Hello, ladies and gents Robert Sykes kill Savage.com.
Today, I've got special guest and good friend.
Aaron Gordon on the line. We're going to dive into all
things, natural bodybuilding, competitive bodybuilding.
So he is actually the show sponsor for the competition that
I'm going to be competing in this year.
And I could not be more excited. So I wanted to bring them on the
show. Talk about his show, talk about
natural bodybuilding. Talk about his progressing
progression as a natural body builder.
Talk about Pro card status, talk about some goals that I have
with this competitive season. We just talked about all kinds
of things. So if you have any interest in
the sport of natural bodybuilding, at all, this show
definitely goes into the details around about sport.
So third into the conversation. I've got most respect respect
for Aaron. I've got up most excitement for
this competitive season and his show specifically.
So, without further Ado, sit back relax.
Enjoy a conversation with Aaron Orton.
Live Aaron. How are you man?
I am outstanding. How are you doing?
I'm good brother. I'm good.
Do you remember the last that you've ever when we recorded the
last podcast because I had you on, but it's been like two,
three years. Maybe then three years because
2020, you and I were both going to do the Washington State
natural. And we did this, I want to say,
Around this time frame before covid.
Hit that like it was early March.
So just over three years ago because we're both Prepon and
that got cut short, man. I didn't realize you'd been that
long with that makes total sense.
That is crazy. And you at the time had been
prepping like that was like, your longest prep to date.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think that one ended right
around the forty six week Mark because I started prepping kind
of the day after the show the previous year.
So it was going to be a 52-week pro.
Would you do it? It that long again or is that
something you would never do again?
It depends. I mean, I definitely do that
again. If I felt like that was optimal
for for me and, you know, balancing family, and my kids
were, but younger at the time I wanted to make sure I was ahead
of the curve. If something happened where Ida
prioritize them and I'd that diet break or such, so it was a
little easier all the way up until, you know, obviously the
end when you get into those really low levels of body fat
stress is bound to come up regardless.
You feel like you got me. Nur and preserve, more lean
tissue by prepping that long. Well, that's a good question.
I guess, the only thing I could do is compare to a more
aggressive prep which I did the year after that in 2021 which
actually wasn't even designed it for me that get on stage but it
just kind of happened that way. Just the stress of, I guess the
covid and been running my business and putting on the show
the next year and play That Bouncy.
I like there's a lot of stress and I have Is dropping two or
three pounds a week while training, but I was preserving
lean tissue and strength and before, you know, it Late July
rolled around and I was like nine or ten pounds out from show
weight within I would say three months.
And I decided, you know, I guess I'll compete.
So I did another six to eight weeks and got on stage few
times. So both have been applicable.
Just kind of comes down to what my body wants to do.
Ya know, it's interesting, man. Yeah, I feel like well, since we
haven't really talked since You know, pre covid man.
I was watching all of your content throughout that whole
thing and I felt so bad for you because you get a gym that's
pretty much like your main thing like that's your livelihood and
all the gyms in your area. They were just I mean all the
gyms everywhere but it's specific especially in your area
where like just then no no leniency at all like they were
pretty much just shutting your doors.
Correct. Yeah.
We did everything. We could to, you know, try to
resume some semblance of work. And we abide by everything we
couldn't, they were able to pull it off, but I would not I want
to repeat the process ever again.
Yeah. Well, I'm hopeful that that is
all behind us for the Long Haul. We don't have to do that again.
That was no fun anyway. Yeah, I know you guys were a bit
more fortunate than where you live, then we were, but we
manage, we survived. I always say where there's a
will there's a way and you know we're still around and I'd say
we're a little better for it. Yeah.
For sure man. How long is it?
Genuine Fitness training. Been in business.
Oh boy this July will be 12 years, 12 years, man, that's
awesome. And yes, Open it up.
Originally, with the intention of it being like a public gym.
I was like, how is the evolution of that?
Oh, that's a good question. I actually was personal training
as a independent contractor prior to opening the gym with a
couple guys. One of which I went to college
with the other one was that childhood friend?
And they opened up a private training Studio.
They wanted me to work there and I did if I worked there for just
shy two years. But then, you know, if this was
way back in 2008 2009 and you know the big Advent, you know,
just after that was CrossFit. So we're all training and then
they went and saw the CrossFit thing.
And, you know, I don't know if it was, you know, the group
setting, the dollar signs, the next big height, but they
changed the entire practice to do CrossFit.
And I was kind of, you know, a lone wolf personal training
amongst groups of crossfitters and I was like, yeah this is my
Niche is personal training so they went on to build a big
CrossFit gym and I said well I'm just to keep doing what I'm
doing and built a personal training facility and just want
to keep it as a personal training facility.
Nice man. I've had several people on the
podcast that have built their own James opening gyms and it
seems to be like a very mixed bag.
Like some people built the gym hated every moment of it and
we're just excited to get out of the public gym setting other
people like loved every second of it.
I'm assuming you're more. So the latter group Yeah, I
love. You know what I do?
I love helping people. I love, you know, even just
broadcasting the information we have on how we consider proper
personal training, how it should be, as I feel like it's a, maybe
it's Hollywood's fault or the stigma of the Society of like,
well, personal trainers or butcher Fitness Enthusiast and
jocks, and not very knowledgeable.
But I look at more of his, a career path and, you know, as a
marine, I I think they're very professional career path and we
have an internship program. I am currently 12 trainers and
everybody is therefore a career path word they are they have
clientele their own business, they're running the facility and
running at how we consider it should be as well.
I've always admired about you men.
You're very structured, very regimented and I'm assuming
along that comes from your military background.
I would just I would say so yeah.
I think I got yelled at too many times not to be such.
Yeah it's awesome man. You get two kids right?
Yeah we have twins boy. Girl twins.
Nice and hot. They there now, six and a half
years old, six and a half. Is it that they taken quite a
bit of interest in the training seen in the gym right now?
Yeah, kind of forced upon them. We my wife, she's also a
competitor. She's getting ready for another
show this year and she's competed in the past.
And that's what they grew up around, was attending shows, you
know, that plates prep and prepare along with myself and
one cheering me on when I'm on stage.
So it's just kind of the norm for them now.
Now, so my son, when we do posing classes on Saturdays, he
always takes his shirt off and jumps in poses with everybody
because he says he wants to jump in and then my my daughter while
she doesn't want to do the posing or anything which is just
fine with me, she's gotten really into singing and
gymnastics and athleticism in that regard.
It's very cool man. So you do the posing clinics
every Saturday? Yes we do.
That's awesome. Yeah.
Well, I had a client that was in Washington in your area.
I'm like, hey Ask me proposing help and let man, I can help you
remotely but you're in Washington, errands in
Washington, just just go to Erin proposing.
He's the man and I prayed, I think that was Dakota, right?
He's great guy. Yep.
Oh yeah, he does one of those days, he drove down and came in
and it was my gosh, I want to say a little more, Midsummer
last year where we are classes were pretty large that that
point. So anytime we're building up to
our shows we end up with 20 or 30 athletes for Saturday.
And, you know, it's kind of a sink or swim.
I'm format where, you know, we have five instructors or so but
you're going to need to learn quickly and most people do and
they present very well on stage. How do you structure like the
posing routines? Like do you have them holding
the mandatory poses for like a set amount of time to just kind
of build up that mind-muscle connection or how do you
typically structure? Like a lot of people especially
in natural shows me that some of those judges will have you up on
stage for 15 minutes plus. Yeah, and we do ask, you know,
what division The Federation I've Bettors are jumping into,
we have everything from, you know, we've had a DC and ifbb
and wbff OCB and are fed. I MB F WF there in while you
know, we are probably the best with behind BF, W NV F stuff,
you know, we teach everything and we try to separate out to
where, you know, each division comes in together.
And then once those divisions come in, we separate on
Federation differences such as bikini in, the NPC, is from that
post and In the IDF and WNBA outfits for Moses.
So what I just want to make sure we identify every pattern.
Give them their best bet, nice, nice.
Are you competing this year? Are?
No, I'm unsure if I were to compete, I've really got to get
my head in the game. It's just like a hard Balancing
Act. You know, if I'm promoting
multiple shows and I've got a dozen athletes prepping, and I
got the gym and all that fun stuff, it's always like I don't
want to pull too. Let's have a tension away from
my competitors or my gym, or my family just towards myself.
It feels a bit selfish. And, you know, if my body will
do it without too much work and stubbornness then allowed to
happen these days. So, I'm just kind of going with
the flow. I have been cutting for the last
15 weeks and dropped about 20 pounds and I like where I'm
sitting, really was me to look at.
Have I made progression since Flash show cuz I don't like the
compete unless I'm better than my previous self.
That's kind of the name of the game for me is to be told me and
right now, I think I'm a little better but I wouldn't really
know until he got, you know, another 15 pounds out.
Yeah, saw your Facebook post met you.
Having just concluded your little mini cut.
Yes yes. And and so that's that was the
goal that get ready for the spring break vacation down,
California to enjoy week with family and relax a little.
So right now I've been doing pretty well diligent in terms of
diet exercise, but, you know, in our step Right?
Like 15 or 20,000 a day with the Universal Studios park, but like
my additional calories will see how much damage They Do.
By the time I get home and I can reassess from there and you're
sitting like 200 pounder and right roughly.
Yeah, 201. 202. Last I checked.
When I was home. That's, I mean, in the past that
would be a pretty big offseason. Wait for me.
But, you know, over the years it's become actually a leader
body weight, which I think is the name of the game with
progressions and the Goal, this time would be like, could I get
down the stage way that like 185.
Like that would be a big version of me 2021 was 183 and that
would elicit, roughly a pound a year, which I think at this
point at 18 years in the game is pretty pretty good progression
still. Yeah, it's something I want to
talk about man because people don't realize how long it takes
to build quality muscle tissue especially as a natural act.
Like, like when I look at my competitive history, I competed
at For my first show in 2012 and then I get paid it like 157 or
159. I think in 2015 and wanting 2017
I competed it like 160 and then 2020 when I didn't compete but I
did a prep I got down to like 163 I think was my lowest which
is not that much of a window in a weight but every single year I
look noticeably better and people.
I mean, people that that assume that they put on 20 pounds of
muscle A year, went towards? What actual muscle tissue is?
Yeah, I always related to like pounds of steak.
Like, if I put like, four pounds of steak out in front of you,
you know, did you put on that much lean tissue?
Like, there's a visual that, you know, they're like, maybe not a
lot of that weight is typically fluid.
You really don't know until you're, you know, back to Peak
condition. Again, you can compare those
lines and say, you know, it's like condition identical, if so,
But yeah, probably pretty close to lean tissue but the longer
you're in the game, the more, these fluid fluctuations can
take place and you can get a kind of skewed way to kind of
tell people that look at the average weight or week.
That'll probably be as close as it comes to what we're truly
waiting. What do you like when you're not
allowed in like when you're at your offseason?
Wait, how do you know confidently that you built a
better version of yourself than you did?
Last time you went into a prep is just like overall based
Baseline higher weight. At a similar composition.
Yeah, I do get, you know, some compositions done in the
offseason both via skinfold calibration bus.
But also Bia bioelectrical impedance apparatus, that kind
of give me a an idea of where I'm sitting, but there's also
the visual cues. I don't like to go to a point,
which I feel like we're getting sloppy or, you know, it's
affecting my health negatively, but I got all the way up to 21
this last offseason, November ish.
And That was a little heavy for me, like, for a comfort sake for
dietary safer gosh, cost-effectiveness feeding
myself as a, you know, quite the bill, but that at the same time,
I noticed that, you know, my mechanics were starting to
change with that. Much weight, my squad death, my
leg press death were affected my low back, my hip structure,
those were maybe a little less beneficial at that weight, but
my upper pressing strength, which is my weakest area.
Definitely dramatically improved with that extra body weight.
So there were some pluses, there's some - I don't feel like
it can retain that wait perpetually with benefit.
I like to have phases of making myself, maybe a little more
sensitive to calories and training and pulling back a
little bit. Like I did just now, you know,
when I started eating again, now I feel like I'm burning more
more athletic. I feel a little lean on the
summertime. It's a little more beneficial
for me, but I definitely want to Take a look at gauge progress by
all those factors and then also strength.
So, if I'm getting stronger, that's a big check mark in my
list of progressions and benefits.
If I stay in the same strength that I feel like, well
relatively I'm weaker compared to my previous body weight,
that's not good enough for me, to justify the added weight
gain. So I usually utilize that
principle from athletes as well to say.
Hey, are we making Progressive overload?
Are we stronger than we've been? If the The answer is yes, then
we're probably moving in the right direction.
Yeah, that's always a safe safe bed for sure.
What was your body fat, the 220? Do you know?
If I was to make an estimate, probably eighteen percent which
is pretty high for me, but at the same time, you know, I was
seeing my dumbbell presses, my bench presses, my overhead
presses starting they've ever been and that was that was why I
had to shoot for those heights. Yeah.
What was your caloric intake it? Then wait a little over 5,000 a
day, who found thousand a lot of food, man.
It's it was not enjoyable. Yeah, there's days.
Where is he? Nine or ten meals and you know
even even alcohol was including that, which I don't, you know,
overindulge but beer to a week was definitely include that both
for the calorie count relaxation and the fact that, you know, the
offseason Freedom, if you will will allow such.
Yeah. What are you at now at 200
pounds, I would assume we're price it in that 11 or 12
percent. So we dropped like 7% but
there's a lot of fluid weight Wait than gets reduced to it.
That big calorie drop. So, I went from eating a little
over five to about 34, and then, 3200, and instead about 3200
since, and, and that's been essentially, all that's needed
for me to get down here without any cardio.
That's still, you know, roughly 2,000 calorie drop per day,
which will definitely start dropping a pretty aggressively
initially. And then that it's become, maybe
only a quarter pound of lost per week now at that calorie count.
So I'd have to readjust from here.
If I want to continue And then when you do a prep like the
depth of your prep, what do you typically get into down to
calorie-wise there? Oh man, yeah, that the
difficulties of that last little bit, I think last time I
competed there's days were, you know, I definitely touched under
2,000 calories. If I can, you know, try and
retain my strength. I get through the day,
energy-wise, and try to sleep. But there's other days that I've
had to, you know, go above that just to be able to, you know,
relax, get a little You get a little recovery benefit and
maintain. You know, there are, is that I
consider weaker on my physique. So for example, my refeed days
are typically, unlike an upper pressed a versus a lower body or
pulled a for me, that's beneficial because my lower body
and pull days, seemingly maintain strength throughout
prep, but my upper push date takes quite the hit.
So I try to derive, more caloric, intake pre-workout for
those days. Nice, nice.
Yeah, I've been kind of playing around some things because I'm
starting my prep on. Monday, which I'm super stoked
about, but I've been kind of wiggling my intake down
gradually to, pretty much just returned to maintenance prior,
so I can kind of, you know, flush out all that extra fluff.
Wait, before I actually start my prep and for me, I'm your, I'm
roommate like 3,500 calories in an aggressive Surplus and then
maintenance for me is like 3,000.
I've been kind of at 3000 for the past month or two to kind of
just stabilize and they'll root Brim A little recomposition
phase for you. Yeah, yeah.
I mean the best I've gone like from 3500 directly into a cup,
but I feel like if you do that, like, there's just so much like
excess fluid way and they're just so much excess that is
going to come off pretty quickly.
Anyways if you just simply return to maintenance.
So I'm just kind of doing that for like a month or two to kind
of as a washout period so to speak.
Yeah. I-i've been utilizing that
thought process. A lot with my athletes who have
a longer prep as a pre-prep if you will.
Can prepare yourself for a little knowledge, built that
metabolic capacity and then pull the trigger when you're ready.
Yeah, for sure man. And I'm going to be doing your
show which I'm super excited. There's now your show, I mean
that was decoded told me that and I didn't know that, I kind
of caught me by surprise. So the the Washington State
natural Pro-Am is going to be hosted by you this year.
That is correct yet. Kevin and Linda, James, who I've
known for about a decade. My first time competing with
them was The 14, but I knew of them prior to that I knew of the
show and then I could be there a couple times since.
And I've gosh, I've done everything for that show.
I've emceed, I've judged of expedited, I've brought teams
one team Awards, and that's been the granddaddy for me, that's a
lot of honor to not only be handed the show, but to think of
the history of that event, it's been going for 18 years with
Kevin James and his wife Linda and they just Just put on a
really heartfelt show, we have a lot of traditions on such as the
most inspirational Ward, which identifies, you know, someone
who maybe had that biggest struggles outside the gym in
order to get on stage. Then they have the
transformation contest, which is a two-part contest.
They have athletes who've lost 0 to 49 pounds on stage and then
Those whom they've lost 50 to 100 pounds on stage.
We recognize not only the person who lost the most weight but a
combination of like improved body composition.
In presentation physique. And then we also have the team
award and then we have the classic brownies that Linda had
making for athletes in the past. This crazy seven-layer brownie.
That's every athlete was given at her event.
So we actually have kind of hired one of our expediters to
continue that tradition as well and I'm trying to keep the show,
pretty much, you know what people have known for 18 years
so you know, a lot of the same format, same location, the same
area, but But on top of that, I want to modernize it.
You know, I want to take that Dragon emblem that they've
utilized to create a new logo with it.
I have a new website I NBF Northwest.com showing all the
show information and then you know, just a new registration
style. Some things a little bit more
modern in terms of technology and then a new format for the
show, poster and flyers. That's kind of the graphics of
today. If you will like man, it's kind
of crazy like you start going through.
Some of these rosters of different shows and you start
going to the individual show websites and some of these
websites look like they were built in the 90s man.
Like some of these websites are so dead.
It's like you didn't know if the shows in existence anymore.
So I like that you're kind of updating a lot of that
information. Yeah, I constantly kind of reach
out to both athletes and coaches and Those whom that are
participating and I want feedback can like a suggestion
box if you will because I'm not going to take offense at.
Like if someone says, hey, this was tedious for me, I'd like to
To make it less than that. And, you know, if they say, hey,
this can be improved upon, I'm all ears.
I want to ensure that, you know, athletes because I'm an athlete
that they're, they're taking care of my most memorable shows
aren't always the ones that I won, but the ones in which I
felt like you had a lot of camaraderie and family and love
and that's what I want to bring to the show.
The same experience I had every time I competed with them where,
you know, not only am I treated well, but I make a lot of
friends. A lot of memories and Trying to
bring back all the things that people have always loved and
adored about that. Well, that should have been that
show twice and it always seems like there's just so much
camaraderie amongst the competitors backstage,
everything just seems very positive.
Like I haven't ever noticed anything negative about that
that show from the get-go and I don't know, I've got some
unfinished business that show Lionel be one year and then Flex
beat me in 2017 and it available be there.
So that's what's really great is I think I'm gonna both campaign.
Well flexes Thinking about it, he's really like that.
Get back in the scene. Now that, you know, covid /.
Now that I believe he has kind of an Anytime Fitness, he
manages that its role in now. He was in the in the stages of
building. That one covid hit.
So he had to prioritize that but he's in great shape already.
He's amazing. Yeah, he'd always looks amazing.
He's one of the first competitors.
Actually, that I ever saw, who is natural that made me go.
What the heck? Like his Sartorius development
rectus femoris, and he's backstage, NPC.
That being with all that hands guys, I just assumed he was
enhanced him because he is such a freak, just an amazing
physique, amazing guy. So we've been communicating, I'm
trying to convince him to return Lionel will be working the show.
So you'll see him they're all. Either have them on my judging
staff for Expediting, and a lot of the competitors of old I'm
trying to get ahold of whether it be Darren foot or Mica,
whether it be is my custom paint.
He's Not but, you know, you got job, that's doing something a
little different, but, you know, even if you just wanted to come
by and say hello, I'd love to, you know, greet them, and see
him again, myself and then there's like on Wolf and such,
you know, your Old Coach. Yeah.
So II got a hold of him to say, Hey, you know, if you want one
more go-around, you know, we're ready for it.
We'd love to see you again. Even from a flap say hi, Eric a
4D and his team and Idaho, there's a lot of just amazing
athletes who've been on that stage who have gone on to do
great things and been great. Rose.
And now that in covid over now that, you know, the shows going
to be, you know, new changed modernized.
I want them to see it and feel it, attend it, and kind of get
the team back together. That's awesome.
And yeah, that's one thing I've always admired about that show
and just two competitors in general.
Like, there's like everybody that's competing is freaking
ruthless, man. Like we're all out there to like
win. Like this is going to get second
place but there's just so much genuine respect and appreciation
for They're like it's it's ruthless world trying to rip or
tear his head off, but do so in a civil friendly man, like
everybody wants the other person to bring their best package, you
know? I agree completely.
I I've definitely been at that show at a point where I'm just
amazed. Luckily, I was in the audience,
so serious, but the quality of competitors that if you won that
show, I always told people like you were the best.
You're the, you're the big daddy in the Northwest, the honest
truth. Because people don't play at
that event. Historically, you're going to
see people When their Pro cards and then go on to do really well
at the World Championships, not just as a pro but you know,
winning local process but doing well amongst the best in the
world and there's something about the Northwest that just
brings out some unbelievable physiques and I could name a
dozen of them who've either got their Pro card Washington State
natural or won the pro class that went on and took care of
Worlds. Yeah.
And like the the I and B FW + BF Federation like that.
I don't like, we're all probably A little bit biased.
But I feel like in looking at all the other natural
federation's that went to me kind of is the Paramount.
Yeah, it really is in regard to, you know, International athletes
in the world championships. You're going to go against the
best of the best and the most strict drug testing as well.
So there's a lot of natural federation's as we know and they
all tend to pull them and draw the line differently and what
they consider natural and teach their own.
You know, there's definitely a huge gray area here.
Some athletes and their backgrounds, but I always feel
like with the IDF and W NB F. The honor of the best natural,
the world exists there at the world championships.
And speaking of that, we're really fortunate to be able to
have the world championships and Washington as well.
This year only five weeks after the Washington State natural.
So for those of whom that do the Washington State natural and
then they want to compete at the world's the polygraph they do at
Washington, will be good to go for the World Championships
because the proximity The and on top of that, our new Pros, the
ones who get their Pro card will not have to compete again at
another Pro Show to qualify for world so they'll be
automatically qualified. So we have a lot of UPS here.
A lot of extras that people who do this show are going to be
able to be a front-runner right into the best show of all time.
Yeah, I want to ask you about that so with like this is a
super pro qualifying show, right?
Like the washroom site natural, the Washington State natural is
a super pro. Fire.
Which means that we can announce multiple Professionals for the
amateur classes, if we have enough competitors for those
divisions and is it, is it eight competitors per class or five?
I don't remember. It depends on the class.
So if I have 8 in an open body building bikini figure or
physique class, then we'll have a broker for women's body
building and Fit Body when they open that's five competitors and
then all over 40 classes for those.
Those divisions is also a Pro Qualifier.
Okay? So for bodybuilding is long as
there's eight competitors per class.
Anybody that wins that class turns Pro card, and obviously
the winner of the overall of that division was the program
that is correct. Yes.
So we've had years of the Washington State Patrol in which
they've actually awarded multiple bikini Pro cards,
multiple men's physique, Pro cards.
Typically we're like one shy of that multiple bodybuilding Pro
card, but this year is looking to be really big so I could
definitely Happen where we know, congratulate multiple athletes
for that professional card and then we'll have to go on and
obviously do the analysis to ensure that they are legitimate.
Usually those take about a week or two to get back in terms of
results and once they are and we can announce them officially as
a wbff pro. Nice.
I'm trying to time my prep such
that I'm this is my show that I'm primarily peaking for but I
think it would make sense to have a show proof before this.
This just kind of like, you know, get my feet wet for the
season, so, to speak. What would you recommend as
being a good show prior to this show?
So if you're talking about the I and F and W ndf there's a lot of
East Coast shows by our president Nancy interests that
are really renowned and those are happening.
I know in September, we have both the White Plains which is
New York show. That's Nancy.
Show north of you know, man. I'll be going there to judge
that show. Maybe bring a few athletes
myself. And then we also have the
Northwest Royal which will be in Seattle or Bellevue sister city
right next to it and that will be by John Dickerson.
That's where I won. My Pro card, amongst a lot of my
athletes and that will be, I believe the third Saturday of
September this year a week after that of course is that way plane
show. So there's built those options.
Ins. And then, if you're getting into
really close, if you want back-to-back weekends, there are
two early. October shows, one is in Phoenix
Arizona, by Chris Thompson e is putting on The Phoenician,
classic once again. It took a year off the last
couple of years due to covid and restrictions, but it will be
back for both a pros and amateurs.
And then there's the show in San Francisco, and that show will be
the battle of the bay that Opie a week, prior to our show to
watch. Feet, natural, which is also a
Pro-Am. So, that one, there's two
Callie's. There's a New York, and there's
a Seattle show prior to ours all within five to six weeks.
For you person, when you're competing in multiple shows, how
much time do you ideally like to have between shows for myself?
I've tried it all. I've tried, you know, 1 week, 2
week, 3 weeks, I find that two weeks, seemingly is ideal for
people. And that allows, you know, after
the show maybe to get a refeed me, a little refill, the body.
Your focus back or even, you know, go out to eat the next
morning, if you're really depleted, and then get back on
the horse for another 12 and 13 days before you fuel up.
For next, go I find that that the back-to-back weeks.
If somebody is utilizing, may be a peak week protocol.
That's a little extreme. It might backfire.
They might be a little bit sensitive to the protocol
because it's so close in proximity and they're just going
to have to kind of choose which show they want a peek for.
So I like two weeks. Three is fine as well.
I've done both and pretty similar responses for both of
those time frames. Yeah, infrastructure mine with
two weeks. There may be as many as five
shows. I do this season and there's
going to be probably two for sure, but as many as five, some
trying to figure out my calendar right now, Well, I would love to
hear you getting on stage as much as you can.
When you're in shape. I'm a I'm a big fan of doing
that myself these days. I try to make sure that any of
my athletes were prepping that they have their eyes on multiple
shows because a lot of times, especially with amateur athletes
their first go-around, they're kind of deer in the headlights
and they're like, oh no, like just what had more constants or
if I would have hit my poses a bit more abruptly, maybe they
were nervous or scared, or it was also knew that they were
Weren't quite focused enough and then they can make those
Corrections, the second or third go around and make some huge
improvements. So even for veterans, you know,
you're in shape, it is not easy to get to that level of
conditioning and it might as well show it off as much as
possible. Before you say, you know what,
I'm going to hang up the trunks for the season because I don't
think I can stainless anymore or I've got other priorities 100%
man when it comes to Pro status within the eye and bf W MB of
Federation, If you gain Pro card status, how much time can elapse
between that Pro card and you competing again for just a
valid. So in the WNBA F we want our
competitors after when their Pro card to try and compete that
next calendar year to qualify that Pro card.
So if you won, you know, whether it be February, or October of,
what's a 2023, we would want you to compete.
Sometime in 2024 Or to solidify that Pro card status catch.
And if you don't compete in 2024, the following year, then
that get the you competing as amateur you would if you know
there was no reasoning behind you not being able to do.
So we do allow exceptions for things like medical and family
an emergency. So for my example I couldn't
compete initially for two reasons.
One I had twins directly after how many my Pro card and they
were in the NICU will accomplish.
Since my priority was obviously family emergency and then as
soon as I'm prepping again and I I'm abiding by the rules
regulations, paying my Pro card, dues covid head, so they allowed
the exception for me to, you know, compete him to that's 21.
So and I did compete at the Washington State natural as
well. And there was a heck of an honor
to go up against who I consider probably the best natural
athlete. The Northwest right now, which
is Eddie Saldana guy. He's the head of a young guy but
he's a future world champion in my pinion and to be able to, you
know, compete against someone at that level was quite the honor.
He's just a mass monster man. Like his freaking legs like it's
just blows my mind. Yeah, he is amazing.
He really is. I love seeing that plates of
that caliber, come out and compete and represent the
Federation of the highest level. And I try to utilize individuals
like Eddie and others, for those of whom that don't believe,
maybe natural bodybuilding is, you know, able to achieve such a
level Freak Show who maybe are drawn to the dark side of sport
if you will do to wanting to see a little bit more Insanity.
So when I came up, there was no real, you know, natural
bodybuilding online that people were seeing, and they just
assumed. Well, those shows, are you know,
lackluster. The quality competitors is low.
And it, I feel like it's my job to show people otherwise and
say, Hey, you know, actually we're just as good.
So we've been trying to do that in Northwest here at last 10
years. Well, the last time I attended
the Washington State natural show.
I was watching the pro Division and it was, I'm going to butcher
his last name, it. It's like Richard gazecki, or
something like that. Yeah, from the UK.
Yeah, that guy is freaking insane.
Like that's something that like you can't.
Look at that again. Not think that he's on stuff.
Oh yeah. Well, he went on to do the World
Championships that year and he won the heavyweight class but he
lost the overall. So even him, you know, there
were better athletes out there than even him naturally and I
agree. That guy was enormous.
He was about as heavy of a heavy weight as they come and he's
retired now. But that was his final year from
my understanding of trying to get that world championship
title world's. I mean that's like a whole
nother beast in its entirety. I mean like that is truly the
best of the best competing at that one.
Yes it is. And you know this last year bada
he just took it down for a second year.
I was there at Worlds and hit some amazing competition to go
up against E1 up again. Scary animal injure, who
essentially took care of business all over the east coast
and qualified for worlds, that way and that guy, oh my
goodness. What a, what an animal.
I don't know if I've ever seen, it looks like that.
You can see this guy's medial quadricep from the posterior
side cuz it's it's quite insane. And, you know, him and bought a
battled, my heavyweight class, and narrowly bought a got
through Gary, and then went on to compete against to amazing
athletes from other countries. The German champion who is
unbelievable? That guy.
Wow, he really left his Mark. That world's, he won the middle
weights, which was a very kind of class, probably the most out
of class, and he pushed bada on a couple of those shots.
And then there was that lightweight champion from South
Korea, who was just structurally, phenomenal, that
tiny waist, non-existent flaring, lats, good legs, and
just kind of had it all no weak spots, so but I had to outmuscle
him. So if If you want to go this
year, anyways listening I highly recommend Auburn Washington will
be November 19th and 20th both 2-0.
One day for amateurs, one day for pros and you're going to see
that truly the best of the best in the world.
So I can repeat that show. Regardless of what I place the
Washington and ideally I'm planning on getting the pro card
at your show and then I can compete at that but if I compete
if I get my Pro card at your show then I have to compete
against the pros at world. Right.
Yes, you would. Yeah, but you do automatically
qualified to do so you wouldn't have to do a show in between if
you didn't want to, if you want to, you know, go compete as a
pro elsewhere sincere and shape a lot of people do, but we will
give you a special invite as a pro to compete with the pros at
World Championships. If you're an amateur still,
essentially the amateur requirements are first, place is
automatically allowed to go compete and Worlds at the
amateur division. 2nd and 3rd will be allowed depending on the
quantity of Editor's, let's say, there's only three people in the
class and we're not going to give all three an invite, but if
there's still five, people will give the top three and invite to
world says an amateur and is there have to be like is that
placing has to be within the same calendar year?
Or is it just any year previously?
Yes, it does. So you wouldn't be able to
compete at Worlds following year.
Those invitations for amateurs are for the upcoming world's,
got you okay? It makes total sense.
The cool thing about Bonnie Bill natural bodybuilding
specifically. Is that at these World's
competition. I mean you're seeing an older
demographic typically like it's kind of like an old man sport so
to say It is. And that's what I was, that is
I've always been one to say, hey, I would rather be the
oldest athlete, the gym than the biggest because I believe that,
we're kind of after this, fundamentally for health and
wellness, longevity. And seeing how how old, some of
our natural world champion Source patters are is just so
in, awe, inspiring. We have least Alum, who has been
a three-time world champion. She didn't win this last
November, but, you know, three in a row prior to that and she
just turned And 60 this year is phenomenal.
Isn't that unbelievable? Yeah, and so we also have over
50 athletes who aren't even competing in the Masters over 40
at World Cinema process. They're competing with the open
guys, because they want that level competition, and they
deservingly should be up there. We had a bikini athlete, one of
my athletes, 53 years old competing with the over 40's.
There was 16 over 40's this year, the Masters bikini World
Championships and she got right outside of that top five.
In six or seven that I can't remember.
Exactly. But longevity is kind of a name
of the game and natural bodybuilding and you can't
really say that about the enhanced side of the sport, a
lot can go wrong there. And most of those athletes
Prime, we're looking at the late 20s, early 30s.
Yeah. And what's cool is like even
like in you look at the enhanced athletes when they stopped
training with that degree of intensity, they go downhill real
quick man but like you look at the natural sound like the
people that Are not training at a competitive level.
Still look phenomenal. Because they've just built such
a great foundational base naturally.
Exactly, and that's what's so great is that, you know, a
natural athlete never has to go home.
And I woke up and I lost 20 pounds of lean tissue.
It's going to be there regardless of what they're doing
because you know, they're not taking the Exotics and
supplements that assist with that growth face.
So there's some confidence there that you know you're doing
things right. And that it's really a
foundation versus what's you know maybe being put on top of
it. Temporarily?
Yeah, hundred percent man. I've got a pretty lofty goal for
this competitive season. Man, haven't told anybody this
yet. I feel like it's fitting to tell
you because you are going to be hosting the show, which is that,
my goal is to win the show. But my goal as a bodybuilder
this competitive season is to Simply Be the leanest man alive
at that point. I'm like, no bars.
No questions asked, like indisputable the leanest man,
alive hundred percent. I would love to see it.
I think there's going to be a lot of that going on for that
contest and I will tell you what, I'll recognize you if you
you do pull that off because that is a heck of a Feet at this
event and I know you're capable of it, but I've seen your work
ethic and I've seen, you know, your persistence and years in
the game, you have the muscle maturity and know-how and
discipline de to get there. So I'm rooting me on 100%.
I appreciate them. I just realized, like, I'll
never be the biggest guy on the stage, like I'm 180 pounds right
now. Walk like walking around when I
compete at 160 something like I'm not ever going to be the
biggest guy on stage, but if I can come in with the best
conditioning and they can be lights out in that regard.
No. Absolutely.
And how tall are you again, Robert.
I'm like, 5. I say I'm 58. 57 57.
So I guess it's five second half that's actually pretty big
honestly for an athlete height. So I don't tell people you know
that there's a certain number they have to reach for it
because it's really dependent on tight and sometimes structure.
But more often than not, you know, we give up about 10 pounds
of lean tissue per inch in the sportin.
I've been at it for 18 years, I'm competing in the low, one
the 80s if you've 5.3, you know, inches on you then if not for,
you know, pound for pound Bounty your thicker dude than I that's
for sure. I don't know, man.
You're very pretty think. Maybe that's that shower, that
you get like the perfect shower for Progress pics and that tiny
man, I'm giving the shower credit.
I give the show credit as well. It definitely has some amazing
lighting, so I need to look that way on stage, Which is far more
important than some progress for this. 100%, I'm getting stuck.
Do you like I haven't? I feel like you and I didn't
raise you competed in 2021. That's awesome.
But like I feel like since you and I both went through all This
rigmarole in 2020 and like because you found out that your
show was canceled how and and how much event because like mine
got canceled a week and a half before it was going to compete.
Oh, that's right. You were gonna do Rodney show,
weren't you and for Georgia. And yeah, he had to cancel last
minute. So I found out that's the
Washington State natural cancel. I think mid-march in 2020.
And so, we were 25 weeks out from from the event.
And I had already done a few warm-ups Shows prior to that and
I was definitely on my last few pounds of body fat was trying to
get off of me. Also trying to overcome a ha
injury. It was minor but it was
noticeable and it was a rough go over by the very end there but
about five and a half weeks before Kevin and Linda tried
everything possible to allow the show to happen and eventually it
just had to be removed. Yeah.
So unfortunately in but I feel like it just builds my
excitement. Much more for what kind of
because we've been out of that mean I was doing the math.
I haven't competed since 2017, man, that's a long ass time to
not be stepping on stage six years.
That's a heck of an offseason but you know, he had a couple
cuts in there and family so yeah, yeah for sure.
How do you because a lot of people that have never done a
bodybuilding competition, they don't realize that it's more.
So a mental sport than a physical one and like, you've
got a business, I've got a business.
I've now got a ten-month-old, you've got two twins, you've got
a wife, I've got a wife. Got all these responsibilities
and I was talking to my wife, the other day, actually, had
recorded a podcast on this. I'm like it's easy when you're
doing something that's incredibly hard to give yourself
permission to be an asshole because, you know, it's for a
finite period of time. You're doing something that's
incredibly hard, it's taxing, every fiber of your being, it's
taxing your patients. So you like you give yourself
permission to be an asshole. But my goal this year, apart
from being the meanest man alive is to simply not give myself
permission to be an asshole to people.
And if I don't give myself permission I probably won't That
that is a great goal, very admirable and I respect it
because it is far more difficult done than said, especially the
very end there. Everybody gets a little
irritable when they're really low calorically and they're
really deprived and hungry but, you know, at the same time, you
still got family. You still got business to get
things to do. And I would say that judging by
the athletes, I've seen the more mature the athlete, the more
easy that seemingly is maybe they're accustomed to To it may
be hormonal e, they're not as awry or, you know, it's just a
difference in age and comfort with lower calories.
But I definitely wish you luck in that regard and I think that
your family business and friends all benefit from such.
Yeah, it's tough, man. But I feel like you're
absolutely right. Like, the more shows you do the
greater perspective, you have towards it all and at the end of
the day, you got to recognize the fact that hey, look, the
reason this is happening is because it's my own doing in the
first place. So nobody else deserves me.
I mean, to be short with him, you know.
Exactly. Yeah, and I have all the respect
for my Master's athletes, who kill their own businesses and
they got, you know, their their families to deal with if our
grandchildren and they seemingly pulled together.
I find that my younger athletes for my first timers or ones.
Who have never had to find that balance, probably get a little
bit more irritable because it's all new to them.
And that Balancing Act is something they have to grow
accustomed to. Yeah, 100%, 100%.
Have you had a lot of people already registered for the show?
Yeah, we've had a few. We have some athletes from out
of country, actually registering competing, which is really cool.
That's something, I'm not accustomed to with that.
My other event in Oregon which is a ing of Cecil Phillips
classic. That's just an amateur event.
So typically we get a lot of Northwest competitors but since
it's just an amateur so we don't have a lot of people flying out
but this show because of its location how easy it is to get
to the length of time. The honor, the amount of big
names coming in, we have a lot of People from out of state,
like yourself and out of country.
Even that'll be competing this year.
Nice man. Very cool.
Well, I'm definitely going to sign up and register.
We're going to have a booth there too.
I believe I'm gonna bring some of my team.
I think my wife, obviously, is Gonna Come.
I'm trying to talk some family into coming.
I'm gonna bring my media Gadda to film some of it as well, so
it's going to be it's gonna be good, man.
I'm stoked, we'd love that. Yeah, and we keep shouting the
out on our Washington State, natural IG page.
Let people know you exist and that you'll be there.
I've seen you've been making big moves with even people like Mark
Bell, oh my goodness. With his own key do break and,
you know, you have definitely been one of those people that
buy point out and say Hey you know where there's passion for
something you do and they're successful follow.
If you just stick to your guns. So I've seen you since that the
beginning, it feels like with your business and athleticism
and I just got to say, if I can that I'm super proud of you.
You're definitely a representative of, you know,
someone who not only has he Entrepreneurial Spirit, but that
just doesn't give up. I really appreciate that.
Mean, that means a lot coming from you.
I remember sitting on a row in front of you at that show
watching the competitors. And, you know, I think that was
like, after I competed the year prior something, and I was like,
second-guessing myself, I Turn to You.
And I went. What do you think?
You think? I got any future in this?
And you're like, man, you're super young.
And if you're 23 years old, just keep hustling.
Keep your head down. Keep putting in the work.
And so yeah, man, I appreciate the fact that we've known each
other as long as we have, and you've seen that come up and
you've been just such a support in that manner because that
truly does not go. Unnoticed.
I appreciate you back. And yeah, it was pretty obvious.
You know, you had all that Talent, beginning on it, that
the one I can recall, what the you specifically was that you
had that pretty dramatic weight, fluctuation initially, that you
were able to be at a young age, disciplined enough to get some
extra body, fat off aggressively and stick to your guns, you
know, present really well, knocking on the door for Real
card if and right off the bat. And that's not easy at that
show. Like I keep saying it's, there's
some honor at this event if someone takes the title.
And so, I always wanted to say, you know, most these athletes
who are winning that title, they're not newbies, they're not
amateurs. These are people who have for a
long period of time and, you know, I think you're mr.
Next, in line at this point 100%, man.
Well, I appreciate that vote of confidence, for sure, for
anybody that wants to sign up, which they should, if anybody
wants to go to a Tandoor to compete, what?
Do they go to do so? If they go to our website, it's
inv. F Northwest.com.
You'll find all of the Northwest events on that site.
You just click a poster fan will bring you to the main page.
The registration will be at the top and there also is a
restricted register Now button right in the middle that will
bring you to the signup sheet. Just fill that out, you know,
agree to the terms and conditions with the drug
testing. And once that restrictions in
your in, you just need to register your inv of card.
There's a link for that on the website.
That way your In with the Federation as well.
And then we'll see you at the show.
Awesome, and well, I can't thank you enough for taking the time
and I can't wait to see in person again, man.
It's been far too long and hopefully, hopefully, I'll see
you compete here soon as well man.
Yeah, I I'll keep you updated on that one.
I'm just trying to find that Balancing Act and not, you know,
Annoying, my family in the process and where do people go
to find out? More about you, like your
Instagram, your gym, all that good stuff.
Yeah. So our Instagram is genuine, -
training.com RJ Fitness training.
And then if you go to genuine Fitness, training.com that's our
website and you can find all our information, we do everything
from in person and online training.
We do posing classes both in person and now if I zoom as
well, we cover nutrition. We cover exercise prescription,
weakness assessment. We have an athletic trainer at
our gym as well for rehabilitation needs and kind of
One-Stop shop when it comes to athletes.
Get money for shows at this point.
Awesome, man, where you been to, Us for a long time, you're an
absolute Pro. You're an expert and you do it.
Right, man. So, keep fighting the good
fight, Aaron. I can't thank you enough for the
time. I can't thank you enough for the
friendship. And like I said, I'm excited to
see it just a few months, brother.
I know I cannot wait. It's gonna be a great October, a
great November. And I keep telling people it's
gonna be the biggest natural bodybuilding, Northwest year
that we've ever seen. And I can't wait to see it
unfold 100%, man. Well, here we go.