2010 CBBF Bodybuilding Nationals OFFICIAL THREAD

[bluenose]

here's an odd question: when do you say enough is enough and move onto other things instead of chasing a dream that, right now, seems like it will never be a reality?

Take that year or 2 off to come back and retool but lets be honest here, he's never going to amount to anything on a pro stage. He's getting way to old to do any real damage. I can't imagine how much money he's spent in the pursuit of a pro card but I sure know that if I was doing all the work and forking out the cash for nothing in return I'd be questioning why I am doing this.

I remember Fouad questioned whether bodybuilding was right for him leading up to his pro card win. He figured that getting denied a few times maybe it just wasn't in the cards. Ron has been a serious contender for what, 6-7 years now?



Gotta feel for the guy that's for sure.

I guess this is the whole other question that he will have to think about. But then again he truly loves competing and maybe getting a pro card is enough satisfaction for him.

Look at the SHW winner and the changes that he made. In 2008 we competed together in the HW class and he was tied for last in the class. Props to that guy!

[Dryvrgrl]

Nate.. the same can be said about anything in life... I mean, the guy passed up for promotion at work, the actress who doesn't get the lead role, any athlete really... it's passion that drives people...
I don't know Ron (except that he has stellar taste in music! CLUTCH ROCKS!!!) but it might no even be about making money as a pro bb... it might just be about winning it.. I dunno... every time someone tells me I "can't" or I'm not "good enough"... I push harder to prove them wrong...

[natenator]

Nate.. the same can be said about anything in life... I mean, the guy passed up for promotion at work, the actress who doesn't get the lead role, any athlete really... it's passion that drives people...
I don't know Ron (except that he has stellar taste in music! CLUTCH ROCKS!!!) but it might no even be about making money as a pro bb... it might just be about winning it.. I dunno... every time someone tells me I "can't" or I'm not "good enough"... I push harder to prove them wrong...

I was looking at it more from a time/financial point of view. It's frigging expensive to compete at the national level. Travel alone is expensive and then factor in everything else so to spend ALL that money and never get what you're searching for.

Maybe it is more about the end goal for Ron. Finally getting what he worked so hard to get and then calling it a day but to keep showing up year after year and not getting it done you'd think he'd seriously question what needs to be done and I think the guy hit the nail on the head. Take a break from competing and make the adjustments and gains to get the job done.

I hope he can get what he's fighting so hard for. I believe he deserves it.

[Aintnobuddy]

I was looking at it more from a time/financial point of view. It's frigging expensive to compete at the national level. Travel alone is expensive and then factor in everything else so to spend ALL that money and never get what you're searching for.

Maybe it is more about the end goal for Ron. Finally getting what he worked so hard to get and then calling it a day but to keep showing up year after year and not getting it done you'd think he'd seriously question what needs to be done and I think the guy hit the nail on the head. Take a break from competing and make the adjustments and gains to get the job done.

I hope he can get what he's fighting so hard for. I believe he deserves it.

I can't think of anyone who has made a successful career out of amateur bodybuilding. If I'm wrong I'd like to hear about it. Does anybody remember Greg Kovacs??? His was a memorable career, not! I agree Natenator; time off & rest is a bodybuilders best friend. Correct me if I'm wrong but Santana's last show was 2006, no? Big changes that paid off, and somewhat of a real life to enjoy in those years off I bet.

Once a guy or gal gets his Pro Card then is the time to do multiple shows per year and get what you can out of the experience. These Pro's are also expected to make serious gains during that time. Unless the card comes your way before age 30 there is not a lot of time to pick and choose and take the growing time. By all accounts a competitors value (contracts & sponsorships) is in facetime and appearances. When amateurs have a whole year to prepare for one show and only make marginal gains it is a good reflection of where they will land if ever given the chance in the IFBB ranks.

Here's some food for thought. Ron's situation reminds me of Mr. Bob Cicherillo. His amateur record was:
1987 NPC Nationals Heavyweight, 5th
1989 NPC Nationals Heavyweight, 4th
1989 IFBB North American Championships Heavyweight, 4th
1989 NPC USA Championships Heavyweight, 2nd
1990 NPC Nationals Light Heavyweight, 5th
1993 NPC USA Championships Heavyweight, 8th
1995 NPC USA Championships Heavyweight, 15th
1996 NPC Nationals Heavyweight, 8th
1999 NPC Nationals Heavyweight, 2nd
2000 NPC USA Championships Super Heavyweight & Overall, 1st (PRO CARD)

After this he competed for 3 years in the IFBB only cracking the top 5 twice in 8 shows I believe. Met Bob and he's a great guy but a bit bitter IMO in hindsight about what took so long and how little it amounted to.

Compare to Ron's amateur record (Pro qualifying shows)
2000 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 2nd
2001 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 5th
2002 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 3rd
2003 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 2nd
2004 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 4th
2006 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 2nd
2007 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 1st
2008 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 2nd
2009 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 2nd
2009 IFBB North America Championships, 6th
2010 CBBF Nationals Super Heavyweight, 2nd

I'll say this, the man is clearly endeared to the sport! He is one of a kind when it comes to tenacity. Just wonder if it is passion that still drives him or fellowship?

I guess Ron Parow has his reasons and those are the only ones that count. We are all entitled to our opinions; good or bad but at the end of the day a man has only himself to answer to. Let's hope Big Ron is honest with the one person that counts the most.

Best of luck to Ron at the 2010 N.A's. You have a whole country rooting for you!

[sean0617]

Nate.. the same can be said about anything in life... I mean, the guy passed up for promotion at work, the actress who doesn't get the lead role, any athlete really... it's passion that drives people...
I don't know Ron (except that he has stellar taste in music! CLUTCH ROCKS!!!) but it might no even be about making money as a pro bb... it might just be about winning it.. I dunno... every time someone tells me I "can't" or I'm not "good enough"... I push harder to prove them wrong...

Yes, but the point is... the guy that doesn't get the promotion is probably going to go get another job if he gets passed on enough, the actress.. she is going to eventually find a job after enough passes on roles, there's a fine line between not giving up, and its not going to happen. Its like Kevin Levrone said when he retired. " I realized they were never going to give it to me " maybe this is the case for Ron.. hopefully not I'd love to see the guy get it.. but like i said, theres a fine line between not giving up, and chasing a dream thats not going to happen.

Yes 2nd place can be a big motivator as can proving people wrong.. yes its great for motivating you in the gym and in life but eventually you have to look at real life, and unfortunately you have to accept what you see. but some time off for Ron could see big changes happen I wish the guy all the best, and hopefully next time out is his time

[Dryvrgrl]

I totally see your point sean and nate.. Im sure whatever Ron chooses to do, will be the right choice for him... I am personally rooting for him though...... he's young!! lots of time... if he took a year or two and came back, he'd still be young! I wish him the best!

I am anxiously awaiting scores to be posted. Both for Ron's class, as well as a few others.

You know... after one of these things is done... you can't help playing "what if.." like "what if we used a different colout".. "what if I would have smiled more"... "what if I dind't cramp"... "what if I would have done more cardio"... or whatever... Everyone who stood up on that stage is amazing! and you all deserve alot of credit!

I think Leigh is going to take a year off and get bigger up top. She has legs like an oak tree!! we gotta get her top half to match... which iMO translates into 6 to 10 pounds up top. Just trying to process what that means as far as training, diet and weather thats even possible as a "natural athlete".

[razorsedge]

People...lets give Ron some breathing space. He trains and diets his ass off for years, goes to the show in great shape and gets beat out by a guy who "obviously did the same". When Ron gets his feedback from the judges, he with those that are close to him, I don't know if he has family, will have to sit down and make some very hard decisions with respect to his bodybuilding future as a competitor...and those of you in the game know that is not going to be easy. Everyone wants to win and when it's time to leave, they want to do it on their terms...lets give him some space and let him reflect a little...it may take months or longer to make a decision and that still may not be final. He knows his body and the work he has to endure to make the necessary changes...if he really needs to and it's obvious from posts here that people think there needs to be changes. Personally, I'd like to tell Ron you looked awesome and it is most guys dream that read these threads to one day look like that...and congrats...for second. We are all super excited when an athlete wins silver at the Olympics... You are a Canadian BB icon no matter what the judges score cards say. Good luck and all the best in your future endeavors...no matter what they are as a person with your obvious work ethic will succeed in whatever they pursue.

This is what happens when you get a "peoples choice" athlete....and we are all forgetting the young man who won the supers...I don't see anyone saying congrats to him or talking about his stage presence other than DGRL letting us know on show night on this thread that his conditioning was "spot on".....you looked foggin awesome and a super congrats to you ...you have a fantastic future ahead of you in the great sport of BB...and as you can tell from the post there are some passionate people out there who love the sport...we all admire your efforts to achieve what you just did...can we get some posts maybe about how this guy looked awesome and really rocked the show as he was an obvious "surprise winner"....cause he trained and dieted his ass off...

That will be all for the lectures today...lol...thanks

[Rrrrolla]

I totally see your point sean and nate.. Im sure whatever Ron chooses to do, will be the right choice for him... I am personally rooting for him though...... he's young!! lots of time... if he took a year or two and came back, he'd still be young! I wish him the best!

I am anxiously awaiting scores to be posted. Both for Ron's class, as well as a few others.

You know... after one of these things is done... you can't help playing "what if.." like "what if we used a different colout".. "what if I would have smiled more"... "what if I dind't cramp"... "what if I would have done more cardio"... or whatever... Everyone who stood up on that stage is amazing! and you all deserve alot of credit!

I think Leigh is going to take a year off and get bigger up top. She has legs like an oak tree!! we gotta get her top half to match... which iMO translates into 6 to 10 pounds up top. Just trying to process what that means as far as training, diet and weather thats even possible as a "natural athlete".

She has come a really long way naturally! I'm not going to say she's doing anything behind your back cause I have seen some incredibly gifted bodybuilders that took nothing on the banned list. But if she does make the switch, she will probably grow like nobody's business!

Congartulations to Santana!! Phenomemal brother! You did what we all aspire to do. Salim's turn next year!

[tiramisu]

I totally see your point sean and nate.. Im sure whatever Ron chooses to do, will be the right choice for him... I am personally rooting for him though...... he's young!! lots of time... if he took a year or two and came back, he'd still be young! I wish him the best!

I am anxiously awaiting scores to be posted. Both for Ron's class, as well as a few others.

You know... after one of these things is done... you can't help playing "what if.." like "what if we used a different colout".. "what if I would have smiled more"... "what if I dind't cramp"... "what if I would have done more cardio"... or whatever... Everyone who stood up on that stage is amazing! and you all deserve alot of credit!

I think Leigh is going to take a year off and get bigger up top. She has legs like an oak tree!! we gotta get her top half to match... which iMO translates into 6 to 10 pounds up top. Just trying to process what that means as far as training, diet and weather thats even possible as a "natural athlete".

6-10 pounds of competition weight may take Leigh 2 years as a full blown natural. That's a lot of muscle.

For the competitors reading these threads. You gots fans. MP's hard work showcasing canadian bodybuilding is starting to bear fruit. This thread has seen 13,415 views as I'm typing this. While the vast majority never sign up or post they are reading, watching and cheering for you guys.

again... congratulations to all of you.

[loutfi]

People...lets give Ron some breathing space. He trains and diets his ass off for years, goes to the show in great shape and gets beat out by a guy who "obviously did the same". When Ron gets his feedback from the judges, he with those that are close to him, I don't know if he has family, will have to sit down and make some very hard decisions with respect to his bodybuilding future as a competitor...and those of you in the game know that is not going to be easy. Everyone wants to win and when it's time to leave, they want to do it on their terms...lets give him some space and let him reflect a little...it may take months or longer to make a decision and that still may not be final. He knows his body and the work he has to endure to make the necessary changes...if he really needs to and it's obvious from posts here that people think there needs to be changes. Personally, I'd like to tell Ron you looked awesome and it is most guys dream that read these threads to one day look like that...and congrats...for second. We are all super excited when an athlete wins silver at the Olympics... You are a Canadian BB icon no matter what the judges score cards say. Good luck and all the best in your future endeavors...no matter what they are as a person with your obvious work ethic will succeed in whatever they pursue.

This is what happens when you get a "peoples choice" athlete....and we are all forgetting the young man who won the supers...I don't see anyone saying congrats to him or talking about his stage presence other than DGRL letting us know on show night on this thread that his conditioning was "spot on".....you looked foggin awesome and a super congrats to you ...you have a fantastic future ahead of you in the great sport of BB...and as you can tell from the post there are some passionate people out there who love the sport...we all admire your efforts to achieve what you just did...can we get some posts maybe about how this guy looked awesome and really rocked the show as he was an obvious "surprise winner"....cause he trained and dieted his ass off...

That will be all for the lectures today...lol...thanks

Thank you. You are the very 1st one to congrats me.
Trained hard and diet hard ALL by my self since 14 years now.
So like you ask i post some pics. It has been taked just before the finals in the room of the super heavy.