September 28, 2009

Hello!

From the bottom of my heart, Id like to extend a most sincere and heartfelt "thank you!" for everyone's love and support over the past several years. It has been such a fantastic and amazing experience to have been able to be as highly involved in the sport of bodybuilding as I was blessed to be. In my travels, I have met so many amazing people that I am proud to call "friend", and for that I will always be grateful.

2009 has been a truly unique year and has included now several major tragedies for me, first involving the end of my long term relationship with someone whom is truly just an amazing girl, soon after followed by the loss of my stepfather.

I started promoting bodybuilding competitions and became an NPC District Level Judge at just 22 years of age, District Chairman at 27, National Judge at 28, and I achieved my life long dream of joining the IFBB, as a professional judge, at 31. To my knowledge, having joined the IFBB in this capacity as a New England guy, is a small club that only includes Mr. Universe Mike Katz and the legendary Ed Jubinville. There are a few people that I must thank for my past successes...

  • Jim Manion - for allowing me to assume the positions of District Chairman and IFBB Pro League judge, and allowing me the valuable opportunity of becoming involved with such amazing people that make up the organization.
  • Steve Weinberger - for giving me a chance to work at his events and teaching me the valuable quality of having strength at mine, therefore bettering our events in New England due to the learning of what goes into the amazing events that he produces.
  • Gary Udit - for always being there, lending a helping hand, listening to and understanding my questions and concerns about improving events here in New England.
  • Lori & Tony Steele - my two closest friends in the world, who have made me come to realize the value of true friendship.
  • Cathy Savage - my dear friend whom I learned the priceless ins and outs of fitness, figure & bikini.
  • My amazing staff, friends, competitors, audience - for without you, there simply were no events.
  • Mike Katz - for becoming my mentor, my "dad", and his unconditional love and support.
  • David Berman - the man who gave me my start in the organizational side of bodybuilding, I thank him for everything that I have, for without him I never would have gone beyond that of a competitor or promoter. I miss him every day.
  • Maggie Blanchard - someone that I once turned to in all aspects of bodybuilding as well as my personal life in the most intimate of moments. I will always value the four years that we were together and the deep, unconditional love that was once shared.

    So, where have I been? Well, these days, beyond spending weekends expanding upon my faith at church, my business has been extremely busy, including the expansion of my supplement line (MuscleSport Nutrition), the revamping of my supplement store (look for my ads in Oxygen and MuscleMag that are coming out later this month!), re-joining my cousins in the family's buffalo ranch (yes, I grew up on a buffalo ranch!) as I look into actually adding Zebras to the farm, as well as moving forward in all other aspects of life, including settling down and starting my family. My sincerest regret is that my family will not be able to be shared with those of whom that I lost earlier this year.

    What's next? Well, at just 32, I still have much in front of me in the world of bodybuilding and you'll see me back to rock the NPC stage in 2010! I also urge everyone to come out and support the NPC and attend Steve's New England Championship in Boston on October 31. It's sure to be a fantastic event!



    Wishing the best to you in all that you may do in the iron and fitness game,





    ~Dave Follansbee