Tag: Video
Santi Aragon: “There Is No Light On The Other Side” When You Push To Bodybuilding Extremes
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Santi Aragon opens up about his retirement – claiming that the risks started to outweigh the rewards of bodybuilding.
Last month, bodybuilder Santi Aragon announced that he would be retiring from the sport. At only 33 years old, this was a very surprising statement. Many bodybuilders compete well into their 40s, and in some cases, 50s. More shocking was the reason. He did not suffer a major injury or have health issues. He wanted to leave at the top of his prime before long term damages rear their head. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Santi Aragon opens up about how the risks of steroid use and contest prep led to his retirement from bodybuilding.
Santi Aragon has been completely open and honest about steroids and other drug use in bodybuilding for quite some time now. Having built his own businesses and no longer sponsored by other brands – he felt free to speak openly without reflecting poorly on any of his obligations. So it comes as no surprise that Santi was very open and detailed while speaking with us about his reasons for retiring.
First things first, Santi Aragon doesn’t want anyone to think that he was against PEDs in the sport. He knew the risks going in and was willing to take them. He wasn’t naive to the reality that top level bodybuilding requires. That being said, as he got older, he felt the risks started outweighing the rewards.
On top of this, he was witnessing many deaths in the sport during the 2021. While he acknowledges that these deaths have no real link – he also understands that drug use in the sport can lead to long term health damages and even death. His very own trainer suffered through heart issues last year (good news: he recovered), which “really hit home” for Santi just how painful those kind of health situations can be.
While he didn’t confirm or state if the heart problems were in relation to steroids, the reality became clear. This is a risk of what can happen down the road from consistent steroid use. Santi Aragon has been on top of his health in recent years, with blood tests every three months, his heart and his blood pressure are all healthy. He wants to keep it that way for as long as possible. So he decided to retire.
But for Santi Aragon, it’s more than just the drugs that pose a risk. Santi believes the entire lifestyle required for top level pro bodybuilding is dangerous – especially rising to meet the higher weight requirements for the biggest divisions.
“It’s very difficult for a guy thats 5’5″ to carry over 200 pounds. At least for me,” Santi Aragon states in our interview. He continues:
“I’m not built to be 200 pounds. I’m a 175-180 max. But when I’m starting to push that 212, when I was trying to be 212, I had to force everything. I had to force training, I had to force food, I had to force drugs at such a high level that I could not see myself sustaining that for over a year… that reality sets in really fast. The drugs, the food, and you know – when you force yourself to do things like that and push your body to that extreme, there’s no light on the other side.”
Santi Aragon goes on to say that most bodybuilders don’t realize the reality of this until it’s too late. They are only aware just how far their health can be at risk once the long term effects start appearing. Santi didn’t want to be one of those people. That’s why he changed course.
And Santi Aragon also wants to point out that nothing is set in stone across the board. Much like cigarettes, some people can smoke their whole lives with no issues. Others can smoke for one year and get lung cancer. Genetics and random luck play a big part. It’s to each their own in how far an individual wants to push that risk.
You can watch Santi Aragon’s full comments on his retirement and health in bodybuilding by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Eric The Trainer Discusses The Fitness Legend That Inspired Him To Do 40,000 Push Ups
Eric The Trainer pays tribute to fitness legend Jack Lalanne.
Eric The Trainer is a rare sight to behold in the bodybuilding and fitness world. He’s a fusion of celebrity trainer, personal trainer, and social media influencer. Most importantly, he brings a level of optimism and kindness not often seen in the industry – and in recent times – not often seen in the world. Eric credits a big part of this to his mentor and idol, Jack Lalanne – one of the earliest and most legendary fitness icons in history. In our lastest GI Exclusive interview, Eric The Trainer explains how Jack Lalanne inspired him to do 40,000 push ups for charity.
Earlier in the year, we spoke with Chef Rush about his dedication to doing 2,222 push ups every single day. He did it for veteran suicide awareness but the feat is also a shocking display of strength and dicipline. Similarly, Eric The Trainer also commited to an incredible feat of strength for charity. He did 40,000 push ups in a row. It’s a shocking display and one not for the faint of heart.
But the idea to do 40,000 push ups in one go didn’t come out of thin air. In fact, Eric The Trainer was inspired by one of the most legendary fitness icons in history – Jack Lalanne. Born in 1914, Lalanne was an American fitness and nutrition guru and motivational speaker. He was known for bringing fitness to the mainstream and also for his feats of strength.
Eric The Trainer was lucky enough to meet him before Lalanne passed in 2011. The relationship they built helped Eric become the man he is today. One that is not only focused on fitness but also on helping the community around him.
Eric goes into detail about just how far Lalanne’s influence inspired Eric’s entire persona and future in the fitness world. He also talks about the kinds of feats of strength Frank Lalanne was known for doing – such as pulling ships in the ocean from a nearby dock. It was the kind of old school strongman spectacles that are rarely seen today.
It was a combination of Lalanne’s feats of strength mixed with his dedication towards helping people that inspired Eric The Trainer to do 40,000 push ups for charity. It combines two amazing tings – stunt spectacle with doing good for mankind.
Check out Eric The Trainers full comments on Jack Lalanne and the power of optimism in fitness by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Aaron Singerman: Bodybuilding Today Is “More Swelling, Less Definition”
Aaron Singerman shares his gut feelings about the modern era of bodybuilding compared to previous decades.
Aaron Singerman has been making some major moves in the bodybuilding space with the recent announcement that Kai Greene has become a Redcon1 sponsored athlete. Being a man so focused on preparing today for the future, we wanted to know his thoughts on the current state of bodybuilding. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Aaron Singerman gives his critique of today’s bodybuilders and looks towards a hopeful future.
One of Redcon1’s biggest sponsored athletes (besides the recent acquisition of Kai) is Cedric McMillan. In a sense, this tells you everything you need to know about Aaron Singerman’s preferred look in bodybuilding. So Aaron’s thoughts on modern bodybuilding might not come to a surprise – he thinks the conditioning is lacking.
He makes sure to clarify that the athletes competing today are talented and hard working. In fact, he doesn’t paint the difference in conditioning as an objectively bad thing. He just finds it different.
Aaron Singerman is also not quite sure why the conditioning is different today. He’s heard all of the possible reasons – evolution of drugs, change in drug culture, or perhaps the rise of social media having an effect. At the end of the day, Aaron doesn’t know what causes it. He also doesn’t know if it’s better or worse. But for his personal opinion, he has a preference to what he grew up with in the 90s era.
Aaron Singerman uses Kevin Levrone as the prime example of what a bodybuilder should look like in his opinion. He thinks bodybuilders today focus “more on swelling, less on definition.” This concept is what has plagued some of the most promising athletes such as Big Ramy and Roelly Winklaar. Truly mammoth competitors that falter in the small details.
Overall, Aaron Singerman has a positive outlook about bodybuilding as a whole – especially for the future. The new ownership of the Olympia brand gives him increased hope for the sport to continue to thrive. Unlike AMI, Jake Wood has been a passionate fan of the sport.
Aaron Singerman believes that if AMI still had ownership fo Olympia, it would have already been full cancelled due to the pandemic. While safety is important, having faith in finding an alternative safe way to continue on in the name of the athletes is paramount. Aaron believes that beyond safety, the livelihood of the sport most be protected during these challenging times.
So while this year has had its drawbacks, Aaron Singerman sees these decisions during hard times as proof that the Olympia and bodybuilding will continue to thrive in the future. Perhaps the fresh Olympia ownership might also lead to a change in physiques for the new generation. Once we’re out of the weeds we’ll soon find out.
You can watch Aaron Singerman’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Aaron Singerman Reveals The Future Supplement Trends That Will Take Over Bodybuilding
Aaron Singerman discusses what changes appear to be trending in big ways in the supplement industry.
Supplementation is a big industry even outside of bodybuilding proper. As society has become more educated and focused on health, supplements have become common in nearly every household. But much like any industry, the technology, culture, and trends change from decade to decade. What does the future have in store for supplements? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Aaron Singerman shares insight into what future trends will take over the supplement industry and how it will affect bodybuilding.
Aaron Singerman has been in charge of RedCon1 for quite a long time. It’s become a heavy hitter in the bodybuilding and supplement industry. So during our video conversation, we wanted to see what the future holds for supplements. What changes are on the way and what trends will become the norm? Most importantly, how will it affect bodybuilding and the future of the sport?
Aaron Singerman sees the biggest trend growing right now is consuming supplements on the go. Making supplements more mobile is booming right now in the industry. Singerman can see it become the main way that we all relate to and consume supplements. Does this mean no more giant tubs of protein powder? Probably not – but it might mean that they become less common as we see easy to care single use products.
On top of that, Aaron Singerman believes that the recent pandemic has accelerated another big change happening in the supplement world. The direct-to-consumer market was already growing slowly due to the rise of the internet. Now with the pandemic causing superstores to be held closed or vacant, direct to consumer is more important than ever.
The pandemic has forced companies to adapt to that model faster than they otherwise would have. This could have a huge impact on the future of supplements. It can cause a sea change in what brands or distributors are the most common and popular.
Ultimately, this would be a win-win. Consumers can get more direct access to the brands they love without a middleman. Brands can get direct sales without big superstores taking a cut.
Of course, there will always be big online marketplaces like Amazon to fill in the gap. But with the model changing, if a brand is powerful enough, they won’t have to rely majority on distributors like Amazon. Instead their own website would be a central hub.
Vlad Yudin and Aaron Singerman also touch upon some other smaller trends that have popped up in supplements such as protein ice cream and the further rise of supplement bars and meal replacements. While popular – the cost for these kinds of items is enormous and thus prevents them from ever becoming truly mainstream.
You can watch Aaron Singerman break it all down in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Hardcore Truth: How Johnnie O. Jackson Developed His Hardcore Training Style
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Johnnie O. Jackson breaks down his insanely hardcore training style.
Welcome to the Hardcore Truth – our new podcast and digital series staring one of the strongest pro bodybuilders in the world – Johnnie O. Jackson. Known for his incredible physique, strength, and hardcore training sessions with Branch Warren, Johnnie is gearing up with a mic and camera to share his most valuable lessons from a career in bodybuilding and strength training. This week, Johnnie O. Jackson goes in-depth about his notoriously known hardcore training style, how he developed it, and how it defined his career.
Johnnie O. Jackson is known as one of the strongest bodybuilders in the world. This comes from his history as a powerlifter before becoming a bodybuilder. But it also all ties into Johnnie’s well known training style. Compared to most pro bodybuilders, Johnnie always maintained an intensity in the gym hardly matched by others. Similar to intensity as his training partner Branch Warren and also the legendary Ronnie Coleman.
This kind of hardcore training style has also been criticized over the years. Frankly, it’s dangerous. It can lead to much more serious injuries – the exact kind of injuries that pro bodybuilders want to avoid in order to prevent derailing their career.
While there is truth in the dangers of more hardcore “balls to the wall” training – perhaps bodybuilders like Johnnie O. Jackson and Branch Warren are simply a different sort of genetic breed. Ultimately, their careers were not derailed, they maintained impressive physiques, and held successful careers in the sport.
That’s why Johnnie O. Jackson wanted to look back into the origins of his bodybuilding career and how his training style came to define his brand in bodybuilding. The origins of his training mentality surprisingly spread way back into his childhood. His upbringing, his environment, and the people he met along the way all influenced the kind of mindset he had upon entering the gym.
The Origins and Method Behind The Madness Of Johnnie O. Jackson’s Training
Growing up as a black teen in America, Johnnie O. Jackson always felt like he needed to work harder and push harder in order to prove himself and succeed. So when he eventually discovered weightlifting – he pushed his hardest to be the biggest and best. Genetics helped as well. Johnnie acknowledges that he was a naturally strong man and build muscle somewhat easily.
Then Johnnie O. Jackson partnered up with a lifter in the gym – and was put through one of the most intense leg day workouts of his entire life. He was unprepared for how hard he would be pushed and felt like he was on the verge of breaking. When the workout was other – where others might have wanted to tone it down – Johnnie wanted to make it his goal to feel that way after every single workout.
This was the main moment that solidified his hardcore training style. He then developed it over the years as he became a successful powerlifter and then bodybuilder. He found new and varied aways to push himself in just the right aways to improve his physique and strength. He then later met Branch Warren, who had a similar training style, and the rest was history. They still train together to this day.
But Johnnie O. Jackson also understands that your training style and mentality is a big factor in how you will advance as a bodybuilder. So throughout this entire breakdown of his bodybuilding and powerlifting career, Johnnie also shares tips and guidance on how you can develop your own training method. Johnnie understands that not all lifters need to train like him. It’s important that they develop a method that not only works for your lifestyle and genetics – but also one that motivates you to reach new levels.
Wrap Up
You can watch or listen to Johnnie’s full breakdown of his training style in the latest episode of Hardcore Truth With Johnnie O. Jackson above. And make sure to rate, like, and subscribe to the series either on YouTube or your preferred podcasting platform. We’ll be back with new episodes every Thursday. See you in the gym.
Straight Facts: Are Bodybuilders Really Dying More Than The Average Person?
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Jerry Brainum returns to break down the statistics of bodybuilder deaths in recent years. Do the initial stats showcase a worrying trend?
STRAIGHT FACTS WITH JERRY BRAINUM – is an in depth exploration of the more complicated elements behind bodybuilding training, nutrition, and supplements. Hosted by legendary and longtime industry expert, Jerry Brainum, Straight Facts answers user questions so no one is left in the dark.
Jerry Brainum has long been an extremely knowledgable man working in the bodybuilding industry. His research has been published in bodybuilding publications for decades – and he has held positions of editor-in-chief for such outlets as Muscle And Fitness and Flex Magazine.
Jerry also ran a digital series, Straight Facts, on our network way back in 2016. Now he’s back with more episodes and, in addition, available in podcast! This week, Jerry Brainum breaks down the statistics behind the tragic trend of too-soon bodybuilding deaths that have hit the sport over the past year. Is there a growing health concern in bodybuilding? Or was 2021 simply one full of tragic bad luck? Let’s break it down.
2021 was an extremely tragic year in bodybuilding. There was a large number of bodybuilding deaths that all seemed to come much too soon. Most notable was the passing of Olympia champion Shawn Rhoden at 46 years old and George Peterson dying just days before being set to compete at the Mr. Olympia. He was 37 years old.
There were, sadly, far many more deaths that we would rather not fully recount here. But the string of lost lives in bodybuilding led to many fans and high profile members of the industry to speak out about the state of health in bodybuilding. While health of an organization in sports should always be a major priority – what remains to be seen is if there really is a connection between these recent deaths and something happening directly in bodybuilding.
Jerry Brainum sets to bring some more clarity to the situation. Using some research of the (admittedly limited) data available, Jerry breaks down the actual statistics behind bodybuilding deaths in comparison to the average person in the world at large. He also tries to use the cause of death, where revealed, to speculate what was likely the cause and if it can be drawn to bodybuilding and PED use.
Jerry Brainum Compares Bodybuilding Mortality Rates To The Average Male Mortality Rate
One of the most interesting pieces of information Jerry Brainum reveals – according to one study. Pro bodybuilders actually have a lower mortality rate than the average person by about one percent. On paper, this would seem to indicate that pro bodybuilders actually have a higher chance to live longer than the average man. While this was admittedly one study in a very niche sport – the initial findings seem to indicate that there is not a major health crisis rocking the sport. But that also doesn’t mean that drugs are not a factor to mortality for bodybuilders. Far from it.
In the video, Jerry Brainum breaks down the data and his speculations in great detail. But his ultimate conclusion is that bodybuilders actually have a healthier lifestyle due to their diet, nutrition, and focus on exercise. That being said, those benefits are largely cut short by abuse of PEDs such as steroids, diuretics, and insulin. This ultimately leads, statistically, to an evening out. Which is why bodybuilders might have a slightly lower mortality rate than the average person – but not by much.
Jerry Brainum also draws another conclusion. He believes that modern coaches and trainers are the cause for many of these premature deaths. While he is basing his opinion based on anacdotale evidence. He’s heard that most coaches provide drug protocols for their athletes. The problem with this is that these coaches are not doctors. Just because a drug protocol has worked for one athlete does not mean it will work for another.
Without constant medical monitoring, these very powerful drugs can lead to long term health risks. Some of those risks can lead to an earlier grave. This is why Jerry Brainum urges any competing bodybuilders to have their bloodwork done every four weeks and ensure that as much detailed information can be analyzed as possible. Preventative actions are most important to extend life – and when athletes have a higher chance of using dangerous drugs, this becomes even more necessary.
Have questions you want Jerry Brainum to answer? Send them on over to [email protected] for your chance to have Jerry go into detail about anything in the fitness world that needs clarification.
And if you want even more detailed information every month, be sure to check out Jerry’s very own monthly newsletter – Applied Metabolics. Giving you over 40 pages of expert information in all things bodybuilding.
You can watch the full episode of Straight Facts above and make sure to stick around every Wednesday for new episodes!
Huck Finn Reflects On His 40 Beers Deep Workout With Mike O’Hearn & Shares Hangover Cure
Huck Finn looks back at the most beers he ever drank in a single day before his workout (with Mike O’Hearn).
You may have heard of the viral stunt bodybuilder Huck Finn. And if you haven’t, you’re missing out on some hilarious and shocking entertainment. Reminiscent of the show Jackass but with a bodybuilding twist – Finn performs insane and dangerous stunts revolved around feats of strength. We spoke with him previously – but decided to catch up to learn about his latest antics. In our latest GI Exclusive, Huck Finn shares the most beers he ever drank before a workout… which happened to be with Mike O’Hearn.
Viral bodybuilder Huck Finn is all about two things – beer and hardcore weightlifting stunts. In fact, he somewhat recently injured himself in his attempt of a recent stunt involving fire and a human ramp. You can check it out below:
While this particular stunt didn’t involve heavy lifting, a quick glance through Huck Finn’s Instagram page will show a man who very often drinks heavy amounts of alcohol before or even while lifting massive weight. It’ dangerous. It shouldn’t be done at home. But it’s damn fun to watch.
During our recent video conversation with Huck Finn, we asked him to detail the most he ever drank in a single day before a workout or stunt. To no surprise, his answer would be shocking to most casual drinkers and lifters.
Huck Finn reflected back to a day where he went to an event at a Dallas gym and drank over forty beers. After the event, he decided he was still in good enough shape to train in the gym. It turned out this training session involved natural bodybuilder Mike O’Hearn. While many of the bodybuilders and lifters at the event thought it would be impossible for Finn to start training – he went ahead with it anyway.
Ultimately, Huck Finn managed to bench 500 pounds that training session. And in some predictable outcome for Finn – he also ended up having a chair crushed over his head by Mike O’Hearn (all in good fun of course). This is the kind of mentality and lifestyle that Huck Finn leads in the bodybuilding industry.
Huck Finn also discusses with us how he manages to stay somewhat lean despite consuming so much alcohol. He also shares his hangover cure for the day after heavy drinking. He can’t let a hangover prevent him from hitting the gym and keeping his strength and physique up.
You can watch Huck Finn talk about his recent injury, his heavy drinking stunt with Mike O’Hearn, and his hangover cure in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Did Mohamed El Emam Compete In Too Many Bodybuilding Shows In 2021?
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Mohamed El Emam reflects back on his 2021 season and examines how doing six shows in a year hurt his chances more than helped.
Mohamed El Emam had quite the active bodybuilding season in 2021. He competed in six shows over the course of the year. This included some major shows such as the New York Pro and the Arnold Classic. He did consistently well, often placing in the top five for each competition. Yet he was never able to land that first place victory. In our latest GI Exclusive, Mohamed El Emam looks back on how competing in six shows might have hurt his chances for victory more than helped him.
Mohamed El Emam had an incredible drive to qualify and compete in the Mr. Olympia 2021. his drive was so fierce that he ended up coming in six competitions throughout the year. Ultimately, he did not compete at the Olympia competition. What was most frustrating is that El Emam’s physique is extremely promising and earned him a top five spot in nearly every competition of 2021. Still, the Mr. Olympia alluded him.
Looking back, Mohamed El Emam believes that he ultimately competed in too many shows. This left him less time for recovery and growth. It also gave him less time to reflect and adjust his methods properly for real change. The end result was a powerful physique but not necessarily the best one on stage. He stayed in the top five just enough times to keep hype and attention on him – but could not rise up for a victory.
This vicious cycle not only kept the fans hyped for each next competition – it kept Mohamed El Emam hyped as well. He was so close to earning the victory each time that he continued to jump back into the fray – believing that the very next one would be his shot.
In pro bodybuilding, competing in this many competitions is rare. While it does sometimes happen, there’s a reason why the top bodybuilding pros only compete twice – and often times only once – per year. Consider Big Ramy, the current Mr. Olympia champion. He has the ability to focus all year on one goal. One competition. Whereas someone like Mohamed El Emam has shorter term goals for each new competition he competed in. This splits up his focus.
Of course, the Mr. Olympia champion has the luxury of only competing once a year. He does not need to qualify, nor does he need to worry about prize money due to the heavy pay out of winning the previous year. Not to mention sponsorship opportunities that open up when you are the best in the world. Other rising bodybuilders don’t have that same luxury.
Looking back, Mohamed El Emam states that he probably should have started slowing down after the New York Pro. Given himself more time to adjust, grow, recover, and focus on something like the Arnold Classic. Ultimately, El Emam placed seventh at the Arnold Classic 2021. This was one of the few times he landed outside of the top five. This might be due to burnout from the previous five competitions. Although, it could also be due to a higher caliber lineup at the second biggest show of the year.
In either case, Mohamed El Emam has now learned his lesson and intends to slow things down. Sadly, he was also forced into slowing things down after a car accident in November put him into the hospital. While he is alive and well – he had stated he would be unable to compete for at least six months. An unexpected turn for sure and one that will certainly set him back.
But perhaps after recovery and a new found outlook on his bodybuilding plans and prep – he will return a new version of the Mohamed El Emam fans grew to love. It may not be in 2022 (we’ll see), but perhaps in 2023 El Emam will rise up with a new physique that places him as a threat in the Arnold Classic or Mr. Olympia. Only time will tell.
You can watch Mohamed El Emam’s full comments about his jam-packed year of competing by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Hard Truth With Johnnie O. Jackson | EP 1: What Is The Best Age To Start Lifting Weight?
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Pro bodybuilder and powerlifter Johnnie O. Jackson shares the hard truth on the right age to start lifting weights.
Welcome to the Hard Truth With Johnnie O. Jackson – our new podcast and digital series staring one of the strongest pro bodybuilders in the world – Johnnie O. Jackson. Known for his incredible physique, strength, and hardcore training sessions with Branch Warren, Johnnie is gearing up with a mic and camera to share his most valuable lessons from a career in bodybuilding and strength training. For our premiere episode, Johnnie O. Jackson goes in depth on the right time in life to start training. How young is too young? Is there too old an age to keep lifting? And the surprising benefits of weightlifting at a young age.
There’s no denying that lifting weights contains a basic level of danger to it. Even with the correct form, a spotter, and safety equipment – you are still lifting heavy weights around your body. Due to this – some parents have been nervous regarding how young a kid should start lifting. This nervousness can occasionally turn into hysteria whenever a young child goes viral for lifting weights under 10 years old and showcasing a shredded physique.
There is a well circulated myth that lifting too young can stunt your growth but no study has ever been able to effectively proof that. In fact, instilling weightlifting habits into a child can be beneficial. It can lead to better long term health and also teach kids at a very malleable age better health habits that will stick with them in the long run. Many adults hate to exercise – perhaps this is because it wasn’t instilled in them at a young age.
That’s why Johnnie O. Jackson is dedicating today’s episode to breaking down weightlifting and age. He uses his own experience along with the knowledge he’s built in his bodybuilding and powerlifting career to help inform a new generation. Let’s jump into it.
What is the best age to start lifting weights?
The exact age you start lifting weights will depend on genuine interest of the individual. But if a child is interested in fitness, bodybuilding, or sports – Johnnie O. Jackson believes that 10 years old is a great place to start with simple gym weightlifting. This is the perfect age due to two major factors.
First, the child will start to develop good health and focus habits on his own. By learning the process of lifting weights at such a young age, it helps prepare them for a dedicated routine in teen years and adult hood. This is a time when the brain is absorbing everything – and the more good habits the more likely they are to stick. It’s the same way that learning a second language is easier when you are younger.
The second factor is that this provides parents a perfect opportunity to teach proper lifting techniques. A 10 year old kid should not be training alone. Instead, this can be a family group activity and teachable sessions. If the parent or family member helps teach proper form and safety measures – these habits will also stick long term. Johnnie O. Jackson has seen far too many adult bodybuilders who have terrible form and deem it unimportant. Johnnie believes that instilling these proper habits early through teaching will go a long way for young boys and girls who have an interest in sports or weighlifting.
Can you be too old to lift weights?
Johnnie O. Jackson also spends a brief portion of the episode talking about the other end of the lifespan. Are you ever too old to start lifting? The answer is no. Johnnie has worked with many 50 and 60 year old individuals who pick up weightlifting later in life. The results are spectacular. You might not be able to become a Mr. Oylmpia champion bodybuilder – but you will feel healthier and younger. Both cardio and weightlifting are key to feeling more energized, younger, and healthier.
Of course, you must also know your limits. This goes for both very young and very old lifters. Injuries can always occur and it’s important to start slow and learn what your body can and cannot take.
Nutrition Alongside Weightlifting
Johnnie O. Jackson also takes some time to share advice on proper nutrition as you build strength and muscle. As we stated earlier, training at a young age can help develop good habits that subconsciously stick in the long run. So it would also be important to learn proper diet and nutrition during this time of exploration into strength and muscle building.
Hard work in the gym accomplishes nothing without the right fuel in your system. This affects everything from energy, to strength, to conditioning. A young individual’s goals may change a lot over the course of aging – but teaching the fundamentals of a proper diet will do wonders.
Wrap Up
We can break down all of Johnnie O. Jackson’s advice here in a more in-depth article – but why not just learn it from the man himself? Learn about weightlifting young, old, and everything in between in the premiere episode of Hardcore Truth With Johnnie O. Jackson above. And make sure to rate, like, and subscribe to the series either on YouTube or your preferred podcasting platform. We’ll be back with new episodes every Thursday. See you in the gym.
Andrea Shaw On Women’s Bodybuilding Criticism: “Without It There Are No Other Female Divisions”
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Andrea Shaw discusses her rise to Ms. Olympia and the ups and downs of the Women’s Bodybuilding division.
For the past two years, Andrea Shaw has proven herself to be the new standout and reigning Ms. Olympia champion in Women’s Bodybuilding. After a five year gap of the division no longer appearing at the Olympia weekend – Shaw exploded onto the scene with Ms. Olympia’s return in 2020. Since then she has been the star to beat in the prestigious but often criticized division. In our latest GI Exclusive, Andrea Shaw discusses her rise in Women’s Bodybuilding and responds to the criticism and struggles of the division.
Before Andrea Shaw, Iris Kyle was the unstoppable Women’s Bodybuilding competitor. She earned 10 Ms. Olympia victories during her career – before the division itself was dropped from the Olympia weekend. There was a five year gap where Women’s Bodybuilding was no longer supported by the Arnold Classic or the Olympia weekend. During this time – competitors in the division had little to work towards. With one exception – the Wings of Strength Women’s Bodybuilding competition.
It was during this strange time in Women’s Bodybuilding that Andrea Shaw rose up through the ranks and became an all-star competitor. Starting out in Women’s Physique, she eventually moved up to Women’s Bodybuilding. Of course, there was no Ms. Olympia to work towards. Thankfully – she found support at Wings of Strength. This allowed her to continue to find motivation and improve into a challenging competitor in the league.
Fast forward to 2020, Jake Wood now owns the Olympia event (he is also the man who ran the Wings of Strength competitions) and brought Women’s Bodybuilding and Ms. Olympia back into the fold. Andrea Shaw now had a new goal to work towards – which she earned both in 2020 and 2021 with two Ms. Olympia victories.
We connected with Andrea Shaw for a video interview to recap her rise through the years from Women’s Physique, into Women’s Bodybuilding, and through to the champion she is today. As mentioned above, her career grew during one of the most tumultuous times for Women’s Bodybuilding. We asked Shaw for her thoughts on the lack of support over the years at major shows such as the Olympia weekend and Arnold Classic.
The common reasoning behind dropping Women’s Bodybuilding from competition was simply that there was not enough popularity to keep it running. We asked for Andrea Shaw’s reaction to that kind of mentality. Did that excuse ever make sense to her?
“No. Only because it’s always been popular. Because without Women’s Bodybuilding there are no other female divisions. None,” Andrea Shaw stated in our interview. She continued:
“So it doesn’t matter if you’re in Figure, whether you’re in Fitness – it all started with Women’s Bodybuilding. I firmly believe that was just a call AMI made. Because Jim Manion, the NPC, the IFBB, they kept the contests going. There were so many contests that still had Women’s Bodybuilding. But that was a direct call from Arnold’s staff. You know, and I’m speculating because I wasn’t competing at that time but again Arnold pulled it first and then AMI followed suit. Whether it was unpopular – I think it was unpopular to them.”
Andrea Shaw goes on to also comment on the concept of “femininity” in Women’s Bodybuilding vs the pure athleticism of the sport. She’s well aware of the history behind the division. With athletes like Bev Francis being pulled back in forth for either being too masculine or not muscular enough.
“A lot of it are usually men. They are usually men. When you break most of it down, some of these men are insecure because they don’t have muscle and they wish they could. So then the target becomes the woman… but it’s bodybuilding. What difference does it make if it’s a man or a woman?”
You can watch Andrea Shaw’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!