I have been there twice, I competed back in the 90s and now again 20 years later.
"Bodybuilding", or for me, being in shape, never really leaves you.
People want to look good because of their ego, you want the attention from others.
I enjoy the attention i get when at the beach or pool, Im pretty reserved at work, not many people even know what I do, they know i lift weights but thats it.
I have gained almost 28lbs in the last 5 weeks and no one at work has even mentioned it, I dress down.
My point is, which I have drifted from is that Flex and others like him crave attention, if it wasnt bodybuilding it would be something else...