Charity and Recent Reads

One of clients passed me the book "Muscle" by Sam Fussell, an Oxford grad turned bodybuilder who moves to Southern California in his quest for the perfect physique. During his 3-year odyssey not only he learns to train hard but also peers into the abyss of steroids and diuretics. In the end, it is not the danger of the drugs but the perceived futility of his enterprise that makes him stop.
The book is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it. However, as usually, bodybuilding is being portrayed as a drugged-up sport (which is true but so is every other one - bodybuilding is just more open about it) and bodybuilders are described as a bunch of vain idiots who prostitute themselves for steroid money, unless they are dealing themselves.
There is no denying it, competitive bodybuilding has a dark side. But has anyone ever looked into the baseball minor leagues, soccer's regional teams, the actors that didn't make Broadway, failed writers?
Not everyone can achieve his/her goals, which is unfortunate but not unique to bodybuilding. On the plus side, the sport has helped millions of people create better physiques for themselves, heighten their self-esteem, and be happier.
If some already damaged individual (such as the author, who deals with a lot of paternal frustration) chooses bigger muscles to work out these issues, it is most likely not going to happen.
How about a more uplifting story? Let's say there is a guy from rural, post-war Austria, who picks up weights, becomes Mr. Olympia, a movie star, a brand and Governor Of California?
Sounds too outrageous, I know.
Till next time,
Maik
P.S. On a different note, my friend Brian asked me to contribute to his charity auction last Friday, which I gladly did. Together, we raised some good money, because people do want better physiques :-)