Once upon a time there were athletes that looked like bodybuilders.

In a decade where Size rules the day, we long for past time where we once dreamed of looking like our sports leading men. Sadly, that was a long time ago. If you’re not HUGE or Built Beyond Belief, you’re just another body on stage.  Taking up space and crowding the Mass Monsters for no apparent reason other than to scrap for crumbs in the form of Prize Money!

When I think of the Wonder Years, I am taken to a time and place where battles were waged based on who would show up in shape! Which guy had the better symmetry or balance, the most complete of everyone on stage regardless of Size. The wonder years had names like; Labrada, DeMey, Christian, Levrone, Wheeler, Gaspari, Baker, Cottrell and Love. These men represented many things to lots of people. All very different, yet very similar when competition time came around. The anticipation of who would beat whom was ever present, as the outcome could not be predetermined. It took more than “Size” to predict what would happen on stage when these guys where on it. The Wonder Years had room for everybody to appear on the cover of magazines at different times which warranted the success they individually had on stage. These athletes brought a certain expectation filled with anticipation during Prejudging and Comparisons. While everyone had their favorites, no one had the advantage! These guys formulated an actual “Contest” that took place on stage!

My how the times have changed.

It seems only one or two guys are worthy of Cover Shots these days, as the rest of the guys remain invisible. The contest can be predicted before it even happens now because 2 or 3 guys rule the stage. It seems the placement of the athletes rarely change on the Big Stage, while the smaller guys  routinely win the smaller shows.

Things that make you go, “Hhhhhhmmmmmm…….?”

During the wonder years, the athletes all made money from sponsors and appearances. Now days, seems only a handful of guys can live off this profession and more and more athletes are resorting to Drug Dealing, Private Posing, Soft Porn and all kinds of crap! While some say our sport is growing, I say it is dying a slow death. The Superstars of yester year want little if nothing to do with the present day promotion of our sport. The athletes are no longer revered by other sports or fans. Rather, many of the Pro’s don’t want to say their bodybuilders at all to avoid the drug stigma and controversies.

The Wonder Years brought people from far and wide to our sport simply to rub elbows with the sports leading men. Photographers shot pictures of everybody because our sport was made up of more than 2 or 3 Superstars. In 10 years time our Superstars have become and endangered species. Back in the day, All the pros were considered special by way of achievement. Now, earning a pro card is the equivalent to a State Title. Nothing outstanding, special or unworldly as it was back in 1987 when I earned mine. The cameras flashed brightly, magazines promoted heavily, sponsorship dollars poured in. Now, the quiet reservation of the “Wait and See” technique has been implemented by Supplement Companies and Magazines. We will see how you do as a pro then consider you worthy of sponsorship. A sad commentary for where our sport is today.

The Wonder Years were full of National Television Coverage and Marketing. Now, we barely sneak in Pay Per View, of which not one single dollar finds its way back into the pockets of the Pro Athletes participating in the contests. No TV Talk Show exposure, no local newspaper coverage, nothing. I remember when I won the National Championship, I did the TV Show the Dating Game, TV Talk Show- Donohue, Good Morning LA, RU Paul Show, GQ Magazine and gained international recognition by way of ESPN’s Flex Magazine Workout, as well as hosting American Muscle on ESPN TV!

Today, if you see a bodybuilder anywhere it is regulated to a bodybuilding magazine only! No cross coverage, no international exposure beyond the muscle books, nothing.

Man I miss the Wonder Years.

A time when Lee Labrada would fly in town for a photo shoot and actually train at Gold’s Gym Venice along side rivals like: Albert Beckles, Mike Quinn, Robby Robinson, David Dearth and Aaron Baker! Mr. Olympia, Samir Bannout would be training hard in the gym and offering advice outside of it. Tom Platz would be there squatting away, just like in the magazines. Big Louie would stroll in and look on in amazement when someone was training hard in the gym and then he’d offer support!

The time, where’d it go?

Today, if your not over 260lbs, your not a bodybuilder. If you have a Pro Card, your training GURU can’t be far behind you. When you’re fat you’re simply “Bulking Up.” You can win the Mr. Olympia when you miss your peak!