First, I just want to say that my opinion is just that, and I don't expect anyone to really care what I have to say..... There's my disclaimer.
I've noticed that as of late I've seen numerous people say that getting a pro card is easy, it's not what it use to be, and/or something along the lines of that. I do understand that there are more classes/divisions that allow competitors to obtain their pro card, but when I see people saying that getting a pro card is "easy," these days then I really think that is a slap in the face to guys that put their heart and soul into this sport.
Prime example is John Meawdows.... Hands down one of the hardest working bodybuilders, if not THE hardest working guy on this site, but yet he has fallen short of obtaining a pro card on a few occasions. Now, to the people that say its easy to obtain a pro card these days, could you really look John Meadows in the eye and tell him that he takes short cuts, he doesn't work hard enough, or that WHEN he does get his pro card that he shouldn't get full respect because it was an easy task to fulfill?
Shelby Starnes is another prime example of a continuously dedicated body builder that day in and day out lives and breathes this sport and recently earned his pro card. How could anyone seriously say that obtaining a pro card was easy for him? Has anyone seen Shelby's pictures from five years ago compared to what he looks like today?
Brad Davis (Bboy).... Dusty Hanshaw (sp?).... Top NPC competitors with mind blowing physiques that haven't reached pro status yet, but some how an IFBB pro card is easy to come by these days. C'mon guys, that's a huge reach.
So what, there are more divisions for competitors to achieve pro status, but that does not mean in any form or fashion that it's easy to achieve. Being an IFBB pro in the masters division is exactly that and nothing more. It's not intended to compare a 50 year old IFBB masters pro to Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath.
It's apples and oranges in my opinion, but these extra divisions have their purpose and I see absolutely nothing wrong with awarding someone a pro card that they worked hard for and they deserve just because they couldn't make a run for the Mr. Olympia title.
Like I said, it's just my take in it and I'm not trying to create a E-War or start drama. I just don't see the problem with congratulating someone, being happy for them, and moving on. If obtaining a pro card was/is easy to come by these days then why are only a handful of guys names on here in red?
I've noticed that as of late I've seen numerous people say that getting a pro card is easy, it's not what it use to be, and/or something along the lines of that. I do understand that there are more classes/divisions that allow competitors to obtain their pro card, but when I see people saying that getting a pro card is "easy," these days then I really think that is a slap in the face to guys that put their heart and soul into this sport.
Prime example is John Meawdows.... Hands down one of the hardest working bodybuilders, if not THE hardest working guy on this site, but yet he has fallen short of obtaining a pro card on a few occasions. Now, to the people that say its easy to obtain a pro card these days, could you really look John Meadows in the eye and tell him that he takes short cuts, he doesn't work hard enough, or that WHEN he does get his pro card that he shouldn't get full respect because it was an easy task to fulfill?
Shelby Starnes is another prime example of a continuously dedicated body builder that day in and day out lives and breathes this sport and recently earned his pro card. How could anyone seriously say that obtaining a pro card was easy for him? Has anyone seen Shelby's pictures from five years ago compared to what he looks like today?
Brad Davis (Bboy).... Dusty Hanshaw (sp?).... Top NPC competitors with mind blowing physiques that haven't reached pro status yet, but some how an IFBB pro card is easy to come by these days. C'mon guys, that's a huge reach.
So what, there are more divisions for competitors to achieve pro status, but that does not mean in any form or fashion that it's easy to achieve. Being an IFBB pro in the masters division is exactly that and nothing more. It's not intended to compare a 50 year old IFBB masters pro to Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath.
It's apples and oranges in my opinion, but these extra divisions have their purpose and I see absolutely nothing wrong with awarding someone a pro card that they worked hard for and they deserve just because they couldn't make a run for the Mr. Olympia title.
Like I said, it's just my take in it and I'm not trying to create a E-War or start drama. I just don't see the problem with congratulating someone, being happy for them, and moving on. If obtaining a pro card was/is easy to come by these days then why are only a handful of guys names on here in red?