If you read my 10 lessons and other articles on my site you know that I continually and intentionally motivate you to stay committed to achieve consistency at the gym and intensity in your training. I often wrap my articles with the tag line “Sweat Hardens to Muscle”. I do because it does. So here is story that exemplifies those principles. It was a inspiration to me and I hope to you as well.

It begins in 1981, I was training at Gold’s Gym in Louisville, KY and these were my competing years and glory days. Competing brings a certain amount of notoriety if you do well that often facilitates others to be inspired and, of course, others want to know your secrets and tips to bodybuilding. (As if I had any, other than hard work and commitment).

Anyway, my training partner’s kid brother, Joe Tong then 17 years old, showed real zeal for bodybuilding, As it is with so many high schoolers, Joe had the time, desire and no distractions of other responsibilities to train hard and often. Joe began his training with and along side of me and his older brother Mike. He worked hard.

Joe could not get enough of bodybuilding. He wanted to compete. He wanted progress. And he wanted it now. Joe was also easy to talk to, likeable and willing learn anything he could from those in then inner circle of Kentucky bodybuilding.

I recall a time when Joe was preparing for his first contest and he came to my house to develop his posing routine. It was his first contest and he wanted to present his best. We practiced and practiced until it was just right. Bobby Knight once said “Many have the will to win, but few have the will to prepare to win”. Not Joe. He had the will to prepare.

My memory is a bit fuzzy from this point forward perhaps because I had twin sons born in late 1981. My pace was disrupted but I know Joe stayed the course. About a year or so later Joe headed West to California to accelerate his training, knowledge and progress in bodybuilding.

This is pretty much where I left Joe. Now, fast forward 25 years.

Though I never lost my interest in bodybuilding through my family years, it wasn’t until 2005 with my kids grown and pretty much gone that I could again focus on the sport. My wife and I flew to Las Vegas to see the 2006 National Bodybuilding Competition. Dan Decker, a fellow Hoosier and friend, was competing and I was there to cheer him on. The remaining of our time was to be spent in California on the beaches. I wanted to train at Gold’s in Venice while I was there. It was Mecca of Bodybuilding, a first time experience.

Gold’s Venice is the Gym.

No fluff. Just sweat and big guys pushing some heavy iron to build that mass and peaks to every single fiber in the muscular system. I was finishing my routine of Abs and a guy walked up to me and said “is your name Scott”. Well I am thinking I either won the lottery and or my credit card just bounced on paying my entrance fee. I sheepishly said “yes”. To that Joe stuck out is hand and said “Joe Tong”.

Now mind you, I have not seen Joe in over two decades and he was a kid at the time. However when I looked at him, the smile was undeniably Joe. That broad grin that seems to communicate you’re my best friend and I am glad to see you.

Secondly, Joe was no longer the tall and lanky kid of 17. He was now a big guy with muscle maturity from years of hard training. Different than 25 years ago, I could learn a few things from Joe. His size was dramatic and I had to shift my mental picture of him.

Joe and I caught up on old times for few moments and have been chatting since that day. The more mature Joe has a full time job but still keeps his training in gear even after all these years.

I hope you recognize that it was easy to train in high school when times are full of freedom. It is much more difficult when you take on the responsibility of supporting yourself. If you are 17 now, will you train beyond your high school years? If you are 43, are still training to achieve the better physique?

Joe has and still does conquers the weights with commitment for 3 decades. So here is final question:

“Do you have the will to prepare to win”. And wining is not necessarily on stage….it may be a goal to achieve 6 pack Abs or broader chest and shoulder. What it going to be?

If you would like to consult Joe for training, you may contact him here.

For more photos of Joe click here.

Sweat eventually hardens to Muscle".....Scott

This article is property of Bodybuilding Program Zone and may not be reproduced without written permission from Scott Jameson. Besides it wouldn't be right....Scott