A Lifetime Journey To Enhanced Muscularity: Genetics

I dont spend a lot of time on the bodybuilding forums.

But when I do, there are 2 things you hear in bodybuilding circles when addressing someone who has achieved a respectable physique. First, you usually hear that the only reason a guy looks a certain way is because of drugs. Then when drugs are not enough, superior genetics must be at work.

While chemical enhancement and pharmacology are current 'hot topics' I'd rather touch on the role of genetics as it relates to a person achieving their own personal goals.

I recently read the words of 6 time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates speak on the topic of genetics in his book "Blood And Guts." 20"+ arms are the hallmark of superior arm development in the world of bodybuilding. He goes on to say that guys with small arms they fret that they'll never achieve that size no matter how hard they try.

His simple reply to this notion was: "How do you know you can't build a 20-inch arm if you've never done so."

I think once you write something off as, "oh I can't do that because I dont have the genetics for that," the game is over, you're quitting and you've already lost. Bodybuilding in a lot of ways is a carrot that dangles in front of your face, perhaps never to be grasped, but you should relish the challenge and bask in the thrill of the pursuit of that prize, of that goal. When you lose that motivation your gains stall and your motivation to grind becomes non-existent.

Yes it's true, some guys have better biceps peaks or some guys have abs all year long (I dont, but damn you Zack!)

Bodybuilder and Amputee Melvin Henderson

Let's Take Melvin Henderson (pictured above.) He's a bodybuilder. No, that's not a photoshop or an optical illusion- he's missing a leg. You might think back to the article I cited (how to squat for big arms.) It's easy to see that Melvin doesnt do much squatting, but he doesn't use that as an excuse and it appears that Mr. Henderson's arms are managing just fine without his leg (which was lost in a shooting right here in SF. You can read his story here.)

Then there's IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Ricky Welling

Blind Bodybuilder Ricky Welling of the UK

I actually saw Ricky compete at the SF Pro back in 2005. I was confused at first as to why this dude was being walked out to the center stage by a stagehand. He then moved through his posing routine with grace and ease. Then the stagehand came back and he was walked off the stage.

I soon realized that dude is blind! Bodybuilding is a tough sport. It's the sport where natural gifts will only get you so far. You can completely ignore sports like basketball for a year (or 2 in my case) but still hit 3's after warming up a bit. Bodybuilding is a 24/7/365 venture. If you're not training, you're eating, and if you're not eating you better be drinking a ton of water to keep you kidneys working well with all that protein, and if you're not drinking water you better be doing cardio to keep fat at bay and if you're not cardio-ing you better be getting 8 hours of sleep because you only grow in your sleep. If you miss a month of diet/training expect to look and perform significantly worse than you did a month ago. Now repeat that but do it all while being blind.

Can you imagine this dude in the gym, hoisting slag heavy iron into compromising positions for the sake of muscle growth? Or what about measuring out 16 ounces of chicken. You think its hard to run on the treadmill? Try doing it with your eyes closed. This guy has every reason in the world to NOT succeed but still pushes on.

I found a few more inspirational images. I dont know their stories, but I do know this-- they're not letting life or their own limitations, genentics or otherwise, stand in the way of progress, so why are you?