Jim Georgiou Q&A: “Without routine, I would fall apart”

Jim Georgiou talks bodybuilding injuries, mentality, routines, sacrifices, social media pressure and why he still trains with the same intensity decades into the sport

By Gary Chappell

JIM GEORGIOU has built a reputation as one of the most recognisable physiques on the UK bodybuilding scene.

The PCA Pro recently added a NABBA Pro Card to his collection and continues to compete at a high level despite injuries, wear and tear and decades in the sport.

In this FrontDouble Q&A, Georgiou discusses bodybuilding, discipline, grief, routines, injuries, social media pressure and why he believes routine is essential to keeping him grounded, ahead of his participation in the PCA Universe this weekend [May 23/24, 2026].

1: What first drew you to bodybuilding?

As a kid I use to watch WWF and seeing the likes of The Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, Legion of Doom and others like The Warlord, I wanted to be massive and strong like them.
Therefore that naturally made me interested in weight training and bodybuilding. Soon after this, I came across a VHS video of eight-time Mr Olympia Lee Haney – and after watching it I was totally hooked. So I started buying more and than came across Pumping Iron which is the GOAT of all bodybuilding movies.
The Flex mags too. I never missed a copy. I used to read them over and over to learn as much as I could!

2: What’s your 'why'? What keeps you pushing through hard preps and off-seasons?

Pure self satisfaction. I absolutely love the hard work and discipline that goes into it. I need routine. Without routine I would fall apart.

3: How would you describe your relationship with your body today?

Hit and miss. I’m older now. I have lots of wear and tear. It’s not so easy now. I suffer from Carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis in the knees, cartilage damage, which is irreversible. Both my lower pecs have huge muscle deterioration, which in a lot of front shots ruins my look.
Three ruptured discs on the back but I manage all these very well to the point where I’m still able to keep going.
The good points are I’m far more balanced now compared to before and I have some very good attributes, particularly when it comes to muscle mutuality, density and conditioning – especially from the rear.

4: Was there a turning point where you started to see yourself as an athlete, not just a gym-goer?

I’ve been an athlete since I was six years old. I used to play football and was very good at it. I was semi-pro level but was never good enough to be a pro footballer. I used to do track and field and participated in the 100m, 200m and 400m. I broke every record in Southgate School in those events.
All these sports certainly contributed to weight training and bodybuilding, as my strength and conditioning was at a good level and only got better and better through lifting weights.

5: What’s something people often misunderstand about you, or about bodybuilding in general?

I’m pretty intimidating to look at and most people are scared to approach me. But when they do they are always surprised to see that I’m actually not like that – but only after training that is.
I absolutely hate people coming up to me when I’m training – and especially in prep. These people genuinely have no idea about competitive bodybuilding. When you see someone like that just let them be and let them do their thing.

6: How do you mentally handle show-day nerves or physique comparisons?

Absolutely never phases me. I never get nervous for a show. I’m so relaxed and chilled.
Also, I don’t look at this person or that person. My only focus was and will always be the best me on stage. You win some, you lose some. That’s bodybuilding.

7: What does your ideal off-season look like, mentally and physically?

Back in the day, I use to get up to 320-330lbs. That is absolutely not optimal now for me. I stay a little under 300lbs now and that gives me a decent-ish look with blood markers in a decent position and blood pressure at a nice stable level.

8: What sacrifices have you had to make to chase this goal?

Missed a ton of family events and gatherings through my life. A lot of failed relationships. Silly amount of money spent. But on the flip side I’ve made a huge living doing this too and I'm now settled down with someone, as she shares the same passions as I do.

9: If you weren’t bodybuilding, where do you think your focus would be?

I still do security but I would have probably put everything into owning and running my own security firm.

10: Is there a quote, book, or philosophy you live by – inside or outside of bodybuilding?

Lee Haney
“If you don't train, you won't gain and your body will remain the same.”

11: What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever overcome, in life or in sport?

We’ve all had some tough moments in sports but compared to life that means nothing. I’ve dealt with a lot of grief in life, over the last two years especially.

12: How do you unwind or reset when you’re not training or dieting?

Even in off-season I have a structured diet and eat the same food everyday. I may have an off-plan meal once or twice a week if that. I don’t miss workouts ever so can’t answer that one!

13: How has bodybuilding changed your view of confidence, discipline, or self-worth?

Doing bodybuilding gives you no option other than to be confident and disciplined. I mean, to go on stage with trunks on posing to hundreds of people watching, as well with everything being shared online, you just have to be confident to put it out there. If not then you shouldn’t do this sport. Without discipline you will absolutely never get your best look, because those who fail will most likely fail the diet and cheat most of time. Then wonder why they look how they do on stage – and blame the coach!

14: What is your current training split and why?

Bro split. I’ve done every training split there is a d I get on the best with this one. I like to annihilate each body from all angles and rep ranges.

15: Do you feel pressure to always look a certain way outside of prep?

Absolutely not. Because of instagram, most people want to stay super lean year round and ultimately that hinders you from progressing. I’d rather do what’s needed outside prep to improve for the competitive season, rather than staying super lean year round just to get extra likes on social media.

16: Have your relationships (friends, family, dating) changed because of your lifestyle?

A little. When you are so busy in life you do tend to see, or message friends and family a lot less. However ,they mostly do the same anyway so goes both ways!

17: Can you give us one of your favourite prep meals and one of your favourite off-season meals?

Easy one, favourite prep meal is steak and eggs. Favourite off-season meal is steak & eggs!

18: What’s next for you; as an athlete, as a person, or both?

As an athlete I’ve got a few shows I will doing in the near future, the last show which has been planned from day one is the NPC Italy pro qualifier [European Masters] in November.
I’m also fixing up my new house and it’s a big project. It will take several months before it’s fully finished.
As a person it’s simple, be better than I was yesterday!

19: Who inspires you and why? Could be in bodybuilding or beyond.

Oleksandr Usyk. He’s the GOAT. The way he conducts himself in life. Just everything he does, will never be anyone like him!

20: If you could send one message to your younger self, what would it be?

You are going to fail a lot. It’s not a sign to stop, just learn from it and be better.

ALL official NABBA South East images are the copyright of James Lineham Media. These and other images can be purchased by contacting James here: JAMES LINEHAM MEDIA

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IFBB vs NPC: How Santonja and Manion shaped bodybuilding’s split

From the 2017 split to the fight over the IFBB name, the Santonja–Manion divide continues to shape modern bodybuilding

THIS week, KEVIN GRECH from the website Evolution of Bodybuilding, wrote an informative piece on the current situation regarding the IFBB and the NPC. With his permission, frontdouble.com is republishing his article below:

What Is the Difference Between IFBB and NPC?

The IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) is the global governing body for amateur bodybuilding, while the NPC (National Physique Committee) operates as a private organisation primarily in the United States.

Since the 2017 split, the NPC and IFBB Professional League have operated independently from the IFBB under Rafael Santonja, creating two distinct pathways for athletes pursuing professional status in bodybuilding.

By Kevin Grech

THE International Federation of Bodybuilding, better known as the IFBB, was founded in 1946 – 78 years ago – by two brothers, Joe and Ben Weider.

Joe and Ben dreamed of becoming the top magazine publishers focusing on health and fitness. And became the world’s greatest bodybuilding promoters.

Joe Weider focused on promoting the world’s best bodybuilding events, including the Mr Olympia and focused on the publishing company.

Joe’s brother Ben went on to focus on growing the amateur side of the sport. He travelled all over the world, building relationships and creating national federations. Today there are more than 200 national federations affiliated with the IFBB.

The IFBB has a solid structure, with a president, executive committee and members who vote democratically for every rule or new event.

SPORT'S FINEST: From left, Ben Weider, Ronnie Coleman and Joe Weider

Ben Weider was the president of the IFBB until 2006, when he retired and recommended Dr Rafael Santonja to replace him. At IFBB’s congress in 2006, a vote was taken and Dr Santonja became the new IFBB President, a position he still holds today.

Ben Weider also suggested that Jim Manion remain in charge of the IFBB Professional League – under the banner of the IFBB and Dr Santonja. It is a position he has held since the inception of the IFBB Professional League in 2005.

In 2017 there were significant changes in the sport. First, Manion resolved the NPC from a tax-free amateur organisation to a private company. It is owned by himself and his family. There are questions about whether he allegedly did this in a legal manner, which he denies.

At the 2017 Olympia weekend, Manion announced to Dr Santonja that the NPC and the Pro League were leaving the IFBB and starting their own organisation.

In response, Dr Santonja (below) created a new pro division for the IFBB called the IFBB Elite Pro. This was recently rebranded to the IFBB Pro.

The IFBB also continued to promote the biggest amateur events on the bodybuilding calendar, which include the IFBB European and World Amateur Championships. For the pro athletes, they can compete in numerous pro events that all lead to the IFBB Pro World Championships.

Manion went on to expand the NPC his amateur division and continued to run the IFBB Professional League. This includs the Mr Olympia and other pro events. Manion also has attempted to expand in Europe and other parts of the world, under the name NPC Worldwide. But he has a lot more work to do before he reaches the height of the IFBB.

The NPC and IFBB Professional League are not a federation, but a privately owned business owned by the Manion family. Allegedly, no votes are needed to change any rules.

BODYBUILDING LEGENDS: From left, Joe Weider, Lee Haney and Ben Weider

The fight for power

Before the split in 2017, the NPC and Manion were USA’s affiliates to the IFBB. This allowed amateur athletes to compete at amateur events such as the IFBB World Amateur Championships. Bodybuilding legends such as Lee Haney, Lee Labrada, Bob Paris, Mike Christian and others, represented the USA at these events.

Manion stopped attending the IFBB Congress at the IFBB World Championships. He also stopped sending athletes to represent the USA after 1998. But he continued to be affiliated with the IFBB and Santonja until 2017.

From 1946 till today, IFBB’s international events are a team sport, with athletes representing their country.

According to sources, Manion allegedly never liked to work under the IFBB and Dr Santonja. Allegedly, Manion expected Ben Weider to give him total control of the IFBB amateur and pro division. But Ben Weider had other plans.

Even though Manion was given the power to run the IFBB Professional League, he still had to work under the IFBB and Dr Santonja. As mentioned earlier, this would all come to an end in 2017.

Many experienced people within the NPC could have been the perfect candidate to be vice-president of the NPC and Professional League. But Manion (below) handpicked his grandson, Tyler, to run the show, keeping everything within the family.

The original and real IFBB under Dr Santonja

There are many trademarks and copyrights created with the IFBB name, but there is only one IFBB. That is the one created by Ben Weider. That is the one still growing under the watchful eye of current IFBB President Dr Santonja.

The NPC, NPC Worldwide and IFBB Professional League might still use the name IFBB, but they are not the real IFBB. They are not affiliated with the worldwide federation created by Joe and Ben Weider in 1946.

The IFBB is the only bodybuilding federation in the world recognised by the top sports establishments worldwide. No other federation or private entity comes close.

Manion knows the power of the IFBB name and he and his family will keep using it to promote his events until he eventually switches over to the new names they trademarked. It is only a matter of time before Manion changes his pro organisation from IFBB Professional League to NPC Pro. This would work perfectly with his NPC amateur division.

To make things worse for Manion and his bodybuilding company, Dr Santonja has decided to rebrand their pro division, IFBB Elite Pro, to IFBB Pro. This will be seen by the Manion family that Santonja is starting to tighten his hold on the IFBB name.

History cannot be denied. It is easy to understand where and when the IFBB started and where it is today. While many have important ties to the IFBB, such as Manion, the fact is that Santonja is the only true successor after Ben Weider.

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FRONTDOUBLE COMMENT: This month, some UK competitions will be offering athletes the chance to win an IFBB Pro card. Recently, this card, rather than the NPC version, was described to frontdouble.com as a "Skoda v a Rolls Royce". Do you agree with this sentiment? Post your views below.