Sorry for the absence … I am currently helping friends and clients get ready for the NPC USA’s!

Hello everyone!  I will be Las Vegas this weekend for the NPC USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships. As always I expect to see a ton of talent battling it out on stage for what I consider the “West Coast Nationals” as it seems to draw the most competitors from that region.  I got a glimpse of some of the talent last weekend at the NPC Los Angeles Championships and can definitely say that the USA’s should be a great one to watch.  

I really miss competing as an amateur as I had the most fun during that period of time between 2002 and 2004.  I also miss being around the wonderful people of the sport and sharing my knowledge with them … attending the LA Championships last Saturday was a truly nice experience.  I was able to catch up with old friends and make new ones in the process.  My current physique is just about identical to what it was when I won earned my pro card back in 2004 at the Nationals.  Attached are some photos that I took earlier, which is basically of me after 2 1/2 days of carb-depleting.  No, I am not getting ready for a show.  I am actually doing it as a show of my support for one of my good friends who is competing this weekend.  I am also doing it to see how far I can push my “clean” physique.  I am very pleased with how my body has responded to the challenge and it should inspire others to follow suit.  Before anyone out there misconstrues me, THIS IS IN NO WAY AN ATTEMPT AT PASSING JUDGEMENT WITH ANYONE OR ANYTHING, it’s just an alternative to consider.  

Bodybuilding has been good to me and I still love and believe what it really stands for … respect for, admiration for, and a celebration of life.  I recently telephoned Jim Manion, NPC President and IFBB Chairman, to apologize and set the record straight as why I became disgruntled after most last pro show (2007 Europa Super Show).  Mr. Manion has always been kind and respectful to me, so I do owe him an apology for offending him.  He has worked tirelessly through the years to make bodybuilding as popular as it is today, and for that we all owe him a great deal of gratitude.  Make no mistake about this either, I AM NOT DOING THIS TO TRY TO GET BACK INTO PROFESSIONAL BODYBUILIDNG.  I have retired and have no plans on returning to the competitive stage.  However, I will always do my part to promote bodybuilding as best I can off the stage.  I learned years ago to never say “never,” but for now I am content with being offstage.  I know there will be some “a-holes” out there who will try to misconstrue my genuine and sincere apology to Mr. Manion as a way of “kissing ass” as many have done to get back into the scene.  I was rash and too quick to pass judgement in attacking the organization as a whole.  I should have taken my grievances to Mr. Manion personally instead of over-reacting as I did.  It was a meltdown based on the fact that I was angry with being left out on stage while everyone else got compared.  Why the IFBB panel did this will remain a mystery until they speak out.  I’m over it.  Let’s just move on.  There are some others who I don’t owe an apology to as they have attacked me verbally and are judged accordingly.  John Lindsay describes the NPC and IFBB as a collective family.  With this in mind, I am likened to the “wild child” who gets caught up in his emotions and reacts without rationale.  Now that the dust has settled, I guess it time to come back home and be a part of the family again.  I AM a bodybuilder …  always have been … always will be!

It is with great hopes that Mr. Manion will call me or sit down with me to discuss what WE ALL can do to make bodybuilding shine brightly once again.  My voice is one, but I do believe that I am just the beginning of a louder collective voice that will induce a positive change that will resound for years to come.  I am a bodybuilder and I can’t change that, which is best supported by the popular bodybuilding phrase that states, “Once the bug bites you, you will never walk away the same … you will always have that itch.”  As funny as it sounds, it is quite true.  Bodybuilding is a choice to take care of you so you can take care of others around you.  Win, lose, or draw, WE ALL should strive to communicate with others about, and be great examples of, how to live life to the fullest.  Take care everyone and hope to see some of you in Las Vegas.  Mr. John Lindsay ALWAYS attracts the best talent and does a phenomenal job of putting on the best show in town.        

2008 4th of July Muscle Beach Bodybuilding & Figure Classic …

As mentioned in my last blog, I judged, and guest posed at the 2008 4th of July Muscle Beach Bodybuilding & Figure Championships yesterday.  The spectator turn out was great as usual and the talent was competitive.  Joe Wheatley does an awesome job of attracting a wide variety of athletes to his shows … from newbies all the way up to national level NPC competitors.  All in all, I think it is an excellent show if your goal is to have fun and learn more about the sport of bodybuilding.  

While I was there, I was asked the following question by a competitor:  “Does it hurt me on the NPC competitive platform if I participate in contests that are not sanctioned by the NPC?”  In other words, this competitor wants to know if it hurts him politically to crossover between organizations.  As silly as it may seem, it is a very good and valid question since he does compete on the state level with the NPC.  As much as I wanted to present a clear answer, there really isn’t one.  Why?  I am one to believe that talent is talent and at the end of the day, you will prevail at any level and with any organization if you are truly that good. On the other hand, I have seen Jerome Ferguson look really good on the NPC national stage and not win his class.  What this a political message?  I happen to think so.  After all, why else would the NPC issue letters to “their” athletes warning them of repercussions?  Did this really happen?  I recall receiving one only a few years ago while I was an amateur.  As I said earlier, do it because you love to compete and want to just have fun on stage.  Don’t ever lose sight of the fact that competitions are really celebrations of your triumph in self-improvement.

“The worse thing that I can be is just like everyone else.” Arnold Schwarzenegger

If you want to be the best, then you have to at least train, dedicate, and believe in you. I get so many questions about what I had to endure to reach the pinnacle of my competitive dreams and goals. This blog is to encourage my friends who compete to join my mission to change the sport of bodybuilding back to its once healthy form. There are so many shortsighted and hateful bigots in the industry like Bob Chicerillo, self-proclaimed IFBB athlete’s representative, who use propaganda to form lynch mobs against those who challenge the establishment for the good of the whole. The one thing that I find ironic and contradictory in having been a part of the two largest organizations in amateur and professional bodybuilding (NPC and IFBB respectively), which is essentially governed by one common entity, is that as much as individual competitors are expected to follow suit and be just like every other member, the absolute measure of greatness in the respective organizations still center around being uniquely different than everyone else. Arnold Schwarzenegger says it best with the following:  “The worse thing that I can be is just like everyone else.”

One could argue that it was the luck of the draw that I was subjectively awarded the 2002 NPC USA Light-weight Championship because it was my first opportunity and hence politically not likely, but it happened and it was unanimous. One could also argue that it was also luck that I was able to nail my conditioning perfectly, but then again arguing against a fact is just plain senseless. In combining two popular clichés to make my point, no matter how you slice the pie, the proof is all in the pudding. The key to my success is always thinking outside the box and ensuring that I am doing the things that others are not willing to do. That’s how I am NOT like everyone else.   That’s how I differentiate myself off-stage so that I can be differentiated on-stage.

Team sports stress the importance of working together and in unison to accomplish a common goal. In contrast, achieving greatness in sports like bodybuilding is a product of a collaborative effort from within an individual. The “team” is comprised of a balanced combination of mental, physical, and psychological toughness. What is toughness? As mentioned in one of my numerous blogs, toughness is a perpetual journey that involves dynamic stimuli from physical, mental, and emotional stress factors. An individual’s ability to adapt and respond with efficiency and precision is what determines overall toughness.  

So then why are so many competitors afraid to step beyond the arbitrary boundaries set before them? Competitors have a difficult dilemma to face in expressing their concerns and objections since finalists are subjectively determined by an NPC/IFBB governed panel of judges. I can only speak for myself, but I am firm in my stance that without the athletes, there can be no show. Never have I been the type to “brown nose” or use political means to achieve anything inside or outside of the sport as nothing is really achieve in the process. It is never an easy decision to go against the grain and stick up for what you know to be right, especially while facing fears of being politically “black-balled,” but then again, how gratifying and fun can something possibly be when you know in your heart and mind that the end product has been achieved through unsafe and artificially enhanced means. Who cares about what Dick, Harry, John or Jane does … just do what you know is right and fair. Even in defeat, you can walk away proud knowing that you did everything within your natural abilities. I can’t speak for any of you out there, but I can say this without a doubt … the thing that wakes me up early and inspires me to try harder and work harder and ultimately become better is the challenge of the unknown. I actually don’t mind the haters because I want them to keep telling me that I can’t do it, and that I am not good enough. Fuck ‘em … I’ll just keep doing it and doing it and doing it well while they bobble, weave, and heave in my wake!

As the heading to my blog states, it is in the very essence of the sport to standout. Since when did “standing out” mean just bigger in size? There are three main criteria for judging in bodybuilding: symmetry, muscularity, and conditioning. Bigger does not guarantee that any of the three criteria will be met. In fact, “bigger” often times means worse. Not only is it harder on your body physically, but it also becomes exponentially more difficult to “dial” into competition shape. I know this for a fact, because it takes far less time to achieve superior conditioning now that I am much lighter than I was when I was competing as an IFBB Pro at a bodyweight of 200+ pounds. Why is this so? In a nutshell, it is much easier to track calories in and calories out when there are less meals to deal with.  I am consistently eating no more than four square and balanced meals daily, and my body maintains 180-185 pounds even though I run at least 3 miles daily and do 40-70 minutes of extra cardio on a stationary bike … and that is not even including my weight training. Can you do this? I don’t see why not. I am not from the planet Mars and I certainly bleed and sweat like you do. So stop the friggin’ excuses and focus on putting the right pieces of your fitness puzzle together. I have just completed a book that any aspiring bodybuilder newbie, national level, or pro can truly appreciate. It covers everything from proper training mechanics, to “pre and post” contest dieting, to posing, along with many other valuable topics. Best of all, it is for all athletes, not just bodybuilders. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again … “No matter what your sport is, bodybuilding is your base and source for information on proper nutrition and training.”

In closing, I would like to invite everyone out to Venice Beach this Friday for the 4th of July Muscle Beach Extravaganza. I will be guest posing and judging the event so of course it will be fun-filled. Before I forget, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to my son Austin … he turned 11 today! Attached at the bottom is a glimpse of my recently finished book. It will be released soon for your viewing and reading pleasure so stay tuned. Also, please visit www.myomax.com for pertinent information on my soon to be released book. All the best to everyone … please have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

Eryk Bui Guest Posing at the Muscle Beach Classic (4th of July)

I will be returning to the stage to pose for the first time in almost a year at the 2008 Muscle Beach Classic on the 4th of July.  If you want to see what “healthful” bodybuilding is all about then come and witness the fruits of my dedication and hard work.  Stop listening to and believing the bullshit about being able to go only so far with natural bodybuilding.  Bodybuilding should become a part of your life and be a part of your lifestyle, it SHOULD NOT become your life and your reason to work.  It is no secret that traditional bodybuilding is expensive as it requires a significant monetary investment, especially for those who utilize “super supplements” AKA anaboic steroids.  Don’t misconstrue this post as a call for a witch-hunt.  I am not calling anyone out, I am just trying to be an example for others to follow because there is a healthier way to participate.  I am a bodybuilder at heart and am part of the industry whether the haters like it or not.  The revolution to restore (1) the appeal of bodybuilding to athletes of all sports, and (2) regain the support of mainstream health enthusiasts has already begun and will continue.  This has to happen or else bodybuilding will simply phase out.  When I first started in bodybuilding back in 1994, I was attracted by its universal appeal … unfortunately today, people view it as a freak show tucked in a corner for only morbid curiosity.  Believe it or not, it absolutely pains me to see such a beautiful sport become so tainted through the years.      

I will show you how to do it alternatively and without breaking the bank.  True fitness excellence can only be achieved through proper nutrition and sheer hard work … there are NO short-cuts. Healthy living is a choice, not a chore.  Please come out support the show and enjoy the real, pleasing to view, and attainable physiques.