There’s no time for any of those shenangins because we had to sit and interview as many Olympians as we can and get the videos edited and posted so you – our loyal fans – can see what the hell is really going on out here in the desert.

We’ll post more shortly, but wanted to give you a taste of how these competitors look after months of wondering. Not much time because it’s off to the expo for more. By the way, it’s a slam dunk once again for Jay Cutler. He looked like The Thing from the Fantastic Four. The guy is huge and looks tight as a model’s ass.

Dusty Hanshaw believes that what and when you eat is more important than the gym schedule you adopt.
“It’s everything,” admitted the 30-year-old, who will be on hand to offer help and guidance at this weekend’s Bodypower Expo in Birmingham.

“In fact, it’s more important than the training. Training, I would say, is 30%, and 70% is the food. And year round is the big thing.

“A lot of bodybuilders slack when they’re not getting ready for a show. They miss meals, they eat the wrong foods, and that’s why they don’t advance as well. The ones who live the lifestyle year-round are the ones who make it.”

The supplement industry is an ever-increasing market, especially in Europe and the UK, where Predator Nutrition are the leading distributor of sports nutrition products and bodybuilding supplements.

Hanshaw thinks that advances in nutrition resources and awareness about how best to fuel the body are helping modern-day bodybuilders make great progress in comparison to their predecessors.

He said: “I think with supplements, you’re always going to see advancements.

“Guys were getting in shape and everything long before nutritional supplements were around. But I think the best way to explain it is; look at the 1970s and the way bodybuilders were back then, and look at them now.
“We’ve advanced in every way and it’s because we have more knowledge of food, more knowledge of supplements, so we can push the envelope further. Supplements are a must if you want to make it to the top, that’s for sure.”

A typical day’s nutrition for Hanshaw offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of a professional bodybuilder.
He revealed: “I work out in the mornings, so I wake up and have a couple of scoops of protein powder, two cups of oatmeal, two cups of full-fat yoghurt, then I have my pre-workout MAXIMIZE – gotta have that!

“Then after I’ve trained I’ll have another two scoops of protein and about 100g of some sort of carb drink. The next three meals after that are 10 ounces of chicken and two cups of rice. The following meal is 16 ounces of steak and potato, and then one more chicken and rice. It’s pretty basic, but it works well for me.”

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If the call-outs are any indication, it will be English and Henry standing together again waiting for the official announcement tonight at The Orleans Arena to see who will take the 202. Jose Raymond and Eduardo Correa also came to play and that should be your top four. Jason Arntz showed some true emotion when he was named in the initial call-out and came here dry as the Sahara desert. Tricky Jacskon and Roc Shabazz will also be in the mix for the top six.

OLYMPIA 202 SHOWDOWN COMPETITORS

1 – Ahmad Ahmad

2 – Jason Arntz

3 – Eduardo Correa

4 – Kevin English

5 – Daryl Gee

6 – David Henry

7 – Jaroslav Horvath

8 – Ricky “Tricky” Jckson

9 – Stan McQuay

10- Luc Molines

11 – Steve Namat

12 – Bola Ojex

13 – Jose Raymond

14 – Roc Shabazz

15 – Mike Valentino

Our pilot episode (shot in two parts) took off on YouTube withing minutes after being posted. It featured an interview with underground MMA fighter Christian Darrow, who spoke about many things including his upcoming bout with James Funaro.

And just a few days later, we posted the first of our many interviews conducted at the Philadelphia Sports Extravaganza/MMA Expo, which was held on January 9 and 10. This episode featured Shonie Carter, who is a famous name from the UFC, WEC, KOTC and many other promotions. Carter, 37, began his career in 1997 and speaks about the growth of the sport and what he has coming up in his next two fights.

Also on this episode is the first of our infomercials for our sponsors. T. Micheal is one of the most popular apparel companies in the sports and bodybuilding community and we talk in depth about their line of products while sporting a camo MMA Severe Gear T-shirt. Please keep in mind that these infomercials come at no cost to our advertisers who join us for a one-year period. We also provide free product reviews on the website, in the online and print magazine, as well as mentions on MuscleSport Radio.

Be sure to watch every episode of this new and exciting addition to our multi-media outlet. Just go to the MuscleSport TV page on the website or subscribe to our video uploads on YouTube. Upcoming guests are Dan “The Beast” Severn, Matt Hamill, Shawn Sherk and more.

Here are a few of what you should be filling your goodie bag with:

SBL Rush – Enhanced Energy and No Crash

The following is a list of benefits that have been reported while on SBL Rush™

• Sustained energy from 8-12 hours
• Increase in body temperature
• Higher mental and sensory acuity
• Rapid results from time of ingestion
• Appetite suppressing
• Decrease in cravings

SBL Lean – Appetite Suppressant

The following is a list of benefits that have been reported while on SBL Lean™

• Supports proper digestive chemical and hormonal functions
• Provides satiety (or the sensation of feeling full)
• Eliminates cravings
• Empowers subjects to control caloric intake
• Allows for better food

SBL Gamer Enhanced Energy & Focus

The following is a list of benefits that have been reported while on SBL Gamer™

• Sustained energy from 8-12 hours
• Higher mental and sensory acuity
• NO Crashing
• NO Jitters
• Can Turn into Chuck Norris
• Auto-Head Shot

You will be reading a lot about Smith-Btyant Labs right here on our website and in our online magazine. For more information, please visit www.smithbryantlabs.com.

The first one came at the 2008 New York Pro 202 when English edged out Henry. Four months later, Henry took out English at the inaugural 202 Olympia Showdown. At this year’s New York Pro, English won going away with Henry finishing third behind veteran bodybuilder Mark Dugdale. Now the big question is if Henry can bounce back and repeat in Las Vegas, but English will definitely have something to say about that.

“For me, David motivates me to be a better bodybuilder,” said English. “So I know going in that he’s going to be hungry. He wants to avenge that last loss to me. I know he’s pushing hard, so that means that you’ve got to get your game up.”

Last year, the 202 competitors had the opportunity to compete in both divisions. It is a different story this time around but the trade off is that the posedown and placings will take place at the Orleans Arena instead of the Expo stage. “It wasn’t a big decision as far as this year goes,” English said in regards to going after the Sandow or staying in the 202. “Once I achieve that (winning the 202 Olympia), then next year I’ll compete in the open class.”

The Great Neck, New York native feels that he is in much better condition this time around. “Last year I didn’t prepare properly,” said English, who began his diet in the middle of July at 244 pounds. “I wasn’t at 100 percent. So that’s why I want to avenge that loss.”

When asked if the rivalry with Henry was of the friendly variety, English was stone-faced and all business. “We’re respectful towards one another but to me, I don’t let any negativity into my life,” he said. “Negativity is like a seed. It just spreads. I try to keep a positive mindset.”

If there was anyone else in the 202 division that English has his eye on, you couldn’t tell. “At this point it doesn’t matter,” he quickly quipped. “I’m so immensely focused and pumped up for the show…anybody can go in. It’s my show.”

When it comes time to get to Sin City, put your money on English.

KEVIN ENGLISH CONTEST HISTORY

*1996 Atlantic States Championships – 2nd Place

*1998 NPC Nationals – 1st Place

*2000 IFBB Night of the Champions – 14th Place

*2006 IFBB New York Pro – 17th Place

*2008 IFBB New York Pro – 2nd Place

*2008 New York Pro 202 – 1st Place

*2008 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 16th Place

*2008 Olympia Showdown 202 – 2nd Place

*2009 New York Pro 202 – 1st Place

Of course, the highlight of the event are the top pro events in both classes. The Ms. International and Arnold Classic are both to surely rock the auditorium on Friday and Saturday evenings, respectively. Only going to the Expo? Well, if you’ve never been there before, get ready to walk through incredibly crowded aisles full of booths giving out free samples of all your favorite bodybuilding supplements. Make sure to leave room in your luggage for the return flight home – you’ll need it.

You may also need a neckbrace after spinning your head around with all the ‘eye candy’ present.

Be sure to check in all weekend long with us for the ‘Arnold Classic Diary.’

This time next week, the staff of MuscleSport Mag will be settled into The Orleans Hotel and Casino in sunny Las Vegas. Lucky enough to be lodging at the same location as the actual Mr. Olympia contest, we will be hands-on the entire weekend. Nothing will get by our prying eyes and ears without us reporting it and getting the information out to the bodybuilding fans.

From the ‘Meet the Olympians’ on Thursday night; to the Olympia Expo on Friday and Saturday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Women’s Fitness, Figure and Ms. Olympia pre-judging and finals; and of course the Men’s Mr. O pre-judging and finals, MSM will be bringing you all the action.

Be sure to check our site regularly the entire weekend for up-to-the-minute photographs of everything happening out west. Will Jay Cutler make it three in a row? Will Dennis Wolf climb the mountain? Is Dexter jackson going to cap off an incredible year with the Sandow? We’ll be there and you will feel like you are with our around-the-clock coverage of the entire Olympia experience.

In a world that revolves around money, even the sport of bodybuilding must make adjustments. The difference between amateurs and professionals in sanctioned International Federation of Body Building events is prize money being awarded to the winners. At the recent Amateur IFBB Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships held at the Arnold Schwarzenegger 2008 Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, money was no object.

The competitors were all there to impress on the Hall D EXPO Stage. The panel of judges had their work cut out for them with the mass of muscle that was paraded in front of them.

The Overall Men’s Bodybuilding winner was Tarek Elsetouhi. The ladies had no reason to back down from the guys in these categories and actually outnumbered the men, three to one. Mari Carmen Gomez Segura took home the Overall Women’s Bodybuilding trophy. The Overall Fitness champion was Allison Ethier, and Candice Houston was chosen as the top Overall Figure winner.

In addition to their beautiful trophies, the four winners also received tickets to the Arnold Classic Bodybuilding Finals, which were held that evening at the Veteran’s Memorial. Jacksonville’s own Dexter Jackson was presented with a $130,000 check, in addition to the championship trophy and other prizes.

Archived from the May 2008 issue of “New York Sportscene” magazine.