[quote]UFgator11 wrote:
[quote]The Mighty Stu wrote:
about 15 lbs heavier! Definitely some decent progress, especially for a guy who’s 37 and has been training for 17 years.
[/quote]
def not newbie gains! great log, stu, congrats on the pro card! TMS FTW!!! [/quote]
It’s all about applying intelligent consistency, and smartly staying one step ahead of your body’s adaptive responses 
(put THAT on a T-shirt -lol)
S
I know shit about posing, but just by looking at the vid, you made the other 2 look like n00bcakes
Stu- I am very excited to hear your news! You are an inspiration to me. I hope to one day achieve what you have and seeing one of us do it really makes it seem possible! You have accomplished something like this in a nation where most ppl cannot be bothered to get off the couch, household chores are considered exercise and the fitness industry has a 98% failure rate. Truly exceptional.
JCAESAR88- Thanks bro, I spent a lot of time working on my posing. Being able to watch the video from last year’s show really made a big difference. I was able to compare what I was doing to what the more experienced competitors were doing. Also, trying subtle variations that would really enable me to spotlight my strengths, while (hopefully) hiding my weaknesses. I was actually surprised to get compliments backstage on my posing, certainly not expected (nor were the comments on my ‘excellent’ color! -lol). Also to note, I think the fact that I was helping two other guys prep for shows, I really had to analyze their posing, which gave me a bit more objectivity than I probably would have otherwise had in regard to my own presentation.
MIJUGGERNAUT- Many thanks, I really think the most difficult part of such an endeavor is keeping yourself motivated. Last year, it was just me pushing myself, day after day, week after week. This year, it seemed that more eyes were watching me, and I admittedly felt a bit of pressure to show everyone that last year’s contest, where I walked away with 4 trophies wasn’t just some ridiculous fluke. And with Mike and John constantly looking to me for inspiration, and daily answers on their training and diets,… I really just had to be on my game (luckily I’m a research junkie, and take insanely detailed notes on everything I do gym-wise). The whole team aspect these last two shows (where all 3 of us competed) just made everything come together in a way that I didn’t really feel last year (I was nervous the entire time that I didn’t belong onstage, right up until I actually had a trophy in my hands!) Now I’ve got people coming to me for prep work, and wanting one of my ‘Wolf-Pack’ T shirts (we all got matching shirts and warmup jackets! -lol)
S
cheers man, you deserved it.
Now enjoy being one of the ELITE
You have one more show lined up this year, yes?
Yeah, I had signed up to do the USBF Battle in the 'Burgh on 5/29, originally thinking I’d go into the Open Middleweights (the 3 shows were so close together, I figured I’d just hit 'em all, then recomp and see what I need to work on - didn’t actually expect the Pro Card!).
Of course now, I find myself going in to compete in the Pro Division, with no weight classes (just one big class), against guys that have been guest posers at shows I’ve competed in as an amateur. Definitely a step up as far as the level of competition.
I’m Hoping to place top 5, but in all honesty, would LOVE to make top 3 in my first pro show. We’ll see… like I said, I don’t have to worry about making a certain weight, but I now know where I can be most competitive, and will do my best (as beaten down as my body is at the moment) to bring a good package to the stage.
S
Way to go Stu! Amazing physique. Fantastic proportion.