THE ART OF PHYSIQUE...

Each of us has within ourselves, a spirit, an energy, a superhero that is screaming to be revealed. The art of physique perfection, our sport, our journey, our discipline....bodybuilding...is a means of expressing that inner being.
We each have within us our own "perfect" physique...complete with flaws, with distinct, individual imperfections...the very things that make us unique...our own personal journey toward honing this package to an individual "perfection"...this is our noble cause - it's our own journey toward becoming BIGGER THAN WE THOUGHT WE COULD BE...

Pete's posing routine, 2009 USA's

TEAM 619 MUSCLE's desert showdown!

The 2009 USA's held in Las Vegas this weekend made history! With over 460 competitors, this even was the largest bodybuilding competition ever held! Congratulations to super-promoter, Jon Lindsay and his crew for organizing a smooth, streamlined, top-quality event that was a pleasure to participate in-whether athlete, attendee or sponsor, it appeared to be a high-quality experience for all; special thanks to Mr. Jon Lindsay, Mr. Manion and the NPC for giving these athletes a means express the competitive spirit and drive that surely inhabits the soul of each of these physique warriors.

Participation in an event of this magnitude can be humbling. The physiques were amazing, the sheer depth of quality muscle almost overwhelming. Trying to conceptualize the sum-total of all the work required to shape and build the bodies on display last night is nearly impossible. It's a true testament to the spirit and drive, the will and determination of our very species. Consider the amount of individual focus and persistence required to build and shape beauty, to strive for individual perfection, and multiply that by the sheer number of athletes that graced the stage last night in the desert...simply amazing.

I think that's the true beauty of bodybuilding and what it represents to me. It is a personal journey, a daily test of grit, to push oneself through previously unexplored limits. It's not the winning of a trophy that gives this journey meaning - rather, it's the completion of a long journey through which one has tested himself. To be able to say, "I have done everything possible to be my best. I have worked harder than ever before. This is the best I can be for me, right here, right now...my own personal physique perfection." - in truth, I believe this is the victory each athlete aspires to. The rest is just icing.







-Pete

DON'T FORGET! AUG 22 - GONNA BE HUGE!

You heard about it from Jay himself, at the Jr. Cals...
All the big names will be there!
$2,000 bikini contest sponsored by Fizeek Brazil and Rigid RX!
$500 Gaspari Pump Your Guns 2 contest!
Watch California Strongman, Tomas Navarro, deadlift the 619 Muscle car!
Meet the biggest names in the game!
KILLER SALES, KILLER SAVINGS, LOTS OF FREE STUFF TOO!
Don't miss this one!

TEAM 619 MUSCLE storming VEGAS - USA's 2009!

GO TEAM!
2008 Los Angeles middleweight champ, 3rd place USA welterweight, Rich Moran, prepares for the big show once again this year! Go Rich!
2008 Excalibur middeweight, 2009 California middleweight champ, and 2009 Jr. Nats middleweight champ, decorated veteran, Malachi Walker also polishing up his physique for Vegas in 3 weeks!Veteran Micheal Bautista has been training and dieting super hard this year, hoping to crack that top 5 to be able to display his dramatic, classical posing. Go Mike!


2-time regional lightweight champ, Jamie Allen, has been training his ass off (literally - glutes will be striated!) in preparation for his first run at a national level show. He's moved up a weight class, too! We will see the best Jamie yet on stage in Vegas! Go Jamie!

2008 San Diego heavyweight champ, and 2008 USA top 5-finisher, PD Devers, one of the life-blood veterans of our family and the local bb scene, has been training harder than ever in prep for this year's battle in Vegas. Personally, I can't wait to see his next posing routine!
2007 California lightheavyweight champ, Pete Ciccone, who placed just out of the chance to pose in the finals at last year's big show (6th), has been training hard, working on the weak points and pushing the strong points to new levels. Hoping to bring a refined, improved package, he's excited for another chance to see what the good Lord intends for this iron athlete.

Don't miss the NPC USA's, less than 3 weeks away in Las Vegas! July, 24th and 25th! for info, go to www.musclecontest.com!

Regarding our crazy sport...many don't understand why we do it...and that's ok...

Bodybuilding is a beautiful sport. Testing your own personal limits of strength, endurance, and determination to achieve your own personal "perfection" - that is the essence of what we do. As much as we call it a competitive sport, in truth, the toughest opponent is one's own self.
"Can I stick to my rigid nutritional regimen?"
"Did I put all I had into my training and prep for this show?"
"Did I push myself through all of my planned cardio sessions?"
"Did I follow through with controlling my lifestyle to allow me sufficient growth and recovery to be my best?"
"Was I uncompromising and focused on my goal, yet without appearing selfish to those around me?"
"When I look in the mirror, can I honestly say, I have left no stone unturned in my own journey to becoming the best I can be?"

At its finest, the concept of "sport" does not get much more real than the athletic pursuit of bodybuilding. And, as a an allegory for life, we could all take a lesson from the pages of the Bodybuilder's Guidebook to Success:

Honesty, (The Brutal Truth), Discipline, Respect, Integrity.

These core values will guide a bodybuilder to success.

USA's fast approaching...
As the biggest amateur show in the land approaches, Team 619 Muscle wishes the best to its athletes preparing for the battle of Vegas in less than 3 short weeks!
Go Team!

After a recent leg pounding...Great work, Malachi!


I'm sure I speak for all the athletes when I say THANK YOU to those that matter...those that support us, guide us, inspire us and contribute from the other side of the stage lights. There will be a Team of the 619 MUSCLE family making the trip to Vegas very soon - for all of us in the family, let's bring it to Vegas and represent!

God bless,

Pete