Richard is genetically elite in the muscle department. The guy has a physique that over 99% of males cannot achieve. To say that he's an appropriate role model for health and fitness is dangerously misleading for impressionable trainees. This is not to put the finger on Richard but it must be said.
He is a role model of how a Champion should present him (or her) self, a role model of an uplifting and self determined attitude and belief system, and a role model of how one can articulate ones self.
The true "trophy" that comes from Bodybuilding is not limited to improvements of the body. The "trophy" is the lesson learned about determination, discipline, work-ethic, organized planning, seeing a project through to completion, self esteem and a host of other intrinsic skills and motivations one can develop through bodybuilding. It seems to me Richard has also extended these skill to include development of his vocabulary, writing skills, martial arts, weapons, speed, agility, timing and more.
Skills and factors like this will help a person in his/her career, education, relationships and communication... just to name a few.
How is leaving young impressionable trainees with the idea that they might want to consider multi-dimensional self improvement misleading? That we can't all excel to the levels of achievement Richard has in all those area's is not the lesson derived from a role model. The lesson is to continually strive to improve one's self in many area's and to never ever, ever allow the disparaging remarks of others or the limiting beliefs of others to deter you from your own goals and ideals.
Once that lesson is learned it’s effect on a person can never be taken away and most likely they will excel in area’s of their own making.
Tell me again how this is a bad thing?
