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...

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 ...

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...

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 â€...