18 August 2014 — “The Thrill of my Life”

Sometimes life gives us good things that we do not deserve nor could we have anticipated.  I have been training now with an eye toward the “National Masters Bodybuilding Championship” in Pittsburgh, PA in July 2015.  Recently I was with my coach who has been monitoring my progress very closely.  Our goal is to compete at 198 lbs. as a Light Heavyweight which requires a gain of 25 lbs between my last contest  on 21 June 2014 and July 2015.  Justin Dees, my coach reported, after taking several readings on my body that I had gained 18 lbs, 14 lbs.of which was new muscle, Also, my per cent body fat had dropped from 7.5% on 2 July 2014 to 5% 13 August 2014.. This means that my lean body mass had risen from 167 lbs to 181 lbs and my total body weight was now 191 lbs.  This means that I have a little less than 9 lbs of total fat left on my frame.

As Justin read off the numbers I could only stand there with my mouth open in total amazement.  Coach and his plan are right on the money with no sign of slowing down.  I told him that I didn’t believe these numbers and that I am totally dumbfounded.  Ask my wife Christine, she was standing right there.  Justin, then extended to me a personal invitation to meet the guest poser for the Utah Bodybuilding Class that was to be held 16 July 2014. He is training for this year’s Olympia and is a good friend of Justin’s. His name is Jose Raymon.  Get this! He is 5’4″ and weighs 225 lbs.  He is exactly my height! Justin told me that he wanted me to meet him so he too could validate what Justin was seeing in my progress and to back up his claim.  

We went home, arranged the meeting with Justin, bought our tickets for the Contest and We impatiently waited out the days to the contest. I have attached a picture of Jose right here for your perusal.  He is a beast!

Saturday, 16 August 2014 we met Jose Raymon at Justin’s gym.  Christine, and I were totally humbled to meet this warrior. He is not bad looking, very thick all over, arms are as big around as my calves or bigger….But, the best part is that he talked to Christine and me like we were real people with no pretense.  Jose backed up Justin’s observations and said that I was making good progress.  When I asked if I could get to be his size by next year, he very resolutely said “NO” and that I didn’t need to.  “Being big does not necessarily make you look good on stage.”  In this sport, you salivate to hear the pearls of wisdom that fall from the lips of great champions.  So, after hearing what Jose had to say I decided that this is what I will do.  I will weigh in at 198 lbs.  I will be in the best shape of my life that night, I will work harder than I have ever worked before, and my wife will absolutely guarantee that I eat the best food available to make it happen.

My ego wants to be just like Jose but my rational Doug tells me to listen to my coach, my wife, and my body and all will go well.  I am going to win and all of you are invited to follow the progress as I punish myself in preparation for the ultimate test. However, I will try to make it to 225 lbs. because I am wired that way.  Justin will just have to reel me in.

I share this with you to describe an undeserved and totally unanticipated blessing.  All of us has had something similar happen to us that made belief in miracles a rational exercise.  In fact, miracles eventually become expectations.  We sometimes think that ONLY miracles will be sufficient given our life circumstances.  But, most of the time,  miracles or unanticipated blessings sneak up on us and make us thankful for having experienced them.

I have a MAXIM that I live by: “Miracles Tend to Happen to those who work — VERY HARD!”

Photo of Doug backstage before going onto the stage 22 March 2014

We had a great experience.  It has made me all the more confident in my quest.

My benediction to all of you is that God will provide you with enough great blessings that your confidence will be monumental to propel you along your path to accomplish your goals.

THIS OUR TIME!  Work hard to increase the probability that you will to receive the blessings and miracles that only you will recognize.

Hang in there!  Christine and I will look forward to reports about your quests and the things that have pushed you forward to attain your goals.

Douglas E. Graham