Its my first day back from the Bahamas and whoever said being a pro bodybuilder isn't fun, never did it the right way! I have to thank Maurice and Trevor who took care of me very well and they put on an amazing show...great promoters. Before I go on I also want to thank the people who showed up to the show, the competitors and especially BIG ROB for being such awesome people. BIG ROB, I'm gonna tell Hany you are comin for him and your name will be up there with the greats soon enough!!
I have to say it was an amazing trip and everything that I dreamt of coming up as an amatuer and leading up to this came true. I always wanted to travel the world as a pro, I always wanted to be able to 'Wow' people and motivate them to achieve their dreams. All of those things came true this weekend.
I boarded the plane in Detroit city with my good friend and training partner Paul Lauzon. At first glance the women giving us our tickets said, "man I feel sorry for the person sitting in between you two" as she laughed. As we laughed about it I asked if there was anyway she could save that person the trouble and possibly have us sitting alone in three seats, she was polite enough and I think had sympathy for that person and accepted my request. That was the beginning of a great trip. There is nothing worse than sitting in a hunched over, squished position for three to four hours.
Anyway, when we got there Trevor was there to pick us up. I wouldn't leave the airport at first, you have to understand being 280lbs and the weather being in the 110's with humidity isn't a good mix. After getting up the courage I ran from the airport to the car...one air condition to another..lol.
We went for a bite to eat, got some groceries and headed to our room. Maurice put us up in a beautiful sweet overlooking the water with all the amenities, I couldn't have been happier. They told me they wanted me to come to the weigh in which at first confused me, those generally aren't exciting events where the guest posers show up. Weigh ins are generally tense events where are the athletes are on edge weighting for their turn to shine the following day..... Not in the Bahamas though.
The weigh in was in a Market Square type area with outdoor bands, bars and restaurants all along the marina in Freeport. I couldn't believe it, it was like a party atmosphere and none of the competitors seemed stressed or anxious. The scale was set up on the stage where the band played and competitors came up one at a time and weighed in. At the end they called up Joel Stubbs and myself and we got a very warm welcome from all the people there, tourists and locals alike.
After that we went and grabbed a nice dinner at the square and packed it in. Afterall it was a work trip. We hadn't slept much the night before since it was an early flight and I had to cut water for the next day so I wanted to get some rest.
We woke up the next day very well rested and ready for the task at hand. Problem was it was only 10am and the show didn't start till 7pm so we had some time to kill. So we went shopping. There I learned I can't haggle for shit and the locals there worked me for all my money...lol. I remember at one point I actually realized later on I ended up paying two dollars more for something instead of two dollars less..lol. Whatever, I was dehydrated, that's my excuse and I'm stickin to it.
We got back to the room and realized it was still only 1pm. I was really dehydrated and it was literally a sauna outside (not just sayin that...it really felt like a sauna when you opened the hotel room door to go outside) but we were in the Bahama's and figured we should do something, so guess what genius idea I came up with. Lets go to the beach. So dehydrated and exhausted we walked down to the beach, then decided a swim would be refreshing. Swimming in salt water in the hot sun without being hydrated and not being able to drink water = very bad idea..lol. After about an hour I was knocked out, we sluggishly made our way back to the room and I tried to crash until the phone rang ten minutes later. Time for your spray tan...lol
I got up and got ready, we got to the event and I couldn't believe it. The auditorium was full and the usher was running around grabbing chairs from wherever he could to let people sit down. Then it was just standing room only and the place was packed and live! I was getting more and more nervous/anxious, I wasn't sure how I'd be received. They called me to come out, I stood behind the curtain as my music started and I walked out and I could not believe the crowds reaction. The loudest crowd I have ever heard, the welcome they gave me was unbelievable, something I will never forget. Those people really know how to express themselves...lol.
Afterwards I stayed out front and hung out with a lot of them just talking about bbing and life on the island. I signed photos and took pics with everyone there, men, women and little kids (gotta love the little kids, they get so excited). It was amazing.
The next day we had a few hours to kill but I just couldn't take the heat anymore. I decided I was going to rehydrate and park my ass in front of the air conditioner all day (i know not that fun but it was HOT). When it was finally time to leave, Maurice picked us up and dropped us at the airport. I gave him a few DVD's for himself and some athletes and said thanks for everything. The girl at the airport counter in the Bahamas had the same feeling for that imaginary person sitting between me and Paul so she took care of us just as well as far as seating goes. Luckily no one had to sit next to me and I didn't have to be squished in my seat, I guess sympathy for the small is international...lol
All in all, it was an amazing experience and as for guest posing's it was one I will never forget. I have a couple more coming up in the next little while and all I can hope is that I can put on a good show for the crowds there all the same.
Goals start out as dreams and sometimes those dreams seem crazy. People tell you that its not possible, not worth it, not gonna happen. I firmly believe that if you want something and you are willing to work hard for it and keep it in the front of your mind at all times it will happen. Your dreams will become real life goals and will be realistic even if only to you. Your belief in yourself is the most important thing and when your dreams come true your friends, family and people around alike will all begin to have that same belief in you. Sacrifice for that dream.....
Fouad Abiad
