A Week Of Chaos!

It's been about a week since the Maryland State, and I've had time to settle down a bit ... well kind of. A 5.8 earthquake on Monday and a hurricane on Saturday kinda made it hard to relax and unwind during the importand rebound phase after a competition. Despite that, my head is clear and now it's time to look back.

First off, i have some thank you's to give out. I have told all these people already, but I think it's important for everyone to know how many people make up my TEAM that got me to the show and kept me going.

First is my boy Ron, who at 12 weeks out, was the first to look at me and tell me what he thought. Ron doesn't bullshit me. He gives it to me straight and he said straight up, "Keep going. We haven't seen your best yet." Ron has been around a long time (I'm not calling him old!), and has a good eye to see what changes need to be made. He has also seen me at my worst ... so he knows how bad I can look on stage.

Ron's new company, Bigbitchformula.com

At the gym, Eric saw me every day and encouraged me. He had positive things to say, but was also hard on me in order to keep me on track. Honesty makes all the difference in the world. Eric is a former IFBB North American Middleweight champion.

Tom .... what can I say. At about 6 weeks out, I started getting a text from him every day saying to keep going, asking me how I felt, and telling my not to worry, that I have a lot of potential, and that he believed in me. It made all the difference in those last 4 weeks. Tom is a former top National guy himself, and he also helped me with dietary adjustments when my head really started getting cloudy.

Thank you to all the people at Rockville Fitness who had just a kind word, or told me I was on track or that I looked good. It really helped keep my spirits up daily in the gym.

Thanks to my family and friends who did not all understand what I was doing, but stood by me and cheered. A special mention to my cousin, Tricia, and her fianceé, Steve, for driving to Maryland all the way from Boston after their flight was canceled. They made it to the show in time to see my routine!

The first time I met Kevin, 2008.

At 3 weeks out, Kevin Levrone, helped me out when I knew something wasn't going right with my body; it wasn't responding the way it should. Kari and I met up with him, and he knew exactly what was wrong. He told me how to change it, and then things were right on track all the way in to the show! The main thing I have to thank Kevin for in the last 4 years is that he taught me to believe in myself and in my decisions. This is very important in life and in bodybuilding! Kevin is there when push comes to shove and I really appreciate it.

Kari and me before the night show.

Lastly, the most important part of my team (my life actually) is Kari Keenan. She's my girlfriend, for those of you who don't know her. She dieted alongside me for 20 weeks and competed, and then for the following 6 weeks, did everything for me. She ordered supplements, walked the dogs, did laundry, and made food. Anything I needed, she was right there for me. Once I get to that 3 weeks out point, I can't think. It's hard to move. Sleeping is the only thing I wanted to do. Days where I felt I had nothing left, she would take my hand and assure me that I had plenty left in the tank. When I thought I was dying because I was so tired and sore and depleted her new favorite saying was "Don't listen to your brain! It's lying to you!" I heard that almost every single day. Positive re-enforcement, hard love when needed, she did it all and really is the sergeant of my prep. Thank you, Kari; I love you very much!

All the work led to 90 seconds onstage!

So now it's a week later, the natural disasters have swept through, and I'm sitting at 212-214 lb, whch is less than 10 lbs from my contest weight. I feel good, a little more normal, and very rested. I'm heading back into the gym today to harness the rebound ... which is another battle all together.

Thank you all for all your help and for being on my team. I could not have done it without you all.