TEAM 3DMJ SPONSORED ATHLETE

 RICHARD "The Freak on Wheels" KNAPP

2010 Central USA, 2010 Wisconsin State & 2010 Natrural Mr. Minnesota

Wheelchair Champion

Final Interview with 3DMJ for the 2010 Contest Season

3DMJ: You have had quite a season winning three titles in as many shows. Reflect on the 2010 contest season for us and describe what this season has meant to you.

RK: Man this has hit me hard.  I really haven't sat back and truly looked at it yet. I have been in the bodybuilding diet fog. Oh my God, after being away for 5 years and only truly having one month to bulk, I just lived a bodybuilder’s dream all wrapped in a few months. There are no words I can say to get anyone to know how much this season has meant to me. I could say it was like winning the lottery but it goes much deeper than that emotionally. Needless to say, both Tammy and I will always remember this season and all the people that helped make it happen.  I am not only talking about me, but also for the entire wheelchair class in the Natural World.  I have seen more activity in the class in last few months than I ever have. I didn't even know it was a class 8-9 months ago and now it has come out in the open and is widely known.  3DMJ can take pride that they were a big big part of this and I thank you all so much. 

3DMJ: Rich, looking back at the start of the year when you decided to make your comeback as a first time wheelchair bodybuilder, did you ever envision yourself winning three shows and having a huge impact on the sport of natural wheelchair bodybuilding?

RK: No way, no how!  If someone had told me what all was going to happen I would have looked up a doctor’s number in the phone book for them. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe this is God’s plan for me, to help the class get recognized and grow.  I made it my job, and all this; getting to do something you love?  That is a true gift from God.

3DMJ: In all three shows you presented nothing but your absolute best and the audience definitely recognized your hard work while you were on stage hitting those thunderous poses. Many people see bodybuilding as an individual sport, but you have had quite a supportive teammate in your wife Tammy. Describe for us what she has meant to you during your preparation this year.

RK: She is the one that people should be inspired by, she won't admit it, but it is true.  That little lady is the ultimate bodybuilder’s wife.  As people know, my cognitive functions are bad and I even have a service dog now.  I started my cut back in January and Tammy ate the same foods as I did all the way through to make it easier on me (by the way she dropped 30lbs.) At one show she was asked if she was competing!  Tammy also kept me on track for meals (by the way post-its are only good if you read them!) and we would tag team food preparation. I would read off the food and grams from my food tracking program/log and she would pull it up and weigh it out.  At workouts sometimes the little snot would use my bad memory to get another rep out of me! But truly, this was a good thing.  As for my tan?  Well you have seen how great she was at applying it.  She too is very attention detailed, and deserves 50% of my trophies and half of the recognition I have received. Tammy was the difference between coming in looking like I did or coming in half as good as I did, and that is even with 3D's help! She is 80% of the brains behind my preparation for shows.  Just as Bodybuilding is 80% nutrition and 20% gym, Tammy and I are also 80/20. I do 20% which is the grunt work in the gym and Tammy is the memory of the team which is 80%.  I made sure she read every e-mail just in case I forgot something.  We are a true team just as 3DMJ is a team.  I think she may even be getting the bug! At the show she noticed she is getting a defined “V” in her triceps and was all excited about it. In closing, Tammy has meant the WORLD to me both emotionally and physically.  She fully understood the fog and grumpiness and helped will me through it for so long. Sorry guys, she’s all mine and I don’t share!

3DMJ: Back in January when you heard TEAM 3DMJ selected you as one of their sponsored athletes, what were some of your expectations from TEAM 3DMJ and did they fulfill those expectations?

RK: I expected less than what I got.  That doesn't count the new friendships and knowledge I have also received. I figured it would be a maybe once a week e-mail thing, not every day communication with loads of tracking pictures.  This was a very big step for me because with 10 trophies out of 11 shows, I never before trusted anyone with my prep.  You all earned my respect and trust 100%! With my come back you brought me to 13 out of 14 shows taking hardware home, now with six of those trophies being 1^st Place.  That's nearly a 50% win to loss ratio!  Thank you for this. How many bodybuilders can claim that?

3DMJ: How was your overall experience working with TEAM 3DMJ? What were some of the key areas you felt assisted you the most?

RK: It has been a learning experience all the way around.  The changes just in the 5 years I was away are unbelievable. The whole team is great and very well versed in their specialty.  What was most shocking is that the team doesn’t tell you what to do and “that’s it, their way or high way!” The team takes what you have and tweaks it to perfection.  I think Jeff you had the hardest thing to work with, which was helping me pose while in the chair. I could not believe how different it was compared to standing. I know I got frustrated quite a few times and I apologize for it. At the same time thanks for sticking with me. That's one thing I also found: the teams’ understanding and patience was awesome!

Rich not only improved his posing, but his conditioning as well, en route to three titles!

3DMJ: Before heading into this season one of your goals was to help bring wheelchair bodybuilding the recognition it truly deserves. After winning three titles and inspiring so many natural athletes across the board, do you think you have achieved your goal?

RK: I believe I’m getting very close, but not yet. The recognition of the class is there and more promoters are willing to include the class and knowledge of the classes’ existence is growing slowly just as the fitness class did. However, I know it will be slow and I have no false idea that it will be an overnight thing. We are spread thin, so until it gets rolling it will be like the Grand Masters and Teen classes where there may only be 1 or 2 competitors competing. Until they can't use that as an excuse to not include the class in shows and until there is a Professional wheelchair division, my goal is not complete.  After all, if there is no Pro class or shows don't offer the class where is the drive for wheelchair competitor to compete in Natural Federations?   In all reality, (and please don't take this the wrong way) not having the class in a show is the same exact thing as telling me that I can't be a competitive bodybuilder, whether a promoter  realizes that or not. Until this “invisible line” is gone and more wheelchair bodybuilders compete on a regular basis in Natural shows, my goal is not complete.  It is however on the road to being complete.  I can't disclose some info, but a lot of new and better things are in the works. There are some wonderful, open minds out there and I thank them from the deepest depths of my heart for all Natural wheelchair bodybuilders. 

3DMJ: You definitely have made a huge impact in the sport of natural wheelchair bodybuilding and next year the INBF is adding a “Wheelchair National Championships” to its schedule. Your rear double biceps pose will be gracing the events promotion flyer. Describe how that feels to have your back on that flyer and also to have one of the best backs in not only wheelchair bodybuilding, but arguably one of the best backs in all of natural bodybuilding.

RK: I was very honored when Rich asked if I would mind. This is truly an honor to be on the flyer for a show the size and caliber of the Buckeye Classic and to know all my hard work is paying off.  But as you know, it puts some pressure on me to keep improving my package.  But this is good thing because it has given me more drive and new goals.

3DMJ: What are your plans looking like as you head in the offseason?

RK: Cut and dry, I’m taking a 1 week vacation and then I’m back to the grind stone for the 2011 Buckeye Classic Natural Wheelchair National Championships in April. I might also do 1 or 2 other spring shows depending on their dates.

3DMJ: After all the positive comments the judges have given you, it is really hard to find any glaring improvements you may need. Where do you feel you need to make improvements, if any, to your physique for next year’s contest season?

RK: You have it right; all I got all season from the judges as far as criticism was to “smile more.” My plan is to work on size and thickness, even if only in small percentages. If I come up 2% in one area, I will work on coming up 2% in all areas.   However my smile needs to come up 100%!  I am also going to work on a new routine and Tammy is going to work on improving my tan.

3DMJ: What advice would you give to other wheelchair bodybuilders out there who may be looking to walk in the shoes of Rich “The Freak on Wheels” Knapp?

RK: Don't take “no” or “you can’t” as an answer.  If you want it bad enough, you will find a way.  If you want it bad enough and can't find a way, contact me at richknapp66@hotmail.com and I will help you find a way! 

3DMJ: On behalf of TEAM 3DMJ and www.3DMUSCLEJOURNEY.com it has been a real pleasure to see you achieve so much success and we are very proud of you. We will definitely keep being inspired by your tremendous dedication, desire and discipline! Thank you Rich!!

2010 Wisconsin Prejudge

2010 Wisconsin Finals Routine 

2010 Central USA Finals Routine 

Click here for more information on TEAM 3DMJ's coaching services. 

www.3DMUSCLEJOURNEY.COM > SPONSORED ATHLETES > RICHARD KNAPP