BLOOD AND GUTS! JUST NO CRYING! "Per Ferrum, Ad Astra"

It seemed like just yesterday I started my contest prep for the 2011 season. It was so hard to wait for January to roll around. It had been since 2008 for me....too long. I still vividly recall the 2007 season when first I decided to become a competitive bodybuilder, and boy how things have changed. It was almost too much too soon. In 2008 after sweeping every major natural show in Northern California at the time, I was humbled by an 11th place finish at my my first pro show. I learned so much that season, not just about my body and what is most ideal for me, but how quickly life can change in a blink of an eye and how you better stop and smell the roses.

The 20011 season was awesome in that I got to showcase a much improved physique, and correct many of the errors I made in my 2008 season. Of course along the way finding new ones, but that is the name of the game. I am no longer in the back of the pack, but I am a middle of the road guy. Surely and above average pro, but I have never liked being anything close to average. I have my select gifts that standout even at the pro level, which mind you is basically genetic warfare, but I have plenty of chinks that keep me from placing were I want to. Still looking at my contest season it was a a huge success as I surely took a step forward. Not just as a bodybuilder, but grew tremendously as a person over that stretch. In summary my season looked like this.

[B]2011 Contest Summary[/B]

NGA Pro Atlas: 4th Place
APA World Powerlifting Championships: Bombed but hit a 435 squat at a 161 BW
IFPA Pro USA: 6th Place
IFPA Pro International: 4th Place(Light Weights)
NPC San Francisco: 3rd Place(Middle Weights)
IFPA Yorton CUp World Championships 6th Place

[B]In Pictures[/B]

[b]3DMJ Nor Cal Teamsters[/b]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/Meet%20the%20Holms/P1150125.jpg[/IMG]

[b]Had some good folks visit us[/b]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/2011%20Contest%20Prep/P1150751.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/2011%20Contest%20Prep/168904_10150129684749002_513634001_7579373_4176445_n.jpg[/IMG]

[b]Got to visit Boise, and win money at a pro show[/b]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/2011%20Contest%20Prep/231010_10150228473569002_513634001_8304977_3231859_n.jpg[/IMG]

[b]Lifted Heavy HARD and ate HARD![/b]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/2011%20Contest%20Prep/243351_2131788494456_1238317573_2639643_4472518_o.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/2011%20Contest%20Prep/250109_10150245039104002_513634001_8457780_8068197_n.jpg[/IMG]

[b]Went up against some of the best! Had fun, and really got a chance to show how much I improved since 2008[/b]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/Mayhem%202011/278278_2065469088096_1585845433_2028485_667969_o1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/Mayhem%202011/265714_149935745083388_100002008916021_302673_1171116_o.jpg[/IMG]

[b]KC was a blast![/b]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/KC2/DSC02273.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/KC2/DSC02281.jpg[/IMG]

[b]As was the Yorton[/b]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/2011%20Contest%20Prep/IMG_1179.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/2011%20Contest%20Prep/IMG_1191.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/2011%20Contest%20Prep/IMG_1311.jpg[/IMG]

[b]A journey starts somewhere. This was me at age 19 when I first decided I wanted to be a bodybuilder. All 160lbs of me[/b]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/silver/mostmuscular2.jpg[/IMG]

[b]This is me now. A good natural pro bodybuilder. I have come such a long way, but I am still barely reaching the summit of my mountain[/b]
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/silver/322754_10150391702969002_513634001_9707128_1305284509_o.jpg[/IMG]

[b]The Plan[/b]

Currently deloading, and cruising. I find that after weeks and weeks of being hyperfocused I do better when I just kind of graze and trot along for a while. Did this the week after the show, and this week as well. Working out when I want to, and eating pretty much what I want. Probably put on a good two pounds of fluff doing so, but I don't mind one bit. From there we take the tortoise route to the top, leaving the rabbits behind. :) Once I recollect myself this is what I will focus on this offseason.

[b]Bodybuilding Priority List[/b]

-Stay healthy! Worked like a charm last time.
-Don't diet once from here until early 2014. Yes I don't plan on competing until 2014 at the earliest.
-Get myself slowly up to the 187-195 range and live there a bit longer. Last time I was only there for a few months, I need to lift heavy and the extra fluff at this BW lets really put my body through torture without fear of injury.
-DB Press 140 x for at least 10+ reps. DB press 130 x 15+ reps and 160 x 4+ reps
-Squat 500lbs, Front Squat 365lbs, Deadlift 600lbs
-I need to improve my BACK, it used to be better than my lower body in fact and its lacking now. Unlike my lower half it requires tons of attention, and for the next few years that is exactly what I plan on doing. The injury in 2007 kept me from deadlifting and rack pulling as much as I had in the passed until the final months of my offseason. When I compete again is directly linked to when I can say that my back is world class. I recently got myself a gym membership at a gym were I will be able to deadlift and rackpull. :)Such a meathead LOL

[b]My vision....[/b]

I want to do what Dorian Yates did when he turned a physique with some strong points into something else. I want to be that guy that made the most with what mother nature gave him, and beat guys that on paper he had no business beating. Yes I do poses some natural talents, but in order to beat the best I will not have to be my own worst enemy. This is were the the genetically elite often fail. I will do the unthinkable! "Per Ferrum, Ad Astra"

Per usual there will be NO CRYING!

So in on this! Was an extraordinary pleasure meeting you in DC. I am excited to be able to follow along in this thread!

PS, been working on my posture per your recommendations and thus far it feels great! Thanks !

Upon lurking in your old log this past season, I want to say congrats.

And I can't wait to see the progress you make. Truly an inspiration.

Wow man, Id seen your pics and heard some about your story around the boards, but never ended up looking at the old thread. I will [B]definitely[/B] be in on this though, because as with Erick, the success and progress youve been able to achieve with IIFYM is what inspired me to go from hating my life and diet during prep to a super successful and enjoyable reverse diet with an IIFYM approach. Youre unbelievably strong too man, holy chit!! Way to make me feel weak :p

[img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3823754/car-in.gif[/img]

In! :D

Awesome recap Berto, looking forward to following your off season for the next few years :)

I'll be lerking this for sure.

1rd IN! :)

Subbed!

2014....and even year! You know what that means Berto! I might finally get to compete with the "Ivory Latono!" :D






.....and of course, Im in!

The saga continues. Always in to see where this leads, 2014 you are going to be an animal after such a long offseason. Keep killing it B

In, sir.

Will read with interest Coach.
Inspirational brother.

Harri.

[IMG]http://i972.photobucket.com/albums/ae208/cota0429_photo/11841_202991434001_513634001_3819277_7298359_n-1.jpg[/IMG]

1st page is not an official first page without it :)

In! Very honored to see our picture posted up! :)

[QUOTE=FATHER FLEX;778009083][IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/PIQUE7719/2011%20Contest%20Prep/IMG_1311.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]

Seriously one of, if not my favorite most muscular on the natural bodybuilding scene at the moment. This shot is all kinds of awesome and really shows the potential that you have to make it to the very top. Can't wait to see what another 2 years of growth will do to ya!

^^Levi so much potential dude had.oh and IN!

In, love following your journals.

This looks like an interesting place to hang out. Count me in ;)

In on yet another epic adventure! Keep up the good work coach;)

In :D

I heard you're on GH but whatever I'm in

a man, a myth, a legend! looking forward to following along coach!

oh and im in!!

In for this one....despite not posting much I read every post in your thread at work on ma phone =)

In!

skip the sheiko, onto HIT!

Wouldnt miss the next step in the Journey. Cant thank you enough for everything this year, the posts, insights and just a look into how Berto does what he does has literally changed my outlook and made me enjoy this sport more than I though possible. Thank you! Time to GO DERE all off season long

YUS another log from the FATHER of FLEX

IN! :)

subbed !