FEEDBACK FROM OTHERS: I appreciate all the comments by those who noticed I was overlooked (that is the nice way of putting it). This has come from pros (even those who normally don't see the world the same way such as King and Shawn), writers, industry players and of course, the fans. It is good to know that I wasn't losing my mind as I stood on stage, in condition (certainly in no better or worse condition than plenty of others, I should add), completely forgotten as even the bottom comparisons passed me by. When you know you have a quality physique and you have to watch Ken Jones get called out before you, you know something is wrong.

WHAT HAVE I DONE OR NOT DONE?!! Many have asked me what on earth have I done to have the judges dislike me so much? Have I pissed them off? Well, I can't really imagine how I have done that, as I keep to myself and frankly, I am very respectful of the judges. I don't get in their faces, I don't call them up (or out). In short, I don't patronize them. I come from an idealist standpoint in an individual sport whereby athletes and judges should be sequestered and should not have any contact, as it would cause them to unfairly judge. However, clearly that idealism does not exist in this sport as we know that judges and athletes mix quite a bit. I just have stuck to my guns and remained respectful of their roles. It would seem that is my problem. Add to it that I have never been outspoken, nor have I had a hype machine behind me. I am a quiet individual who loves to train hard, actually doesn't mind to diet and has always enjoyed this sport from its purest standpoint. I am not ghetto, I don't flash my lifestyle. I could go on and on about how I own a house by the beach, drive a BMW, blah, blah. But, that is puerile to me. I know who I am. Why do I have to shove it into everyone's face? One of my favorite athletes is Barry Bonds. Why? Because he keeps to himself and plays his game.

Back lat spread the night before the NOC. Thanks to my training partners, Derik Farnsworth and Pete Ciccone, I have a much wider back and I learned how to spread it!

THE OLE' LEG ISSUE: I hear constantly about my legs. Well, does everyone think I am not aware of the fact that my upperbody grows when I simply look at weights and I have to work very hard, which I did this season, on my legs? I have to even back off my upperbody, yet it still looks the way it does. The truth is, I had an injury ordeal that began in September 02 and was not over until December 03 that is likely far worse than anyone understands. But, again, I don't make a big deal about things and I keep to myself. What I went through was horrendous. I really only could train my legs from December until these shows. And, frankly, there was a time during my many stays in the hospital, hooked up to IV antibiotics, or recovering from one of many surgeries, when I wondered if I would keep my leg, never mind would I be on a stage again. But, I kept my appearance schedule, I trained my upper body and I diligently rehabbed my leg all while keeping a positive face on so as to not create a "poor me" persona. Perhaps, I should have called each and every judge before this show and said "Gee, Mr. Judge, I hope you really take a notice of me on stage because I have been through hell in the past 2 years and should really be given a better placing because of it." Well, as you might imagine, that is not quite my style.

I don't think conditioning was an issue!

NOT CHANGING WHO I AM: I am not saying I should have won the show or beat this guy or that guy. I am saying that I was overlooked and that at this point, I have to wonder what on earth do I have to do to simply be judged fairly. Yes, we can dwell on my legs. But, I will maintain, as I have seen others note on various boards, that there was not an athlete up there at either the Florida show or the NOC, that doesn't have a flaw of some sort (some more noticable than others). Yet, they aren't relegated to the bottom rung as a result. Let's face it folks - there was no Flex Wheeler or Shawn Ray up there each of whom have a physique that can't be picked apart. However, I am not going to sit here and pick apart the guys who were ahead of me (although, that is probably what I should do, seeing as how that seems to be how one gets ahead in this sport - by calling each other out and talking smack). So, I ask myself: Should I become outspoken? Should I become flashy? Should I talk about whose "butt I am going to kick" - literally or figuratively? In short, should I change who I am? No. Can't do that. I will always be the person I am. If I have to change that, then I have lost far more than a few bodybuilding placings. I have lost my person.

ALL IN PERSPECTIVE: Fortunately, I can move forward to the next day, the next workout, next contest, etc. and not dwell incessantly on this. Am I disappointed? Yes. But, more so I am disappointed in the system that doesn't recognize someone for their physique but rather, requires that you orchestrate hype and glad-handing off the stage in order to have your physique be fairly judged when on. I hope that the new changes in the IFBB will correct this and that athletes will be recognized as athletes not characters and personalities. Barry Bonds' hitting record isn't altered just because he doesn't like to talk to people and would rather be with his family. On that subject, many know that in a few weeks, my wife is giving birth to our first child. That has allowed me to keep everything in perspective. Maybe not qualifying for the O this year is a blessing because I will be able to be with my daughter in her earliest months of life and not have to be a slave to my contest prep. There will be a next season for me. But, there won't ever be a next "first six months of her life" that I can regain.

See you in the '05 Season,

-Garrett
Garrett Downing, IFBB Pro (AKA "Hypefree in San Diego")

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LAST UPDATED: May 24, 2004