NPC Southern States – Winning at My Age

Over-50 and think you’re too old to compete in a bodybuilding show or don’t have what it takes? Maybe it’s time to go for it.

On Saturday, July 12, 2014 I competed in the NPC Southern States show in Ft Lauderdale, FL. The Southern States is a highly competitive and very prestigious show, so I knew I had to be in the best possible condition.

Victory! At 56 years old, I won the Open Bantam weight class by one point over a much younger, more muscled competitor. It was a sweet and thrilling victory, and one I will always remember.
 
 
 
I also competed in the Lightweight Over-50 class. To give you some perspective on weight classes, I weighed in at 136 pounds for the show and the bantamweight class is 143.25 pounds and under. The lightweight class is 165.25 pounds and under.  As a bantamweight, there’s always an immediate disadvantage going into a lightweight class, but I held my own and claimed a very strong and decisive second place.

To top off a very satisfying day, my evening free pose routine received a thunderous ovation and the audience was cheering for most of the routine. I love that feeling. Some competitors don’t put enough time and practice into the evening routine, but for me every part of the show is just as important as another. My goal is to be perfect from beginning to end. Yet another sensational choreographed routine by the master of posing, Russ Testo.

I’m not sure what’s on the agenda for the rest of the year but will share my plans in a future blog. However, I’ve always wanted to compete in Team Universe and of course the Masters Nationals – both in 2015, so stay tuned.

None of my contest prep can be accomplished without a supportive and caring wife. My wife Pam is always rooting for me and she’s always my biggest cheerleader. I can’t say enough wonderful things about how her support inspires me. I also want thank everyone who came to see me at the show – Cathy, Randy, Carol and Neil! It means so much to me.

 
 
 
The lesson from my victory:
You’re stronger than you think you are; you have more capability than you think you do. Never fall prey to the negative influences that tell you you’re supposed to look and feel a certain way at a certain age. Never.