Can you make a good living as a Pro?

[Cameron_R]

Hi,

Just curious, what would be the prize money for say your average local BB comp, National comp, and any world renowned international comp?

Not planning on giving up the day job ... just being nosey

Ta

[Pseudonym]

I think the winner of this year's Mr Olympia took home $200k.

In NZ it varies from show to show, but some will give you a couple of hundred bucks to help you to an international competition. At the smaller shows, you're lucky to get a plastic figurine.

I think it's fair to say we don't do this sport for the prize money. :grin:

[nate225]

NZ IFBB lists it's Professional Bodybuilders as:

Moe EL Moussawi- 2x IFBB Mr. Olympia Top Ten

Grant Pieterse- IFBB Melbourne Pro Grand Prix Top Ten

Michael Kingsnorth- Mr. New Zealand 2006

Raechelle Chase- IFBB Figure Professional

Sesa Tomuli- IFBB Figure Professional

Kristy Thomson- IFBB Figure Professional

Jaqui Jarret- IFBB Figure Professional

Elyse Inglis- IFBB Bikini Professional

Michelle Laurin- IFBB Womens Bodybuilding

Moe owns a few businesses, but is likely to be the only one on the list that makes any money from actually "being a Pro". Prize money is still very limited compared to larger sports (ref. Dan Carter asking for $2.2 million for a season with Toulon), endorsement deals likewise are probably relatively small in comparison to larger sports (NBA, even Lomu's deal with Adidas) .

We know Mike works as a PT Coordinator / PT, Michelle works / manages a retail store, Grant from memory does similar. To be fair I don't know what the others do.

Others not on the NZIFBB list include Mike D (PT / PT Manager, former Gym Owner), Dave S (Manufacturing industry / Retail, former Production Manager), Marc R (in her majesty's custody, formerly Nutrition / supplement industry), Justin R (unsure what you're up to big fella - has BK clothing line, had a gym / supplement retail business / online retail). Salah (unsure?).

I don't think anyones living the high life by turning Pro, although it may give other opportunities to the individual associated with the sport / industry.

Taking into account all of this my advice would be, do it for the love of it & stick to your day job unless you have 1 in a million genetics and can make the top 10 at the Olympia! :grin:

[Cameron_R]

Thanks.

I just find it interesting because when you compare the number of hrs that I'm seeing people put in so they can compete in a local Auckland comp ... it is huge!! And that does not even take into account the sacrifices made in terms of diet.

I use to play a hell of a lot of tennis (think of the prize money there) and I know several Australian (past and present) professional players. They do not train nearly as much as some of the guys getting ready for a local BB comp!

I guess the $$ all comes down to television rights and audience size.

[nate225]

Thanks.

I just find it interesting because when you compare the number of hrs that I'm seeing people put in so they can compete in a local Auckland comp ... it is huge!! And that does not even take into account the sacrifices made in terms of diet.

I use to play a hell of a lot of tennis (think of the prize money there) and I know several Australian (past and present) professional players. They do not train nearly as much as some of the guys getting ready for a local BB comp!

I guess the $$ all comes down to television rights and audience size.

Yep!

That said a lot of guys (and girls I assume) aspire to get a Pro Card to say they've acheived it. Became a problem in Aussie many years ago when a lot of guys got cards but didn't really step up and compete.

[Jigga]

NZ IFBB lists it's Professional Bodybuilders as:

Moe EL Moussawi- 2x IFBB Mr. Olympia Top Ten

Grant Pieterse- IFBB Melbourne Pro Grand Prix Top Ten

Michael Kingsnorth- Mr. New Zealand 2006

Raechelle Chase- IFBB Figure Professional

Sesa Tomuli- IFBB Figure Professional

Kristy Thomson- IFBB Figure Professional

Jaqui Jarret- IFBB Figure Professional

Elyse Inglis- IFBB Bikini Professional

Michelle Laurin- IFBB Womens Bodybuilding

Moe owns a few businesses, but is likely to be the only one on the list that makes any money from actually "being a Pro". Prize money is still very limited compared to larger sports (ref. Dan Carter asking for $2.2 million for a season with Toulon), endorsement deals likewise are probably relatively small in comparison to larger sports (NBA, even Lomu's deal with Adidas) .

We know Mike works as a PT Coordinator / PT, Michelle works / manages a retail store, Grant from memory does similar. To be fair I don't know what the others do.

Others not on the NZIFBB list include Mike D (PT / PT Manager, former Gym Owner), Dave S (Manufacturing industry / Retail, former Production Manager), Marc R (in her majesty's custody, formerly Nutrition / supplement industry), Justin R (unsure what you're up to big fella - has BK clothing line, had a gym / supplement retail business / online retail). Salah (unsure?).

I don't think anyones living the high life by turning Pro, although it may give other opportunities to the individual associated with the sport / industry.

Taking into account all of this my advice would be, do it for the love of it & stick to your day job unless you have 1 in a million genetics and can make the top 10 at the Olympia! :grin:

I don't think it's one in a million. Evan C made the comment that there are lots of guys he sees out there who have the potential to be Mr Olympia but will never get near it because they don't have the mindset to get to that point. Take Branch as example and look at his forearms. He would be one skinny dude if he never lifted a weight in his life but with insane training, juice and food he managed to come 2nd in the world.

Actually Dorain is a better example. He was a weed before he started and then he went on to win several Os.

I'm not saying at all that everyone can do it, there are a lot of people that haven't got a hope in hell genetics-wise. I just think it's a lot smaller than 1:10e6

[tomsammce]

having good genetics doesnt mean being big before your begin, dorian yates packed on muscle super fast and got super strong when doing the weights within months was as big as guys take years to develop so i read. by havin good genetics they mean react well to traning, growing fast, have full muscle bellies, everything growing in proportion, reacting well to steroid use etc. not being massive to start with. then on other hand there is guys like ronnie colman who were big. i beleive if your work rate is 2nd to none and you are focused you can achieve big things like these people. no one just falls out of the sky onto te mr O stage because they had good genetics.

[Phedder]

. no one just falls out of the sky onto te mr O stage because they had good genetics.

I think this cow would have a shot, ya'know, if it were human...

[rimma]

Damn is that to do with myostatin blocker thing?? Shit's impressive

[Jigga]

if you had balls that size you would be that big too. my balls are that big but i'm belemic so hard to hang on to my size...

[NZresident1]

I think this cow would have a shot, ya'know, if it were human...

Umm matey that is a bull not a cow :wink:

[michaelk]

I don't think anyones living the high life by turning Pro, although it may give other opportunities to the individual associated with the sport / industry.

You hit the nail on the head, it's the opportunities leveraged from the Pro card that count. We get to do things, approach people or be approached with opportunities that as an amateur simply would not be available to us.

Whether we chose to make hay from these or not is simply about business attitude.

While Jay earns prize money, his income from being called Mr Olympia is greater than his income off winning the Mr Olympia. Same as Jonah making money from Adidas, do you say he is paid well as a "pro rugby player" for that or as an identity from being a Pro Rugby player?

I guess it comes down to how much you credit the pro card for the opportunities?

[Mrbig]

I don't think anyones living the high life by turning Pro, although it may give other opportunities to the individual associated with the sport / industry.

You hit the nail on the head, it's the opportunities leveraged from the Pro card that count. We get to do things, approach people or be approached with opportunities that as an amateur simply would not be available to us.

Whether we chose to make hay from these or not is simply about business attitude.

While Jay earns prize money, his income from being called Mr Olympia is greater than his income off winning the Mr Olympia. Same as Jonah making money from Adidas, do you say he is paid well as a "pro rugby player" for that or as an identity from being a Pro Rugby player?

I guess it comes down to how much you credit the pro card for the opportunities?

are their really that many oppurtunities as a pro in nz?? like do you get paid to guess pose or use certain supplements etc

[Peachy]

Elyse Inglis- IFBB Bikini Professional

Did she win something to become a professional?? :-s

I know this chick

[michaelk]

I don't think anyones living the high life by turning Pro, although it may give other opportunities to the individual associated with the sport / industry.

You hit the nail on the head, it's the opportunities leveraged from the Pro card that count. We get to do things, approach people or be approached with opportunities that as an amateur simply would not be available to us.

Whether we chose to make hay from these or not is simply about business attitude.

While Jay earns prize money, his income from being called Mr Olympia is greater than his income off winning the Mr Olympia. Same as Jonah making money from Adidas, do you say he is paid well as a "pro rugby player" for that or as an identity from being a Pro Rugby player?

I guess it comes down to how much you credit the pro card for the opportunities?

are their really that many oppurtunities as a pro in nz?? like do you get paid to guess pose or use certain supplements etc

Don't get paid to use the supplements but I'm exceptionally fortunate to have them supplied by my sponsor along with Kompression training gear. I receive a lot of online leads for training and nutrition guidance that I would not receive without my results, I do get payed for photo shoots and guest posing and the occaisional TV ad. I didn't get the ad because I'm a pro, but the opportunity to audition was because of it.

[Mrbig]

so its helping grow your business at your gym and the pt stuff you do what about from overseas why not go to the states and get more exposure are you going to compete again??

[bodybyjo]

Some of the current Pro Bodybuilders ( who are not on Moes list of favourites) are not included on that list - myself included. Whether on that particular list or not, we are still current. Those of us off that list dedicated many many years to NZ bodybuilding and earned our cards by not just placing but my winning multi NZ National titles and some of us have won World Titles and Arnold Amatuer events. Being on a list on a particular website will never take that away from me, thats for sure.

[Optimass]

Not sure if its true, but I heard that the Arnold Classic was one of the more lucrative shows to win as it preludes the Olympia and as such the sponsorship and endorsement contracts are worth more.

I'm definately no pro but used to leverage of my size when I had the gym. A regular marketing drive when I was inducting a new personal trainer to the club was to get them to do a session with me at peak times in the gym. It's amazing what impact benching 200kg for reps will have on the general punter :nod:

I found this artical the other day ... seems you can also be a superhero, but I guess you just have to be big, not ness pro :grin:

Yakima bodybuilder Puts the Muscle on Would-be Bank Robber

The long arm of the law just got some help from the well-developed triceps of a Yakima bodybuilder.

Todd Jewell didn't realize he would earn the thanks of the FBI when he sat down at the Banner Bank in Lynnwood, Wash., late Friday afternoon. Neither did the Old School Bandit, who could now be renamed the Well Beaten Man.

The bandit might still be on the loose if he had taken a moment to look around the branch before launching what FBI agents believe was his ninth robbery in the past two months around Seattle.

It would have given him a chance to see that Jewell -- all 280 pounds of him -- was sitting right there in the waiting area.

Instead, he slipped his bandanna over his face -- the hat and glasses were already in place -- then approached the teller in his usual aggressive manner, FBI agent Larry Carr said.

"At that point, I said to my wife, 'You've got to be kidding me. This is a bank robbery,'" Jewell, 26, said in a telephone interview Saturday afternoon on his way back from Seattle.

Jewell was right, but he wasn't ready to be dead and right, so he waited to see if the man had a gun.

Seeing no weapon, Jewell finally decided to act when the robber lay across the counter and grabbed the female teller's shirt.

He rushed up behind the man, who must have heard him coming. The suspect, thought to be about 170 pounds, slipped off the counter just in time to smack into Jewell's formidable chest.

The fight -- Bodybuilder vs. Bank Robber in their once-and-only-once event -- was on. The first round was called by the cops, who showed up about two minutes after the bell rang in the 9-1-1 center.

Jewell, a 1999 Eisenhower High School graduate, summarized the secret to apprehending a bank robber something like this: Grab his hair, pound his face repeatedly into the floor and drop a knee into his ribs. Wait for the crunch, then let the guys with the badges and handcuffs take over.

Jewell was assisted somewhat by the male bank manager, but the suspect kept trying to escape.

"He just kept going and going, and we were really beating on him. He was really desperate to get out of there," Jewell said.

Carr said the lengthy prison sentence the suspect faces might have inspired him to resist the odds.

The suspect had served several years in federal prison for four bank robberies earlier this decade. He was released to a halfway house recently, left one day and never came back.

The FBI believes he spent his time on the loose robbing nine Seattle-area banks in the past two months.

Agents dubbed him the Old School Bandit because they likened his use of the bandanna to Old West robbers.

Unlike most bank robbers, he would slip on a mask, aggressively demand money from the teller and slip away. The frustrating part for the FBI was that he only had to dump the mask in order to avoid resembling the robber.

Even with none of the tellers able to describe his actual features, agents thought they had him identified, Carr said. Until Jewell came along, however, they were still looking.

Carr said it's rare -- in the next-to-never sense -- for bank customers to take such an active role in catching a robber.

Jewell's exploits became the story of the day for the Seattle news media as soon as the FBI released an account of his bravery Saturday morning.

Jewell -- a former bouncer at Jack-sons Sports Bar but an aerospace machinist by trade -- wasn't thinking of the limelight when he decided to make his tackle, but he was glad for the chance to help. He said he would do it again -- but his wife is rethinking whether she wants to be a bank teller.

That's why they stopped by the bank in the first place. Afterward, the grateful Lynnwood teller and her husband took them out to dinner.

Now Jewell and his wife are back in Yakima, where he hopes to continue his progress toward a professional bodybuilding career.

He realizes that the bank robbery may help get him some valuable name recognition in the sport, but that wasn't on his mind about 5 o'clock Friday.

"It kind of puts us in a positive light. We're not just throwing our weight around in the gym -- we can actually do some good if it's needed," Jewell said.

[michaelk]

so its helping grow your business at your gym and the pt stuff you do what about from overseas why not go to the states and get more exposure are you going to compete again??

Not directly, it helps selling my PT services, but my primary business is PT management. No need to go to the States for that, plus I have my family here, if I was young and single with my card I'd probably do it.

Plan on competing in the State next year if I'm big enough.

[nate225]

Ooops sorry Jo! I knew I'd miss someone, jogged my memory to add you & Carmen.

Jo Stewart - IFBB Pro

Carmen Cotter - IFBB Pro

I've probably omitted a few more (I left BJ Johns & Sonny Schmidt off obviously), feel free to fill the gaps.

Kevin O'Grady - IFBB Pro

Probably more...

[bodybyjo]

No thats ok Nate about you missing my name out, but for a National federation to remove a current pro's name from a list just becos of personality clashes etc is ridiculous.

As for the rewards I have gained from earning my Pro Card, I am sponsored generously by BSc for my supplements and my Compression clothing which adds up to a nice sum per month, plus I have been well paid for international photo shoots.

Being a Pro has meant I work hard 12 months of the year to stay in shape and I work hard to encourage more athletes into the sport regardless of the federation and regardless of payment or not. I am definately not making a living out of being a Pro, but I am making a good living out of working in the industry which I love.

[Peachy]

Elyse Inglis- IFBB Bikini Professional

Did she win something to become a professional?? :-s

I know this chick

Please can someone explain to me how someone becomes a professional? Please? :grin:

[bigmd]

No thats ok Nate about you missing my name out, but for a National federation to remove a current pro's name from a list just becos of personality clashes etc is ridiculous.

As for the rewards I have gained from earning my Pro Card, I am sponsored generously by BSc for my supplements and my Compression clothing which adds up to a nice sum per month, plus I have been well paid for international photo shoots.

Being a Pro has meant I work hard 12 months of the year to stay in shape and I work hard to encourage more athletes into the sport regardless of the federation and regardless of payment or not. I am definately not making a living out of being a Pro, but I am making a good living out of working in the industry which I love.

This is a disguising display of arrogance against one of the true champions of NZ bodybuilding. Jo's name was originally on the IFBB Pro List on the NZFBB/NZIFBB Web site and then obviously has been removed due to personal interference.

I am no longer on the list as after pressure from the IFBB Pro League I had been told that running my show in Christchurch would lead to consequences that which nobody could fully explain so I decided to resign from the IFBB Pro League.

Elyse Inglis- IFBB Bikini Professional

Did she win something to become a professional?? :-s

I know this chick

Please can someone explain to me how someone becomes a professional? Please? :grin:

The only way you use to be able to get a pro card is to win the overall National Title or at times if you have won your class title multiple times.

Since Nationals 2009 the NZFBB have given out a number of procards to winners of Non national events and to some athletes that have not won their class let alone national events. there have been some well deserved cards given also to Michelle Lauren and Kristy Thompson although i know that one of these athletes although in may or June was publicly awarded her card has still not actually personally received it as yet.

Sorry a bit off the thread topic but just answering a couple of the previous post questions

[tomsammce]

Santa's little helpers.

[michaelk]

[The only way you use to be able to get a pro card is to win the overall National Title or at times if you have won your class title multiple times.

Multiple of 1 when you gave it to Salah though :twisted: \:D/ :pfft: :wink: