By Shawn Ray So there we were, flexing, sweating and squeezing with every fiber in our bodies trying to maximize the time and effort we put into the months and years of training for this very moment. We saw each other coming years in advance but were powerless to stop the charge so we pressed on, focusing on what we did best preparing ourselves for the inevitable collision that was sure to come sooner or later.IFBB Official Stage announcer, Wayne DeMilia makes the call, “Shawn Ray on one side, Kevin Levrone on the other and Flex Wheeler in the middle!” A hush comes over the crowd then a rolling sound of applause but whom are they cheering for, I thought to myself?I was a former National Champion that arrived on the scene years before my time yet held my own for a couple of years while both Kevin and Flex were bigger with much more “Wow” factor coming into the Olympia and were equally decorated athletes with Kevin being a former National Champion in 91’and Olympia 1st Runner Up 92’, as was Flex with exception that he was a former Mr. USA Champion in 92’ but had an equal resume in so far as making a Pro Impression winning the Ironman and Arnold in 93 as well as 1st Runner up in the same year at the Mr. Olympia! In 1994, I too would add a 1st Runner Up at in the Mr. Olympia to my resume joining Flex and Kevin in this fraternity with Gasapri, Labrada & Makkawy.Now, here we all were in 1995 finally on the same stage in spite of taking different routes that all lead to the same destination and with great anticipation! Who among us would be able to dethrone the freight train named Dorian? Looking back, we all got a good “Sniff” of what it must be like to be King to the reigning Three Time Mr. Olympia in the form of Dorian Yates but the real story for all of us was that we All felt we should have won at least once? Strange as it may seem, we all participated the ensuing next 3 years into Dorian’s reign of terror on the Olympia stage before his run came to an abrupt end after Dorian’s body could no longer hold up from the intense beating he put it through year in and year out to maintain control of the title beyond 1997. I am often asked, “If not for Dorian, do you think Pro Bodybuilding would be different had Flex, Kevin or you won the title?” With a wee bit of reservation in my voice I typical response was always, “Hell yea!” I say “reservation” because I like to live in the real world and deal with the cards I’m dealt, saving my dreams for when I am sleep at night.Truth be told I’m no “Day Dreamer.” The reality of that time was the landscape of professional bodybuilding had changed and was changing toward bigger more massive guys and the Judges had no problem rewarding it. Flex was no “Mass Monster” to be sure; he had all the classical lines of a Greek God with small joints and full muscle bellies. While Kevin had real thick deep striations etched into his heavily muscled frame with Chest, Shoulders, Traps and Arms to die for! What saved Kevin was the fact that he could dial his conditioning in while remaining under 250lbs and maintain having a small waist. Myself, I had caught the tail end of an era gone by where smaller more aesthetic symmetrical physiques ruled the stage until Lee Haney vanquished those days for good in the mid 80’s leaving the canvas for those Jurassic Mass Monsters of the 90’s to run roughshod over the sub 220lbs bodybuilders on sheer size alone for good!The “Epic” battle that was to be Ray, Levrone & Wheeler was effectively side tracked and tossed into somewhat of a “CYBER” conversation rather than reality due to the fact that Dorian picked up where Lee Haney left off and Ronnie advanced what Dorian had begun.In the year 1999, I personally began to question what I was trying to accomplish in realizing the goal of obtaining the ever elusive Sandow Trophy which for many of us was no different than obtaining the “Holy Grail” and somehow find its way into my possession so I lost heart and quit pushing myself to pursue “The Dream.” Flex began to change his regime which in effect changed his look; subsequently killing off what potentially could have been a “Masterful” work of Art reminiscent of his first Arnold Classic victory in 1993. What he created was still good enough to land him many IFBB Pro Titles and accolades from the fans but the added Mass and extra Bulk, blurred and altered all that was beautiful and classical about this man-child’s physique. Needless to say, the added mass did not destroy his grace and beauty, as he finished his career being inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame when it was all said and done. However, the changes to his physique did put an end to “what might have been” had Flex been able to continue being the “Flex” of 93’ and doing what he did to achieve that look sans trying to keep up with Dorian and Ronnie. Kevin conversely, could handle the extra size but only to a “degree.” When he came in a tad too heavy, he became vulnerable and beatable for guys not in his league. Hence, Kevin’s competition weight would begin to fluctuate as would his Olympia placing’s which would take Kevin into more and more Grand Prix Contests where he would experience greater success having the time to make adjustments and corrections from show to show. Kevin was strong and powerful, he had the girth and look to prove it but what made him stand out was his execution of the Poses. His Side Chest, Side Tri, Most Muscular poses were his strengths, however when he came in a tad too heavy, his Abs, Back and Thighs suffered due to water retention and lack of detail. Kevin was consistent in that he was always a top 6 Guy in the Mr. Olympia garnering 4 1st Place Runner ups before his Hall of Fame Induction in 2008 but one could not place “Money” on which Kevin would show up from year to year as he was in a constant battle of Size or Conditioning? A colorful Poser whose choice in Posing Music was reflective of his personality but deep into his career became disenchanted with the landscape and the efforts he put into becoming Mr. Olympia and I am certain Dorian and Ronnie contributed to his fatigue as they did me and Flex.In another time and a different era, Flex, Kevin and I would have been a “Hotly Contested” Contest to witness! Sadly, for all three of us came into the game while it was changing and evolving before our eyes in a manner unbecoming of why we became bodybuilders in the first place. The envelope continually being pushed in the direction of Size and Freakiness made all of us vulnerable to ultimately falling out of love with our passion. How cool it would have been if each of us were to have obtained 1 Mr. Olympia Title while competing. Maybe it would have made Dorian and Ronnie train harder and blow our minds even more. Possibly we could have changed the direction the sport went heading into the new millennium? Better yet, a victor by one or all of us could have opened some doors that were gradually closing as Dorian and Ronnie ran off with 14 yrs worth of Sandow Trophies between them.
Speaking of what might have been or could have happened or should have happened, all 5 of us are now retired, in the Hall of Fame and in our 40’s. In our own way “Paying it Forward” for those would be bodybuilders to glean knowledge and wisdom we are able to share with them on their personal journeys. The pain of “Not having” as Sandow Trophy on our mantles is bearable and livable but the thoughts of “What might have been”creep into all of our minds as we watch and witness the passing of Mr. Olympia Contests year after year wondering where our sport is heading and has it really changed?Like all things, they change and we move on but it’s always nice to reflect and remember where we came from hoping to gain some insight to where we are heading. After this year’s Mr. Olympia I still have no idea since after 45 years there are still only 12 Mr. Olympia Champions when I know of at least 3 names that should have been added to that list!The passage of time heals the wounds but that doesn’t mean the pain goes away when we look at the Scars.
Episode #36 Guests:Dennis Wolf, Stryker Salman, AD Cherry & Keith Thomas
Monday, October 25th at 4pm PST / 7pm EST the "Big Bad Wolf," Dennis Wolf calls in from Germany to bring us up to speed on his next competition plans! He will answer what went wrong in Las Vegas, as well as what he will do to correct it!
IFBB Pro, AD Cherry will hit the stage at the new IFBB Pro Men's Contest in Sacramento, Ca on November 7th after winning the NPC National Title a few years ago. AD plans to get qualified for the Mr. Olympia next year by making a big impact here at this show!
Contest Promoter, Stryker Salman will chime in to announce his new IFBB Pro Contest Promotion in Phoenix, Arizona this coming February in 2010 that will include All disciplines of Pro Competition!
EST Nutrition Owner, Keith Thomas will speak about his Supplement Company and his support of the upcoming Muscle Camp in New Jersey at Diamond Gym on December 12th!
All this and more Muscle News & Information on MD Radio Weekly at 4pm PST /7pm EST
The stark contrast of pursuing it all, having it all and ending up with nothing. How quickly it can happen and how far away you can stray. From a Dream to Reality both scenarios have happened and are possible. The “Balancing Act” is what needs to be remembered.
And so it began…………..
In our late Teens, on the verge of exiting High School for the real world, no longer participating in “Team Sports” we find ourselves on the door steps of a local Gym with hopes of staying in shape for the summer parties of endless drinking and flirtatious encounters with the ladies! In a few months we begin to hear unsolicited compliments about progress being made in the gym, things like, “You been working out? When did you become a Man and get all Swollen like that? Oh wait, you’re trying to be the next Arnold? You taking Steroids cause last year you didn’t look like this? Uh oh, here comes Rambo!” Endless comments of validation that what we did after joining the gym had been paying off making the gym payments worthwhile. Somewhere along the way, someone suggests, “Maybe you should compete, you have the right body for it?” We politely tell them, “I’m a long way from ever stepping on a stage or shaving my body to put Oil on it like those monsters!” Oddly enough, we find ourselves at home later that day, fresh out of the shower, water still shimmering off our body, hitting some Muscle shots in the mirror while no one is looking. Funny thing is this is where we actually notice what all the fuss is about and begin to believe, “Hey, maybe I could do this or maybe I should try it?” 19 years old, feeling stronger than ever and not wanting to feel like a kid, we venture into a “Mans World” by joining the federation (NPC) and suddenly we belong to something bigger than ourselves. You notice you just stepped in the Fraternity that is Lee Haney, Mike Christian, Richie Gaspari, Kevin Levrone, Jay Cutler, Flex Wheeler and the like, pretty awesome company. We think to ourselves, “What if…? What if I were to just go for it and wind up like them?” Hell, you have to start somewhere right? Maybe up my calorie intake, put some more weight on the bar, get with a serious training partner and just go for it! Train twice a day and go talk to the guys at GNC to see what supplements I should take? It is here that Legends are Born! Once the Mind commits to following the Heart’s desire and the Soul burns with anxiety of the next Pump, Workout and Challenge, you have set your feet on the same course as the National Champions, Mr. USA Winners and Mr. Olympia Champions before you! Failure is not an option because at this point there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. Winning is the goal but only “Progress” is attainable at first with everything else to fall in line. The biggest obsticle is “Patience” at this age that we struggle with.
No money, little time and a lot of self doubt.
How will I look in a pair of tight fitting Posing trunks in front of a huge crowd of people staring at me? I’m going to actually have to shave my Legs? I have to Pose to Music, hell I can’t even Dance! I spent all summer packing on size, now I have to lose it all for a contest? Like I really want 12 people telling me how good I am or if I’m not good enough! Well, this is where the “Rubber meets the Road” as far as Dreamers and Winners are concerned. This is where you “Shit or get off the Pot” so to speak! While anyone can lift weights and be big not everyone can get big, lose the fat and get shredded like an anatomy chart to become recognized as one of the best in the world. So you have to make a decision, one that may change the course of your life, change who you thought you were and have people treat you differently based on appearance and not character. Should you take the challenge; will you be prepared for what’s to come? Some of us give it all up for a chance to be “Somebody” but whom? The Marvel Comic Book Character/ Super Hero, the next Arnold or Rambo? Maybe Mr. California or Mr. America, even then will it fill my desires and make my cup runnith over? Where will my happiness be if I should accomplish my Goal or worse yet, where will I be if I can’t? These are complex realities of every would be bodybuilder with a Dream but the select few will realize the Dream for others to pursue with caution. In Bodybuilding as in Life, there are Pit Falls and Pot holes, you can’t always take the “Good with the bad” for sometimes there’s no coming back from the depths of the dark corners of our sport yet staying true to what drives you and motivates you becomes harder and harder when success comes rolling in from your hard earned rewards too! There is always someone standing there wishing you well while on the other side, there are 2 people hoping you fail or standing in line to replace you when you slip up! The Dream: Winning in succession with relative ease then traveling the world as a Star making money and kissing babies and building a career as one of the best! Cover Shots, Guest Posing and Interviews making you a household name in our industry with Sponsorships helping finance the Dream! The Nightmare: Struggling to stay in the game because you have no support group, no money, no identity and little success or publicity. Solid meals are replaced with snacks and fast food while training takes a back seat to trying to make ends meet yet you still compete in reverse doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Two different circumstances with vastly different outcomes that both started with a likeminded Dream.
The Dream has a Brick Wall of “Positive” reinforcement of continuing to keep the dream alive with good workout partners, supportive friends and understanding family members. The questionable start has been replaced with love and support which in turn becomes Victories and Success. A constant reminder of not being alone in this world to figure it all out on our own, as well as a guiding parameter of balance meaning there is more to life than eating sleeping and training. Celebration of Friendships, Birthdays, Holiday’s and Family time are a delicate balancing act of not losing one’s self to themselves in a selfish game of “ME, ME & More ME!” Act II of the Nightmare, takes one on a slow path of self destruction first falling short of the “Expectation” early on and then giving into the temptation theory of “more is better,” faster, harder, bigger and now with a sense of “Pace” that will lead to the Crash and Burn effect sooner rather than later. One day waking up in the car in front of the gym parking lot, wondering how you got evicted from the Apartment, kicked out of mom and dad’s home and behind on Gym Membership payments, Suddenly, the call to “Sling some Drugs” for fast cash or a fire sale of all worldly possessions is nipping at your urge to stay in the game. The phone is ringing from friends you’ve borrowed money from and they want it back yet you fail to answer or acknowledge them with a call back. A puff off a Joint is offered by the local gym rat coupled with a few Beers and some pain killers sounds good about now and you rationalize their effects on your training the next day by not over indulging the first time but soon it becomes a regular meeting of broken spirits and lost souls. The Dream faded when the car got repossessed and your girlfriend split with your training partner months ago. Posing in the mirror from time to time is but a faded memory not to mention the thought of competing again so this is where the bright idea of moving to Las Vegas to get work and live cheap pops into your head. Foolishly, you convince your buddy to venture into Sin City to see what opportunities are there under the guise of great gyms, affordable living and cheap food, not to mention 3 Time Mr. Olympia trains out there! It’s been a few years since you actually competed and even longer since you attempted to get in shape. You’re smoking now and bouncing at Gentlemen’s Club making cash money that doesn’t last long because you’re popping Pain Killers from that bad rotator cuff and ACL injury you never fixed from back in the day. Oddly enough, your still well versed on who’s on top in the sport and talking shit about those who are not without ever considering your lost dream of yesterdays gone by. The Boulevard of Broken Dreams is what you call the sport, as you’ve been consumed by the idea that Politics and Jealousy is what terminated your career because you had the smallest waist and biggest arms but the magazines wouldn’t promote you for fear you would Rule the World and Weider would have to pay you the big bucks! Instead, you left on your own terms and created a better life that you could control in spite of your AA Meetings, DUI Appointments and Pain Killer addiction. While life can be full of twists and turns, not everyone winds up down and out but without a “Constructive” plan of how you are going to get from Point A to Z, your Dream can become your Nightmare if not properly thought out with the right support group and vision for what’s best for you. The Champ is here! From Local Bodybuilder to Mr. America and ultimately Mr. Olympia the road for sure is Long and winding with ups and downs. A big “Target” on his back with Bows and Arrows pointed at his every move, with the enemy shaking his hand and patting him on the back daily, he must struggle to stay ahead of the competition. The weight of the title is burdensome, the responsibility of representing the sport overwhelming. Who’s whom, what’s what?
Moving through a sea of flesh, flash bulbs in his face and hands groping at his body, Mr. Olympia has it no less harder than those who have tried and failed. The duty to show up in shape, be cheerful to strangers and answer every question with an emotion the fans can relate to drains the champ daily. Life in a Fishbowl has now become his reality and people are eager to see him screw up in the face of his hard earned success. To say one position is harder to live up to is to say, “Walk a Mile in my shoes” however hard that maybe for either scenario, the Boulevard of Broken Dreams can shape you or remind you of what path you’re on or should chose to stay away from.
There will be sleepless nights for sure whether successful or not, what you do with them is up to you and therein lies the difference between the World’s Best and the Consumate Dreamer.
1) You have won the NY Pro twice and finshed 1st Runner-up to Kai Greene 08 in the "Open Class". You just beat the man who beat you at the 202 Olympia Showdown of a year ago, only 2 weeks ago in Las Vegas. Has it all set in, what you have been accomplishing the last couple of years after you took a brief lay off from the sport? A) This entire experience has been surreal. When I had doubts of my capabilities, others had faith in what I could accomplish. Because of their belief factor, this was the initial driving force that gave me the strength and Mental Focus to want to push myself beyond all limits. No longer was my goal to place well, but rather to win all the competitions I entered. These past three weeks I have been on an emotional rollercoaster, to actually accomplish what an icon in the sport said I could do ten years ago.
2) Everyone has a Driving Motivation to continue in this sport what's yours and why?
A) My driving force is knowing that I only have a good seven years left to make a huge impact in this sport. I want to set a legacy of being one of the best smaller framed bodybuilders of all time! I want to inspire others to have faith in their abilities and to remember that they can accomplish their dreams. Just because something can’t be seen, that doesn’t mean it can’t be obtained. With a strong desire, your mind will find a way to reach your goals. 3) Where you ever discouraged as a Bodybuilder and how so?
A) Yes, I was discouraged at one point in my life. I had a dominate amateur career, earning my IFBB Pro Card after only four competitions. I had a rude awaking once I began competing on the Pro Circuit. I realized how big the other competitors were and tried to force the size on too quickly not realizing that I just needed time for my body to mature. Looking back, the time off helped mature me in body building and in life itself. This has elevated me to Champ that I am today!
4) At present you are sponsored by 3 companies as a Pro Bodybuilder, your the Best 202 pound Bodybuilder on the Planet! Is it everything you dreampt it would be?
A) Even though I am ecstatic about the win I have bigger goals that I want to accomplish. I would like to win the 202 title for the next several years to come and to pick up as many sponsors as possible in and out of bodybuilding. I would like to use what I have accomplished from here on to give back to those who are less fortunate and don’t have the resources to get a better understanding of the nutritional and fitness benefits of bodybuilding.
5) Your "Fantasy" Mr. Olympia Call Out includes anyone you want, who would you be onstage with in the 1st Call Out of the Mr. Olympia and why them? A) 1-Kevin English 2-Mohammed Benaziza 3-Lee Priest 4-Franco Columbo 5-Shawn Ray 6-Lee Labrada
These five additional bodybuilders represent some of the greatest, smaller-framed pros, in the history of the sport! All the physique's vary in aesthetics, symmetry, and muscle density. I think it wouldbe interesting to see how the physiques would compare to one-another on stage.
Episode #34 Guests: John Tuman,Skip LaCour, Mark Alvisi
Team MD is proud to welcome NPC/IFBB Judge & Contest promoter, John Tuman to the show as he details the IFBB Sacramento Pro 2009 with the addition of a Men's Open Pro event added to this years schedule to be held on November 7th in Sacramento, Ca.
2009 NPC Mr. USA and new IFBB Pro, Mark Alvisi drops in to give a shout out to his fans and comment on his latest plans for his Pro Debut in 2010 and his new Cover Shot for MD Magazine!
Natural Bodybuilder & Motivational Speaker, Skip LaCour will call into the show to talk about his "Life & Times as a Natural Bodybuilder" and shed some light on what he's been up to since becoming a Motivational Speaker, Author and Peak Performance Coach!
For all your Muscle News & Information, tune in Monday, October 12th @ 4pm PST / 7pm EST
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