Last year, Eryk Bui had a few incidents, and said some things he should of. Eryk is now a big enough man to apoligize on what he said. I recently saw Eryk at the NPC Los Angeles, and a few other places and he has been cool, and didn't feel good on what he said. Here is what Eryk wrote and hopes people will take his apology.
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Hello everyone! I will be Las Vegas this weekend for the NPC USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships. As always I expect to see a ton of talent battling it out on stage for what I consider the “West Coast Nationals” as it seems to draw the most competitors from that region. I got a glimpse of some of the talent last weekend at the NPC Los Angeles Championships and can definitely say that the USA’s should be a great one to watch.
I really miss competing as an amateur as I had the most fun during that period of time between 2002 and 2004. I also miss being around the wonderful people of the sport and sharing my knowledge with them … attending the LA Championships last Saturday was a truly nice experience. I was able to catch up with old friends and make new ones in the process. My current physique is just about identical to what it was when I won earned my pro card back in 2004 at the Nationals. Attached are some photos that I took earlier, which is basically of me after 2 1/2 days of carb-depleting. No, I am not getting ready for a show. I am actually doing it as a show of my support for one of my good friends who is competing this weekend. I am also doing it to see how far I can push my “clean” physique. I am very pleased with how my body has responded to the challenge and it should inspire others to follow suit. Before anyone out there misconstrues me, THIS IS IN NO WAY AN ATTEMPT AT PASSING JUDGEMENT WITH ANYONE OR ANYTHING, it’s just an alternative to consider.
Bodybuilding has been good to me and I still love and believe what it really stands for … respect for, admiration for, and a celebration of life. I recently telephoned Jim Manion, NPC President and IFBB Chairman, to apologize and set the record straight as why I became disgruntled after most last pro show (2007 Europa Super Show). Mr. Manion has always been kind and respectful to me, so I do owe him an apology for offending him. He has worked tirelessly through the years to make bodybuilding as popular as it is today, and for that we all owe him a great deal of gratitude.
Make no mistake about this either, I AM NOT DOING THIS TO TRY TO GET BACK INTO PROFESSIONAL BODYBUILDING. I have retired and have no plans on returning to the competitive stage. However, I will always do my part to promote bodybuilding as best I can off the stage. I learned years ago to never say “never,” but for now I am content with being offstage. I know there will be some “a-holes” out there who will try to misconstrue my genuine and sincere apology to Mr. Manion as a way of “kissing ass” as many have done to get back into the scene. I was rash and too quick to pass judgement in attacking the organization as a whole. I should have taken my grievances to Mr. Manion personally instead of over-reacting as I did.
It was a meltdown based on the fact that I was angry with being left out on stage while everyone else got compared. Why the IFBB panel did this will remain a mystery until they speak out. I’m over it. Let’s just move on. There are some others who I don’t owe an apology to as they have attacked me verbally and are judged accordingly. John Lindsay describes the NPC and IFBB as a collective family. With this in mind, I am likened to the “wild child” who gets caught up in his emotions and reacts without rationale. Now that the dust has settled, I guess it time to come back home and be a part of the family again. I AM a bodybuilder … always have been … always will be!
It is with great hopes that Mr. Manion will call me or sit down with me to discuss what WE ALL can do to make bodybuilding shine brightly once again. My voice is one, but I do believe that I am just the beginning of a louder collective voice that will induce a positive change that will resound for years to come. I am a bodybuilder and I can’t change that, which is best supported by the popular bodybuilding phrase that states, “Once the bug bites you, you will never walk away the same … you will always have that itch.” As funny as it sounds, it is quite true. Bodybuilding is a choice to take care of you so you can take care of others around you. Win, lose, or draw, WE ALL should strive to communicate with others about, and be great examples of, how to live life to the fullest. Take care everyone and hope to see some of you in Las Vegas. Mr. John Lindsay ALWAYS attracts the best talent and does a phenomenal job of putting on the best show in town.
