Men's Physique: GX's road to the 2012 BC's (and beyond)

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

May 10, 2012

If you are going to do this thing, then you have got to do it correctly.

Although the desire never dies, we know there comes a time when we hit a low point in this thing that we do, and every so often, even we need a little something to push us through the mud. True, we make our gains; we get the love from our friends and families… that does not matter because we are not in it for that. It helps though… but it is not enough.

Then, we head out to a show to see other brothers and sisters throw it down under the lights to make a name for themselves, and you know as well as I do what it took for them to get there. You can identify with it. When that front double biceps is shot out at the hysterical crowd, you know what that pose REALLY represents, and what every step of the journey meant to him, because you feel it day in and day out; you feel it in every forced red; you taste it with each bite of chicken breast; you feel the calm from the job well done when the water in your shower cascades over the impregnable fortress that is the armor that you have fashioned. You understand just how important the job at hand was with those weapons of mass construction. Like that man… like that woman on stage… you know that the months of fun were just as much of a Hell as the months of torture to bring something to the stage that will make people question if you are merely human, or a freak of nature. The gym is your playground, and the stage is your killing grounds… those on the stage know that, and you know it. You get it. While there are those in the audience looking and leering and wanting and cheering, you share their adulation. But unlike them, yours is different. While they respond to the display, you respond to their triumph, and what their triumph gives you: if you lost the way, they helped you find it again. If the path seemed dark, they showed you the light. If you found yourself starting to get burned out, being there in that crowd, in that chaos, with that energy, in that moment, living, loving, and knowing all in this… they lit that fire under your ass. Why are you so happy? Because in your heart, you know you are ready to go again… one foot in front of the other, step by step, making your way down that road with your eye on the target… and you better believe that we are coming… sneaking up on you… creeping up on you.

It might not be the same for everyone. It could be watching someone get their face kicked in during the current UFC fights. It could be watching bygone World’s Strongest Man events. It could be watching the Super Bowl… it could be anything for anyone in any endeavor… the point is this: this has to mean something to you, and it does. It means more than anyone will ever know, and more than you can ever put into words.

If you are anything like me, something like this is not just any old fire… it is fire fueled by napalm. And when it ignites, it and you will blow everything away.

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

May 14, 2012

Often I hear people remark about someone else, stating how they work just as hard as them, yet they do not look anywhere near like them. This in turn demotivates some people, and can set off any number of events, from depression to fatal over training, and anything and everything in between.

The human body was not created equal. We are all very much different for us being very much the same. While the physical makeup is the same, the difference in each of us is the genetics. Some respond to and can handle a certain stimulus than others. But that does not mean that your efforts are worthless or that someone else is superior; that just means that they are different from you, just as you are from someone else who may not have attained the success and goals that you have. It is not for lack of trying (in some cases, anyway).

Now, if you are a competitor in the fitness industry in any of the several divisions, then yes, it may be a bit more difficult to avoid comparing yourself to others who you know will be sharing the stage with you. That could just be a part of the game; I do not know. I do not compare myself to others. I will leave that for the panel of judges. But there is absolutely no faster way to cloud your own perspective and perception of all that you have done and achieved than comparing yourself to others. Friendly competition, maybe a lighthearted rivalry... that is fine. Make this the basis for what you do, why you train, or your worth... you are going about this all the wrong way.

Rather than look at someone else, or maybe a picture, and think about how you do not look like them despite all of the hard work that you have done and how you have obeyed the rules, so to speak, look at yourself, and... well, that is is: just look at yourself. Look at yourself and remember. Were you always where you are at now? Do you think you will stay where you are at now? Can you envision better? You want to compare yourself with something? Then compare yourself with your ultimate goals. Not quite there yet, are you? But you want to be, right? Then this is what you do:

QUIT THINKING ABOUT IT, AND SET OUT TO MAKE IT THERE.

I really cannot make that any simpler. But that is all it takes. If you want to drive to somewhere 500 miles from your house, are you going to just sit on the couch and wish and wish all day that you were at this destination, or are you going to get in the car (or catch a flight or whatever) to get there? Exactly, you are going to do what it takes to get there. Likewise, if you are motivated by what someone else has done with themselves, and you want to look like them, do you stand and stare and wait for it to happen to you, or do you do something about it?

Of course, if you just want to stand and stare, that is fine... it just means that myself and others get into the squat rack that much sooner. However, if this does not apply to you... if you will not just stand and stare and hope and pray for the miracle of aesthetic appeal without the required work, then get a move on, and make it happen.

"But Brandon... you said that the human body was not created equal. The difference is genetics. I am never going to look like so-and-so".

Okay. And?

Is this supposed to be reason to stop, or not even try? Should that stop you from being the best that you can be? Do you have any idea what you will look like? Do you have any idea what you CAN look like? The human body is a wondrous work of art, and ultimately, you are the artist. Do what you will with the materials provided. And you know what? It will be good. Chances are, it is going to be good enough to evoke the same feelings in someone who is watching you. And that person who you want to look like (of course, not EXACTLY alike, unless there is some sort of 'Single White Female' thing happening, in which case, there is a HUGE problem), you may wind up looking just as good as them, or even surpassing them.

Be happy with your progress. Know that this is not the end of the line for you; you only come to the end when you decide that it is time. You are better today than you were yesterday, one year ago, five years ago. That is the important thing. That is what you need not forget. And that should truly be what keeps you going day in and day out.

Now, I would be remiss if I did not say this... this IS NOT a reason to slack off in the gym, and with your diet. You have gotten to where you have for that exact opposite reason: You did not slack off. I just want you to realize that if you do not see yourself at an Olympia level physique or other top fitness athlete or mainstream sports star (or even just the guy or girl next door if that is the look you aspire to), it is okay; you are going to be you, and as long as you put in the work and have the dedication, you are going to actually be far beyond anything that you look at. Think about it. And as far as the role played by what you see, use that as your motivation to excel, not your hindrance.

That said, go forward today, and show the weights and yourself no mercy.

[GYMBRAT]

It will be fun! Just like the camaraderie that Arnold and the guys had back in the day. Bodybuilding, and any division associated under that umbrella, needs more of that anyway.

AMEN to that, and excellent thread GX thx!

[fitbody]

5 weeks out pic

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

AMEN to that, and excellent thread GX thx!

I am glad you like the thread! Hopefully, I can tend to it a little more consistently in the months ahead. For now... well...

Please, I know me. I will work something out.

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

May 27, 2012

As you can see, it has been close to two full weeks since I last posted anything here. I sincerely apologize for this. To say that time is limited now is an understatement. Even at this moment, I need to make this quick. Yesterday was five weeks out. The time is drawing nearer, and I feel ready. Pictures definitely do not do me justice at this point. As you can see, I am finally in board shorts. The good thing is, the ones in the picture are not the final pair. I just recently got new shorts, which now need to be altered for proper fit, and that will be happening within the week. Both of those work much better for me.

In the short span of two weeks, a few things have either happened or been decided upon, all with an eye toward future endeavors. It has all been good. No complaints here, as it is what I have wanted. There have been blog ideas that have come and gone, as I honestly cannot remember them anymore. I know my creative process though, and how it works, and unless I get it out right then and there, unfortunately, I usually lose it. If I regain it, it is never as good as it originally would have been, and therefore not worth writing. As an artist, that just is how I am about what I produce... it has to meet my standards, and seeing as how I set them for myself with what I do and have done, I set them extremely high. I would like to say that beyond contest prep, I will have the chance to return to regular blogging, but as of now, I do not see it. Time will tell that tale though. The near future holds a lot for me, and I am going to want to share it. Fortunately, there is Facebook and Twitter, which I can access easily from my phone. My updates appear there regularly. Have not found me on either yet? You should! Trust me, I am easy to find.

For now though, I keep plugging away, moving toward June 30th, and again, I do apologize for not writing as regularly as I had been. Heading out to a photo shoot in a little while, which I am really excited about. Pictures will surface as I receive them. Later, all!

[M-Rods]

Hey GX nice seeing u here. Best of luck.

[fitbody]

Team Fit Body's Incomparable Brandon Best
caught by Photographer God Paul Paul Patrick Hammill

pic 1 wk out

[fitbody]

TEAM Fit Body's Bobby Gill
Gunning for BC's Mens Physique

[fitbody]

June 27, 2012
pt of the day

“The only thing that will stop you from
fulfilling your dreams is you.”

“Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.”

TEAM Fit Body's Bobby Gill
preparing for BC's this wkend in Mens Physique