Kerrith Bajjo has signed a sponsorship deal with REDCON1.
Kerrith Bajjo is the newest member of the REDCON1 team after signing a deal with the brand.
Growing up in Connecticut, Bajjo was a standout track and field athlete so he always enjoys fitness. In 2015, Bajjo began his bodybuilding journey. He finished as the runner-up during the Bev Francis Atlantic States competition in the light heavyweight division. Now, he has turned into an Olympia athlete that will continue to improve and grow each year.
When training in the gym, Bajjo likes to make sure that he gets the best results possible. He is currently preparing to take the stage during the 2023 New York Pro and uses products like REDCON1’s Non-Stim Pre Workout, MRE Lite Protein Powder, and TOTAL WAR pre-workout.
Kerrith Bajjo’s Career At A Glance
Kerrith Bajjo quickly joined the professional ranks after beginning his bodybuilding journey. He became an IFBB professional in 2018 and competed in two shows right away, highlighted by a fourth-plan finish during the Tampa Pro.
Bajjo has turned into a competitor in 212 that has hopes of becoming an Olympia champion. In 2019, he finished third at the New York Pro and was able to win in Tampa in 2020. This punched his ticket to his first Olympia competition, where he finished eighth.
Last season, Bajjo was victorious at the 2021 Texas Pro before coming in seventh at the Olympia. he is currently preparing to make his third appearance at the New York Pro. Heading into the competition, Bajjo will be considered one of the favorites in the 212 division.
The IFBB Pro League released its schedule and the New York Pro will take place on May 20 in Teaneck, NJ. Kerrith Bajjo will take the stage after preparing his physique with plenty of help from REDCON1’s products.
Andrew Jacked talks 2023 Arnold Classic and his coaching team of Chris Aceto and Chris Lewis.
Top bodybuilder Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ recently spoke on his thoughts on the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic as well as his new team of coaches. Looking to make a big impression in 2023, Andrew Jacked isn’t looking too impressed at the Arnold Classic and eventually the Olympia later this year.
There was a number of bodybuilders who impressed at the 2022 Olympia in the open weight division.Hadi Choopan of course shock the world with his dominant victory at the show. Coming in a second and third place were Derek Lunsford, and Nick Walker, respectively, both men showcasing, that they have the potential to be the future of the division. Samson Dauda also acquitted himself very well at the show. Out of all of the first time competitors at the Olympia Andrew Jacked performed the best.
Taking eighth at his first Olympia competition, Andrew Jacked showed that he has plenty of potential moving forward. As he continues his bodybuilding journey, Andrew is attributing his recent success to his new coaching team.
Team Chris and Chris
Chris Aceto and Chris ‘Psycho’ Lewis are having a major impact on the growth of Andrew Jacked. Andrew mentioned their influence during a recent interview and how much he’s improved since teaming with them.
“I like working with people that go together,” said Andrew Jacked. “I think things will be very smooth. He said it’s cool, so I’ll walk with him [Chris Aceto] for the Arnold. Yeah, it started. Aceto — the real technician. He’s a wonderful guy,” says Jacked. “Well, both are Chris. I’m working with Chris and Chris. Both of them are amazing people to start with. Amazing. It’s all business and not brotherly or intimacy or whatever.
“Even ‘Psycho’ I told him, ‘bro, I need a drill Sergeant, not a brother.’ And he’s like, he wanted the same too. We train and we go. There is no time for chit chat, smiling, whatever, no. We are in this for business and that’s exactly what I want. Aceto is doing his thing, and I’m like, ‘yeah, good, awesome.’”
Andrew Jacked also mentioned his intentions moving forward. He’s extremely focused on the Olympia and is confident that he’ll win any show he chooses to compete in.
“Yeah, after the Arnold I will just go have fun and take some time off, German vacation, have good holidays and start the off-season again.
“I’m not thinking about any shows now. I’m not thinking of competing in any show now. I’m just want to like — I’m not even thinking about the Arnold per say. I’m more focused on the training.
“I’m just looking forward to the Olympia because I know any other competition I step into I’ll win.”
Do you think Andrew Jacked can become an Olympia champion?
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
“Our hearts are heavy today as we say goodbye to our Iron Sister @amyrichardson_ifbbpro_proplx2 today. She always had a big smile, a laugh and a sarcastic word. We will miss her so much! Our love and prayers go out to Amy’s family during this difficult time.”
Amy Richardson attended the 2022 Olympia Weekend but contracted pneumonia and the flu while in Las Vegas. She shared that she got a rash all over her body after spending time in the hospital. Richardson shares a post on Instagram four days before her death thanking fronds and family for well wishes. It is not confirmed if this was the official cause of her death.
The Career of Amy Richardson
Amy Richardson found great success as a bodybuilder and powerlifter. She was an active competitor in the IFBB in the Women’s Physique division.
In 2022, Richardson competed in five shows across two divisions — Women’s Physique and Masters. The season was highlighted with a second-place finish at the Master’s World Pro in the Masters Over 40 division. Her best finish in Women’s Physique was during the Lenda Murray Savannah Pro, where she placed ninth.
Amy Richardson was a top Masters competitor, finishing in the top-five on a consistent basis. She displayed a passion for lifting and fitness as a whole on her Instagram page.
Generation Iron sends condolences to friends and family of Amy Richardson during this time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Build tree trunk legs with these exercises for only the best gains.
Whether for functional or more sport specific needs, building tree trunk legs can be of great assistance when it comes to boosting overall gains. We’ve all seen those guys in the gym with those twig-like legs, barely able to squat. Don’t knock them for squatting, it is a great leg exercise and good on them for doing it. But they don’t work out their legs enough to even earn the ability to lift big weight. And it shows. Legs are important for sport as well as everyday activities and to neglect them can be a terrible disservice.
While we all love to build those vanity muscles and make our upper bodies pop out of our shirts, a solid set of legs can round out a massive physique for the better and give us the best chance at seeing real success. With the right exercises, our workouts can be fun and engaging so we don’t get bored of doing the same old leg exercises with minimal gains.
Let’s jump into this and see how best to build those tree trunk legs. The right exercises can catapult you into the right mindset to keep you working at it and feel as though you are putting together an absolutely massive and shredded physique.
Benefits Of Massive Legs
Our legs matter and whether or not you have tree trunks is beside the point. Having strong legs can work for your benefit in a number of ways including:
Lower risk of injury by having a strong and stable lower half.
Increase endurance capacity to go for longer sessions.
Boost power and explosivity for sport specific movements (1).
Add to your physique so it rounds itself out nicely.
Knowing the best exercises to perform for those tree trunk legs can be of great assistance to you as you seek to build that massive and shredded physique. Let’s take a look at some amazing leg exercises below:
Romanian Deadlift
The Romanian deadlift is a functional movement and nice variation of the deadlift and will improve balance, stability, and power while working your posterior chain nicely. Giving your hamstrings some great work, this can round out your legs to see effective growth take place (2).
Rowing Machine
A great cardio workout, the rowing machine works many muscles in your body. As a sport driven by the pushing motion, your legs take the majority of the load, therefore increasing strength and size. A low-impact workout to burn calories and build endurance, this works your legs to effective tree trunk size.
Goblet Squat
The goblet squat works to improve overall strength and mobility while establishing squatting efficiency. This is perfect for building muscle as it can be performed with your bodyweight, dumbbells, or kettlebells. For those avoiding the traditional barbell squat, this is a nice variation to still see tree trunk-like gains.
Calf Jumps
Calf jumps are a great plyometric exercise to improve strength and explosiveness for calves. The ability for the calf muscle to absorb force with the continued movement allows the muscle to wear down and fatigue, thus offering the chance for maximal growth to take place. Plus, you get that heart rate going for nice cardio work.
Lunges
A great lower body exercise, lunges consist of many variations to work your leg muscles, and those surrounding muscles, differently. Able to increase strength and size, while also building balance and stability for support, you promote efficient gains and give yourself that extra boost when it comes to seeing those tree trunk legs take shape (3).
A bodyweight exercise targeting the lower thigh area, sissy squats are an uncommon but highly effective muscle building exercise. With proper form and a real level of resistance, what you get is a serious lower body brutalizer to force those muscles to grow. Form is key, however, for this exercise can be a taxing on those joints given its unusual movement.
Mountain Climbers
Mountain climbers are a great HIIT exercise designed to increase strength, cardio, and core strength. It will also boost leg growth as a result of the fast-paced movement and necessary action of the legs to complete an effective exercise. This is considered a total body workout with cardio and endurance elements, but your legs will feel a burn and they will build muscle.
Jump Rope
For bodybuilders and other athletes looking to increase their aerobic capacity while also building muscle, jumping rope is exactly what you need. A versatile and convenient exercise, all you need is the jump rope and you can do this anywhere and at anytime. Great for weight loss and endurance, what this does is increase those leg muscles to promote strength and power for all things gains (4).
Pistol Squats
Pistol squats is one of the most effective unilateral exercises that can be performed for strengthening your legs, mobilizing joints, and improving overall squat mechanics. By recruiting more muscles, you can accelerate strength and improve all areas of the movement.
Skater Squats
Another great unilateral exercise, skater squats can enhance strength and work to generate more power from each leg. A good variation of the pistol squat, this gets you moving and can be less taxing on your knees, while still offering the ability for muscle and those tree trunk legs.
Wrap Up
Building those tree trunk legs can be challenging but not impossible. With the right exercise and proper approach to training, you can better tackle any and all of those wants and needs to build those massive legs. Strong legs can give us the ability to stay grounded, more stable, and perform better for sport specific and functional movements. The right exercises can make or break your gains and give you those tree trunk legs you want most so give some of these exercises a try, place them into your leg day routine, and watch those gains take off.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
Bean, J.; et al. (2003). “A Comparison of Leg Power and Leg Strength Within the InCHIANTI Study: Which Influences Mobility More?”. (source)
Fisher, J.; et al. (2013). “A randomized trial to consider the effect of Romanian deadlift exercise on the development of lumbar extension strength”. (source)
Jonhagen, S.; et al. (2009). “Forward lunge: a training study of eccentric exercises of the lower limbs”. (source)
Ozer, D.; et al. (2011). “The effects of rope or weighted rope jump training on strength, coordination and proprioception in adolescent female volleyball players”. (source)
Advanced Training Techniques You Should Know About
The reason you’re not building muscle could be because you’ve hit a plateau. Once your body gets used to your usual training techniques, it stops growing. You need to be shocking your muscles in order for them to grow.
Advanced training techniques can help you get the most of your workouts by annihilating your muscles. Incorporating these techniques into your workouts will keep your muscles guessing with what hit them and will force your muscles into growing bigger.
5 Advanced Training Techniques To Incorporate Into Your Workouts
1. Supersets
All of these techniques are supposed to make your workouts harder. Doing this will push your muscles to work harder and in the process will make them stronger and bigger. Supersets are one of the most common advanced training techniques used in the gym.
In supersets, after you’re done with an exercise, you move onto a different exercise for the same muscle group without taking any rest. This cycle of exercises is considered to be one set. Sets with three different exercises are known as a giant set. Supersetting alternate muscle groups are known as antagonistic supersets.
2. Drop Sets
Drop sets can take your workouts to a whole new level. This technique is the best if you’re aiming for muscle failure. It’s not uncommon to have sore muscles the day after you perform some drop sets.
Drop sets can take lesser time as compared to the supersets as you don’t have to switch between exercises. After you’re done with your set, lower the weights and do another set until you hit failure. Avoid stopping for rest between the supersets.
3. Intraset Stretching
Intraset stretching is a relatively newer training technique. Dr. Jacob Wilson and his team at the Applied Science and Performance Institute in Tampa, Florida put this technique to test and it came out with flying colors. In intraset stretching, you complete your normal set and then hold the weights at the stretched position.
The pump and added tension of holding the weights at the stretched position intensify the muscle pumps and makes your muscles go through a huge amount of damage. You complete another set after holding the weights at the stretched position for 10 seconds.
4. Blood Flow Restriction Training
Getting a pump is the best thing which could happen to you in the gym. A pump is when your muscles are filled with blood. Blood carries all the nutrients, including protein, to your muscles. This is the reason bodybuilders chase the pump.
Some people confuse blood flow restriction training with occlusion training. Blood flow restriction training allows the inflow of blood into the muscle but restricts the outflow when you have a pump. Occlusion training, on the other hand, cuts off the blood flow to the muscles completely.
In BFR training, you tie an elastic band around your working muscle. You would only be able to lift around 50-60% of your regular weights with your muscles tied. The pumps and pain while using this technique is something you should experience at least once.
5. Rest-Pause
Rest-pause training is a complete overkill for your muscles. Your muscles will be filled with lactic acid and you won’t know what to do with them by the end of your workout. The rest-pause technique turns your sets into multiple mini-sets.
While using this technique, your main goal is to exhaust your muscle fibers and leave nothing in the tank. Once you hit failure, rest for 5-10 seconds and resume the set until you can’t do any more reps.
Which advanced training technique will you use for your next workout? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Jessica Fernandez admitted her mistakes from the TikTok video she made.
Female TikToker and influencer Jessica Fernandez issued an apology for a video of hers that went viral showing a “feral” man working out behind her while at the gym.
In the video, Fernandez comments on the man who she thought was staring at her multiple times. Also, he offers to help put weight plates on one side of the barbell. Fernandez calls the man a “creep” and uses other captions, such as “natural selection better take these weirdos out.”
Since the video has gone viral, many are defending the man and his actions. After reassessing the situation, Fernandez took to Twitch to issue an apology and the video has been deleted.
“First of all, I want to apologize sincerely to the man at the gym where this all started. He didn’t do anything wrong to me and I blew our interaction out of proportion. I know many people think that I’m only apologizing because I got called out from the video I posted and this is half right. If I wasn’t called out for this video I wouldn’t have had the chance to learn from this mistake or even realize I made a mistake to begin with.”
Jessica Fernandez continues to explain her thought process when first sharing the video and what opened her eyes to the truth.
“When I first posted the video I felt I was completely in the right and I felt I was making a good attempt to connect and relate to my female audience who may have dealt with uncomfortable situations at the gym. And now after reading literally thousands of comments about me, the situation and the man in question it truly opened my eyes to how damaging this could have been for him.”
Joey Swoll Reacts To Initial Video
Joey Swoll has made a reputation for himself calling out those who display toxic gym culture. Naturally, he decided to comment on this video once it went viral.
“There is a big difference between staring at somebody and simply looking or glancing at them. So, why did this man look at you? Well, you’re in front of him off to the side, you’re in his peripheral. You’re also taking a video with your camera pointed directly at him and you’re talking to yourself,” Swoll said.
There are many instances where women have faced uncomfortable situations at the gym but Swoll claims that this was not one of them.
Women are harassed in gyms and it needs to stop, but you are not one of them. An act of kindness or a glance does not make you a victim. pic.twitter.com/34g9265KXb
Joey Swoll will continue to speak against toxic gym culture and defend those who are unfairly put in a bad light. As for Jessica Fernandez, she has realized her mistake and apologized.
Getting old sucks! Well, the physical effects of aging certainly are unpleasant; wrinkling and sagging of the skin starts to occur, dehydration of the skin, hair and nail health depletes, joints hurt, and worst of all — weight gain! Yes, gaining weight is undoubtedly part of aging. Regarding reversing these effects, supplements like collagen are said to slow down the effects of aging. One supplement that stands out in the market is Inno Glow, from Inno Supps.
Inno Supps has quite a lengthy history of providing quality supplements. There are so many different supplements that promise benefits, but the results differ from what they are said to be. Collagen supplements are no different; there are collagen supplements that promote good effects, but they do not deliver good results. However, Inno Glow is a collagen supplement that we believe in.
Let’s dive into all things Inno Glow.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and can be found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. While doctors use it to help heal wounds, it also is utilized in cosmetic preparations to enhance the skin. Healthy collagen levels can help joint health, protection of the kidneys and other organs, skin elasticity, and even a healthy cardiovascular system. Collagen is also said to help manage weight and build muscle.
Regarding skin health in particular, collagen can reduce wrinkles, improve the contours of the skin, fill out depressions, and improve the appearance of scars. Overall, it aids in reducing the effects of aging.
How Do You Lose Collagen?
As far as what causes collagen loss, a few different things can contribute to this. Factors that affect collagen can include but are not limited to hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menopause, health conditions and so on. Oxidative stress, which results from metabolic processes and lifestyle choices, such as smoking and diet, and the natural aging process can also deplete collagen.
Also, too much sun exposure can have a negative effect on collagen! Ultraviolet rays can break down the skin.
Collagen Supplements
There are thousands of collagen supplements on the market that promise to reverse a lot of the negative effects of collagen loss. Supplement brands advertise their collagen to reduce joint pain, improve skin and heart health, prevent bone loss, and boost muscle mass as well as overall health. How true are these claims? There are so many supplement brands, what do you choose? Inno Supps does not fail to deliver with Inno Glow. Let’s take a look.
Inno Glow Overview
Inno Glow is a powerful collagen supplement that promotes numerous health benefits. However, it is not just another collagen supplement that promises results and falls short. Inno Glow also has a lot of backing to support the claims.
Inno Supps states that Inno Glow is the first collagen supplement to boost beauty from the inside out. It is said to firm, tighten, and hydrate the skin, reduce cellulite and wrinkles, and help grow longer and stronger hair and nails. Not to mention, it is said to support joint and bone health while enhancing weight loss, making it a fat burning, multi-collagen complex.
Inno Glow is different from other collagen supplements on the market because it contains type I, II, III, IV, and V collagens. The sources of collagen come from: chicken, chicken eggshell, bovine, marine. PLUS Inno Glow contains the cutting-edge ingredient Astrion™, which has been clinically shown to reduce the number and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and lessen skin discoloration due to UV light damage from the sun.
Inno Glow also includes Pepzyme AG™, a digestive enzyme that helps your body break down collagen into its most bioavailable and bioactive form which amplifies the beauty-boosting benefits of supplemental collagen.
Let’s not forget to mention that Inno Glow comes in 2 flavors, Watermelon and Tropical Punch as well as an unflavored option.
One more thing, Inno Glow is endorsed by Dr. Anika Ackerman, M.D. A board-certified physician endorsing supplements is not something you see from many companies, making Inno Glow stand out.
Collagen Boosting Ingredients
Cutting edge collagen boosting and absorption compounds are part of what make Inno Glow so great and beneficial. Let’s take a look at exactly what is in Inno Glow that will help your health.
Astrion™ works to combat aging. It is shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as boost collagen deep from within your skin up to 80%, leaving you with your skin feeling smooth and looking plump and luscious. It also helps protect your skin from damaging UV rays, aiding in keeping you looking young. Astrion™ also stimulates hyaluronic acid production on both the surface of your skin and deep below, supplying the hydration you need for maximum elasticity and healthy skin.
Pepzyme AG™ is a cutting-edge ingredient that helps your body break down collagen proteins into their most bioactive and bioavailable forms, making it easier for your body to use its beauty-boosting properties.
By helping your body break down protein, Pepzyme AG™ helps support healthy muscle tone and strength. It also helps increase the ability to digest proteins and helps prevent food from backing up in your gut and causing digestive issues like bloating.
This collagen-rich combination provides 10 grams of protein per serving with no added sugar or artificial ingredients — mix it in your coffee, water, smoothie or soup for an extra collagen boost that will also help curb some of those unhealthy cravings.
Inno Glow for Fat Burning?
Yes you read that right! This is a NEW improved formula for Inno Glow. Now, it has ingredients to give you thermogenic fat-burning effects. Let’s take a look!
Evothin – This ingredient can help accelerate calorie burn and prevent fat gain, as well as ignite thermogenic fat-burning and enhance weight loss.
Sukre – This ingredient helps support blood glucose levels for healthy weight management.
With that being said, you are getting the most cutting-edge ingredients to not only reverse signs of aging, but also enhance your weight loss.
Inno Glow Price
In today’s world, price plays a big part in purchases. When it comes to supplements, you want quality, and you get what you pay for. With Inno Glow, there are a few different price packages you can choose from. Let’s take a look.
1 Bottle: $59.99
3 Bottles: $54.99 (Plus free apple cider vinegar)
Inno Supps also offers a “subscribe and save” deal where you can subscribe and save up to 25% off with one bottle delivered every 30 days or 3 bottles every 90 days.
Inno Glow FAQs
Okay, so you probably have a few questions you would want answered before buying — don’t worry, we are going to address them.
Should I Cycle Off?
Cycling Inno Glow is not necessary as you can take collagen forever.
Is Inno Glow Vegan?
No. Inno Glow has ingredients that include chicken, chicken eggshell, bovine and marine collagen, so it’s not considered vegan. For a vegan collagen-boosting option, you can try Inno Supps’ HAIR + SKIN + NAILS supplement, which has ingredients that stimulate and boost your body’s natural collagen production.
Can Anyone Use Inno Glow?
Anyone (over the age of 18) can use Inno Glow, and it’s especially beneficial for men and women over 30 to help supplement the decline in muscle mass and natural collagen production and quality.
Inno Glow Wrap Up
Overall, collagen is something that can provide very many health benefits. Collagen helps with anti-aging of the skin, as well as hair, gut, and nail health. Not to mention it can help with joint pain, heart health, and overall physique and weight management.
While there are many, many collagen supplements out there on the market, Inno Supps definitely stands out with Inno Glow. It has multiple blends of collagen-boosting ingredients to help you stay up on your overall health and appearance. Not to mention, it is endorsed by Dr. Anika Ackerman, M.D., which is something you do not see from many supplement companies.
11x IPF World Powerlifting Champion Jen Thompson discusses breaking barriers in the sport and drug testing in attempt to be included in the Olympics.
Known as “132 Pounds of Power,” Jen Thompson is a legendary world champion and multi-world record holding powerlifter. She has been competing since 1999, and at 50 years old shows no signs of stopping. In addition to all of this – she is still a high school math teacher. This week, Jen Thompson joins Brandon Lirio on the U-Natty States Of America podcast to discuss her powerlifting origins, the complicated grey area around WADA drug testing in the sport, and her powerlifting plans at 50 years old (spoiler alert – it’s not retirement).
Unlike strongman’s focus on incredible feats of strength such as lifting atlas stones or pulling a car – powerlifting is a sport that focuses on a singular heavy lift. It’s a sport that is rife for setting world records. Which brings us to our podcast guest today. Jen Thompson is not only a 11x IPF world champion, she also holds multiple world records throughout her 20+ year history in the sport.
Brandon Lirio sits down with Jen Thompson to talk about her rise in the powerlifting world – and to discuss the inside realities of powerlifting leagues that many causal fans may not be aware of. Let’s jump into it.
There was a time when powerlifting was more about equipped lifts rather than raw lifts. Raw lifting is far more popular now in powerlifting but when Jen Thompson started – equipped lifts were the main way to compete. Thompson hated the specifics of equipped lifts and the rules that came along with it.
So she decided to start competing in raw lift competitions. This was relatively unheard of in the sport – especially for female competitors. Thompson forged the path with not only competing in raw – but setting world records as she continued through the sport.
Thompson holds no ill will towards athletes who excel or enjoy equipped lifts. She understands there is a separate skill and talent behind succeeding in such events. But for Thompson, the joy came from raw lifting. If she wasn’t able to make that transition – there’s no telling if she would still be competing as she does today.
This is the same mentality she takes towards her day job of teaching at a high school. Despite her success, she still dedicates her time to teaching. The reason? Because it’s what she loves. Powerlifting may be a major joy in her life – but if it was to become her only passion, she believes that she would lose interest.
It’s the sort of honest awareness that makes Jen Thompson such a talented and memorable athlete. The massive record-breaking lifts also help.
The Realities of Drug Testing in Powerlifting and the IPF’s Attempt to Bring it into the Olympics
During their conversation, the topic of drug testing in powerlifting gets a major focus. In case you did not know, many competitors in this sport are taking much more than just protein powders and pre-workouts, and in some leagues these substances are not allowed at all.
In an attempt to bring powerlifting into the Olympics, the federation changed the required demands for drug testing across powerlifting leagues. This put a large financial pressure on the USAPL – one of the most notable powerlifting leagues in the sport.
The argument was that the changed drug testing demands put far too much of a financial strain on the league, and drug testing certainly is not cheap. The league had already ensured that athletes were tested before competitions and felt that this was enough. This caused a clash between the IPF and the USAPL.
This clash is a perfect example of the challenges behind effective drug testing in professional sports. We all know now that PED usage has made its way into the Olympics – most notably the Russian national team and the ban that followed. This is just one example of how hard it is to truly have 100% effective drug testing.
The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA for short) is a drug testing agency that is supported by the Olympics. This is the same agency that the IPF and the INBA/PNBA use for competitions. So these drug testing standards are very familiar to both Brandon Lirio and Jen Thompson.
Jen Thompson discusses the inherent problems behind the drug testing scrutiny in powerlifting. The goal ends up being this – testing more often to generates more failed drug tests. This makes the federation “look bad” in the eyes of organizations such as the Olympics. However, the reality is current USAPL system of drug testing is effective – and provides a solid option for a fair competition.
The changed rules don’t fix the potential for cheaters. It simply forces the leagues to spend more money on a different series of tests to prove further how few athletes are actually using PEDs. While also testing less to show less failed results. It’s an unfortunate cycle for leagues that, compared to major sports such as the NFL, NBA, or MBL – would struggle to meet the demand.
Jen Thompson Wrap Up
Jen Thompson is a powerlifter who is far from being done competing. At 50 years old, she has no plans to retire. In fact, she hopes to set new standards for what a 50 year old woman can accomplish. She wants to inspire middle aged women to stay motivated and pursue strength sports if it is their passion.
You can watch Jen Thompson’s full interview with Brandon Lirio in our latest episode of the U-Natty States Of America podcast. Don’t forget to check back every Wednesday for new episodes only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
Mike Tyson is being accused of assaulting a woman in the early 90s.
Mike Tysonis being sued by a woman that is accusing him of “violently raping” her inside a limo after meeting at an Albany nightclub in the early 1990s.
The woman, who remains anonymous, is seeking $5 million in damages. The new civil suit claims that she has suffered from “physical, psychological, and emotional injury” as a result of the rape over time. The woman filed this suit in the Albany County Court once New York temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on sexual abuse. The state recently took on the Adult Survivors Act, giving victims a one-year window to file lawsuits over attacks that happened years ago.
The woman claims that Tyson offered to take her and a friend to a party after meeting him initially at “Septembers,” a popular nightclub at the time. Once she was in the limo, she claims that Tyson began touching her and trying to kiss her. She wishes to remain anonymous because making her man public “would certainly pose a risk to me of further mental harm, ridicule or personal embarrassment.”
Tyson burst onto the scene in the boxing world and held the undisputed heavyweight title from 1987 to 1990. He dealt with many issues outside of the ring, including a divorce from his ex-wife. Actress Robin Givens said in divorce papers that there was “unprovoked rages of violence and destruction.”
The exact date of the incident was not provided, according to the affidavit obtained by the New York Post. In the early 1990s, Tyson was involved in a similar incident involving a beauty-pageant contestant.
On Feb. 10, 1992, Mike Tyson was convicted of raping 18-year-old Desiree Washington. The incident occurred in Indianapolis and the former heavyweight champion served three years in prison. He claimed his innocence throughout.
This is an ongoing case where more details will be provided at a later date. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Samson Dauda is focused on his physique and “playing his game.”
Samson Daudahas been on the rise quickly in Men’s Open. The 2022 Olympia was a step forward and now he believes that he is ready for another one during the Arnold Classic. In a recent interview, Dauda showed his confidence and expressed that he is destined to win in Columbus.
Dauda burst onto the scene in 2018 and was able to make improvements to his physique over the years. In 2021, Dauda finished second during the Arnold Classic UK and Romania Muscle Fest Pro. He was victorious during the EVLS Prague Pro and was able to compete in the biggest show of the year.
Heading into the Olympia, Dauda opened some eyes with the overall size of his physique. He was considered a dark-horse competitor entering the show and was able to place sixth. Now, he is preparing for what could be the biggest win of his career during the Arnold Classic.
Samson Dauda: “Don’t Try To Play Someone Else’s Game”
During a recent interview on OlympiaTV, Samson Dauda displayed extreme confidence and spoke on his mindset heading into Columbus.
“Yes, I’m going to win the Arnold Classic. As soon as I went to the Olympia stage, I knew I was winning the Arnold. I didn’t have to wait for the list to come out, or have to see who was in it.”
There have been additions to the Arnold Classic roster since the prize was raised to $300,000. Nick Walker was crowned champion in 2020 and will return to try and win his second. Walker has turned into one of the top bodybuilders in the world after his third-place finish at the Olympia.
When speaking on the matchup with Walker, Dauda made it clear that he is focused on his physique and not anyone else.
“Just come in like I do but a little bit sharper. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Don’t try to play someone else’s game. Play your game. Just play your game better.
I don’t have to think about who’s coming in second. They can fight for second place, I’m coming for a win. The thing is you cannot say nobody’s on your radar because that’ll be just naive. But I know, watching from the Olympia, I know what I have to do now to pass him. After seeing him up close and having that competition already happen, I know what homework I got to do and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
Samson Dauda is tailoring his prep to make improvements needed to take home the top prize in Columbus. With the new additions to the lineup, there will be plenty to watch on stage.
