IFBB PRO - Garrett Downing

ON CLOUD NINE - As you might have read in my MAY News/Commentary, my placings were of little significance to me in comparison to what I knew was just days away for me: my real first prize - the birth of my darling and precious daughter, Marina Elizabeth Downing, June 10, 2004. While I will always be a driven, competitive bodybuilder, who seeks to continually improve his physique, this little girl is the real first prize for me that surpasses anything I could ever achieve on a stage!!

BORN TO BE A FATHER: I have wanted to be a father for as long as I can remember. I didn't have the experience of having a father myself (my mother raised four of us, including a set of twins - my brother and me - by herself) and I have known always deep in my hear

t that I was meant to be a father. And, now that I am, I know this more than ever! I am so blessed to have achieved this and to have done so with the love-of-my-life, Annamarie. Together, we are on Cloud Nine with our daughter, who has made us a family. And, yes, I want more than one! But, we'll have to get through sleepless nights first...

UPCOMING APPEARANCES: Although it's not going to be fun to have to leave my little girl for even a minute, I will be making a number of appearances this summer and I am currently taking additional select personal training clients in the San Diego region. E-mail me for more info on training.

GARRETT'S SUMMER APPEARANCE SCHEDULE

July 10 - LA Championships, guest appearance (I am brining Marina...)

July 16-18 - The USA Championships in Las Vegas, guest appearance

July 18 - Muscle Camp with Shawn Ray in Las Vegas

July 31 - Special Appearance on behalf of Weider Publications at The Nutrition Forum Expo in Columbus, Ohio

August 14 - Guest Appearance, Mexico City

ALL IN PERSPECTIVE: So, as I noted last month, 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. I will certainly compete next season, but this way, I don't have to miss a single precious moment in the first six months of her life.

Meanwhile, on the training front, I haven't skipped a beat since my shows. I am still training 5 days per week and I include cardio as well. Too often guys finish contest prep and refuse to look at cardio equipment until the next season. This is a huge mistake! Cardio is an important part of fitness and being fit is why I got into this game. So, I'm still knocking it out in the gym with my training partners, especially leg day, even if zero sleep the night before thanks to my little princess!

Best in Health and Fitness,

-Garrett
Garrett Downing
IFBB Pro Bodybuilder & Proud New Pappa