To Be… Or Not

To Be… Or Not

The #1 selling training pak in the world for seventeen years straight. Since 1984, more pro bodybuilders have cut their teeth on the Animal Pak than any other bodybuilding supplement in history. See why over 90% of all pro bodybuilders and Olympic power athletes have used a multivitamin like the Animal Pak.

Yeah, it's me again, always here to better you all in this sport of bodybuilding (I got to take up hobby). Always trying to make you aware of the endless potential that you quite possibly might have, but do you really have what it takes? Do you really own all the qualities to become a true champion? To become a legend? Anybody can step on stage, but it takes certain attributes to become the best.

Let's start with the obvious, genetics. But you say, "If I train hard enough, won't that make up for the lack of genetics?" If you are as flat as board, have a wide waist, and are built like a swimmer, then this is not your sport. Try ping pong. Genetics play the largest role in this sport. I bet right now you're looking the mirror analyzing every body part, every striation, wondering if you have what it takes. Are you big enough, do you have that V-taper that everybody wants, do you look like a bodybuilder? If you don't, it ain't my fault…

The second biggest attribute is the drive and passion to make potential a reality. Once you know that you have some sort of genetics on your side, it is the drive that keeps you from giving up. When people see you in the gym 5 times a week, doing cardio for an hour (sometimes two hours) and lifting hard, training like a ANIMAL, they are saying to themselves, "This guy is messed up. How does someone enjoy so much punishment to their own body?" You just do and you keep doing it because you want to do it.

Look, bodybuilding is not a hobby; it is a job that you are addicted to. Not worrying about what people think and doing what makes you content and satisfies your hunger to succeed is what drives us inside and completes the second step to becoming a champion. Forget those people. It is jealousy and envy that they have because they are not you and they want to be like you because of your dedication and focus. Take it as a compliment and keep your focus. The best is when you're eating and they look at you and say something stupid like, "Ooh, you eat that hamburger?" Hey pal, have you looked in the mirror lately? You have the balls to say that to me with that physique you're sporting?

Self discipline is an attribute that seems to be an issue with aspiring bodybuilders. Who the hell wants to eat dry chicken breast, all natural peanut butter, oatmeal, egg whites, and tuna for 12-16 weeks straight?!? You do… Why? Because you will not cheat yourself and you have the drive to win… All those nights when you are going to bed at 9:00, while your friends are getting hammered and having a good time with your girlfriend and her friends (if she does not support you then get rid of her-she's just another bump in the road)… Waking up at 2:00 in the morning to have a protein shake that tastes like liquid shit. You do it because you think it is all worth it.

Yes, you are crazy for wanting to do this. Most normal people don't train, eat, and look like you do, but that is what separates you from the rest--the guy who folds when the pressure becomes intensified, especially with only a month before a show; he feels he looks good enough and think that one cheat meal, or missing a day of cardio, or taking the day off from training will not hurt him. Then the day of the show, he doesn't peak the way he wants to or he's holding water in hislower back. It is his own fault. He screwed up and then tried to find excuses. No excuses. He failed because he cheated himself and everyone who came to see him win and spent money to watch his ass on stage. He got humiliated. Don't do that to yourself and don't do that to the few people that believe in what you're doing.

Everyone likes a self confident champion not a self absorbed one. Arrogance will get you nowhere in this sport. Just small whispers under the breath of everybody when you pass them: Dick, asshole, jerk (plus many more). Allow me to explain what self confidence truly means. When training for a show, I always picture myself on stage accepting the overall trophy; I imagine myself posing in front of thousands of people who are there only to see me. The crowd is cheering; the people are amazed by how I look. I am going on stage to look as best as I possibly can to achieve all this and be the best for one day.

To Be ...Or Not It is such a wonderful feeling to know that I beat everyone. However, I never said that I walk around afterwards saying I am the best. I am humble and thankful for what I have accomplished and I give thanks to the people who supported me. That is what separates high self esteem from arrogance. I have the mindset to accomplish everything I imagine and so should you. With self confidence, you have an aura that makes you feel that you can achieve anything. But you remember who you are and what helped you become the person you are along the way. This is one of the better signs of a true champion.

Train like a Animal. No, I didn't forget this one. I figured that you already knew this but maybe you guys like to hear me talk. Tip of the week: You won't win if you don't train like a winner. You have to train like there is no tomorrow because for some of you, there won't be one if you get booed off stage. When you are tired, train harder. When you are weak, push yourself. Don't take anything for granted and don't you dare train like a pussy. You want to be the best; you train to the max… Balls to the wall… This is all out war. Or, perhaps you prefer to take second? Remember, second is the first loser. Think about that… Does that scare you? Good. So train harder.

To Be ... Or Not A champion will never become a champion without the willingness to learn and absorb constructive criticism. Recognizing your weaknesses and improving upon them is a major part of this sport. Nobody is perfect… Even the 8 Mr. Olympians that we have had in the past 30 years were not perfect at one point. They, just like you, made mistakes and learned by them. They too, at one point over trained, over dieted, and didn't do enough cardio. We all know the common mistakes that we are guilty of at least once in our careers.

You may be young, brash, and think you know all there is to know about this subculture. If that is the case, why are you reading this article? Take criticism for what it is worth and learn and improve from it. Don't let it depress you that your shoulders aren't round enough or your back isn't wide enough, or that your upper chest is shallow. It's OK. Weaknesses can be corrected. But they won't even be brought to your attention if you do not listen to someone who is more knowledgeable than you and who only want to see you succeed. If you are fortunate enough to have someone like that, absorb all the information that you can (but always remember to consider the source). This will put you one step closer to making you a winner.

So there you have it, the reader's digest version of what it takes to become champion. Unless you possess these qualities, you'll never be a true champion. The bottom line is whether or not you have what it takes. Well… do ya?

For more information about the nutritional supplement: Animal Pak

The Critical Bench Program
This bench press program is a power program designed to help you increase your one rep max by an average of fifty pounds during the ten week training cycle. It is different from other programs because you are provided with the actual weights you will be using on bench day and given a full body lifting split to follow. Over 3500 powerlifters, weekend warriors, and athletes have had success with our system.