Tag: nEWS
Nick Walker Explains Why He Will Not Defend Title During 2022 Arnold Classic
Nick Walker will sit out during the Arnold Classic this year to prepare for the Olympia.
The lineup for the 2022 Arnold Classic was announced in December. There were some big names on the list but also one glaring absence — 2021 champion Nick Walker.
‘The Mutant’ put together an incredible season in 2021. He won the New York Pro, which earned qualification to the Olympia, and added a title at the Arnold Classic. In 2022, Walker revealed he will skip the second-biggest bodybuilding show of the year to prepare for the ultimate weekend. Walker took to Instagram to share his insights.
“Everyone keeps asking “why aren’t you doing the Arnold?”
I remember when I did the Chicago pro 6 weeks after I just turned pro. I took 4 place, 3 top guys in the sport beat me. Was I mad I didn’t win? I mean I think that should be anyones initial reaction when the goal is always to win. But I also knew I just got 4th behind some of the best.
I remember the next morning I looked myself in the mirror and I said “they will never beat me again.”
After earning his Pro Card in 2020, Nick Walker began competing at the 2020 Chicago Pro. He finished fourth in the event and wanted to make sure that he did not lose to the top three again — Maxx Charles, Justin Rodriguez, and Akim Williams. Walker mentions that he was not defeated by those competitors in 2021.
Remember, this is the same athlete that was not happy with his fifth-place finish at the Olympia. Most would be pleased with this finish in their first appearance at the Olympia but Walker considered it a loss and nothing more.
“Fast forward some, I won New York, I won the Arnold, I got 5th place at my first olympia. Those guys have not beaten me again.
With the guys that beat me at the olympia, it just doesn’t make sense to continue to compete without making the improvements needed to beat those guys at the olympia. I need the off-season to make big improvements for the olympia 2022.
Speak it into existence- olympia 2022, im coming for it all.”
This year, Nick Walker has his eyes on the bigger picture rather than defending his title. It is clear that his goal is to be named Mr. Olympia after a top-five finish. Walker references the four competitors that beat him in October. They are Big Ramy, Brandon Curry, Hadi Choopan, and Hunter Labrada. With the four likely holding out for the Olympia, Walker does not feel the need to step on stage beforehand.
The 2022 Olympia will return to Las Vegas from Dec. 15-18. Despite the Arnold Classic taking place in March, Nick Walker will not compete. Instead, all of his eggs will be put into winning gold during the Olympia at the end of the year.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Bikini Divas Natural Olympia Champ Kayla Rowling Signs a Multi-media Contract
Bikini Divas Natural Olympia champ Kayla Rowling becomes the next natural athlete to sign a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, INBA PNBA, and Iron Man Magazine.
One lucky Bikini Divas competitor walks around a happy camper after agreeing to some lofty terms this week. This is none other than Kayla Rowling. She’s a 2x Natural Olympia Bikini Divas champ, including this past year – 2021. She was also spotted doing a Harley- Davidson photoshoot with 2021 Natural Olympia Women’s Sport Model champ Danielle Bouldin. And she’s next up behind other fellow Natural Olympia champions William Long and Alondra Chatman to close a deal with the behemoth triad companies – Generation Iron, International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA), and Iron Man Magazine. Kayla Rowling released a statement on IG, stating:
“I am ECSTATIC to announce that I have been selected to sign a multi media contract with @ironmanmagazine, @generationiron and @inbapnbaglobal_official – the most prestigious natural bodybuilding association IN THE ENTIRE WORLD ????‼️somebody pinch me!
I love natural bodybuilding with my entire being and the opportunities it has presented to me over the past 3.5 years. Stay true to the sport and it will stay true to you! I look forward to 2022 and how I can positively impact the future of natural bodybuilding to inspire others to be the best version of themselves and raise the vibration of the planet!”
Kayla Rowling is a big believer in the power natural bodybuilding has on your masculine and feminine energies.
On Instagram (IG), INBA/PNBA released the commentary below:
“You heard it straight from 2x PNBA Natural Olympia Bikini Diva Champion @kayrowling
It’s going to be an epic adventure! Congratulations Kayla”
You can see Kayla Rowling’s complete statement and IG clip below:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYXgi2MPbie/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
INBA PNBA
As Kayla Rolwing said, the INBA PNBA is “the most prestigious natural bodybuilding association in the entire world.” This federation holds global competitions with more than 15 countries participating in this past year’s Natural Olympia. Each athlete earns a chance to win generous prizes.
Now, INBA PNBA athletes aren’t just yearning for an opportunity to win at Natural Olympia but also a chance to sign a contract.
Muli-media Contract Details
The INBA PNBA stated that the contract will be:
“An opportunity for a natural bodybuilding athlete to acquire renown and recognition in the sport of Natural Bodybuilding, exploiting Association’s promotional campaign via the Iron Man Magazine, news and events, and the Generation Iron platform.”
Agreeing to a contract with these trio companies – Generation Iron, INBA PNBA, Iron Man Magazine – comes with a plethora of benefits, including:
Promotion
Brand building – digital media write-ups, social media posts, photoshoots
Special guest appearances, posing, and seminar sessions
Iron Man Magazine nutrition ads and endorsements
Signing a deal with these prestigious companies is no handout, though. Each competitor will have to earn recognition. In addition, the sponsored athlete will have to prove that they want professional growth and can pass thorough drug tests – each INBA PNBA competitor is tested via WADA – who uses the best drug testing equipment available.
Generation Iron would like to congratulate Kayla Rowling for signing with us! We’re looking forward to working more with you!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more coverage on natural bodybuilding athletes!
Chris Bumstead Down 28 Pounds This Offseason, Returns To Training After COVID-19
Chris Bumstead returns to training to build another championship physique.
The Classic Physique division continues to gain popularity year after year. It is now near the top of the sport and Chris Bumstead if a huge reason. Bumstead earned his Pro Card back in 2016 and immediately became an elite competitor. The reigning three-time Classic Physique Olympia champ recently got back in the gym after a battle with COVID-19 caused him to lose a significant amount of weight.
Bumstead took to his YouTube channel to explain his lifestyle since winning his third consecutive Olympia title. He revealed that he felt it was a good period to take some time off and let his body recover. During that time, Bumstead contracted COVID and had to take even more time away from the gym. At this time, Bumstead revealed he is about 28 pounds lighter than he was at this point last year.
“I had decided to take a bunch of time off. Give my body a rest. Go natty C Bum. Give my internals a rest, my muscles a rest. I was barely training. You guys saw my last few videos. My training intensity was pretty shit. I don’t know why I filmed them. I was training a few times a week, losing weight drastically. I was focusing on my health.”
Since becoming an IFBB professional, Chris Bumstead has had great determination, both in the gym and in his diet plan. This is a process that can become grueling, especially when perfection is expected.
This is where Bumstead admitted he could use a break.
“When I compete now, I put extreme pressure on myself. I become obsessive with my goal with training, diet, rest, nutrition, recovery. Just what can be best for the Olympia because I have to be the best because I have to win. Balancing that enjoyment that I still love bodybuilding and that pressure of me having to be three-time, four-time Mr. Olympia is a juggle that I have to work on.”
Chris Bumstead contracted COVID-19 around Christmas. After recovering, he came down with another unknown illness that kept him out of action for a bit longer. Bumstead has since returned to training and is still in great shape. He revealed that he has lost weight but his body fat percentage is around the same. This means that h will focus on building back the necessary muscle.
In his recent video, Bumstead showcased his fourth day back in the gym. It was a massive back workout which he completed five exercises. These were lat pulldowns, smith machine bent-over rows, T-bar rows, close-grip lat pulldowns, and cable standing lat push downs.
There is no doubt that Chris Bumstead will get back to championship shape and compete for another Olympia title when the time comes. It is important for all athletes to take a step back and regain that passion when it might be difficult. For Bumstead, this time off could help him come back better than ever.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kiersten Scurlock Completes Huge 584-Pound Squat During Training Session
Kiersten Scurlock continues to shine and is primed for a big year.
Kiersten Scurlock is one of the up-and-coming talents in the powerlifting game. She has been hard at work in the gym and is not shy about showing some recent accomplishments. On Tuesday, Scurlock took to Instagram to share a huge 584-pound squat in training.
For Scurlock, this is in preparation for the Hybrid Showdown 4. This will take place on January 16. It is clear that Scurlock is in training, with the competition being less than two weeks away, and she hit a new personal record in squats. Her previous record came during the 2021 WRPF Showdown in September. Scurlock squatted 578 pounds, which is over five pounds less than this lift.
“584lbs! ?
Man I am so fucking happy with how this prep went and incredibly lucky to have the best people in my corner!
Coach @mjgreeno
@livelargefitness Scurko10
@gorilla_piss_ammonia
#powerlifting #squat #bench #deadlift #strongman #livelarge #lvlg”
During the WRPF Showdown, Kiersten Scurlock set three personal marks. Along with her squat, Scurlock added a 347-pound bench press and 567-pound deadlift. This was a total of 1,492 pounds, which exceeded her best by 104 pounds.
When looking at the path take by Scurlock, it has improved significantly overtime. This is a chance for her to continue to grow in competition and there will be no time wasted. Scurlock has the raw strength but also uses some help when needed. This is a time for the powerlifter to show progress and that is what she has been doing.
Scurlock has been putting up impressive numbers in training recently. This includes 347-pound bench press and 556-pound raw deadlift. It will be a busy start to the new year for Scurlock as she prepares for competition. Following the Hybrid Showdown 4, she will compete at The Ghost Clash on February 12-13.
Kiersten Scurlock will be one of many big names at the Hybrid Showdown 4. She will have a chance to post some new personal bests in lifts and total weight. This will continue her rise in powerlifting early in the year.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
William Bonac Looks Extra Beefy 9 Weeks Out From The Arnold Classic
William Bonac looks extra beefy weeks out from the 2022 Arnold Classic.
William Bonac is looking extra massive ahead of the 2022 Arnold Classic. Nine weeks out from the show Bonac has showcased an extra bulked up form putting the Men’s Open Bodybuilding division on notice.
Ahead of the first major competition of the year every bodybuilder is pushing themselves to the limit. The Arnold Classic is one of the most prestigious titles to win in bodybuilding. Now with nine weeks to the big show the top competitors are ramping up their off season prep. One of those competitors is the talented William Bonac, the 2020 Arnold Classic champion and one of the favorites to win the show.
After missing the opportunity to compete at the 2021 Arnold Classic due to travel issues, William Bonac is ready to jump back into action and reclaim his title. Missing the show also meant missing the 2021 Olympia. But while that may have seemed like a negative at the time, it’s clear that Bonac has been using his time away wisely.
Ahead of the 2022 Arnold Classic William Bonac has made some major gains. With nine weeks until the show Bonac still has plenty of time to improve upon his already impressive physique. This time around it appears that Bonac is looking to get extra bulked up for the big show.
Extra Massive
Recently William Bonac posted a physique update to his Instagram and it’s clear that he’s pushing his body to the next level.
HAPPY NEW YEAR…
New day, new year, new approach,
new opportunities.
Let’s take it!!?
We got 9weeks to go for the @arnoldsports 2022. As Arnoldssports is growing this year the fans will get to see us for two days battling each other.
Friday is the prejudging and Saturday will be the finals plus the expo will be back this year as well. You don’t want to miss this out, so don’t!?
From how massive he’s looking William Bonac is making it clear: he’s ready to take no prisoners.
What do you think of William Bonac and his off season physique ahead of the 2022 Arnold Classic?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Jeff Bezos Shows Fit Physique At 57 Years Old
Jeff Bezos continues to show a dedication to fitness with his physique.
Jeff Bezos has all of the money in the world and has managed to keep himself in incredible shape. While building up a net worth of $202 billion, Bezos has also built a fit physique at 57 years old.
Some recent pictures took the world by storm when Bezos was seen on a vacation with his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez. The two were seen on Bezos’ yacht in St. Barts. This is where Bezos was able to show off his ripped frame. Many celebrities in the limelight struggle with paparazzi but in this case, Bezos was done some favors.
Jeff Bezos, who recently bought a $78 million mansion in Hawaii, spent the holidays in paradise along with his current girlfriend. The two were seen floating in the ocean and hosing each other off on the yacht. This is not the first time that Bezos has gained attention for his physique.
In many pictures, the ripped arms and shoulders of Bezos can be seen. Because of his look, the Amazon founder has drawn comparisons to Vin Diesel.
Wesley Okerson is a famous fitness guru who has many big-name clients. Bezos is at the top of the list, along with Tom Cruise and Gerard Butler. Okerson began working with Cruise full-time in 2007. Since then, he has taken on many clients. Okerson has also appeared on Netflix reality competition “Strong.” This was a competition that teams through different fitness challenges.
Jeff Bezos has built his physique thanks to a healthy regiment of training, diet, and rest. This includes the proper rest at night, not just relaxation on vacations. Bezos has been hard at work in the gym and is committed in his diet plan as well.
It is nothing new to see big names take an interest in fitness. Professional athletes spend money on themselves year after year to remain in great shape. This includes LeBron James, who spends $1.5 million on his body each year and recently partnered with Tonal home gym. Hollywood stars are also seen ripped heading into certain movie roles.
Jeff Bezos seems to be enjoying and reaching his fitness goals while being tied to one of the most successful companies in the world. His physique continues to gain attention and impress those when he is able to show it off.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2022 Arnold Strongman Classic: Full List Of Events
There will be a total of five events taking place in Columbus to determine a winner.
The 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic is upon us.
Hafthor Bjornsson won the 2020 competition before the 2021 show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Arnold Schwarzenegger will bring back his full sports festival, which will take place on March 3-6 in Columbus, OH. This weekend will be highlighted by the 2022 Arnold Classic. Also, some of the top strongmen in the world will gather to compete for the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic title.
The full list of competitors for the event was released back in December. Below, you can find the full roster that includes 10 of the best powerlifters in the sport.
Maxime Boudreault
JF Caron
Rob Kearney
Mateusz Kieliszkowski
Martins Licis
Evgeny Markov
Trey Mitchell
Oleksii Novikov
Luke Stoltman
Tom Stoltman
Shortly after the roster was released, sponsors announced the five events that athletes will compete in. The Arnold Sports Instagram page shared a post listing the events.
Friday, March 4 Events
Max Barbell Squat
This is a new event for the Arnold Strongman Classic where athletes will be judged on their depth and form. They will get three attempts each where the weight will increase during each try. For reference, J.F. Caron won this event during the 2021 World’s Strongest Man competition. He squatted 700 pounds 11 times to finish at the top of the event. This is another deep group that could see anyone come out on top.
275-Pound Monster Dumbbell Press
This is an event where the winner will be the athlete who performs the most reps. Competitors will have 90 seconds to move the 275-pound dumbbell from the floor to their shoulder and pressed overhead. Once the arm is locked out, the dumbbell will return to the floor for the next rep. Oleksii Novikov currently holds the world record with 11 reps of 220-pounds in 75 seconds. This will be a heavier dumbbell but Novikov will be one of the favorites to win this event.
Saturday, March 5 Events
Australian Oak Log Press For Max
This event will kick off day two of the competition. This will follow the form of the squat where the weight will increase after each attempt. Athletes will perform a log press to see who could finish with the highest number. There are two record holders tied to this event. Bobby Thompson, the American record holder in the log press, is an alternate and could pose a threat if he is needed to compete. Luke Stoltman currently holds the British record of 487 pounds.
Timber Frame Carry
The timber frame in this event weighs 880 pounds. Athletes will have 30 seconds to move this behemoth up a 35-foot ramp without lifting straps. This means that grip strength and form will be the focus as the athletes want to move with speed. Kieliszkowski won this event in 2020 with a time of seven seconds. This was a world record at the time using a slightly lighter frame.
Stone To Shoulder For Reps
The final event is a familiar one but it will not be the traditional Atlas Stone that is used. Instead, the athletes will have to move Odd Haugen’s Tombstone, which weights 410 pounds. Competitors must lift the stone from the ground to their shoulder. Once the judge gives the okay, athletes can return the stone to the ground. The winner will be the athlete who completes the most reps in two and a half minutes. Martins Licis can be considered one of the favorites in this event. He won the 2019 World’s Strongest Man competition and Arnold Santa Monica contest. He performed five reps in this event, using the Atlas Stone.
As you can see, this is a competition with some classic events to test strength in many ways. There are different favorites in each event but ultimately, any competitor can win at any time. This is what can be expected when some of the best in the world get together on one stage.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Alondra Chatman Becomes First Woman Natural Bodybuilder to Sign Multi-media Contract
2x Figure Open Natural Olympia champ Alondra Chatman signs a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, INBA PNBA, and Iron Man Magazine.
It’s an excellent time to be a natural bodybuilding athlete these days, especially if you’re with the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) league. Alondra Chatman has become the first woman to sign a multi-media deal with Generation Iron, INBA PNBA, and Iron Man Magazine. In addition, she’s now the second overall natural athlete to sign a multi-media contract in the sport of natural bodybuilding – William Long was the first.
Here’s what the INBA PNBA Instagram (I.G.) page uploaded:
“Congratulations! @alondra_figure_pro the next PNBA athlete to sign the Multi-Media Contract with @inbapnbaglobal_official@ironmanmagazine @generationiron
We are excited for what’s to come!”
You can see the full I.G. clip of Alondra Chatman signing the contract below.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYUwRzplPk6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Alondra Chatman’s deal is well-deserved. She’s a 2x Figure Open Natural Olympia champion – including this past year at 2021 Natural Olympia – and Hall of Fame Inductee (not Hall of Shame). In addition, she ended 2021 in fashion as she was nominated for the Award of Excellence for the success of her personal training company. On Instagram (I.G.), Chatman expressed:
“Starting 2022 off with a bang! Today, I’ve signed a multi-media contract with @inbapnbaglobal_official
@ironmanmagazine
@generationiron
I’m excited to continue to represent Natural Bodybuilding as a 2x Figure Natural Olympia Champion, coach and bodybuilding fan. I look forward to what this new chapter brings to the sport and to female athletes.”
Bridge the Gap in Sports
Along with William Long’s agreement, this contract is helping to bridge the gap between natural bodybuilding and other popular sports. Every athlete and sports organization deserves rewards from the hard work and dedication behind closed doors. And natural bodybuilding is no exception. Because of the establishment the INBA PNBA league has developed over the years, they’re now capable of getting more natural athletes in the limelight.
With the backing of whale strength sports and digital media companies – Generation Iron and Iron Man Magazine – and the largest natural bodybuilding organization in the world – INBA/PNBA – the future for the sport of natural bodybuilding is promising.
On the path to signing a deal with these powerhouse companies, you’ll have to earn your stripes. To gain the recognition Alondra Chatman and William Long have garnered, you’ll need to be an INBA PNBA athlete in good standing with the league. In addition, each athlete should be willing for professional growth and agree to in-season and off-season drug testing through the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – the best drug testing on the market that only uses the leading laboratories to test athletes.
Alondra Chatman’s Perks of Signing
With any deal an athlete signs, it comes with its benefits. Some perks of signing a contract with these triad companies – Generation Iron, INBA PNBA, Iron Man Magazine – are included below.
Promotion
Brand building – digital media write-ups, social media posts, photoshoots
Special guest appearances, posing, and seminar sessions
Iron Man Magazine nutrition ads and endorsements
Generation Iron congratulates Alondra Chatman for signing the multi-media contract with us! We’re looking forward to working with you!
Which natural bodybuilder will be signing the next multi-media contract? Let us know who you think in the social media comments!
P.S. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more INBA PNBA news!
Carrot Top Reveals How He Got Jacked in Sin City on Joe Rogan’s Podcast
Carrot Top discusses working out 3 hours a day to pack on massive amounts of muscle while staying in Vegas.
According to American actor and stand-up comedian Carrot Top, putting in hours a day at the gym is the secret recipe for building massive amounts of muscle. Nowadays, the renowned actor/comedian walks around with a seamlessly average physique, standing at 5-foot-9-inches, hovering around 140 pounds. But when he was staying in Vegas 15 years ago, he was a whopping 50 pounds heavier, weighing upwards of 190 pounds.
If you’ve been lifting weights for a while, you’ll know this is an astonishing achievement. It’s not easy building this much muscle naturally. So how did this actor and comedian start getting confused as a bodybuilder? In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Top claims it was from putting in 3 hours a day at the gym. When Joe Rogan asked about his transformation, Top said:
“What got me jacked? I just, well, I’ll tell you what I did. It was when I got that permanent gig. I had nothing to do all day in Vegas, literally. So I started just going to the gym every day. Like I’d go three hours a day literally. Well, this is again, fifteen years ago and I just was huge, and one day I went to my warehouse to do something.
A picture, something. I was like, ‘what the fuck?’ Like, I’m like, I was like 190 (pounds), I’m like 140. This is my original fighting weight.”
You can see a short clip of Carrot Top’s discussion with Joe Rogan below.
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Carrot Top claims there wasn’t much to do while living in Vegas. So what better way to use your time than bashing around metal for hours? (Lifting weights sounds like a better idea than feeding slot machines your money.)
How to Build Muscle Mass
Building muscle mass comes down to a few key things. To name a few, you’ll want to be in a caloric surplus, lift heavy, and make sure the volume and intensity of your workouts are high enough.
We can’t speak on certainty on how intense Carrot Top’s workouts were, but likely they were fierce to yield the results he did. One thing for sure, though, is that his volume was high – he was spending 3 hours a day in the gym! Of course, to increase the volume of your workouts, you’ll want to increase the reps and sets you do and the frequency of your workouts. And working out 3 hours a day is a surefire way to do this!
You may not have quite as much time on your hands as Carrot Top did in Sin City. But a good split routine a few days a week, or if you’re short on time, a full-body workout a couple of days a week is all you need to gain substantial muscle – if you’re following the rest of the muscle-building principles.
Carrot Top does prove one thing. And that’s if you want to pack on muscle, then you’ll need to give your body the workout volume it needs. You may not have hours a day to put into the gym, but consistently putting in a few hours a week into the gym will give you transformative results.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more insight on celebrity transformations!
Andrea Shaw On Women’s Bodybuilding Criticism: “Without It There Are No Other Female Divisions”
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Andrea Shaw discusses her rise to Ms. Olympia and the ups and downs of the Women’s Bodybuilding division.
For the past two years, Andrea Shaw has proven herself to be the new standout and reigning Ms. Olympia champion in Women’s Bodybuilding. After a five year gap of the division no longer appearing at the Olympia weekend – Shaw exploded onto the scene with Ms. Olympia’s return in 2020. Since then she has been the star to beat in the prestigious but often criticized division. In our latest GI Exclusive, Andrea Shaw discusses her rise in Women’s Bodybuilding and responds to the criticism and struggles of the division.
Before Andrea Shaw, Iris Kyle was the unstoppable Women’s Bodybuilding competitor. She earned 10 Ms. Olympia victories during her career – before the division itself was dropped from the Olympia weekend. There was a five year gap where Women’s Bodybuilding was no longer supported by the Arnold Classic or the Olympia weekend. During this time – competitors in the division had little to work towards. With one exception – the Wings of Strength Women’s Bodybuilding competition.
It was during this strange time in Women’s Bodybuilding that Andrea Shaw rose up through the ranks and became an all-star competitor. Starting out in Women’s Physique, she eventually moved up to Women’s Bodybuilding. Of course, there was no Ms. Olympia to work towards. Thankfully – she found support at Wings of Strength. This allowed her to continue to find motivation and improve into a challenging competitor in the league.
Fast forward to 2020, Jake Wood now owns the Olympia event (he is also the man who ran the Wings of Strength competitions) and brought Women’s Bodybuilding and Ms. Olympia back into the fold. Andrea Shaw now had a new goal to work towards – which she earned both in 2020 and 2021 with two Ms. Olympia victories.
We connected with Andrea Shaw for a video interview to recap her rise through the years from Women’s Physique, into Women’s Bodybuilding, and through to the champion she is today. As mentioned above, her career grew during one of the most tumultuous times for Women’s Bodybuilding. We asked Shaw for her thoughts on the lack of support over the years at major shows such as the Olympia weekend and Arnold Classic.
The common reasoning behind dropping Women’s Bodybuilding from competition was simply that there was not enough popularity to keep it running. We asked for Andrea Shaw’s reaction to that kind of mentality. Did that excuse ever make sense to her?
“No. Only because it’s always been popular. Because without Women’s Bodybuilding there are no other female divisions. None,” Andrea Shaw stated in our interview. She continued:
“So it doesn’t matter if you’re in Figure, whether you’re in Fitness – it all started with Women’s Bodybuilding. I firmly believe that was just a call AMI made. Because Jim Manion, the NPC, the IFBB, they kept the contests going. There were so many contests that still had Women’s Bodybuilding. But that was a direct call from Arnold’s staff. You know, and I’m speculating because I wasn’t competing at that time but again Arnold pulled it first and then AMI followed suit. Whether it was unpopular – I think it was unpopular to them.”
Andrea Shaw goes on to also comment on the concept of “femininity” in Women’s Bodybuilding vs the pure athleticism of the sport. She’s well aware of the history behind the division. With athletes like Bev Francis being pulled back in forth for either being too masculine or not muscular enough.
“A lot of it are usually men. They are usually men. When you break most of it down, some of these men are insecure because they don’t have muscle and they wish they could. So then the target becomes the woman… but it’s bodybuilding. What difference does it make if it’s a man or a woman?”
You can watch Andrea Shaw’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!