Bodybuilders are not immortal; they will all die sometime. But this Bodybuilder was just 30 years old. He was not the most well-known man in the world. He was not even the most well-known in his chosen sport of bodybuilding. He was an American heavyweight, winner of a number of state titles and consistently placing in the middle of the line-ups at National level.
He was a big man, 6ft tall, with a contest weight of about 265 lbs. He always looked like a bodybuilder with great potential and, perhaps, one day, he could have achieved that potential. He earned his living from modelling and "escort" work, a life style which would not have had everyone's approval. But those who knew him said that he was a friendly and helpful guy. Now, it's all over. Life snuffed out in youth. Why did an apparently fit and healthy man die so young?
I have been on the bodybuilding scene for a number of years now and since my first contest it is so incredible how the standards of physiques on display have improved. I mean we all know that a 1970 Mr Universe would really struggle against a modern day novice. Every year there is an element of anticipation to see how much freakier bodybuilders have become. Although we have reached such a high standard, we can expect to see even greater muscle displays in the future, or can we?
Nobody (except a possible fool) will predict the limits to human endeavour, as they would with no doubt be proven wrong in time. As recently as in 1953 when Mt Everest was climbed for the first time Man achieved the unachievable. Prior to that many had died in their attempt to reach the summit and it was suggested that the height of 29,000 ft [8,838 m] was just basically out of our reach. Well since 1953 the summit has been reached on numerous occasions although others haven't made it and just because once the mental block has gone you know it can be done.
As with bodybuilding, years ago to be 6ft tall with a 50 in chest was considered superhuman but now any decent 6ft bodybuilder will have a 50in chest even before he thinks about competing. Over 60in is more like big! Every serious bodybuilder wants to be the best he can be and he knows, even if he is still several years away from approaching Pro standard, that he has to plan to be bigger and better than the top guys today. It's a tall order and to some extent has been a cause of many men deciding not to bother trying - consider the time, the costs and the health risks.
Today more than ever we can see the vast difference between a top Pro bodybuilder and the average man in the street. Bodybuilding standards are at an all time high due to improved training, better nutrition, an improved understanding of physiology, pre-contest diet improvements, an improved life-style and finally drugs. These are all extremely important factors although I would like to focus more on the drugs aspect.
