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Wow,
I can't believe how fast time has gone by! I only have a little
more than 2 short weeks left until I get onstage to compete for
the Natural Olympia competition in Hawaii. Things are going along
right on schedule and I am really looking forward to stepping
onstage bigger and more ripped than ever before. I am amazed at
how heavy I am still able to train even though I am losing more
bodyfat each week. I am stronger at this point than at any other
time of the year. I don't know if this is due to my injury and
I am still adding muscle size and strength that I lost during
my layoff but I'm not complaining, believe me!
My
bodyweight is also higher than ever before. I'm not sure how much
this will drop in the next month but I am faithfully recording
my weight every morning on an empty stomach along with measuring
my waist. This feedback is giving me some valuable information
that I will be able to use, not only in my preparation for this
year but also the next time I get ready for a contest. There is
no doubt that I will have more muscle on me this year than ever
before!
I
just talked to Natural Olympia promoter Denny Kakos who informed
me that the competition this year will be better than ever before.
It only makes sense that a contest with the title Natural Olympia
should feature some of the best bodybuilders in the world. It
took a couple years for this event to gain the prestige that the
title suggests but it's definitely getting there. This year's
contest will be super competitive and I'll need to be better than
ever before to win. Competition always brings out the best in
bodybuilders, however. I remember as a teenager going to see the
IFBB Mr. Olympia each year in Columbus, Ohio and being amazed
at the new level of development that the best bodybuilders were
able to achieve year after year.
I
just got back from Ottawa, Canada where I gave a bodybuilding
seminar for the Altmonte Fitness Center. The seminar went very
well and a crowd of over 30 aspiring bodybuilders and fitness
enthusiasts showed up. I want to thank gym owner Tony and his
buddy Mel for inviting me out to Ottawa to hold a seminar at their
gym and also for their generous hospitality and friendship. If
you would be interested in having me travel to your gym or health
food store to give a training and nutrition seminar, please email
me at John@NaturalOlympia.com. With over 24 years of experience
and knowledge under my weight training belt, I have alot to share
with those looking to improve their physiques. Plus, I really
love conducting these seminars and meeting other bodybuilders
who have the same interests as I do. I am in talks right now to
conduct a seminar in Honolulu, Hawaii when I am out there competing
in the Natural Olympia so keep checking back to My Appearances
link on this website for the latest update on this possible seminar.
Before
I travel to Hawaii, I am looking forward to attending this year's
IFBB Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas on October 26-28. This will be the
9th Mr. O that I have seen and this year's competition looks to
be more exciting than ever. I predict that 3 time winner Ronnie
Coleman will win again. His physique is bigger and more complete
than any other competitor up there which is a big statement considering
the other bodybuilders who will be onstage with him.
Flex
Wheeler and Lee Priest will not be competing this year but all
the other top bodybuilders in world will be there. I'm predicting
that Chris Cormier will be second to Ronnie with Kevin Levrone
and Shawn Ray following in the top four. Dennis James is looking
freaky so he should be in the top 5 and either Markus Ruhl or
Jay Cutler should finish up in the top 6.
The
Olympia should be fun this year because of all the newcomers.
King Kamali has been making alot of noise and has pissed off many
of the competitors so the pressure will really be on him. Craig
Titus and Melvin Anthony are two other rookies who have a shot
at making the top 10 along with Kamali. Also, you can't forget
Dexter Jackson, Orville Burke and the always impressive Darrem
Charles. Vince Taylor is also coming back to the Olympia this
year so between him, Darrem, Kamali and Ray, the posing should
be first class!
I
hope you've been following my preparation for the Natural Olympia
this year by checking out the 2001 Natural Olympia Training Diary.
You can access this Diary through this website or through IronManMagazine.com
or Muscle-Link.com. Send me your feedback and let me know what
you think!
See
you in Hawaii!!
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