Unbelieveable Attitude!!!

Before I talk about myself and my workout, I feel compelled to write about my buddy, Jerry Hermanto, and his experience today. As I reported earlier, my good friends David Nall and Jerry Hermanto have been preparing for a drug-tested show that was to be held in San Antonio this coming Saturday.

Both guys have gotten themselves into the best shape of their lives and were very excited about their prospects this weekend at the INBF Lone Star Championships. Well, shortly after I put Jerry through his posing session this morning, I received an e-mail from David informing me that the show had been cancelled…..TWO DAYS OUT!!! Now, bear in mind that David has competed in a couple of shows already this summer and has plans to compete in one or two more next month. But, Jerry has been dieting (under Dr. Joe Klemczewski’s guidance) for 14 weeks and this was the only show he was to compete in this year! I immediately began searching for another contest in Texas that Jerry could go to, either this weekend or next. I wanted to be able to give him some good news when I called him, but I found nothing.

When I finally called Jerry a couple hours later I was amazed at how good he sounded and how positive his outlook was! Anyone who has ever attempted to prepare for a bodybuilding show knows how difficult it is and how it seems to consume your life as it gets closer. To have the show cancelled in the final week when you are in the best shape of your life is absolutely horrible. But, Jerry said he was really angry when he first learned of the cancellation, and then he started thinking about his attitude. He said his girlfriend, Amanda, was going be leaving this weekend to go back to school and that he figured that this would be a good opportunity to enjoy the few days that he has left with her this summer. He said he realized that he could be pissed off and have a really shitty time the next few days, or have a good attitude and enjoy his time with Amanda. I was flabbergasted! I think I would have been livid!! Jerry had such a positive outlook! He said that he was happy to have gotten into such great shape and to know that he could achieve that level of conditioning. He was happy that he had been able to spend the whole summer with Amanda and that she was so supportive of what he was doing. He was happy that he had great support from his family, and from people like me, David and Dr. Joe. And, he said that although he wasn’t going to get to compete that he had enjoyed the whole journey of getting into the best shape of his life.

I was so amazed and so impressed with Jerry! I told him that I would be so upset if that had happened to me. Then he reminded me that I didn’t flip out when (in 2001) I was in the absolute best shape of my life preparing for the Pro Natural World Championships and it got cancelled. He’s absolutely right….we do have a choice of what our attitude is going to be.

I suppose Jerry and I are alot alike. In ’97 when I found out that I had a ruptured bicep tendon and it would take 10-12 months to get back to full size I said, ” that gives me just enough time to get ready for the ’98 World Championships!” Surprisingly (to me anyway) I won that show.

When I realized 5 weeks ago that I had ruptured my hamstring tendon I said, “I did it before, I can do it again!” and have made it a challenge to win at the Team Universe next year. I shouldn’t have been surprised at Jerry’s attitude…..he’s a really great guy. And David Nall too….he just said, “Well, I’m doing the Alamo Showdown on Sept 29th, and I’m going to try to find something else too”. They’re both wonderful guys with great attitudes!

I ended up having to workout solo again today. It was back day and since deadlifting is still out, I went the volume route again. My back is already getting stiff as I sit here typing. I found a really cool back extension machine that I was able to finish up the workout with and I’m expecting that I’ll be pretty sore tomorrow.

Lat Pulldowns 6 sets 12-15 reps
Lever Row machine 4 sets 8-10 reps
Free Motion High Row 6 sets 10-12 reps
Free Motion Lat Pulls 4 sets 8-10 reps
Back extension machine 4 sets 10-15 reps.

PS If I can get any new pics from David (from this week) I’ll post them. He’s got striations everywhere!!!

Another PS  Maybe Jerry had such a positive outlook because he’d just finished eating muffins and brownies before I spoke to him……just kidding…..but seriously…