No Sponsorships? Is Your Page Private?

 

For those of you looking to land spots as affiliates, ambassadors, and sponsored athletes with major companies in the fitness industry, you absolutely MUST have a PUBLIC page on Instagram. Reach is the name of the game; therefore, if people need to request to follow you, get screened, and then then  (hopefully) get approved, you're greatly limiting how many people have access to you. I mean, that's the whole point of having a private page, right? Well, that may be so, but when you're applying to join a team, you're asking them, they're not asking you. IF you expect to be taken seriously, you need to do things right.

I do realize there are perfectly valid situations where having a private profile is completely necessary. If you're in a country where the body isn't to be shown (this is especially applicable for women) or if you're in a profession where competition shots may cause a problem (corporate world, teaching, public service), then companies may give you an exception; however, most applicants won't get that far.

Companies gets hundreds, sometimes thousands, of submissions a week. While there may be perfectly valid reasons for some to have a private pages, most marketing departments simply don't have the time to look more closely.. Once they see a private IG page - or worse - no IG page, it's a quick rejection. 

If you're in a situation where you need to protect your anonymity, but still want to have a place in the fitness industry, here are some suggestions, that might offer you some middle ground:

1. Consider creating a secondary IG
2. Consider a stage name (no, that's not just for strippers, PLENTY of competitors have them. One guy I know in Michigan, competes under FIVE different names!!).
3. Try to get the DOT COM for your stage name. All other URL's (e.g. dot net, dot org, dot US, etc) are secondary. Nothing denotes ownership and legitimacy more, than the DOT COM.
4. Promote, promote, promote!! When you take on your stage name, it's as if you were born again. No one knows you, so get out in the world and make connections!! 

There's plenty more I can say on building and developing relationships in the industry. If you'd like to learn more, be sure Follow @StrengthAddicts on IG !!

If you're looking for a great program to join, let me suggest the Blackstone Labs Legion !! I run it and I can assure you that you'll be joining a family, will get TONS of exposure, and will meet some AMAZING PEOPLE in the process!! 

Another fantastic company to join is Team Titan!! Titan Medical Center is our supporting sponsor and they can be seen in full force at bodybuilding contests, car shows, and talent searches throughout the country. When you join the Titan Family, you'll interact with go-getters such as yourself and you'll make key connections in the process!!

Lee Priest Continues Calling Out Shawn Ray

 

If you were under the impression that Lee Priest has put any desires to get into the squared circle with IFBB Hall of Famer "Sugar" Shawn Ray away, then you'd be sorely mistaken. Just as recently as a couple days ago, the rhetoric was at an all-time high. In fact, some of what was said, went beyond basic modicums of decency. It almost seemed as if the aging Aussie was desperately trying to get under the of the accomplished bodybuilder's skin. At this point, who really knows? Perhaps Priest feels the need to constantly outdo himself; perhaps, in his mind, he needs to be entertaining and the only way to accomplish that goal, is to offend the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time. There's certainly ample evidence to make this claim, but maybe I have Lee all wrong. 

The bottom line is, Ray has absolutely nothing to gain from fighting Lee. The only winner in such a showdown would be the guy who can't seem to let it go.

I have always said that Lee has a great deal to offer when it comes to his physique and his knowledge of bodybuilding; however, Priest continues to comfort himself like a bratty child. It's cost him a promising career on - and now - off the stage.

In any event, you can drag a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. What's your take on Lee Priest's obsession with fighting Shawn Ray in a celebrity boxing match? I'm dying to know your thoughts. Please feel free to leave a comment here - or - wherever you may see this post. 

Scarlett Harvey Speaks!!

 

WBFF Pro Scarlett Harvey took the time do a great interview with StrengthAddicts, which is available on IGTV, YouTube, and all social media platforms. Harvey, who first got started with physique-based sports after an impressive transformation challenge, went on to become a pro athlete. Later, she traveled to Thailand, looking for fun fitness camps, and ended up finding her other love - Muay Thai. This starry-eyed teacher has now set her sights on becoming an IFBB Pro League Pro. Be sure not to miss this great interview. Coverage sponsored by Blackstone Labs and Titan Medical Center. 

Kelli Sue Carter - Rising Women's Physique Star

 

Be sure to catch my interview with Women's Physique Competitor Kelli Sue Carter. Although she got started training on her own, her path completely changed when she started working out at Metro Fitness Worthington and became associated with legendary contest prep coach Mike Davies.

In addition to discussing this very important change and her goals both on - and off - the stage, Kelli also discussed her great honor in serving in the United States military. Although the interview is somewhat on the concise side (and we're already planning a follow-up), it's a sneak peak in the life of a hard working competitor doing everything in her power to earn her pro card.

So why Women's Physique? Whereas the men have 3 divisions to choose from, the women have SIX!! Kelli candidly tells us why she picked WPD, talks about some of her heroes, and truly embraces her love of training and building muscle. 

Kentucky's Top Prep Coach Speaks!!

When it comes to prep coaches in Kentucky, there's few regional notables that come to mind. There's coaches that have made name for themselves in northern counties bordering Cincinatti, others from Lexington, and even a few from Louisville; however, no matter what part of the Commonwealth you're in, everyone's heard the name, Steve Weingarten. He's considered by most top authorities in the sport of bodybuilding, as being the very best. His expertise on all things training and nutrition are quite frankly, unparalleled. His people always come in shape, they always take top honors, and in many cases, they win all overalls.

I've been very fortunate to interview Steve on a number of occasions, either on his own or with his athletes, and this interview most definitely stacks up. A fun fact about this video, is that it was taped at Steve's own Brickhouse Bodybuilding Gym in Louisville, KY. This facility was built by hand, with each piece of equipment sought out by the contest prep great. 

Scott Dykes - An Athlete Who Won't Give Up!!

Scott Dykes is an NPC Men's Physique Competitor who has been competing at the highest levels - both in the Kentucky and nationally - for a quite a number of years. He comes from a football background and has worked with two outstanding coaches in Eli Coffey and Chauncey "The Shredder" Wilson. I first met him while he was working with Coffey and currently, he's working with Wilson, an IFBB Pro League athlete, who won the prestigious 2019 NPC Junior USA title in Charleston, SC. 

Prior to working with Wilson and given the utter madness of 2020, Dykes, like many other competitors, had become somewhat inactive. A bicep injury had also sidelined him, but the fire within him was undeniable. He'd decided he'd return to the stage, giving his all, in pursuit of an IFBB Pro League Pro Card. That's the goal of every amateur athlete, and after his showing at the recent 2021 NPC Kentucky Derby Festival Championships in Louisville, KY, it seems like that may be in the cards for the Somerset native. Be sure to watch his exclusive interview with Christian Duque of StrengthAddicts.