Articles

This article appeared in the Autumn 2001 Issue of Frank Zane's Newsletter "Building the Body"

The Tom Pia Story

Preparing to begin my college academic years, I began weightlifting at age 18. I have always been very good in athletic endeavors and participated in some high school football, basketball and track and field. During my senior year of high school, I began to realize that my team sports oriented era was coming to an end and had no plans to participate in collegiate athletics. My main impetus for beginning the sport of physique sculpting was and remains the Hellenic physiques depicted in the magazines of Zane, Arnold, Nubret and a few others.

I continued to lift throughout college and fairly consistently over the years. They say that good things come to those who wait and are patient. I have spent the last fifteen years sitting behind a desk as a salesman for major food manufacturing companies; working hard for a living like so many other aspiring athletes waiting and hoping for a chance to make it in some capacity. It has been difficult to see the years evaporate before my eyes, with little or no time to pursue a strong passion and desire to compete on a high level and do well. And as you know, it takes years and years to build a championship physique. It was not in the cards genetically for me to be ready and peaking in my 20's or 30's. At this point, I continue to work to accomplish my goals and move forward.

Fortunately at this stage, I am just now beginning to reach into my full physical potential. I continue to add muscle mass, gain strength and improve overall. I did have a competitive physique show period from 1986-1988. During this time, I competed in about twelve shows, the majority of which were National qualifiers. I always placed in the top five, and even in the top three in several events. At this time, the sport began to be dominated by a mass and size movement. I watched proportion go out the window as a valued attribute, and replaced by raw mass. The times were changing, and the pendulum swung away from proportion. I reluctantly and sadly discontinued competitions. I gathered all of my trophies and plaques, placed them in a box and put them in a dumpster. I was so disillusioned. My mother and family members could not believe I just tossed out all the awards I had accumulated from my show placings. But that was how I felt and was prepared to walk away for good.

This mass movement has been the norm now for the last fifteen years plus. But, I foresee a Renaissance occurring soon whereby the judging standards need to be reevaluated; with proportion and a more Globally appealing look prevailing as in the Golden Days of Bodybuilding. I am going to contribute to this movement and now have the help of my hero and mentor Frank Zane. I have been working with Frank for close to two years now, and I continue to improve at a very good pace. With continued hard work and the guidance of Frank, I hope to compete again soon and have a solid impact on the direction of the sport we love so much.

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