I received a PM a few days ago and I get these on occasion and I will admit that sometimes I remember the client and sometimes I honestly don’t. No matter, though, the stories always bring a smile to my face and as cheesy as it sounds, I get great satisfaction out of them. No, I am not saving lives and curing cancer but every now and then I feel good to have made a positive impact on someone and I am always flattered that they take the time to touch base with me and let me know this.

Here is the PM:

My name is Shane M, (Sugashane) I worked with you for 3 months a while back. I’m at the hospital now and looking at my new baby, and I just thought about how much has happened in the last 2 years. I opened up my bookmarks on my computer and saw intensemuscle still at the top and thought I’d drop a line to let you know what all has happened since I trained under you.

I got over 200 for the only time in my life. In April of 2009, I topped out at 201 pounds at only 11% BF, which was great considering how I was doing nothing but a straight bulk. I was also set for the Air Force, and had my ship date at Dec 7. Kate had also agreed to marry me, and literally a week or two later we found out she was pregnant.

Things were rough for a while. I got into some really heavy use of painkillers, especially after Katie had the miscarriage in July. I hit rock bottom and nearly lost everything, even Katie. I handled everything wrong and acted like a total bitch. Finally my brother told me exactly how pathetic I was being and set me straight.

Getting clean was literally the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I had no respect for myself anymore so I set a goal to earn it back with the Air Force. I set a list of goals and set out to beat them all. I didn’t get all of them, I actually missed 3 out of the 10, but not by much.

I entered into the AF and was placed in a flight of Paratroopers, SEREs, etc. I was put as an Element Leader just because of age. I admit I was homesick for my wife, but on Christmas Day I got my one call home. I found out that we were having a baby again and the fire was lit again. I earned Dorm Chief by week 5. I entered MEPs at 196 lbs and was able to get Warhawk in our last PT test, even after stepping on another trainees foot and hurting my knee. Since I passed the tests I got to graduate, but I couldn’t do the Airman’s Run or ceremony. I also could not leave for tech school until I was evaluated. Well my MRI came back and I had retore my ACL in my right knee. A disqualifying condition since I had to get a waiver to be allowed to enlist. I was in the 319th Training Squadron for just over 100 days before I was sent back home and given an Honorable Discharge. I lost my appeal to the Med Board.

At home I realized just how much different I was physically. I was down to 153 pounds. Being in BMT for almost 5 months and only eating what little you can force down in chow just wasn’t enough to keep weight on, especially with me being on crutches for 2 months.

I got a job and started working out all over again. Definitely a humbling experience. Maxing out a squat at a shit-form 135 lbs, running a mile in 9:12 (that longer than I ran the mile and a half for the PT test), and the great “I look like I’m going through chemo” feelings when I look in a mirror all took a toll.

But I stepped up and kept at it. I slowly worked back into a diet much like what you had me on, and I am back 182 pounds (no gear), lifts are slowly but steadily climbing again, and the marriage has been amazing. Now I sit here and see my wife sleeping and my baby boy sleeping right next to her in his crib. Its amazing.

Things never worked out how I planned. I made mistakes and had bad luck in a lot of things, but I bettered myself from them. I learned and will better myself and my family because of that.

If I hadn’t worked with you I doubt I’d have started over in the game. I gained a lot of knowledge and confidence in the few months I trained under you.

My goal is to compete in a powerlifting meet, then a regional bodybuilding show in the same year, before I’m 30.

Just wanted to say thank you and let you know what has happened since the last time we talked. Thanks again for everything.

God bless,
Shane M

Just wanted to note that I have a few new guys (and one old one lol) coming on with TEAM SKIP this month for the off season. This group is entirely all national level and will be eating and growing like beasts until we start to get them ready for shows in 2011.

Ryan Fulton came off of his Minnesota State class win and is now 271 and in the condition that I like my guys in the off season. We are focusing on primarily bringing his back up and when it does come up, he will be doing some damage on a stage next year. I honestly think that we can hit the 300 mark with him before prep starts so stay tuned – 290s for sure.
Pic of Ryan:

Of course, most know that Josh Barnett and I will be starting his off season in the next couple weeks after he finished 3 shows this year with top finishes in 2 out of 3 shows. It was a tough competitive season for Josh as he has a lot on his plate especially considering they have a baby on the way. My hat is off to him for pulling off 3 shows with so many other things going on. We are looking for a very productive off season and I am excite to make dramatic changes in Josh’s physique for 2011, as well.
Pic of Josh:

Vinny just placed 8th at the USAs as a middleweight and we will be heading to the North Americans in 5 weeks and then to Nationals after that so his competitive season isn’t done just yet but we plan on working together in the off season again after HUGE changes this last off season. Vinny moved to the middles after the welterweight division the year prior. He was right at the top of the class and it will be hard to keep him in a middleweight for 2011. I see him in the lightheavies almost certainly in a year.
Pic of Vinny:

Matt came to me late due to trainer issues and we got together with a few week to go for the USAs where he placed 15th in the lightheavies. I am excited to work with Matt for the off season because I think I can make a huge impact on his weaker areas and come in just as strong from the back as he is from the front.
Pic of Matt:

I have a couple more euro guys that I would like to mention but due to current ties with other trainers I don’t want to step on any toes.

I am also looking forward to working with a figure competitor that just took her first stab at a national level show at the USAs, too. We will be starting her off season on September 1st.

Of course, Jimmy’s season starts soon and myself and my wife will be heading to St Louis to watch the preseason game when the Vikings travel to play the Rams. Jimmy is from St Louis so we will be staying with him and his wife and the kids. We are looking forward to that on the weekend of our 17th wedding anniversary. Hey, if you had 4 kids you wouldn’t mind getting away for a weekend to go watch football and take in a nice dinner, either.

Look for these TEAM SKIP clients to make a big splash in 2011!

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Just an update about the Skiploading Seminar:

Date: Saturday, July 24th
Location: Armbrust Pro Gym, 4240 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-2978, (303) 456-0076
Time: 2pm
Cost: FREE if you RSVP with your name to TEAMSKIP@IntenseMuscle.com before July 20th.
If you show up at the door with no RSVP the cost is only $20.

The seminar will take place in the posing/cardio room and is air-conditioned. I am not going to provide chairs due to the wood floor so bring something comfortable to lay on or sit on as it is going to be super-casual. Feel free to bring food and drink, as well, or something to snack on. Armbrust does have a big selection of protein drinks, protein bars, meal replacements, etc., to choose from.

I will be covering Skiploading from A to Z and you will leave with a solid understanding of why archaic dieting practices don’t work and why this method of dieting is not only so incredibly effective but so incredibly easy to diet with, too.

NO video cameras are allowed and no recording equipment is allowed. Absolutely no exceptions.

Any questions email me at TEAMSKIP@IntenseMuscle.com.

I look forward to seeing you on the 24th!

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Junior Nationals turned out to be a great show in Chicago this last weekend.  Ryan Fulton took his first stab at a national level show as a heavyweight and took 6th place.  We were happy with his condition and we feel that after a solid off season he will be threatening much higher in the placings especially as he brings his back up.  Super great guy with a good head on his shoulders so success in the sport is almost certain.  A strong family man I am sure he enjoyed Father’s Day just as much today as he enjoyed the show, yesterday.  The sport needs more guys like Ryan.

Josh Barnett and I have 5 weeks until the AZ state show to make some dramatic improvements.  My hat is off to Josh because he has been busting his ass to make up for lost time during his last 2 shows and we have made some strides but we really need longer than only a few weeks of working together to get it right.  We both feel confident that the time before the AZ will allow us to make much better changes before he hits the stage again.  Josh’s work ethic is second to none as he was clearly beat up physically and psychologically coming into these last two shows.  I am really looking forward to getting Josh rested this week and then getting back at it next week as we prepare for the AZ show.

Jessica Simonette won her class in female bodybuilding and Shawn held his own in a stacked heavyweight class, as well.  My hat is off to these two because it is hard enough to get ready for a show when one spouse is competing, let alone when both are and doing the same show, as well.  Jessica and Shawn prepped themselves for these shows but I worked with them both in the off season so I consider them still underneath the TEAM SKIP umbrella and part of the TEAM (and they do, as well).

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I haven’t been posting as frequently as I would like in my blog but I did want to get this entry up before the weekend. TEAMSKIP has several clients in shows this weekend and I need to give props and let you know who will be where.
My long time buddy, Dion, whom I have known since the 6th grade is competing this weekend for the first time since 1990 when he took 2nd in the natural California. He took up cycling shortly after that last show and did long distance cycling for over 15 years. Only recently was I able to convince him to get back into the game and after only 1 year of offseason and then this contest prep, he will be a middleweight at the Colorado State show this weekend. I am proud of the work he has done and even more proud to see him come back to the sport that we both fell in love with so long ago in Michigan. For me to be able to prep him and help him get into condition to get back on stage has been a great feeling for me.

1 week from the Colorado State

Another client that is going to be on stage at the Colorado State show is Nick Zaharis. He is originally from Maine but moved to Colorado Springs about 8 months ago and this will be his first show. He will be a heavyweight and I anticipate both he and Dion to do very well this weekend.

Nick at 2 days out

Another client competing this weekend is a guy that goes by the name of getnbggger on IntenseMuscle.com. He will be competing as a welterweight at the Masters Nationals. He has taken 7th place at Nationals before and you may recognize him from the opening physiques on teamskip.net.

1 week out

Kevin will be competing at the Collegiate Nationals this weekend and even though we have been racing the clock for this prep and Kevin having one obstacle after another to deal with during this prep, I am confident that things will come together for this show over the next couple days. kevin will be a heavyweight for the first time at this show.

2 other competitors competing this weekend that I didn’t have full control over their prep but did consult with them is my long time friend Hans VanderGronden from Michigan who will be competing at the Master’s Nationals as a lightheavy and Graham who is competing at teen nationals, as a heavyweight, as well.

Big shouts to all TEAMSKIP clients this weekend and I will post results and observations after the weekend is over and the dust has settled.

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First, I want to give a shout to my TEAMSKIP clients that are competing this weekend:
Shanique will be competing this weekend and is in better condition than ever before. I anticipate her doing very well as she becomes a seasoned, natural competitor. I love clients that can simply execute and not complain and bitch and can still keep a bit of humor about them.
Latattack, another member of IntenseMuscle.com, is competing at Jr. Nationals as a heavyweight this weekend after just getting edged out for the overall at the Gopher State 2 weeks ago. As usual, we have him in his best condition and a tad fuller than at the Gopher so we are looking forward to a solid showing in Chicago. I am from southwest Michigan and grew up spending a lot of time in Chicago so I won’t be gay and sound like a tourist by referring to Chicago as “ChiTown”. If you want to, go right ahead.
Jeff S will be competing this weekend, as well, and we have improved on his conditioning from a few weeks ago, too. He should be a little fuller and leaner and after dropping almost 60 pounds I am proud of the work he has done.

I also want to say good luck to:
Scott (homonunculus from IntenseMuscle.com) at Jr Nationals as he is a heavyweight and, as usual, is always bringing his insane conditioning to the stage representing IntenseMuscle.com very well.
Yusef who is from Colorado and a badass welterweight. He should do very well and will be the next featured athlete for TEAM SKIP when we do an interview with him at the end of June.
Bekim who will be competing in the heavyweight class is a former TEAM SKIP client and has made dramatic improvements to his physique. He should do well, too.
Luis Santa is going in as a welter, I believe. He has a contingent behind him from Colorado with some of them pretending to have a hand in his success but, go figure. People always want to latch onto successful people and pretend they are somehow involved. Luis is a great guy and should threaten to win his class. With a few adjustments he could get a pro card if he goes to Nationals as a Welter in the next couple years. He has already been a featured athlete with TEAM SKIP so if you are interested, check out his interview here on the teamskip.net site by going to the featured athlete section and clicking on his name.

I am disappointed that I won’t be hanging out in Chicago this weekend to have a little fun and take in the show. However, I would rather spend that time with my family being that it is Father’s Day and a show is just a show, really. There will be many more that I can go and see and many more to compete in when the time is right.
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This will be short and sweet but I want to show off some of the TEAM SKIP clients that have started the year out well and some of the clients that will be hitting the stage over the next few weeks:

I already posted about MaxxMuscle winning the Northern Britain Championships and qualifying for the British Nationals and he will be on stage in 3 weeks. We plan a slightly grainier condition than last week and a tad fuller, as well.

Jackie Morrison will be hitting the Jr USA stage for Class A Figure in 2 weeks and is so much improved that the poor advice she received from another trainer about a year ago is going to be shown to be ridiculous when she hits the stage. I have heard the advice was that she couldn’t stand on a national stage because she didn’t have enough muscle and yet this trainer sends people to the national level all the time not prepared to compete at that level. Apparently, Jackie just needed to work with TEAM SKIP because as her posing coach and personal trainer will attest, her muscle is much improved and I have her condition better than ever. This is all the while not being tortured with 2 hours of cardio a day and a starvation diet. In fact, the last few weeks have been 12 hour refeeds and she is only getting leaner and leaner every week. Yup, those of you doing the archaic dieting, go ahead and keep it. I won’t make predictions about placings because I have no control over that. I can say that her condition will be night and day of what it was 1.5 years ago and I will provide the pictures here to prove it by contrast.

Crissy Garland is also going to be competing in the Figure E Class at Jr USAs in South Carolina in 2 weeks. She won the E class at the Colorado State last year to qualify for national level shows. She has a different perspective on doing this show and just wants to do it for the experience but she has made some very solid improvements in muscle size especially in the legs and arms and shoulders and that is where our focus was. These improvements came all while she was transitioning to full-time student from her full-time job and she has 3 children. Not an easy task, at all.

I will be hitting the stage at the Jr USAs, as well, but who knows what weight class. By tomorrow I could be a bantamweight. : ) I am pleased with my condition at this point and I am excited about hitting the stage for my first national level show. I can say this has been the hardest prep I have ever done with moving and a very busy business and other “teenage daughter” issues so it will be very gratifying to finally hit the stage. It will be even better when I come back home and can spend time with my mother who will be in town and my brother and his family. I am very much looking forward to this.

Franny will be hitting the stage for her Figure competition at the Atlantic States in about 5 weeks and is working as hard as ever. I anticipate things to go very well for her, too, and I am excited to put a package on stage that is improved over her past showings, as well.

I will stop there so that I don’t go too far out and not have more updates in about a month. I don’t want to forget Shanique in Jamaica or Shinobi waaay on the other side of the world but I will leave those updates for a later date. TEAM SKIP is off to a great start for 2009 and I anticipate the year only getting better.

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This weekend, TEAM SKIP client “MaxxMuscle” will be competing in a NABBA qualifying show and I anticipate that he will be doing very well given the condition he will show up in. He is in the process of a 2 day load that will take him through Wednesday and Thursday for the Sunday show. This prep has been more of a challenge than usual due to MM being diabetic. There is rarely a meal that he doesn’t have to somehow balance his blood glucose levels with insulin. Of course, this has been especially challenging for the SkipLoading days every week, as well. None-the-less, we teamed up together and between the two of us we figured everything out quite well and the end product is one that we are both very proud of.

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It is almost 5am as I finish another long day but I wanted to be sure that I was able to post this announcement:

Kevin Deiner and I started working together again for the Collegiate Nationals this July just a couple days ago.  As some of you know, he and I worked together 2 years ago when he won the Teenage National light-heavy and Overall and took 2nd to Casey Fathi in the light-heavies for the Collegiates the same day.  I am looking forward to working with Kevin for his entire prep this time as we only worked together last year to stave off a train wreck created by another trainer that will remain nameless.  He came to me about 3 or 4 weeks out last year and we had quite a task at hand but pulled it off in typical fashion.

Kevin’s potential is ridiculous and with him being so young, his future is very bright in the sport and in life.  Along with being a great, young bodybuilder he also has a brain in his head and is pursuing a college education, too.

I am looking forward to bringing him into this show at his all-time best.

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How would you feel if you worked your ass off for over 20 weeks and 2 days before the show you got the call that it was cancelled?  That is what happened to Brock who planned on competing in Fargo, North Dakota this past Saturday.  About the time Brock was heading into his last 48 hours and fine tuning his exceptional conditioning, Mother Nature had other plans and was wreaking havoc on North Dakota in the form of floods.

Brock took it well and the show is supposed to be rescheduled sometime in the next few weeks but after dealing with this prep and then the floods, I think most would understand if he simply packed it in.  Myself, I hope he sticks it out and wants to get onstage in a couple weeks but …. we will see.

Notice all the TrueProtein.com supplements in the background.

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