Robert Kennedy

It's with a saddened heart that I update this blog. Rest in Peace Robert Kennedy, 1938-2012. Your work on earth is complete and you have positively touched millions, including myself.

Someone always plays an intricate role in the start of something successful. Maybe it was simply a belief in you that someone important shared, or perhaps it was someone giving you a platform to propel yourself in front of the masses. For me, there was one person who dramatically changed my confidence in myself as I started my photography career back in 2003. That was Robert (Bob) Kennedy.

I bought my first Musclemag in 1986 and built up quite a collection. I converted many of Musclemag's pages into wall paper where Cory Everson, Anja Langer, Cori Nadine, Debbie Kruck, Marla Duncan all had their place alongside Arnold of course.

Fast forward to 2002 when I bought my first camera. I experimented on friends and family and quickly earned the respect of competitors at my local gym. I would shoot slides, then wait 4 weeks to see the results. I bought my first set of MultiBlitz lights from Technicare in Calgary in 2003 and conducted my first studio shoot with Debbie Barrable shortly after. Excitedly I submitted my slides to Musclemag and American Curves. I was sitting editing photos of Jen Stell when the phone rang. The caller display showed "Robert Kennedy". I was beside myself. OMG!! I picked up the receiver and Bob introduced himself. I was thrilled. We chatted for the first time and in those forty minutes or so I learned more than I had or have since. Bob asked me about my lighting and my experience. We continued to talk and he shared different insights that would benefit me in the future... insights I keep with me till this day.

Over the course of the next few years Bob and I would talk regularly. He would even go so far as to sketch poses he would like to see from me. We would talk about various models in the industry. A couple examples. I remember talking to him about Kira Forster and his comment was "She's the find of the year David but you need to get sexier shots of her, in skimpier bikinis, and she'll do very well." I was the first photographer to submit photos of Annette Milbers and similarly Bob told me, "She's a beautiful model David, but she needs more colour. I want you to use more oil too. It'll bring up the contrasts." Over the next few years I would visit Bob at the Arnold. At another event, I remember sitting next to him as Tosca Reno competed and he excitedly said to me, "That's Tosca, my wife. She looks great doesn't she!" He was so proud of her. I have many more memories but possibly the one that impacted me the most was a compliment he paid to me, Bob said, "David, you're a great photographer, but a little conservative." I was flattered. He encouraged me to follow his style and that of Rob Sims and Eric Fremanis. I did to some degree but I tried to keep my style my own. I teamed up with Rodney Jang and Status Fitness in early 2006 and my submissions, as well as conversations with Bob, slowly decreased.

Bob believed in me from my start and that played a vital role in me becoming who I am today. It's with a heavy heart that I write this now as Bob just passed away. His battle with lung cancer has ended. He has been relieved of his pain in this world. I look forward to seeing him again one day and sharing stories of the "good 'ole days".


Thank you Bob for your help in my career. Your kindness has never been forgotten.

David

A Commitment to Train

 
I returned on Tuesday from an incredible weekend in Las Vegas. The Olympia was a great opportunity for me to reacquaint myself with many friends I haven't seen since the Arnold or last year's Olympia. I also had the privilege to meet many who I have come to know through the cyber world over the last few years. Putting an actual presence to a name always leaves me with uplifting engaging energies.

From 102 degrees to 42 degrees, the fresh cool air and falling leaves represent for me an opportunity to revisit a training regimen that has escaped me for far too long. The Olympia is a motivator for many including myself. So many fit athletes attend the expo and remind me why I started lifting weights back when I was sixteen. It's time. This year I am determined to reconnect with a past that saw better days. 

On my way out of Calgary this morning I decided to stop at Platoon FX to see my buddy Nick Russo. We have chatted about training a few times over the past year but I have avoided the topic because I wasn't ready to start. It's been over 15 years since I have eaten well and seriously trained with weights. Forming healthy habits in a busy environment takes mental discipline. It requires a promise to myself that once I start, I will make it through the initial 3 months - the time frame where I have failed over the last 17 years. Training takes a commitment. One day at a time. Until now I haven't been prepared to make that commitment.

As I walked in the door of Platoon FX I ran into Tanya Lee of Body Art Motion and Power Alignment. We chatted for quite a while. I have arrived at a place where I can leave my ego at the door. I no longer need to lift heavy or train hard too soon. That approach is typically counterproductive. Building up the strength of the soft tissues is vital to training longevity. Although it's easy to tire out my muscle, I have countless times aggravated tendons. How many of you have done the same thing? Not fun or productive is it? Tanya's knowledge is only outdone by her positive energy.  I'm excited to explore new beginnings with her.  

Here's something to think about. How many of us go to a personal trainer for a "training program"? A routine of specific exercises, sets and reps that we'll follow for a few weeks or months? Visiting with Nick was insightful. The moment I brought up the "routine" train of thought he quickly told me to forget about it. "I don't like to put people on training routines - every day is a new workout" Nick shared with me.  It sort of took me back but made total sense. My goal is to increase my health - lose fat, gain functional strength while changing my physique for the better. To be honest it was refreshing to free my mind of the "routine". Who really wants to do the same thing day in and day out? How functional is that really? 

What makes the next few months that much more exciting is that in addition to functional weight training and conditioning exercises between Platoon FX (Calgary), Bent Iron Gym (Red Deer), and SNAP Fitness (Edmonton) I will also be adding in Yoga with Bonnee Gregg at The Breathing Room Studio and Cafe, hot Yoga with Shauna Clarke at the Amaryllis Center as well as martial art training at Black Dragon with Grand Master Gil Lafantaisie. Will it be easy to over train? You bet but I'm prepared to take small steps towards building a strong base that can see the level of my training increase in the next two to three months. 

Making the commitment to train is exciting for me. I know there are many out there like me. Many of you guys that have let the fitter days slip by. I challenge each of you to start healthy habits today. It will never get easier. Trust me.

Meet the Breathing Room Yoga Studio + Cafe and Bent Iron Gym

"Follow your passion, and success will follow you."  ~Terri Guillemets

Passion is a topic that frequently arises in conversation isn't it? It is the cornerstone of what allows us to live our life without an ounce of boredom. Keeping a reign on passion may be challenging at times but we all quickly realize that it is a necessity that we never want to be without. 

Being around passionate people is contagious. How many of us feel the energy when someone excitedly shares ideas and goals they are setting for themselves? I don't know about you but I love that feeling! Despite being away for a good part of the summer, there were a number of local people I stayed in contact with. Can you guess why? Because both groups were passionate about building their business. 

A short bit ago I had the honour of shooting the campaign for The Breathing Room Yoga Studio + Cafe - a new Yoga facility that just opened today. Bonnee and Krista presented me with their ideas and having known Bonnee through Yoga classes, the moment they approached me I was sold. Yoga is for people of all walks of life, of all fitness levels, and of all ages. Bonnee and Krista share a passion that has given to the community many times through karma Yoga in the park and now they are set to realize the impact they have made. I ran into Bonnee this afternoon as she was grabbing a few items and I could see in her smile that all the hard work was proving rewarding. They had met their goal of opening on September 12. If you find yourself in Central Alberta, be sure to visit the Breathing Room Yoga Studio + Cafe in Red Deer. It is a friendly atmosphere in a great location. I will see you ladies in a class soon. Promise. Namaste.

Today was the only opportunity I have had in some time to work with another couple that decided to follow their passion when they opened up a new bodybuilding facility in Red Deer called Bent Iron Gym - affectionately called BIG by the members. Kathy Mack and Evan Taylor are an incredible couple that are focused on building a "family" amongst the fitness and bodybuilding athletes and the community. The facility itself has state of the art equipment handpicked by the duo who both are accomplished provincial level athletes.  However, as impressive as this is, they have built a core of staff that live and breathe health, fitness, and hard core training. The moment you walk in the door you know you're in a gym you can call home.  It was a lot of fun to visit and get some of the shy staff in front of the camera today. Of course I kept the funny shots, eyes closed, mouth half open shots to bribe them with at a later date. Haha Thanks again to Kathy, Evan, Brittany, Marty, Dan and Sarah for allowing me the honour of working with each of you today. It is always fun and I look forward to seeing you all on a regular basis once things slow a bit and I can make it in there frequently enough to blow by all you guys. LOL 

I'm sure many of you have your own stories of groups like this. Perhaps this describes you. Remember your support is important to everyone stepping out to create their own success.

To those at the Breathing Room and Bent Iron Gym thank you for passing on your passion to your community. Keep it up.