Some of my favorite shots are when you're not all pumped up.

There is power in not being particularly extraordinary.
Power in being, as others might put it, “nothing special.”
You might not think it to be the case
But you would be categorically mistaken to think otherwise.
You see, very often, the men and women
Who achieve truly extraordinary things,
Be it the development of a fantastic physique
Or unprecedented success in another aspect of life,
Are usually "ordinary" people.

And it is precisely because they are "ordinary"
And accustomed to humble lives
Where no one expects very much of them,
That they have the power to truly put 120%
In the pursuit of their goals.

There is no paralyzing fear of failure to overcome
If you are used to others not believing in you.
And you are used to not having to prove anything to anyone.
And so, you give it your very best,
Working steadily in silence
And mastering the process
Until one day, you are declared “extraordinary” because of your accomplishments.

That was my gift, as a kid starting out in bodybuilding
A humility born of always being told that I was physically below average
Which on the surface might sound terrible
But in retrospect, it was a powerful tool that allowed me
To never waiver in putting in the work, as I never had anything to lose.
So, to all the “average” and “ordinary” feeling folks out there
Harness the power of that humility in the pursuit of your goals
And know that you move not from a place of weakness
But from a place of true strength.
Because “ordinary” simply doesn’t exist!

Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense

#naturalbodybuilder #naturalbodybuilding #bodybuildingmotivation #fitfam #inbf #wnbf #muscle #motivation #workout #instagrambodybuilding #fitnessmotivation #ripped #shredded #bodybuilding #aesthetics #natty #bodybuilder #fitgoals #flexing #gymlife #aestheticphysique #classicphysique #bodytransformation #flexfriday #bodypositivity ...

Happy International Women's Day!

And let it always be clear that strength is not the monopoly of any gender.

Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense

Featuring the amazing @erikacitrin

#IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge #naturalbodybuilding #internationalwomensday #bodybuilding #mixedpairsbodybuilding #blackandwhite #instablackandwhite #instagood #inbf #wnbf #femalebodybuilding #girlswholift #classicphysique #bodybuildingwomen #bnw #biceps #fitfam #gymlife #dancerswholift #natty #naturalbodybuilder ...

Black and white self portrait.

It would be nice to say that I was born this way but I was not.

My quest to be where I am is a road where I have encountered so much in the way of failure.

A road my knees know well for the many times I have fallen.

A road where many a day I struggled and strained my eyes looking out at the seemingly impossible distance that always seemed to lie ahead.

It's been a hard road. Some hard and steep turns, but I have stayed on the path.

And I would like to think that my time on it has helped me develop a true sense of being able to see outside myself.

To have a profound compassion and sensitivity to the struggles others face along the way.

And a desire to do as much as I can to help others see how strong they become when they get right back up after every fall.

And that maybe what matters isn't the distance you cover, but what you become in the process of always getting up when you fall and keeping going no matter what.

In the beginning I believed my path was just about getting bigger and stronger muscles, but somehow with all the snaking turns it became so much more than that.

It’s helped me when things got really dark to have faith in just putting one foot ahead of the other and going through instead of standing still.

It has helped me climb my way out of many holes in life and became so much more than just me realizing my little goal.

And I think that's the way it's supposed to be.

More than just building a better body, it’s about building a better you.

So, if you hear some commotion walking on your path, don't worry.

It's just me cheering you on and being happy to see you here!

Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense

#naturalbodybuilding #bodybuilding #bodybuilder #natty #aestheticphysique #classicphysique #ripped #shredded #picoftheday #muscle #inbf #wnbf #instagrambodybuilding #fitfam #fitnessmotivation #naturalbodybuilding #drugfreebodybuilding #gymlife #aestheticphysique #classicphysique #blackandwhite #bodytransformation #instablackandwhite #bnw #fineartphotography #gymlife #spirituality ...

Me in Prospect Park late 90's.

This is me as a work in progress pursuing my passion.
I can tell you what was going through my mind at this point and it was pure gratitude.

Gratitude that a fantastic photographer like Denis Lee wanted to shoot with me and for the fact that I had come this far. As a kid, I dreamed of being in photoshoots, just like the bodybuilders in the magazines, and when it started happening, it felt very much like a dream.

Hard to say how happy I was and how happy I am to have been able to have come as far as I have, and the only thing that makes me happier is helping and watching others realize their dreams as well.

Hope you are living yours and if not that you are doing the work you need to do to make it happen.

And as always, I am over here cheering you on!!! Excelsior!!!

Photo by the amazing @dennisjpleefsc

#muscular #natty #bodybuilding #fitfam #inbf #naturalbodybuilder #wnbf #naturalbodybuilding #shredded #fitnessphysique #muscle #classicphysique #getripped #nga #aesthetics #tbt #5thavenuegym #prospectpark #flexing #throwbackthursday #bodybuilder #aestheticphysique #explore #instabodybuilding #fitnessmotivation #spirituality #bodypositivity #prospectpark ...

Condition check?

Don't have any shows coming. (Probably ever)

Don't have any mini bills

Don't have any mini cuts

It's always just me as is.

Showing that you you can maintain decent shape in a sustainable way all year round.

Excelsior!!! #naturallyintense

#naturalbodybuilder #naturalbodybuilding #bodybuildingmotivation #bodybuilding #natty #inbf #wnbf #tuesdaymotivation #tuesdayvibes #aestheticphysique #ripped #leanbody #muscle #abs #biceps #fitfam ...