Muscle Insider
New member
Is a Pro Card Worth It?
Why the hell would anyone compete? Because the challenge makes you a better person and WINNING IS AMAZING!
By Marc Lobliner, CMO Tigerfitness.com
I was at the weigh-in at Masters USA with my coach, Jose Raymond. Jose knows everyone and everyone loves Jose. There were a couple of guys there that Jose competed against as an amateur.
Jose competed in 10 Mr. Olympias.
These guys looked amazing but they have been doing pro qualifiers for well over 10 years. Probably 20. In that time they have come within one to two places of getting their IFBB Pro Card, the pinnacle of bodybuilding.
They lose and keep coming back.
Those who say it’s easy to get a pro card either have insane genetics or have never tried. There were hundreds of competitors trying to turn pro at North Americans. A sea of muscle crowded the backstage area. All with one goal – that purple card on simple card stock that lets the world know that you are part of an exclusive club. You’re an IFBB Pro and once an IFBB Pro, always an IFBB Pro.
When I prep for a show, I am not the same. Life just isn’t as enjoyable. Every step is labored, every bite of food is less enjoyable and even training kinda sucks. I can honestly say that I have to will myself to push beyond and train hard enough to win. Yup, even training sucks when prepping.
I have pushed so hard that my last prep for the Tampa Pro I had to withdraw because I got rhabdomyolysis, a kidney issue from overstressing your body. This isn’t an issue for many pros who compete full time, but for schmoes like me and 99 percent of the folks trying to obtain pro status, we also have regular jobs and families and we can’t just eat, train and nap/sleep. We have to push through. We have to attend board meetings and some even have manual labor jobs.
And forget date night. I retired from bodybuilding the first time in 2013 after getting my NABBA Pro Card because of the toll it was taking on my family and my marriage. The funny thing is that business went OK, but trust me on this, something will suffer. For me it was family. I have known many who have hurt their careers during prep. Prep brain is real.
Plus systemically, drugs or no drugs, you are in survival mode. Your body is operating on fumes and broccoli, and your mood swings will be epic. Sex drive? Maybe if you’re on some good steroids and Cialis, but for most even those won’t help.
And if you’re nice now, don’t even think about using trenbolone or Halotestin. These will change you in some way. You might not chokeslam your mailman, but your personality will be different – maybe more quiet or more aggressive. It all depends on the person.
Why the hell would anyone compete?
This is a question I have asked myself for decades. I never quite understood it until now.
Because the challenge makes you a better person and WINNING IS AMAZING!
If you can manage life even at a suboptimal level while prepping and not destroy it, life without prep will be simple. It’s conditioning your mind and body to adapt and fight through adversity. Kind of like when a muscle is broken down from training and grows bigger to accommodate the stress, your mind has a similar adaptation.
Then it happened. I was announced as the winner of the 2021 Masters USA and was presented an IFBB Pro Card.
Aside from my wedding date and children being born, this was the greatest individual accomplishment of my life. At 41 years old I achieved a childhood dream. The workouts, the missed cake and desserts, the mood swings … sort of worth it.
Hear me out.
Greatness requires sacrifice. I have regrets. I regret prepping during vacations and not having as much fun. I regret my attitude in the final weeks of prep. And long term, who knows what I did to my health. Did I take years off of my life for that pro card? Maybe.
When looking to compete at a high level, you need to be honest with yourself. Are you pro quality? Ask a good coach and people who can be honest with you. Don’t ask family or friends, they will lie. All of this is worth it to me now since I achieved the goal and while I would like to say it would have been worth it if I never earned my pro card, I cannot honestly say it would have been.
You can’t get memories back. You can’t redo history. You can’t make the memories of you having a short temper with your wife, kids and co-workers disappear.
Bodybuilding is a hobby, treat is as such. Instead of pushing the limits with drugs, be a minimalist and train and diet harder. Avoid harsh drugs that might alter your mood like trenbolone and Halotestin. And ALWAYS pay attention to health!
1. Get blood work done annually or even more often.
2. Eat healthy foods with wholesome ingredients like meats, veggies fruits and grains. Don’t dirty bulk and keep unhealthy foods (example: fried) to a minimum.
3. Take care of your organs by not drinking alcohol and also supplement with Ambrosia Nektar, the ultimate Organ and Health Superfood.
4. Do cardio daily – the heart is a terrible thing to waste!
I wouldn’t trade my pro card for the world, but I also realize I have some time to make up for. Prep is harsh, and as I have been known to say, “It’s not a game,” but being honest with yourself about the pros and cons of the stage and being realistic is essential. Don’t lose your family or job over a plastic trophy.
If you like this article, be sure to head over to Tigerfitness.com and show some love and support!
In Health,
Marc Lobliner
https://www.tigerfitness.com/
Instagram @tigerfitness
Instagram @marclobliner
Twitter @MarcLobliner
YouTube: Tiger Fitness
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMSSUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAYGET OFFICIAL MD STUFFVISIT OUR STORE
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM YOUTUBE
Is a Pro Card Worth It?
Why the hell would anyone compete? Because the challenge makes you a better person and WINNING IS AMAZING!
By Marc Lobliner, CMO Tigerfitness.com
I was at the weigh-in at Masters USA with my coach, Jose Raymond. Jose knows everyone and everyone loves Jose. There were a couple of guys there that Jose competed against as an amateur.
Jose competed in 10 Mr. Olympias.
These guys looked amazing but they have been doing pro qualifiers for well over 10 years. Probably 20. In that time they have come within one to two places of getting their IFBB Pro Card, the pinnacle of bodybuilding.
They lose and keep coming back.
Those who say it’s easy to get a pro card either have insane genetics or have never tried. There were hundreds of competitors trying to turn pro at North Americans. A sea of muscle crowded the backstage area. All with one goal – that purple card on simple card stock that lets the world know that you are part of an exclusive club. You’re an IFBB Pro and once an IFBB Pro, always an IFBB Pro.
When I prep for a show, I am not the same. Life just isn’t as enjoyable. Every step is labored, every bite of food is less enjoyable and even training kinda sucks. I can honestly say that I have to will myself to push beyond and train hard enough to win. Yup, even training sucks when prepping.
I have pushed so hard that my last prep for the Tampa Pro I had to withdraw because I got rhabdomyolysis, a kidney issue from overstressing your body. This isn’t an issue for many pros who compete full time, but for schmoes like me and 99 percent of the folks trying to obtain pro status, we also have regular jobs and families and we can’t just eat, train and nap/sleep. We have to push through. We have to attend board meetings and some even have manual labor jobs.
And forget date night. I retired from bodybuilding the first time in 2013 after getting my NABBA Pro Card because of the toll it was taking on my family and my marriage. The funny thing is that business went OK, but trust me on this, something will suffer. For me it was family. I have known many who have hurt their careers during prep. Prep brain is real.
Plus systemically, drugs or no drugs, you are in survival mode. Your body is operating on fumes and broccoli, and your mood swings will be epic. Sex drive? Maybe if you’re on some good steroids and Cialis, but for most even those won’t help.
And if you’re nice now, don’t even think about using trenbolone or Halotestin. These will change you in some way. You might not chokeslam your mailman, but your personality will be different – maybe more quiet or more aggressive. It all depends on the person.
Why the hell would anyone compete?
This is a question I have asked myself for decades. I never quite understood it until now.
Because the challenge makes you a better person and WINNING IS AMAZING!
If you can manage life even at a suboptimal level while prepping and not destroy it, life without prep will be simple. It’s conditioning your mind and body to adapt and fight through adversity. Kind of like when a muscle is broken down from training and grows bigger to accommodate the stress, your mind has a similar adaptation.
Then it happened. I was announced as the winner of the 2021 Masters USA and was presented an IFBB Pro Card.
Aside from my wedding date and children being born, this was the greatest individual accomplishment of my life. At 41 years old I achieved a childhood dream. The workouts, the missed cake and desserts, the mood swings … sort of worth it.
Hear me out.
Greatness requires sacrifice. I have regrets. I regret prepping during vacations and not having as much fun. I regret my attitude in the final weeks of prep. And long term, who knows what I did to my health. Did I take years off of my life for that pro card? Maybe.
When looking to compete at a high level, you need to be honest with yourself. Are you pro quality? Ask a good coach and people who can be honest with you. Don’t ask family or friends, they will lie. All of this is worth it to me now since I achieved the goal and while I would like to say it would have been worth it if I never earned my pro card, I cannot honestly say it would have been.
You can’t get memories back. You can’t redo history. You can’t make the memories of you having a short temper with your wife, kids and co-workers disappear.
Bodybuilding is a hobby, treat is as such. Instead of pushing the limits with drugs, be a minimalist and train and diet harder. Avoid harsh drugs that might alter your mood like trenbolone and Halotestin. And ALWAYS pay attention to health!
1. Get blood work done annually or even more often.
2. Eat healthy foods with wholesome ingredients like meats, veggies fruits and grains. Don’t dirty bulk and keep unhealthy foods (example: fried) to a minimum.
3. Take care of your organs by not drinking alcohol and also supplement with Ambrosia Nektar, the ultimate Organ and Health Superfood.
4. Do cardio daily – the heart is a terrible thing to waste!
I wouldn’t trade my pro card for the world, but I also realize I have some time to make up for. Prep is harsh, and as I have been known to say, “It’s not a game,” but being honest with yourself about the pros and cons of the stage and being realistic is essential. Don’t lose your family or job over a plastic trophy.
If you like this article, be sure to head over to Tigerfitness.com and show some love and support!
In Health,
Marc Lobliner
https://www.tigerfitness.com/
Instagram @tigerfitness
Instagram @marclobliner
Twitter @MarcLobliner
YouTube: Tiger Fitness
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS
SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF
VISIT OUR STORE
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
Top
Click here to view the article.
Why the hell would anyone compete? Because the challenge makes you a better person and WINNING IS AMAZING!
By Marc Lobliner, CMO Tigerfitness.com
I was at the weigh-in at Masters USA with my coach, Jose Raymond. Jose knows everyone and everyone loves Jose. There were a couple of guys there that Jose competed against as an amateur.
Jose competed in 10 Mr. Olympias.
These guys looked amazing but they have been doing pro qualifiers for well over 10 years. Probably 20. In that time they have come within one to two places of getting their IFBB Pro Card, the pinnacle of bodybuilding.
They lose and keep coming back.
Those who say it’s easy to get a pro card either have insane genetics or have never tried. There were hundreds of competitors trying to turn pro at North Americans. A sea of muscle crowded the backstage area. All with one goal – that purple card on simple card stock that lets the world know that you are part of an exclusive club. You’re an IFBB Pro and once an IFBB Pro, always an IFBB Pro.
When I prep for a show, I am not the same. Life just isn’t as enjoyable. Every step is labored, every bite of food is less enjoyable and even training kinda sucks. I can honestly say that I have to will myself to push beyond and train hard enough to win. Yup, even training sucks when prepping.
I have pushed so hard that my last prep for the Tampa Pro I had to withdraw because I got rhabdomyolysis, a kidney issue from overstressing your body. This isn’t an issue for many pros who compete full time, but for schmoes like me and 99 percent of the folks trying to obtain pro status, we also have regular jobs and families and we can’t just eat, train and nap/sleep. We have to push through. We have to attend board meetings and some even have manual labor jobs.
And forget date night. I retired from bodybuilding the first time in 2013 after getting my NABBA Pro Card because of the toll it was taking on my family and my marriage. The funny thing is that business went OK, but trust me on this, something will suffer. For me it was family. I have known many who have hurt their careers during prep. Prep brain is real.
Plus systemically, drugs or no drugs, you are in survival mode. Your body is operating on fumes and broccoli, and your mood swings will be epic. Sex drive? Maybe if you’re on some good steroids and Cialis, but for most even those won’t help.
And if you’re nice now, don’t even think about using trenbolone or Halotestin. These will change you in some way. You might not chokeslam your mailman, but your personality will be different – maybe more quiet or more aggressive. It all depends on the person.
Why the hell would anyone compete?
This is a question I have asked myself for decades. I never quite understood it until now.
Because the challenge makes you a better person and WINNING IS AMAZING!
If you can manage life even at a suboptimal level while prepping and not destroy it, life without prep will be simple. It’s conditioning your mind and body to adapt and fight through adversity. Kind of like when a muscle is broken down from training and grows bigger to accommodate the stress, your mind has a similar adaptation.
Then it happened. I was announced as the winner of the 2021 Masters USA and was presented an IFBB Pro Card.
Aside from my wedding date and children being born, this was the greatest individual accomplishment of my life. At 41 years old I achieved a childhood dream. The workouts, the missed cake and desserts, the mood swings … sort of worth it.
Hear me out.
Greatness requires sacrifice. I have regrets. I regret prepping during vacations and not having as much fun. I regret my attitude in the final weeks of prep. And long term, who knows what I did to my health. Did I take years off of my life for that pro card? Maybe.
When looking to compete at a high level, you need to be honest with yourself. Are you pro quality? Ask a good coach and people who can be honest with you. Don’t ask family or friends, they will lie. All of this is worth it to me now since I achieved the goal and while I would like to say it would have been worth it if I never earned my pro card, I cannot honestly say it would have been.
You can’t get memories back. You can’t redo history. You can’t make the memories of you having a short temper with your wife, kids and co-workers disappear.
Bodybuilding is a hobby, treat is as such. Instead of pushing the limits with drugs, be a minimalist and train and diet harder. Avoid harsh drugs that might alter your mood like trenbolone and Halotestin. And ALWAYS pay attention to health!
1. Get blood work done annually or even more often.
2. Eat healthy foods with wholesome ingredients like meats, veggies fruits and grains. Don’t dirty bulk and keep unhealthy foods (example: fried) to a minimum.
3. Take care of your organs by not drinking alcohol and also supplement with Ambrosia Nektar, the ultimate Organ and Health Superfood.
4. Do cardio daily – the heart is a terrible thing to waste!
I wouldn’t trade my pro card for the world, but I also realize I have some time to make up for. Prep is harsh, and as I have been known to say, “It’s not a game,” but being honest with yourself about the pros and cons of the stage and being realistic is essential. Don’t lose your family or job over a plastic trophy.
If you like this article, be sure to head over to Tigerfitness.com and show some love and support!
In Health,
Marc Lobliner
https://www.tigerfitness.com/
Instagram @tigerfitness
Instagram @marclobliner
Twitter @MarcLobliner
YouTube: Tiger Fitness
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMSSUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAYGET OFFICIAL MD STUFFVISIT OUR STORE
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM YOUTUBE
Is a Pro Card Worth It?
Why the hell would anyone compete? Because the challenge makes you a better person and WINNING IS AMAZING!
By Marc Lobliner, CMO Tigerfitness.com
I was at the weigh-in at Masters USA with my coach, Jose Raymond. Jose knows everyone and everyone loves Jose. There were a couple of guys there that Jose competed against as an amateur.
Jose competed in 10 Mr. Olympias.
These guys looked amazing but they have been doing pro qualifiers for well over 10 years. Probably 20. In that time they have come within one to two places of getting their IFBB Pro Card, the pinnacle of bodybuilding.
They lose and keep coming back.
Those who say it’s easy to get a pro card either have insane genetics or have never tried. There were hundreds of competitors trying to turn pro at North Americans. A sea of muscle crowded the backstage area. All with one goal – that purple card on simple card stock that lets the world know that you are part of an exclusive club. You’re an IFBB Pro and once an IFBB Pro, always an IFBB Pro.
When I prep for a show, I am not the same. Life just isn’t as enjoyable. Every step is labored, every bite of food is less enjoyable and even training kinda sucks. I can honestly say that I have to will myself to push beyond and train hard enough to win. Yup, even training sucks when prepping.
I have pushed so hard that my last prep for the Tampa Pro I had to withdraw because I got rhabdomyolysis, a kidney issue from overstressing your body. This isn’t an issue for many pros who compete full time, but for schmoes like me and 99 percent of the folks trying to obtain pro status, we also have regular jobs and families and we can’t just eat, train and nap/sleep. We have to push through. We have to attend board meetings and some even have manual labor jobs.
And forget date night. I retired from bodybuilding the first time in 2013 after getting my NABBA Pro Card because of the toll it was taking on my family and my marriage. The funny thing is that business went OK, but trust me on this, something will suffer. For me it was family. I have known many who have hurt their careers during prep. Prep brain is real.
Plus systemically, drugs or no drugs, you are in survival mode. Your body is operating on fumes and broccoli, and your mood swings will be epic. Sex drive? Maybe if you’re on some good steroids and Cialis, but for most even those won’t help.
And if you’re nice now, don’t even think about using trenbolone or Halotestin. These will change you in some way. You might not chokeslam your mailman, but your personality will be different – maybe more quiet or more aggressive. It all depends on the person.
Why the hell would anyone compete?
This is a question I have asked myself for decades. I never quite understood it until now.
Because the challenge makes you a better person and WINNING IS AMAZING!
If you can manage life even at a suboptimal level while prepping and not destroy it, life without prep will be simple. It’s conditioning your mind and body to adapt and fight through adversity. Kind of like when a muscle is broken down from training and grows bigger to accommodate the stress, your mind has a similar adaptation.
Then it happened. I was announced as the winner of the 2021 Masters USA and was presented an IFBB Pro Card.
Aside from my wedding date and children being born, this was the greatest individual accomplishment of my life. At 41 years old I achieved a childhood dream. The workouts, the missed cake and desserts, the mood swings … sort of worth it.
Hear me out.
Greatness requires sacrifice. I have regrets. I regret prepping during vacations and not having as much fun. I regret my attitude in the final weeks of prep. And long term, who knows what I did to my health. Did I take years off of my life for that pro card? Maybe.
When looking to compete at a high level, you need to be honest with yourself. Are you pro quality? Ask a good coach and people who can be honest with you. Don’t ask family or friends, they will lie. All of this is worth it to me now since I achieved the goal and while I would like to say it would have been worth it if I never earned my pro card, I cannot honestly say it would have been.
You can’t get memories back. You can’t redo history. You can’t make the memories of you having a short temper with your wife, kids and co-workers disappear.
Bodybuilding is a hobby, treat is as such. Instead of pushing the limits with drugs, be a minimalist and train and diet harder. Avoid harsh drugs that might alter your mood like trenbolone and Halotestin. And ALWAYS pay attention to health!
1. Get blood work done annually or even more often.
2. Eat healthy foods with wholesome ingredients like meats, veggies fruits and grains. Don’t dirty bulk and keep unhealthy foods (example: fried) to a minimum.
3. Take care of your organs by not drinking alcohol and also supplement with Ambrosia Nektar, the ultimate Organ and Health Superfood.
4. Do cardio daily – the heart is a terrible thing to waste!
I wouldn’t trade my pro card for the world, but I also realize I have some time to make up for. Prep is harsh, and as I have been known to say, “It’s not a game,” but being honest with yourself about the pros and cons of the stage and being realistic is essential. Don’t lose your family or job over a plastic trophy.
If you like this article, be sure to head over to Tigerfitness.com and show some love and support!
In Health,
Marc Lobliner
https://www.tigerfitness.com/
Instagram @tigerfitness
Instagram @marclobliner
Twitter @MarcLobliner
YouTube: Tiger Fitness
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS
SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF
VISIT OUR STORE
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
YOUTUBE
Top
Click here to view the article.
