We just got sponsored!

[steve_d]

Excited to say that Ange and I just got sponsored by Cygen Labs!

As some of you have seen in our product log, Cygen has some top notch supplements. We are proud to line up with a relatively new company that is Canadian made, and only uses quality ingredients in their forumlations (without proprietary blends to hide behind!). We will be writing articles, and posting video logs on their facebook page / website as we begin our prep for the 2012 competition season. As of right now, Ange is preparing for the NS provincials which will fall only 8 months after giving birth to our 2nd child! She also plans to do the Atlantics, and WQ that same month. As for me, I am having a great offseason, and expect to compete in Edmonton for the Nationals in August.

Excited for the 2012 season!

[Delt King]

Congrats, well deserved on both your parts.

[Talo]

Didn't see that coming , actually I thought you were already :) - Congrats !

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Congrats to both of you.

[JonnyO]

Congratulations to the both of you!

[JacktheThriller]

money or supps?

[XCompetitor]

Congratulations. Good things happen to good people.

[ironwill]

good for you guys...Being sponsored is certainly a great help......:flagC

[steve_d]

Thanks everyone...

Our first of many articles we'll be writing on bodybuilding related topics should be posted soon. Many of which I was inspired to write by reading the topics on this board. As far as the sponsorship, its rare a supplement company will outright give you money. At least not for competitors at our level! However, when you are purchasing the amount of supplements we go through - it's as good as money to us! Every little bit counts.

Personally, being backed up by a reputable company means just as much to me as the products themselves. Hopefully in the long run we can be featured in ads, represent Cygen at various shows, etc. Just got my TM900 (early xmas present in the mail today)...after practicing a little with it, I'll be sure to start our video log series in the new year.

[Andre Gregoire]

I assumed you were already sponsored as well based on your product pimping blog... ha ha ha

[cog]

Steve has always struck me as an honest guy and he had good results with the products.Congrats

[steve_d]

Good results indeed! Funny part is, it's been almost another month since that, and the results have not stopped for me. I have officially surpassed all my previous bests. For example...5 plates for 8 on my last squat day - bodyweight 190!

Too many people try to get sponsored and accept the first company they get a hold of. Every month I'll hear of a new person getting sponsored by some company I've never heard of...Then those same guys will be still ordering up their fusion, muscletech, mutant, etc because they aren't really getting any benefit from the stuff they are getting...Then what happens is the awful tasting protein powder gets given to relatives, or sold to their friends for next to nothing...Hardly a good relationship with the sponsor!

I've tried MANY different brands and supplements over the years, and Cygen is easily up there with the best of them. Obviously no supplement is going to turn you into superman, but with the work I plan on putting into my training until nationals, I am sure I will put the Steve of 2010 to shame :)

[Talo]

Nice squat !!

[Mr Ontario]

Good work bro :)

[Flexb]

Thanks everyone...

Our first of many articles we'll be writing on bodybuilding related topics should be posted soon. Many of which I was inspired to write by reading the topics on this board. As far as the sponsorship, its rare a supplement company will outright give you money. At least not for competitors at our level! However, when you are purchasing the amount of supplements we go through - it's as good as money to us! Every little bit counts.

Personally, being backed up by a reputable company means just as much to me as the products themselves. Hopefully in the long run we can be featured in ads, represent Cygen at various shows, etc. Just got my TM900 (early xmas present in the mail today)...after practicing a little with it, I'll be sure to start our video log series in the new year.

I used to work for a major company and did most if not all of the recruiting. The sponsorships are more of an exposure opportunity than anything else. There is no money to be made unless your in the money at the IFBB pro level, whether figure, BB etc. It's kind of sad. I remember how excited the guys would get with the phone call letting them know they had made it on board but so many of them were let down once they realized it was pretty much a dead end after a small picture in a magazine or two. A lot of them liked the fact they could say they were actually sponsored but it's very misleading considering it really is just a small allotment of supplements each month in trade for a transformation or mini photo shoot. At the end of the contract 99% of them weren't renewed.
I remember flying so many of these guys to head office and how some of them thought there was going to be a red carpet rolled out for them or some cheerleading squad waiting for them lol.
If you actually use the supplements, or sell them like so many of the guys do (which is wrong lol), then it can result in a little extra pocket cash, but I guess the best payment for a bodybuilder is to see their picture in a magazine. I guess that is the main goal. But when you really think about, what does that really do? I guess it feeds our ego's as bodybuilders but having a picture in magazine really has no result otherwise. I know alot of the girls dream of this exposure somehow equaling fame some day but the reality is it won't. Unless your trish stratus or Torie Wilson. lol
And on a side note, some of those "fitness models" running around saying they're making some substantial salary from supplement sponsorship aren't telling the truth. I can tell u flat out what 2 of the biggest names are making with the largest company and it isn't anywhere near flattering.

[ubcpower]

Debbie downer

[Danger]

Thats awesome! Love reading the Blog.

[steve_d]

I used to work for a major company and did most if not all of the recruiting. The sponsorships are more of an exposure opportunity than anything else. There is no money to be made unless your in the money at the IFBB pro level, whether figure, BB etc. It's kind of sad. I remember how excited the guys would get with the phone call letting them know they had made it on board but so many of them were let down once they realized it was pretty much a dead end after a small picture in a magazine or two. A lot of them liked the fact they could say they were actually sponsored but it's very misleading considering it really is just a small allotment of supplements each month in trade for a transformation or mini photo shoot. At the end of the contract 99% of them weren't renewed.
I remember flying so many of these guys to head office and how some of them thought there was going to be a red carpet rolled out for them or some cheerleading squad waiting for them lol.
If you actually use the supplements, or sell them like so many of the guys do (which is wrong lol), then it can result in a little extra pocket cash, but I guess the best payment for a bodybuilder is to see their picture in a magazine. I guess that is the main goal. But when you really think about, what does that really do? I guess it feeds our ego's as bodybuilders but having a picture in magazine really has no result otherwise. I know alot of the girls dream of this exposure somehow equaling fame some day but the reality is it won't. Unless your trish stratus or Torie Wilson. lol
And on a side note, some of those "fitness models" running around saying they're making some substantial salary from supplement sponsorship aren't telling the truth. I can tell u flat out what 2 of the biggest names are making with the largest company and it isn't anywhere near flattering.

We've been in this sport for a long time and I'll agree with you about no money being made in the sport. However, I am not in this sport for money! Sure, some use their victories to promote themselves as trainers, etc. And the odd time someone can get paid for photos of themselves to be used for novel covers (hey ANGE? hehe) ... But like I said, the sponsorship for me has nothing to do with getting paid. We get supplements for free, which in turn saves us some cash, yes.

You say having a picture in a magazine is meaningless, or has no result, but what does winning a show do? A trophy is equally meaningless. How about a pro card? If you think about it - equally meaningless. Just a ticket to allow you to spend more money travelling to farther competition events, to likely place far far lower in a very subjective sport. We do it because it is a hobby we enjoy, and we enjoy doing it together. Some couples like to play tennis together, or go on nature walks together, or spend all their hard earned cash travelling to remote islands and living it up for a week or two each year. We don't do any of that stuff (although we've talked about getting tennis rackets! - lol)... Our hobby is this sport. When we go to the gym together on weekends, its 'our time', and a break from the kids.

So in the end, if we can help motivate, help, or inspire others with what we do, then great. Since the show we've enjoyed more family time, and 'getting back to normal' time. Ange just celebrated her birthday, and mine is coming up...After that little bit of fun, I think it will be back to the grind. Looking forward to continuing to add to the blog. Our first contract was renewed, and if we our lucky enough to be part of the 1% that get renewed again, then we'll continue to support Cygen as they've continued to support us in the sport we both enjoy being part of. Excuse any spelling mistakes - I wrote this fast with the adrenaline building from the decimate I just took on my way to the gym :) ...

[Flexb]

We've been in this sport for a long time and I'll agree with you about no money being made in the sport. However, I am not in this sport for money! Sure, some use their victories to promote themselves as trainers, etc. And the odd time someone can get paid for photos of themselves to be used for novel covers (hey ANGE? hehe) ... But like I said, the sponsorship for me has nothing to do with getting paid. We get supplements for free, which in turn saves us some cash, yes.

You say having a picture in a magazine is meaningless, or has no result, but what does winning a show do? A trophy is equally meaningless. How about a pro card? If you think about it - equally meaningless. Just a ticket to allow you to spend more money travelling to farther competition events, to likely place far far lower in a very subjective sport. We do it because it is a hobby we enjoy, and we enjoy doing it together. Some couples like to play tennis together, or go on nature walks together, or spend all their hard earned cash travelling to remote islands and living it up for a week or two each year. We don't do any of that stuff (although we've talked about getting tennis rackets! - lol)... Our hobby is this sport. When we go to the gym together on weekends, its 'our time', and a break from the kids.

So in the end, if we can help motivate, help, or inspire others with what we do, then great. Since the show we've enjoyed more family time, and 'getting back to normal' time. Ange just celebrated her birthday, and mine is coming up...After that little bit of fun, I think it will be back to the grind. Looking forward to continuing to add to the blog. Our first contract was renewed, and if we our lucky enough to be part of the 1% that get renewed again, then we'll continue to support Cygen as they've continued to support us in the sport we both enjoy being part of. Excuse any spelling mistakes - I wrote this fast with the adrenaline building from the decimate I just took on my way to the gym :) ...

What is your long term goal with bodybuilding? It sounds like you've done a lot, so where does it end you think?

[phatkid77]

Flexb is back... What's up. Shoot me a pm man.
Ps. I wish I was sponsored. Damn protein. Lol.

[Flexb]

Flexb is back... What's up. Shoot me a pm man.
Ps. I wish I was sponsored. Damn protein. Lol.

Hey dude, haha, ya with protein manufacturing increases the past while, you could easily save 100 bucks a month with sponsorship. And it's only getting worse! lol

[phatkid77]

No kidding. Closer to $150 for me..plus plus plus.
That's awesome Steve and ange sponsored. I've used the decimate and like it lots.. my only hope is to do more than one show and luck out goon for provs. Or genetic fairy stop by ay Xmas... Nationals in few Years. Lol.

[steve_d]

What is your long term goal with bodybuilding? It sounds like you've done a lot, so where does it end you think?

I've competed in many shows, but have yet to compete at the national show. I have also yet to win an overall title. I guess I have a couple goals. Win nationals as a middleweight, and/or win provincials + overall. Will it end there? Likely not... If I do those by the time I am 40 great - then I can continue to have new goals as a master. Those are quantitative goals in terms of placings. Really though, I only have 1 true goal that is important. Continue to improve each and every time I compete. Once that stops, then the goal is to at least not decline too much, lol... Then the goal is to stay healthy.

Like I said, its a hobby - I don't take it as serious as most, but I think that has been my secret to success. I do everything in life in moderation. Anything extreme I feel is unhealthy.

[69challenger]

Like I said, its a hobby - I don't take it as serious as most, but I think that has been my secret to success. I do everything in life in moderation. Anything extreme I feel is unhealthy.

Love this attitude!