It's been three weeks since I last sat down and aimlessly typed down some feelings and thoughts that overcame me in the wake of a tremendous day for both physical and personal accomplishment. That last little vignette was met with great applause and appreciation that I never expected nor sought. I put my feelings down on paper and for some reason I've not yet figured out, I put it in an email and exposed my real sentiment and emotion; something rarely done in our ego-driven and necessarily selfish industry. As I laid in the Emergency Room only hours after writing that first piece, I began to get some emails and texts saying. "I loved your article." It didn't totally register until I got home that evening and saw the response on the forums. There was no hate, no attacks, no negativity; every bodybuilder that decided to comment had related to what I wrote. I didn't say anything revolutionary, I just said what most of us ignore, fail to recognize, or have yet to experience. Most importantly, I reminded myself and everyone else that while getting onstage is about you, getting to the stage is a journey that encompasses everyone and everything in your world.
I had to step back and try to figure out what I said that a few people found so touching. I'm not Gandhi (yet) [ed. note. nor will he ever be], but when more than a couple of people told me how much my words "touched me" or "really made me think," it caused me to wonder. I was writing about my day, my loved ones...wasn't I? I looked back at that article for the first time since I wrote it and I realized that I never mentioned a single name. I talked about family and friends and the relationships I had developed. It might have come from my heart, but it applied to everyone. And I was just stunned that something so simple could mean so much. At the risk of sounding especially cheesy, it was one of the most rewarding things I'd ever done. Perhaps because I thought so little about it; completing college came after 4 years of work and winning the show came after 4 months of dieting, but this came after an hour of what amounts to journaling (something I've never done but perhaps should consider). Getting approached in the gym and being told how touching it was or even reading a post from someone saying that it made him or her re-evaluate contest prep and how to go about it....that 's priceless!
I love bodybuilding. I've made it my career and paid a price to do so. But the negativity in this industry is downright draining and could easily be my demise. Not many weeks pass in-between thoughts of wondering how much more I can take. The gossip, the hatred, the jealousy, the tearing down of each other. And for what? Does it make you a better bodybuilder? Does it make you a better man? Does it even make you feel better? Of course not, because hate is a cancer that eats you and everyone around you. We have to deal with a sport and industry that is driven by drugs, sex, and narcissism; but that does not mean we have to hate each other in the meantime.
I'm not looking for a hug fest. I want to hear the real talk and have discussions, arguments, and disagreements. But let's leave it at that. If you don't like a pro's physique, you disagree with a placement at show, or have some other critique - please say so! But be straightforward and talk about the things that are relevant; don't get personal and don't aimlessly attack. If you don't like a supplement or even a diet, tell us why; give an evaluation. Even if you don't care for it and don't recommend it, you're still being positive. You're spreading knowledge, opening debate, and contributing to the community.
Our community of bodybuilders is a small one that I'm deeply a part of. I don't write this from a high rise office or the Ivory Tower, but rather from my bed in the midst of another sleepless night. I'm one of you....I love to train, I love to body build, and I follow the sport with passion. I can't imagine anyone reading this is any different....if you are, why are you here? So if we all come here for the same reason, then why can't we all just get along?
Rx Muscle has a chance to rise up and evolve; to grow up and become something unique. We've been tirelessly making changes both internally and on the site with only one critical driving factor: fostering positivity in bodybuilding and everything we contribute to the sport. If we accomplish this, then our success will be unbreakable and long lasting; if we fail, I've got no regrets; I'll gladly walk away.
To bring this rant full circle: My last article showed me that there is a ton of good in this sport; it's just got to be pulled out. I gave people a reason to speak positively and from the heart, and they openly did. Perhaps I'm not the only one who sat quietly, beat down by the hatred; perhaps the cancer was eating at us all. So here is my call to arms: Let's raise each other up or at least leave each other be. Positivity leads to good energy and that leads to productivity. From there you'll find success and then we'll all grow and benefit. Come to think of it, isn't "growth" the main goal for all bodybuilders?
