Arnold Classic - Meet & Greet with Evan Centopani and more.

[Matt C]

Big dude, although as huge as his arms are they do not look nearly as big as Evan's.  I will upload some videos of Evan as soon as I compress the files since upload speeds in the hotel are pretty slow tonight:

[Matt C]

I can't tell too much so far but I would say Evan stands a good shot of winning the show based on his size and condition and other pros who I would say in the past could have beaten him do not look as impressive as I have seen them before.  I know you can't tell much when pros are in their tracksuits as opposed to oiled up in thongs, but Evan's thickness looks freaky and I can see him beating Dexter again as well as Toney Freeman [although it's worth noting that Toney's veins could be seen clearly through his shirt].

I've been trying to compress these files to 1/5 their original size while preserving most of the original quality and it's been working out alright but does anyone here know of a program which is best at doing that?

[Matt C]

Ronny Rockel:

[Flexb]

Pakaulski looks like a tool. Nice facial expressions always trying to look like a tough guy

[Matt C]

Pakaulski looks like a tool. Nice facial expressions always trying to look like a tough guy

I imagine a lot of these guys feel like tough guys because of how the general populace treats them.  I know a lot of that is more about perception than reality but at some point I think it is understandable that it goes to their heads.

Another video of Evan and although it doesn't show much I think it's safe to say he is big and in condition:

[Pollux]

Pakaulski looks like a tool. Nice facial expressions always trying to look like a tough guy

That's what I was thinkin'. I mean, geezus! SMILE!

[Matt C]

Does anyone know how long Toney plans to compete for?  He will be 45 in August and he has been competing at multiple times in the year for a while yet still looking pretty good for most of his shows.  Not many pros have been able to pull this off yet it seems like Toney is still managing.

[Matt C]

I can't say much about Branch because he was too covered up although I can say he looks way better without tan and as lame as the expression is, I think he looks a lot healthier too.  If he is in shape for this contest I see no reason why he won't be able to win it.  As good as Evan looked, I don't see him being at Branch's level at this point.  Otherwise, as said, it is too hard to judge anything about Branch.  Since he seemed confident about his contest prep, I'm going to predict that he wins the show.

[Firemuscle]

 MattC is a shmoe. All the way.

 Sweaty forehead, jacking off in the back row at amatuer bb competitions, walking around the pump room with his hand deep in his pocket, renting hotel rooms by the ice machine. Shmoe.

[Matt C]

MattC is a shmoe. All the way.

 Sweaty forehead, jacking off in the back row at amatuer bb competitions, walking around the pump room with his hand deep in his pocket, renting hotel rooms by the ice machine. Shmoe.

I fear this is the path I'm heading toward:

However, I do think there are things that a person can do to not be a shmoe.  For one: Being in shape.  This is why, regardless of whether or not I want muscle as much as I used to, I think actually working out and being at least in half decent shape will distinguish me from other industry shmoes.  I also think that I can continue to seek help in my hairstyle/clothes.  Believe me, the road to shmoedom is one that I do not want to go down...

[Firemuscle]

I fear this is the path I'm heading toward:

However, I do think there are things that a person can do to not be a shmoe.  For one: Being in shape.  This is why, regardless of whether or not I want muscle as much as I used to, I think actually working out and being at least in half decent shape will distinguish me from other industry shmoes.  I also think that I can continue to seek help in my hairstyle/clothes.  Believe me, the road to shmoedom is one that I do not want to go down...

 Your hairstyle man. What the fuck?........

 Looks like a gay Adolf Hitler wannabe who huffs too much paint.

[Matt C]

Your hairstyle man. What the fuck?........

 Looks like a gay Adolf Hitler wannabe who huffs too much paint.

It's funny because left to my own devices, I would not have changed my hair or my clothes.  Am I that out of touch?  Or maybe I just don't care because my main objectives are in other areas, primarily family, and I am happy to report it is going very well.  I guess because I am achieving my goals, it doesn't give me a reason to change.  But now my goals have changed slightly and I want my bodybuilding contest coverage and supplement reviews to be successful so I plan to take all the advice I have been given to heart.  My hair looks more like this now:

I put these videos up to be scrutinized.  If I wasn't getting feedback, how can I improve anything?

Also, does anyone recommend a light to improve my videos?  I think they typically can use a bit more lighting so any information on this would be appreciated.

[Matt C]

Can't say much about the condition of Johnnie Jackson but even at his best I can't imagine him doing much better than top five in this lineup, and only at his best.  Still, strong dude who recently turned 40 and who is still at it:

[Firemuscle]

 Honestly if that's how you like your hair you should just keep rocking it like that. You are the only person who knows what you shoudl do in life.

 Life's all about doing what you wanna do and walking your own path. That's how you live life to the fullest.

 I've had a lot of people talk shit about my hair and fashion choices too. It doesn't phase me though. I never listen to other people.

[Matt C]

Honestly if that's how you like your hair you should just keep rocking it like that. You are the only person who knows what you shoudl do in life.

 Life's all about doing what you wanna do and walking your own path. That's how you live life to the fullest.

 I've had a lot of people talk shit about my hair and fashion choices too. It doesn't phase me though. I never listen to other people.

I had a friend recently who literally condemned me for my lack of fashion sense.  I feel in a way he was attempting to live invariably through me.  I think he thinks that I have potential if I knew anything about style and it frustrates him to see me waste it.  But what utility does my style serve?  Does it make me a better father to my daughter and Matt C Jr.?  In my opinion, no.  However, I think we live in a superficial world and the bodybuilding industry in particular is even more superficial than average and for that reason I do feel that I would benefit to being bigger and have better style.

So my immediate goals right now are: Get better style, get my strength up to a deadlift of 315X20, bench 225X25, and squat...well I would be happy to get 315X12 with good form, and get up to a muscular 180-185.

Does this serve any utility in my life?  I feel that yes, it may full well help give me a better image as someone who is actually worth listening to when giving supplement advice.  Although I thought Ron Harris looked awesome and there were still a lot of people bashing his physique.  But in any case, now that I feel that changing my appearance will serve me utility in my life, I plan to do it.  Up until this point I truly did not care in the least bit.

[Firemuscle]

I had a friend recently who literally condemned me for my lack of fashion sense.  I feel in a way he was attempting to live invariably through me.  I think he thinks that I have potential if I knew anything about style and it frustrates him to see me waste it.  But what utility does my style serve?  Does it make me a better father to my daughter and Matt C Jr.?  In my opinion, no.  However, I think we live in a superficial world and the bodybuilding industry in particular is even more superficial than average and for that reason I do feel that I would benefit to being bigger and have better style.

So my immediate goals right now are: Get better style, get my strength up to a deadlift of 315X20, bench 225X25, and squat...well I would be happy to get 315X12 with good form, and get up to a muscular 180-185.

Does this serve any utility in my life?  I feel that yes, it may full well help give me a better image as someone who is actually worth listening to when giving supplement advice.  Although I thought Ron Harris looked awesome and there were still a lot of people bashing his physique.  But in any case, now that I feel that changing my appearance will serve me utility in my life, I plan to do it.  Up until this point I truly did not care in the least bit.

 Sounds like you are overthinking. Fuck the bodybuilding industry anyway. It's a circus of douchebags for the most part.

 Smoke some weed and chill out.

 Your haircut is shaped a lot like a penis head though. Can I call you "Dickhead" from now on?

[Matt C]

Sounds like you are overthinking. Fuck the bodybuilding industry anyway. It's a circus of douchebags for the most part.

 Smoke some weed and chill out.

     

Your haircut is shaped a lot like a penis head though. Can I call you "Dickhead" from now on?

Yes you may.  Please do.

I feel that I am too stiff when I do my videos, and not stiff in the way that the many benders who comprise the bodybuilding fan base want me to be!

I want to work on getting my natural personality on camera.  I feel that I am far more interesting than the videos let on.  I am actually full of energy and I want to show that.  I appreciate all the feedback, it really helps.

Robert Piotrkowicz:

[Flexb]

Can't say much about the condition of Johnnie Jackson but even at his best I can't imagine him doing much better than top five in this lineup, and only at his best.  Still, strong dude who recently turned 40 and who is still at it:

Johnnie's face looks pretty puffy. He will be 10th-15th

[Matt C]

Johnnie's face looks pretty puffy. He will be 10th-15th

I think you are right about that.  I know it seems odd to judge a bodybuilder based on things like what their face looks like or how big they look in a tracksuit, but when I saw how Ronnie was looking at the press conference in 2007 I knew he would be struggling to make the top five and I was right [arguably Wolf should have beaten him although one could also argue that Jay and Dennis should have traded places, with Ronnie still in fourth].

I think this is why bodybuilders cover up the day before the show.  I think they don't want to put any ideas in the judges heads.

Victor:

[Flexb]

I think you are right about that.  I know it seems odd to judge a bodybuilder based on things like what their face looks like or how big they look in a tracksuit, but when I saw how Ronnie was looking at the press conference in 2007 I knew he would be struggling to make the top five and I was right [arguably Wolf should have beaten him although one could also argue that Jay and Dennis should have traded places, with Ronnie still in fourth].

I think this is why bodybuilders cover up the day before the show.  I think they don't want to put any ideas in the judges heads.

Victor:

In bodybuilding, the face can tell a whole lot about a guys condition. Johnnie, when in great shape, face looks very thin and sunken in. I have a feeling we will see one of the worst JJ's of recent.

[Matt C]

In bodybuilding, the face can tell a whole lot about a guys condition. Johnnie, when in great shape, face looks very thin and sunken in. I have a feeling we will see one of the worst JJ's of recent.

I would have to agree with your reasoning there.  He is 40 now and has competed consistently for the past decade.  I wonder if we will see a decline of Johnnie now.

Another video of Evan:

[Matt C]

Dennis Wolf: