by Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN
It wasn’t all that way back that I wrote an article about how I believed each Christian Guzman and Chris Bumstead have been the way forward for our business. Each had nice personalities, massive manufacturers, and a world following that had all eyes on them. These two greats will do no matter it takes to realize their objectives, and sadly, I really feel that one in every of them took issues somewhat too far.
On this article, I’m going to voice my opinion on the “new” Christian Guzman, and it might ruffle a couple of feathers. I’m not personally associates with Christian, I’ve by no means frolicked with him or spoken with him, and he most definitely most likely has no concept who I’m (despite the fact that I’ve printed a ton of nice articles that includes him through the years).
Disclaimer: This text relies on my opinion. You could have your personal opinion, and that’s high quality, however that is mine.
Christian Guzman Builds Issues — Simply Not Muscle
First off, that heading alone might be sufficient to have me getting some hate in my DMs (and I’m high quality with that). However let’s be sincere right here: Christian Guzman has by no means had an enormous physique.
Now, I say that and need to comply with it up with this… Christian Guzman had top-of-the-line physiques within the business. That’s, earlier than he determined to go for his IFBB professional card and use sure steroids (which he has overtly talked about earlier than the entire haters on the market inform me he’s “natty 4 life, bruh”).
I perceive that there are folks on the market who consider an IFBB professional card is like carrying a badge of honor. However we’d all look somewhat foolish if we didn’t perceive that getting a professional card right now in comparison with again within the day is drastically completely different. We’ve bodybuilders getting professional playing cards today that (in my view) don’t deserve them. The IFBB is giving out professional playing cards like Christmas presents on December 25th.
Whereas I applaud the truth that Christian Guzman needs to get the “coveted” IFBB professional card — at what price? Clearly, as you’ll have seen in his movies and posts, his well being isn’t precisely the perfect at present. He could also be working to repair that, however what harm has the anabolics already finished?
Companies That Have Created a Legacy
For a person who has constructed an empire from the bottom up, what does he should show? He doesn’t want an IFBB professional card in an effort to earn my respect and even the respect of others. The person has constructed multi-million-dollar companies from scratch. Every thing from Alphalete attire to Alphalete Gymnasium to now Alphaland. What does he really achieve from damaging his well being in an try to get a ridiculous card (that you need to pay to maintain annually) that reads “IFBB PRO CARD.”
Does that not appear somewhat foolish?
The companies Christian Guzman created might be his legacy — particularly the Disney-like attraction of Alphaland (minus the pedos). Alphaland is a health fanatic’s moist dream relating to every thing they need, all on one property. Bodybuilders geek out over the considered visiting Alphaland and even getting to satisfy Christian in particular person.
With over one million followers on social media and over one million subscribers between his YouTube channels, the impression he has on the business and people who are on their very own health journey is insane. Sadly, his steroid use appears to have opened the door to some hate and other people strolling away from his content material because of the selections he made. However once more, I couldn’t care much less if somebody makes use of steroids or not, I simply don’t perceive the reasoning for why Christian Guzman determined to go that route.
A Fading Physique — Assume About Longevity, Not A few Trophy
Even when Christian Guzman wasn’t open and sincere about utilizing steroids prior to now earlier than making a video telling the world he’s been utilizing anabolics in an try to “do no matter it takes to get a professional card,” his physique a couple of years again many would tip their hat to and can be one thing they needed to realize.
Christian was by no means the largest man on the market, which is a cause he by no means obtained his professional card. However his physique was one thing many individuals aspired to construct for themselves. It was extra attainable in comparison with what we see on levels right now. And greater than something, Christian seemed wholesome.
I actually thought Christian had his shit collectively. He had the companies, the physique, the checking account, the household, the automobiles, and the lady. When you ask me, he’s checked all of the bins a dude would hope to realize of their lifetime. However the place is he now?
A number of months in the past, I used to be texting with Nick Trigili about his take care of Alphalete and congratulating him. I additionally talked about to him that one thing didn’t appear proper with Christian, and he talked about he believed he was below a variety of stress with every thing happening.
Whereas Nick could have been proper, I consider there was extra happening within the background and that Christian was utilizing “sure issues” that precipitated him to fumble his phrases, virtually as if he was having an nervousness or panic assault. He seemed drained, he seemed harassed, he seemed, nicely… tweaked out. If he was or wasn’t, that’s none of my concern. However as somebody who, fairly frankly, seems to be as much as him, this was extraordinarily laborious to observe.
Whereas I don’t need to say Christian’s steroid use is his “downfall,” I most definitely don’t suppose it has helped him in any respect. His well being is at present a problem. His physique seems to be nothing prefer it did (and never in a great way). And whereas he obtained engaged to Heidi, I’m unsure he’s finally really joyful. I could also be mistaken, however sometimes, everybody performs it off that they’re nice when, deep down, they’re battling one thing.
General, I really want the perfect for Christian Guzman and hope he can flip his well being round and can come to the belief that he doesn’t want a professional card. Within the grand scheme of issues, it means nothing after every thing he’s completed. Getting a professional card won’t make him more cash, and I actually don’t consider it would make him any happier. It’s like when he purchased the R8. Certain, it made him joyful initially, however that ultimately fades. I simply hope he doesn’t enable his well being to proceed to fade…
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