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All right.
2
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- Are we good?
- Yep.
3
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- All right.
- Great.
4
00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:07,891
Now, you know, right now,
you're working on television,
5
00:01:07,975 --> 00:01:09,059
you're working in film,
6
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you're working on your graphic novel
that's gonna come out soon.
7
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You have a lot of stuff
that you're busy with.
8
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But obviously you still look like
you're in a bodybuilding shape.
9
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With all the stuff happening
in your life right now, I mean,
10
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I know it's... do you find it challenging
to still maintain the physique?
11
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It's challenging,
12
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and I think it's also very, very clear,
13
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uh, that you can't do that.
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-It's not a maintenance thing.
-But if you didn't have the physique,
15
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do you think perception
of you would be diminished?
16
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Yeah. I used to think
it was bodybuilding, you know.
17
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But I've gotten a chance
to grow a little bit more,
18
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just, just by way of having
more opportunity
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to think a little deeper about it
and be exposed to a lot.
20
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When it comes to the individual
that's looking at you as a bodybuilder,
21
00:02:06,072 --> 00:02:09,908
a lot of times, it may be
that bodybuilding becomes the platform
22
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that makes the introduction,
but I think the thing that allows them
23
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to resonate well with you
is beyond bodybuilding.
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The thing that may encourage someone
most to want to pay attention
25
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to anything you have to say
has more to do with
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their ability to identify themselves
in you.
27
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That becomes everything.
28
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You know, 'cause without that,
then there's just sets and reps
29
00:02:34,557 --> 00:02:38,311
and how much can you bench
and how big is your chest versus this guy.
30
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But the things that are unique
to your personality,
31
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the struggles that are revealed
in, um, who you are,
32
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um, and how that reads on film
a lot of times,
33
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is the thing that...
34
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allows people to want
to take that journey with you.
35
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Fitness, weightlifting,
bodybuilding.
36
00:05:02,033 --> 00:05:04,661
All these terms often get confused
and mixed up
37
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amongst the general public.
38
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Although gyms are widely available
in every city in America,
39
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pro bodybuilding is still
a misunderstood art form
40
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and is even looked down upon.
41
00:05:16,338 --> 00:05:18,882
Being involved in this industry
for the last few years,
42
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I often ask myself,
43
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do bodybuilding ideals
reflect the ideals of the mainstream?
44
00:05:24,179 --> 00:05:25,764
How do you feel about bodybuilding?
45
00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:28,725
Uh, I don't have any thoughts
on bodybuilding.
46
00:05:28,809 --> 00:05:29,768
Nothing.
47
00:05:29,851 --> 00:05:32,938
It's not weightlifting,
it's actually shaping your body.
48
00:05:33,021 --> 00:05:33,897
It's awesome.
49
00:05:33,981 --> 00:05:36,316
I remember the comic books,
when we used to have
50
00:05:36,400 --> 00:05:38,902
the back pages of comic books,
Charles Atlas.
51
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I saw one on the train the other day
and they're just like bulky and big.
52
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Big guys, hard to make clothes for.
I don't know.
53
00:05:48,828 --> 00:05:52,081
You hear about the steroids,
you hear about what they eat
54
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and things like that.
55
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I want to show a couple images.
Let me know how you feel about these.
56
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I used to be like that.
57
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That's bodybuilding.
58
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-I think of it as body sculpting.
-OK.
59
00:06:02,341 --> 00:06:04,176
They look good, they look in shape.
60
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They look like they're
a little bit, you know, too lean.
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You know, a little too ripped.
62
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That's how you pull the look.
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That guy has eight abs.
That one has six.
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That hasn't gone to the freakish yet.
65
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I mean, his head is smaller
than his body, but that's OK.
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I mean, if he's happy with it...
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A lot of women see that
right there, "Ooh-whee."
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They'd sit and watch.
69
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No. I... Not to me.
70
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No.
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Gross.
72
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It's not really gross,
but it's not really like...
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attractive either.
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To me, it's just gross, you know.
It's just...
75
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How about this one?
76
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OK, yeah, that's
the bodybuilding I know.
77
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-Wow.
-That is a big dude.
78
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That's a big dude.
79
00:06:48,510 --> 00:06:51,680
OK, that's too big. That is too big.
Entirely too big.
80
00:06:51,764 --> 00:06:54,141
Oh, boy.
81
00:06:54,224 --> 00:06:57,269
I look at it as an addiction
at some point.
82
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It... it's an extreme.
83
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It restricts them in movement and stuff
and even physically in other ways
84
00:07:04,067 --> 00:07:06,986
and psychologically in a major way.
85
00:07:11,449 --> 00:07:14,452
Competitive bodybuilding
has been an American institution
86
00:07:14,535 --> 00:07:16,287
since its infancy in the sixties.
87
00:07:16,913 --> 00:07:19,457
Though there have been
many foreign champions,
88
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almost all of them had relocated
to the US to pursue their dreams.
89
00:07:23,836 --> 00:07:27,048
But as technology advances
and the world becomes more connected,
90
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are we seeing the beginning
of decentralization?
91
00:07:31,468 --> 00:07:33,929
Yeah, I think America, because
that's where it was more popular,
92
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it's where the magazines are
and that sort of thing,
93
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you get more notice there
than anywhere else.
94
00:07:38,267 --> 00:07:40,644
But, like I said, look at
some of the people coming out of,
95
00:07:40,727 --> 00:07:42,729
you know, Kuwait
and all those sort of places
96
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where you never would have heard
of them before,
97
00:07:44,648 --> 00:07:47,067
but now, 'cause they're getting bigger
over there, you're starting to see
98
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these names you wouldn't have
heard of back in the 1990s or 2000s.
99
00:07:50,362 --> 00:07:53,073
It seems like everyone has to come
to the US to be able
100
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to get that publicity and feel like
they're at that level.
101
00:07:56,326 --> 00:07:58,869
We're doing the Amateur Olympia
in Algeria this year.
102
00:07:58,953 --> 00:08:00,663
We're doing a show in Tunisia.
103
00:08:00,746 --> 00:08:04,583
Obviously we're in Kuwait, we're in Japan,
we're in South Korea, China.
104
00:08:04,667 --> 00:08:07,503
Brazil. Brazil's gonna be
one of our biggest areas.
105
00:08:07,586 --> 00:08:10,006
Singapore, Vietnam.
We just had a show in Vietnam there.
106
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There were 300 competitors
in Vietnam.
107
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You travel to these countries
and you do these shows
108
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and it's like you step off the bus
to go to the arena
109
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and they swarm you.
110
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They just want to touch you
and see you and feel you
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because you're real,
you're like this celebrity.
112
00:08:24,519 --> 00:08:28,732
It's like, hell, United States, you just
go to a show and you do it.
113
00:08:28,815 --> 00:08:32,027
Hi, Kai Greene. Welcome to Xi'an.
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- Thank you, thank you.
- Hello, hello, hello.
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Thank you, thank you.
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There's a lot more excitement
there than you get in the US.
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I think people now are getting
more excited to compete
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and I think the talent pool
is just amazing.
119
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You got different cultures competing
and you know the physiques.
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I mean, genetic makeup
of a lot of these cultures,
121
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a lot of these guys are built
for this business and they're dedicated.
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So they're giving more time
to developing their bodies
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and becoming their best
in the hopes to be able
124
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to either leave there or represent
their country better through the business.
125
00:09:07,311 --> 00:09:10,689
Another major factor that led
to growth of pro bodybuilding
126
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was the recent introduction of several
new divisions by the federations.
127
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These new divisions opened
the door to a wider audience
128
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and tailor themselves
to specific body types.
129
00:09:23,660 --> 00:09:26,704
Men's Physique is a body
you would see almost in GQ
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or in a fitness magazine.
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A physique that's not overly developed,
132
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but in very good condition
with excellent shape.
133
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It would be just enough development
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00:09:34,629 --> 00:09:36,798
of a body you wouldn't even
need weights almost for.
135
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Condition and shape is what we look for.
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00:09:38,967 --> 00:09:41,427
Classic Physique is,
you take a physique body
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and a bodybuilder's body
and you meet it halfway.
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00:09:44,138 --> 00:09:48,934
It's a developed body that you need to put
in the gym, heavy squats, heavy lifting.
139
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It's a physique that you would see
in a bodybuilding magazine
140
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showing you exercises,
but not the ultimate.
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00:09:55,691 --> 00:09:57,609
Men's Open is the ultimate.
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00:09:57,693 --> 00:10:01,363
That is the male body taken
to the ultimate development.
143
00:10:01,446 --> 00:10:03,657
The biggest muscles,
the biggest conditioning,
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00:10:03,740 --> 00:10:07,369
The guys
that have taken it to the limit.
145
00:10:10,706 --> 00:10:12,707
So what division is the best?
146
00:10:12,790 --> 00:10:15,084
Which physique is supreme?
147
00:10:15,167 --> 00:10:18,838
Is there such thing as a perfect physique?
Can it ever be achieved?
148
00:10:18,921 --> 00:10:22,800
Or is it simply predetermined for us
based on genetic limitation?
149
00:10:24,051 --> 00:10:25,886
To answer at least some
of these questions,
150
00:10:25,970 --> 00:10:29,807
we decided to go all around the US
and the world
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00:10:29,890 --> 00:10:34,061
and meet some competitors who live, sleep,
and breathe bodybuilding.
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00:10:38,399 --> 00:10:40,817
Despite being only 25 years old,
153
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many spectators and analysts believe
154
00:10:43,486 --> 00:10:46,865
that Canadian athlete Regan Grimes
has the potential
155
00:10:46,948 --> 00:10:48,908
to be a leading Men's Open competitor.
156
00:10:51,578 --> 00:10:55,665
Regan did a few pro shows,
but the biggest challenge is yet to come.
157
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In a month, he's gonna step
on a stage in New York.
158
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There, he'll be challenged
by some of the top bodybuilders
159
00:11:03,506 --> 00:11:04,591
in this industry.
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If he ends up placing badly,
161
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this will show that the hype
did not live up to the expectations.
162
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In order to do well
in bodybuilding,
163
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you've got to be a little bit crazy.
164
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Just with the diet and nutrition,
it's a whole other level of suffering.
165
00:11:21,565 --> 00:11:24,276
Bodybuilding, I didn't even know
it was like a big thing.
166
00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:26,153
I didn't even know about it.
167
00:11:26,236 --> 00:11:28,530
Before becoming
a full-time bodybuilder,
168
00:11:28,614 --> 00:11:31,116
Regan lived the dream of motocross.
169
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But after sustaining injuries,
170
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his life now is all about training
and eating.
171
00:11:39,374 --> 00:11:42,794
Regan's not the most organized person.
172
00:11:42,877 --> 00:11:45,672
He's good with the training
and he can follow the diet.
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He just needs someone to like
help him with the meals.
174
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Don't tell him I said that.
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00:11:52,845 --> 00:11:54,847
We were both working
at a supplement store
176
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which was at Western University,
177
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and I was attending
Western University.
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00:11:58,726 --> 00:12:00,811
Then we're also both working in a bar.
179
00:12:00,894 --> 00:12:04,231
So he was doing security
and I was doing bottle service.
180
00:12:04,314 --> 00:12:07,276
I always thought he was good looking
and I liked him, he was a funny guy,
181
00:12:07,359 --> 00:12:10,946
nice, but I never really knew that
he had a thing for me or anything,
182
00:12:11,029 --> 00:12:14,616
'cause we were just really friendly,
and you know, he's very, he's just chill.
183
00:12:14,700 --> 00:12:17,995
So, he was never really
that obvious about it.
184
00:12:18,078 --> 00:12:19,913
Then eventually we just
kind of started hanging out
185
00:12:19,997 --> 00:12:23,792
and one thing led to the next,
and then here we are, five years later.
186
00:12:25,502 --> 00:12:27,211
How was your day, Otis?
187
00:12:28,629 --> 00:12:32,508
When we met, I hadn't even done
my first competition to becoming pro,
188
00:12:32,592 --> 00:12:35,970
so like we kind of went through
that whole journey together.
189
00:12:36,053 --> 00:12:38,014
And, you know, she's been there
for everything
190
00:12:38,097 --> 00:12:41,392
and pushed me through
times I thought I would give up.
191
00:12:42,476 --> 00:12:45,605
- Your waist looks smaller.
- Yeah, that's coming in tighter.
192
00:12:45,688 --> 00:12:49,191
Go back two.
I think you could hit that one better.
193
00:12:49,275 --> 00:12:50,276
Yeah, yeah.
194
00:12:50,943 --> 00:12:54,237
And I think this one too,
the front I could have hit better, too.
195
00:12:54,321 --> 00:12:55,780
Sometimes I lean back
196
00:12:55,864 --> 00:12:58,783
and I should be leaning forward
in my upper body a little bit.
197
00:12:58,867 --> 00:13:01,786
Every morning, for my coach, Chris Aceto,
we take photos,
198
00:13:01,870 --> 00:13:03,079
and I send them off to him.
199
00:13:03,163 --> 00:13:06,583
Uh, also, like, right when I wake up,
I'll take my weight, too,
200
00:13:06,666 --> 00:13:09,544
so I'll record my weight
and then we'll come get the photos
201
00:13:09,628 --> 00:13:14,549
and I'll send them both off to him,
and then he'll give me like my plan for...
202
00:13:14,633 --> 00:13:18,303
sometimes he'll switch like today
or it will be for tomorrow.
203
00:13:44,620 --> 00:13:46,038
Let's go, come on.
204
00:14:14,273 --> 00:14:16,400
Come on, two. One more.
205
00:14:17,317 --> 00:14:19,444
- Good.
- Is he okay?
206
00:14:20,570 --> 00:14:23,115
Logan just puked everywhere.
It was hilarious.
207
00:14:23,657 --> 00:14:24,533
Yeah.
208
00:14:30,038 --> 00:14:31,331
He's puking.
209
00:14:33,375 --> 00:14:34,501
OK. Here we go.
210
00:14:41,716 --> 00:14:44,010
You're not supposed to make
eye contact during this...
211
00:14:51,434 --> 00:14:54,937
Over the past few years,
bodybuilding began taking shape
212
00:14:55,021 --> 00:14:56,856
in a variety of different countries,
213
00:14:56,939 --> 00:15:00,276
a movement that has been pioneered
by individuals across the globe
214
00:15:00,359 --> 00:15:03,654
who have made it their mission
to introduce and expand bodybuilding
215
00:15:03,738 --> 00:15:05,656
to a whole new audience.
216
00:15:05,740 --> 00:15:08,575
I sat down with some key members
of the industry
217
00:15:08,658 --> 00:15:10,910
to get their take
on this everchanging landscape
218
00:15:10,994 --> 00:15:12,621
and learn more about bodybuilding.
219
00:15:12,704 --> 00:15:16,708
You know, America, US, is known
as capital of bodybuilding.
220
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Like Venice Beach,
it's associated with bodybuilding.
221
00:15:19,461 --> 00:15:22,714
Now, do you think people from
different countries all over the world
222
00:15:22,797 --> 00:15:26,635
can potentially take that mecca
away from the US
223
00:15:26,718 --> 00:15:29,220
if they invest in bodybuilding
and if they grow it?
224
00:15:29,304 --> 00:15:32,766
I don't know, because I feel like
Arnold did this.
225
00:15:32,849 --> 00:15:36,018
I feel like Arnold made it
like an American thing
226
00:15:36,101 --> 00:15:39,438
because it's almost like, it's like
tied into like movies and Hollywood,
227
00:15:39,521 --> 00:15:41,398
at least where he went with it,
228
00:15:41,482 --> 00:15:43,442
and I think people see that
in the bodybuilding.
229
00:15:43,525 --> 00:15:45,986
They almost have this dream
of maybe they could be part of that
230
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or be somewhere along those lines,
231
00:15:47,947 --> 00:15:50,282
and I think it has to do
with L.A. and Hollywood.
232
00:15:50,366 --> 00:15:52,868
When I was first competing,
America was way ahead
233
00:15:52,952 --> 00:15:55,996
with the gyms and the restaurants
and the food and everything.
234
00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:58,499
So now you can get a good gym
anywhere in the world
235
00:15:58,582 --> 00:16:02,252
and the Internet's made
the world much smaller.
236
00:16:02,335 --> 00:16:04,087
Generally, in Europe
and the Middle East,
237
00:16:04,170 --> 00:16:07,715
they look at it as they would look
at basketball players: they're stars.
238
00:16:07,799 --> 00:16:11,469
Kai, Kai Greene is a huge star
in the Middle East.
239
00:16:11,552 --> 00:16:14,138
When I went to Iran,
I was treated like a rock star.
240
00:16:14,222 --> 00:16:15,848
It's the same all around the Middle East.
241
00:16:15,932 --> 00:16:18,559
Ah, it's amazing.
India. China.
242
00:16:18,643 --> 00:16:20,061
Uh, Brazil.
243
00:16:20,144 --> 00:16:25,275
All these emerging markets now
where fitness is huge.
244
00:16:25,358 --> 00:16:28,444
Everywhere. We're just trying
to expand wherever we can.
245
00:16:35,367 --> 00:16:38,203
After investigating
these newly emerging markets,
246
00:16:38,287 --> 00:16:41,373
we traveled to India
to meet Sheru Aangrish,
247
00:16:41,456 --> 00:16:44,585
a now-retired bodybuilder
who has made it his mission
248
00:16:44,668 --> 00:16:48,046
to transform India
into a main hub for fitness.
249
00:16:48,922 --> 00:16:50,507
...the population, right?
250
00:16:50,591 --> 00:16:52,718
China has the biggest population,
obviously.
251
00:16:52,801 --> 00:16:54,344
Yeah. India is number two.
252
00:16:54,428 --> 00:16:57,763
Number two, but the most important
thing is, it's a young population.
253
00:16:57,847 --> 00:17:04,228
Yeah, I mean, exactly 63% of population
in India is less than 35 years of age.
254
00:17:04,312 --> 00:17:08,941
And if you compare the Indian statistics
a few years ago,
255
00:17:09,025 --> 00:17:14,363
the literacy rate was way down,
but the younger population is literate,
256
00:17:14,447 --> 00:17:18,784
so obviously when people are literate,
they have more knowledge, more sense,
257
00:17:18,868 --> 00:17:22,704
and, uh, the decision making is right,
that's the key factor.
258
00:17:22,787 --> 00:17:25,707
What about the income of,
you know, like a general income?
259
00:17:25,790 --> 00:17:27,292
-Is it growing in India?
-Yeah.
260
00:17:27,375 --> 00:17:30,253
If you see numbers, obviously
the Indian economy
261
00:17:30,337 --> 00:17:35,508
is the only economy in the world with
a growth rate of 6.927.1, you know?
262
00:17:35,592 --> 00:17:38,470
And I do feel it's the beginning
of a new era.
263
00:18:01,533 --> 00:18:05,037
His ambition is to make
bodybuilding bigger than cricket,
264
00:18:05,120 --> 00:18:07,414
India's number one watched sport.
265
00:18:07,498 --> 00:18:11,168
While he tries to engage Bollywood stars
to take interest in fitness,
266
00:18:11,252 --> 00:18:15,172
India's only Men's Open pro competitor,
Varinder Ghuman,
267
00:18:15,256 --> 00:18:19,133
has made it his mission to do the same,
but on an individual level.
268
00:18:19,217 --> 00:18:22,387
He will soon be competing
in the San Marino Pro,
269
00:18:22,470 --> 00:18:25,723
a major European competition
with top-level athletes.
270
00:18:25,807 --> 00:18:27,684
Varinder Ghuman, you know,
271
00:18:27,767 --> 00:18:31,437
right now the only professional
bodybuilder from India.
272
00:18:31,521 --> 00:18:33,898
People call him "He-Man of India."
273
00:18:33,982 --> 00:18:38,152
So he's a pretty known face
and working on different ventures.
274
00:18:38,236 --> 00:18:40,446
Now, you're the only Indian
275
00:18:40,530 --> 00:18:41,906
-IBB pro right now?
-Yes.
276
00:18:42,573 --> 00:18:44,283
Why do you think you're the only one?
277
00:18:44,366 --> 00:18:45,993
Why do you think there's not a lot more?
278
00:18:46,076 --> 00:18:48,370
I'm unique, man.
279
00:18:48,453 --> 00:18:50,289
I hope there will be more, upcoming years,
280
00:18:50,372 --> 00:18:53,792
India is going to produce
many more pro bodybuilders.
281
00:18:55,586 --> 00:18:57,421
A lot of talent coming from India
282
00:18:57,504 --> 00:18:59,673
when we talk about
mainstream bodybuilding.
283
00:18:59,756 --> 00:19:02,009
You will see Indian winning Mr. Olympia
284
00:19:02,092 --> 00:19:04,303
when we talk about Classic Physique
and Men's Physique.
285
00:19:06,430 --> 00:19:08,223
We're not as big
as the Open bodybuilders,
286
00:19:08,307 --> 00:19:12,643
but we have a nice, you know, shape,
nice V taper, shoulder-waist ratio.
287
00:19:12,727 --> 00:19:14,145
Me and guys like Andre Ferguson,
288
00:19:14,228 --> 00:19:16,314
we're one of the bigger guys
in Men's Physique.
289
00:19:16,397 --> 00:19:20,192
If you look at Men's Physique from 2011,
2012, around that time period,
290
00:19:20,526 --> 00:19:22,320
those weren't really bodybuilders.
291
00:19:22,403 --> 00:19:26,157
It was more like a beach look,
with a little bit of muscle.
292
00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,911
And the conditioning wasn't even there.
It was like more of a softer look.
293
00:19:30,411 --> 00:19:33,289
Like they didn't want you coming in
as hard as we come in now.
294
00:19:33,372 --> 00:19:37,043
It became baby bodybuilding; there's no
way you're gonna look at Men's Physique--
295
00:19:37,126 --> 00:19:38,418
Baby bodybuilders.
296
00:19:38,501 --> 00:19:41,421
There's no way that's not bodybuilding.
The top guys are bodybuilders.
297
00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:46,217
I think it's changing, man,
it's changing again.
298
00:19:46,301 --> 00:19:48,428
There might be a new champion
this year.
299
00:19:48,803 --> 00:19:52,265
When I was 16, I remember telling
my best friend, Keke, in the gym,
300
00:19:52,349 --> 00:19:54,184
after practice, I was like, "I wanna be
301
00:19:54,267 --> 00:19:56,436
a professional bodybuilder one day."
302
00:19:56,519 --> 00:19:59,272
Didn't have the biggest muscles,
but I always had a nice shape and abs.
303
00:19:59,356 --> 00:20:00,440
And I've always...
304
00:20:00,941 --> 00:20:03,151
even growing up, I would always
be the one in pictures
305
00:20:03,234 --> 00:20:04,693
to like lift my shirt up
and show my abs.
306
00:20:04,777 --> 00:20:08,864
So I've always been that kind of like,
kind of guy that's just been out there.
307
00:20:08,948 --> 00:20:10,616
And, um, I was kind of confused.
308
00:20:10,699 --> 00:20:13,869
I didn't really know what I wanted to do
or where my life was gonna go,
309
00:20:13,953 --> 00:20:17,498
so I ended up going to college and just
trying to figure out what I wanted to do.
310
00:20:17,581 --> 00:20:20,000
Got my bachelor's in science at SIU,
311
00:20:20,084 --> 00:20:22,253
and throughout those four years,
I really just partied.
312
00:20:22,336 --> 00:20:24,296
I didn't lift, I didn't do anything.
I was partying.
313
00:20:24,380 --> 00:20:27,883
I joined a black organization,
modeling organization, called Essence,
314
00:20:27,967 --> 00:20:30,094
so I was doing some modeling;
it was a blessing in disguise
315
00:20:30,177 --> 00:20:33,680
because, what I've learned,
how to use a stage in modeling.
316
00:20:33,763 --> 00:20:35,181
I apply it now to bodybuilding.
317
00:20:35,265 --> 00:20:36,891
Oh, these pants too tight.
318
00:20:36,975 --> 00:20:38,851
Ohh!
319
00:20:38,935 --> 00:20:41,604
Ooh, see, that's the problem
when you go shopping with a bodybuilder.
320
00:20:41,688 --> 00:20:44,357
The pants too tight.
321
00:20:46,567 --> 00:20:50,446
After starting
his Men's Physique journey in 2012,
322
00:20:50,530 --> 00:20:55,451
Brandon quickly rose to the top
and won the Arnold Classic in 2016,
323
00:20:55,535 --> 00:20:56,953
a major accomplishment.
324
00:20:57,495 --> 00:21:00,831
Unable to land a repeat victory
the following year,
325
00:21:00,914 --> 00:21:04,418
he now must work his hardest
to prove he can do it again.
326
00:21:18,890 --> 00:21:19,850
So, I was backstage,
327
00:21:19,933 --> 00:21:22,394
getting ready to be handed
my trophy by Arnold.
328
00:21:22,477 --> 00:21:24,688
He was backstage
and he shook my hand and said,
329
00:21:24,771 --> 00:21:26,981
"Man, you look awesome,
you look super shredded."
330
00:21:27,064 --> 00:21:29,150
That's the Kindergarten Cop,
like, that's my idol.
331
00:21:29,233 --> 00:21:32,945
I started bodybuilding, you know,
the motivation was from Arnold, you know.
332
00:21:33,029 --> 00:21:35,573
He paved this way for us.
He made the opportunity.
333
00:21:35,656 --> 00:21:37,992
I wouldn't be sitting right here
if it wasn't for Arnold,
334
00:21:38,075 --> 00:21:41,162
so he's someone I really
look up to in the industry,
335
00:21:41,245 --> 00:21:44,916
and to actually win his own show
was a super dream come true.
336
00:21:46,626 --> 00:21:49,211
That was 2016.
This is 2018, my man.
337
00:22:03,683 --> 00:22:05,977
I'm the guy that came second
at the Arnold last year.
338
00:22:06,061 --> 00:22:07,520
I won the New York Pro that year.
339
00:22:07,604 --> 00:22:11,232
Got second at the Olympia.
I'm no damn underdog.
340
00:22:13,401 --> 00:22:16,404
There is much more on the line
beyond his pride.
341
00:22:16,488 --> 00:22:18,781
Brandon relies on sponsors
for income,
342
00:22:18,864 --> 00:22:23,786
and without the awards and trophies,
sponsors tend to disappear.
343
00:22:28,207 --> 00:22:33,212
São Paolo is one of the most
densely populated cities in South America.
344
00:22:33,629 --> 00:22:36,632
It seems that here,
fitness is second nature.
345
00:22:38,384 --> 00:22:41,512
And yet, for Men's Open bodybuilder
Rafael Brandão,
346
00:22:41,595 --> 00:22:44,598
putting on muscle mass wasn't always easy.
347
00:22:46,015 --> 00:22:49,811
I started to train when
I was 14 because I was very skinny.
348
00:22:49,894 --> 00:22:56,234
And I always hung around older people
and they were always bigger.
349
00:22:56,317 --> 00:22:59,946
They always picked on me,
called me skinny.
350
00:23:00,029 --> 00:23:02,532
This bothered me a lot,
so I decided to join a gym
351
00:23:02,615 --> 00:23:05,410
so I could build a physique,
so I wouldn't be picked on.
352
00:23:07,745 --> 00:23:11,374
Before I was an athlete,
I was a normal teenager
353
00:23:11,457 --> 00:23:14,167
who would go out on the weekends,
drink a lot.
354
00:23:14,251 --> 00:23:19,464
Since becoming an athlete, I don't have
this partying lifestyle anymore.
355
00:23:21,008 --> 00:23:24,386
His sight is set
on San Marino Pro Show in Italy.
356
00:23:24,469 --> 00:23:27,681
It's an important stepping stone
for many bodybuilders,
357
00:23:27,764 --> 00:23:31,852
especially those who one day
want to fight for top awards
358
00:23:31,935 --> 00:23:34,521
and prize money in the six-figure range.
359
00:23:36,398 --> 00:23:39,234
This will be
a unique moment.
360
00:23:39,318 --> 00:23:42,820
I will only have a single debut
as a professional and this is it.
361
00:23:42,904 --> 00:23:45,531
I want to get there in the best shape
362
00:23:45,615 --> 00:23:50,453
and be able to take it all in
and have fun,
363
00:23:50,536 --> 00:23:52,330
which will be very good for me.
364
00:23:54,081 --> 00:23:54,957
Hey.
365
00:23:56,167 --> 00:23:59,670
I believe the job of a bodybuilder
is not to prepare for three months,
366
00:23:59,754 --> 00:24:01,756
but to live as a bodybuilder.
367
00:24:01,839 --> 00:24:05,551
I at least believe that
the successful bodybuilder
368
00:24:05,635 --> 00:24:09,262
lives this style of life all year round,
and that's what I do.
369
00:24:29,824 --> 00:24:31,534
My name is Ariel Khadr.
370
00:24:31,618 --> 00:24:35,287
And I'm originally from New York
and I'm now living in Miami, Florida.
371
00:24:35,371 --> 00:24:36,789
I'm an IFBB fitness pro.
372
00:24:36,872 --> 00:24:40,793
I was one of the youngest
to ever become an IFBB pro at 17.
373
00:24:40,876 --> 00:24:43,629
Fitness, you know, it was something
I loved and I wanted to do it,
374
00:24:43,712 --> 00:24:48,175
but, you know, I'm 17, and I was
originally recruited for gymnastics,
375
00:24:48,259 --> 00:24:50,844
to Rutgers University,
but because of my ankle injuries,
376
00:24:50,928 --> 00:24:53,097
I wasn't able to do college gymnastics.
377
00:24:53,180 --> 00:24:54,431
Since I got my pro card,
378
00:24:54,515 --> 00:24:57,142
it was actually six years
until the day I stepped on stage,
379
00:24:57,226 --> 00:24:59,687
and that's where my pro career started.
380
00:25:01,062 --> 00:25:03,856
There's no meaning behind
the abstract paintings, they're just...
381
00:25:03,940 --> 00:25:06,943
I didn't want them
to come out like flowers.
382
00:25:08,903 --> 00:25:11,781
So, actually this is all, mostly,
from the Arnold last year.
383
00:25:11,864 --> 00:25:15,451
And this is Ms. Olympia,
Oksana Grishina.
384
00:25:15,535 --> 00:25:19,831
She reminds me a little bit of how I,
like, really, really get into the routine.
385
00:25:19,914 --> 00:25:22,000
Um, where you become the routine.
386
00:25:22,083 --> 00:25:25,378
You don't just perform a routine,
you're now the routine.
387
00:25:25,461 --> 00:25:28,046
Oksana does that, better than I do.
388
00:25:37,723 --> 00:25:40,976
What's Fitness about?
It's just about creativity right now.
389
00:25:41,059 --> 00:25:42,436
It's about highest energy,
390
00:25:42,519 --> 00:25:46,857
strength, and they all come up
with different ideas.
391
00:25:46,940 --> 00:25:49,943
Interesting ideas.
I can see they're thinking about it.
392
00:25:50,027 --> 00:25:52,863
They're really trying to make Fitness
more entertainment.
393
00:25:52,946 --> 00:25:56,198
The Fitness division is judged
based off of two rounds.
394
00:25:56,282 --> 00:25:59,243
We have a physique round,
which is a two-piece bikini.
395
00:25:59,327 --> 00:26:03,497
It's judged similarly
to how figure is judged,
396
00:26:03,915 --> 00:26:08,210
in terms of proportion, muscularity,
femininity, leanness.
397
00:26:08,753 --> 00:26:11,297
The physique round, though,
is only 30% of our score.
398
00:26:11,380 --> 00:26:15,259
But at the same time,
we represent stamina,
399
00:26:15,343 --> 00:26:17,762
highest stamina in performers.
400
00:26:17,845 --> 00:26:21,306
So this is the second round,
the routine round.
401
00:26:21,389 --> 00:26:23,808
The routine round is 70% of our score,
402
00:26:23,892 --> 00:26:27,771
and the routine round is based off
of creativity, performance,
403
00:26:27,854 --> 00:26:30,690
agility, strength skills,
and how you carry yourself,
404
00:26:30,774 --> 00:26:32,776
how you're able to entertain the crowd.
405
00:26:32,859 --> 00:26:36,112
So all these things you've got to
represent for two minutes on stage
406
00:26:36,196 --> 00:26:37,572
for the judges.
407
00:26:37,656 --> 00:26:42,369
What many people don't understand is we
compete just like every athlete on stage.
408
00:26:42,452 --> 00:26:46,498
We've got to sculpt our physique, but
in addition to that, we need to find time
409
00:26:46,581 --> 00:26:50,626
to put together a routine, work
on flexibility, work on strength skills,
410
00:26:50,709 --> 00:26:54,338
work on dance,
so you have this entire element
411
00:26:54,421 --> 00:26:59,510
that's added to prepping for a show
that several other divisions don't have.
412
00:26:59,593 --> 00:27:02,012
To be honest, some people just
aren't cut out for it.
413
00:27:08,978 --> 00:27:10,020
Good morning.
414
00:27:10,104 --> 00:27:13,274
-Hey, how are ya?
-I'm doing great, how are you?
415
00:27:13,357 --> 00:27:15,775
I loved dance, growing up.
I was a cheerleader.
416
00:27:15,858 --> 00:27:18,820
And so I had that as a background
and thought, well, gosh,
417
00:27:18,903 --> 00:27:23,074
this is an awesome way to kind of parlay
what I used to do when I was younger,
418
00:27:23,157 --> 00:27:24,617
but now do it as an adult.
419
00:27:25,535 --> 00:27:26,995
- Hello!
- How are ya?
420
00:27:27,078 --> 00:27:28,246
Good.
How are you?
421
00:27:28,329 --> 00:27:31,040
Whitney Jones
is a veteran fitness competitor
422
00:27:31,124 --> 00:27:33,626
who has been rising up
in the ranks for years.
423
00:27:33,710 --> 00:27:36,462
She's one of many women,
along with Ariel,
424
00:27:36,546 --> 00:27:38,548
who will fight
for the Arnold Classic title
425
00:27:38,631 --> 00:27:41,551
in the absence of the former champ,
Oksana.
426
00:27:41,634 --> 00:27:44,886
After a serious neck injury
that almost led to retirement,
427
00:27:44,970 --> 00:27:48,390
Whitney managed to make a recovery
in the year since.
428
00:27:48,473 --> 00:27:51,435
Unfortunately, we're only a month away
before the competition.
429
00:27:51,518 --> 00:27:53,186
She ruptured her ACL.
430
00:27:53,812 --> 00:27:56,440
Despite of that, she decides to compete.
431
00:27:56,523 --> 00:27:58,650
With the surgery scheduled
after the Arnold,
432
00:27:58,734 --> 00:28:02,070
physical therapy is the only option
to manage the pain
433
00:28:02,154 --> 00:28:04,281
and keep the injury from worsening.
434
00:28:04,364 --> 00:28:07,075
She has just a few weeks to prepare.
435
00:28:07,784 --> 00:28:10,661
Neck's still doing well.
It hasn't, I mean, I...
436
00:28:10,745 --> 00:28:14,832
It hasn't even been a year yet
for the neck fusion, and so...
437
00:28:14,916 --> 00:28:17,043
I saw the pictures.
I couldn't believe it.
438
00:28:17,126 --> 00:28:18,461
Crazy, isn't it?
439
00:28:18,836 --> 00:28:21,964
I've just got to come up
with a one-legged routine.
440
00:28:22,048 --> 00:28:24,967
I got one good leg.
I gotta keep this leg healthy.
441
00:28:25,051 --> 00:28:26,886
-Really?
-I got to make sure I don't
442
00:28:26,969 --> 00:28:30,514
screw up my neck worse 'cause now
I've got to change a lot of the skills,
443
00:28:30,598 --> 00:28:33,726
which, I got to utilize my upper body
as much as I can.
444
00:28:33,809 --> 00:28:35,519
So how's your routine going so far?
445
00:28:35,603 --> 00:28:37,520
Um, I'm having to start all over.
446
00:28:38,271 --> 00:28:42,400
I mean, normally you have your routine
done four months out.
447
00:28:42,484 --> 00:28:45,987
And so I technically only have
three weeks, 'cause travel time.
448
00:28:46,071 --> 00:28:48,323
So I have three weeks to put together...
449
00:28:49,407 --> 00:28:52,202
So, it's a little crazy.
450
00:28:52,285 --> 00:28:55,080
But I feel like I thrive under pressure
451
00:28:55,163 --> 00:28:57,707
and it's gonna force me to think
out of the box.
452
00:28:57,791 --> 00:28:59,334
Wow. I like your attitude.
453
00:29:21,105 --> 00:29:23,357
Located in the heart
of Central Asia,
454
00:29:23,440 --> 00:29:26,860
Uzbekistan is not commonly known
to the Western world.
455
00:29:30,154 --> 00:29:33,658
Rich in history,
Islamic tradition and spirit,
456
00:29:33,741 --> 00:29:36,953
the country's only been
independent since 1991,
457
00:29:37,036 --> 00:29:39,581
after the fall of the Soviet Union.
458
00:29:41,374 --> 00:29:43,668
Bodybuilding is not very common here,
459
00:29:43,751 --> 00:29:47,630
and the gyms are just becoming popular
in the last ten years.
460
00:29:47,714 --> 00:29:51,050
But those who love it
dedicate their lives to it.
461
00:29:51,676 --> 00:29:54,637
One such person is Mikhail Volinkin,
462
00:29:54,721 --> 00:29:56,555
or simply Misha.
463
00:29:58,974 --> 00:29:59,975
Born in Russia,
464
00:30:00,058 --> 00:30:03,562
he was brought here by his parents
and abandoned at a young age.
465
00:30:03,645 --> 00:30:06,982
Due to this, survival became
his way of life.
466
00:30:09,902 --> 00:30:16,491
Misha
is a very interesting kid.
467
00:30:17,367 --> 00:30:21,788
What caught my eye
is his strong character.
468
00:30:21,872 --> 00:30:25,833
They told me he was from an orphanage,
469
00:30:25,917 --> 00:30:29,003
very goal-oriented.
470
00:30:31,088 --> 00:30:37,053
You know,
there are teenagers
471
00:30:37,970 --> 00:30:43,809
who, like Misha, don't have parents
and grow up in an orphanage.
472
00:30:43,893 --> 00:30:48,648
And from an early age
they have no motivation.
473
00:30:48,731 --> 00:30:52,150
But Misha is different.
He always loved working.
474
00:30:53,276 --> 00:30:56,696
He has discipline.
475
00:31:03,495 --> 00:31:06,414
In between training
and spending time with family,
476
00:31:06,498 --> 00:31:11,378
Misha visits a local orphanage,
a place he used to call home.
477
00:31:47,787 --> 00:31:50,248
It was cool.
I was the only one training.
478
00:31:50,331 --> 00:31:53,001
And then boxed, we were sparring.
479
00:32:04,679 --> 00:32:07,891
I could do several rounds of 20 reps
480
00:32:07,974 --> 00:32:10,018
and then my hands hurt a lot.
481
00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:13,061
When my palms were abraded,
I pulled up on my fingers.
482
00:32:14,271 --> 00:32:17,190
Here we also did flips.
483
00:32:17,274 --> 00:32:18,650
We came over here...
484
00:32:20,527 --> 00:32:21,737
stepped up a bit here...
485
00:32:23,989 --> 00:32:25,532
and did the flips.
486
00:32:25,616 --> 00:32:28,911
After winning all local
and regional competitions,
487
00:32:28,994 --> 00:32:31,246
Misha was selected to travel to US
488
00:32:31,330 --> 00:32:34,499
and compete
at the Arnold Classic Amateur Show.
489
00:32:34,583 --> 00:32:36,919
It's an honor just to be selected,
490
00:32:37,002 --> 00:32:41,005
as now he finally has a chance
to win an IFBB pro card.
491
00:32:41,088 --> 00:32:45,885
But in order to do that, he will have
to get a first place in his weight class
492
00:32:45,968 --> 00:32:49,013
and win the overall
amongst all competitors.
493
00:32:49,555 --> 00:32:52,600
He remains calm and collected,
knowing that in US,
494
00:32:52,683 --> 00:32:55,728
he will compete against
the top amateurs in the world.
495
00:33:29,844 --> 00:33:33,264
The African continent often gets
overlooked in the world of bodybuilding
496
00:33:33,347 --> 00:33:36,350
in comparison to Europe
and the Americas,
497
00:33:36,433 --> 00:33:40,145
perhaps due to the perception
of the lack of resources.
498
00:33:40,229 --> 00:33:43,774
In Ghana, the average monthly income
is equivalent
499
00:33:43,857 --> 00:33:46,527
to 170 American dollars.
500
00:33:46,610 --> 00:33:50,447
Most gyms are a luxury,
only available to a few.
501
00:33:50,531 --> 00:33:51,907
But that doesn't stop
502
00:33:51,991 --> 00:33:56,036
the aspiring bodybuilder Collins Nyarko
to pursue his dream.
503
00:33:56,120 --> 00:33:59,747
He wakes up early every morning
and trains his clients,
504
00:33:59,831 --> 00:34:02,250
other aspiring fitness crusaders.
505
00:34:02,333 --> 00:34:05,920
This is a sport that comes to you
with almost nothing.
506
00:34:06,004 --> 00:34:08,172
You don't even have the gym
to begin with.
507
00:34:08,256 --> 00:34:09,966
And when I'm talking about
you don't have a gym,
508
00:34:10,049 --> 00:34:13,344
I'm talking you have to make your own gym
out of whatever you could find.
509
00:34:13,428 --> 00:34:17,765
Pieces of stones, wood, and any metallic
object that you can find around.
510
00:34:17,849 --> 00:34:21,060
And you bring these things together
just to form your gym.
511
00:34:21,144 --> 00:34:26,023
In Ghana, I would say it's very difficult.
512
00:34:26,106 --> 00:34:30,652
Difficult in the aspect of where to train,
513
00:34:30,736 --> 00:34:32,696
especially the food aspect.
514
00:34:32,779 --> 00:34:36,867
The hardest part about being
a bodybuilder to me is nutrition.
515
00:34:36,950 --> 00:34:38,702
I've heard
most bodybuilders
516
00:34:38,785 --> 00:34:42,205
eat like 6 to 12 times the limit.
517
00:34:42,289 --> 00:34:47,502
Here, looking at how things are,
you cannot afford to eat that.
518
00:34:47,586 --> 00:34:50,964
You go bankrupt, yeah.
You can't.
519
00:34:51,048 --> 00:34:53,049
I use it as a motivation.
520
00:34:53,132 --> 00:34:56,844
So I want to use it
to motivate others to know that
521
00:34:56,928 --> 00:34:58,304
you don't have to look at where you are.
522
00:34:58,387 --> 00:35:00,431
You don't have to look
at the situation you are in.
523
00:35:00,514 --> 00:35:03,392
You can make big things out
from something small.
524
00:35:03,476 --> 00:35:07,980
We have such potential, we have
such good genetics here in Ghana,
525
00:35:08,064 --> 00:35:12,401
so I believe that we can do
great with bodybuilding.
526
00:35:12,485 --> 00:35:13,945
We don't even have
527
00:35:14,028 --> 00:35:17,823
a single IFBB-certified professional
bodybuilder in this country.
528
00:35:17,907 --> 00:35:20,617
That tells me that
we have a long way to go.
529
00:35:20,700 --> 00:35:23,203
We really, really have a lot to prove.
530
00:35:23,286 --> 00:35:25,872
I want, at least,
to have an opportunity
531
00:35:25,956 --> 00:35:28,708
to compete against
the best in the world,
532
00:35:28,792 --> 00:35:31,336
here on home soil,
533
00:35:31,419 --> 00:35:36,049
and hopefully winning world laurels.
534
00:35:37,092 --> 00:35:39,427
As the infrastructure
of the bodybuilding federation
535
00:35:39,511 --> 00:35:41,096
is not very productive here,
536
00:35:41,179 --> 00:35:44,307
Collins decides to take matters
into his own hands
537
00:35:44,391 --> 00:35:47,017
and puts together
a local bodybuilding competition
538
00:35:47,101 --> 00:35:49,270
for him and his fellow bodybuilders.
539
00:35:49,353 --> 00:35:52,731
We are the difference.
We are what they haven't seen before.
540
00:35:52,815 --> 00:35:54,733
And we are what they need to see.
541
00:35:57,987 --> 00:36:00,322
I think bodybuilding
overseas is bigger.
542
00:36:00,406 --> 00:36:04,868
I think everyone's looking
for the opportunity to become recognized.
543
00:36:04,952 --> 00:36:07,746
Iran breeds some amazing bodybuilders,
but it's nothing new.
544
00:36:07,830 --> 00:36:10,207
You know, I think because
of the advent of social media,
545
00:36:10,291 --> 00:36:13,252
people are seeing it more,
but bodybuilding has been big in Iran
546
00:36:13,334 --> 00:36:14,961
for decades, for centuries.
547
00:36:20,758 --> 00:36:23,970
Many consider Iran
as the mecca of bodybuilding
548
00:36:24,053 --> 00:36:25,138
in the Middle East.
549
00:36:25,763 --> 00:36:29,392
Even though the country has been
largely isolated by the West,
550
00:36:29,475 --> 00:36:32,687
after the Islamic Revolution of 1978,
551
00:36:32,770 --> 00:36:36,482
the bodybuilding talent here is steadily
spreading throughout the world.
552
00:36:37,692 --> 00:36:38,735
What do they have?
553
00:36:38,818 --> 00:36:41,486
Do they have clubs? No.
Can they drink? No.
554
00:36:41,570 --> 00:36:44,323
So where is the one place
they can all go to?
555
00:36:44,406 --> 00:36:45,574
The gym.
556
00:36:45,657 --> 00:36:48,535
Here it's more than a sport.
It's honor.
557
00:36:49,369 --> 00:36:52,497
However, participating in the most
prestigious shows in the US
558
00:36:52,581 --> 00:36:56,793
is nearly impossible,
due to the recently imposed travel ban.
559
00:36:57,252 --> 00:36:59,713
This hurts many
of the local competitors.
560
00:37:00,714 --> 00:37:04,635
Hadi Choopan, a fierce 212 bodybuilder
from the south of Iran,
561
00:37:04,718 --> 00:37:06,345
is one such competitor.
562
00:37:08,137 --> 00:37:10,598
The Men's 212 division
limits all competitors
563
00:37:10,681 --> 00:37:13,476
to weigh no more than 212 pounds.
564
00:37:13,559 --> 00:37:17,230
This division allows for the same level
of large muscles and bulk
565
00:37:17,313 --> 00:37:21,275
as the Men's Open
but drastically limits the weight.
566
00:37:29,116 --> 00:37:32,286
There's a lot of amazing bodybuilders
that I think would do really, really good
567
00:37:32,370 --> 00:37:34,704
competing here in the States,
but they can't because of visas.
568
00:37:34,788 --> 00:37:36,748
It's horrible, it's horrible.
569
00:37:36,831 --> 00:37:40,460
I... I feel really, really bad
for those guys because...
570
00:37:40,544 --> 00:37:43,255
it's not in their hands.
They have nothing to do with this.
571
00:37:43,338 --> 00:37:45,340
This is just pure politics
and all that nonsense.
572
00:37:45,423 --> 00:37:50,929
I am a professional athlete,
member of IFBB Pro,
573
00:37:51,012 --> 00:37:56,226
like a newborn baby
in the professional family.
574
00:37:57,185 --> 00:38:02,273
That being said, I, as the new member,
expect that the head of this family
575
00:38:02,356 --> 00:38:07,695
will support me
and solve the visa problem.
576
00:38:07,778 --> 00:38:13,617
so I can freely compete
in the required competitions.
577
00:38:13,701 --> 00:38:16,453
We've been trying to get Hadi
into the Olympia, but I mean,
578
00:38:16,537 --> 00:38:19,248
with, you know, the... the government.
579
00:38:19,331 --> 00:38:21,542
I mean,
that's really out of our hands.
580
00:38:21,625 --> 00:38:23,961
I mean, we've written letters,
we've tried.
581
00:38:24,044 --> 00:38:26,839
But that's just really above our calling.
582
00:38:26,922 --> 00:38:29,007
I'm the president
of the NPC and IFBB,
583
00:38:29,090 --> 00:38:32,176
but I'm not Donald Trump,
so I can't change that, you know.
584
00:38:32,260 --> 00:38:35,722
But these guys are going to a lot
of our international pro qualifiers
585
00:38:35,805 --> 00:38:37,181
and are winning a lot of them.
586
00:38:37,265 --> 00:38:40,560
Unable to get
an entry visa to the US,
587
00:38:40,643 --> 00:38:45,732
Hadi makes a decision to compete
in San Marino Pro on the coast of Italy.
588
00:38:45,815 --> 00:38:48,818
However, he will have to move up
to Men's Open division,
589
00:38:48,902 --> 00:38:52,488
as many European competitions
don't offer 212.
590
00:38:53,156 --> 00:38:56,950
It's a shame, I mean, they can compete
in the pro shows in Europe or something,
591
00:38:57,034 --> 00:38:58,911
but I don't know
if we'll ever see them here.
592
00:38:58,994 --> 00:39:01,580
Hopefully, the world will change someday
that we can.
593
00:39:18,055 --> 00:39:20,432
OK, good news, good news, OK.
594
00:39:20,515 --> 00:39:22,975
Tell everybody, grab somebody's hand.
595
00:39:23,059 --> 00:39:25,853
Everybody grab somebody's hand
and make a chain.
596
00:39:30,107 --> 00:39:32,068
Great things will happen in
this circle.
597
00:39:32,151 --> 00:39:33,945
This circle here today.
598
00:39:34,445 --> 00:39:36,405
Touch your neighbor and say,
"Great things will happen
599
00:39:36,489 --> 00:39:38,282
here in this circle today."
600
00:39:41,577 --> 00:39:43,955
Great things will happen
today in this circle.
601
00:39:44,038 --> 00:39:45,957
Great things will happen in this circle.
602
00:39:46,040 --> 00:39:48,167
Great things is gonna happen
in this circle.
603
00:39:48,626 --> 00:39:51,962
Ready? It's getting warm.
I can feel the warm.
604
00:39:54,089 --> 00:39:56,132
I feel like a panther.
605
00:39:56,216 --> 00:39:57,884
I feel like a panther,
I feel like a panther.
606
00:39:57,968 --> 00:40:01,596
All right? Let's get it started.
Let's do a set of ten. Let's go.
607
00:40:01,680 --> 00:40:04,349
And one...
608
00:40:05,809 --> 00:40:06,893
Two...
609
00:40:07,769 --> 00:40:09,813
Three... Four...
610
00:40:09,896 --> 00:40:10,981
Four.
611
00:40:11,064 --> 00:40:12,941
- Five.
- Five.
612
00:40:13,024 --> 00:40:15,818
Six. Seven.
613
00:40:15,901 --> 00:40:16,944
Eight.
614
00:40:17,027 --> 00:40:18,237
Nine.
615
00:40:18,863 --> 00:40:20,239
Ten.
616
00:40:21,657 --> 00:40:24,326
All right, so, I want to ask you
about genetics.
617
00:40:24,410 --> 00:40:28,205
Do you think people in certain countries
have genetic limitations
618
00:40:28,289 --> 00:40:30,583
that will prevent them succeeding
in bodybuilding?
619
00:40:30,666 --> 00:40:33,919
Do you believe that
that can be the sad truth of it all?
620
00:40:34,003 --> 00:40:36,130
Yeah, you know, I can recall
being in India
621
00:40:36,213 --> 00:40:39,717
and it was probably...
622
00:40:40,509 --> 00:40:44,929
I don't know, 700, 800 people,
you know, in the same room.
623
00:40:45,013 --> 00:40:47,932
On this platform, somebody posed
the same question.
624
00:40:48,016 --> 00:40:50,310
"Do you think genetics will hold us back?
625
00:40:50,393 --> 00:40:54,731
Do you think that our genetics here,
you know, collectively,
626
00:40:54,814 --> 00:40:59,485
will hold us back from our ability
to achieve larger rewards
627
00:40:59,569 --> 00:41:01,029
in the bodybuilding competition?"
628
00:41:01,112 --> 00:41:03,406
I remember thinking, damn.
629
00:41:03,489 --> 00:41:06,951
But I realized at the time that
the person wasn't trying to be funny.
630
00:41:07,035 --> 00:41:10,120
And, as I looked around the room,
there were a lot of people that were there
631
00:41:10,204 --> 00:41:15,250
with open eyes, you know,
really, really, you know,
632
00:41:15,334 --> 00:41:17,336
expecting you to answer that.
633
00:41:17,419 --> 00:41:19,630
I do believe genetics plays a part.
634
00:41:19,713 --> 00:41:23,425
You know, like Asian bodybuilders,
they're not all meant to be
635
00:41:23,508 --> 00:41:27,221
so big, so when you find a big
Asian bodybuilder, it's very rare.
636
00:41:27,304 --> 00:41:30,140
You do see them;
a lot of them have small bones,
637
00:41:30,224 --> 00:41:33,393
so they have nice structures
for like Classic Physique.
638
00:41:33,477 --> 00:41:36,646
You should have really fixed joints.
639
00:41:36,729 --> 00:41:40,858
You're gonna need so much more size
to make those joints look smaller.
640
00:41:40,942 --> 00:41:43,402
So if you have very small joints
and round muscle bellies,
641
00:41:43,486 --> 00:41:45,988
you might not need
that much weight on the scale
642
00:41:46,072 --> 00:41:48,282
to look a certain way.
643
00:41:48,366 --> 00:41:51,869
So, it's just, everybody has to work
with the genetics
644
00:41:51,953 --> 00:41:55,456
and it's going to give
like very different physiques.
645
00:41:55,540 --> 00:41:58,167
I think every nationality has some people
with great genetics,
646
00:41:58,251 --> 00:42:01,254
some people not so great, but I think
Persians, Middle Easterners as a whole,
647
00:42:01,337 --> 00:42:03,755
they come from a wrestling
and strength-training background.
648
00:42:03,838 --> 00:42:05,632
They're really good mesomorphs.
649
00:42:07,133 --> 00:42:10,720
Really capable of putting on size,
good strength.
650
00:42:10,804 --> 00:42:13,098
Some of the strongest Olympic athletes
are from Iran,
651
00:42:13,181 --> 00:42:15,809
broken many, many records,
so yeah, I think genetically,
652
00:42:15,892 --> 00:42:19,354
Persians are primed for strength training
and bodybuilding, yes.
653
00:42:21,273 --> 00:42:24,985
Since Brazilians are a mix
of different races,
654
00:42:25,068 --> 00:42:26,945
the genetic pool is really big.
655
00:42:27,821 --> 00:42:31,407
So sometimes you see some people
walking around who aren't athletes,
656
00:42:31,490 --> 00:42:37,288
but have a beautiful physique
just from dieting and working out.
657
00:42:37,746 --> 00:42:40,082
When it comes to Africa,
we have the genetics.
658
00:42:40,165 --> 00:42:43,586
You can even see someone
who hasn't lifted weights before.
659
00:42:43,669 --> 00:42:48,340
But you see that that person
is shredded with the physique.
660
00:42:48,424 --> 00:42:50,593
You see the frame, everything is there.
661
00:42:50,676 --> 00:42:53,762
And even when you look
outside the Western world,
662
00:42:53,846 --> 00:42:56,891
most of the good bodybuilders are black.
663
00:42:56,974 --> 00:42:59,434
Then again, you want to look
at these genetics
664
00:42:59,517 --> 00:43:03,021
at different parts of a bodybuilder,
because there are certain parts
665
00:43:03,104 --> 00:43:05,732
that Africans are not
genetically gifted at.
666
00:43:05,815 --> 00:43:08,318
When it comes to these parts,
you want to look at the legs.
667
00:43:08,401 --> 00:43:10,612
You want to look at your calves.
668
00:43:10,695 --> 00:43:15,158
Black people, or Africans,
naturally do not have big calves.
669
00:43:15,241 --> 00:43:18,077
I remember being a teenager
and people telling me in my gym,
670
00:43:18,161 --> 00:43:20,496
you know, "Don't worry about calves
and things like that
671
00:43:20,580 --> 00:43:22,916
because you're black
and black men don't have calves.
672
00:43:22,999 --> 00:43:25,042
They can't develop calves,
so don't worry about it."
673
00:43:25,125 --> 00:43:26,793
- They told you this?
- Yeah!
674
00:43:26,877 --> 00:43:30,047
The only limitations there
would have been the ones in my own mind.
675
00:43:30,130 --> 00:43:32,257
If you want to be in the sport,
work hard
676
00:43:32,341 --> 00:43:33,592
and beat 'em.
677
00:43:34,092 --> 00:43:35,677
Beat their natural genetics.
678
00:43:35,761 --> 00:43:38,722
Put in the hard work
so that it pays off,
679
00:43:38,805 --> 00:43:41,850
and you can
put hard work over genetics.
680
00:43:41,934 --> 00:43:44,228
They still have to work hard,
but maybe they're not.
681
00:43:44,311 --> 00:43:46,438
I battled Ronnie Coleman,
who I thought
682
00:43:46,522 --> 00:43:49,191
was genetically superior to me for sure,
683
00:43:49,650 --> 00:43:53,277
but I overcame genetics -- Branch Warren
is a prime example of that also.
684
00:43:53,361 --> 00:43:55,947
We still beat people
that were better genetically.
685
00:43:56,030 --> 00:43:58,533
If you have 'em,
you've just got a head start.
686
00:43:58,616 --> 00:44:01,077
You got a much better chance
at reaching your goals
687
00:44:01,160 --> 00:44:04,121
if you start out with good genetics.
It's just that simple.
688
00:44:05,206 --> 00:44:08,042
-Genetics.
-I was blessed with genetics.
689
00:44:08,125 --> 00:44:10,419
But, you know, I had to apply the work.
690
00:44:10,503 --> 00:44:12,547
Everything I have now,
I had to work for it.
691
00:44:18,843 --> 00:44:20,929
I'm so glad,
I just came out of Chicago.
692
00:44:21,012 --> 00:44:24,349
I'm one of the maybe three guys
that came out of Chicago.
693
00:44:24,766 --> 00:44:28,728
So it was nice to be recognized
out of here.
694
00:44:28,812 --> 00:44:30,272
I wasn't given anything.
695
00:44:30,355 --> 00:44:33,650
Everything I have now I had to work for,
work real hard for it.
696
00:44:33,733 --> 00:44:37,112
And I started from the bottom, just like,
I'm not even supposed to be here.
697
00:44:37,195 --> 00:44:38,989
Like, I wasn't supposed
to graduate college.
698
00:44:39,072 --> 00:44:41,658
I'm not supposed to be
a successful bodybuilder.
699
00:44:41,741 --> 00:44:43,285
I should be dead right now, from Chicago.
700
00:44:44,077 --> 00:44:46,579
If only these guys knew about the gym,
would just get in the gym,
701
00:44:46,662 --> 00:44:49,331
they wouldn't even have to worry
about looking cool on the street,
702
00:44:49,415 --> 00:44:50,958
like you can look cool in a gym.
703
00:44:51,041 --> 00:44:53,836
When you look at it as, I came
from nothing, you came from nothing.
704
00:44:53,919 --> 00:44:55,087
We're the same people.
705
00:44:55,170 --> 00:44:57,756
No matter where you're from,
we're still the same person.
706
00:44:57,840 --> 00:45:01,260
We can still accomplish the same dreams,
have the same goals.
707
00:45:02,845 --> 00:45:05,556
Right now, it's Men's Physique.
708
00:45:05,639 --> 00:45:07,391
Winning the Arnold,
winning the Olympia.
709
00:45:07,474 --> 00:45:08,767
That's my goal right now.
710
00:45:08,851 --> 00:45:11,604
We might be smaller bodybuilders
but we're still bodybuilders
711
00:45:11,687 --> 00:45:14,731
and we still train legs, just getting
my legs ready for next year.
712
00:45:14,814 --> 00:45:18,401
Once they're developed and they match
my upper body, then yeah,
713
00:45:18,484 --> 00:45:21,696
I'll be competitive in Classic,
Classic Physique, but...
714
00:45:21,779 --> 00:45:25,200
Well, now I wanna fill up my board shorts
'cause they just look good.
715
00:45:25,283 --> 00:45:28,828
Board shorts?
Good Lord, have mercy. OK, guy.
716
00:45:28,912 --> 00:45:32,248
You know, these categories like Men's...
I don't know what it is,
717
00:45:32,332 --> 00:45:34,751
where they wear these long shorts
and don't need to train legs.
718
00:45:34,834 --> 00:45:38,338
I've tried so hard to get into
the Men's Physique, I just can't do it.
719
00:45:38,421 --> 00:45:41,089
Let's be straight about it.
These are quite easy to compete in.
720
00:45:41,173 --> 00:45:43,091
If you're a young person,
you're quite lean,
721
00:45:43,175 --> 00:45:45,802
you could train for 12 months maybe,
and do a bikini
722
00:45:45,886 --> 00:45:48,347
or a men's fitness
or whatever it's called.
723
00:45:48,430 --> 00:45:51,642
The essence
of bodybuilding is legs.
724
00:45:52,226 --> 00:45:55,687
OK? It's what separates
the men from the boys,
725
00:45:55,771 --> 00:45:58,690
the champs from the chumps, OK?
It's legs.
726
00:45:58,774 --> 00:46:01,318
Men's Physique guys
got this misconception where...
727
00:46:01,401 --> 00:46:04,738
we don't train legs, but, um...
it's... we do.
728
00:46:04,821 --> 00:46:09,075
If you wanna train your legs, you can.
If you don't want to, you don't have to.
729
00:46:09,158 --> 00:46:12,161
If you want to train them hard like
a bodybuilder, you can do that, too.
730
00:46:12,245 --> 00:46:14,539
But they're not being scored
so they don't matter.
731
00:46:14,622 --> 00:46:17,333
Men's Physique gets a lot of shit,
but it's not the same sport.
732
00:46:17,416 --> 00:46:19,544
It's completely different, you know.
To each their own.
733
00:46:19,627 --> 00:46:21,379
You know those guys
are working really hard.
734
00:46:21,462 --> 00:46:24,131
Just being like
a low body fat percentage, it hurts,
735
00:46:24,215 --> 00:46:26,801
like it's not easy to maintain.
736
00:46:26,884 --> 00:46:32,473
The Men's Open guys
probably look at Men's Physique
737
00:46:32,557 --> 00:46:36,977
and think because we wear shorts we don't
go through the same struggles as they do.
738
00:46:37,060 --> 00:46:39,855
Those guys worked very hard
and it's very difficult to obtain.
739
00:46:39,938 --> 00:46:43,149
But it's a little bit more obtainable,
and more relatable, too.
740
00:46:43,233 --> 00:46:45,777
I mean, I wasn't too big
for Men's Physique, honestly,
741
00:46:45,861 --> 00:46:48,530
but I liked the idea of being able
742
00:46:48,613 --> 00:46:50,907
to showcase my whole physique,
being able to pose.
743
00:46:50,991 --> 00:46:52,659
There's no bodybuilding posing.
744
00:46:52,742 --> 00:46:55,787
It's supposed to be more of a natural,
"This is what I look like on the beach."
745
00:46:55,871 --> 00:47:00,207
When you're looking at physique,
it's just stances, front, side, back.
746
00:47:00,291 --> 00:47:02,042
You're just looking at a body.
747
00:47:02,126 --> 00:47:05,880
What our job is to do, it's not
posing, it's looking good standing there.
748
00:47:05,963 --> 00:47:08,257
You have to build your aesthetics
to a point where
749
00:47:08,340 --> 00:47:10,384
you don't have to pose to look good.
750
00:47:10,467 --> 00:47:14,180
A lot of people don't think that you have
to practice posing as a Men's Physique,
751
00:47:14,263 --> 00:47:17,349
but you do; presentation, believe it
or not, still comes into big play.
752
00:47:17,433 --> 00:47:19,935
We're looking for the muscularity,
the taper, symmetry.
753
00:47:20,019 --> 00:47:23,105
And also it could be why
the Open bodybuilders
754
00:47:23,189 --> 00:47:25,065
hate Men's Physique so much because
755
00:47:25,149 --> 00:47:27,400
Men's Physique guys are so much more
appealable to girls,
756
00:47:27,483 --> 00:47:29,944
whereas girls don't like people
that are bodybuilders,
757
00:47:30,028 --> 00:47:31,863
so maybe there's a little bit
of jealousy there.
758
00:47:31,946 --> 00:47:34,699
The boys who are gods are, you know,
the pretty boys.
759
00:47:34,782 --> 00:47:37,744
Modeling, and the modeling contracts,
sneaky motherfuckers.
760
00:47:37,827 --> 00:47:40,914
They probably won't
get that much respect.
761
00:47:40,997 --> 00:47:43,124
Well, if I offended
any of you motherfuckers,
762
00:47:43,208 --> 00:47:45,710
fuck y'all.
763
00:47:45,793 --> 00:47:47,670
I can do a magazine cover,
764
00:47:47,754 --> 00:47:49,923
an underwear campaign,
765
00:47:50,006 --> 00:47:56,053
I can also look big and shredded.
766
00:47:56,136 --> 00:47:58,722
Those guys are just big and freaky
and some people are intimidated
767
00:47:58,805 --> 00:48:00,641
by that kind of muscle and size,
768
00:48:00,724 --> 00:48:04,019
but I mean, if you're in the sport,
you understand, like,
769
00:48:04,102 --> 00:48:05,771
that's the top of the food chain.
770
00:48:08,398 --> 00:48:10,692
When I thought about being an athlete,
771
00:48:10,776 --> 00:48:12,319
I wanted to compete in Men's Physique,
772
00:48:12,402 --> 00:48:16,281
but when I met my first trainer he wanted
to see my physique as a whole.
773
00:48:16,365 --> 00:48:20,660
So my trainer told me
I could not keep my legs hidden
774
00:48:20,743 --> 00:48:23,454
since they were such a strong point
in my physique,
775
00:48:23,538 --> 00:48:24,997
so I should go bodybuilding.
776
00:48:25,081 --> 00:48:26,415
I'm Dr. André Santos.
777
00:48:26,499 --> 00:48:29,043
I'm a physiotherapist who specializes
in chiropractic.
778
00:48:29,126 --> 00:48:32,380
For his debut in San Marino
779
00:48:32,463 --> 00:48:38,386
we have been working
on the volume of his back.
780
00:48:48,395 --> 00:48:51,398
His work
is fundamental for my preparation
781
00:48:51,481 --> 00:48:53,900
since we take our body
to the extreme every day.
782
00:48:58,196 --> 00:49:03,618
People always say that bodybuilding
is a lonely sport,
783
00:49:03,702 --> 00:49:06,913
but I disagree.
784
00:49:06,997 --> 00:49:11,793
Alone we can't do anything
or achieve anything.
785
00:50:12,893 --> 00:50:14,853
It's weird because the beginning
of me speaking
786
00:50:14,937 --> 00:50:17,147
is so loud and like unclear
and the end is so low.
787
00:50:17,231 --> 00:50:18,357
We could fix the volume...
788
00:50:18,440 --> 00:50:21,527
I always wanted to do an Egyptian-themed
routine, it's always been in my head,
789
00:50:21,610 --> 00:50:23,862
because I'm like, I'm Egyptian,
I have to do that one day.
790
00:50:23,946 --> 00:50:28,033
I'm so proud of being Egyptian,
and my mom's family is Jewish,
791
00:50:28,116 --> 00:50:32,204
and my dad is Muslim, so that gives
really an awesome dynamic
792
00:50:32,287 --> 00:50:34,206
in terms of my family goes.
793
00:50:34,665 --> 00:50:39,043
can you sacrifice everything
794
00:50:39,627 --> 00:50:42,713
to get on this level, to be better you?
795
00:50:42,797 --> 00:50:45,132
Next time when you compete.
796
00:50:45,216 --> 00:50:48,845
Unfortunately,
not everyone can sacrifice.
797
00:50:48,928 --> 00:50:50,888
Sacrifice time with your family,
798
00:50:50,972 --> 00:50:53,266
sacrifice time with your second half.
799
00:50:53,349 --> 00:50:55,226
Sacrifice time with your kids.
800
00:50:55,309 --> 00:50:59,188
So it's hard, you know,
for most people.
801
00:50:59,272 --> 00:51:02,399
Like I was living, breathing,
sleeping bodybuilding since I'm little
802
00:51:02,482 --> 00:51:04,109
without knowing that I was doing that.
803
00:51:04,192 --> 00:51:08,113
And I'd love to be that person that could
win Ms. Olympia a couple of times.
804
00:51:08,655 --> 00:51:10,073
I mean, I do have a life.
805
00:51:10,156 --> 00:51:13,577
I can't see myself winning Ms. Olympia,
then trying to do it another ten times.
806
00:51:13,660 --> 00:51:15,328
My body's just not gonna handle it.
807
00:51:15,412 --> 00:51:18,498
Not just that, but I wanna live
a normal life one day.
808
00:51:18,582 --> 00:51:22,669
I mean, I've been doing athletics
and being a pro athlete my whole life.
809
00:51:22,752 --> 00:51:27,257
I'm 25, and even though I'm young,
almost 25 years of that,
810
00:51:27,340 --> 00:51:30,426
you still yearn for like,
I wanna be a mom one day.
811
00:51:30,509 --> 00:51:31,802
I got you!
812
00:51:33,095 --> 00:51:37,016
My kids will always be...
always my number one priority.
813
00:51:37,099 --> 00:51:40,352
If anything was ever not OK with them,
814
00:51:40,436 --> 00:51:42,897
if they ever did not support what I did,
815
00:51:43,397 --> 00:51:47,359
if, um, they needed me
and I was not available
816
00:51:47,443 --> 00:51:51,071
because I was focused on competing,
competing would be put aside.
817
00:51:51,155 --> 00:51:53,616
Obviously. They are
my number one priority.
818
00:51:53,699 --> 00:51:55,825
But I'm fortunate,
I have two healthy kids.
819
00:51:55,909 --> 00:51:59,120
I have happy kids; I'm able
to balance being a single mom
820
00:51:59,204 --> 00:52:01,623
because I've had years
to try to figure it out.
821
00:52:02,081 --> 00:52:03,708
I've been able to make it work.
822
00:52:03,791 --> 00:52:06,211
They get to do all the activities
that they want to do.
823
00:52:06,294 --> 00:52:08,338
They're playing... major into sports.
824
00:52:08,421 --> 00:52:11,049
Every single day,
we have something going on.
825
00:52:11,132 --> 00:52:15,845
But again, it requires me getting up
super early
826
00:52:15,929 --> 00:52:17,680
in order to get my cardio in.
827
00:52:17,764 --> 00:52:22,477
I have to have my schedule dialed in
to the minute.
828
00:52:22,559 --> 00:52:24,353
Because there's no other way
I could do it.
829
00:53:22,367 --> 00:53:25,161
Generally speaking,
an African bodybuilder
830
00:53:25,245 --> 00:53:28,165
is much stronger and more endurance
simply because
831
00:53:28,248 --> 00:53:31,960
of the hardship that a lot of us
are coming from.
832
00:53:32,043 --> 00:53:34,921
You have a kid who has worked
about half of his life.
833
00:53:35,005 --> 00:53:37,716
It's just going to be easier
for him to do
834
00:53:37,799 --> 00:53:41,052
than somebody who, for his whole life,
has not even carried,
835
00:53:41,136 --> 00:53:45,890
let's say a 30-kilo material on his head.
836
00:54:09,079 --> 00:54:11,080
Collins's show is a success.
837
00:54:11,456 --> 00:54:15,835
Not because of any prizes given
but because it provides a platform
838
00:54:15,919 --> 00:54:17,879
to inspire other local athletes
839
00:54:17,962 --> 00:54:21,966
as they aim to create their own brand
of natural bodybuilding.
840
00:54:27,722 --> 00:54:30,558
Being a natural bodybuilder
and getting all this attention,
841
00:54:30,642 --> 00:54:32,519
this is what people like me for.
842
00:54:32,602 --> 00:54:35,688
They look at my physique,
as natural as it is, and they like it.
843
00:54:35,772 --> 00:54:39,024
That is good inspiration,
that is something they can look up to.
844
00:54:39,107 --> 00:54:40,817
That's something they can aspire to.
845
00:54:40,901 --> 00:54:45,072
Most of the times, when people
see you being a bodybuilder,
846
00:54:45,155 --> 00:54:50,786
they have the notion that you might be
taking steroids or something.
847
00:54:50,869 --> 00:54:54,414
But I think you can do bodybuilding
with just food.
848
00:54:54,498 --> 00:54:55,541
Yeah.
849
00:54:55,624 --> 00:54:58,502
You can do it with food,
and supplement if you can afford.
850
00:54:58,585 --> 00:55:00,420
When you're a pro bodybuilder,
851
00:55:00,504 --> 00:55:02,673
every single one is on steroids.
852
00:55:03,298 --> 00:55:04,632
Let's make that clear.
853
00:55:04,715 --> 00:55:07,510
Right? You know that, right?
854
00:55:07,593 --> 00:55:09,512
The best of the best, no names mentioned.
855
00:55:09,595 --> 00:55:13,599
I've worked with men who will say,
"If you told me that
856
00:55:13,683 --> 00:55:17,478
taking anabolic steroids is going
to take 20 years off my life,
857
00:55:17,562 --> 00:55:20,731
I would still do it, because at least
I would be big and muscular
858
00:55:20,815 --> 00:55:22,775
in the time I was here."
859
00:55:22,859 --> 00:55:25,319
It's incredible science,
so there's hundreds of steroids
860
00:55:25,403 --> 00:55:28,364
that have been produced in the world
since the 1940s and '30s.
861
00:55:28,447 --> 00:55:30,783
They're either for human-grade use
or animal use.
862
00:55:30,867 --> 00:55:33,201
Equipoise is for horses, dogs and cats.
863
00:55:33,285 --> 00:55:36,496
But these men use all these mixed.
They're all mixed.
864
00:55:36,580 --> 00:55:38,748
There's something pathological about that.
865
00:55:38,832 --> 00:55:42,043
That's not a healthy way of thinking
because at the end,
866
00:55:42,127 --> 00:55:45,463
it's not about being muscular,
it's about being happy,
867
00:55:45,547 --> 00:55:47,257
being confident, being accepted.
868
00:55:47,340 --> 00:55:50,385
The regular dose for a testosterone
replacement patient
869
00:55:50,468 --> 00:55:53,889
is about 100 milligrams of ester per week.
870
00:55:53,972 --> 00:55:58,017
Bodybuilders and strength athletes
and strongmen
871
00:55:58,100 --> 00:56:01,562
can use upwards of 5 grams a week.
872
00:56:02,354 --> 00:56:04,732
One hundred to 5,000.
873
00:56:04,815 --> 00:56:07,526
It's risk versus benefit ratio.
874
00:56:07,610 --> 00:56:11,822
And I always tell people that,
if they want to go down that road,
875
00:56:11,906 --> 00:56:15,826
that's up to them, but when you're 25,
you don't give a shit.
876
00:56:15,910 --> 00:56:18,621
You know, when you're 25, you just
want to be the best in the world
877
00:56:18,704 --> 00:56:19,830
and be Mr. Olympia.
878
00:56:19,914 --> 00:56:22,750
So when you get older,
I think you start thinking about it more.
879
00:56:22,833 --> 00:56:26,878
When you see bodybuilders die
at a young age, like Dallas McCarver,
880
00:56:26,961 --> 00:56:29,047
I think it's really, really sad.
881
00:56:29,130 --> 00:56:30,715
There was a guy who had
882
00:56:30,798 --> 00:56:34,010
great potential in being
a great bodybuilder.
883
00:56:34,093 --> 00:56:37,180
And, you know, his life coming down short,
884
00:56:37,263 --> 00:56:40,934
for whatever reasons, from, you know,
whatever he did in bodybuilding.
885
00:56:41,017 --> 00:56:42,810
I always worried about my health,
you know.
886
00:56:42,894 --> 00:56:45,980
You know, I think my injury
that caused me to retire early
887
00:56:46,064 --> 00:56:48,441
was probably a blessing
in disguise because
888
00:56:48,525 --> 00:56:51,194
I would have probably
pushed my body to the limits
889
00:56:51,277 --> 00:56:54,112
to try to keep up with the bodybuilders
890
00:56:54,196 --> 00:56:56,615
that were like getting bigger
and bigger and bigger.
891
00:56:56,698 --> 00:56:59,618
Even back then, there wasn't
much emphasis on steroids.
892
00:56:59,701 --> 00:57:02,663
When I got into it, I was more
about the training hard, the eating.
893
00:57:03,163 --> 00:57:05,249
That sort of thing.
Steroids is like I heard about it
894
00:57:05,332 --> 00:57:07,292
and knew it was in the sport,
but it wasn't like now.
895
00:57:07,376 --> 00:57:11,046
You go on any website today, forums,
all people talk about is drugs, steroids.
896
00:57:11,129 --> 00:57:12,297
It just drives me mad.
897
00:57:12,381 --> 00:57:17,094
Social media has a lot of benefits
and a lot of pitfalls,
898
00:57:17,177 --> 00:57:19,095
and one of the pitfalls are
899
00:57:19,178 --> 00:57:22,557
it disseminates
a lot of unhealthy information
900
00:57:22,640 --> 00:57:27,228
where young people have access to it
and now can see
901
00:57:27,311 --> 00:57:29,522
some bodybuilder or someone saying,
902
00:57:29,605 --> 00:57:32,525
"Oh, well, if you do this, this and this,
then you could look this big."
903
00:57:32,608 --> 00:57:34,652
Let me put it to you this way, OK, look.
904
00:57:34,735 --> 00:57:39,407
I have a lot of friends
in whole different genres of sports.
905
00:57:39,490 --> 00:57:42,827
Football, baseball, basketball,
and many of them are professional.
906
00:57:42,910 --> 00:57:46,079
Golfers use steroids, OK?
907
00:57:46,163 --> 00:57:47,664
It's just a thing.
908
00:57:47,747 --> 00:57:50,667
I mean, the kids at the gym,
just nobody...
909
00:57:50,750 --> 00:57:54,838
Just recreational, little, you know,
Jersey Shore douchebags I see at the gym,
910
00:57:54,921 --> 00:57:58,133
they're all juiced up to the max
and what have you.
911
00:57:58,216 --> 00:58:00,886
Everybody does it.
Everybody does it.
912
00:58:00,969 --> 00:58:03,138
So why they target bodybuilder?
913
00:58:03,221 --> 00:58:06,808
Because bodybuilders,
they take off their clothes.
914
00:58:06,892 --> 00:58:09,769
They're in their shorts or trunks
on stage.
915
00:58:09,853 --> 00:58:14,148
Obviously, the field physique
is much different than a normal person.
916
00:58:14,231 --> 00:58:16,859
So people don't see hard work
and effort that go behind.
917
00:58:16,942 --> 00:58:19,195
You can take enhancers,
you can take this and that,
918
00:58:19,278 --> 00:58:22,907
but at the same time, you can't buy
the hard work that people put.
919
00:58:26,368 --> 00:58:30,414
With one week
before the competition in San Marino,
920
00:58:30,915 --> 00:58:35,252
Varinder trains with his mentor, Sheru,
in their home state of Punjab.
921
00:58:36,212 --> 00:58:38,506
There is a certain level
of pride in this region.
922
00:58:39,298 --> 00:58:41,966
And a good performance
on a European soil
923
00:58:42,050 --> 00:58:43,301
would mean a lot to them.
924
00:58:43,384 --> 00:58:45,303
Yes! Come on, bro.
925
00:58:50,850 --> 00:58:51,726
Good.
926
00:58:51,809 --> 00:58:52,936
Pro!
927
00:58:53,019 --> 00:58:54,812
Yep. San Marino Pro. Pro.
928
00:58:54,896 --> 00:58:56,731
Come on. Yep.
929
00:58:57,148 --> 00:58:59,776
He's been working much harder
since the last six months.
930
00:58:59,859 --> 00:59:02,320
Plus his major challenge,
which also I see,
931
00:59:02,403 --> 00:59:03,947
uh, he's a vegetarian.
932
00:59:04,030 --> 00:59:07,658
When I was competing,
you know, me being a vegetarian,
933
00:59:07,741 --> 00:59:09,701
things disappointed me.
934
00:59:12,704 --> 00:59:14,248
A beast from India.
935
00:59:18,001 --> 00:59:19,753
-Hold!
-Yup!
936
00:59:42,942 --> 00:59:44,235
Good.
937
01:01:38,053 --> 01:01:41,139
Bodybuilding is so mental.
938
01:01:41,223 --> 01:01:44,268
That's what you have to do, you have to
sacrifice everything in your life.
939
01:01:44,351 --> 01:01:49,772
If you're not ready here, you know...
Bodybuilding is 80% mental.
940
01:02:07,248 --> 01:02:08,958
Before the competition,
941
01:02:09,041 --> 01:02:11,794
bodybuilders go through a cutting phase.
942
01:02:12,712 --> 01:02:17,257
It's a complex process that requires
balancing carbs, protein, water,
943
01:02:17,340 --> 01:02:18,508
and sodium intake.
944
01:02:20,135 --> 01:02:22,721
Each body reacts differently
to this process.
945
01:02:22,804 --> 01:02:26,975
The adjustments in diet and water intake
are done on a daily basis,
946
01:02:27,058 --> 01:02:29,269
all the way up to the competition.
947
01:02:29,936 --> 01:02:33,440
Most bodybuilders don't consume
any water the day of the show
948
01:02:33,899 --> 01:02:36,735
to make their bodies look
like an anatomy chart.
949
01:02:36,818 --> 01:02:40,697
But dehydration can break down even
the most experienced bodybuilder.
950
01:02:45,242 --> 01:02:49,455
Ladies and gentlemen,
from Brazil, Rafael Brandão.
951
01:03:04,970 --> 01:03:06,514
Hadi Choopan.
952
01:03:35,500 --> 01:03:38,794
Number 20, Varinder Singh Ghuman.
953
01:03:40,963 --> 01:03:42,714
You've got to be
in great condition,
954
01:03:42,798 --> 01:03:45,551
you have to be able to pose right,
and everything has to flow.
955
01:03:45,634 --> 01:03:50,389
The symmetry has to be like, you know,
where you create that V taper
956
01:03:50,472 --> 01:03:53,934
and you have round muscle bellies
and, you know, it's defined,
957
01:03:54,017 --> 01:03:57,563
and, you know, whoever poses
and shows off their strong points
958
01:03:57,646 --> 01:04:00,023
and hides their weaknesses
against the other guys
959
01:04:00,107 --> 01:04:02,067
is usually picked as the winner.
960
01:04:03,609 --> 01:04:05,486
We all have our strong points.
961
01:04:05,570 --> 01:04:08,197
I mean, I was great at hiding
the flaws that I had,
962
01:04:08,281 --> 01:04:10,449
and trust me, everyone has some.
963
01:04:10,533 --> 01:04:15,204
And, you know, it took me a long time
to overcome a lot of that,
964
01:04:15,288 --> 01:04:18,332
to be able to be the champion
and consistently win.
965
01:04:46,693 --> 01:04:49,696
Hadi made it to the top two.
966
01:04:49,779 --> 01:04:51,781
He now goes toe to toe
967
01:04:51,865 --> 01:04:55,368
against one of the top
Men's Open bodybuilders in the world.
968
01:04:55,452 --> 01:04:56,577
Second place,
969
01:04:56,660 --> 01:04:57,995
the silver medal,
970
01:04:58,078 --> 01:05:01,665
take that to competitor number 4,
Hadi Choopan!
971
01:05:05,461 --> 01:05:09,673
He came close, but being
number two, despite the weight category,
972
01:05:09,757 --> 01:05:12,593
will never be enough
for the Persian Wolf.
973
01:05:16,680 --> 01:05:19,725
These guys,
if they don't win,
974
01:05:19,809 --> 01:05:22,228
the membership in the gyms come down,
975
01:05:22,311 --> 01:05:25,522
they get blasted in social media,
976
01:05:25,605 --> 01:05:28,650
the haters will come out and they will
take away everything they have.
977
01:05:28,733 --> 01:05:31,236
So to them it's life or death
for these Iranians.
978
01:05:31,319 --> 01:05:32,987
It's everything to them.
979
01:05:33,071 --> 01:05:35,365
You know, it's everything to them.
It's the passion.
980
01:05:35,448 --> 01:05:36,741
It's so strong.
981
01:05:36,825 --> 01:05:39,410
That's why they get upset
and they go and they cry
982
01:05:39,494 --> 01:05:40,829
and they do this and they do that.
983
01:05:40,912 --> 01:05:43,164
There's always gonna be controversy
no matter who wins.
984
01:05:43,248 --> 01:05:45,166
The only one that's happy is the guy
that wins the show
985
01:05:45,250 --> 01:05:46,668
or the female that wins the show.
986
01:05:46,751 --> 01:05:49,337
Everybody else is just always gonna be
unhappy from second on down.
987
01:05:49,420 --> 01:05:50,587
So, what can you do?
988
01:05:52,506 --> 01:05:53,674
Tired.
989
01:05:54,675 --> 01:05:55,801
Finished.
990
01:06:00,305 --> 01:06:02,975
Placing seventh was
not the result he wanted.
991
01:06:03,642 --> 01:06:06,812
But Rafael is at peace
with a placement.
992
01:06:07,604 --> 01:06:11,733
He achieved his goal and made
the pro debut in the world arena.
993
01:06:18,739 --> 01:06:21,909
For Varinder,
the result wasn't as expected.
994
01:06:22,869 --> 01:06:26,164
Being a vegetarian puts him at
a disadvantage for gaining muscle mass,
995
01:06:26,247 --> 01:06:27,623
and he knows it.
996
01:06:27,707 --> 01:06:30,334
But he's determined
to continue his career
997
01:06:30,418 --> 01:06:32,879
and rep his nation around the world.
998
01:06:33,921 --> 01:06:35,840
From front,
Varinder is very good.
999
01:06:35,923 --> 01:06:38,092
As good as any other guy
in the world right now.
1000
01:06:38,176 --> 01:06:39,802
His problem's always in the back.
1001
01:06:39,886 --> 01:06:42,513
The hamstring and the back cut-up thing.
1002
01:06:42,597 --> 01:06:45,390
Give him like six months or one year,
1003
01:06:45,474 --> 01:06:47,934
you will see a new Varinder
coming up.
1004
01:06:59,488 --> 01:07:01,823
A day before the New York Pro,
1005
01:07:01,907 --> 01:07:04,034
Regan pays a visit to Steve Weinberger,
1006
01:07:04,117 --> 01:07:06,286
a head IFBB judge.
1007
01:07:06,786 --> 01:07:10,207
A visit is a tradition of sorts
among the top pros
1008
01:07:10,290 --> 01:07:13,876
who want to hear an honest and credible
opinion about their progress,
1009
01:07:14,627 --> 01:07:16,962
because Steve doesn't sugar-coat.
1010
01:07:17,046 --> 01:07:19,882
His opinions are usually sharp
and to the point.
1011
01:07:19,965 --> 01:07:23,219
However, suddenly Regan
has an announcement of his own.
1012
01:07:23,302 --> 01:07:26,972
Hey, Steve, there's some big news.
I'm doing Classic.
1013
01:07:27,056 --> 01:07:28,224
-Really?
-Yeah.
1014
01:07:28,307 --> 01:07:30,935
I thought he was going to be
an amazing Open competitor.
1015
01:07:31,018 --> 01:07:33,687
Big size, great shape,
really good conditioning.
1016
01:07:33,771 --> 01:07:38,191
I thought, this is a guy that could be
really a top Mr. Olympia contender.
1017
01:07:38,274 --> 01:07:41,069
Then he told me that he's doing
Classic Physique.
1018
01:07:41,152 --> 01:07:42,362
And I was pretty much shocked
1019
01:07:42,445 --> 01:07:44,739
'cause I thought he'd be
one of the new big stars.
1020
01:07:44,823 --> 01:07:46,908
I can't believe he lost that much mass.
1021
01:07:46,991 --> 01:07:49,702
If you would have told me
the day before he's coming in
1022
01:07:49,786 --> 01:07:52,372
and tell me he's not gonna be
doing the Open,
1023
01:07:52,455 --> 01:07:54,332
and he's gonna be doing Classic
and he's gonna win,
1024
01:07:54,415 --> 01:07:55,917
I would say you're out of your mind.
1025
01:07:56,000 --> 01:07:57,502
I wouldn't think it was gonna happen.
1026
01:07:57,585 --> 01:08:00,129
-Gonna be dangerous also.
-Yeah. Thank you.
1027
01:08:01,172 --> 01:08:02,465
I just think it's...
1028
01:08:03,258 --> 01:08:04,801
I think I have a better shot.
1029
01:08:04,883 --> 01:08:05,968
-I think...
-I agree.
1030
01:08:06,051 --> 01:08:08,512
Some of these guys,
all the power to them,
1031
01:08:08,595 --> 01:08:11,306
they look amazing, but some guys,
I just don't aspire to look like that.
1032
01:08:11,390 --> 01:08:13,225
You know,
I don't want to be that big.
1033
01:08:13,308 --> 01:08:15,978
Like I don't wanna be 330 or 320.
1034
01:08:16,061 --> 01:08:19,690
You're your own person, I guess,
and you gotta bring what you like.
1035
01:08:19,773 --> 01:08:23,819
You know, so even, I mean,
if the judges want me at 300,
1036
01:08:23,902 --> 01:08:26,697
I don't know if I'd even go to 300
'cause I just, "A,"
1037
01:08:26,780 --> 01:08:29,449
it wouldn't be healthy for me,
I wouldn't feel good,
1038
01:08:29,533 --> 01:08:33,870
and, "B," that's probably not
the physique that I want to be like.
1039
01:08:33,953 --> 01:08:39,000
I think it seems like Classic Physique
is gonna be the most popular thing.
1040
01:08:39,083 --> 01:08:41,419
That's what I see, 'cause
you gotta think there's so many...
1041
01:08:41,502 --> 01:08:44,755
Like there's so many more people
who could be on that level
1042
01:08:44,839 --> 01:08:47,592
of like "genetically gifted"
and work ethic and everything,
1043
01:08:47,675 --> 01:08:51,888
but there's, like the Phil Heath
is like the one in like... a billion.
1044
01:08:51,971 --> 01:08:54,682
Anyway, the Classic Physique
turned out to be
1045
01:08:54,765 --> 01:08:57,643
one of our fastest exploding divisions.
1046
01:08:57,727 --> 01:08:59,561
I think it's definitely not
an easy way out.
1047
01:08:59,644 --> 01:09:02,314
It's different, I guess, in many ways.
1048
01:09:02,397 --> 01:09:05,567
But I know for a fact, they train
with a professional Open bodybuilder
1049
01:09:05,650 --> 01:09:06,735
every single day.
1050
01:09:06,818 --> 01:09:09,654
We're still all working just as hard
and there's sacrifices
1051
01:09:09,738 --> 01:09:12,616
that every division is gonna have to make
in this, nothing's easy.
1052
01:09:12,699 --> 01:09:15,202
If you don't give it 100%,
then you won't be successful.
1053
01:09:15,285 --> 01:09:16,786
There's no easy way out.
1054
01:09:16,870 --> 01:09:18,914
That's insulting
to the Classic Physique guys.
1055
01:09:18,997 --> 01:09:21,291
If you look at the group
of Classic Physique guys,
1056
01:09:21,374 --> 01:09:23,668
there's nothing easy about winning
a pro show anymore.
1057
01:09:23,752 --> 01:09:24,920
These guys are for real.
1058
01:09:25,003 --> 01:09:27,671
I mean, they train just like
the bodybuilders, even harder.
1059
01:09:28,506 --> 01:09:31,175
A Classic Physique
is all about balance to me.
1060
01:09:31,258 --> 01:09:32,426
Balance and conditioning.
1061
01:09:32,510 --> 01:09:33,636
To me, it's a Greek statue.
1062
01:09:33,719 --> 01:09:37,515
You want to showcase the physique.
It's not just overall pure mass.
1063
01:09:37,598 --> 01:09:39,350
When Classic Physique is balanced first.
1064
01:09:39,433 --> 01:09:42,561
Classic represents the artsy side.
1065
01:09:43,187 --> 01:09:46,023
It is showing you straight-up art
in Classic.
1066
01:09:46,106 --> 01:09:48,317
It's very cool to watch,
but after a while,
1067
01:09:48,400 --> 01:09:50,820
if these are the same routines
over and over...
1068
01:09:51,320 --> 01:09:55,323
Regan's gonna be Mr. Olympia
Men's Open at some point.
1069
01:09:55,406 --> 01:09:59,869
I think he's a one-and-done guy
in this Classic contest he's doing now,
1070
01:09:59,953 --> 01:10:02,413
'cause I know he's gonna have trouble
bringing the weight down.
1071
01:10:02,497 --> 01:10:05,458
There's a lot of potential there
to be a Men's Open bodybuilder.
1072
01:10:05,542 --> 01:10:08,211
And a lot of bodybuilders don't make it
in the Open class,
1073
01:10:08,294 --> 01:10:09,879
so they fall down into Classic.
1074
01:10:09,963 --> 01:10:11,005
Well, guess what?
1075
01:10:11,089 --> 01:10:12,340
The waist isn't small enough,
1076
01:10:12,423 --> 01:10:15,093
or the lines aren't good enough
and then they're pushed out.
1077
01:10:15,176 --> 01:10:18,638
In five years, watch the comeback
in the sport of bodybuilding
1078
01:10:18,721 --> 01:10:19,763
in the Men's Open side.
1079
01:10:23,725 --> 01:10:26,728
- You trying to make it higher?
- I just wanna see your legs...
1080
01:10:29,022 --> 01:10:30,357
Imagine that.
1081
01:10:30,440 --> 01:10:33,443
I'm telling you right now,
It's extremely light.
1082
01:10:33,527 --> 01:10:35,612
Yeah.
1083
01:10:36,738 --> 01:10:38,532
Let's see the hamstring from behind.
1084
01:10:45,289 --> 01:10:48,291
- You can feel now, I mean...
- I can feel them.
1085
01:10:52,503 --> 01:10:54,714
- Pull straight in.
- Stay right there.
1086
01:10:56,132 --> 01:10:57,091
Thank you.
1087
01:10:59,760 --> 01:11:03,139
I know I've worked so hard
like for the competition,
1088
01:11:03,222 --> 01:11:04,849
and that I'm just, I'm ready, you know.
1089
01:11:04,932 --> 01:11:08,311
Like, now it's time to just display
what I've worked for.
1090
01:11:08,728 --> 01:11:11,731
- Go, Greene!
- Let's go, babe!
1091
01:11:21,573 --> 01:11:22,991
Go, Regan!
1092
01:11:28,205 --> 01:11:29,873
Go, Regan!
1093
01:11:36,129 --> 01:11:37,380
Yeah, Regan!
1094
01:11:38,799 --> 01:11:40,883
Go, Regan!
1095
01:11:41,759 --> 01:11:44,595
Go, Regan! Flex!
1096
01:12:09,744 --> 01:12:12,664
A first-place finish proved
that switching to Classic
1097
01:12:12,747 --> 01:12:14,582
was the right decision for Regan.
1098
01:12:14,666 --> 01:12:18,419
But the stakes would only get higher
and competition fierce
1099
01:12:18,503 --> 01:12:20,922
as he's now part
of the fastest-growing division
1100
01:12:21,005 --> 01:12:22,215
in the pro league.
1101
01:13:01,544 --> 01:13:04,380
When I met my wife,
she always supported me.
1102
01:13:05,381 --> 01:13:09,343
Now we have one daughter,
but we want two more children.
1103
01:13:09,427 --> 01:13:14,557
So, I'm working now for their future.
1104
01:13:15,349 --> 01:13:18,352
So, family is not an obstacle.
1105
01:13:18,436 --> 01:13:22,273
On the contrary, they motivate me
and encourage me.
1106
01:13:22,356 --> 01:13:25,193
When I was in the orphanage,
1107
01:13:25,276 --> 01:13:29,196
I promised myself never to let
my own children end up there.
1108
01:13:32,991 --> 01:13:36,578
I started preparing.
1109
01:13:40,290 --> 01:13:42,542
You know, it's an important competition.
1110
01:13:44,169 --> 01:13:46,004
I still have some time.
1111
01:13:46,087 --> 01:13:48,715
You can do it, but you need to pay
attention to certain areas.
1112
01:13:48,799 --> 01:13:51,301
-You know what I'm talking about.
-I'm working on it.
1113
01:13:51,384 --> 01:13:57,473
You're ready, but you just need
to improve on those little details.
1114
01:13:57,556 --> 01:14:00,267
What does Timur say about
going to America?
1115
01:14:00,351 --> 01:14:06,315
Not much, just says to prepare.
My motivation is through the roof.
1116
01:14:06,398 --> 01:14:07,858
Yeah, it's the next level.
1117
01:14:07,942 --> 01:14:12,279
Of course I realize
I'll have to work twice as much.
1118
01:14:12,363 --> 01:14:15,241
IFBB is an advanced level.
1119
01:14:15,324 --> 01:14:21,455
I can't even imagine how it will be
if you win the Arnold Classic.
1120
01:14:22,539 --> 01:14:29,170
And imagine if you become
an overall champion?
1121
01:15:32,857 --> 01:15:35,151
Two-time... Arnold...
1122
01:15:35,776 --> 01:15:38,112
Classic... champion...
1123
01:15:38,654 --> 01:15:42,657
Brandon... Hendrickson!
1124
01:15:42,741 --> 01:15:45,160
Come on, go.
1125
01:15:55,545 --> 01:15:58,340
We return to the Arnold Classic
in Columbus, Ohio,
1126
01:15:59,216 --> 01:16:01,968
where every year,
about a hundred thousand people gather
1127
01:16:02,052 --> 01:16:04,596
for the fitness expo and the competitions.
1128
01:16:06,014 --> 01:16:07,516
Everything seems familiar.
1129
01:16:07,599 --> 01:16:10,768
Crowds of eager fans,
cold March winds,
1130
01:16:10,851 --> 01:16:13,229
and a lot of excitement
as the people gather here
1131
01:16:13,312 --> 01:16:15,481
from all over the world.
1132
01:16:15,564 --> 01:16:18,651
But for the competitors,
there is no time for excitement.
1133
01:16:28,452 --> 01:16:33,749
When people go to the US
for the first time,
1134
01:16:33,833 --> 01:16:38,545
they are impressed because
people dream of going there,
1135
01:16:38,628 --> 01:16:43,007
because everyone says
it's an athlete's paradise.
1136
01:16:43,091 --> 01:16:46,427
A different life,
1137
01:16:46,511 --> 01:16:51,724
compared to the one in Uzbekistan.
1138
01:16:51,808 --> 01:16:55,103
We went there to compete.
1139
01:16:55,186 --> 01:16:57,480
We went there to win.
1140
01:16:57,564 --> 01:17:02,777
To raise our flag.
To let people know about us.
1141
01:17:03,694 --> 01:17:05,779
- Oh, Misha, hi.
- Hi.
1142
01:17:07,614 --> 01:17:10,576
-How are you doing?
-OK.
1143
01:17:10,659 --> 01:17:14,413
-Misha, how are you?
-I'm OK.
1144
01:17:14,496 --> 01:17:16,915
-Did you get enough sleep?
-Yep.
1145
01:17:22,713 --> 01:17:25,883
Look, it's started.
1146
01:17:25,966 --> 01:17:28,135
The final stage.
1147
01:17:30,720 --> 01:17:33,764
The calves this time are good.
1148
01:17:33,848 --> 01:17:35,975
Oh, look. Flex it.
1149
01:17:39,479 --> 01:17:43,524
-Check it out, it's cutting.
-Well done.
1150
01:17:43,608 --> 01:17:47,445
You just gotta be calm,
1151
01:17:47,528 --> 01:17:50,239
don't freak out.
1152
01:17:50,782 --> 01:17:54,243
-Perhaps you'll get a pro card.
-Of course I will.
1153
01:18:33,572 --> 01:18:35,407
It's finally time.
1154
01:18:35,491 --> 01:18:38,119
This is what they have been working for.
1155
01:18:38,577 --> 01:18:41,205
Misha and the rest
of the amateur bodybuilders
1156
01:18:41,288 --> 01:18:44,333
get compared during
a tedious prejudging round.
1157
01:18:45,543 --> 01:18:48,712
Meanwhile, Ariel and Whitney
go through their prejudging,
1158
01:18:48,796 --> 01:18:50,256
the physique round.
1159
01:19:13,987 --> 01:19:16,990
When I first came out,
the judges didn't even look at me.
1160
01:19:17,073 --> 01:19:19,324
They were looking down,
they were like shuffling papers.
1161
01:19:19,783 --> 01:19:21,952
There was only a couple judges
that were really looking at me.
1162
01:19:22,494 --> 01:19:26,039
But, um, yeah, I mean, that's like
not a great feeling
1163
01:19:26,123 --> 01:19:27,875
'cause you worked really hard for this.
1164
01:19:27,958 --> 01:19:30,043
I'm not really sure
what they were expecting from me,
1165
01:19:30,127 --> 01:19:32,504
but I think I did the best that I could.
1166
01:19:32,838 --> 01:19:35,799
So I just want to go out there
in a routine and kind of kill it now.
1167
01:20:17,297 --> 01:20:21,718
Here we are
with the Men's Physique 2018.
1168
01:20:21,802 --> 01:20:25,639
Big smiles, small waists.
That's what it's about, boys.
1169
01:20:26,431 --> 01:20:28,934
While the first round
of Women's Fitness
1170
01:20:29,017 --> 01:20:32,229
may only be worth 30%
of their overall score,
1171
01:20:32,312 --> 01:20:35,857
prejudging for Men's Physique division
is everything.
1172
01:20:35,941 --> 01:20:38,235
This is the round
where athletes get compared
1173
01:20:38,318 --> 01:20:40,861
and continually narrowed down
to the best,
1174
01:20:41,654 --> 01:20:45,241
until top competitors are
next to each other center stage.
1175
01:20:45,324 --> 01:20:47,243
- But you notice these guys.
- 5 and 16, switch.
1176
01:20:47,326 --> 01:20:49,912
You can see the ones that really train
their legs through their shorts.
1177
01:20:49,995 --> 01:20:52,289
Right there, number 16,
Brandon Hendrickson, being one of them.
1178
01:20:52,373 --> 01:20:55,459
Those shorts are tight, his quads
are busting through those things.
1179
01:20:55,543 --> 01:20:58,129
Respect to that.
Gotta balance that body out.
1180
01:20:58,212 --> 01:21:01,549
Emotions run high
and stress is always present,
1181
01:21:01,632 --> 01:21:04,885
as the athletes try to inch
their way closer to the judges
1182
01:21:05,344 --> 01:21:08,513
in the attempt to make themselves
look bigger and more defined.
1183
01:21:08,596 --> 01:21:12,642
Everything is on the line with the few
minutes they have on this stage.
1184
01:21:12,725 --> 01:21:13,893
Andre, move up.
1185
01:21:15,562 --> 01:21:19,107
I know, myself, I don't focus on people.
1186
01:21:19,190 --> 01:21:20,650
Like when I prep.
1187
01:21:20,733 --> 01:21:23,778
My focus is on beating everyone,
so how am I focusing on Brandon?
1188
01:21:23,862 --> 01:21:25,572
I'm here to beat everyone.
I'm focusing on me.
1189
01:21:28,575 --> 01:21:31,619
The judges narrow it down
to the top three physiques
1190
01:21:31,703 --> 01:21:32,911
and compare them.
1191
01:21:32,995 --> 01:21:34,788
While they know they've placed well,
1192
01:21:34,872 --> 01:21:37,666
they have to wait
until the awards ceremony
1193
01:21:37,749 --> 01:21:39,251
to see who gets the gold.
1194
01:21:55,476 --> 01:21:57,853
I feel like I'm only
competing against myself.
1195
01:21:57,936 --> 01:22:01,189
I never go into a show saying,
"I have to win
1196
01:22:01,272 --> 01:22:04,400
or I have to do this, I have to do that,"
because, at the end of the day,
1197
01:22:04,484 --> 01:22:08,112
if I do the best that I can do,
I can't be any happier with that.
1198
01:22:45,524 --> 01:22:50,529
If you want to be at the elite level,
you go all in.
1199
01:22:50,612 --> 01:22:53,115
And you give it everything you've got.
1200
01:22:53,198 --> 01:22:55,991
And you attack it every single day.
1201
01:22:56,075 --> 01:23:00,246
It takes a very specific person
to be at the top.
1202
01:23:01,455 --> 01:23:05,292
If you're not cut out for it,
don't get in.
1203
01:23:05,376 --> 01:23:08,546
The people who are at the top,
they don't need to talk about it.
1204
01:23:08,629 --> 01:23:11,048
They're not complaining
about anything.
1205
01:23:11,132 --> 01:23:13,843
They're working, they are grinding.
1206
01:23:13,926 --> 01:23:19,557
They are doing everything that is required
and that's necessary to get there.
1207
01:23:19,640 --> 01:23:22,308
But people aren't willing to do that.
1208
01:23:22,392 --> 01:23:26,938
Because it's not easy to be in it.
It's not easy to be at the top.
1209
01:23:27,021 --> 01:23:30,525
This is a serious thing.
There's too many serious athletes.
1210
01:23:30,608 --> 01:23:34,279
There's too many people who are
so dedicated and want it so bad.
1211
01:23:34,362 --> 01:23:37,949
Those are the people who get it,
those are the people who deserve it.
1212
01:23:38,032 --> 01:23:39,742
You have to be relentless.
1213
01:23:40,160 --> 01:23:42,996
You have to be fearless
in everything you want.
1214
01:23:43,079 --> 01:23:48,292
Those people who want it know it,
and there is nothing stopping them.
1215
01:24:59,611 --> 01:25:01,655
Arnold Schwarzenegger
then tells me,
1216
01:25:03,406 --> 01:25:05,575
"Where are you from?",
I say "Uzbekistan."
1217
01:25:05,659 --> 01:25:11,789
He says, "How many years
have you been in training?"
1218
01:25:12,832 --> 01:25:15,918
Everyone is keeping silent for a moment,
1219
01:25:16,001 --> 01:25:18,212
and I say, "I don't speak English."
1220
01:25:18,295 --> 01:25:20,673
And the audience went wild.
1221
01:25:20,756 --> 01:25:23,467
They were expecting me
to say something else, probably.
1222
01:25:47,824 --> 01:25:48,908
Whoo!
1223
01:25:59,294 --> 01:26:03,255
And the winner
of $1,500 for third place,
1224
01:26:03,338 --> 01:26:05,048
Brandon Hendrickson.
1225
01:26:07,885 --> 01:26:11,847
This is the end, we've been working for
this moment, because I want the titles.
1226
01:26:21,356 --> 01:26:26,111
You cannot be champion without
difficult times and without losing.
1227
01:26:26,195 --> 01:26:29,155
It's experience.
It's great experience.
1228
01:26:29,238 --> 01:26:32,492
And without this experience,
you cannot become a champ.
1229
01:26:32,575 --> 01:26:36,370
When you just got trophy very fast
for one or two years,
1230
01:26:36,454 --> 01:26:38,873
it doesn't make you stronger person.
1231
01:26:38,956 --> 01:26:43,169
It doesn't make you real champion
with good future.
1232
01:29:31,915 --> 01:29:35,043
At first, when I told him that I
wanted to pursue bodybuilding,
1233
01:29:35,127 --> 01:29:37,294
all my dad was worried about was like,
1234
01:29:37,378 --> 01:29:39,672
"What about retirement?
What about insurance?"
1235
01:29:39,755 --> 01:29:42,425
You know, he's worrying about the stuff
that I wasn't thinking about,
1236
01:29:42,508 --> 01:29:46,137
and then I started competing
and doing well and...
1237
01:29:46,220 --> 01:29:49,014
he saw that I was becoming
successful in the sport.
1238
01:29:49,098 --> 01:29:51,976
And so he was starting to believe
in my vision a lot more.
1239
01:30:07,198 --> 01:30:09,409
The pursuit
of the perfect physique
1240
01:30:09,492 --> 01:30:12,078
is what often unites the men and women
1241
01:30:12,162 --> 01:30:14,539
who dedicate their lives to the iron.
1242
01:30:15,206 --> 01:30:18,960
Their path might be discouraging at times,
and even dangerous.
1243
01:30:19,836 --> 01:30:25,091
At the end of the day, most know
that achieving perfection is not possible.
1244
01:30:25,467 --> 01:30:27,135
But that doesn't stop them.
1245
01:30:28,970 --> 01:30:32,222
And whether they live
in the East or West...
1246
01:30:33,056 --> 01:30:34,558
having little or much resource,
1247
01:30:37,186 --> 01:30:40,397
that ultimately has little to do
with their dream
1248
01:30:41,315 --> 01:30:43,400
as they will always find a way.
1249
01:30:51,950 --> 01:30:54,286
I heard Lee Haney say this
when I was a teenager.
1250
01:30:54,369 --> 01:30:57,456
He said, he said, uh,
"Great champions don't come back.
1251
01:30:57,539 --> 01:31:00,541
They focus and capture their now,
1252
01:31:00,625 --> 01:31:03,377
and they move on with their development."
1253
01:31:03,461 --> 01:31:06,255
There's many, many more things
that you're supposed to do
1254
01:31:06,339 --> 01:31:08,508
and accomplish in your lifetime.
1255
01:31:08,591 --> 01:31:09,759
So, yeah...
1256
01:31:11,385 --> 01:31:14,472
Great champions don't come back,
they be back.