Forward Movement Magazine Winter Issue 1 2015/2016 | Page 33

oiled-up muscleman strode on stage in skimpy trunks to the cheers of vocal physique fans, the way
bodybuilding events – and, latterly, additional physique categories – have been run is not always to
the liking of fans and athletes. Insular and largely immune from outside interference, the physique
game has, since its inception, attracted powerful individuals with equally prodigious egos. Claims of
nepotism, favoritism, bribery and political interference in general continue to be made by disgruntled insiders and competitors. However, placing such allegations – admittedly made by a minority
of an organization’s membership – aside, modern-day bodybuilding federations for the most part
continue to provide fans and athletes with exceptionally run contests and fair results and practices;
though, unfortunately, a few rotten apples can spoil it for the rest and, as is common in all industries,
unfair practices are often magnified to reflect something far worse than the reality would confirm.

e worldwide
ity to “take
wn future
stination.”
Variety is an essential life ingredient that can add richness
to any experience. In the physique/fitness arena variety in
training and nutrition are known to produce the kinds of
results that garner the top placements. Bodybuilding,
physique, fitness, figure and bikini athletes also have
variety in which federation they may choose to
compete in, with several major players promoting contests internationally. Now another
organization has been added to the mix.
With 16 years’ experience as a high-ranking National Physique Committee (NPC)
official – having also judged at many of the
prestigious IFBB Mr. Olympia events – and
having traveled the world and met thousands of
fans, athletes and sponsors, Lee Thompson has seen it all
in the world of physique competition. However, in September of
2015 Thompson shocked many within the professional fitness and bodybuilding community by removing himself from the judging panel of the 51st
Olympia and cutting ties with the IFBB, the biggest and longest-running
bodybuilding organization in the history of the sport. Wanting to “move forward with a new and shared vision of the health and fitness community and
the industry as a whole,” Thompson announced his formation of a new or-

MODEL
Natalie Rochner