My right hand is raised, I Billy Simmonds; never have, and never will, use anabolic steroids. Yesterday, a business colleague asked me if I use steroids. He asked because - vegetarian bodybuilding, at 225 pounds and 6ft -in good shape, anyone he's met with my sort of physique is almost always on the gear. I acknowledged his experience with other bodybuilders and proceeded to point out there are some things he should consider before making any assumptions.
Enabling him to contextualize my response, I used a story to better illustrate the situation:
'Local people from a town, are gathered together in a room remarking to one another how tough the economy is, and how no one can make money. A relative stranger to most of the locals, speaks up and tells of his successful business, and of the millions he is making. Everyone else in the room was convinced it is impossible, and there's no way anyone is making a fortune while everyone is lucky to make ends meet. The locals labelled the millionaire a liar. He calmly made an offer to the room, he could prove it with any evidence they wanted. The town's Bank Manager stood up and announced "indeed it's true". The locals immediately wanted to know how? The Millionaire proceeded to share his strategy of Counter Cyclical Investing. 'Counter Cyclical', he went on to say "means to go against the trend". While others are buying and prices are up, you sell. And when the market moves down, and people have to sell, you start buying. With proper timing, one profits by purchasing at the bottom of the market at discounted prices. The millionaire had remained vigilant for years, ignoring the negative people and following the herd. His discipline ultimately out performed everyone of his peers. It is also fair to say the locals would have been right with their remarks, had he not been there. On this occasion the Millionaire was in the room....'
I then told my colleague the lessons learned from this metaphor by drawing comparisons to my situation and Vegetarian Bodybuilding.
First of all, its very limiting to convince oneself that something is not possible because you, or no-one else has done it. While you're busy convincing your mind something is too hard or impossible to achieve, I guarantee right now someone on the planet has either already done it or they're on their way to doing it.
Secondly, consider the third party confirmation of the Bank Manager, validating the Millionaire's claim. As a professional athlete my contract clearly states I will continue to be, drug tested. Olympic standard testing, is performed randomly. I also power lift with Australia's only drug tested power lifting organization, the I.P.F. National and International Independent Authorities have, and will, continue to confirm my drug free status.
Thirdly, I consider myself a 'counter cyclical' bodybuilder. When I was told I should consume kilo's of meat to build muscle, I worked out how vegetarian bodybuilding could optimize my body's ability to grow, control calories and enhance my health. When I was told to train only one body part per week, I learned to understand my unique recovery thresholds. If I felt I could train a specific area three times per week, I would. I once did a set of squats every workout for a month. If I listened to the limiting thoughts of others I doubt I would be where I am now. The progress will continue, not because I do what everyone else is doing, but because I will continue to use my own instinct and intuition.
Lastly, I told my work colleague, it's best to know who you are talking to before you make a generalization. Like the Millionaire in the room, the other locals didn't know who they were talking too. I am one of five Pro Natural Bodybuilders in Australia, and have won internationally. Three-time-per-week gym, and then to go out drinking every weekend will not win international titles. I live a life dedicated to being the best in this sport.
Equipped with my alternative philosophies on Vegetarian Bodybuilding, I can identify with the Millionaire......
