The other 50%

On the surface, body building is an individual sport. However, behind every champion there is whole brigade of people that all work to make this individuals success possible. There is the trainer, nutritionist, masseur...all the way to the janitor who makes sure the gym is use able for those 630 am workouts.
And there is the athletes spouse! Without an understanding and supportive significant other it is absolutely impossible to be successful. The challenges are many, no social life, moodiness on low-carb days, stained sheets from the posing color etc.
In fact, during my current preparation I would have divorced myself 4 weeks ago! So we should always keep in mind, that despite all those muscles we are only half the picture.
Train heavy!
Maik
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I just don't have the genetics

The statement in the title is something I hear quite often , be it in the gym or just during a conversation. Genetics seem to be the main culprit for athletic shortcomings, be it to build muscle or to loose body fat. So how much do genetics really influence your success in the gym?
The answer is: less than you would like to believe. While it is true that everyone has good and not so good muscle groups, it is also true that ANYONE can get in amazing shape.
Most of us don't have the potential of a certain Arnold S. but this does not mean that we can not achieve our respective goals. Let's take the gentleman to the left, Frank Zane.
He had narrow clavicles, a long torso, 16 " arms and weighed 190 lbs at a height of 5'10". In other words,one of the worst possible make ups for a pro bodybuilder.
He also won Mr. Olympia 3 times, beating even Arnold.
How did he do it? You guessed it , he stuck to his diet, trained with an unmatched intensity and did not take no for an answer.
So don't psych yourself out about your genetics, you cannot change them anyways.
Keep lifting!
Maik