Is It Impossible To Grow Beyond Your Genetic Potential? 85
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My question for you to ponder and discuss today, “Is it impossible to grow beyond your genetic potential?”
Even the “gurus” say, “It’s impossible to grow beyond your genetic potential…”
Well, I’m In The Business Of Doing The Impossible!
I’ve been in the transformation business for eight years and helped over 20,000 people in 120 different countries go from scrawny-to-brawny, regular-to-ripped and flabby-to-firm.
My most successful students were always told that a jaw-dropping physique was impossible for them. Don’t believe me? Click here to look a look at a small handful of success stories to see how some of them turned after sticking with me and following my advice.
Today’s email was inspired by an email I get over-and-over and my response will reveal why I’ve been successful at being in the business of doing the impossible.
“Vince, there are a lot genetic factors that hold people back, stuff that’s beyond training and nutrition. Things like recovery capacity, anatomy (muscle attachments), muscle fiber type makeup, circulation, nervous system, bone structure, hormonal capacity, insulin sensitivity, mental factors, that kind of thing. What’s your mindset and philosophy to the entire genetic limit debate?”
First off, I don’t debate. I learn from doing. Now to your question…
Many muscle “gurus” would actually entertain and analyze each of the genetic factors just listed but since I’m a no nonsense guy you’re not going to get a scientific reply from me.
Not because I don’t know the science but because I don’t see the point!
I believe that you get what you focus on. If you focus on your limitations than you find more limitations. How is focusing on something we don’t have going to help us get something we want?
I understand they’re many people who need to understand the why before they can apply knowledge but I beg you to be partially ignorant on this subject. This statement will make more sense after I reflect on my first body transformation in 2002:
One of the reasons, I believe, I gained 41 lbs of muscle in 6 months is because I’ve always been a little naïve and gullible. Too be honest, the first time someone said to me on a bodybuilding.com forum, “BS… there’s no way you gained that much muscle in 6 months…” I didn’t know how to reply. I figured my results were normal, maybe a bit above average, but nothing to make people skeptical of.
I was always a doer and never a analyzer or reader so the numbers didn’t mean anything to me.
If someone told me you could build 100 lbs of muscle in one month, I would have probably said, “Cool, lets get started.” I was never inclined to read books on limits and what listen to speakers tell me what was realistic.
Even when I was 15 years old I got a knee injury and the doctor told me flat out, “Your body was not born to run.” That was one of the first time my blood boiled because someone was putting limits on me. I didn’t listen to him. The next summer I represented Canada at the World Triathlon Championships.
I was more interested in finding out my own limits by doing, not talking about.
My mentality was to always give 100% with whatever I had in front of me. Sure I was probably missing a lot of tools but I maxed out what I did know and what I did have to my disposal.
Sure, after my transformation I didn’t become the biggest guy in the gym but I definitely wasn’t the smallest anymore.
And over the past eight years (past two years especially), by continuing to be ignorant on the subject of “limits” and “genetics”, I’ve gained another 20 lbs of muscle and have almost 200 lbs of solid muscle on my frame. Not bad for an ex-long distance runner who was nicknamed “Skinny Vinny” eh?!
And even though I’m not winning bodybuilding competitions, my fiance Flavia doesn’t seem to mind and I’m sure your lucky lady won’t mind either – as long as you’re giving her the best you can be!
Another Reason I Hate Talking About “Genetic Limits”
I refuse to discuss subjects that limit the human will and spirit.
That mentality will not serve you. I would rather be gullible and naive and end up surprising myself (and others) in the process.
By applying this mentality to all areas of my life, even my finances, I earned a $45,000 check at the age of 25, in one day. Check out this story:
When I decided to buy my first house, at the age of 22, I was broke with credit card debt. Instead of thinking, “I can’t afford a house,” I thought, “How can I afford a house?” As soon as you say the word “can’t” your brain turns off and stops searching for a solution. By using the word “can” your brain is forced to stay open and find a solution. Mine did.
By the age of 23, I stuck to my plan and saved $10,000 for a down payment on a home. I rented it out for two years. Flipped it. And at the age of 25 my lawyer cut me a check for $45,000 (after expenses too). That lump of cash gave me a huge head start on life and it all started with my mindset of, “How can I afford it.”
The word “can’t” should not even be apart of your vocabulary.
Show Me Your Friends And I’ll Show You Your Limits
You’ve probably heard of the saying, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”
I believe it’s equally true: Show me your friends and I’ll show you your limits. If your top five friends are all afraid of skydiving then I wouldn’t be surprised if you are too. If all your friends are afraid to put their kids in swimming lessons because they are afraid the kids might drown then I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s your fear too.
Grasp the principle I just shared, don’t pick apart the examples. They were just examples. Moving on…
Hang out with certain people too long and their negative beliefs, limits and fears will become yours.
Please: Don’t try this at home! This is one of those areas you want to take my word on. Don’t test this theory out on your own.
Trust me and seek out friends who live with the mentality that anything is possible. It will result in attracting these kind of people in your life. One of the big secrets to blowing beyond your potential, in life, is avoiding people who live in fear and try to pass their negativity into your beliefs.
Most people who are non supportive and tell you to be “realistic” are jealous because you are pursuing something they want and failed at or don’t want to see you succeed at because you’ll prove that their beliefs are false.
Do you want to know why people would prefer you stay in your comfort zone and not push your limits? When you change and grow and become a new person they are unable to control you or maintain the puppet strings they have on your life.
Let me give you an example. My friend Joel is a very generous person. If I called him up last minute to stay with him in Tampa he would gladly welcome me in. I could say I’m only staying three days but what Joel does not know is that I’m broke, have no job, and no plans on leaving. I know Joel will let me eat out of his fridge, extend my visit, not charge me rent and even take me out for fancy dinners.
I am exploiting Joel’s generosity in a selfish way. So when Joel announces he’s going to a personal development conference that teaches you how to stand up for yourself etc I quickly advise him against that idea. If Joel leaves his comfort zone and begins to grow then I will no longer be able to take advantage of him and I don’t like that.
Okay, that’s an extreme and intentional example but I trust you see the point. Take home message is this:
Be careful where you are getting your information from. Often times people who talk about setting realistic goals, knowing your limits and advise against setting goals, are people who are imposing their fears and negative beliefs onto you.
My Question For You:
Now that I got your brain turning, “Is it impossible to blow beyond your genetic limits?” Do you like and/or share my mentality of being ignorant towards limits? And feel free to share a story in any area of your life, like my house example, on how you blew beyond your own genetic limits.
Maybe you did the “impossible” with a career move, relationship, athletic event, a transformation or some sort of obstacle. Tell me if it’s possible to blow beyond your genetic limits and if you have a story to back it up, share it. Post your response below! I want at least 75 responses on this one.
Vince
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@Christopher -
I totally agree with you bud.
We all have our demons, some are meaner than others. haha
There’s some really inspiring comments here guys, I’ve enjoyed
reading them all
My personal obstacle was that when I was a kid (age
I got run over by a
motorbike and badly fractured my head and both legs, I pretty much fully
recovered apart from maybe being a bit weak with my leg strength and
flexibility but being tall and slim didn’t help either. When I was 16
I started martial arts which grew to be a big passion of mine, I had
been doing it about a year or so when I accidentally bruised my ribs
sparring, I went to the doctor to get them checked out and although it
was nothing serious he looked back through my medical records and
because of my history told me to quit martial arts and take up something
less high impact such as swimming as my body had endured enough when I
was younger. My family tried to get me to do the same because of what the doc had said. This was so frustrating even though in general I was in good health and my ribs were fine within a week or 2. Anyway, I used my own judgement and carried on training and 10 years later am now a 2nd dan black belt and now teach as well. It still bugs me today that had I listened to the
doctor I would’ve missed out on doing something I really enjoy and my
training has probably made my body stronger and more conditioned than if
i had chosen a more ‘safe’ / less impact activity.
I’ve come across many similar examples when ‘experts’ have discouraged people from doing something they really enjoy without really knowing the full consequences of them doing it, or without exploring other ways they can still do the activity and work on building their weaknesses rather than avoiding it altogether. It’s a shame because a lot of people will miss out on doing the things in life they enjoy if they are pressured into giving it up.
Im now hoping to apply the same dedication I have given to martial arts
to building muscle mass in the gym. I do find though that as you get older and
aquire more responsbilities it gets harder to fit everything in to a
week to accomplish what you want to achieve. I guess it boils down to
peoples priorities and for muscle building inparticular putting that
high enough on the list and sticking to a routine until you see the results you want to see, which is the challenge for most people!
Your motivation and advice definitley helps to inspire Vince, and forces those who read it to assess their goals and refocus, thanks!
well I havn´t so much to say, only life is TOshort for wasting it with crap, don´t waste a day, train from now
be you own boss in your life
well I havn´t so much to say, only life is TOshort for wasting it with crap, don´t waste a day, train from now
Great article Vince, and great comments from the others. It is absolutely impossible to get beyond your genetic limits. To date, my biggest overcoming of ‘impossible’ was dropping from 270ibs to 171Ibs to run the NY Marathon in 2009. I kind of took the ‘ignorant’ stance as well, and just first focused on cutting weight–not the best of ways, but the only ways I figured I could. Exercise in hot temperatures, overtaxing my body and muscles. Not only did i get down in weight, but I was focused I ran the marathon in 3 hrs 15 mins…this is from starting out as a kid running a mile in 15 mins!
Now through NNMB and YSPQ guidance ive focused on going beyond my genetic potential instead of focusing on any ‘limits’. I think either Vince or Lee said ‘its about progression, not perfection’. My body is changing, and sure there are a few target areas that are stubborn (the belly!) but ive gone from not being able to see my feet to having a flat stomach. A six pack IS attainable if i focus on nutrition, rest, exercise and tips from you.
One day I hope to open a wellness center too, that serves as a guidance that it IS possible to go beyond what you think you can. You make it your baby-nurture it, feed it, and believe in it..and of course Vince you get plenty of credit!
Hi, well much like all these stories here, I had barriers to break down as well. For me gaining mass and getting big seemed as impossible as sprouting wings to fly. I can remember trying to get big muscles for a long time because I was thin (155lbs 5’10” at 20 years old with a 11 ¾ “ flexed bicep). I never thought I would get bigger and my parents told me “You just weren’t meant to be big.” My father for most of his adult life was 135lbs standing 5’-10” so the thought of gaining mass was impossible to me on the genetic point of view but I tried to ignore the negative influences and read tonnes of information and bought loads of stuff from a store to help me gain mass, but nothing seemed to work.
I spent 2+ years in the gym and got little results from my training. One day last September (2010) I came across NNMB on a desperate search for information on gaining mass. Man what a blessing that was! I read through all of your stuff Vince, and for the first time I felt empowered and in charge of my own destiny. Your books and emails were the first thing that ever said to me (paraphrase) “It’s possible,” “you can,” and for the first time I really just trusted someone else to get me where I wanted to be. In September 2010 I was 155 lbs, it’s now January 31 2011 and I am 183lbs and rising still to my goal of 200lbs by the end of March 2011.
I just want to say thank-You Vince, for all the information, the honesty, and the inspiration that showed me that becoming what I want to be is possible, not only in muscle building but in all aspects of life. It’d be a pleasure to meet you in person one day!
Hell, good to be the number 75th in these comments. So now onto the challenge, this was when I started studyng my master degree on Mathemathics!!!! I’m a geek yeah I know, but I like to workout too. =) But the obstacle here was to do the transition from a very applied knowledge, very practical like is and engineering to the purely abstract world of maths. We live in our heads. Basically all you need is pen and paperand your head, and the challenge its to use it at its fullest, so now I’m glad I did it. Now I can think more effcient, I’m more creative and can get the best of two worlds.
I will make mine these philosophy from now on, it’s worthy.
Thanks man.
I’m a freshman in high school, the gym there sux. I do track and I work out, im 5’4 and weigh about 105 lbs. My brother got most of his muscle mass in about a month, he’s 5’9 or 5’10, 145 lbs. He looks skinny but hes stronger than most other kids his age, hes almost 4 yrs older. Idk how to do it! he didnt use a gym…I dont use much equipment, just kettlebells and dumbbells. if anyone could help me out somehow, that would be really cool. you can email me at ambrosedemarco@yahoo.com
Hey Vinnie. Just wanted to share a little story. I’ve been working out for around 9 yrs and one of my greatest downfalls has been my calves a meare 13 inches about 2 yrs ago. Everyone always told me oh Denniz it’s just genetic, you went destined to have huge calves. So I made it my goal to beat my calves up from different angles, high sets, low sets, different versions of calf raises. You name it, I tried it. I’m pleased to sayy calves have responded, it just took a lot of hard work and actually thinking about the movement of the exercise I was doing. Two yrs later, I’ve put on 2 inches and they still continue to respond to the different movements I’ve incorporated. So for anyone who says I can’t or you can’t. Prove em wrong. I might not have the biggest calves but at least you I can say I work out my calves lol.
Ps if you or anyone else has any suggestions on how to continue to shock this muscle please feel drop me a line.
@Denniz. Congrats bro. Keep your rest periods SHORT. 15 seconds. Another technique flaw many guys make with calves – not going high enough and not stretching low enough and not pausing at the bottom of the rep. Trust that helps.
You don’t know his parents and I can firmly bet that is not the message he intended
@Björn Rösinger -
One can easily blow past their genetic limits with the use of anabolic steroids. Getting to your genetic limits, of course, takes a lot of time and work. But no, no one can exceed their genetic limits in anything. Genetics limits are hardwired in to our physiology. Most people can exceed what they BELIEVE to be their genetic limits, though. Truthfully, there’s no real way to know what your real genetic limits are, so assuming that you’ve hit them or need to exceed them is a crazy idea. The bottom line is, keep working and keep trying new things and who knows how much more progress you can achieve.
POWERFUL ARTICLE VINCE!
“Most people who are non supportive and tell you to be “realistic” are jealous because you are pursuing something they want and failed at or don’t want to see you succeed at because you’ll prove that their beliefs are false.” Absolutely the darn truth my friend.
I’ve been hitting this statement a lot this year and last year. A lot of people have been telling me it’s not possible for me to open up my own fitness business and make around 6 figures within 2 years (that’s my goal!).
@Travis. Just tonight, I was having dinner tonight with over 12 of my closest friends and some of them have incomes of 100K A MONTH…. all fitness professionals. I’m living proof that you can build your own fitness biz and hit your financial goals while you’re quite young. Your goals are VERY realistic and be ready to set a new one shortly after. Start making some new friends with people who are CRUSHING IT and chasing down their goals. I know you’ll do it.
@Calista -
Congratulations Calista! I’m glad there are still people like you in this
world who believe in their potential and don’t care about the naysayers…Keep shooting for the stars!
I suffered from a Bareback Bronc Rodeo accident some 30 years ago resulting in a broken neck. After my initial impact with the ground, I couldn’t move. I remember the Rodeo Clown screaming at me, “Jerry – get up!” over and over and over. My mind and body didn’t want to obey, but my soul screamed out in emotion – do something! I didn’t know what to do except what I was hearing from the clown – get up, so I decided to try. When I started moving, he helped me on up, marking the beginning of a certain road to recovery. Perhaps my greatest obstacles came from the very doctors who were enlisted to help me. Every one of them, and I’m talking a lot, said to me, “you should be dead!” “No one makes it with a C2 Hangman’s fracture, no one!” “That’s what is broken when a person is hanged.” And on and on and on. These simply didn’t compute due to one fact – I was still alive albeit in tons of pain. “But so what” I said. I’ve been in pain before and made it. As long as I’m alive, I’m going to act like it. I distinctly remember one such doctor saying those nasty little strings of words and I had had enough. I looked him square in the eyes and told him to stop talking to me like that. He froze in his tracks as I shattered his shackles of fear from my life. I told him that I was alive and that I would be just fine. Well, to make a long story short, I defied all of their opinions and am doing just fine. I went on to obtain several degrees, get married, pursue my pleasure of running events, as well as weightlifting, soccer, and others. I have four fantastic kids, all of whom have benefited from my “never give up” attitude. I refused to allow something like fear to chase me throughout life. I learned from this that my direction in times of crisis is determined my me and me alone. I’m just fine. Oh, and to prove my point, within four years of that accident, I went from benching only minimal weight to over 300 pounds. If those doctors could see me now!
thanks for that Vince… very inspirational
Hi Vince, I have to say I LOVED your post, especially because it only confirms even more what I’ve been feeling my entire life! I hate the word “impossible” too, and if anything it always give me MORE desire to reach the “impossible”…Right now I’m on a mission to reach my best physique ever. I have 4 months left before my deadline, and so far my progress have been steady (although a little slow so I’ll take it to the next level by purchasing your “No nonsense six pack program”). I can say I haven’t found much support around me (apart from my husband and my brother)…Most people I know are “impossibility thinkers”! And my pleasure is always to prove them wrong! A few personal examples of things I’ve accomplished so far during my 32 years of life are: save enough money at the age of 22 to go study in Vancouver (I’m from France) when my whole family told me it was “just a dream”…And after that move to the Dominican Republic to marry the love of my life when everyone around me told me it was “stupid” and “unrealistic”…Well, I’m glad I did because I’ve never been happier, we have a wonderful 3 year old daughter, and in a few days my husband and I will celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary! And I’m just getting started…I’m a HUGE possibility thinker, and I have tons of plans for the future! Thank you for all you wonderful advice, take care (“the sky is the limit”!)
You are s o right in everyway the big thing in life is to ignor what other people are telling you, you canot or should not do and do what makes you happy.
I have been told so many time dont get any bigger you want look right well my girldfriend disagrees when i take my top off and now i have my firends see me and the attention i get in and out of the gym and have stopped saying it now.
I think the tric in bodybuilding for looking good it no make sure size gain are equal all over the body making sure you are in proportion is a big help in looking good.
I was fooling myself into thinking that I could no longer build muscle because of my soulder injuries. Then I said to myself how can I fix my shoulders to be able to body build again? Thanks to you and Lee Hayward and your great shoulder exercises I got back in the game. Instead of just using dumbbells I through in the use of the barbell, and so on…
Thanks for a great program and great tips! Best Regards – Michael Duddy
Great mindset Michael. It’s like the old analogy, instead of saying, “I can’t afford that….” you think, “HOW can I afford that…” and your brain switches on and before you know it you find your solution. Thoughts are POWERFUL.
Hey Vince, thank you for taking the position on the side of the ability of our bodies to do the so called ‘impossible’. In my work I am confronted all the time with people standing behind the excuse that its “my genetics”. Yes it may be that your genetics gives you the preferences to start out skinny, but our genetics also give our nervous system the ability to overcome those genetic short comings, if we train the body in the right way. We have developed training that helps us overcome the effects of the genetics and can now improve the efficiency of the muscles at least by 30% straight away (within one week) and up to 180% over 90 days. Couldnt do that if this genetic argument was true. Thanks again,
Andrew. Neuro-Power-Training
Good stuff Andrew. EVEN – let’s just imagine – if genetics were 90%… would that make you say, “Forget it, I’m not even going to try!” I hope not. Remember, genetics dictate more the structure and frame of your body – not so much the actual shape and size.
Awesome Vince, I have read your story before, but is good to revisit vital information such as this!
My grandparents raised me, and I was always taught there is no such word as can;t. Conseqeuently I have gone through life with the attitude, you say it can’t be done, I’ll prove it can!
Doctors told me after contracting shermans disease as a teenager that I would have back problems for the rest of my life, and for a little while i believed that.
Then I decided I wanted to not have that problem, so after years of physical therapies and different types of exercise, I can now deadlift 140kg and squat 170kg with no back pain- do I agree with your blog, you bet I do!!!!
Cheers, Steve
@Doni -
May have nothing to do with Bodybuilding in a physical sense, but the point you make has EVERYTHING to do with it!
You’ve explored your own potential, rather than take someone elses word for it, who is obviously seeing through limited eyes.. and therefore imposing his/her own limitations onto you, probably without even being aware of it.
That’s an admirable quality my friend!
Thanks for posting
John
i will not meet my limits. i know i can do the “impossible” if i keep going on and on. I saw many awesome transformations and if so many people can i know i can do it and do it better not to sound arrogant (sorry i dont know if it writes like this Im from Ecuador). I can sound greedy or ambitious but I know i can get the body of my dreams if i keep working hard.
thanks Vince for all your help
blessings and a Happy new year!
Greetings from Ecuador!
I’m 70 years old and currently working on my PT certification to specialize in training seniors. At my last physical, my doctor commented that I was one of the most fit in his 70+ patient age group.
I want to be the MOST fit in that group, so I can be a “living example” for my future clients!
And exactly what is supposed to determine your genetic limits?
There have been too way too many success stories of people who have gotten over their genetic limitations to achieve massive success and mindblowing results. Think…Roger Bannister and the 4 minute mile, Muggsy Bogues playing NBA or even Spud Webb winning the slam dunk competition. That is only a few there is many more!
Wrote up a post about this one at http://www.dudewheresmymuscle.com/vince-delmonte-at-his-best/
Maybe we are limited by our genetics and maybe not. I think Abraham Lincoln’s sentiment said it best paraphrased, the prospect of losing a battle is no reason not to fight. You may fail when you try, but you are guaranteed to fail, if you don’t. Besides…..what a fricking rush when you try going beyond yourself.
For years I was the skinniest person id even known I was mocked for being lanky and just skin and bone, but then at the age of 13 I thought I don’t like this I wanna have muscles like Vinny D. so I started to pester my parents to let me buh some dumbbells and eventually they did, I was reluctant to tell my friends as I thought they would mock me, but I still told them. Yes, they did mock me, but now I am 14 and packing on 5lbs of weight (Almost all muscle) each month and I am the ONLY guy in my year wit a siz pack and I have the biggest biceps. It is a great confidence boost, before I could even stand infront of my classroom without breaking out in a nervous sweat and never participaed in sport. Now I do and have won a judo tornament, winning all of my matches and won the discus event at sports day.
And all this with one pair of dumbells in my room, no cardio and on gym equipment and they said I couldn’t, but I did and now they envy me
Thank You for reminding me of this great feeling Vince
Great story, but i was wondering if that docter that told you that you’re not meant to be a distance runner knows that you ran that triathalon???
When I talke about all this stuff I always remember this:
At the age of 17 I decided I’d study a foreign language. I took a 6-month course. It wasn’t enough and I said to myself: “I am going to LEARN it.” I started studying by myself with a grammar book a small dictionary only. 30 min a day, 5 days a week, at lunchtime.
Some workmates said I was going crazy studying ‘so much’, or said things like ‘Hey, you can’t learn it.’, ‘you’re wasting your time’
After a year I got fluent, and kept studying. Today I make my living from it. Now I’m going for my Master in Applied Linguistics. I’ve just entered the best MA program in my country.
It hasn’t been easy but I didn’t let people say to me it wasn’t possible.
Vince -
Thanks to you and everyone else writing here for the inspiration and comments !
Just hearing from others makes me feel I’m not the only one, and that I “CAN DO” it too.
At age 51 I’m finally realizing that you make your own life using what you’ve been given, and also WHO you listen to can have a great influence and make a big difference.
I do believe that “you become like those you spend your time with”, and just finding the right group can sometimes be a challenge.
What we all want is to ‘fit in” and be accepted.
Multiple food allergies (Wheat, Dairy, Soy, Yeast, Avocados, Beans, Nuts, Eggs, trees, grassees, dander, mold, etc.) makes for a dietary challenge to gain real poundage.
Like some others in this group, I was always, ‘”too skinny”, “too small for football”, and the last one chosen for any team.
So I gravitated to running and became “addicted’ to the “runner’s high”. in college. Back in the 80′s I was 5′ 7″ and 112 pounds.
In the mid-90′s, I had an accident where I fell 25 ft. and woke up 3 days later with no memory, no sense of balance, and one leg in a cast. I was told that I wouldnt’ be able to walk right again, that my short-term memory was ‘shot’, and that part of my hearing was gone. – Brain Surgery with no health insurance can be a scary thing in itself.
Good thing I didn’t listen to all those doctors! Through sheer determination – 2 years later -I was back to running marathons again. But I was still that ‘little skinny guy’.
Thanks to the internet, I have become a student of health, fitness, and alternative therapies.
And, thanks to this site, I’m getting back to weight lifting workouts I’m now up to about 125 lbs and 8% body fat.
Sure, I want to look good, but I also want to make it up & down a flight of stairs without pain, and don’t want to feel guilty or get depressed when I miss a workout.
Thank you for “putting yourself out there” and sharing your experiences.
– Steve
[...] on the theme of blow beyond your genetic potential and betraying the impossible, today we’ll discuss the [...]
Actually you CAN prove it. You can PROVE it to yourself. Only YOU will know if you’ve given it your ultimate best. If you can’t look yourself in the mirror and say, “I gave it my all,” then you have not hit your potential.
@david -
Btw I have experimented different methods such as long distance running (lost 4kg in 3weeks but overall size), 60min of bike a week + high rep leg press (50rep sets) a push in the right direction is all I need! I already have the motivation.
@jarod – @Mr. Inta-Fitness -
Great post! I relate to your story but not as extreme as yours lol did overcome a very bad gambling problem with constant depression and finally loving life and living it to the fullest. I am also in Oz and have packed on quite a bit of size over the years but am held back from getting bigger because of genetics as I dont have the information I need.
If anyone can answer this question it would be greatly appreciated. I am 170lb with a toned upper body but have alot of fat on my thighs (59cm circumference) and do not want to increase size there as I already find it uncomfortable wearing pants. I want to know the BEST exercises for losing size (or fat) in my thighs, Yes I am talking about spot reduction and I don’t care if people say its impossible if anyone can give me advice such as don’t do squats, only do high reps etc I would love it as theres alot of bullshit information!
And thankyou vince you have played a great part in me taking bodybuilding further !
David
My own story though not as amazing as jarod’s is a year or so back i fractured my ankle, and the doc said I would be on crutches for 2-3 weeks and wouldnt be able to play for at least 6 weeks, i played after a week on crutches couldnt walk into the stadium, couldnt run, i played, i scored 41 points and carried my team to victory, i was then helped out of the stadium and put back on crutches. but if u put ur mind to it nothing can stop u, ur absolutely right vince.
@jarod -
ur an inspiration to everyone who has every faced an obstacle never ever give up man, and if u doubt ur self just look at what u have already achieved
Vince, I broke my back when i was 16yo doctors told me i would never walk again and i would be in a wheelchair. I spent a while in hospital, learning to walk etc again i was on cruches for a while afterwards too but non the less i learnt to walk again. A bit over a year later my condition started to worsen and i needed surgery, i now have spinal fusion for the whole thoracic spine. During the surgery they accidently nicked some stuff inc my spinal cord, i bled out and died on the operating table needless to say they were successful in bringing me back to life. After the surgery due to spinal cord damage i had to learn to walk again, I still have areas on my body where i dont have any feeling. Its been 8 yrs now since it happened I weight train, i also had some minor swelling of the brain in my initial accident along with that comes bad memory etc, I’m now half way through a degree at uni and even though im not over what happened mentally and physically I still wont give up.More than anything i hope that one day mentally i will be able to accept what happened to me and accept the things i lost and move on. I probably have a better level of fitness than most of the people i know. Here is something i wrote, Never give up, never back down life is a fight and I’ll fight till the end. I try to remember that and live by it.
Just to dwell on all 3- Phillip, Paul and Special K to totally agree with you. Struggled with gaining weight for as long as I can remember, but only till Vince’s program where the simple recipe was to make sure to eat and rest. I started at 135 too at 5′ 10′, now 165. I also kept thinking in 5 lb increments as well thinking why not? After I reach say, 180, I’ll begin to concentrate on more of the ‘ripping’ aspect.
That last post was meant to be addressed to both Paul and Phillip. My bad.
Thanks for this, Paul. When I started out, I was about the size you are now and while I never considered myself a twig, I thought that I was noticeably skinny. I’m 5′ 11″, 185 now, but now every time I get discouraged because the weight isn’t piling on, I’m going to think back about your post and realize that someone else out there is doing it with less and getting it done. Best of luck.
It’s good you’re thinking big. Back when I was 155, I thought that 170 was going to be enough. When I hit 170, I decided I needed 175. Then 180. Now I’m thinking 190-200. Baby steps, right? Your goals sound good, and don’t be surprised if when you get to 170 or 175 you don’t find yourself wanting more.
While I definitely appreciate a can do attitude and approaching training with optimism and no sense of “impossible,” it’s impossible to know whether or not you’ve exceeded your “genetic potential.” Since there’s really no objective measure of genetic potential, any ideas of what yours is are completely set in your own mind. There are plenty of skinny people out there that have great potential – both Vince and John Berardi come to mind – that just undertrained and under ate before turning things around. Of course, everyone has some upper limit on their potential, but saying that you’ve hit it or are approaching it is impossible. So granted, the point is still the same – attack training with everything you’ve got and don’t be held back by imagined limits – the promise that anyone can tell you how to exceed this blurred line of “genetic potential” ends up ringing hollow. It’s a promise that you can’t possibly prove.
I heard Vince that you should start going to the gym when you are 18 because your body is till growing and you can damage your growth system. I’m skinny though and weigh about 54 kg and my height is 170 cm.
Still if I go to the gym I don’t change really and I follow the advice you said. I haven’t bought your program yet (maybe one day I will) but I have checked your posts and I must say they are truly inspiring.
I understand. Your examples are very true. I don’t care who said it or where it came from… my examples are extreme but they do happen. Perhaps they occur innocently and without intention but there are cases of manipulation that are designed to prevent change in others.
Think about a husband and wife. Parents and children. When there are serious commitments in place with certain people… this happens more often because you can’t just walk away.
You would never truly know because no one is going to admit they are manipulating you to prevent change.
But it happens and don’t kid yourself into thinking it can’t happen to you.
I do appreciate you putting my viewpoint into perspective and sharing a bigger piece of the picture and I hope everyone reads your response. Thanks pal
vince
Your too dumb, your too weak, your too optimistic,
I struggled at school to grasp certain concepts. Because of this I was labelled dumb.
When I was 11 a doctor diagnosed me with dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder. The word disorder alone is enough to tell a small child that they will never succeed because you are “broken”
I was told by ADD professionals that I will never work with computers because my attention span is too low. I would never be able to handle a job dealing with the public either. I must drop out of school and go to work at any repetitious job so I can be busy doing the same thing over and over. Don’t go to higher learning education because you will fail. So that’s what I did. Age 15 I dropped out and worked for $4 an hour 40 hours at week in a factory shed. It was hell on earth.
Because of this I was mad at the world and I was labelled a trouble maker. I quit that job 2 years later and lived off the government watching day time TV all day. I was the problem child of the family. The one that could never take care of herself and was lazy and had a bad attitude. But when I wanted to get a trade and learn something my family had nothing but negative comments and told that was a dream. When I looked for a job I was told I was wasting peoples time.
I sat around home for 3 years. In that time I took up the hobby of Video Editing. I was mocked for the amount of time I spent on the computer. Little did they know I was also writing a book. In those years I found my husband. He was a “can do” type of guy.
Since then I got married, moved state, was hired as a professional Video Editor, had a book published, and got a job in sales and shocked everyone that told me don’t try it you WILL fail.
Eat THAT!
‘A man becomes what he thinks about most of the time.’ I think that was Earl Nightengale. So what are you thinking about? I can or I can’t. Take it from there. My acomplishments aren’t what really matters to you . It’s your accomplishments that you’re concerned with. Know that with the right thinking there’s no limit. Define your goal. Develop a plan. Forget about the goal and focus on the plan. See where you’re at in 6 months. Good luck.
when i was young i was tought slow and fast twitch fibres (i wont go expliaining them because you all know what they are and at a young age i had great stamina and i was known as a skinny little kid who would not have muscles but now ive grown older and slowly but steadily ive started to put on muscle and now i look in decnt shape and its thanks to you vince keep doing what your doing i also agree with your article you shouldnt say cant. stay positive and positive things will happen!!
well i wana b like u. i m 21 but stil i have no body yet. i don know why. my chest is also not growing well. can u guide me to do somthing better. my health is good but my body is not growing as it should be. i do regularly exercise.
thanks anyway
Real estate moguel. LOL. Look out Trump.
Chris,
So you believe some things are impossible? As you wish. I hope your belief system SERVES you well. As you can see above, most people have learned that many things that are “impossible” are not – but they only found out via DOING and TAKING ACTION. Not by reading or debating or listening about it.
Forget jumping off roofs, we’re not talking about that stuff. We’re talking about personal limits and mental barriers today.
I bet you have at least ONE EVENT in YOUR life that you’ve defeated the “impossible?”
Share it with us. I’m sure you have at least one time you did something that others said you couldn’t?
Vince,
WOW! I agree with you 100%! I have grown up with a lot of people around me holding limiting beliefs and being restricted by fear. Sometimes it was hard not to believe them but that kind of spirit has always stuck in my craw. Maybe I’ve been somewhat of a rebel but I went the opposite direction and came to believe that I can accomplish anything I decide to put my will and effort to. And I have had a chance to prove it.
For most of my life I have struggled with intestinal problems which eventually turned into full blow intestinal disease. I spent thousands of dollars and went to every doctor we could find all without any answers. Until I finally ended up in the hospital in 2005 with the doctors telling me that if they didn’t find out what exactly was ailing me I would likely be dead in 7 to 10 days. I have never been afraid of death, (I’m a Christian), and do not believe that we should stay alive because we are afraid to die. I believe that we should stay alive because life is worth living. Anyway they did find out what was the matter 3 days later. A large section of my intestines was so inflamed and full of scar tissue that it had completely blocked them off. I had emergency surgery and was diagnosed with a very aggressive case of crohn’s disease. For those of you who don’t know what that is it is probably the worst disease of the intestines aside from colon cancer and is believed by most to be incurable. They told me that I would have many more surgeries, be on drugs that cost upward of 1800 dollars every six weeks and likely die young.
Well, I didn’t except that picture and decided to cure myself anyway and to do it without the help of ANY drugs. They said it was impossible but I guess Vince is right because I did it. Now, four years later I have astounded the doctors by completely curing myself of all signs, markers and symptoms of any disease and maintaining that state for over three years. Impossible? Not a chance and I have all the history, paper work and doctors orders to prove it.
If you are interested in seeing what I am talking about Google Jordin Rubin. My experience was almost identical to his. I was in just as bad of shape and although I used a different approach to my healing my results were just as dramatic.
Now I intent to repeat it by following Vince and going from a skinny little young man to one with a ripped muscular physique that turns every body’s head as soon as I enter the room. Already I have seen great progress and my friends and family have noticed and even asked how I have done this. Perhaps what I like the best is that I am no longer getting called a Healthy Underweight.
Always do the impossible. Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to overcome it!
Tyler
Everyone should read Mr Inta-Fitness story. Great one.
I have read all the posts above. You guys are inspiring ME. Like how I set you guys up to give ME early Christmas gifts? And to give each other early Christmas gifts?
These posts are food for the soul.
Share your story if you have not yet. Tell us something “impossible” that you overcame. Do you believe in “genetic limits?”
Vince,
Thank you so much for this post!! I’ll definitely be spreading it around to my friends.
As for my story, my high school was never known for being good at football. We were terrible. Then my brother and I got there, knowing that we could do so much better than we had been. In the six years there (he was 2 years above me), my brother and I took the school’s football team from an average record of 1-8 to being nearly undefeated every year. We were the only two captains to bring our teams to the playoffs in 12 years, and we even became region champions! We did this because we believed we could. We believed in each other too, and that kept us going when everyone else (newspapers, rivals, even our own classmates!) said it was impossible.
I’m on my way to getting ripped thanks to you, Joel, and Craig. I can’t wait to show you my pictures in a few months!
Thanks again,
Jim
Hey Chuan Sheng, you’re from Singapore? Which part? Shoot me an email man.
Vince
The answer is a big YES. I’ve started, … have a ways to go … and won’t quit until I get there.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking with a trainer friend at length. We talked on a variety of topics, but mostly he was picking my brain trying to figure out what makes me tick, why I have been able to stay focused and why I have been able to gain the results I have to date. It was an interesting talk because I hadn’t taken the time to really evaluate it like that. The benefit to me was a huge boost in my focus and a rekindling of the passion.
Lessons Learned: Over the last 10 months these are some of the things I do that lead to my improvements:
• Focus – Creation, belief in and visibility of the ONE main reason for wanting to improve my wellness. I had to think about this, create it and keep it visible for times when temptation hits or the lack of motivation to hit the gym rears its ugly head
• Consistency – scheduled exercise, scheduled food, scheduled rest and adherence to plan
• Vulnerability – Allowing myself to be vulnerable, let others see it, admit my faults and short comings
• Accountability – To self, to family, to mentors, to friends, to support communities
• Reflection – Lessons Learned
• Follow the proven plan and not my version of it (I really don’t know better, even if I think I do)
• Pay forward my success and benefits and the kindness given to me on my journey
• Water … giving up diet soda … drinking water all day long
• Getting back up right away … and every time … I fall
• Allow myself to be human
• Celebrate success, learn from failure, and press on … no matter what
It seems overwhelming to list, but these skills were attained over time and not all at once. They are building blocks that were laid, one a top the other. It took me 10 years to get 50# overweight, but only 10 months to become “30 Something” again at age 56!!!!!!!!!
Today, it is just the normal way to be.
Another great post, man. I try to do the mental reframe whenever I find myself thinking “I can’t . . . ” — I have to turn that into “How can I . . . ?” That’s what I had to do when I determined to go to college, and again when I started planning for law school. It’s what I had to do when I made up my mind to go into private practice. When I decided to buy a house. When I wanted more than anything to lose the 30 pounds of flab I’d added.
I’m like you. I won’t let my future be decided by the limiting thoughts that arise from the manner in which I approach the issue.
Well, that was a very, very, truly inspiring article. Thank you Vince for sharing that. It really really shows that even the sky ain’t the limit. Really, thank you. And thanks to everyone else for sharing their own inspirational articles. My success story with the weights really, isn’t that big of a deal. Not to me anyway, but to loads of other people who ask me about my gains.
I started working out in March 2009 with little knowledge of weightlifting. Hell I was only eating 4 meals a day, and I would do wayy too many sets for the same body part, for someone so inexperienced like me. I remember once, I had a 2 hour bicep workout session, and a 3 and a half hour chest workout session. I was that dumb. Then slowly as I read more online, I realised how dumb I was and changed everything.
After I finally got so much more smarter with the weights, which was around June by then, I worked my ass off and after looking at the scale, and looking at my size -and having received reactions from friends I haven’t seen for months such as, “Holy sh*t, look at you, you’re so different, you’re so huge! your arms are massive!”- I realised that back in March, I weighed 55kgs (121lbs) and at the end of November, I weighed 75kgs (165lbs). I thought that was normal.
Until people started going on and on about what supernatural genes I had that made me gain so well, did I realised that I actually was onto something big, that I’ve been doing something better than everyone else I knew, including those on roids. With all the negativity and the ”gurus” of bodybuilding talking and all, it really makes it seem that bodybuilding is pretty much like rocket science. Well it can be complicated, that is if you’re listening to a ”guru” all the time. Well anyway, I had a friend who only gained 10kgs in 12 months of working out, and another friend who’s been working out, eating well and training hard for 4 years, and who’s been on steroids for the last 6 months almost everyday, and I’ve still packed on mass so much better than him.
So I’m real happy to say that I’ve gained 20kgs of muscle mass in a mere 8 months. On top of that, I hit a plateau from June till mid-September. Imagine if I didn’t hit a plateau, imagine the gains I would have made.
Well that’s pretty much it. It really isn’t anything to brag about, but it’s something I’m pretty proud of. And definitely, the advice and tips from Vince and Lee Hayward proved to be really useful.
Oh but I do disagree with the saying, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your limits.” It really depends on the willingness of the person to succeed, in my opinion. I say this because, not even one of my close friends, loves bodybuilding as much as I do. They don’t understand the love I have developed towards this. No one does actually. I can go on for hours speaking about lifting and nutrition and so on. In truth, I only know one person who loves working out as well, but not as much as like how I do. Sometimes in class, when my hands are not occupied, I’ll lean back on a chair and pretend I’m doing dumbbell flyes or presses or anything, and ocassionally classmates would stare at me and go like, “Uh, what are you doing?” And I’d go, “Living for the pump”. Even with my friends, when we hang out, sometimes I’d like to, Man I really feel like doing some delts right now, or legs, or whatever, and they’d go like, “Uh whatever”. They would never understand. Ah well.
Thanks so much for the inspirational stories Vince. Lift hard. Cheers!
My story is simple but resonates well with the topic. Topping out at 260 pounds in 2005 (at age 39) I turned it around and through exercise and diet dropped to 175 pounds that same year. Those January radio ads singing “get fit” really struck a cord with me that year and turned my “I wish I wasn’t so fat” into “I’m going to get thinner”. As I lost a few pounds the excitement grew and “I can” became my new catch phrase. In 2006 not so afraid of gaining some weight for muscle I started back with weights and over the past 1.5 years I’ve been using Vince’s routines to really add shape to my body. At 43 I’m probably in the best shape of my life and enjoy doing many more active things in life. Positive thinking is key, it provides motivation for the rest.
Oh, if you did start to go back to how you were, I am pretty sure your “buddy Joe” would start to disuade you from changing. Now, is he trying to “control you or maintain the puppet strings they have on your life.”? Nah, he is just looking through his view of the world, transfering it to you, and trying to help you avoid being hurt. You would say he is manipulating you.
I would bet that you would eventually both stop being so close!
Ok I totally disagree with your assumption that, “Do you want to know why people would prefer you stay in your comfort zone and not push your limits? When you change and grow and become a new person they are unable to control you or maintain the puppet strings they have on your life.”
This is a belief that has permeated through almost all of the self-help crowd since one person said it 50 years ago. Just like people following the herd with every fad diet, it is not totally true.
Yes, they may try to disuade you from following a certain path, and no, they are not doing that because of the fear of losing control of you. Come on, don’t fall for this dogma – you are better than that!
These people may be transfering their own fear onto you, may be concerned that you might get hurt physically, emotionally, financially by going against the “norm” or “pack” or “herd”. They may even fear you falling victim to the “cult of personality”, but I would have SERIOUS doubts that they feel the need to control you. If your will is that weak, then you have way more problems than changing your physique.
Sure you may lose friends due to your change – BECAUSE YOU HAVE LESS IN COMMON! Not because they lost control of you.
When they want to go out for a cheeseburger and you opt for the salad, and then lecture them on the evils of a cheeseburger, of course they would rather not hang out with you.
When they want to go to a bar and party and you want to go workout or stay home and you lecture them on how their lifestyle is shortening their life, blah, blah, blah – of course they want to avoid you.
This is a matter of commonality and not control. Even your family would rather be with someone who they have things in common with rather than someone who doesn’t – especially if they are being “lectured” by your new lifestyle.
Vince, I am sure this is what happened to you. Now the “friends” you have are more in line with commonality. I wonder how long your “new friends” would be around if you started going back to the person you were before your transformation – either physically or emotionally? Bet you would find the same transition in “friends”.
So, can we please stop throwing this particular blanket over change?!?!?!?
Nice Vinny D, good story, never knew you were a real estate mogul too! Nice!
I like your comment there. This is me. Right now I’m at ~155 and 5′ 11″. Before I ever started working out, I was 135lb (at age 29). It’s hard to find the *true* ectomorphs who were literally twigs. So many people just say they were, but, when you find out their weight, they are/were something like 5’11″ 160lbs. I just stare. Oh, how nice it would be to consider yourself a “twig” at “only” 160. And “gee thanks” because I was 135….
Any case, my goal is at the least 170, up to 190. Your post makes me more confident it is possible.
(190 seems so far away … but looking at everybody, it *must* be possible.)
Of course some things are impossible. If you stop and take the time to understand how things work, then you know there are rules. If those rules restrict you, then they restrict you, it’s just not possible. You can talk positive all you like, but if you leap off a building, you’re going to hit the ground. Our existence here is governed by at least some immutable laws. And even the mutable ones are not all that flexible either. If you fail to meet certain conditions, then you won’t succeed in whatever venture you’re about to do. Most people don’t have self-actualizing personalities and never will, because if they weren’t before, the chances of change are slim. Only a tiny fraction of people ever change who they really are, the rest realize their folly and give up. It’s just human nature. We’re weak, flawed, and fallible. It’s inescapable, that’s why there is still crime, war, hatred, violence, racism, and the list goes on. If my time on this Earth has taught me anything, it is that every single human being is broken, crippled, emotionally and/or physically. Not a single person is whole and entire. It’s a fact of life. We all have demons. I know this post is going to generate a lot of negative feedback, but I’ve come to be fine with that, denial is the go-to when people hear something they know to be true but don’t want to accept.
You’Re absolutly right bro.
thats exactly the reason why i dont like my parents cause they allways tell my YOU CAN’T… but i dont care i move forward and i have success in life
Wishes from germany your friend Björn
Had to share one other one. Grew up in a family with a European background. Eating was mandatory so I was always heavy ( not obes) as a kid and into my 20′s and 30′s. I weighed on avg 185 with about 30% bf for my 5 11 height. Had a buddy who told me that I would never be able to get under 170 lbs …in fact I think he said something to the effect that hell would freeze over that happened. Well today, I am 164 lbs and 11% bf.
I am skating over hell later today.
In grade 9 I was told that I should not change schools because this one specialized in math and science and from my grades I was not good in math and would not stand a chance at getting past grade 12 ( back then we had grade 13 In Ontario in Canada).
I graduated University with a Bachelor of Mathematics !!
Ok Vince, bout time I joined in and leave you a comment that hopefully you’ll enjoy and relate to. I’ve been following ur stuff for ages – own your No Nonsense Muscle Buildling and just plain enjoy your style – you remind me of well…um…ME
But, not in a creepy – I will stalk you kind of way…My evolution in this great industry of ours is slightly behind you due to some hiccups along the way (as you will read below) but I’ll soon be one of the top fitness dudes in Oz (why, cos I believe it!)
So, talk about negative beliefs – been there buddy and was one of those people who suffered a bad case of the ‘poor me’s’ which escalated into full blown ‘excusititis’ (inflammation of the excuse making gland). This kept me under-achieiving for many years. Add to this the death of a close friend in a car accident (I was driving but not at fault – tyre blew out and car flipped and he broke his neck) and I was at rock bottom. The only thing I believed was that I needed another drink and a few lines of ‘go powder’ with a few ‘happy make me dance pills’. Then of course, I thought selling a few ecky’s and a bit of speed was ‘cool’ and it did fund my gambling habit for a while so I guess I could use that to jusitify my behaviour (true story mate – none of this is BS!).
So, the fact that I was working in nightclubs, hanging out with gangsters and dealing drugs and gambling really compounded the negative self beliefs that I had. That was life and as good as it got in my head. Did I mention I was 54 kg’s dripping wet and always asked if I were a jockey (this really annoyed me). I was training in the gym 4-5 days but getting nowhere (gee – I wonder why) and I hated my body, my life and myself…
Well, they say sometimes u need to hit rock bottom before you can truly understand the power of the human will (however, I strongly advise no-one reading this copies my path) and I guess this is the case for me. One day, I woke up and said ‘no more’ – probably about the time that I gambled away $4000 of drug dealers money and skipped town (again, true story!) I did a runner and had some loan sharks chasing me for the $$. There I was, broke, nothing but the clothes on my back, nowhere to live and being chased for money by some pretty scary dudes!
Ok, so pretty extreme rock bottom. But I knew I was better than this – I ‘believed’ I was better than this and I knew I wanted to be all I could be and I had to make it happen. I managed to get a hostel to let me stay there free until I got a job and I ate in a soup kitchen (church where they provide food to homeless) and then I managed to get 2 jobs and a bit over 12 months I literally worked my ass off and paid back the scary dudes and the drug dealers all of their money (yes I did – I know it’s hard to believe).
So, this was the start of my personal development and my pursuit to follow my passion (which was training in the gym) Iand I wanted to do something that was a beneift to society – not just make money. Then it hit me – I wanted to become a Personal Trainer. But, I was tiny and I was told by everybody that no-one would take me seriously as a Personal Trainer and that I would never make it. However, one good friend who was already a PT told me to go for it and that’s what I did. I worked part time and I studied and 6 mths later I got a job in a gym as a fitness instructor. Not only did I study but I devoured everything I could about gym & training etc and I tried and tested everything on myself (pretty good guinea pig at 54 skinny kg’s). I’m still trying to find some ‘before’ photo’s of me when I was real skinny – u would love them but I lost all mine and am still trying to recover some from somewhere. Anyway, back to the story….so, after much trial & error I learnt (the hardway) how to build muscle. If only I had your program then – LOL. And, I became a pretty good PT in the process too. Ever since I began to study PT back in 2001 I also began to study personal development and continue to this day (both disciplines that is). The rest as they say, is history. Where am I now?? I own and operate a multi award winning Personal Training business here in OZ where I have personally helped many others achieve health and fitness happiness and next year I am onto much much bigger things (look out Vince – we may cross paths – haha, dont worry , I’m looking at different niches).
So, after this essay (I could go on but I’ll leave some space for your others subscirbers) – I guess my point is this.
It doesn’t matter where you are at – YOU just have to BELEIVE in yourself and BE POSITIVE and set out to achieve your dreams whatever they may be! Now, don’t get me wrong – you can’t just believe it – you have to actually commit to being your best and doing whatever it takes to get there – this often means hard work and self education. But, boy is the pay off worth it!
GO FOR IT and don’t for a second let anyone tell you it can’t be done. Just ask yourself – ‘How’ can I do it like no longer skinny Vinny says
Cheers, Mr. Inta-Fitness
Ps Vince – thanks for some real great posts lately and for being an awesome role model
Conceive, believe and achieve! My goal for 2010 is to be in the best shape of my life… I have never got rid of my stomach and hated every pic of me on the beach. I’m hoping, with Vince’s help, 2010 will be my year and beyond!
hi i do not believe in genetic potential or barriers, i myself was born with a hole in my heart & as a teenager couldnt walk 100 mts without gasping for breath,
had very small wrist structere,(6 inches)
overcame all that and won upteen comps, and out boxed out ran people half my ages today at 48 i m more better and muscular than i was at 20,
ur advice is good Vince thats why i signed up for ur letter, u dont fleece people to make ur ends meet. Keep strong son ,we need people like u.
Concerning body-achievements, I think the main thing is that people *think* they have reached their genetic potential, when in reality they are far from it.
I don’t think I’ve reached mine, so I won’t stop trying to reach it.
As far as other achievments, *everything* has begun as an idea in someones head, so as some say, “impossible is nothing!”
who can tell me wad to eat regularly and wad the best for fat burn and muscle gain.i really wan buy vince delmonte book but i dun have credit cards,moreover i staying in singapore.
i still really dun know to build abs as i really dun have to money to go gym,and now looking to buy suitable dumbells.Can i ask vince delmonte that is doing dumbells and running help?
Hi Vince
I am 25 and I had a bulging disc in my lower back at the age of 18, from Studying Martial Arts for 8 years, I injured my left hip flexor but carried on, and my Sifu told me to just kick with my right leg only!! Well 2 years later I had incredible pain in my left hip and lower back on the left side. I went and saw many so called specialists and they said they could not help me, due to having created a side shift/Scoliosis of the spine, from strengthening one side of my body and stretching the other side from the kicking. I was told I would need surgery to remove the disc and that was all they could do. Well I didn’t want surgery and new I would get better, I educated myself on the human body and about all different methods and techniques.
Now finally I have managed to correct the side shift and am so close to 100%!! This time last year I couldn’t walk more than a few metres, couldn’t sleep on my left side to due Sciatic pain, and couldn’t stand for more than a few minutes, I was merely existing, but I refused to give up.
This was me February this year:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/Sarge21_2006/STA62050.jpg
This is me now!!
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/Sarge21_2006/P1919_28-10-09.jpg
I plan on starting to gain some muscle mass in 2010, and getting ripped, I have a new lease of life now
i hate it when people say you can’t do something. But I always turn the negative thoughts into motivation. I was told I could not get into university, now I have a degree. I was told I would suck at sports, Now I regularly step into the kickboxing ring.
I don’t believe in limitations at all. If you put in the work you can make it happen.
I am a modest 154 pounds, and am recovering from some broken ribs. Sure they say I’ll never have a body builder physique, but do they?
I’ve only been able to bench deadlift and squat for about the last month because my injuries were so severe. My bench about the same as my bodyweight, and my squat and deadlit are in the high 200s; are there’s?
Sure i might never have a body builder physique, but i’m stronger, leaner and better than any of them that i know!
Mind you, my former training partner – who recently moved to East London, RSA, is the perfect example of someone who says “I CAN!” She was in an accident at age 7, her parents were told she won’t make it through the night, unless they amputate her one leg. Then she was told she will nver walk again. Then she was told she will never walk properly. Then she was told she will never be able to do sport, or run long distances. Yeah right! She plays squash, runs in road races, wears high-heels, hike up mountain passes, works out like a maniac (when she is on her own – I push her until she wants to throw me with a 20kg-dumbbell!) and is not afraid to tackle something new. If you want to fire-up her behind, tell her she can’t. Then watch what happens. BTW: she still has all her limbs working normally. So much for the educated opinion.
My freshman year in HS I weighed in at 105lbs and I was 5′5, sophomore year 110 lbs at 5′5. I would work out and I would always notice that I’m the skinny guy in PE. My Junior and Senior year I weighed 112 – 115lbs. There were times when I thought it WAS impossible. I hated my physique. Even after HS I went into college still skinny but after a few years I did gain some muscle but I believe I hit a plateau. Now, my current weight is 145 at 5′6 and I still dont look huge, but everyone has noticed my changes. I have a fitness goal about 155 or 160lbs with under 12% bodyfat. I dont want to get huge, I just want to have the modelesque physique – notamagicpill
When I discovered a few years ago that I CAN, nothing could stop me. Everything I put my mind on, turned out a success. Even my weight-loss pursuit stunned people so much they thought I was dying of AIDS! Become who YOU want to be, don’t even pay attention to the hapless, baseless and worthless “opinions” of people. Results speak for themselves.
I was told i was far too tall to go karting and be good at it.
As of yet after 2 years i have not found a person who can beat me.
not much in relation to body building but thats all i could really think of!
Great article.
Well people always said I wouldn’t move 400 miles from home at age 19 to live near the sea & learn to surf. I did it anyway!
“They” said I didn’t have the balls to go travelling – I spent 8 years travelling around the world do hundreds of strange & interesting jobs when the money ran out.
“They” said buying a one bedroom apartment for £50,000 was crazy – “too expensive” they said – It doubled in value in 3 years!
“They” said I was naturally skinny, I was 5’11″ and 140lbs – “it’s just your build” they said. I now weigh 189lbs, mostly muscle! 2 years of it doing bodyweight training due to 2 injuries.
I could go on. I also learnt not to listen to “them” years ago but somehow started forgetting. thanks for the reminder & nudge again Vince!
Impossible is nothing. You da man Vince Delmonte !
Great read Vince!
Okay. Basically i was always this skinny FREAK. My freshman year i weighed in at 97lbs and I was 5’4, sophomore year i was 108lbs at 5’8. Obviously I had a build of an emaciated child! I would work out and all my friends said it was impossible. There were times when I thought it WAS impossible. I hated my physique, I yearned to look like those models seen on A|X advertisements. Every day I went to the gym I was the skinniest piece of cr*p and I loathed everything. Now, I’ve been working out, eating, resting just how prescribed since late June, and am now 5’8 and 130lbs. I still dont look huge, but everyone has noticed my changes. I can deadlift 200lbs+ for 5 reps! I still have ambition to hit around 140 by June, and eventually 150. I dont want to get huge, I just want to have the modelesque physique, and I want to thank you Vince for helping me reach my halfway point! I’m constantly motivated, thanks again- Tyler