Exactly. Gary Strydom once told me "genetics start here," as he gestured, pointing to his mind. Think about it. I think we actually have quite a bit of volitional control over what develops and how. Kevin's physique resulted not from what I'd describe as genetics, but more like attitude. Arnold's physique was an attitude. It's a way of thinking that manifests itself in your physical form. I've come to hold beliefs like this very confidently. I also believe that things like music and chemicals open up pathways through which we can actually change our physiology and resulting physical form. It's the only sort of thing that could explain Kevin's "genetic" response to training. I believe that he was a phenomenal dreamer. I'm sure the stories we've heard about him locking himself in his room for days and days on end on some mind trip during contests preps are true. Like I picture him onstage as being fresh out of a 3 month long MIND TRIP. Cormier said that every time at around 8 weeks out he figures that Kevin must have just thrown away his phone because nobody anywhere could get in touch with him. He'd basically just pull about a 12-16 week "Major Tom" on everybody. Kinda like what Dorian did, too, prior to the 93 Olympia...it probably just wasn't as colorful.
Oh and thanks for the props Groink. That's cool, I know you feel me.
it's an american thing to think that it all "starts up here." to think that if I can dream it, I can do it . . . and even through strydom's s african by birth, he chose the american way.
there's no doubt that the mind is powerful, but it's easy to believe when your body is geared to give you results.
there are certain phsyiological limits that cannot be transcended . . .
but there's a lot of variation physiologically (which the adonis crew never gets) . . .
there are people like michael lockett and randy moss and yes, even bo jackson
to put it another way, you could have a decent talent for music and practice/study it all day every day for a lifetime and still never be able to "get" music the way a six year old beethoven/mozart could.
the six year old beethoven wasn't thinking mind over matter. the six year old is just surfing on a wave of talent unimaginable to the average human being.
and the six year old develops a faith in his capabilities that undergirds the production of a ninth symphony when deafness should have prevented it. that faith in oneself is not a triumph of will, it is just the way things are.
