So here I am just a couple of days away from competing at Scott Hercs show, the first in 22 years.

January 2013 I began training hard with the goal of getting lean and muscular for the summer, the nearest competition last year was the Nabba Mr Wales in May, so my training partner Sean and I thought we'd take  look.
I never frequented many shows during my lay off because I got bored of body-builders doing compulsory poses to their music, which obviously we had all see during the compulsory round, and here they were repeating those very same poses to music, yawnnnn, so just got bored of it all.

The artistry and skill to display your physique in a statuesque way to original music, had over the years, developed into an unimportant part of competition! But I was curious about the over 50's class.
Seeing those guys in their 50's really impressed me and deep down inside a fire had been lit! I kept thinking that if I put my mind to it, I could beat those guys and make a good account of myself, so I began to 'Train With Purpose'. The goal - to win the Nabba Over 50's class in May 2014.
I planned on getting as heavy as possible without losing too much condition just so that I could meander into the show over a steady pace.
I attained my heaviest ever weight of 15st 7lbs by December, not big for a lot of guys, I know, but I could still see my abs! My diet would be a long one, I began dieting and Cardio, with earnest, from the 2nd of January. Early February the realisation of not competing for 22 years began to scare me. What if I trip? What if all the fat doesn't come off? What if I didn't have the confidence I once had to stand on stage again?
That's when the idea of doing a warm up show came to mind and I found on Face Book, Scott Hercs Olympia in Colchester on the 5th of April. Perfect to iron out any creases I had developed over the years of not competing and then I would have 5 weeks to correct my mistakes for Nabba Wales.
My training and nutrition took on a new fervent of winning - there is no other option. What I didn't realise was the speed at which this training and diet would condition my body beyond that of my last win 22 years ago. I kept repeating "warm up show" until Sean my training partner said there's no point in entering unless you enter to win - that stuck in my head and I went for it.

Present day, I can honestly say I could not have done more than I have today, I'm skin and muscle, no fat to be seen any where! My barber, whilst cutting my hair, said that I had a muscular body with a skull attached as the head! It was funny at the time and that comment reaffirmed the sacrifices Julie my wife and I had given - Julie was keen for me to enter and she's stuck through some tough times, thank you Julie, its always unconditional with you, you're my Rock.
I am in great shape, my posing routine is class and my music is originally mixed by my son Niko - with strict instructions that I didn't reveal it to anyone except my wife. I know the last sentence sounds cocky, but if I can make a good account of myself in one of the biggest shows in Britain, with athletes coming from Italy, Spain and most of the European countries and even as far afield as Dubai, then I would have a great chance of winning the Welsh title again.
The show on Saturday is a qualifier to the world championships held in Athens in June and I would love to be part of the British Team.

Thank you to all of my friends that have followed my blogs over time and the informative comments you have made on each one, you have all been a big inspiration to me.

I'll post to face book on Sunday, just to let everyone know my placing and remember you can only be at your best if you TRAIN WITH PURPOSE!