My first Professional competition, IFBB Pro, Masters World…finished 7th and happy!

[Aikman56]

I competed in the masters classic physique 40+ division. It was an enormous class, so I feel blessed to have landed in 7th out of 19.

Like many of us, I have a difficult time seeing anything but my flaws (God knows there are plenty of those present!), and a great deal of difficulty seeing my strengths.

When we lined up backstage, I though to myself : “Well, I drove 8 hours to finish around 15th!”. After making first callout (I was SHOCKED!!!), then seeing prejudging pictures, I had was very, very happy with my conditioning, but standing in that lineup, the improvements that I need to make are blindingly obvious.

My back and arms, utterly suck… I have to find some way to put some size on my arms and add some thickness to my back. Especially with this large frame and long torso. I don’t know what it’s gonna take to flush out those lats, but I have to figure something out.

My legs were as good as, or better than, anyone there, but (as has always been the case with me) like I said, my back and arms SUCK. So that's going to be my sole concentration & focus for improvement over the next year.

At the end of the day, I went to Pittsburgh with two goals…
1. To look like I belong, and not get embarrassed.
2. To make the first callout.

I accomplished both of those goals, so I do take a small bit of satisfaction there. I’m absolutely thrilled with my conditioning conditioning,. It’s always nice to get visual confirmation that the suffering was worthwhile!

What I’m really walking away with is a very clear idea of where I stand and just how much work I have ahead of me in the coming 363 days.

It was an awesome experience, as I said in the other thread, I got finally meet @scooby Prep. What a cool guy. Someone I’ve been following and conversing with online for years. It’s always nice when you get to meet someone and they are just as, good a person in real life as they appear to be in their online persona. @ScoobyPrep is one of the real ones!

NPC News Online has some of the professional photos. I'll send an attach a few of them here, as well as one random iPhone shot that my wife took from the audience that, for some reason, is my favorite picture from the whole show.

Oh, and Mods... can I please have IFBB Pro under my profile pic now?

 

[Aikman56]

iPhone pics...

 

[bbxtreme]

I competed in the masters classic physique 40+ division. It was an enormous class, so I feel blessed to have landed in 7th out of 19.

Like many of us, I have a difficult time seeing anything but my flaws (God knows there are plenty of those present!), and a great deal of difficulty seeing my strengths.

When we lined up backstage, I though to myself : “Well, I drove 8 hours to finish around 15th!”. After making first callout (I was SHOCKED!!!), then seeing prejudging pictures, I had was very, very happy with my conditioning, but standing in that lineup, the improvements that I need to make are blindingly obvious.

My back and arms, utterly suck… I have to find some way to put some size on my arms and add some thickness to my back. Especially with this large frame and long torso. I don’t know what it’s gonna take to flush out those lats, but I have to figure something out.

My legs were as good as, or better than, anyone there, but (as has always been the case with me) like I said, my back and arms SUCK. So that's going to be my sole concentration & focus for improvement over the next year.

At the end of the day, I went to Pittsburgh with two goals…
1. To look like I belong, and not get embarrassed.
2. To make the first callout.

I accomplished both of those goals, so I do take a small bit of satisfaction there. I’m absolutely thrilled with my conditioning conditioning,. It’s always nice to get visual confirmation that the suffering was worthwhile!

What I’m really walking away with is a very clear idea of where I stand and just how much work I have ahead of me in the coming 363 days.

It was an awesome experience, as I said in the other thread, I got finally meet @scooby Prep. What a cool guy. Someone I’ve been following and conversing with online for years. It’s always nice when you get to meet someone and they are just as, good a person in real life as they appear to be in their online persona. @ScoobyPrep is one of the real ones!

NPC News Online has some of the professional photos. I'll send an attach a few of them here, as well as one random iPhone shot that my wife took from the audience that, for some reason, is my favorite picture from the whole show.

Oh, and Mods... can I please have IFBB Pro under my profile pic now?

Well done- you came peeled. That is some excellent conditioning. Congrats on your placement and you def need IFBB Pro under your name on here.

Question which I understand if you don’t want to answer- do you use Mediphorm for the arms? I believe on some level at the top it becomes an invaluable tool. Curious your take on it either way.

 

[Aikman56]

Well done- you came peeled. That is some excellent condition. Congrats on your placement and you def need IFBB Pro under your name.

Question which I understand if you don’t want to answer- do you use Mediphorm for the arms? I believe on some level at the top it becomes an invaluable tool. Curious your take on it either way.

I haven't ever used anything on my arms...I've always been afraid I'd make things worse. I'm not necessarily against it, I just don't know enough to feel like I could do it without messing something up.

 

[bbxtreme]

I haven't ever used anything on my arms...I've always been afraid I'd make things worse.

I was the same until talking with AJ and @luki7788. I only use it in prep, but will use Mediphorm to fill out any areas needed- usually biceps and long tricep head. It’s very different than synthol. Its not permanent per say and not an oil. Just HA. Would absolutely consider it in the future.

 

[danieltx]

I was the same until talking with AJ and @luki7788. I only use it in prep, but will use Mediphorm to fill out any areas needed- usually biceps and long tricep head. It’s very different than synthol. Its not permanent per say and not an oil. Just HA. Would absolutely consider it in the future.

A member here I won't name (because I don't know if he's discussed it publicly) told me the same about Mediphorm - great to use leading into a show but dissipates quickly.

 

[cage99]

Congratulations @Aikman56 !!!!!! It’s gotta feel really f’n good to work your ass off and get the proper recognition for it as well..

Cage

 

[Prowrestler]

Congrats on the accomplishment!!!

 

[slesh]

Mazels dude - you looked awesome!

 

[Scorpyd]

I believe your wife also competed not long ago. I bet having a supportive and understanding spouse certainly contributed to your conditioning, mood and overall goals achievement.
CONGRADULATIONS!!, you look great
Give us an update on the work ahead of you in the next 363.

 

[dimethyl11]

Diced! Awesome job man

 

[WeakFNG]

Congratulations! You were sliced!!!

 

[Durro]

Congrats! Well done when’s your next competition?

 

[mexbeast]

Diced and sliced!

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

Congratulations Aikman, you look awesome!!

 

[Golden]

Congrats on the result!

 

[hawkmoon]

Amazing accomplishment.

The older one gets the harder this is, but at the same time we mature and learn more about ourselves and what we can do if we set our minds to it.
We become more persistent, more consistent - the keys to Bodybuilding success IMHO.

You showed what's possible. Very motivating for me right now, thank you for sharing.

 

[Aikman56]

I was the same until talking with AJ and @luki7788. I only use it in prep, but will use Mediphorm to fill out any areas needed- usually biceps and long tricep head. It’s very different than synthol. Its not permanent per se and not an oil. Just HA. Would absolutely consider it in the future.

Would it be OK if I reach out to you in the DM’s to ask a couple of questions?

 

[Aikman56]

I believe your wife also competed not long ago. I bet having a supportive and understanding spouse certainly contributed to your conditioning, mood and overall goals achievement.
CONGRADULATIONS!!, you look great
Give us an update on the work ahead of you in the next 363.

She did, and she looked great.
She’s incredible in every way.

I can’t tell you guys how awesome it is to be married to your best friend, awesome training partner, the world’s greatest cheerleader and one-woman support system, and someone who truly understands and loves what we do.
It’s amazing!
I’m going to do an update to the thread that I started for her as she was prepping for her qualifier, but in the meantime, here’s a quick stage picture.
She placed third out of 19 girls in masters 55+ figure out of 10 or so in Masters 50+ Physique.

 

[Aikman56]

Congrats! Well done when’s your next competition?

2025 IFBB Pro Masters World, and my wife is going to be doing the North American again next year. So we have already booked the Airbnb & are hard at work getting into our off-season!