for the first few months i was like a deer in headlights...lol
mike i know what you mean....but they didn't GIVE me anything....i fuckin earned it....lol
and in any past shows...i was beat by someone better than me, so NO i should never have turned pro years ago.....i like exactly how everything played out.
Hey Vinnie,
This is Harley and I want to compliment you on your most humble response pasted above. First, I will say that you did earn your Pro Card and you know that I am one of your harshest critics. I say that only because I had the privilege of training with you and traveling with you to shows and simply wanted only the best for you.
Also, most guys hold onto the usual misbelief that they weren't beaten by better guys. It's refreshing to hear a guy be so brutally honest. I was debating about starting a thread re Craig's upcoming year but have been really disappointed by all the unwarranted hostility and apparent disinterest in true bodybuilding discourse. Seeing your thread here in the Positive section gives me hope.
As far as your first show, none of us want you to do anything that places unnecessary stress upon you or Sheila (one of the nicest ladies I have ever met). May I suggest the Atlantic City show? Craig and I drive down Friday night and leave Sunday morning. That makes for a relatively inexpensive stay despite the inflated hotel price. Your family can even drive you home Saturday night as it's only about 2 hours away. It's an extremely well run show and Stokely and Ron are great promoters. I also think that with all that time to train and the quality of that show, there is no way you will be overlooked.
In closing, it's great to see you up there on a pro stage where you belong. Attitude and appreciation for the fans makes for a very long and prosperous career. It's too bad so many other "pros" didn't learn that from you a long time ago.
Your friend,
Harley