Editorial by Juan Carlos Lopez

First all I wanted to congratulate my friend Daryl Gee for winning his pro card at the USA's and also for qualifying for the Olympia taking second place at the Jacksonville Pro. Daryl has a great story to tell and is a very modest guy when it comes to bodybuilding. Very down to earth guy and I think he will remain like that during his pro career. I think many competitors men and women can learn from him.

Class

The word itself reminds me of school for sure but also that great Judas Priest album "Stained Class", in which song "Better than you , Better than me" (originally from band Spooky Tooth) brought them a civil action by a family whose teenage sons had committed suicide by using drugs and alcohol while listening to this song. Trial went nowhere and it was ridiculous that they even allowed such a thing to happen. The media for sure played a part in that whole circus. I listened to "Stained Class" many times and it was great album song "Beyond the Realms of Death" is one of my all-time Priest favorites.

Back to the topic, to have class is the be able to admit mistakes and to keep any emotions to yourself. When it comes to shows for example no one wants to get last place or not win their height class. The backstage stories I have heard particularly from the women are horrid, basically running their mouths right after they get off stage. Men can do that too, but I often hear the female side of the show is more emotional about this. They also cry politics when they are so close but yet don't win. Any judging is human not done by computers or settled by goals or touchdowns so it makes it even more prone to human preference.

This is also applies to working with companies in the industry, if there is something in writing and you did not read it properly you can't complain about it at all. Having class is to admit your error and continue your life but of course this does not happen they run their mouths and are bound to get in trouble even with slander and libel legal issues. Not to mention how each girl talks about their own best friends basically chewing them out at any opportunity they have and the next day smile at them like if nothing had happened.

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