"It Was Time For A Change" By Evan Centopani

**davidyes** · 05-08-2009, 12:43 PM

Here it is, if you haven't already read it:

By Evan Centopani

It Was Time For A Change…

Most of you probably know that I have only competed four times, and for the last three of those contests my diet was supervised by Dave Palumbo. Dave worked with me for my 2006 Junior Nationals Overall win, my runner-up that year at the Nationals, and for my Overall Nationals win in 2007. For my pro debut, I had every intention of continuing to work with Dave.
At 18 weeks out from the New York Pro, Dave sent me my diet. I wasn’t thrilled with it, mainly because I didn’t think it was enough food, in light of the new size I had put on since November of 2007. I hadn’t dieted on my own since my first contest in the spring of 2005, but looking back I was pleased with how I looked there— definitely fuller than I’ve been ever since. So instead of following Dave’s diet, I decided to do my own thing again. I made good progress over the next couple months, coming down 50 pounds and maintaining all my fullness— and without a single cardio session!
About nine weeks out, the stress of knowing I would soon be competing in the toughest show of my life started to get to me. I started to have a lot of doubts, because even though I thought I was looking good and everything was coming along, it’s just so hard to see yourself objectively. Winning the Nationals was one thing, but in a few short weeks I would be standing next to veteran pros like Silvio Samuel, Dennis James, and Markus Ruhl. I knew I would need more of a ‘wow factor’ if I wanted to have a chance of beating those guys. About that time I was on the phone with my friend Justin Miller, and he could tell something was up. “You sound kind of worried,” he told me. I confessed that I had been feeling less sure of myself lately. That’s when we started talking about Kai and his coach, Oscar Ardon.

Enter Oscar Ardon

I first met Oscar back at the 2006 Nationals. He worked with Desmond Miller for that show and Oscar seemed like a pretty cool guy. I talked to Justin a bit about Oscar’s approach, and decided to go to Brooklyn and meet with him. Before I go continue, I want to go on record as saying that me deciding not to work with Dave had absolutely nothing to do with his being let go by MD. It was all about me needing something different.
I met with Oscar, and he was very confident that I could be better than ever and actually had a legitimate shot to win the New York Pro. In addition to handling my diet, Oscar said he wanted to oversee my workouts as well. Ardon’s approach is more holistic in that sense, because he likes to address all the aspects of prep: diet, training, and your mentality. He said I could come to Brooklyn half the time and the other time he would head up to my gym in Connecticut. And money was never mentioned. Obviously we will get to that sooner or later, but the fact that he was willing to take me on and train with me without taking a dime made me feel like he really meant everything he said.
It’s only been a couple weeks since I’ve been training with Oscar, but already his style of training is very different from what I’m used to. I’ve always trained hard, but Oscar is really big on pushing to total failure. He also personalizes the workouts based on your physique and what areas need more work. Another aspect of Ardon’s approach that I appreciate is that before coming up with my diet, he wanted to know which foods agreed with me and which ones didn’t, rather than just saying eat this, this, and that. As I write this, the show is still seven weeks away, but I have a good feeling about how this partnership will turn out.

**G-Roy** · 05-08-2009, 12:48 PM

why fix it if it aint broke? Dave got him this far.
Im surprised he split because Evan gets on another site and is the go to guy for advice about the "palumbo diet." He really seemed to believe in it.

**Biggie973** · 05-08-2009, 12:51 PM

That's all on Evan. Dave gave him the tools to win and maybe he thought he could do better. Lets see what happens at the NY Pro and see how Evan looks.

**billy mimnaugh** · 05-08-2009, 12:58 PM

What always amuses me is the whole training aspect of it.Its freaking lifting weights.Its not rocket science.If somebody needs a guy to handle every aspect of his training my question is what were you doing before?Kai seems to use JUST basic heavy weights.Isnt that what bodybuilding is supposed to be?I watch Ronnie train and its basic movements,heavy weight.Ruhl,basic movements heavy weights.Yates,basic movements heavy weights.I wasnt aware Oscar invented a new type of training.

**Bob Smith Jr.** · 05-08-2009, 01:05 PM

GUYS! lets just wait and see how evan looks. Troy Alves did this with chris aceto too. He worked with him early in his career, then changed guys, thinking that there was a 'better' way. Then he came back to him, and won his first pro show this year. Trial and error is what it's all about but I wouldnt fix it if it aint broke, but let's just wait and see.

**DaEagles** · 05-08-2009, 01:31 PM

I'm still trying to figure out what 'mental" aspect Oscar brings. Its a bodybuilding show not brain surgery. If you think your going crazy talk to your spouse or friends thats what they are there for.

**Frosty** · 05-08-2009, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by DaEagles

I'm still trying to figure out what 'mental" aspect Oscar brings. Its a bodybuilding show not brain surgery. If you think your going crazy talk to your spouse or friends thats what they are there for.

Well once you start competing at high level national shows, then tell us if you still don't know about the mental aspect.

**DaEagles** · 05-08-2009, 01:51 PM

Its what you do for a living.

**Conan_O'Barian** · 05-08-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by DaEagles

I'm still trying to figure out what 'mental" aspect Oscar brings. Its a bodybuilding show not brain surgery. If you think your going crazy talk to your spouse or friends thats what they are there for.

He keeps guys positive and helps them visualize where they want to be and what they must do to get there.

**PJ BRAUN** · 05-08-2009, 02:03 PM

Trust me, you guys are gonna freak when you see him!

**davidyes** · 05-08-2009, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by PJ BRAUN

Trust me, you guys are gonna freak when you see him!

I'm excited to see him!

**Frosty** · 05-08-2009, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by DaEagles

Its what you do for a living.

While it varies from person to person the need for that kind of thing, there are top athletes that have sports psychologists to help them out.

**przechuy** · 05-08-2009, 02:23 PM

Geez,no need to exploit this topic.

There are sports where peopel from time to time change coaching stuff .How can he know what works for him best,he gives it a try,i am sure if it would suck,he will come back to dave.

And he writes all stuff elegant,not bashing dave and gave him all the credit for previous wins.

He just wants to try something new,thats all.It works in tenis,it works in swimming,why wouldnt it work in bodybuilding.

You cant have opinion about something idffrent if you wont try it and you cant learn how it works on you without this experience.

Maybe he will come up best ever and even somehow wins it?Who knows.

His position still is comfortable at MD because he is most probably most promissing bbuilder at the moment and he has the comfort to state nice things about dave