Winning by Losing: Paying homage to the amazing bodybuilders who beat me this season

[Quelly]

First off let me say that I believe you learn more from defeat than you ever do from victory, and the motivation one can get from defeat is unparalleled.
It is a shame when bodybuilders who lose say things like "it was politics", "the judges aren't qualified", "I didn't get a fair look" or the many things you hear folks say after their egos are damaged.
I'll admit saying those things makes you feel better than admitting defeat initially, its like eating chocolate after a break-up, or having your mommy tell you you're special no matter what the kids at school say.
Sure this denial might make you feel better...but if you hold onto the belief that you truly should have won, and that your loss was undeserved, then you will not improve. There would be no need to improve, hell, you should of won right?
I challenge everyone to refuse to take that easy route of denial. The short term satisfaction of not admitting defeat will only lead to repeated defeats. Instead, find any and all possible reasons you were beaten, and attack those weaknesses with everything you've got, and leave no doubt in the judges minds next time you get on stage.

That being said I want to take a moment to pay homage to the bodybuilders who beat me this season. I couldn't be more honored to lose to the top notch quality competitors I lost to this season, each and every one of them deserved their wins and each and every one is a fantastic bodybuilder not to mention quality individual!

Dave Blumgold: Nationally Qualified NPC Competitor, PNBA Pro
He beat me for the Light Heavyweight title at the NGA Mr California (he only beat me once though, I got him twice later this season love ya dave!)

Jeff Alberts: Nationally Qualified NPC Competitor, NGA and WNBF Pro
He beat me in the overall at the INBF Cap City for second overall, losing by 1 point to the overall winner Moji Oluwa, and then beat me in the overall at the INBF WA State and got his pro card, I placed 3rd overall.

Moji Oluwa: Nationally Qualified NPC Competitor and IFPA Pro
He beat me in the overall at the INBF Cap City and earned his pro card, I placed 3rd overall.

Luke Ehlis: 2x WA State INBF Heavyweight Champion
He beat me in the overall at the INBF WA State for second overall, losing by 1 point to the overall winner Jeff Alberts.

Scott Kluth: Nationally Qualified NPC Competitor and WNBF Pro
He beat me for the Heavyweight title at the INBF West Coast Classic, and went on to win the overall and pro card.

[stayfit2008]

No doubt you were up against some serious competition! You hung in there and seems at times it could have gone either way! It's great you are humble enuff to identify what your weeksnesses are. Without that decernment you will only become stagnant. Reps!

[RichKnapp]

Man you had a tuff year. All were very high quality. But like you said live, learn and come back stronger all the way around.

[strebla]

Eric you had a great year!! I am very fortunate to have crossed paths with you and competed with you. I can truly say I have made a true friend and you have really helped me enjoy this crazy sport once again. I look forward to big things with you!

[Whomper107]

Excellent post, very humbling, and an awesome reflection of a true winner's attitude.

[FATHER FLEX]

I am so glad you posted this bro.

[aguy fish]

The title says it all: you are a chapion eric and you have a champion's personality ! great level for those guys but I'm still convinced you are close realllly close!

[stayfit2008]

Next thread should be you payiong Homage to the guys you beat!,..hehe

[CM82682]

I love your attitude about things. No excuses are ever made and show nothing but respect to other competitors. Its an attitude that I wish many more people would have in this sport.

[healthybodies]

Admirable Eric. Your humble yet confident traits are something we all should look up to. Big things happening for you bro. I know it in my heart.

[ehlisl]

Eric, I have to say it was quite a journey for everyone this last year. It was an honor to meet and compete with you and Jeff. You are a true champion and I look forward to seeing you accomplish great things on and off the stage.


This is one of my Fav's

[toddbz]

Fine group of gents right there!

[bryce126]

well said Eric. I firmly believe in being the underdog, or at least carrying that underdog attitude throughout life, especially bodybuilding. We make each other better!

[TQsmooth5]

Way to go this year Eric!

With this type of attitude you'll make it as a pro in no time!....hopefully I'll make it there along with you soon!

[Agostage]

Sick hams on Jeff

[Quelly]

Originally Posted by stayfit2008

No doubt you were up against some serious competition! You hung in there and seems at times it could have gone either way! It's great you are humble enuff to identify what your weeksnesses are. Without that decernment you will only become stagnant. Reps!

I think the placings were very clear this season, which is a good thing. I don't like ambiguity, I know exactly what I need to work on and I'm excited!

Originally Posted by RichKnapp

Man you had a tuff year. All were very high quality. But like you said live, learn and come back stronger all the way around.

I faced some really amazing physiques this year, honored to get that opportunity.

Originally Posted by strebla

Eric you had a great year!! I am very fortunate to have crossed paths with you and competed with you. I can truly say I have made a true friend and you have really helped me enjoy this crazy sport once again. I look forward to big things with you!

I think its awesome that you are so into the sport and so motivated to improve yourself and help the sport and the next generation like you are. A true friend most definitely, I'm so glad we met bro!

Originally Posted by Whomper107

Excellent post, very humbling, and an awesome reflection of a true winner's attitude.

Evan your a stand up guy

Originally Posted by FATHER FLEX

I am so glad you posted this bro.

me too!

Originally Posted by aguy fish

The title says it all: you are a chapion eric and you have a champion's personality ! great level for those guys but I'm still convinced you are close realllly close!

Thank you mank, and hey, its nearly your time! Hang in there the universe is coming!

Originally Posted by stayfit2008

Next thread should be you payiong Homage to the guys you beat!,..hehe

haha

Originally Posted by CM82682

I love your attitude about things. No excuses are ever made and show nothing but respect to other competitors. Its an attitude that I wish many more people would have in this sport.

Well, I have to say it came with experience...but once I realized that the opposing attitude hurts the sport and makes me a worse competitor it was a no brainer

Originally Posted by healthybodies

Admirable Eric. Your humble yet confident traits are something we all should look up to. Big things happening for you bro. I know it in my heart.

thanks brad, love you bro

Originally Posted by ehlisl

Eric, I have to say it was quite a journey for everyone this last year. It was an honor to meet and compete with you and Jeff. You are a true champion and I look forward to seeing you accomplish great things on and off the stage.


This is one of my Fav's

It was great meeting you luke and becoming friends, I had so much fun at the WA show and that picture makes me smile when I see it

Originally Posted by toddbz

Fine group of gents right there!

damn right!

Originally Posted by bryce126

well said Eric. I firmly believe in being the underdog, or at least carrying that underdog attitude throughout life, especially bodybuilding. We make each other better!

yup! always room for improvement!

Originally Posted by TQsmooth5

Way to go this year Eric!

With this type of attitude you'll make it as a pro in no time!....hopefully I'll make it there along with you soon!

I don't see why not Tony!

Originally Posted by Agostage

Sick hams on Jeff

you can say that again!

[SkNatural]

Eric,
I don't know what to say man, but like I have always said about ya, you have outstanding character.

[Quelly]

Originally Posted by SkNatural

Eric,
I don't know what to say man, but like I have always said about ya, you have outstanding character.

I feel the same way about you bro, 72 hours!!! Can you believe it WORLDS!

[SkNatural]

Originally Posted by Quelly

I feel the same way about you bro, 72 hours!!! Can you believe it WORLDS!

It's here man, I can't believe it. I still remember leaving your house after the Sac. show and talking about it.

[Quelly]

Originally Posted by SkNatural

It's here man, I can't believe it. I still remember leaving your house after the Sac. show and talking about it.

I remember that too! And it was cool how your girl was SOO about you doing it even more so than you were at the time! LOL, if the roles had been reversed, and you brought that up to me and Barb, she would have been like "Hell no, Eric its been 9 months, were broke, your crazy, and I want to go to Hawaii!" LOL and I would have agreed with her haha...plus your level of development is worlds caliber I would get SMOKED!

But HUGE props on dieting fricking january to november...and honestly...your physique and the level of conditioning you've attained...I would not be surprised if you did pretty damn well!

[strebla]

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[NextProtege]

Amazing natural bodybuilders there.

Great picture choices.

[MattyH7688]

you had some damn tough competition

[Quelly]

Originally Posted by NextProtege

Amazing natural bodybuilders there.

Great picture choices.

Originally Posted by MattyH7688

you had some damn tough competition

it was an honor to compete against them