I can tell one story about an Arnold Classic in about '94 or maybe '96. I was there with to support Sonny and I was exhausted after a long trip. Melbourne - LA - Chicago - Columbus, with delays all the way. I had frozen my arse off in the days before the show. Running around getting food, tan, oil and whatever Sonny had needed or forgotten to pack.
We get to the prejudging and as always it was a great contest at the Veterans, there was always something about the Arnold Classic atmosphere, whether it was the lighting, the distance, the crowd, I'm not sure. There was just something about that show.
Kevin had been in the top call-outs in the prejudging but was a bit off and knew that he was in for a fight to try to get back in a position to actually win the show. He was a touch smooth and lacked that separation and condition that was his trademark.
At the end of the prejudging everyone headed back to the host hotel to get ready for the finals later that night. Now this was before the rise of the guru, so it was up to each competitor to make the necessary adjustments to food, water and tan themselves.
While everyone else ran around looking for clean carbs or junk loading on burgers and candy, dropping more water or try to find a sauna to dry out more, Kevin headed for the bar. I got there at the same time, thinking I would try to have a couple of quiet ones before the finals.
I sat with Kevin and we went at it, drinking shots of heavy spirits, I think Jack at first then Vodka. We knocked them back until it was time to head to the finals. We talked about all sorts of stuff, life, family, business and cars. I was half cut and starting to slur the words a bit. Kevin was OK but definitely a bit glazed and quite chirpy. He lifted up his shirt before we left and said, I think that is what we needed. He looked like a different person.
Well Levrone, walks on stage that night about 20% better than the prejudging. His skin looked like paper, separation was back, muscles popping and dry as a chip. He won the show easily and we had a laugh about it later.
So much for the gurus!