I don’t know anything about bodybuilding, or I didn’t until I watched Raising the Bar 2, a brand-new documentary by Mike Pulcinella (Mike wrote it, shot and edited it). Mike often submits comments to this site, and we have corresponded by e-mail a number of times. A couple weeks ago, Mike asked me whether I’d be interested in watching his new documentary, and I jumped at the chance. Based upon Mike’s many comments to this site, I know him to be a thoughtful guy. I knew that he must’ve found something worthy of his time in this freakish-seeming endeavor of “bodybuilding.”
In this documentary, Mike follows his brother Dave Pulcinella (and Dave’s significant other, Jenn Emig) as Dave trains for and competes in high-level bodybuilding competitions. Before you jump to the conclusion that this is just some guy following his brother around with the camera, take a look at the trailer for “Raising the Bar 2,” available at Mike’s site. As you will see, Mike is a skilled filmmaker and storyteller and he is careful to make sure that this story retains real-life texture. Mike’s edits are crisp and the soundtrack works well. As for the storytelling, this kind of video could only have been accomplished by a filmmaker who had gained the complete trust of the participants. In sum, this documentary is not always a glowing endorsement of Dave.
The documentary was compelling on several levels. First of all, viewers will have an opportunity to see what is really like to compete in the sport of bodybuilding. Full disclosure: before I saw this film, I thought that this sport was freakish. I still think the sport is freakish, although I have now been reminded that the participants are real human beings and they are not physically or emotionally homogenous.
The sport ostensibly involves bodies, of course, bodies as machines, but as Dave Pulcinella comments, “It’s always a mind game.” How could it not be? After all, while the competitors are working up to the actual competitions, they must repeatedly force-feed themselves enormous amounts of food–Dave jams down 18 chicken breasts each day, to go with apparently endless numbers of eggs. Simply hauling home the food from the grocery store would seem sufficient to build up muscles.
So why do these people participate in the sport? Maybe the answer can be found in a joke often told by bodybuilders:
Q: How many bodybuilders does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: Three. One to screw it in and two to say “Dude, you’re huge!”
The documentary moves us toward Dave’s participation in the Masters National Competition in Pittsburgh. As you can imagine, there are ups and downs along the way. Simply watching the workouts is exhausting. What was surprising to me is that sculpting one’s body in such extreme ways requires a tremendous amount of planning and discipline. It’s not like you can just go to the gym a few times a week. These guys are really going at it with numerous specialized training techniques, apparently building up their bulk all waking hours. And when they are not actually working out or jamming food in their mouths, they’re fretting about how they will best get those surreal mounds of muscle to pop out of their frames, laced with barely subcutaneous blood vessels, glistening for the cameras and judges. There are many types of bodybuilders, old and young, thoughtful and single-minded, male and female (just when you thought you’d seen it all, you are presented with the a peek at the grotesque physique of veteran female bodybuilder, Debbie Bramwell).
There are dozens of techniques for getting those judges to like your physique, and you’ll see that each bodybuilder has his or her own spin on the best way to get the job done. They spend a lot of time on the right amount of hydration and they spend long hours considering how to peak for the competitions without bringing on cramps or worse (as the documentary demonstrates, high-level bodybuilding can be extremely dangerous).
I won’t spoil the ending of this documentary, because I really found this video to be compelling viewing up to the end. I will say, however, that for 80% of the video, the voice in my head kept asking “Why? Why? Why do they do this to themselves?. There are hints throughout. As Dave told another competitor (Lance) he was helping to train: “You still look like a human being and that’s not going to work.” And all that obsessive grueling work can’t really be about those relatively tiny trophies that only some of these hulking mammoths get to carry around, if successful.
Mike really pushes this “Why?” point with his interviews of his sister (and Dave’s sister) Christine. She weighs in at length at the extended family table, surrounded by tiny Pucinellas, where it is clear that the novelty of “Uncle Dave’s” bodybuilding has long worn off. She looks straight into the camera and talks in a way that lets you know that she’s repeatedly considered and rejected Uncle Dave’s hopes and dreams. “He’s taking nutrition and health and distorted and abused them. … They are probably the most unhealthy people around…. It’s like he’s walking around in a costume.”
Mike makes it clear that this is a sport with winners and losers, where even the winners are often losers given the incredible amount of time and energy they must pour into this profession. Understandably, Mike doesn’t directly address the issue of steroids, even though this topic occurred to me whenever the characters experienced emotional flare-ups.
It is clear that, for Dave, bodybuilding was not just a big part of his world, but it became his entire world. The film is a reminder that humans are equipped with potent imaginations that give them the ability to turn themselves into big heroes within a tiny subset of human activity. The video reinforces that we are capable of turning things that are surprisingly un-compelling to most people into the only thing for ourselves. Human beings are capable of converting intensely mundane activities into sacred undertakings.
By the time I got to the end of the video, all those heaping mounds of living muscle looked a little less freakish than they did at the beginning. This is a sad story in many ways, though a revealing one and a thoughtful one.
Thanks to Mike for bringing his work to my attention.
Yesterday was a short report about senior bodybuilders (or what's the right for this? Anyway, they were all >50) on tv. And some looked very very fit. I found the guys in the documentary somewhat scary, but on the other hand when I compare these people with the ones in retirement homes, it's just amazing to see how beneficial sport can be. They looked healthy and probably only know osteoporosis from hearsay.
Response for Vesperiant,
Thanks for appreciating my point of view. I did not in any way want my comments to sound as if I was right and Chrissie were wrong. Her feelings are valid and based on truth but Dave must follow a certain behavior pattern if he wants to be the best. He is so close to being a pro now that he'll never change so I just felt like shedding a little light on a viewpoint that I think is very close to his.
I remember when I won my first wrestling match at Millersville (Div I) my dad was there. When I won the WNPF Nationals and qualified for the ADFPA Nationals and attained elite status in my sport my dad was there again. I was 28 years old and my pop was still was going to this stuff and loving it. My brothers bragged about it to their friends. They never admitted to it but my dad told me they did. It was great having this support even though none of them knew a thing about powerlifting. This support was definitely one of the things that validated all of the hard work in my mind. It should be noted, however, that this family support was not nearly as strong when I was bodybuilding with Dave. I don't know why. Any thoughts?
When all is said and done I guess I just wish people could see things concerning the issues raised in RTBII from my vantage point as clearly as I do. Of course I know this is highly unlikely. That’s why it’s MY opinion. MY point of view.
Hey Tim, First of all my lips are full, my boobs are, well, adequate and I am NOT anorexic, I have a high metabolism. Second, you make some valid points, however, let's not forget the serious complications that can arise when entering into such an extreme sport. The frustration with me is that no one is addressing HOW these bobybuilders are achieving such "freakish" proportions for competition. Let's face it, its not just through dieting, lifting and supplements but with steriods as well and sometimes in extreme amounts. We have read and seen the negative results that can occur when using these drugs in combination with the diets, deprivation and vigorous workouts these people put themselves through. Tell me the truth, you actually think a female competitve bodybuilder looks goods. It's actually frightening. Also, how many times have I had to sit around my brother and his friends and heard them criticize, and make fun of the "normal" person. How many times have I heard my brother make derogatory comments about a female who doesn't fit his criteria of what a woman should look like, size D breasts that defy gravity, six pack abs, a butt that you could bounce a penny off of. How often has a person been sitting in his presence and made to feel inferior, because Dave is talking about his diet, and his weight and how disgusted he was when he saw someone eating cake or drinking soda, or their belly is hanging over their jeans. When I tear up in the film is because I would not want to see anyone I love harm themselves in any way. There is nothing I could do about his choices, obviously. But my family and I fear for his health and worry that something serious will happen to him.
More on body building. My daughters have picked up on my childhood love of superheroes. As drawn in the comic books, those heroes are big, strong and highly-muscled. They resemble body builders. When I was young, superheroes served as imaginary friends for me. It was fun to imagine that someone who was freakishly strong and good-hearted might come to bail us out of horrible predicaments.
I'm wondering whether body builders have that sort of image in mind (the super-hero) when they commit themselves to that life style. I could at least understand an impulse to "be like a superhero."
What is striking about body builders though, is that they are so incredibly fragile. Their diet must be just right or they will suffer greatly. They MUST train endless hours or else they will suffer. They probably have endless numbers of routines and restrictions that would make their lifestyle incompatible with the superhero lifestyle, must less the ability to engage in many normal athletic endeavors. I have to wonder if body builders could even run or jump well, encumbered by all of those muscles.
In short, body building seems like form over substance, if my intuitions are correct. Body builders look like super-heroes, but I have to wonder whether they would be capable of running down the street to catch a crook without ripping apart all those mounds of muscles or going into irreversible spasms.
Hey Christine,
It is great to hear from you. I hope all is well with you and your family. Lets start off by fixing the only fear I had regarding my original post. Namely, that you would take my words as a personal attack. You state in your response that
"… my lips are full, my boobs are, well, adequate and I am NOT anorexic, I have a high metabolism."
My comments were not directed at you personally but at the endeavor of modeling itself. I quote from my original post as proof of this,
"Christine's former world of modeling (Not Christine) is saturated with façades; one could even use the word costume to describe the metamorphic transformations made. High heels? She's not that tall. Lipstick? Your lips aren’t that full. Push up bras? Her breasts aren’t that big. Anorexia your not supposed to be that skinny and so on.
I am speaking of the stereotypical and the cliché characters that permeate the business of modeling in this passage NOT you personally. In fact I cement my belief that your lips are that full, your breasts are that adequate and that you do not starve yourself when I refer to your outward appearance as a "God given beauty."
Now, let me address your other concerns. First and foremost, the steroid issue. You state. "The frustration with me is that no one is addressing HOW these bodybuilders are achieving such “freakish” proportions for competition. Let’s face it; it's not just through dieting, lifting and supplements but also with steroids as well and sometimes-in extreme amounts".
Christine, the fact is that steroids are illegal; to discuss their use in an open forum could lead to prosecution and so forth. This is why the steroid issue is not addressed. I will address the topic now in the hope that you may see a differing view without attempting to persuade you; only to inform you. You may recall that my views and concerns on the issue of steroids are similar to yours in so far as that we would never use them. I suspect however, that you choose not to use drugs to enhance your look because of health concerns. This is probably where we differ on the issue since the real reason I would never use steroids has nothing to do with health issues, side effects or even testicular atrophy. (I have flashed you… How could anyone ever diagnose this symptom anyway?)
The actual reason why I chose not to use steroids is that I did not want them to cloud my accomplishments. In other words, I simply did not want to wonder how much of my weight lifting performances or the physique I gained through bodybuilding was simply the result of the drugs and not my God given talent and hard work. In my mind a gift out of a syringe would have filled me with self-doubt and questions not answers. I now know ALL of my accomplishments and failures in the iron sports are ALL mine.
Many people do not feel this way. In contrast, many simply see steroids as a necessity that works. Such people view steroids no differently then a proper diet; cardio and weight training. They view anything that works as something that simply must be done or they did NOT do everything they could have done to win. I accept, appreciate and politely disagree with this viewpoint. I have lost more then a couple of powerlifting competitions to competitors that had adopted such a perspective. However, I still know that my numbers are pure and that makes a second place trophy shine a little brighter FOR ME.
You also express concerns about your brother's attitudes with regards to 'normal people' as evidenced by the following statement,
"How many times have I had to sit around my brother and his friends and heard them criticize, and make fun of the “normal” person. How many times have I heard my brother make derogatory comments about a female who doesn’t fit his criteria of what a woman should look like, size D breasts that defy gravity, six pack abs, a butt that you could bounce a penny off of. How often has a person been sitting in his presence and made to feel inferior, because Dave is talking about his diet, and his weight and how disgusted he was when he saw someone eating cake or drinking soda, or their belly is hanging over their jeans."
Sadly, this is a negative attribute I have emulated from Dave in the early days. It is a form of self-motivation that is other-based with its origins stemming from self-doubt and insecurity. While in this frame of mind we conclude that if we eat like 'normal' looking people we will look like 'normal' looking people. As a result we criticize their diet and appearance perhaps even displaying disdain or contempt. This behavior may also be a defensive reaction as well; anticipating impending insult from such people sometimes unfairly so. Unfortunately, these flaws can make others feel, if not inferior, definitely uncomfortable. It is an immature and ineffective way to carry oneself and Dave and I have been getting better with this issue for years. In fact, what you may realize if you think about it is that these attitudes and comments are really non-existent anymore. I can't remember the last time we really acted in this manner, especially since interacting with and helping so many clients over the years. I think our formerly narrow, physique based view of 'normal' people broadens everyday and both Dave and I are looking at people with a depth that penetrates much further down then just the skin today.
Finally, you express genuine concern for your brother when you conclude your response by writing,
"When I tear up in the film is because I would not want to see anyone I love harm themselves in any way. There is nothing I could do about his choices, obviously. But my family and I fear for his health and worry that something serious will happen to him".
I have no clever response to this concern Christine nor will I alter or twist your words to create a counter point. In fact, I could have written this passage myself, since Dave is like a brother to me.
Take care and God bless. Timmy.
Erich, you are absolutely right. A bodybuilder in "contest shape" has pushed his/her body to the pinnacle of a certain esthetic, a highly unnatural ratio of fat to muscle. The body does not want to be there, nor does it want to stay there, nor can it thrive there. BBs sacrifice ALL to create the look you see on stage. All of the superhero attributes are gone except one…the look.
Ironic, isn't it?
Tim, I actually had a good laugh when I read those lines regarding modeling and in no way was serious with part one of my reply. The debate could go on and on. It is not a black and white situation. I do see your point and my brother's. But, of course, I had to give my opinion as well.
Take care, Chrissy
If body-building is a sport, how about "competitive eating"? Check out this article by Ryan Reynolds:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ryan-reynolds/compe…
I've really enjoyed following the comments at this post. They raise some really interesting deep questions. For instance, what is a "sport." Also, what is a worthy thing to do with one's life? Is there any objective criteria on which we can make such judgments?
Response for Chrissy,
Thanks for the response. I hate communicating via the internet with you and your brothers because I can't listen for inflections and observe expressions to read into the words and pick up on humor and sarcasm. Anyway, it was great exchanging ideas and opinions regarding Dave and bodybuilding with you. Take care and sorry about your frogs… Tim
Here's a newer related post (by Artemis) you might want to read. It focuses on the differences between addictions and obsessions. http://dangerousintersection.org/?p=1382
Raising the Bar 2 is now available at this site…
http://www.mesomorphosis.com/store/videos/dave-pu…
Thanks to everyone for your interest and for the spirited discussion that followed Erich's post!
I am buying it. If it is not as good as all the hype, I am coming to Philly and gonna beat Dave up!
Ben, just be sure you catch him on contest day! With all the dieting and dehydration he'll be weak as a kitten.
I watched the documentary with some friends. We all were entertained, and basically glued to the TV. It was professionally done, and addressed many angles of bodybuilding and life in general. I have a pretty good perspective of the sport now, or at least much more than before. There are some great scenes – must see scenes (the restaurant scene is etched into my mind). The competitions are more than just competitions. The athletes gather together for a few days and there is a convention type atmosphere. It reminded me of any other sport or hobby, where the participants range from expert to amatuer. And sometimes competition brings people who just compete for the love of it, because this is their "way" (even if they are not in full form). There are also the amateurs who really *think* they are experts. But every once in a while, there is also an expert who *thinks* that they are still an amateur. Thanks again!
(PS. I might be using my hair dryer a bit more this summer!)
Thanks for you kind words, Ben. So glad you liked it, learned a bit, and were entertained. We have been getting good reactions from within the BB community…
http://timwescott.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board…
…but as I've said to Erich, it is very important to hear from "outsiders" to this strange world. Your perspective is valuable to me.
I would just add, that I am probably not the typical "outsider". I have taken a college course in weight training, and some martial arts as a child. I know about the sounds, sights, (smells), and sweat that are part of going to a gym. Something just reminded me of that guy in the documentary who was monopolizing the gym equipment, what a tool! And I bet if it had been anyone but Dave who had asked him to move, the guy would had some smart-ass remark.
I also spent some time in high school, trying to turn my bird chest into something that was slightly less concave. One of my buddies used to buy bodybuilding magazines, lee haney is a name that comes to mind. And I have had introductory exposure to supplements (I never got into it personally) such as creatine or protein shakes. Have had roomates who lived on the stuff. And I watch mixed martial arts, and strongman competitions, and I even do some "vigorous" training occasionally.
So you aren't the outsider I thought you were? That's cool. Inside or outside, I relish your feedback all the same!
Can I assume that you may have been unaware to what extent these people pushed their bodies? I sure didn't know before I began RTB1, and I had been around it most of my life.
Soon I'm going to be posting a short piece on Youtube about a Strongman competition in which four very pretty and feminine WOMEN competed! These are not the big husky bruisers you would expect to be throwing around the Atlas Stones. You may find it interesting. I'll let you know when it's there.
Hi everyone. This is Dave Pulcinella, the subject of Raising The Bar2. I have to say, I am surprised by all the positive feedback mike and I have been getting on this film. When I first viewed the finished product, the only emotion I felt was depression. Maybe that was because most of the bad stuff that happened in the movie happened to me. I lost my girl, I lost the show, I tore my hamstring and I cramped up!! It was difficult for me to look at this any other way than bad!
Since its release, I have heard the word "inspiring" used when describing the movie , over and over. At first I didnt get it. Now i understand this movie underscores all that is challenging and heartwrenching about competitive sports. Although not a "feel good" story, I'm really glad that it can serve to educate and inspire and makes my 25+ years in the gym all worth it!!!
I am honored to be in your presence, even virtually, Dave.
Gato, I put "vigorous" in quotation marks, for exactly the reason you mention. Maybe vigorous x10 would be a better term for Dave's workouts. I was just saying that I have pushed myself to exhaustion once or twice.
There is a point where you just become a champion. Or maybe one just becomes *validated* as opposed to a kibbitzer. And it isn't (necessarily) the day of the competition either, unless you somehow trick everyone including the judges. One of the funny/insightful lines was when Dave said he worries that his muscles just won't be there the day of the competition(reminds me of that nightmare everyone has had about being in school with no clothing on). But as with most ventures in life, the preparation is the main factor.
I even saw a revealing scrabble documentary which had similar themes. There were guys that had dedicated their lives to scrabble, even to the point of obsession. Some of them lived in tiny apartments, filled with books, and played scrabble online all day long (disclosure: I used to play online scrabble for 10+ hours a day). They ate scrabble for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they breathed it. Nonetheless, when tournament time came rolling around, you see all the hard work paying off, they could made 8-letter words out of thin air. One guy in particular G.I. Joel was a sickly looking fellow, a real underdog-type. He gets his nickname GI from his recurring gastrointestinal bouts during tough matches. Anyway, just when you think the guy has wasted his whole life on scrabble, he ends up working his way to the final match of a major tourney. He is the real crowd favorite, as he had been competing for years, and was just the nicest guy. He fought valiantly in the finals, fell behind substantially, until he made a few miraculous "bingos" and won!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Sherman
and a more complete review here…
http://www.ericdsnider.com/movies/word-wars/
"We also meet Joe Edley, the reigning national champion, a calm family man who uses tai chi to focus himself. His contrast — in fact, the contrast of most Scrabble pros — is Marlon Hill, a dreadlocked black man from the Baltimore 'hoods who swears like a sailor and smokes pot like, um, a sailor. Everything about him suggests a Spike Lee film or a UPN sitcom, yet he wins game after game of Scrabble. His formal education is lacking, but his knowledge of Scrabble-friendly vocabulary is immense."
Wow! SCRABBLE, of all things! It just brings back to mind what Erich said in his original review, "Human beings are capable of converting intensely mundane activities into sacred undertakings."
I realize that this not representative of Dave's bodybuilding, but I think you should see it if you have not already…
"The Man Whose Arms Exploded"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITG-IbHEYEE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp5qXtERGHY
I love scrabble! I also never thought that people could obsess about this game as much until I played in the Yahoo game rooms. I was quite impressed with the speed with which some people laid the words.
That was me projekt. I actually didn't play "scrabble" that much after all, I played (obsessed) "literati" at yahoo. I sometimes played 3-minute games or shorter, but preferred 5-7 minute games. You may have been witnessing a computer "cheat" program playing the game.
here are a few legal words: qat, ae, ulu, azo, cwm, jee,
anyway, back to bodybuilding… here is a decent nutrition link, I wonder if Dave is eating enough "red" meat? He had the 18 chicken breasts, but that would still leave him deficient in some important amino acids, which aren't found in chicken, but I could be wrong. Not that he needs my help…
http://holistic-nutrition.suite101.com/article.cf…
Re: Red meat.
I'm sure you're right Ben, but Dave adds many supplements to his diet (a literal HANDFUL of pills everyday…he does everything to extreme!) to compensate for inequities such as the one you mention. He is especially concerned about amino acids. In fact, he recommends for me a branched chain amino acid formula before and after workouts.
Re: Exploding arms.
I've seen that documentary on cable TV and I can't watch all of it. So disgusting! Needless to say, the quest for body modification can take a person to very dangerous places.
If I remember correctly, the show made it seem as if he did that to himself with steriods. In fact, it was an oily substance called Synthol that has been making the rounds in the BB world.
Unlike 'roids it is not a hormone but a fluid that is injected directly into the muscle. It inflames and fills the muscle so that it LOOKS built up. Steroid enhanced muscles still have to be built with weight training. Synthol "muscles" are a sham.
Gatomjp: I saw the first half of "Exploding Arms" too, and couldn't make myself continue. Grotesque and painful looking images.