The Zen of Bodybuilding

In this episode we pay tribute to two bodybuilders who personified the culture of what this sport can represent and are the epitome of all we have spent the past 29 episodes talking about. And with that we say goodbye to Zen. But with every ending there is a new beginning, so what comes next? 

This month something totally different, join me on a tail of friendship, epic highs, tragic loss and rebuilding.  

This episode we will cover the 2024 Yorton Cup, talk about changes and upgrades for the 2025 Yorton Cup and I will do a deep dive into exactly what the judges are trained to look for at OCB event. If you are a coach or competitor this is a must listen to episode. Be prepared for the OCB stage and know exactly what the boundaries are for each category. 

With 70 shows already in the books how has the season progressed so far? How is the Yorton Cup shaping up? Did that first international event happen yet? What is OCB doing for the whole of natural bodybuilding? And an interview with top Fitness America competitor and OCB Bikini Pro Aubrey Worek. 

In this special report I discuss the PED epidemic that is not only surrounding sports but also the casual gym member. What is OCB doing to combat this problem and who have we allied with? I also cover some of my early experiences with seeing how mainstream steroid use was and compare to what is going on now. If you are concerned about the rising use of PEDs and what to know what you can do to help stem the tide then this is the episode you have been waiting for. 

Can you thrive as a bodybuilder on a plant-based diet? What is Vegan? And what is Vegan Proteins? We cover all that and more!

In this episode we discuss the why of the polygraph screening, how effective is it for OCB and why we don't just do urine. What happens if you earn a pro card and can't supply a urine sample? Guess who our three new affiliate countries are? And what the heck is VST. 

Sully catches everyone up with the OCB latest and greatest and covers what went on over the past few months. We also cover transitions and how we can learn a life lesson through bodybuilding transitions. 

This episode we cover the history of coaches, their value as well as how to select the right one. Also, and interview with Mike from Rare Breed. 

In this episode we cover the where, how and why OCB is now international, I talk to my good friend and Natural bodybuilding legend, Phillip Ricardo, and we get into training and how our ancestors had the forever bodybuilding routine down. 

Are you training optimally for fat loss, hypertrophy and muscle gain? Through my 45 years of experience, I have tried them all, every split you can imagine, and this one is not only backed by research but is time tested! 

In this episode we cover what Classic Physique look for OCB is and how it is different from other federations. Are you preparing accordingly? And we wrap up on how to baseline for our forever diet. 

Ever start a diet, lose a few pounds then nothing after three weeks? Did you stay the course and wait for the changes, or did you dump calories and try to chase the scale? In this short we explore insulin resistance and the metabolic shift. 

In OCB news we keep growing, and now into international waters. I go over constructing a forever diet, Insulin impact on GI and II, baseline diets and new body somatotypes. 

A quick recap of the 2023 Yorton Cup where 200 pro athletes battled for $63,000 in prize money at one of the most prestigious titles in Natural Bodybuilding. 

In this episode we cover the 2023 Yorton Cup, just weeks away at the time of this posting. I also start our nutritional journey from contest bodybuilder to lifestyle bodybuilder. I cover some of the hurdles I, and many others have had to overcome.  How much of your contest bodybuilding habits do you need to maintain? The answer my surprise you. 

I cover the OCB season so far, a few changes and cover where we will be going over the next six episodes. This will be a new, and never talked about aspect of bodybuilding. 

Introduction to the OCB leadership team and our thoughts on the man who made it all happen. 

This episode I will cover four things a competitor can do to greatly enhance the competitive experience and ease any emotional strain.  I will catch everyone up on the past three months and describe how I recently used bodybuilding to bring balance and harmony back into my line.  I will also bring up the loss of OCB founder, Matt Shepley, and introduce everyone wot the OCB leadership team. This will be part one of two episodes where we meet the OCB leadership team and talk about our experiences with the OCB founder, Matt Shepley, and where the OCB is going. 

In this episode I cover the 2022 OCB year in review, showcase some of what is coming in 2023 and where Zen is going. I take time to differentiate between competition bodybuilding and Zen bodybuilding and how to return to Zen post contest prep and how to prevent the competitive aspect from changing you into a one-dimensional human. 

In this episode we touch on the success of the 2022 Yorton Cup, and I uncover the real historian in Natural Bodybuilding. We also cover the changes in OCB policy that effect ALL OCB Pros, others that pertain to our masters' pros and changes to our drug testing policy, guidelines and suspension protocol. Finally, I wrap up the discussion of the four pillars of wellness and how you can use lessons from bodybuilding to create a balanced, resilient, healthy and happy human on and off the stage.  

In this episode I cover the life of the father of natural bodybuilding and the namesake of the largest natural Pro event in the OCB, Chet Yorton. Chet's story is one of perseverance, dedication, integrity and service to a higher cause. Chet pioneered natural bodybuilding and possessed a world class physique. Chet was one of only three men to beat Arnold and embraced the bodybuilding lifestyle as a way to build not just physiques but character. 

. In this episode we will cover what makes a good promoter and trust me it is not easy, but it is rewarding. We will continue the path we started last month and discuss the physical aspect of the total human concept and how bodybuilding is more than just a tool for looking good on stage. I have a great interview with pro figure competitor, champion powerlifter and the best MC in the industry, Ms. Tricia Floyd.

What is Zen, and how can bodybuilding be a catalyst of change for all aspects of your life? Also, why is OCB changing who we accept polygraphs from and does that change where pros can compete? I also have a great interview with OCB Champion Greg Trombley the Giant Killer 2.0. 

In episode 6 we cover the timeline of when you are actually a legitimate OCB pro and what that means as far as entering amateur events and other pro federations. I have an interview with Frank Formacela, a competitor who started in the 70s and is still a force in the sport. I end with my thoughts on the difference between working in the gym and training. I hope you enjoy this episode. 

In this episode I will provide some clarity on OCB posing standards and provide a few tips to improve your presentation. There is an interview with OCB Hall of Fame inductees Joe Franco and Stasi Longo. I will also answer the question of why OCB is seven years drug free. 

In the episode I cover the changes we are making in the OCB that will allow our masters only pros to participate in the event. I cover one of the early pioneers of women's bodybuilding, Pudgy Stockton. I talk with World bodybuilding Champion and WNBF President, Nancy Andrews and then answer some questions on coaches and coaching influences. 

In this episode we will be talking about OCB drug testing policy and why we polygraph. There is a great interview with OCB promoter, coach, judge, gym owner and champion bodybuilder, Kevin Parrott and we will end with a history lesson and a few questions. 

In episode two I cover the OCB changes for 2022, have an outstanding interview with Yorton Cup Champions, Jessica (Figure) and Will (Bodybuilding) Powell, cover exactly where bodybuilding as both a sport and way of life originated and answer a few questions. 

In this first episode we will cover the intent and future content and meet the host, Sean "Sully" Sullivan. OCB Website:  https://ocbonline.comContact/Questions: Sully@ocbonline.com