everything you have . If bodybuilding has taught me anything over the years , it is that things do not always go as planned . No one has ever achieved anything worthwhile without a struggle and that nothing comes easy in this life . It was at this point I decided to start training for the next show in 2009 .
Juan : Unbelievable John . Now , how did this major injury affect your mindset and training following forward ?
John : Sunday April 27th I headed back to the gym . I was still using crutches so I had a very difficult time getting around but I was not going to let that deter me . For the first few weeks I could only train upper body as the increase in blood pressure caused my legs to bleed profusely and I had to change bandages during workouts .
It was on June 9th that I first attempted to train my legs and I managed to do a few machines . Each day after that I pushed a little harder and I made slow , but steady improvements . It took 3 weeks before I could walk and about 8 weeks before I could bend my legs , but the real recovery took a lot longer . Mentally I thought I would never be the same and it would be impossible to get my legs back into competition shape . Right up until the day of the show I was that I heard it correctly and had to look at my number pin . Such a wave of emotion flooded over me , it was truly surreal , and it wasn ’ t until I heard my girlfriend Kim screaming in the audience that it truly sank in . I had won . It was beyond any feeling I could describe ; it took me 4 years but I did it . The harder the struggle is , the sweeter the victory .
Juan : Wow John that feeling of being called as the winner must have been so rewarding . What a story . Now , tell me about your most recent competition and what happened during that preparation .
John : In 2018 I was invited to participate in the Gladiator Showdown for the second time and without hesitation I accepted the challenge . Shortly thereafter , I began having trouble with my knee giving out on me unexpectedly when trying to squat or lunge . Basically , any movement that required balance and stability became problematic . After consulting with a few specialists , it was determined that the nerves in my leg were damaged from my previous surgery . I was no longer getting a good connection between the gluteus medius and the vastus lateralis muscle which controlled lateral stability of my knee .
With squats and lunges out of the question my leg training looked bleak but I was determined not to convinced that legs would be my downfall . After a few months of training the date of the next Atlantic Classic was announced . It was ironically scheduled for April 11th , one year to the day of my tragedy . It was also the anniversary of when Kim and I started dating . Truly the universe was trying to tell me something .
In 2006 and again in 2007 I had placed 2nd at this show and on my third attempt I blew out both legs , this was now my 4th attempt at this prestigious title . When my number was called as the winner of my division , I was truly shocked , I didn ’ t even believe quit . I kept training with the hope that I had built up enough muscle over the years and maybe they would still look ok . As I contemplated how my last show would play out , Covid came along and everything got shut down . As the next few weeks went by , I was lost as I didn ’ t get to compete and end my competitive career on my terms . When it was announced that the show was rescheduled for July 10th , I knew this was it ! My 20th and final show would take place on my 50th Birthday . What a way to turn 50 , on stage doing what I love . I just needed to come up with a plan .
I think most people in this situation would have
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