Jovann Rushing: Limitless
We tend to measure greatness by the comfortable metric of tangible accomplishment – things that can be measured, counted, stacked, and compared. Truth be told, no measure of greatness, either in life or bodybuilding, has ever been achieved while residing within the confines of our comfort zone. Instead, greatness is
At this weekend's USA Championships a new crop of athletes will take the stage, and look to make reservations for their legacy in bodybuilding's history books as they square off to do battle on one of the sport's biggest stages. And for one athlete in particular, gold medal winning sumo wrestler turned bodybuilder Jovann Rushing, this weekend's events represent another opportunity to continue doing what he's done throughout his entire career – defy limitations.forged in the fires of blood, sweat, tears, and failure as we push ourselves to a place beyond the levels of exhaustible limitation. It resides in an exclusive club where the price of membership is a tithe very few are willing to pay, and even fewer have pockets lined deep enough with the mental fortitude to book themselves an extended stay.
Recently I had a chance to catch up with Jovann to discuss the extraordinary details of his life, career, and journey through the world of bodybuilding, and you can read it all right here, in this RxMuscle exclusive interview.
Q.) Before we being talking about your time in the bodybuilding world, let's step back and take a look at life before the sport. Tell us a bit about how you were first introduced to bodybuilding.
A.) First off, let me start by thanking you for this interview. Bodybuilding for me started when I was a young "military brat", born in Germany to American military service parents. In school, abroad and here, I played various sports, and that's when I started lifting weights for football and wrestling. Growing up and living in Oakland, CA, and now Oceanside, CA, bodybuilding, fitness, health, nutrition, sports and wellness are all a part of life.
Q.) What was it that initially sparked your interest in competing? How long had you been training before you decided to step onto the stage?
A.) A buddy of mine suggested that I should compete in bodybuilding. I didn't have much interest initially, so I just decided to go ahead and do it for the simple fact I love to compete, and I entered into my first contest. I had been training since high school, and at that point I had never taken my foot off the gas. I came up playing sports, so training to me was viewed the same way people going to work, it was just what I did.
Q.) You had quite a bit of success early on in your career, including a win at the 2010 Orange County Classic, which was only the second time you'd ever set foot onstage. Given that you had generated some momentum for yourself with those performances, did trying your luck on the National level begin to creep into your thought process?
A.) I was always hearing that I should get into bodybuilding because of my size and genetics. I did, eventually realized that I was ready for the next level.
Q.) Let's jump ahead to 2013 and talk about your experiences at the USA's and NPC Nationals. You came into the USA's with a lot of momentum after your win at the San Diego Championships, but quickly found yourself standing with a caliber of athlete that you hadn't faced before, and ended up bringing home a 6th place finish. Were you disappointed with the outcome of the show? What did you learn from your experience?
A.) I would not say I was disappointed with the outcome of that show. It was a lesson well learned that caused me to refocus my game, and formulate a new plan of attack. As my brother Chuck often, says "learn from it, know from it, and grow from it". So I did just that, moving forward and pumping harder!
Q.) If we flash ahead a few months to NPC Nationals we see you taking the stage for your second major event of the year, only this time things don't quite go as planned, and you found yourself out of contention. Why did you fail to bring in the look we had become accustomed to seeing from you? Tell us what your immediate emotional reaction was following the show.
A.) I would not say I was out of contention at the 2013 Nationals. On that particular day I needed to present a more refined and more polished package. My natural reaction after the show wasn't deflation or disappointment,
it just let me know that it was time to go back to work. And that's exactly what I did.
Q.) Apparently the sting of defeat didn't last too long because at last year's USA Championships we saw you step up a weight class, and bring in the best look that we've seen from you to date. What changes did you make during your offseason that allowed you to make such significant progress in so little time?
A.) I had a great nutrition plan. Prior to that I didn't know how to eat. I basically took myself off carbs in order to make the weight class. Learning more about my nutrition is what pushed me through to bring a better package in such a short amount of time.
Q.) Where there any ways in which sumo prepared you to make the leap into bodybuilding? In your opinion, what's been the most difficult part of the transition?
A.) Interesting! Sumo wrestling and bodybuilding are art forms. Sumo wrestling has given me such a boost of focus, discipline, stamina and the ability to draw and exert super energy, strength, will power, and recovery. I wouldn't say it was a major transition. I like to think of my goal, life, journey and mission along the lines of established and inspiring multi-platform pro athletes like Michael Jordan, Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, Bob Sapp, and others who have championed their presence in more than one sport.
Q.) Away from the stage you're also a very active member in the community as well. Tell us about some of the work you've done. Why do you feel it's so important for you to give back?
A.) Thank you for giving me a chance to talk about my daily life beyond just bodybuilding, the gym and the stage. It's very important for me not to just give back, but to recognize that the Community is a platform. I am very involved with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America as an Alumni Ambassador. I also participate in a few other community commitments such as Feeding America, Let's Move!, National Kidney Foundation, Stop Bullying, IHOP's National Pancake Day, and the Wounded Warrior Project as well.
Q.) Both sumo and bodybuilding have been auspiciously burdened with negative stereotypes by those who are uninformed about the nuance, subtlety, and sacrifice that go into art of competition. If you will, tell us about some things we can't learn about you based solely on your athletic pursuits that might surprise people who are unfamiliar with the charitable work you've done in the community.
A.) I can't speak about negative stereotypes. Perhaps it's a sad side of human nature that people will talk or make comments about things they know very little of - especially when they might not understand, like, or know about something and or someone. Generally I've gotten favorable feedback. Plus, I'm a man of faith, family, fitness, food and fun. I love inspiring others to Just Do It. Wow, my Nike moment!
Q.) If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring athletes what would it be?
A.) Take and make your blessed genetics, inner-genius genes, skills, faith, and dreams and turn them into your own winning formula for success. Have tangible role models in your sport and beyond. In my case, a few include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lebron James, Terry Crews, Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock, Shaquille O'Neal, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, David Beckham, Jay Z, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Kai Greene, and Victor Martinez as great individuals who inspire me. Plus, with the right experienced, accomplished, entrusted task-master and professional powerbroker in your corner beyond the moment and mission, your journey will flow and grow.
Q.) Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you reach this point?
A.) I would like to thank the founding fathers of bodybuilding, fitness, sports, including Joe Weider, Mr. Jim Manion, Steve Weinberger, Jon Lindsay, officials, judges, supporters, fans, and other competitors. Plus, special thanks to all the products, brands, entities, writers and photographers who express interest. Last, but not least, big thanks to my mother, siblings, family, friends, and my family, mentor and rep Chuck G at Pump SportsEnt in New York City.
Q.) Where can people go to find out more about Jovann Rushing?
A.) I am only a Google click away! Stay Pumped!
The most valuable renewable resource on the planet is the human spirit. And it's through our indomitable will, and our relentless desire to achieve the impossible that we can free ourselves from the shackles of limitations.
And if there's one lesson we can take away from Jovann's story it's this: The greatest among us refuse to be defined by limitations, because true greatness is Limitless.
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