"Mighty" Mike Ergas

Over the last couple of blogs I've been down on bodybuilders.  I dumped on Jessie Godderz for being such a bad ambassador for the sport in pop culture and I dumped on good-guy Erik Fankhouser for giving young guys the notion that they can grow on 5 hours of sleep.

Today I'm all about the positive because of Mike Ergas.  Mike paid his dues and then some at the national level to obtain his pro card in 2006.   After four years at the national level the judges decided the crowds were right and that Mike was the best physique on stage.  Some guys might have gotten down on the sport, the powers that be, or the judges.  Not Mike, he was always smiling and not willing to point any fingers.  So award winning physique + amazing attitude made me a big fan.  Ok, the fact that in addition to the winning combination of physique and attitude he also has a wicked smile and the most pinchable cheeks on the planet didn't hurt either!

So when I got to exchange messages with Mike yesterday I was like a giggly school girl.  I'm a pretty professional, reasonable person but yesterday I felt like a groupie shouting "I've got all your albums!"  The cool thing was it was a forum where lots of Mike's fans could pester him like I was...but he was a total swell guy and responded to every message I sent him.  Cheesecake, contest plans, all-you can eat sushi, he was willing to chat about them all.  So further proof that the public perception of bodybuilders as narcissistic assholes is so very wrong.  

So I found out Mike's next contest is the one known for great lighting.  I totally want to fly down and cheer him on.  But I also realize I'm on the verge of being one of those creepy-obsessive fans who sits in the front row and screams like an idiot.  Ah who am I kidding? I've totally crossed that line already!

So thanks to Mike for being such a swell ambassador for the sport, his community and for motivating this crazy fan.

Smiling, as always!