Albert Beckles: the vegetarian muscle man you should know.

A veteran of over one hundred contests, Albert Beckles is an old school bodybuilder with a bunch of big time experience. The man took second place at the Olympia in 1985 at the tender age of 55. Yeah, that wasn’t a typo. Albert Beckles’ runner up win would go on to be the best of his career, but that’s nothing to scoff at. Many have come close to reaching the top of the mountain only to fall short of the peak.

Albert’s superb placement in high level competition at such an advanced age isn’t the only thing that makes him an interesting figure in bodybuilding. Beckles is also a “pollo vegetarian”. Now, “what the hell does that mean?” you might ask. It means that other than birds, for example chicken or duck, Beckles didn’t eat any red meat. The rest of his diet was much like that of your run of the mill vegetarian. Yet if you take a look at the man’s biceps you’ll probably wonder if you should give the vegetarian diet a go. There must be some reason that Beckles, at age 61, was still able to qualify for the Olympia. You obviously can’t rule out Albert’s genetics, but you’ve still have to wonder if his diet gave him some extra help.

At one point a judge for the IFBB, Beckles was a major talent in his competitive days and a true bodybuilding great. It takes a special kind of person to be able to compete at such a high level even all the way into his sixties. A man with not only drive and dedication, but a true love for the sport. Who else but someone with an intense love for the sport would still be lifting 100 lbs dumbbells even into his eighties? Beckles still trains hard and keeps a clean diet which is another key to his longevity.

Whether you’re a fan of the old school bodybuilders or not, Albert Beckles is a true pioneer of the sport. Even after undergoing major back surgery, Beckles still finds time to get into the gym, something he believes has kept him healthy even after all these years. He is the prime example of pushing past your limits and how bodybuilding can change your life for the better. Bodybuilding is one of the few sports where an athlete does not peak early in their years. Albert Beckles is a testament to that. A man who truly found his personal fountain of youth.

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