Tag: GI News
Berry De Mey Reveals The Industry Change That Brought Him Back To Bodybuilding
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After retiring from competing, Berry De Mey completely removed himself from the world of bodybuilding… until a big change brought him back.
These days, Berry De Mey is most notable as a coach and bodybuilding commentator/influencer compared to his prime competitive days. But his journey from competitive bodybuilder to coach is more complicated than most may know. In fact, De Mey had a period of his life where he left the bodybuilding world behind completely in favor of photography. What brought him back into the coach we know today? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Berry De Mey details the key change in the bodybuilding industry that brought him back to the sport.
Berry De Mey’s journey through bodybuilding is more complicated than most know. Though today he stands tall as a successful coach, online bodybuilding commentator, and IFBB Pro Hall of Famer – his journey contained many ups and downs. After some time competing in the IFBB Pro league, De Mey left in favor of Vince McMahon’s ill-fated WBF league. That failed after a very short tenure. Luckily, De Mey was allowed back into the IFBB Pro league once WBF ended.
Berry De Mey then competed for a few more years before retiring from the sport. Upon retiring, De Mey did something atypical for most elite competitors – he left the world of bodybuilding completely. He enrolled into a college to focus on photography – and believed that this would be his new life path.
As we know today, he eventually returned to the world of bodybuilding and made a name for himself as a coach. What happened? After studying photography, Berry De Mey went to the FIBO expo in Europe. This was a fitness expo that was quickly growing into one of the largest in the world. De Mey noticed a very encouraging change in the bodybuilding industry at that expo. Based on its size and the kind of folks who were expressing interest, it became clear that bodybuilding had hit mainstream culture.
Berry De Mey realized that bodybuilding mentality entered the more general fitness world. And fitness as a whole became more popular globally. For De Mey, this was a key indication that he could make a true living in bodybuilding – but in a more healthy way than pro competing. He could start his own coaching business that not only caters to competitors but also “average folk” looking to become more fit and healthy.
This all circles back around to Berry De Mey’s more recent comments on pro bodybuilding as a whole. He believes that the competitive side has become too dangerous with increasingly bigger and stronger doses of PEDs being used. But as natural bodybuilding leagues and the wider general fitness community shows us – there is a way to achieve incredible sculpted physiques without endangering your health to that degree.
De Mey has spoken out about the many too-soon deaths that hit our sport over the past year and a half. He’s spoken out about his worry of how the most massive physiques are being rewarded – such as Big Ramy and Nick Walker. These comments all tie into why he got back into bodybuilding and coaching in the first place. He believes a bodybuilding lifestyle can be healthy and enjoyed by all.
You can watch Berry De Mey’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Luke Richardson Re-Injured Left Bicep In Recent Training Session
Luke Richardson ruptured the same bicep while lifting Atlas stones.
Luke Richardson has been training for what could have been a big year in 2022. He was ready to compete during the 2022 Europe’s Strongest Man competition but re-injured his left bicep during a training session lifting Atlas stones.
Richardson shared the video on his Instagram page. The first lift was accomplished easily before Richardson injured his arm on the second. You can hear the snap of his bicep when the injury occurred. Richardson knew right away and dropped the stone before going off camera.
“On Friday I re-ruptured my bicep. I don’t often feel sorry for myself, I just accept things and get on with it. But after allowing it plenty of time to recover and to be rehabbed properly it’s a bitter pill to swallow. ⠀⠀To those who have supported me and genuinely wanted to see me do well irrespective of how relevant I’ve been at any given time, I sincerely thank you. I’ll be back, one way or another.”
Luke Richardson won the 2020 Europe’s Strongest Man competition. He has a bright future at just 24 years old but this injury will set him back a bit. Richardson was forced to withdraw from the World’s Strongest Man event last year due to the same injury.
A GoFundMe page was setup to pay for Richardson’s surgery by fellow strongman Graham Hicks. This surgery would cost $6,700 if he wanted to see a top doctor. It did not take long to raise this money as the page collected $8,700 in the first night. Any extra money will go toward rehab and therapy following Richardson’s surgery. He will not visit a doctor who has worked on both Hicks and Adam Bishop.
This is a long recovery for Luke Richardson, who unfortunately knows about rehabbing from this type of injury. Richardson returned to Instagram to thank those who have been part of this process. While it has not been an easy road, Richardson is a promising strongman who can have a long, successful career when healthy.
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Oleksii Novikov Is Raising Money To Help Ukrainian Soldiers Fighting Against Russia
Oleksii Novikov is using the money to go toward food, medical supplies, and equipment.
Oleksii Novikov is making sure to provide help to his country of Ukraine as it continues to fight against Russian attacks. The former World’s Strongest Man winner used his social media as a platform to request help from others in the form of financial donations.
Novikov currently has 133k followers Instagram. This is where he posted a video asking for help to provide Ukrainian soldiers with food, water, medical supplies, and equipment during this time. He added a screenshot of a bank account with instructions on how to send money and explaining where it would be going.
“Sending cryptocurrency is as easy as choosing the amount to send and deciding where it goes. One way to send bitcoin, then, is to simply copy the recipient’s address to your clipboard, then paste it in the send field.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the invasion of Ukraine last week. That same day, Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelensky declared the area in a state of emergency. Putin claimed the next day that the decision was a preventive measure against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s expansion into Eastern Europe. However, Ukraine is not part of the NATO.
This is being considered the most significant attack against a sovereign nation in Europe since World War II. Now, many are beginning to help soldiers and this includes Novikov, who is preparing to get back on stage and compete.
Oleksii Novikov is scheduled to appear at the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic on March 4-5 in Columbus, OH. This event will feature some of the top strongmen in the world and Novikov will be one of the big names present. He is one of three World’s Strongest Man winners that will compete, along with Tom Stoltman and Martins Licis. Mateusz Kieliszkowski will also be present in Columbus as a two-time WSM runner-up. Licis began his training for the event back in December and will look to put on quite a show.
Oleksii Novikov continues to be an elite strongman and he is using his platform to help his country of Ukraine. This is good work from the strongman as the battle against Russia continues. Ukrainian soldiers will hopefully have the necessary assets needed moving forward.
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Jim Stoppani: Protein Sources & Intermittent Fasting, Explained
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Jim Stoppani breaks down the pros and cons of different protein sources and evaluates intermittent fasting.
Not all protein is created equal. If you are a bodybuilder or athlete, you are most likely aware of the different protein supplement formulas that exist on the market. The key three being whey protein, casein protein, and beef protein. We turned to Jim Stoppani, an exercise physiologist to break down just when is the right time use each kind of protein. He also discusses how intermittent fasting works – and when it should be used. In our latest GI Exclusive, Jim Stoppani explains the pros and cons of each protein source and if the growing fad of intermittent fasting is legit.
In 2022, there are more supplement companies than ever before. What was once a niche market has exploded alongside the health boom. There are now thousands upon thousands of brands, product types, and formulas. How does someone know what to choose? This week, as we speak with Jim Stoppani, we focus primarily on protein powder. What is the right protein powder to take when looking to build muscle?
Whey Protein Powder vs Casein Protein Powder
Whey protein powder is surely the most popular protein supplement on the market today. But that doesn’t mean it should be your single choice of protein supplement. Jim Stoppani breaks down the difference between whey and casein protein – and how both can benefit you.
As Jim Stoppani explains it, casein protein powder use to get a bad wrap. This was because it breaks down in your body slower. Due to this, many would turn to whey protein powder instead. It gets into your blood faster – thus helps you build muscle faster for your workouts.
But as time and studies have grown – it has become clear that casein protein has its benefits for those looking to build muscle. Nothing has changed about the two protein sources per se. Instead, we have a better understanding of the human body and how it uses protein.
Jim Stoppani explains that the fast acting whey protein is both a blessing and a curse. It is generally accepted that whey protein leaves your blood stream within two hours. This is good in the short term. But modern science has also recommended that casein protein is a great addition to your supplementation as well.
Jim Stoppani breaks down how casein protein is like an onion. It has layers that take longer to break down into your body. This is good in the long term as your body recovers to build back muscle. This is why it’s best to have either a protein powder blend formula or to take your own combination of both whey and casein protein powder. In tandem, you get the best of both worlds for optimal results.
What about beef protein supplements?
Jim Stoppani also takes a look at beef protein powders. The first fact he wants to make clear – beef protein powder is not ground up meat. In fact, it’s collagen – beef cartilage. Why does this matter? Unlike whey or casein protein – beef protein does not provide an anabolic benefit for the body.
Does this mean you shouldn’t take beef protein? It’s certainly less in vogue than it once was. But of course, all protein sources still provide the core element of protein your body needs. Particularly when you are resting and sleeping for recovery. That being said, those who are looking to make real muscular gains on the level of a bodybuilder should likely turn towards the other options.
Intermittent fasting and bodybuilding
Jim Stoppani also touches upon intermittent fasting. This diet trend, which is defined by having short term periods of fasting, has become extremely popular over the past decade. But is it simply a long term fad? Or does it have real benefits for both health and weight loss?
Stoppani explains that intermittent fasting is essentially something we do naturally every day. When we sleep, we forego eating for at least six to eight hours. That’s fasting. But there are some great health benefits to be had if we extend that time period a bit longer.
Jim Stoppani details how we can simply add 2 hours to the front and back of our sleep schedule to ensure somewhere between 10 and 12 hours of not eating. This is a great tool for weight loss. However, Stoppani would not recommend such a diet to an active bodybuilder. This kind of fasting goes directly against the goal of building muscle. It puts you in such a deficit that muscle loss is inevitable. Essentially, you would be actively pulling back and forth and slowing down your muscle building goals unecessarily.
That doesn’t mean Jim Stoppani is against intermittent fasting completely. He understands why it’s such a popular weight loss diet. It’s effective and it’s user friendly. Other diets demand you “do the math” by counting calories or other nutrient values. It puts people in the position to constantly stress themselves out. “If I eat this cookie now, maybe I can skip dinner and then later have a light salad.” It’s these kinds of thoughts that make dieting hard.
Intermittent fasting makes things easy. Everything is a yes or no question. Are you currently fasting? Then don’t eat. Are you in your “open” period for eating? Then go ahead and have that cookie. Intermittent fasting allows for more leniency on what kinds of food you eat. Of course, Jim Stoppani further explains that doesn’t mean you can eat burgers and chocolate all day. But it’s certainly less strict than other diet options.
Wrap Up
Jim Stoppani has the knowledge and research to back up the reason behind why things work and others don’t. That’s why his explainers on both protein sources and intermittent fasting are so valuable. Understanding the why behind the how can help encourage motivation behind these tactics. Make sure to check out Stoppani’s full explainer in our latest GI Exclusive segment above.
Chris Bumstead Details 5,000-Calorie Bulking Diet
Classic Physique Olympia champ Chris Bumstead has entered the bulking phase of his preparation.
Chris Bumstead is officially in the bulking stage of his Olympia preparation. The event is scheduled to take place from Dec. 16-18 and will return to Las Vegas. The Classic Physique champion recently shared his bulking diet that totals around 5,000 calories per day.
Bumstead took to his YouTube page to share the video. He has won the previous three Classic Physique Olympia titles and is the competitor to beat in this division. After a battle with COVID-19 in December, Bumstead is back to gaining size and strength day in and day out.
Chris Bumstead was forced to take time off from the gym. This is when he lost around 28 pounds before returning to the gym. After a few weeks, Bumstead began training again and has put the size back on. He is currently 255 pounds and will continue to bulk as the year goes on.
Bumstead detailed his entire diet for fans to check out. The breakdown of his meals can be seen below.
Chris Bumstead Bulking Diet
Meal 1 – 1,344 Calories
Chris Bumstead mixes up his breakfast but in this particular video, he shared a recipe for a protein shake that he likes to consume in the morning twice a week.
70 grams oats
2 scoops Whey protein isolate
1 scoop fiber
19 grams almond butter
1.5 bagel
ghee butter
Meal 2 – 980 Calories
The second meal of the day is from a meal prep service called Mega Fit. Bumstead admits that he is not usually a fan of these services but it allowed him to prepare many meals at a time.
7 ounces steak
2 cups white rice
Meal 3 – 760 Calories
This is the pre-workout meal for Bumstead. It is similar to the second meal but substitutes chicken for steak. He explains that he feels chicken is easier to digest than steak so this is why he saves this one for before workouts.
6 ounces chicken breast
2 cups white rice
Meal 4 – 779 Calories
The sweet potatoes in this meal are consumed raw so they do not shrink while coking.
500 grams raw weight sweet potato
165 grams ground turkey
1 banana
Meal 5
Chris Bumstead downsizes the portions a bit in this meal but the make up is the same as meal four. This is a meal to balance out proteins and healthy fats. Bumstead explains that he likes to have carbs after workouts and he consumes fats towards the end of the day.
170 grams ground beef
300 grams sweet potato
half avocado
Meal 6
Bumstead ends his day with another shake. This one includes almond butter and Glutamine, which will improve digestion.
80 grams oats
32 grams almond butter
1 scoop Whey protein isolate
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Frightening Video Shows Woman Crushed To Death By 397-Pound Barbell In Mexico City Gym
A woman was attempting a huge lift at a Gym Fitness Sport centre in Mexico City.
A woman was killed after attempting a 397-pound lift at Gym Fitness Sport centre in Mexico City last week. The barbell appeared to be too heavy and ended up falling onto her neck, crushing it between the bar and bench.
There was footage of the incident that happened at the gym in Peralvillo, Cuauhtemoc in Mexico City. The horrifying accident happened in front of the woman’s daughter and other gym goers. Many rushed to her aid after the near 400-pound weight fell on her neck, according to The Mirror.
The woman’s daughter and another man who was present during the lift attempt tried to free her by lifting the barbell. This is when two other gym goers attempted to get the weight off. This did not help in time as the woman died on the spot.
The woman has yet to be named. Her daughter received psychological support after witnessing the incident. Also, an investigation has been launched by the state’s prosector’s office. The owner of the gym, who also remains nameless, was arrested for a brief amount of time so the woman’s identity could be confirmed.
The investigation remains ongoing and more details will be released moving forward.
There are many incidents in the gym where injuries occur due to weight on a barbell. In one recent instance, an injury was avoided when Larry Wheels spotted Mike Edwards when his hand slipped during a bench press. The weight slammed on the chest of Edwards but Wheels quickly helped lift to avoid further injury.
This is an unfortunate event and more details will be released as the investigation proceeds. Generation Iron sends condolences to family and friends of the woman, especially her daughter who was present during the accident.
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Cedric McMillan Will Not Compete At 2022 Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan becomes the latest bodybuilder to withdraw from the Arnold Classic.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is just over one week away but there continues to be some changes to the Men’s Open lineup. Cedric McMillan has become the latest bodybuilder to pull his name out of the event scheduled for March 3-6 in Columbus, OH. McMillan was preparing to appear on stage during the Arnold Classic but Milos Sarcev confirmed with Jay Cutler that he will not be ready in time.
McMillan is a former champion of the Arnold Classic in 2017 and was preparing to make a run at bringing back his title. In 2020, McMillan fell a bit placing sixth before he was forced to miss the show last year with an injury. McMillan still made the trip to Columbus in September to appear as part of the broadcast team.
As recently as last week, McMillan was posting former posing routines and fans were looking forward to seeing him on stage once again.
“Way back in 2009, on stage at about 252 (still too big for classic, so dont say that)… they said “stop posing like that, it’s not 1980!” And they said “get bigger!”Thanks to @blackskullusa for finding this, it brought back so many memories ❤”
Cedric McMillan has been dealing with different injuries and issues since the 2020 season. This includes a broken hand and broken collar bone. The injuries continued into 2021 and he was forced to miss the action in Columbus last year. McMillan also had complications with COVID-19 that impacted his heart and forced him to miss a significant amount of time.
McMillan now becomes the fifth competitor to pull his name out of the show dropping the number of athletes to nine.
2021 Arnold Classic Lineup
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (United States)
Brandon Curry (United States)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (United States)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brazil)
Justin Rodriguez (United States)
Brett Wilkin (United States)
With Cedric McMillan pulling his name out of the competition, this leave nine bodybuilders vying for the Arnold Classic title in Men’s Open. It began when Rafael Brandao withdrew from the competition for undisclosed reasons. Then, both Nathan De Asha and Mohamed Shaaban were forced to pull out due to injuries. Akim Williams was the most recent to withdraw just last week.
After healing from the virus, McMillan returned to the stage during the Legion Sports Pro. McMillan was not part of the first callout and did not return for the finals. He was also scheduled to appear during the Egypt’s KO Pro show but did not make it. The Arnold Classic was supposed to be a return to stage but fans will have to wait a little longer.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Hidetada Yamagishi Reveals He Has Retired From Bodybuilding
Hidetada Yamagishi has not competed since 2020 and will not return to the stage.
Hidetada Yamagishi is calling it a career after 17 years as a professional bodybuilder. The 212 competitor revealed that he has retired from competition.
Yamagishi has not competed since the 2020 Olympia. He recently joined the Muscle and Fitness show The Menace Podcast where he was asked about his future. This is when Yamagishi expressed that he is retired.
“Yeah, I am retired. I’ve done everything I wanted. The last show I did was 2000… I think it was 2020… Yeah I did it but you know… During the prep I knew this was going to be my last show. I was happy that I did but I was just there. I knew I wasn’t, I didn’t belong there Physique wise.”
Hidetada Yamagishi stepped on a professional stage for the first time in 2005 during the Ironman Pro. He finished second in the event and this jumpstarted his career. In 2007, Yamagishi was able to qualify for the Olympia and finished 13th. It was not until 2010 that Yamagishi won his first professional show at the Europa Show of Champions.
In 2014, Hidetada Yamagishi moved to the 212 division and won Tampa Pro that same year. This was one of five victories for Yamagishi during his career. He also competed at the Olympia 10 times. Yamagishi also won the Europa Pro Dallas and Monsterzym Pro in 2019. His biggest moment came in 2016 when he won the Arnold Classic in the 212 division.
The decision to retire is not one that should come as a surprise. Yamagishi has not competed since 2020 and has been thinking about retiring for a few years now. In 2021, Yamagishi sat down with Generation Iron and discussed his future in bodybuilding.
“Of course, I love being on stage. I love this lifestyle. People ask me when should I retire and I was thinking about it more a couple years ago. Now, to be honest, my physique is better 10 years ago. It’s not better. I was better 10 years ago, for sure,” Hidetada yamagishi told Generation iron.
Bodybuilding was my job. Of course, it still is my job professional bodybuilding, but it’s not making much money for me anymore. I spend more money training and all this stuff. Diet and everything else. I make money from other things. It’s not really my job anymore. It’s more of a hobby and a love. I keep on competing unless one day everything hurts too much to compete.”
Hidetada Yamagishi currently lives in Las Vegas and co-owns the Powerhouse gym with 10x Ms. Olympia Iris Kyle. Yamagishi enjoyed a career that was close to two decades and now he can focus on life off stage.
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Milos Sarcev Lists The Most Shocking Pro Bodybuilding Physique Transformations Ever
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Milos Sarcev talks about the most shocking physique transformations he has ever seen by a pro bodybuilder.
There are moments throughout the history of bodybuilding physiques that stand the test of time. Moments that fundamentally changed the future of the sport – perhaps known in the moment or understood later in retrospect. Dorian Yates‘ mass monster physique first appearing on stage is a great example. It shocked audiences and judges. It change the direction of physiques for the rest of the industry. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Milos Sarcev recounts the most shocking pro bodybuilder physique transformations he had ever seen.
Milos Sarcev has been deeply involved in bodybuilding for majority of his life. He was a powerful competitor during his prime years. He claims to have brought insulin into the sport (for better or worse). And after retiring from the stage, he put his efforts into being a coach and trainer for future generations. So it would stand to reason that his insights into the past, present, and future of the sport are valuable in light of his successes.
That’s why we asked a series of questions to Milos Sarcev during our latest interview – ranging from the hardest working bodybuilders today to the most genetically gifted. We also asked him, in his opinion, what was the most shocking physique transformation he had ever seen in pro bodybuilding.
Milos Sarcev brings up two key figures. First, he discusses Flex Wheeler going from 208 pounds to 245 pounds. While this might not seem on its face a drastic change – Wheeler’s 208 physique was “skinny fat” as Sarcev would call it. More importantly, this transformation happened in the matter of only three weeks.
For Flex Wheeler to transform from out of shape “skinny fat” into a titan of muscle and conditioning in just three weeks is astounding. Of course, it’s also not fully surprising for Wheeler. He has been known to be a truly genetically gifted athlete. Perhaps one of the most genetically gifted to ever step on stage. Milos Sarcev admits as much earlier during this interview segment.
Milos Sarcev also points out Ronnie Coleman‘s transformation between 2002 and 2003. Ronnie was Olympia champion in both 2002 and 2003 – and yet the change in his physique is known by fans far and wide. It’s the moment that Ronnie left planet earth and solidified himself as a true unmatched legend in the sport.
Proof of this can be seen in what happened between these two years. After Ronnie Coleman won the 2002 Mr. Olympia, he later competed and lost to Gunter Schlierkamp. A surprising turn of events for a current Olympia champion. Something like that would never happen again for The King. By the time he reappeared at the 2003 Mr. Olympia – there was no doubt that he would remain unstoppable.
You can watch Milos Sarcev go into more detail about both Flex Wheeler’s and Ronnie Coleman’s shocking pro bodybuilding transformations in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above. He also discusses the hardest working bodybuilders currently competing and the most genetically gifted bodybuilders of all time.
Bodybuilder Bostin Loyd Has Passed Away At 29 Years Old
Bostin Loyd was open about steroids and his kidney failure during his career.
Bodybuilder Bostin Loyd has passed away at the age of 29, according to sources close to Generation Iron. There has been no official cause of death confirmed at this time. Loyd passed out at his home in Springhill, FL before being taken to the hospital. This is where he was pronounced dead. The paramedics on scene believed it to be a heart attack but there is no official word just yet.
Early in his career, Bostin Loyd publicly discussed his use of steroids. He became the first competitive bodybuilder to openly reveal his steroid cycle. Loyd was 21 years old and had just won the 2013 NPC Contra Costa in Hayward, CA. This was a video that brought attention to his career at a young age.
Loyd was a bodybuilder who became known for sharing controversial stances around the sport. He was honest about his journeys and this includes his battle with Stage 5 kidney failure. The cause of this was likely due to the overall lifestyle of a bodybuilder. This could be the substances being taken or cutting weight through dehydration.
Bostin Loyd found out about his diagnosis in October 2020 and began studying about how to restore his kidney function. This could also be used to help and guide other athletes in the future. Loyd began undergoing many treatments such as recovery peptides, gluthithione, and stem cells.
Loyd’s final competition came in 2016 during the NPC Kevin Gore Border Klash. Aside from steroids, Loyd was also open about the number of pro cards being handed out by the IFBB at the time.
The career of Loyd will be remembered in different lights depending on your views. He received plenty of backlash over the course of his career for his views and beliefs. Also, his admittance to steroids cause a huge stir. the tragic news of Loyd’s passing comes shortly after Isaac Ghavidel passed away after a success career in Iran and Canada.
Bostin Loyd was always true to himself and believed in speaking on difficult issues. Generation Iron sends condolences to friends and family during this difficult time.
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