When did you consider yourself a “real” bodybuilder?
ANSWER
Oct. 8, 2002. On that day, I took a photo of myself and said, “I’m going to become a pro body builder. No more basketball, no more other sports. I don’t know whether or not I’ll turn pro, but this is what I want to do.” I hadn’t competed yet, but I knew that was what I wanted, and I threw myself into the sport completely. I was like a sponge, soaking up all the knowledge I could and finding ways to progress as a bodybuilder.
QUESTION
What did each of your Olympia wins mean to you? Were they all different?
ANSWER
The first time is complete bliss—a literal dream come true. It takes a while to sink in. The second time is nerve-racking because you want to prove you’re not a one-hit wonder. The third time is to solidify a dynasty. You’re trying to establish yourself as one of the greats. Going into the fourth one, you realize now it’s about enjoying the journey. What can you do to keep it going? The last guy to do it was Ronnie Coleman. I made it fun for myself. One of the ways I did that was by relating it to the other sports. Like in the NBA Finals or the World Series, if you win four games you sweep the series. It can’t be more definitive than that. So I started #operationcleansweep. Not to be disrespectful to the other competitors—because every man on that stage has earned his way there—but to motivate myself. When you beat the best bodybuilders on the planet four years in a row, it’s as clear as day. As for the fifth one, I’ll let you know.
QUESTION
How did you stay motivated when you were first starting out?
ANSWER
At the time I was working two jobs and riding my bike to the gym. And when I say bike, I’m talking about the kind you pedal! I didn’t feel sorry for myself or tell myself it was too hard and I couldn’t do it. When you want something bad enough, you’ll do whatever it takes. You keep your eye on the prize. Everything you’re doing now, all the hardships you’re enduring, it’s all to achieve a goal you set for yourself. – FLEX
