime. He answered confidently and swiftly, “Most definitely.”
Ultimately, Berry De Mey understands the psychology of why this is happening. He was doing the same thing during his prime as a competitive bodybuilder. These athletes will always do whatever it takes to be the best – including many risks. The problem is that those risks are becoming increasingly bigger. De Mey can look back now in his older age and logically worry about the state of younger bodybuilders. But if he was young today – he’s sure that he would be part of the pack making these same decisions.
You can watch Berry De Mey’s full comments on diuretics, insulin, and overall drug use in bodybuilding by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
The Muscle Mogul: The Raid On Blackstone Labs
The inside story of the FDA raid on Blackstone Labs. THE MUSCLE MOGUL – is a digital series starring PJ Braun, a bodybuilder and daring business entrepreneur. Fast cars, wild animals, powerful guns, and big business are all commonplace in PJ’s life. But after his company was raided by the FDA and a nasty divorce, […]
The post The Muscle Mogul: The Raid On Blackstone Labs appeared first on Generation Iron Fitness & Bodybuilding Network.
Melvin Anthony Full Interview | Best Posers, How To Beat Big Ramy, & Modern Bodybuilding
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Watch the full uncut GI Exclusive interview with Melvin Anthony.
Melvin Anthony is a bodybuilder that was in his prime between the second Golden Era of the 90s and the modern era we see today. He competed from the late 90s through to 2008. In the prime of his career, he often placed in the top six at Mr. Olympia. He is also best known for his incredible posing routines.
A lot has changed in bodybuilding over the years since Melvin Anthony competed. Which is why we decided to get his perspective on modern bodybuilding, particularly how posing has evolved, and also his take on the latest trends in the sport.
Over the past few months we’ve released multiple GI Exclusive segments from our interview with Melvin Anthony. Now we’re releasing the full length interview including topics such as the best bodybuilding posers of all time, how to beat Big Ramy at the Olympia, and how today’s era compares to previous decades of the sport.
Listen To Our Melvin Anthony Interview On The Generation Iron Podcast
Our full length interviews are now also in podcast form! Subscribe to the Generation Iron Podcast for candid, full length interviews with the biggest names in bodybuilding, fitness, combat, and strength sports.
Listen to the full Melvin Anthony interview here:
The Ultimate List Of The Best Bodybuilding Posers Of All Time
While the focus on posing has dwindled over the years – there is still hope in the form of select bodybuilders with incredible posing routines. That’s why we asked Melvin Anthony to list his picks for the best bodybuilding posers of all time. He mentions younger bodybuilders like Terrence Ruffin – but the biggest standout to him is Kai Greene.
Fans of bodybuilding are no stranger to Kai Greene’s sometimes bizarre but often beautiful posing routines. He would wear costumes and masks (for guest posing) and incorporate interpretive dance into his routine alongside mandatory poses. His entire persona was based in this art. His interviews are often poetic, just like his posing. He has always seen bodybuilding as pure art. This explains his skill and passion behind painting and his recent line of comic books.
So was Kai Greene the second coming of Melvin Anthony? Was he influenced by Anthony’s career? Anthony will be the first to admit that Kai Greene is one of the greatest, if not the number one greatest, poser of all time. But their styles are very different. Anthony details how his posing came from his street background. He would incorporate hip hop and breakdance style into his routines. Kai Greene feels more like abstract poetry. Two very different forms – but both dedicating to evolving the routine into something more.
Ultimately, Melvin Anthony struggles to come up with even five names for the best posers of all time (he eventually locks a solid five names). This is an example of just how few and far between true elevated posing is in the sport.
Melvin Anthony: Bodybuilders Today Train Hard, But They Can Train Harder
Melvin Anthony doesn’t want to to knock the new school era of bodybuilders. He understands how general sweeping statements can paint a broad stroke on a very diverse group of athletes. That’s why when we asked him about the current state of bodybuilding – he was very careful with his words. He doesn’t think that there is a bad training ethic in bodybuilders today – but he does think that it could push to the next level to match the greats of yesteryear.
In fact, history is very important to Melvin Anthony. He worries that we are not focusing enough on the history of bodybuilding to learn from what was done in the past. Anthony thinks that social media and short attention spans might be preventing bodybuilders today from reaching their best.
“I’m not saying they’re not training hard,” Melvin Anthony states in our interview. He continues:
“I’M NOT SAYING THAT THEY ARE NOT WORTHY OF WHAT THEY ARE GETTING ON STAGE. BUT THERE’S A LEVEL THAT THEY CAN GET TO THAT THEY HAVEN’T TAPPED INTO YET. AND I BELIEVE THEY WILL. HOPEFULLY THEY’LL GET IT. HOPEFULLY THEY’LL START TALKING TO A FLEX WHEELER OR A JAY CUTLER – ‘HEY MAN, HOW DID YOU TRAIN. CAN YOU SHOW ME WHAT YOU DID?’ WATCH HOW THOSE GUYS TRAIN… I’M NOT SAYING THEY’RE NOT TRAINING AS HARD. I JUST THINK THEY CAN TRAIN HARDER.”
How To Beat Big Ramy At The Mr. Olympia
While this is not a guarantee for Big Ramy, Melvin Anthony believes that it will take more than him being “a little off” to lose the title. Judging is meant to be as objective as possible. At the end of the day, though, it’s a subjective sport. Judges will see Big Ramy differently than in previous years. He’s no longer a competitor hungry to win his first Olympia, he’s now a returning champion.
So Melvin Anthony believes that the only way Big Ramy will lose is if he is defeated by a “knock out.” What he means by this is that either Ramy has to make significant mistakes to his physique or someone has to show up with a next-level physique than we’ve seen so far. Big Ramy has a lot of mass on his side – but his conditioning is where he has struggled in the past. No one will be him on pure mass alone – so all other competitors will need to be more perfect than they ever have been in order to surpass Ramy. Or again as we mentioned earlier – Big Ramy would have to make a huge mistake.
Melvin Anthony acknowledges that everyone on the stage has a great challenge ahead of them. Big Ramy has the pressure of either matching his 2020 physique or making it even better. The other competitors all need to try and contend with Ramy’s massive size.
Wrap Up
Melvin Anthony discusses many more topics than what we can cover in this single article. He also talks about bodybuilding gurus and their role in a bodybuilder’s health, how strong modern bodybuilders’ dedication is compared to the past, and more. That’s why you should check out the full GI Exclusive interview above!
Dr. Testosterone: Young Steroid Users Will Have Low Natural Testosterone By Mid 30s
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Dr. Testosterone answers how long it takes for steroid use to deplete your natural ability to produce testosterone.
For those who have been following closely, it’s quite clear that continued steroid use leads to low natural testosterone levels. This long term use can have a very long term effect on testosterone after coming off PEDs for good. Usually, individuals will go into testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for the remainder of their lives. This might beg the question – how long can someone use steroids without requiring TRT afterwards? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Dr. Testosterone explains the factors that can affect how and when bodybuilders will require testosterone replacement therapy.
The topic of steroids in sports, including bodybuilding, is a hotly debated issue and has been for many decades. There’s no denying that long term steroid use can lead to serious health problems. But there are those who are skeptical of just how dire those health problems can become. One thing that is undeniable is its effect on natural testosterone production in the body.
During our conversation with Dr. George Touliatos, aka Dr. Testosterone, we asked him to go into detail about steroid use and testosterone replacement therapy. For how long can a bodybuilder use steroids before their body is unable to produce testosterone naturally? Is there a hard out moment that they can stop to prevent long term damage? Or will even the most casual of steroid users require TRT in their future?
Much like nearly all drugs, Dr. Testosterone explains it depends on a variety of factors. What kind of steroid the person is taking, what size of the dose, and how long of a break between cycles. Then add on top of it that each individual has their own genetic predisposition regarding testosterone production in the body. Some individuals who never use steroids still find themselves with low testosterone at a young age. It’s rare but it can happen.
So these varying factors make it hard to pinpoint an exact timeline for when a bodybuilder, or any steroid user, would face a permanent future on TRT. On average though, Dr. Testosterone seems to place the time limit at about 10 years.
“I guess it depends how early you start it. So if you start in your 30s, I think by your 30s you’ll be toast. And TRT is going to be inevitable,” Dr. Testosterone states in our interview.
He goes on to make clear that anything is possible on an individual level – and nothing is guaranteed. He’s known 30 year olds who have low testosterone and have never taken steroids in their lives. He’s also known 50 year olds with good natural testosterone despite typical aging factors.
Dr. Testosterone also goes into more detail about how testosterone works in the body as a whole. And how trying to artificially boost testosterone will always lead to eventual future issues. Even “kick starting” your testosterone via a booster shot will eventually lead to your body not only reverting back to normal levels – but perhaps falling even lower. It’s like a pendulum that gets more dangerous the more doses you take.
So how does one with naturally low testosterone boost it in a healthy manner? Unfortunately there is no easy trick. Dr. Testosterone explains that it takes time and a dietary habit changes.
You can watch Dr. Testosterone go into full detail about testosterone, TRT, and more in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
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!