Table Manners

At the start of this year I told myself I wanted to write more about the untouched subjects in this sport, either because they are taboo or way too specialized for anyone other than bodybuilders to want to read.  With hundreds of articles on the net about fat loss, muscle gain, how to bring up your arms, etc., I wanted to narrow it down a bit. Not just to the demographic I specialize in, but also to specific matters that matter to them. My goal is to touch on topics that are ...

Continue reading ...

It was the Sunday after the Natural Olympia, which was my last show of the 2011 season.  The team and I had just finished our respective workouts at Healthy Bodies Fitness and already I was making my starting offseason training plan.  We were in the car heading back to my house and Eric said a few words that will ring in my head for quite some time, “Guys, what do we think is Brad’s biggest weakness?”

I was lucky in that unlike Brian Whitacre, I did not have to e-mail or contact anyone ...
Continue reading ...

I can honestly say this was about as relaxed and calm as I'd ever been before a competition.  I had no expectations, no cares as to where I placed, who I would be competing with, and literally I had not a care in the world.  I had done all my homework and with the encouragement of my many supporters, the 3DMJ coaches and athletes, I knew that I was at my all time best.  I had no doubts that I was going into the Natural O at my peak, so with that being said, I did not care that I had no chance...

Continue reading ...

My journey to the IFPA Pro International involved 38 weeks of prep.  Nearly ¾ of a year dedicated to dieting, weight training, cardio, and all the sacrifice that goes with it.  Some might consider all of that work to be a waste of time or too much effort for a measly hour of time on a Pro Stage.  As for me though, I am grateful for every moment, experience, and everything I have learned along the ...

Continue reading ...

So it's come up in a few questions from clients, friends, and also in discussions lately with my fellow coaches...questions on motivation, and how you get to that perfect place where you have both dedication, desire, discipline, and yet also completely are in love with the journey.

Honestly for many, especially with the personalities that tend to get drawn to this sport, these two attitudes sometimes feel mutually exclusive. I know for me, when I was younger, I couldn't pursue anything...
Continue reading ...

My teammates consider me as the experienced old guy of Team 3DMJ now that I can officially compete in the master’s division. Because of my age and experience, they’ve labeled me as the “The Sensei”. Now, I could take offense to the fact that they are taking cracks at my age (and they often do by the way), but it’s all good because they do it out of love and respect for me. But more importantly, they’ve appointed that title to me because of the good eye I’ve developed over the ye...

Continue reading ...

August 2nd 2008, that was the last time I stepped off a bodybuilding stage. It was so long ago, but my memories are still so vivid. I recall flying across the country, and it was actually the first time I had ever traveled somewhere east of Texas. The crazy part was that I was doing so to compete in a bodybuilding show. A pro bodybuilding show nonetheless, and it was my first pro show. Simply the act of traveling in order to compete made me feel like a pro. I recall with such clarity that day...

Continue reading ...

Bodybuilding has been around for decades and yet it still remains a sport perceived by the general public as a tiny sub-culture. If Arnold Schwarzenegger (who is larger than life himself) couldn’t get the general public to view bodybuilding as a substantive mainstream sport, then I don't know who or what will. I know there are many athletes who would like for bodybuilding to go mainstream and that would be so cool, but in my opinion that’s probably unrealistic. I’m not trying to be a �...

Continue reading ...

It’s been 2 years since I went though my first Russian Kettlebell Challenge instructor certification. The requirements have changed a bit since August 2008, but one thing remains. It’s still a grueling course that you had better be ready for. For 2 years I have been practicing my trade and teaching others the skills. Hundreds upon hundreds of Snatches, Swings, Presses, Squats, Turkish Get ups, and Cleans. In the RKC you can not fake it. You had better not only perform the skills well, but...

Continue reading ...