Show decision help...whats next?

[nuknuk]

Well here I am at a cross road. Now what? Compete or not to compete. The reason I say not to do anymore shows makes sense really. First off I'm 32. If I was 22 I would never even question it. Second, it is pricey and the shows that I will do from here on out, I will have to travel. I still feel young and health is good though, and I enjoy being on stage. But in the end its a lot of time, money, and hard work for nothing at all. No prize money in return. Makes more sense to put a lot of time, money and hard work in my life, woman, home, job, and bank account.

Ok Show ideas.

Nationals 2012 in Atlanta GA, November.?
Jr. USA again next year?
Jr. Nationals next year?
Both Jr. Shows next year?
Jr. Nationals nest year(June) and then Nationals (Nov.)?

Or do I wait till 2014 so I can be a big SHW?, I mean really push my body to the limit and step on stage at 250+lbs in 2014.?

Would love to do Jr. Nationals this year, But financially I can't make it happen.

 

[mb97]

Did you get any critiques from the judges or anyone important?

 

[Rep]

Bro, you said that the off-season is much cheaper. If I may be brutally honest, go full blown off season for 12-18months and bring-up those wheels. If your legs matched your upper body,... you would be hard to beat. Again, I have never stepped on-stage but I have followed bodybuilding since I was a teenager and after all these years, I think I know what makes a great physique "on-stage".. You GOTTA have wheels. Back in the older days, they would let that pass but now its a must. Just my 2 cents bro.

 

[Buffalo]

I don't think there is anything wrong with taking time to recover and really be where you want your body to be. Most importantly though is to give your life a rest but I guess you only know how much stress effects it.

Personally I would take the time off and do local shows and get big.

 

[nuknuk]

Did you get any critiques from the judges or anyone important?

"never get critiques from judges" Branch Warren told me that to my face, and it makes sense it you think about it. I know what I need to do.

 

[nuknuk]

Thanks for the input Rep and Buffalo.

 

[Presser]

First off 32 isnt old in bodybuilding years! Your muscles are denser then those young bucks! As for taking time off thats your call big guy. If you think you need to take time off to find that HUNGER to compete again then I would surely take the time off! I agree with the above post about taking the year to bring your wheels up a little, they came such a long way in what essentialy was a short period of time if you ask me, so im sure they can come up some more quite fast if you blast them. But I dont think your unproportioned to the extent of losing points as i think your legs were on par with the guy who beat ya!

As for the costs! MuscleChemistry can double your Sponsorship if you decide to do the show in November as i know its not alot of time from now to put together the money needed to compete again. So the offer is there big guy! And I think you represented yourself and MuscleChemistry very well! So Congrats & Thank you!

 

[The Dude]

Being brutally honest I agree with what has already posted. What really matters is what you want. You're never going to recoup the costs, but what do YOU want to accomplish. I would love to have taken second in a show of that caliber and I would be down. Honestly I think you have alot on the table still. You can be bigger, harder, leaner, more proportionate, and much better color... Personally I think if you walk away now you will regret it. I would take 18 months off and put some size on your legs and balance your physique. I would stay tighter in the offseason. I would also hire a big league trainer. Lastly i would do 1 show. It's your money though. This is what I would do with your potential. In the end it may benefit you in your career as well.

 

[nuknuk]

First off 32 isnt old in bodybuilding years! Your muscles are denser then those young bucks! As for taking time off thats your call big guy. If you think you need to take time off to find that HUNGER to compete again then I would surely take the time off! I agree with the above post about taking the year to bring your wheels up a little, they came such a long way in what essentialy was a short period of time if you ask me, so im sure they can come up some more quite fast if you blast them. But I dont think your unproportioned to the extent of losing points as i think your legs were on par with the guy who beat ya!

As for the costs! MuscleChemistry can double your Sponsorship if you decide to do the show in November as i know its not alot of time from now to put together the money needed to compete again. So the offer is there big guy! And I think you represented yourself and MuscleChemistry very well! So Congrats & Thank you!

Presser you are a true blessing! and thank you for your input as well. I plan on going to the gym today and blasting legs. I want to take advantage of this rebound. Love training the week after a show, think thats when the pumps are the best!

 

[nuknuk]

Being brutally honest I agree with what has already posted. What really matters is what you want. You're never going to recoup the costs, but what do YOU want to accomplish. I would love to have taken second in a show of that caliber and I would be down. Honestly I think you have alot on the table still. You can be bigger, harder, leaner, more proportionate, and much better color... Personally I think if you walk away now you will regret it. I would take 18 months off and put some size on your legs and balance your physique. I would stay tighter in the offseason. I would also hire a big league trainer. Lastly i would do 1 show. It's your money though. This is what I would do with your potential. In the end it may benefit you in your career as well.

I agree with this.

Also Dan Newmire, who won the overall at the Jr. USA's, and I had a good talk at the night show and after the show was over. He and I use the same prep guy, so we have gotten to know each other pretty good. First off, he even said himself that I should have won, and wasnt just saying that cause he knows me. He said I looked awesome and that the pics he saw online didnt do me justice to when u see me in person. He begged me not to give up and said I have a lot of growing room left. He thought I should do Nationals in Nov., because he thinks I could easily make the top 5 in the HW class, and thinks that would be a good bounce for me in the BB industry and get some eyes on me. It meant a lot coming from him and knowing that he just wasnt blowing smoke up my ass. And yes he said my wheels need to come up and I need to be a 250+ lb SHW, but its all with time.

 

[The Dude]

I don't think you're legs are bad at all, it's just that your upper body is so huge that it gives the appearance onstage that they are smaller. You have the illusion working against you at this point. From what I've seen this past year with the progress of your legs I don't think it will be too much of an issue. I definately wouldn't walk away if I were you and I sure as hell wouldn't look at this as a failure. If I were you this would validate any questions you may have had as to your potential.

 

[mb97]

If your goal is to be a pro then I would definitely take at least year off and add some more size. I think doing a show anytime in the near future would be waste of time for you, UNLESS you think you have a good chance of turning pro this year. Goodly k with whatever u decide and congrats on a great showing!

 

[classic-physique]

I think you looked great bro and have nothing to be down about at all. Your so close it isnt even funny so why stop now?? Its alot harder for a guy your height to come in with that full propotion look. Dennis wolf has been dealing with that issue for years and hes a top level pro.

 

[Chris250]

You had a great year. 2nd at JR.USA is awesome, and its a move in the right direction. I say take the rest of this year off, continue to grow, and be a super next year. I think if you bring in the condition you have this year, and be around 235lbs to 240bls (which wont be a prob for ya) you will be a force next year in ANY SHOW !!!!

 

[Chris250]

oh and your upper body is a super now...its just the legs need more fullness...

 

[Jenn]

I do not think you should give up. I think you take 2 years off and grow, really hit your legs hard and stay much leaner in the offseason. You have tons of potential and I know how much of a let down it is to not place like you wanted. I would also hire a new trainer. I would look into hiring George Farah or Chris Aceto. I also would not just hire them for contest prep but for the whole offseason process as well.

 

[mkdk]

WHy not do both, focus on your bodybuilding career and some business or other career pursuit, nothing says you can not do both. Ive learned you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

 

[nuknuk]

thank you for all of the honest response's. I have a lot to sit down and talk and think about with my girl, who is my backbone through all this. With out her I could do none of this. She is my love, support, chef, and nurse lol.

 

[nuknuk]

I do not think you should give up. I think you take 2 years off and grow, really hit your legs hard and stay much leaner in the offseason. You have tons of potential and I know how much of a let down it is to not place like you wanted. I would also hire a new trainer. I would look into hiring George Farah or Chris Aceto. I also would not just hire them for contest prep but for the whole offseason process as well.

an off season trainer sounds like a great idea. So you are saying not to compete until 2014?

 

[Buffalo]

thank you for all of the honest response's. I have a lot to sit down and talk and think about with my girl, who is my backbone through all this. With out her I could do none of this. She is my love, support, chef, and nurse lol.

I think you will find your answer there. Nothing is worth anything if you do not have the support and someone to share it with.