Dedicated to being NATURAL!! What's your take?

Ok, so the sad truth is that it is the NATURAL/DRUG-FREE fitness competitors that get looked at kinda funny, don't get as much recognition or the big bucks in the industry. Seems a little off to me, but it's the way it is right now until we can make a change for the better :)

By talking to more of the general public when we're out at events or random gyms around the country, I'm finding out that most people don't realize that you can have a PHENOMENAL physique without performance enhancing drugs. When people see competitors like Jason, they automatically assume he's "on stuff". Why? Because that's what the mainstream knows right now. They have NO CLUE that NATURAL physique competitors exist. It unfortunately gets to the point that people start bashing Jason, because they think he uses and says he doesn't. Yet, they find it ok to support people or not attack those who DO use. What's wrong with this picture????

The media glorifies non-tested shows and their athletes because they are money-makers and the mainstream is fascinated with "freaky looking dudes". It is my goal to show people that it is better to follow, look up to and respect those athletes who achieve their goals the natural way. We, as a society, are almost teaching our young, impressionable athletes that in order to succeed in the industry or athletics in general, you have to get some "help".

What I want to know is, what is it that keeps each of you away from the steroids and other short cuts and keeps you committed to hard work, sacrifice and dedication to reach your goals?
I can't wait to hear from all of you!!

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Permalink Reply by Clay Williams on August 12, 2009 at 6:41pm

Steroids are a bandaid fix--in my younger years I tried a couple of cycles and while I got big quick, it didnt last --I never had any of the "roid rage" or other effects from them, I could just see that if you were going to do them , it would be something that you would have to do all the time to maintain your physique, and I wasnt willing to sacrifice my body for that. I may not be as big and as ripped as I want to be right now, but I know that there are no shortcuts. It takes dedication, honesty, and as Jason puts it--NO EXCUSES!!!

You need to keep a circle of friends that have the same mindset as you and will keep you accountable for your diet, routines, performance and your life in general. Good fosters good. No negativity-NO EXCUSES. I try to make mine, but after watching Jasons video-that keeps ringing in my head and drives me to push past it and do what I have to do!!.

Just my personal reflections on it.

Clay

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Permalink Reply by Kai on August 12, 2009 at 6:43pm

You are so right, Clay! No excuses and your circle of friends and support are huge factors!!

Thanks for your thoughts!! :)

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Permalink Reply by Jason C Powell on August 12, 2009 at 8:01pm

What I read from this is we all need to get involved more with the public!
So...any of you guys are welcoem to join me at any of my Optimum Nutrition and ABB demos around town! Bring you cards, hang out with me...I promise to be entertaining ;) and see what turns up!
I will be at Wholesale Nutrition this Sat (Aug 15th) from 10:30am till about 1pm and at the Sugar Land Nutrition Depot next Tues (Aug 18th) for about the same time, 10:30am till about 1pm.
Give me a shout if you would like to come out for a bit!

This is one small step that each of you all can do to spread the "natural and drug-free" word!

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Permalink Reply by CHRIS DARBY on August 14, 2009 at 4:58am

I will be glad to join u my friend tuesday aug. 18th

CD

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Permalink Reply by Fentris Lane on August 12, 2009 at 8:13pm

Hmm ~ Great article! My take on it is most people are mentally lazy and want to take shortcuts. It's like being in high school when you had to study for a big exam. Everyone skipped out on studying for it was 'uncool'. Like everyone wants to be a celebrity or a rockstar, but nobody wants to be WARREN BUFFETT. Ignorance runs deep!

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Permalink Reply by Kai on August 12, 2009 at 8:21pm

lol good analogy Fentris :) So what keeps you on the right path? Is it a daily dedication to yourself, values and morals? Is it the knowledge you possess about the pros and cons of steroids? I'm curious what keeps everyone from heading down the wrong path :)

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Permalink Reply by Lucas G. Irwin on August 12, 2009 at 10:41pm

Beyond avoiding the damage steroids can do to your body.......... I love being able to do things and achieve results that most people think can only be achieved by using performance enhancing drugs. One of the best feelings is having someone ask you "what steroids do you take?"..... and being able to look them dead in the eye and honestly say "NOTHING." Ive said it before and I stick to it..... Ill out work anyone on steroids any day of week and have them wishing they never stepped into my gym and tried to keep up with me. They may get results faster (temporarily), but no steroids on this planet will ever make their heart as strong as mine.

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Permalink Reply by Kai on August 13, 2009 at 5:09am

love it!! go Lucas!!

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Permalink Reply by Kai on August 13, 2009 at 5:08am

Yes, they do work hard..BUT something about people who get out of shape in the off season and train like freaks for a few months before a show doesn't really impress me. I am impressed by people who keep a great physique all year. Who dedicate themselves to a healthy lifestyle to keep their physique. Who have "attainable" physiques and not look like freaks. Successful steroid-using bodybuilders are typically people with physiqes like Jason, Moe and Dave with great genetics and take it that step too far. I think that the natural guys with physiques mentioned above, should be what people aspire to be like, not the freaks.

The other issue is that, no matter how you slice it, steroids are illegal. Period. I agree, the money makers do sacrifice a lot. Their health, values and more. Not to mention the weird politics that go on and other "activities". So is it worth it? Doesn't seem like it to me.

This is not a holier-than-thou attitude, rather my own personal opinion. I don't think athletes who engage in illegal activity and attain, under normal circumstances, out of the ordinary physiques, should be glorified and praised.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, this just happens to be mine :)

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Permalink Reply by Jason C Powell on August 13, 2009 at 6:22am

Nick, we all have to be a little careful how we address this subject as MANY are very passionate about “personal choice”.

My opinion is that I have yet to see, meet, train with or hear about an athlete that uses to be able to do what the natural athletes can do as a whole…the ‘clean’ guys are more healthy, typically workout harder, have better conditioning, can actually do things outside of the gym (be athletic) and by the demographics…are usually more educated.

As Lucas, I get asked and challenged on a daily basis. I meet it with a smile knowing that I have accomplished a ‘look’ with my physique by living a healthy and clean lifestyle…I am proud of that. This in NOT a “Mightier than thou” mentality…it’s a matter of pride that I did not make choices to use things that are illegal, immoral and unethical to get where I am.

The people using do work hard when they are prepping, they also, on many occasions, end up in emergency rooms for all sorts of competition and post competition reasons after events. I can’t think of one natural competitor that this has happened with.

I think this is safe to say…make your goals, if reaching those goals means you have to do things that are illegal, immoral and unethical…and you are okay with that…then we all have to respect that. But, for those out there that make this choice, don’t be upset when you wake up in a hospital, jail, can’t have children (or they are born with deformities) and so on.

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Permalink Reply by Kai on August 13, 2009 at 8:18am

lol you didn't Nick, I think we just wanted to be sure that we didn't sound that way :) A lot of people get offended and are very passionate about the topic. Although it is usually the steroid supporters who get "heated", have very poorly supported arguments, and just huff and puff and trash talk...we get a lot of heat for, essentially, being who we are and advocating natural fitness. I don't see the harm in it at all, but sometimes people think it comes off as we're "better" when that is far from how we feel. We just wanted to be sure everyone knew that that is not who we are :)

Thanks for your thoughts on the topic! We enjoy your participation and thoughts!!