I just released a new clip from Raising the Bar, my BB documentary series, that I thought you might like and might start a good conversation.
In this excerpt from the RTB3 Dave Pulcinella makes his final attempt to become a pro bodybuilder, all the while remembering the relationship he sacrificed for his quest.
Australian band From the Ashes graciously lent their powerful song to us for this scene.
Question: If you are a competitive bodybuilder (not just a casual one) how do you maintain balance in your life during those pre-contest months when your focus on the show must be 24/7?
I can honestly say that I’m amazingly lucky that my girlfriend not just understands, but supports my competing. She’s always there (calling in sick to work) to help me shave, apply coats of pro-tan the day before a show, backstage with the dreamtan and cooking spray, and even evaluates my posing. In the time I’ve been competing, she’s endured watching countless bodybuilding videos while listening to me explain the finer points of Yates’ physique, why everyone loves Ronnie, and exactly how Jay was going to shut everyone up at the '09 Olympia.
She’s been with me on my journey since my first show, and after I won my pro-card just this last weekend, I thanked her constantly throughout the evening, the next day, and every day since. I couldn’t have done this without her, and I make certain that she, and everyone else, is aware of that fact.
S
[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
I can honestly say that I’m amazingly lucky that my girlfriend not just understands, but supports my competing. She’s always there (calling in sick to work) to help me shave, apply coats of pro-tan the day before a show, backstage with the dreamtan and cooking spray, and even evaluates my posing. In the time I’ve been competing, she’s endured watching countless bodybuilding videos while listening to me explain the finer points of Yates’ physique, why everyone loves Ronnie, and exactly how Jay was going to shut everyone up at the '09 Olympia.
She’s been with me on my journey since my first show, and after I won my pro-card just this last weekend, I thanked her constantly throughout the evening, the next day, and every day since. I couldn’t have done this without her, and I make certain that she, and everyone else, is aware of that fact.
S[/quote]
Congrats on getting your pro card Stu. Are you not a bear to live with leading up? The reason I ask is because a dude I used to work with had a friend that competed and he was a bastard the last few weeks. He said it was because he was cutting out carbs the closer he got and it made him extremely irritable or something like that. Everybody’s different I guess. Your GF sounds like a keeper.
With a good woman I can go straight to the top!
Tony Montana 
Regarding the video, very sobering and another side young guys should see if they are interested in pursuing this sport. Not to discourage them but to let them see the whole picture. I liked the video btw.
Honestly, Mike, there are probably only a handful of guys on this forum who can answer that question for you. Not many competitors here, at all.
[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
I can honestly say that I’m amazingly lucky that my girlfriend not just understands, but supports my competing. She’s always there (calling in sick to work) to help me shave, apply coats of pro-tan the day before a show, backstage with the dreamtan and cooking spray, and even evaluates my posing. In the time I’ve been competing, she’s endured watching countless bodybuilding videos while listening to me explain the finer points of Yates’ physique, why everyone loves Ronnie, and exactly how Jay was going to shut everyone up at the '09 Olympia.
She’s been with me on my journey since my first show, and after I won my pro-card just this last weekend, I thanked her constantly throughout the evening, the next day, and every day since. I couldn’t have done this without her, and I make certain that she, and everyone else, is aware of that fact.
S[/quote]
You going to marry her?
[quote]BradTGIF wrote:
[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
I can honestly say that I’m amazingly lucky that my girlfriend not just understands, but supports my competing. She’s always there (calling in sick to work) to help me shave, apply coats of pro-tan the day before a show, backstage with the dreamtan and cooking spray, and even evaluates my posing. In the time I’ve been competing, she’s endured watching countless bodybuilding videos while listening to me explain the finer points of Yates’ physique, why everyone loves Ronnie, and exactly how Jay was going to shut everyone up at the '09 Olympia.
She’s been with me on my journey since my first show, and after I won my pro-card just this last weekend, I thanked her constantly throughout the evening, the next day, and every day since. I couldn’t have done this without her, and I make certain that she, and everyone else, is aware of that fact.
S[/quote]
You going to marry her?
[/quote]
Yeah, I mean she has “keeper” pretty much written all over her. (Unless she still gets mega alimony checks from an ex, which case, don’t marry her.)
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Honestly, Mike, there are probably only a handful of guys on this forum who can answer that question for you. Not many competitors here, at all. [/quote]
You have a gift for “understatement”.
Lol,… I think how you deal with the rest of your life during a prep is an individual thing. Obviously I have work and social commitments that do not take a backseat, nor even care about my contests. So if I know I’ve got a limited amount of carbs for the day, and I have to be at an appointment, I make sure I spread my numbers out so I won’t be uncomfortable,… or for that matter, I make certain I won’t be out late on those nights (when I’m starting to nod off in public). I’ll also add that I think a lot of people kind of take advantage of people expecting them to be irritable when dieting(sort of like the whole ‘roid rage’ excuse for being an ass). I never really got irritable,… tired? sure, but I understand that I’m undertaking something by choice, and it not a reason to justify any other behavior. In fact, I went out of my way to NOT be irritable, especially around my girl’s friends and coworkers.
S
[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
Lol,… I think how you deal with the rest of your life during a prep is an individual thing. Obviously I have work and social commitments that do not take a backseat, nor even care about my contests. So if I know I’ve got a limited amount of carbs for the day, and I have to be at an appointment, I make sure I spread my numbers out so I won’t be uncomfortable,… or for that matter, I make certain I won’t be out late on those nights (when I’m starting to nod off in public). I’ll also add that I think a lot of people kind of take advantage of people expecting them to be irritable when dieting(sort of like the whole ‘roid rage’ excuse for being an ass). I never really got irritable,… tired? sure, but I understand that I’m undertaking something by choice, and it not a reason to justify any other behavior. In fact, I went out of my way to NOT be irritable, especially around my girl’s friends and coworkers.
S[/quote]
Yeah, but how can others be expected to live up to the classiest dude on these boards? You’re setting an impossible standard, you bastard.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
Lol,… I think how you deal with the rest of your life during a prep is an individual thing. Obviously I have work and social commitments that do not take a backseat, nor even care about my contests. So if I know I’ve got a limited amount of carbs for the day, and I have to be at an appointment, I make sure I spread my numbers out so I won’t be uncomfortable,… or for that matter, I make certain I won’t be out late on those nights (when I’m starting to nod off in public). I’ll also add that I think a lot of people kind of take advantage of people expecting them to be irritable when dieting(sort of like the whole ‘roid rage’ excuse for being an ass). I never really got irritable,… tired? sure, but I understand that I’m undertaking something by choice, and it not a reason to justify any other behavior. In fact, I went out of my way to NOT be irritable, especially around my girl’s friends and coworkers.
S[/quote]
Yeah, but how can others be expected to live up to the classiest dude on these boards? You’re setting an impossible standard, you bastard.[/quote]
Haha, agreed. You’re the Father Figure of TMuscle Stu, big role model and inspiration.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Honestly, Mike, there are probably only a handful of guys on this forum who can answer that question for you. Not many competitors here, at all. [/quote]
It’s cool. I just thought people would enjoy the clip. I’m very proud of the way it came together.
[quote]mike pulcinella wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Honestly, Mike, there are probably only a handful of guys on this forum who can answer that question for you. Not many competitors here, at all. [/quote]
It’s cool. I just thought people would enjoy the clip. I’m very proud of the way it came together.[/quote]
Great clip, I cannot imagine what is running through his mind though at the very end when he misses the win.
