Great Champions and Mentors to hang around with
Jose Raymond Victor Martinez
This is a maxim that is written in the Universe. If you want to be wise, or be the best at what you do or what you want to do, you must be in the midst of the best men/women. By being around these successful personalities you wil gain insight into their methods, the way they think, the way they act, how they handle stress, how they plan, and most of all you will eventually learn “why they do what they do.” These many areas of insight cannot be gained any other way. As they taught us in medicine during our training, “In order to learn medicine, you have to be there.”
Over a lifetime I have personally benefitted from rubbing shoulders with the best. When there was a need or an opportunity to sit at the feet of the best professionals around, I took it. Often, in order to get the exposure to an expert it would cost me something. Sometimes it was money, sometimes it was time, sometimes it required choosing between the expert and something else that I was planning to do. So the lesser item was sacrificed in order to get a chance to be in front of the best professional in my career field. A hard choice had to be made and I made the best choice to learn from a giant.
A couple of years ago I decided that I needed help with bodybuilding. I had taken myself as far as I could alone and I had done ok. But, it had become painfully clear that I needed more than I could provide to my effort alone. I was paddling around with no direction and no way forward. I had peaked on myself and it was time to run up the “white flag.” I contacted Justin Dees and he said he would be willing to work with me. I was elated to say the least. I couldn’t wait for the first session. His reputation went before him and I believed (and still do) that he will take me to center stage for the win.
As soon as we had our first conversation at his gym in South Jordan, Utah I knew I had greatness looking over my shoulder and guiding me. Justin liked what he saw but instantly identified how I was to improve if I was going to be competitive in this sport. Starting with the very first session he layed out the path forward and he painted a picture of what would be possible given his direction and my effort. We were off. We have maintained this sort of relationship throughout my competitive days thus far.
The next super thing was that Justin introduced me to some of the greatest bodybuilders on the planet right now. Jose Raymond, Johnny Jackson, “Tricky” Jackson, Branch Warren, Victor Martinez, and most recently, Flex Lewis. I had the privilege of spending a little time with each of these bodybuilding greats and the wisdom of the game seemed to ooze out their pores. Admonitions to “Keep at it!” I hope the best for you. You look great and keep competing like a champ were just a few of the things dropped to me. Being in the midst of these giants was and will always be daunting. The inspiration they impart by their histories, by their example, by their physical presence is priceless and can never be bought. These time will never be forgotten or wasted. Putting these verbalized and demonstrated principles into practice is one of my priorities.
You must know that all of us have to choose our friends carefully in order to not be led astray. If we choose friends that have our best interests at heart then they will be our friends forever. I love just hanging around with Justin and picking his brain about things and the topics run the gammut, from politics, to weapons, to bodybuilding, to spiritual items, gossip and our families. Because Justin is a “Wise Man” and he has introduced me to many other “Wise Men” he will be my friend forever.
As I prepare for contests starting in June and ending at the end of July around the country, rest assured that all the “Pearls” these greats have dropped to me will be considered, implemented, and will contribute to my success. I am eternally grateful for the guys who have gone before me in bodybuilding so that I might have the same chance they did to compete and win.
Find “Wise Men/Women” and be in their spheres to learn as much as you can and possibly catch their vision and the means they have chosen to accomplish their goals and aspirations. Take time to be “wholly exposed” to the best and you will find yourself to be “Wiser” than you were before the encounter. Go for it!
THIS IS OUR TIME! Seize every opportunity to be with the best and MAYBE it will lead to you being, “THE BEST THERE EVER WAS!”—-Robert Redford, The Natural
Until Next Time!
Douglas E. Graham, Lt Col, USAF, (ret), MHSM, PA-C
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Six Pack and Senior 
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