Patrick Moore: “Fans need to keep in mind that we are not literally trying to kill each other.”
The spectacle of bodybuilding has been a point of conversation for many years now. Since the beginning of bodybuilding’s entrance into a more mainstream culture – rivalries have peppered each era. Some find it to be a vital way to build interest and grow the sport. Others see it as a distraction that degrades the integrity of competitive bodybuilding. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Patrick Moore shares his opinions on trash talk and rivalries – when it’s helpful and when it goes too far.
As a former boxer, Patrick Moore has a different viewpoint on trash talk and rivalries. In the boxing ring, the trash talk all adds up to an actual physical battle. One person walks away a clear victor (mostly) due to a literal fight. In bodybuilding, judges decide who wins and the competitors cannot affect the other athletes’ outcomes. They can only focus on themselves. It’s this vital difference that makes Moore find trash talk in bodybuilding a joke.
“When I see it [trash talk] I just really can shake my head because being a fighter, a former boxer. Even when we talk trash we can go in and – well we were fighting,” Patrick Moore states in our interview. He continues: ”
We were literally trying to knock each other out. And when it was over we would shake hands, we’d go grab a bite to eat… bodybuilding we are on stage in underwear. And if you really break it down we are being judged by strangers… it’s a subjective sport… So the trash talking where we can’t ultimately do anything to the other person. Because of where I come from I can’t really draw a parallel.”
Patrick Moore admits that trash talk can help build excitement – but he believes that both fans and some athletes end up taking it too seriously. We all need to be aware of the social contract we sign with bodybuilding personas. What is said between athletes on social media should not be considered gospel. Most of the time, the athlete are perfectly friendly in real life.
“I mean I think it has its place. As long as the fans understand when we see each other, we’re cool… if you understand how sports work sometimes. Words can get heated but that’s all it is.”
Ultimately, Patrick Moore would rather focusing on confidence rather than trash talk. He has no qualms stating when he thinks he is better than other competitors. He doesn’t see that as trash talk – just confidence in the work he’s put into himself. While some might take it personally – Moore would rather not take too much energy commenting back and forth. He sees that energy best placed into his training and diet and focus to win the show.
That being said, he has been pulled into a few trading of barbs in the past. We’re all human – but he almost always walks away from it with nothing personal held against the other person. It’s all part of the heated energy leading up to the show. It’s not real life. The real work happens in the gym, the kitchen, and on the stage.
You can watch Patrick Moore’s full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
