John Meadows comments on recent criticism of the modern era of bodybuilding and Bandon Curry as Olympia champion.
The modern era of bodybuilding has been criticized for years as not matching up to past eras. This became more pointed after the 2019 Mr. Olympia, with many legends including Ronnie Coleman and Dorian Yates criticizing Brandon Curry’s winning physique. They claim he wouldn’t have been able to place in the top six during their era – let alone win. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, John Meadows shares his thoughts on the past eras vs today. He also comments on Brandon Curry’s mentality after the criticism of his Olympia physique.
John Meadows has been around bodybuilding since the 80s. As such, he has a first hand impression on the quality of physiques from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and now 2010s. So when we asked him his thoughts on the recent criticism of the modern era of bodybuilding vs the past – he had some very specific things to say. He doesn’t think that the past eras are better than today. He simply thinks they are different.
This might sound like a diplomatic “middle of the road” answer, but John Meadows swears this is his honest opinion. He’s been there in person during multiple eras. He’s seen the legends up close and personal. Yes – he thinks that the separation and conditioning in eras like the 90s was superior. But he also thinks that the size has been more impressive in the athletes today. It’s what the judges are rewarding – so who’s to say this is worse?
Meadows does admit that there were some truly genetic gods during the 90s. The kinds of genetics that haven’t popped up in today’s era. But genetics are not earned, they are given. They are luck. They are uncontrollable. It’s not a critique of the work put in by today’s athletes.
The conversation then moves into the person receiving the largest brunt of the criticism – Brandon Curry. Ever since Ronnie Coleman and Dorian Yates criticized Curry’s physique, it’s been the lightening rod of the entire era debate. John Meadows has spoken with Brandon personally since the criticism and has some truly inspiring words about the mindset of Brandon moving forward.
“Brandon also knows that he has to get better.” John Meadows states. He then continues:
“His mindset is, he still can get a lot better an he knows that… When I saw him I was curious to see how he was mentally… The overriding theme that I got from his was, ‘I’m the champ but I know I gotta get better and I’m gonna get better.’ I didn’t sense any entitlement from him at all.”
You can check out John Meadow’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
