1ST SET
WEIDER ATHLETES WEIGH IN
WHO ARE YOU PREDICTING WILL WIN THE OLYMPIA THIS YEAR? I think Phil is a good bet, but I think it’ s going to come down to a battle between Phil and Dexter. If Ramy can show up at his potential, he could be in the mix, too. [ Check out our full Mr. Olympia report to see how close Morel came with his predictions.]
JUAN MOREL
YOU DIDN’ T COMPETE IN THE OLYMPIA, EVEN THOUGH YOU QUALIFIED BY TOPPING THE OLYMPIA QUALIFICATION SERIES. DO YOU WORRY THAT YOU MISSED A CHANCE? Not at all. I want to wait to make improvements. Besides, I believe that if I can’ t win a show, I don’ t belong on the O stage. I’ ve been in the top 10, and now I want to be in the top five, top six. Those guys don’ t have to compete year-round, where you’ re always getting ready for a show. I’ m not going to improve by dieting— it’ s got to be through training and time off from competing. I can’ t think about today— I have to think about tomorrow.
SHAWN RHODEN
WHAT ARE YOU FEELING THANKFUL FOR IN 2017? For my family, my daughter and wife, my immediate family, for my health and my family’ s health, and that I’ m able to provide for them by doing something that I love doing.
YOU’ RE FRIENDS WITH JUAN MOREL, WHO IS ALSO A DAD. DO YOUR KIDS HANG OUT? They sure do. My daughter turned 2 in July, and Juan’ s daughter turns 2 in December, so they’ re just the right age for each other.
PER BERNAL; IAN SPANIER
HOW DO BODYBUILDERS GET THEIR VEINS TO POP THE WAY THEY DO ON STAGE? It’ s not a trick. Vascularity and separation come from dieting for a period of time, to the point where the skin is as thin as possible, so thin that you can see inside. When the skin is like that, it becomes more fragile— it tears easily, so it’ s not a state you want to remain in long-term.
JANUARY 2018 | FLEX 23