ERIN BANKS RETIREMENT | Ryan Terry vs Ali Bilal | What Went Wrong at the Olympia | Olympia Recap

Episode Overview

• The hosts provide a candid reflection on their personal 2023 Olympia experiences, discussing feelings of disappointment, analyzing their own physique weaknesses, and outlining their plans for the off-season.
• A detailed breakdown of the Men's Physique Olympia top callouts is conducted, with in-depth analysis of the physiques of Ryan Terry, Ali Bilal, Vitor Chaves, Edvan Palmeira, and others.
• The conversation delves into career strategy, as Erin Banks gives blunt advice about the necessity of changing coaches to advance professionally, prompting a discussion on loyalty versus career progression.
• The hosts explore their broader roles as ambassadors for the Men's Physique division, with Erin Banks announcing a new supplement venture aimed at the general public and sharing his mission to elevate the sport.

Key Concepts

• Post-Olympia Reflections: The hosts expressed a "bittersweet" feeling about the competition, feeling proud of their individual progress but disappointed with their placings. They use this as motivation, acknowledging their own high expectations are their biggest drivers.
• Competitor Physique Analysis:
  • Ryan Terry: The clear and deserved winner, praised for having the "full package" with unparalleled conditioning, muscle maturity, and no gaps in his physique.
  • Ali Bilal: A solid second place, but his back development was identified as a key weakness preventing him from taking the top spot.
  • Vitor Chaves: Brought his best-ever physique, looking incredibly full and complete.
  • Edvan Palmeira vs. Corey Morris: A comparison of different strengths, with Palmeira having superior density and completeness, while Morris possesses a better taper.
  • Emanuel Hunter: Noted for improving his consistency, but still needing more back detail to be a top contender.
• Career and Coaching Strategy: A major theme was the importance of making difficult business decisions for career advancement. Erin Banks gave direct advice to Alex Toplyn to switch coaches, emphasizing that a professional athlete's career must be prioritized over personal loyalty.
• Ambassadorship and Identity: The hosts discussed their responsibility to represent and elevate the Men's Physique division. Erin Banks emphasized his mission to be a positive ambassador and the importance of having an identity and purpose, like charity work, outside of bodybuilding.
• New Business Venture: Erin Banks announced the launch of his new vitamin and supplement company, which is specifically designed for the general public's health needs rather than just elite athletes.

Quotes

• At 0:22 - "I am launching a... vitamin supplement company... that's geared towards, you know, everyone." - Erin Banks explains his new business venture after the Olympia competition.
• At 3:34 - "It's been pretty bittersweet to be honest. Obviously, we all have expectations going into a show. Um, I don't think any of our expectations were fulfilled." - Drew Cullen reflects on the Olympia results, expressing a mix of satisfaction with his performance and disappointment with the outcome.
• At 4:26 - "This was my best look ever. I nailed my peak completely. My back did come up. But at the Olympia level, you're around guys that have backs that are that much better, so I am still exposed in the lineup." - Drew Cullen assesses his own physique at the Olympia, acknowledging his improvements while also recognizing his weaknesses compared to the top competitors.
• At 7:27 - "I think we all fell short of our own expectations, and I don't think anybody has more expectations than we do of ourselves." - Alex Toplyn shares his feelings about the Olympia outcome, highlighting the high personal standards they hold.
• At 19:25 - "At finals, I don't think I've ever seen somebody with that low of body fat percentage in my entire life. It looked uncomfortable to be in his body." - Alex Cambronero expressing his amazement at Ryan Terry's extreme conditioning.
• At 22:12 - "I'm gonna be very fucking blunt... You need to switch coaching... You need to talk to Cuts, bro, 100%." - Erin Banks giving direct and unfiltered advice to Alex Cambronero about making a change to elevate his career.
• At 23:58 - "I don't want to make an emotional decision. Because I think all of our emotions are high." - Alex Cambronero responding to the advice, indicating he needs to process the competition results before deciding on his next steps.
• At 46:38 - "No. Ryan had the show." - A host gives a direct and definitive response when asked if he believes second-place finisher Ali Bilal was robbed of the Mr. Olympia title.
• At 47:13 - "Ryan just has the full package. He had—like Aaron said, he has that conditioning to where it looks uncomfortable, he has the detail, he has the muscle maturity." - A host lists the attributes that made Ryan Terry the clear winner, emphasizing his overall completeness.
• At 50:35 - "Just putting Men's Physique on the map... That's always been my goal from day one." - Aaron Banks explains that his primary mission has always been to be a great ambassador and elevate the Men's Physique division.
• At 53:38 - "There's more to this world than bodybuilding." - Aaron Banks stresses the importance of having an identity and purpose outside of the sport, referencing his family and charity work.

Takeaways

• Reframe competitive disappointment as fuel for targeted improvement by identifying and addressing specific weaknesses.
• Conduct honest and objective self-assessments; it's possible to bring your personal best while still having clear areas that need work to compete at the highest level.
• In physique sports, prioritize building a complete, well-rounded physique with no weaknesses, as this is what separates the champion from the top contenders.
• Do not let personal loyalty prevent you from making necessary career changes, such as finding a new coach, that could unlock a higher level of performance.
• Avoid making significant, long-term career decisions in the immediate, emotional aftermath of a major competition or setback.
• Cultivate a sense of purpose and identity that extends beyond your sport or profession to build a more fulfilling life and legacy.
• Foundational health supplements, like essential vitamins, are important for the general population's well-being, not just for elite athletic performance.