35 days to the Arnold!

Not long now. Only one month away. The Arnold Classic. My favorite event of the year. Training has been going really well. Trying to maintain my muscle, and keep some shape this year. I can get lean but it tends to be really lean, no shape. I wanted to post pictures, but just have not had time to get some done. Maybe next update. Weight – in the 125lbs range. I usually compete around 120lbs so I am pretty much on schedule.

Dieting is going easier than I expected. The first 2 weeks are always tough, but then you get into the groove. Knowing that the show is a few short weeks away keeps me on my toes. The 3 to 6 week mark out from the show is when the most damage can be done, and when you need to work your hardest. During this time I will have to finish my routine, commit it to memory, find or design and make a costume, and get all my ducks in a row for the day of the event. There is no shortage of things to prepare. I am ready and up for the challenge.

Also for the Arnold Classic weekend you can visit me at the Bodybuilding.com booth on Saturday and Sunday. Come early as it is always the longest line up of any booth. There will be many faces stopping by during the weekend. Details to come!

Los Angeles Fit Expo

(Crystal from Bodybuilding.com)

I just returned from a weekend out in LA with Bodybuilding.com. It is always fun to see everyone without having to prepare for a show. And my luggage was a lot lighter too. (except on the way home). The event was a 2 day event. Usually it is held in conjunction with the Ironman Pro bodybuilding show, but this year they did not hold that event. Instead there was the 2nd annual 2010 Bodybuilding.com Bodyspace Spokesmodel contest. I was lucky enough to be there to see the next 2 bodyspace members (a male and female) become the Spokesmodel for 2010.

It was Ben Brooker, and Jaquelyn Kay, the new 2010 Bodyspace Spokesmodels. (pictured)
You can see more on the contest, and the other contestants on Bodybuilding.com.

The show began in the mid-afternoon and I got to do something that I have always wanted to do – host! I was a co-host with Bob Cicherillo for the event, and was able to ask questions of the competitors to highlight their talents, and motivations. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to see what it is like on the other side of the stage. Not easy to have questions ready to go when in front of that many people. It is something that I would like to do more in the near future.

(Alexandra, Mindy, Danny, & Erin)

The rest of the weekend was filled with hanging out with friends, handing out various products at the Bodybuilding.com booth, seeing other booths, taking some pictures, meeting fans, and having a good time. I always look forward to these events as working does not feel like working.

Maybe life is telling me something and I should be paying attention? 😉

At the Ironman Magazine booth they had my cover with the face cut out so people could put their face instead of mine. I thought it would be funny to put my face where Sean Harley’s face was. He did the same thing on his cut out. Very funny.

(Silvio Samual, 2009 Ironman Pro Bodybuilding Champion)

Up next for me is a Mike Davies Camp in Columbus Ohio. I went back in July and well had my butt kicked and loved every minute of it. I was very quiet when I was there, but that was probably due to being so tired. I could not walk for a week afterwards. This time I am preparing for the body bashing and am training for it. These camps and weekends away do amazing things for my motivation. Traveling once a month seems to put everything into perspective for me.

I have a few things in the works but for now I will keep mum, and let life take me in the right direction.

“Man is only truly great when he acts from his passions.” Benjamin Disreali

A.