Motivation

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"No one is more dedicated and no one loves this more than we do. There is a lot that goes into this and both Brett and I would sell everything we have to be able to do what we love to do. I think it'll really show through. I don't think we have to say too much or talk a lot of sh!t, when we stand next to these guys it'll show through and we'll be known as,"those guys."

Martin Fitzwater is making his pro debut at the Texas Pro and here in 2021 with everyone fighting to qualify for the Olympia, pro bodybuilding line ups are STACKED!

Here Brett, Martin and Ivana are training shoulders at Armbrust Pro Gym in Denver, Colorado. Stay tuned for part 2 of the same session. The volume was so high that we split the session and commentary in 2.

Don't miss the GASP and Better Bodies content week, meet-up and the massive throw down at the Texas Pro.

Martin Fitzwater - Lets F.cking Go!

"This is what we chose to do and we are going to be the best at it because of that."

Martin Fitzwater wears his passion for bodybuilding on his sleeve. He and training partner Brett Wilkin live and breathe the daily progress side of bodybuilding, so much so that the get a bit psycho when it comes to the "f..ked up" advanced training techniques they do day in and day out.

One interesting habit Martin has for leg day is to wear serial killer shirts...

this must allude to the kill or be killed/ win or die training mentality that it takes to push to failure, beyond and then some.

Martin is 23 years old and one of the youngest open IFBB pro bodybuilders looking to "spank" some veteran competitors at his pro debut the Texas Pro.

If you want to catch the action of our content week August 9-15 and the meet up that Thursday, the Texas pro that Friday and Saturday then come on down to destination. This train doesn't stop!

We Are Going To Be The Best - Martin Fitzwater | Texas Pro Debut

Darwin Uribe won in Atlanta at the Chicago pro but recalls the countless mental and physical struggles up to the point of WINNING.

"I remember every single workout when I was feeling so tired, so exhausted, when I was fighting with myself. When nobody was watching me. All those moments come as a flashback and was worth it. Every second that I pushed myself to get better to achieve this goal."

This is not an easy mission given we are not a massive news entity BUT as mentioned in Darwins post Chicago Pro win interview, connecting with MJ and the team and giving people your time speaks volumes and does so much for EVERY individual. That then spreads way outside of any single interaction and any single person.

"Without knowing me he (Michael Johansson) took time to talk to me as a friend when I had no friends here. This was not possible without all these people. All these people came together in the current moment to keep me going."

Darwin's victory did not come without his share of WORK. Darwin had mental struggles more than physical struggles leading up to and through prep. The mental aspect of goal setting, of prep, of continuing when life and prep gets hard is and always will be the biggest hurdle.

"Control your mind. if you control your mind you will win. Also, love to be uncomfortable. If you love to be uncomfortable, you will make progress. Nothing great, nothing phenomenal comes from easy ways. You have to work your ass off."

Now, Darwin has won his pro debut and is qualified for his first ever Classic Physique Olympia.

He won in his mind, he won is his goal setting and is winning every single day BEFORE winning the Chicago Pro.

How Do You WIN? Darwin Uribe - Chicago Pro Champ

"This competition is a door to open more big things coming up. You have to know that you give it everything in every aspect. The most satisfying feeling is that you give it your best. You don't regret anything."

Darwin Uribe is 48 hours out from making his professional debut in classic physique at the Chicago pro hosted in Atlanta, Georgia. Darwin really dug into his preparation and as a result he is at his best ever BUT with no shortage of "the grind" especially to attain the condition that is expected from his coach Patrick Tuor.

"It has been 9 weeks of no refeeds, no carb up and no cheat meals. That doesn't matter because I will always do what it takes."

We link up with Darwin here to see some of what professional competitors do prior to competition. Grocery shopping, setting up your kitchen and training leading up to the day of the contest are still all crucial for Darwin.

Classic Physique Pro Debut | Darwin Uribe - Chicago Pro

"Everything has to be 100 percent, not even 99 percent, it has to be 100 percent. This is like the most important process, the peaking process, so you know, what I look like now, I'm going to look completely different in the next 24 hours. I'm 203 now, but tomorrow I'm going to be competing at probably 200 pounds. So stuff like that is very important, especially with this process."

It's been a long 14 week journey for the 2020 Chicago Pro 212 winner. He's back in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia and ready to head back to Dallas with another win under his belt.

Focusing On The 2-Peat at The Chicago Pro | Keone Pearson

Crazy in bodybuilding is having a level of discipline that most people cant imagine sustaining for longer than a 12-16 week prep for 4, 5, 6 9, 10 years straight...

Bodybuilding Crazy - Hunter Labrada, Joe Mackey & Brett Wilkin

There is no true victory if you half ass your effort.

Darwin Uribe moved from Colombia to Dallas to really dig into his ambitions as a new IFBB Pro. Shortly after his personal life took a massive toll and he, admittedly lost the mentality he needed to pursue his goals with all the effort it takes to compete with the best.

"I finally asked myself, hey man, what is going on with you. This sport is more mental than physical. If you dont have your mind right you wont be able to do anything."

Now Darwin is focused on the Chicago pro for his professional debut in Classic physique.

Every session is full send, 110%, all in.

"I don't believe in showing up and moving some weights and going home and eating. I love training more than I love competing so I want to give it everything or nothing at all."

Darwin really dug in and the fruits of his passion and labor are very evident and Darwin is sure to make the impact he intends at his debut. We will be at the Chicago pro bringing you all everything leading up to the contest from Hunter Labrada, Joe Mackey, Brett Wilkin, Jason Hebert, Keone Pearson and Darwin Uribe so don't miss a beat.

Classic Physique Is My Future - Darwin Uribe

"If you want to be successful, surround yourself with successful people, whether that's success in business, success in bodybuilding, or whatever it is you're trying to succeed in in life. If you surround yourself with successful people in that chosen field, then success is contagious."

Mark your calendars for our first ever Gasp and Better Bodies Event Week and Festival August 9th through the 15th at Destination Dallas. Come meet and train with Johnnie, Branch and so many more of our athletes and community members.

Success Is Contagious - Branch Warren & Johnnie Jackson

Hunter Labrada and Bryan Troianello make the trip to Orlando, Florida for Liv Roth's pro debut. With them being on prep, they want to keep as many variables to the prep ie nutrition, cardio, sleep and training, the same as back at home. So they rent an air bnb and train every day at Iron Religion where they have a full line of Prime equipment.

Hunter is 3 weeks out from the Chicago pro here and Bryan is about 6 weeks out from his competition. They spell out how they change up the routines to fit every thing that is crucial for their own preps while on the road.

In addition to Liv Roth making her pro debut, Hunter and Lee also spoke at the Meet the Olympians seminar with John Hansen. There were some great stories from Lee, awesome questions from john Hansen and great take away message from Hunter on locking into your goals and not budging for anything that seems popular at the time.

We will bring you all everything from the Chicago pro so subscribe and stay tuned.

A Little More Mass with Class - Hunter Labrada and Bryan Troianello

Welcome to the Gasp and Better Bodies family Tony Taveras. Tony has recently been invited to The Arnold Classic and is set to compete at this year's Olympia after taking the win and qualifying at the Dallas Europa.

We sat down with Tony to get an in depth interview to see how he feels physically and mentally 48 hours out from stepping on the stage at the Dallas Europa.

48 Hours Out with Tony Taveras

"If you want to dominate the singles scene you do singles. Thats what we are doing today."

Jon Irizarry and Josh Bryant linked up for a 12 week bench press program to initially break the 500lb mark. They far exceeded that quickly into the program and decided to push as far past that 500lb mark as possible.

Coming in for this max lift Jon did have issues with nerves but that adrenaline rush and pushing limits is like cake to a fat kid, he can't get enough of it.

Jon and Josh reflect on the whole 12 weeks and how they had to actively alter certain movements and other variables to garner a better result. They also delve into the mental aspect and the benefits of having someone like Josh in your corner as the training specialist but also as the voice of reason and knowing when to go ape shit and push and when to back off.

Jon ended up hitting a massive personal record of 570lb.

JonBench Press PR | Jon Irizarry and Josh Bryant

"We're all human, we're all going to have those weak moments, but I just think about what I can accomplish and what I want to accomplish and I just don't give in."

Once the realm of possibility is opened, it is a broadening of ones perspective. The one thing that will never be absent is the work involved in attaining what this new perspective has made you aware of.

We condense every month into the take outs from that month from the interviews and videos of all our community athletes, friends, ambassadors and special guests. These are "bite sized" recaps of some of the best takeaways from the last month.