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Post by Rich on May 24, 2007 15:56:11 GMT -5
... to Steve, who was the owner of the 1st gym I ever joined, was a hardcore bodybuilder who designed my first programs, trained me for no extra cost, and believed that if I was still walking after a leg workout then I didn't do it right.
... to Pete, who coached me for my first show, who is a true Iron Warrior and old-school to the bone. Pete made me watch every Olympia from the 80's and early 90's (except the drug-free one) so I could understand what it meant to be a bodybuilder on stage. Pete made me do my routine blindfolded, and would put weight plates and dumbells in my way while I was doing it. Pete is still a good friend who is the essence of the sport.
... to Alex, who was the best training partner you can imagine for 3 years, who stays within 10 lbs of contest weight all year round but was as strong as a bull and whose quiet determination made more of a mark on me than maybe anything else in the sport. I miss training with him
... to my wife, who made sure all my meals were prepared for the entire 26 weeks leading up to my show, and who never EVER begrudges me my gym time.
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Post by Rich on May 24, 2007 16:29:08 GMT -5
who in your life were your most positive influences?
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Post by mrbeefy on May 25, 2007 7:28:30 GMT -5
Most Positive Influences:
My Wife~She has taught me so many things, there is not enough room here to list them. Unconditional love.
My Martial Arts Instructor: Other kids had youth groups, we had our karate school. I use so something they taught me every day of my life.
My Buddhist Minister: How to be open and centered.
My Oldest Sister: Took care of me when I was little, while my Mom worked. Key person to me becoming an ordained minister.
My grandchildren: They have taught me to be bigger than myself.
Many teachers, many friends.....and even a few of you! ;D
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Post by Tim Wescott on May 25, 2007 13:39:46 GMT -5
I have to think about this one.........the list of people is very long.
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Post by Rich on May 25, 2007 15:14:01 GMT -5
Mine too. But with respect to bodybuilding alone, if we don't include internet friends, I find my list is quite short. If we DO include internet friends ...
I can think of about 20 people who really make a difference for me.
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Post by Tim Wescott on May 25, 2007 16:21:28 GMT -5
Ok,I`d like to thank IFBB Pro bodybuilder Dave Mastorakis who lived in my hometown when I was a kid.................watching him train gave me a lot of inspiration. The thing was,as a kid I was too scared/shy to approach the guy for any advice..........today we are very good friends as I had re-connected with him when he moved back to Massachusettes from Venice Beach California. Here`s a pic of Dave in his prime:  Daves training partner,Ken Knapp,AAU Mr. USA contestant did offer advice, and helped me and my then training partner Ray Harris out a lot. Ray Harris,my first training partner....never met or saw anyone who trained this hard...unbeleivable poundages drug free as a late teen,and intense and dedicated as anyone you`ll ever meet. Other training partners who hung tough and trained like animals with me back in the day: Glen Clark Eddie DeMars Benny Mateo Randy Sabatini Ken Bisi Royal Gomes and my twin cousins,John and Jim Staples Also my current training partner who trains her as off and pushes me hard everyday.............Bonnie Hays Ehrlichman. Rick Britt who owned Big Daddys gym back in the day,and some of the guys who trained there,including: Jim Jarvis Jeff King Joe Gomes Artie Prince Matt Dufresne Danny Demas Barry Boccasile and many others too numerous to mention. Also,powerlifter John Pezzote who taught me so much about lifting weights eons ago when I first started out that it`s silly. Lots more,but I`d have to write a novel. If we included internet friends/aquaintances,I`d be in huge trouble too Rich. |
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Post by youngblood on May 25, 2007 20:02:37 GMT -5
I could say my Dad.....Pops is the greatest friend.  Then, I could also say my mom....but for the exact opposite reasons; all I have to do is look at her and the lack of "life" she's lived (unless smoking cigarettes on a balcony and drinking beer from 6am to 11pm is "living?"), and she's everything I stand against. Lots of guitar players in there, for inspiration. Not really any bodybuilders, since I get tips from everywhere and motivate myself, but they're more rejects in my book (speaking of todays pros). Lots of friends, for different reasons across the board..... ...I give up.... <sigh> #smileycoffee9lo# #sprintingsmiley7rh# |
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Post by RUBICON19 on May 25, 2007 20:45:27 GMT -5
My wife, Jen is very much a positive influence in my life. This woman can accomplish ANYTHING she puts her mind to. Never ceases to AMAZE me!!!! A newer influence to me would be MO. Yup, MO!!! I have the utmost respect for this guy. He is a TRUE champion. Not only as a BBer, but as a person as well!!! I believe I have become a better BBer due greatly to PRO MO! |
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Post by nabba65pp on May 28, 2007 8:36:10 GMT -5
My wife, She has done everything possible to make it easier on me. She would weigh my food and such, at the gym she would push me past my weakness. Also the internet and boards like this gave me ideas on diet.
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Post by Intensity on May 28, 2007 14:34:45 GMT -5
First, my mom, she is the strongest person I've ever meet! I mean, she cant lift a 25lbs dumbels  but she went trough a lot of tough situations and always showed courage and determination. I would love to have half her courage… Marie-eve, my fiancée, she is the center of my universe and she represents everything I stand for in life. The friends, including WOTW friends, I have had during every periods of my life. I've been very lucky to be surrounded by so positive people! They are a huge reason why I am the one I am today. … and Randy, WOW, this is a tremendous homage, thanks my friend. Believe me, it's not because you have said it about me, but I do feel the same about you! I really consider you as one of my best friend! |
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Post by RUBICON19 on May 28, 2007 20:10:03 GMT -5
First, my mom, she is the strongest person I've ever meet! I mean, she cant lift a 25lbs dumbels but she went trough a lot of tough situations and always showed courage and determination. I would love to have half her courage… Marie-eve, my fiancée, she is the center of my universe and she represents everything I stand for in life. The friends, including WOTW friends, I have had during every periods of my life. I've been very lucky to be surrounded by so positive people! They are a huge reason why I am the one I am today. … and Randy, WOW, this is a tremendous homage, thanks my friend. Believe me, it's not because you have said it about me, but I do feel the same about you! I really consider you as one of my best friend!  |
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but she went trough a lot of tough situations and always showed courage and determination. I would love to have half her courage…