FRONTDOUBLE has been keeping abreast of all things social media this week as two British champions Rikky Varney and Adam Hickey reveal their mindset.
Rikky Varney arguably set the standard for condition in amateur competition in 2023, winning the overall PCA British Championships. But he says he does not have the fire to compete any time soon.
He completed a non-competitive prep phase described as "the smoothest ever". And the shredded Varney – coached by Joe Jeffrey – said: "End of prep: 226.8lbs down to 204.4lbs in 13 weeks.
"Honestly, this has been the smoothest and one of the most enjoyable preps I’ve had. Food at its lowest was still 3300kcal with no formal cardio, just steps. And we still had tools to play with and I was ahead of schedule.
"However, I'm into my 11th competitive year on the bounce. And even though I’ve thoroughly enjoyed prep, I haven’t had any excitement to ‘compete’, if that makes sense. The journey needed a destination. But the reality is I want more time to carry on adding to the improvements I’ve made.
"I’ve had to put my stubborn head to one side for once and decided that this prep was just a fat loss phase. And I’m happy with that. I don’t feel fatigued, I’m not carrying any niggles, I’m enjoying training and my motivation is high.
"So the time is to now push my food up, lower expenditure and carry on making improvements. And when the desire to ‘compete’ comes back I’ll have more improvements to showcase."
Frontdouble wishes Varney all the best and, if this is what he is looking like with no plans to compete, we cannot wait to see what he does bring to the stage when that excitement returns.
NABBA Mr Britain Adam Hickey has revealed his off-season has "definitely not gone to plan".
Hickey, who has impressed so far this season with several overall victories to his name, says he has barely trained or eaten since his run of competitions.
He is due to return to the stage soon and said on instagram: "As the beginning of prep begins soon, I've got very little time to reflect and this off season definitely has not gone to plan.
"If anything what off season have I done?
"I won't bullshit – I have hardly been training, hardly been eating, low motivation, still exhausted from this year's prep. I've even been giving myself reasons to not train.
"Distraction flows down an obsessive stream. But we carry on for the biggest shows of my life and, while I have now fallen behind from where I want to be, it’s not over yet.
"It is time to wake up for an even better version, remember why I started this and, with all the support I have from everyone around me, only I can defeat myself."
Would anyone bet against Hickey coming back better than ever?
LEWIS BREED (far left, above) dedicated his routine at the Texas Pro to his dad, who died just days before the show.
The IFBB Pro, who finished fourth, wrote on instagram: "This week I received the news that my dad passed away.
"To be honest I’m not sure how to deal with it. Although recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, we were told 12 months from now, so to get a phone call telling me the worst has broken me.
He was such a proud man, he loved nothing more than a beer with the boys.
"He had always been my biggest support from way back being on the sideline of every football game, to now showing off pictures of me to his mates down the pub.
"I will continue to make you proud.
"LOVE YOU DAD."
Frontdouble sends condolences.
IAN GAUNTLETT capped a string of competitive successes on Sunday by proposing to his girlfriend.
Gauntlett, on instagram as the 'Welsh Beast" secured victory in the classic division at the UK Ultimate Physiques last month. And yesterday he added the classic title from the IBFA Welsh competition.
And to cap it all he proposed to his girlfriend on stage afterwards – much to her pleasant surprise.
Frontdouble send both of them the best of wishes.
September 21: UFE European Championships, Shaw Theatre, London; NFMUK Yorkshire Qualifier, Leeds; 2Bros KC Classic, Braywick Leisure Centre, Maidenhead
September 22: PCA First Timers, West Midlands; IBFA Cumbria, Workington
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