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. 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.