The un sung heros of body building South Africa.

This is the first of many blogs where i will share my love for this industry of body building and fitness. I have been fortunate to be part of the health industry for the past 25 years of which we have owned a gym for 21 of those years. Been blessed to be part of many clients success stories! As an athlete i have travelled the world, doing what I love most and that is taking on the physical challenges of strength and the presentation of a lean physique on stage.
After a injury that stopped me from competing again I have now opportunity to experience the others side of the coin, and as an national administrator of this sport I have travelled to most of the national and international shows the past two years! As I have always said, the respect I have for the athletes for their hard work, commitment and dedication brings goose bumps to me! But another aspect that i know is totally overlooked is the hard work and commitment of the unselfish people who have committed themselves to creating this opportunity for so many athletes. Yes i am referring to the faceless members of committees that give up a great deal of their time, effort and believe me, their own personal money to make these events a reality.
You know that if it wasn't for their commitment, attending numerous meeting, helping organise sponsors, venue , catering, trophies........ and the list goes on, as athletes we will not have the opportunity to add on our CV - IFBB SA National Champion. We forget that after the show when we are celebrating our well deserved win, another title added onto your athletes profile, there are people packing away chairs, cleaning the venue, and already starting to prepare for the next show! Please do not believe all the false rumours you hear, as that they earn any type of income from the body building coffers, all this time and effort is funded from their own pockets, door money, sponsors money is all used for the show, and the development for our athletes, not for personal gain! Maybe this be a topic for a future blog, but there is a great deal of mis understanding of the difference between a body building federation and a show promoter. Believe me the on the day the show  looks the same, but when it comes to the management of the finances it is a total different picture. I would like in closing to personally thank all BBSA/IFBB committee members that so unselfishly give so much to the creation and development of this sport in South Africa, Thank you! you are the heart beat of creating the show that so many gain from, creating a platform where so many make money from, and create the opportunity where so many dreams and memories are captured on camera. I have always said that we as athletes do not compete for millions of rands, but weeks of commitment, dedication and sacrifice is for but a moment onstage where we can show our hard work as we are the canvas, where the guidance of a mentor, and the love and support of our families can be seen. To the unsung heroes of body building in South Africa - Thank You I salute you!