I am competing tommorow in the 2010 Dexter Jackson Classic

[marilyn]

hey

Congrats Tony!!! I know i said this to you already, but this was a good win and something I know you would have wanted and worked really hard for...so good job!!!

I know you can do lots of good things, and have alot going for you...Im happy for that......keep going down the positive road...success will follow.

 

[BigChef]

Congrats bro! So freaking happy for you man, really am! Man I am impressed with your condition and posing. Great job bro!!
Your win will lift your self esteem to new heights and you will feel more comfortable with yourself. You done us PM's proud!

 

[michelin]

outstanding Tony, these are the posts we want to be reading from you bro

What did you do that was different this time around? You got it nailed on the day, you brought the best you had.

I'm very pleased for you mate !!

 

[SABAGOY]

Congrats Tony.

Best I have seen you look and its nice to see you rewarded for it!

Keep it up and stay focused.

 

[aeliop]

Thanks M

Congrats Tony!!! I know i said this to you already, but this was a good win and something I know you would have wanted and worked really hard for...so good job!!!

I know you can do lots of good things, and have alot going for you...Im happy for that......keep going down the positive road...success will follow.

Thank you M.

 

[aeliop]

Congrads ........just like I told you in feb ......I think I even called the wt to the lb......although 190 -188 would have looked even better .......if you can add 10 lbs in the next yr or two and a little tighter condition......you can be right there in the master's nationals......and win a few opens as well........to be a national level guy you 'd honestly need 25 -30 lbs over 3-5 yrs ..... still very possible especially since you are nearly clean.......you have the balance and shape ......I personally think once you add ten lbs of mass .....you will be content and most people will think you look amazing .[ I am sure many do now] I hope you do some of the things we talked about ..........I never stopped believing in your talent .....

I am proud of what you put together ......... And it makes me smile to see guys like you and Knucklehead to get wins in shows.......Because you both represent the physiques that I like and I know how much dissapline you both have .........cool to see the guy no one believed in or thought could get in shape make it happen and prove some folks wrong .......I hope this lifts your confidence and I think when Knucklehead got his win last yr it helped him . [he has a show coming up in about 6 weeks .....hopefully he'll get another win this time as well] I told alfresco today ......I don' t have alot of talent left anymore......but the one thing that I do still process, is the lack of a big ego......This allows me to have an unselfish nature and see the talents in others that they may not see in themselves .....I appreciate people and want the best for them .........you know what I have seen in you Tony ......take this as the start of the rest of your life.......time to be the guy I saw when we first became aquainted ........put in the work .....you deserve it and so do your family and friends........take care .....much love

Jason you know man when I weighed in on Friday I really had no idea what that I was that light. I would of figured I was hovering around 200LBS but it shows just how insignificant weight was to me at that point. As soon as they said 193 after my initial shock the first person that I thought of was you. Way back when, I think it was even before Feb you told me about Zane getting his brains beat out at 210 until he got down to 185-190 and started winning. You told me I could continue to be handsome, shapely, look decent in photo shoots, and stay 200LBS and get my brains beat out in bodybuilding contests or make a little more of a commitment, get more serious, get my ass down to 190 and start kicking some ass myself.

as a matter of fact you wrote the following exactly:

"Anthony.......congrads on building a nice classic physique to go with your handsome features.......My advice ....is work on your posing and get ripped ......If you get to mid 190s you will start seeing some wins......I promise ......you have shape ....and balance ......most over 40s guys have condition and some size ......but not balance ......if you modeled yourself self after a Zane [ and posed to suit your genetic structure] you be surprised with how well you would do........I always tell knucklehead ......be an artist not a bber ........remember , " mass has no virtue" ..........you are gifted, but need to push the conditioning way beyond where you have been............you have the body that will look fantastic if you do .......but otherwise you aren't big enough to not be ripped .......some guys can win in less than ripped condition ......you aren't one of them..........You and knucklehead ......are so alike in this respect.......two of the best examples here of what we should all striving to be .......great families ......nice balanced bodies .....do things intelligently .......but for you to show what you have at it's best .......you must get ripped ......not lean ....but ripped .......and you must pose a lot better .........more confidence........no thinking.........be art bro ......you and knucklehead owe it yourselves to get shredded.......too good not to be"

Jason I took this advice to heart. I copied it, printed it out, and pretty much used it as my blueprint for what I was going to bring to the table the next time I competed. So when they said 193 I had to text you and tell you that I think I was ready to tread in the deeper water. I practiced posing, I got proficient in Yoga, and my flexibility improved dramatically. I received many compliments on my posing Saturday Night much was said about how natural it looked. Backstage a TV was set up broadcasting the show, so the different competitors could glance and watch what was going on stage. Later another bodybuilder told me that when I did my routine all the other bodybuilders stopped what they were doing to watch it and when I hit the stomach vac they all went nuts and were in disbelief at how long I held it. (remember you told me to practice this each day and build stamina with it) So hell yeah Jason you were going to be the first guy I called when I weighed in, pre-judging, night show, everything. How could you not be? It was almost like you were up there with me.

Love you Jason and I appreciate your insight and belief in me

 

[aeliop]

Looking good man, good luck!

Thanks

To be honest T, I know what you went threw brother. Trust me
I've been there. but you seemed to of pulled threw like a champ and
what I see look like one too. Keep it up buddy......

Thank you I think I am a better person for it. I have a much more confidence in my ability to get up off of the canvas.

You look like a different person Tony.

Question . . . will you be changing
your posing routine as a result of
your new look?

Have fun at the show.

Thanks Ron, this is a great question by the way. I did change some things in my posing I am not sure if they were for the better or not. While my individual routine remains classic on the advice on the guy who helped me here I changed my relaxed and some of my mandatories. I always like to stand asymetrical on stage as I always felt that due to my shape it suited me better then standing directly in front of people and trying to look big. Front relaxed for example he wanted me to point my knees out and raise my chest and stand as big as possible.
Another example is in the side tricep pose I prefer to pose as seen in one of the pics I posted. I just think that fits my physique better. The guy who helped wanted me to put my legs together outside foot's (foot facing judges) toe goes about mid foot of inside foot. Really flex the outside calf and at the same time press quads together. In prejudging I did as instructed on all the poses, night show I did my classic stuff......I guess it worked out.

Looks like it all came together for you Tony.

Congrats on your hard earned, well deserved win.

Where to go from here?

Thanks again and yes I guess it was just my day. I don't know if all things will ever work out again like that but I was pretty lean, dry, and I hit every pose. Sometimes it's just your night.

Gainesville Bodybuilding Championships on Saturday then The Florida State Championships the week after.

I don't just toss around compliments Tony but I am really impressed. This is by far the best I have ever seen you. Congrats!!!!

Dusty there aren't many in our bodybuilding community that are more respected and highly regarded then you. You are known just as much as being a class act as you are known for your freakish (in a good way) physique. So you to say this to me is not taken lightly and highly appreciated. To impress someone like you man is worth 10 first place and overall titles. Thank you Dusty much appreciated.

WoW!!! You look great !!! Best by far !!! Im very impressed !!!

Thanks Chris and like Dusty to impress you is well....impressive.

:yeahthat:

what they said

thats great tony

taking big, big steps man

Tenny alot of times I think I am a much smaller but way better looking version of you....lol I always appreciate any post you have and when you give a compliment I know you mean it. So thank you I appreciate it.

Bad to the bone brother! Best of luck to you.

p.s. is that some new type of teleporter capsule to get to the contest quicker? LOL

thanks Boom, yes it was a strange looking device but not as strange as having someone blast your PP at point blank range with compressed air followed by spray tan.

ditto! :yeahthat:

tony i am so freakin impressed man, you have gone through some shit and somehow you manage to go through the best prep (conditioning wise) you have ever done.. WTF?? wow bro big time RESPECT!
did you work with phil hernon for this show or do your own thang?

Brad what can I say to earn the respect of man like you well that tells me I must be doing something right. You know we are what we are. We are bodybuilders and we respect and accept each other. Not all understand us or accept us but if we can find those who do well they will get something special, mens men, strong character and undying will. Like you Brad that is what I am, so right or wrong the world could be falling apart but I hit every training session and never missed a meal.

I did not work with Phil on this one though I dumped a lot of crap on him and like the great friend that he is he was always there for me. Phil is a great human and friend. Hell one night I yahoo messeged with him for about 5 hours.

I worked with a local guy here John Mier he does Lee Banks training and a few other national level figure and bodybuilders. He also does a lot of stuff with Dexter Jackson. I will post in a lot more detail my training including the crucial final week but John really did everything he said he could do and his last week water manipulation plan was incredible.

Great job Tony. Your best condition by far brother.
good luck today

Wow Tony, you did it... Way to go brother!

Thanks Duskin much love and respect to you and Marla

WHOA!!!!
You look awesome, by far your best showing. Really look dry, Make sure to roll your feet out to get the rest of those awesome quads flexed...:headbang:

Thanks RC I took your advice and I was pretty dry.

Looking completely awesome!! Veins stickin out in the lower abs, separated quads, big hams!!!Enough said! You look awesome man!

thank you

Awesome Tony! I am in agreement with the others in that you are looking better now than ever. I am glad this win happened for you too. Great job!

Thanks Brick I appreciate it and I know that you are happy for me.

That leg looks really cut up and big! Good work on everything.

All you needed to do was get in condition. You can see it in your face. You dieted.
Discipline. That is worthy of respect.

thanks Dave for once I put things together........Hey Dave off topic but you know tonight is such a nice night with such a nice breeze blowing off of the ocean.

You look amazing man. Who'd you get to take the first pics?

thank you 7, pic was by Mathew the spray tan guy

Tony that is the best conditioning I have ever seen from you. Very impressive and wish you luck at the Dexter bro. Keep us posted and update us with your progress. Good luck bro!!

Congrats bro! So freaking happy for you man, really am! Man I am impressed with your condition and posing. Great job bro!!
Your win will lift your self esteem to new heights and you will feel more comfortable with yourself. You done us PM's proud!

thanks Adam it was a magical night

Wow- looking great Tony, great condition, great look. If u r putting the same kind of heart, discipline and dedication into the other situations in your life, then you truly do have a new wonderful life ahead of you.

Thanks and I am trying but I still got a ways to go for that part.

Aeliop,

You look tremendous. congratulations!

Did you do anything different for this contest prep?

Thanks I will post about my prep in more detail

Tony, well deserved you look incredible. How did you structure your prep this time around? Excellent results. congrats bud

thanks Ty, I will talk about it in more detail later in the thread.

great job, you really dialed it in. you could lose a fifty cent piece in those abs!

haha....I hope not I am going through a divorce I can't afford to lose any more money.......thanks Tom

outstanding Tony, these are the posts we want to be reading from you bro

What did you do that was different this time around? You got it nailed on the day, you brought the best you had.

I'm very pleased for you mate !!

Thanks and I know you are. Things were different this time and I will go into detail later

Congrats Tony.

Best I have seen you look and its nice to see you rewarded for it!

Keep it up and stay focused.

Thanks Brad maybe I will see you at the Florida State

Tony... im going to try to read your mind going into the prep for this show...

Your mindset was on being the best you can be, busting your ass and to stick to your plan ......and let the cards land were they may...

you have no control over who shows up or how the judges see things, you only have control over the effort you put into it and your game plan. I have a feeling you worked seriously hard on this and it payed off!

You hit it right on the head Alex, when in doubt go with what we know. I am a bodybuilder and when the world is coming apart I feel comfortable training, posing, and dieting. I did work hard though man, I wanted this bad and imagined it in my head a million times while sucking through cardio on the stairmaster

Wow! Congrats Tony. I am so happy for you. You went through a lot of personal issues this last year and you came out on top here. That is the heart of a champion, and I hope you take this positive energy and keep moving forward in every aspect of your life. Go gettum! Awsome job brother! :headbang:::ction-sm::ction-sm:ort-smi

Thanks yeah I got a lot more of an understanding of who and what I am.

Damn Tony, that is by the far the best I have ever seen you look on stage:headbang:Congrats with the win!

Now, go enjoy a nice swim at the beach with the dog and the family...awesome job!

Thanks man

You earned it man! gratz

thank you

You look amazing Bro . Congrats... Look both Healthy and having a great time.. Very Motivating for the rest of us over 40 group.. Great Job! Inspiring to hear and see someone who has taken Rough times in their lives and turned them into a positive.

yes and I am ready for some good times for awhile.....lol

Congrats Tony... it's got to feel good to know that you came in at all your all time best and were rewarded for it

oh Shelby it was quite the feeling.....now I know what you guys feel like...lol
thanks Shelby it was quite magical

CONGRATS! Whether you would have won
the title or not, you would still be a champ in my book. You went threw hard times and still delivered the best package yet. I have one word, RESPECT!

Best,

Mike

Thanks Mike and I appreciate that respect. As a matter of fact to have earned this much respect really fills the void for a lot of self doubt and the lack of respect for myself that I was feeling.

RESPECT!
soooooo rpoud of you Toney. you got peeled and battled the stress in your life at the same time.
best i ever looked i had the most adversity in my life. some guys wilt to it some guys rise above it. you have risen above it and kicked some ass.
way to go.
-JS

thanks JS spreading my wings riding solo babe, hey man I appreciate you and always look forward to talking with you.

 

[tflexxin]

Nice job. Much improved conditioning, which is more impressive considering the recent tumultuous times! Maybe see you at the Fl state show..

 

[aeliop]

I will be there.

Nice job. Much improved conditioning, which is more impressive considering the recent tumultuous times! Maybe see you at the Fl state show..

Thanks T and you bet I will be there competing in the Masters. It will be a little awkward with Marilyn competing as well but once the lights flip on and things start rolling it doesn't really matter who else is backstage or competing and if one is a real bodybuilder or figure competitor, little things like ex-spouses competing in the same contest shouldn't matter.

 

[cpesloco]

damn you look sick my friend! Great job! I couldn't make it to the show Saturday which was unfortunate cause I had several friends in it.

 

[Dave_19]

You are looking super lean, nice job!

 

[concreteguy]

Don't know what planet I've been on. Just tuned into this.

You look great! Far and away your peronal best. All you can do is get bigger, your prep is fucking spot on bro. Way impressed. I remember you saying your a Zane fan. Dude you ripped him off impersonating him

 

[Phidias]

Your by far all-time personal best, Tony, and the first success on a long list of trophies awaiting for you in this new life you're building yourself. And when i say "trophies", you know I'm not meaning BB swords.

 

[aeliop]

damn you look sick my friend! Great job! I couldn't make it to the show Saturday which was unfortunate cause I had several friends in it.

Thanks Chris would love to have seen you. One weekend I might walk down to Bukkets when you all are hanging out down there and hang out with you for awhile if you don't mind.

You are looking super lean, nice job!

Thanks Dave

Don't know what planet I've been on. Just tuned into this.

You look great! Far and away your peronal best. All you can do is get bigger, your prep is fucking spot on bro. Way impressed. I remember you saying your a Zane fan. Dude you ripped him off impersonating him

Thanks CC yes I trained and dieted really hard. Yes you are correct I ripped Zane off from the posing music I used (Pink Floyd One of these Days) to even hitting a stomach Vacuum.

Your by far all-time personal best, Tony, and the first success on a long list of trophies awaiting for you in this new life you're building yourself. And when i say "trophies", you know I'm not meaning BB swords.

haha Thanks JC I keep hearing that but I am a little scared of some of these girls out there with their fantasies and expectations. It has been so long for me I feel like a need to take a class or something.

 

[SisyphusRocks]

Congratulations man - you look great in the pics.
Good luck in your upcoming shows

 

[YoungBB]

SICK man!!! I can only say that reading your previous threads and seeing what you've accomplished motivates me. It's nice to see all this come out from where you once were. I'm currently going through a similar situation and can say that reading your threads and seeing what you've accomplished drives me to come out of this stronger and aim just as high. Congrats on the win and I look forward to many more.

 

[aeliop]

Congratulations man - you look great in the pics.
Good luck in your upcoming shows

Thank you I appreciate the nice comments.

SICK man!!! I can only say that reading your previous threads and seeing what you've accomplished motivates me. It's nice to see all this come out from where you once were. I'm currently going through a similar situation and can say that reading your threads and seeing what you've accomplished drives me to come out of this stronger and aim just as high. Congrats on the win and I look forward to many more.

Thank you, hang in there I know it gets dark but I swear if you allow it to it will get better. There were times when I honestly didn't think I would see the light of day but things clear and we survive and go on. Just focus on what you have control over and divorce yourself from what you don't. Don't make bad situations worse and (depending on religious beliefs and views) just trust that things are working that maybe you don't understand right now. Things will get better I promise.

 

[aeliop]

Pirateman

I wanted to say that it was great to get to meet Pirateman and talk to him. Before the night show he found me way on the end in the corner of the building away from everyone. I was just kind of zoned out and then I proceeded to talk his head off for about an hour. I hope I didn't talk you to death but man I enjoyed talking to you. If you ever get up this way again let me know ahead of time and we can train and hang out. I really enjoyed meeting you.

 

[aeliop]

A couple more from the night show

The stage was really impressive and they had the competitors enter from the Center of the stage. I thought the lighting for both pre-judging and night show was exceptional.


The top 3 of 11





Below is not really one of my poses but I had a few cramping issues and for the night show I didn't want to take any chances of going "I looked at Medusa" on stage so I just played it safe with this pose.


​

 

[pesty4077]

I haven't been on the board to much, but when I saw those pictures, I was impressed. Best you ever looked. A huge Congrats on the win!! Your drive and determination awarded you the top prize.