Trip of a Lifetime - Steve Wilson

September 13th

The day finally arrived, the day our daughter (our second child) starts school.  It is also the day we leave for Las Vegas. School went fine, loads of tears from Mom (Leann), Mollieann, our daughter, took off her coat in the cloakroom and went running in to the classroom turned around and said "Bye Mam" and did not look back. My day in work felt like a week, finally, got it over and went home. We talked about school with the kids and the mini holiday they were having at their Nanna's and Bampi's. We took the kids to their grandparents just after tea and there, more tears! We started our drive from South Wales to London. Our flight was early morning the following day so we booked ourselves a hotel for the night just in case of traffic problems but luckily we got there with nothing. We showered and did try and sleep but think the anxiety of what lay ahead got the better of us.

September 14th

I didn't sleep well however we only had a small 5 minute drive to the airport. We parked up the car, got on the transport bus, checked our luggage in and started to chill out. Walking around the departure lounge was unreal, loads of big guys and girls, could only guess where they were going! We were hoping to meet up with a friend of ours and a competitor in the 202 James Llewellyn but unfortunately we did not get chance So we spoke to him on the phone instead and wished him luck just in case we did not meet up. Our flight was delayed by about an hour from Gatwick so I started to worry again. The frequent flyer would have realised the times zones as we were landing in the states but it didn't even enter my head! We had two different time zones there, so no need to worry. Charlotte Douglas were our first steps in the USA. We got through immigration to find out the world strongest man happening only a few miles from the airport and got our first taste of American food!! A tuna bagel and coffee was not what I had in mind.

We departed for the last leg of our journey to Las Vegas, coming into land was surreal, the lights from the hotels on the strip were out of this world. We got off the plane and found ourselves not knowing what to do waiting for our bags. As soon as we successfully allocated our bags we got a limo to the hotel which was 10 minutes away, another first for us! We felt like rock stars, the door was opened for us when we arrived at the hotel, there must have been a hundred limos waiting to be droped off, kind of came back to earth then! We checked in to our room it was on the thirteen floor and the thirteenth room (something about the whole trip seems surreal).

It was a  lovely room, it seemed nearly as big as the whole of our downstairs back home, the view was to die for. I tried sleeping but got up to look out the window a few times, I think I was getting nervous about training with Rich. 

September 15th

Training day at Gold’s Gym! We went for breakfast buffet style, I just had egg whites and porridge, Leann had everything! We then made our way to the hotel foyer and found a few guys hanging about, guessed we were all going to the same place. I started to chat with one guy, don’t remember his name, he was Scottish but won the trip from New Zealand. We got on the bus, met Bob, and started the journey to Gold’s. I started to check everybody out, my god I was the smallest and I'm 16 stone! We met Rich, Ryan and Matt, shook hands and heard a familiar accent,  Welsh, Neil as in Neil Hill, I then started to calm down and we split into groups. I was with Rich and a big guy named Mike, he was from Hawaii, Spotted Rich as in Rich Gaspari! Wow he is in tremendous condition, he started to throw 55’s around, shoulder pressing warm up, phew then remembered pounds not kilos. We completed the seated shoulder press section and then moved on to front raises with Matt aka Titan from the American gladiators, this guy is huge! We completed that section and then went onto seated rows with Ryan Hughes (Gaspari Figure Pro), completed that section then had front and side lateral raises with Neil. Neil really pushed us, I was breathing from places I didn’t even know I had!

The whole thing lasted over an hour but it felt like 5 minutes, a few photo opportunities with everyone and back to the hotel, I didn't realise Leann took photo's the whole way through! A quick shower and then we hit the strip, they have it well planned and thought out here, and the monorail goes everywhere. The plan was to get on it to the end and walk back via the strip. The last stop was the MGM Grand, I cannot put into words how big the hotels are, anyway there was a big fight on this week including Floyd Mayweather Jnr. There were boxing legends everywhere and got my photo taken by the ring. We came out of there and we’re looking at New York! This place is unreal, around every corner is something more extravagant, it was out of this world, this is one place everybody should see.

We eventually ran out of time as we had VIP passes to meet the Olympians so we got a cab to the world famous Orleans arena. We got to go in an hour before the public, VIPs baby!! First person there was Flex Lewis, we made our way to the desk and asked him for a photo, wow what a reception! Flex being Welsh got us both around the other side of the table for a chat and some photos, he is so proud of Wales. He showed me his three feather tattoo and I showed him mine, my arms I think were a little bigger (not). We were talking for ages and he made us feel a like a million dollars (thanks mate) anyway there was quite a queue forming now so we said goodbyes and wished him good luck. We met a few more of the big guys and gals including Branch Warren. He did a seminar back home not that long ago and he remembered us, we said how sorry we were that he wasn’t taking part this year. Got another photo anyway for the collection!! We then bumped into James Llewellyn. We spoke for a while said our goodbyes and wished him good luck. By this time the queues to meet the competitors were now as big as them, we met everybody we wanted to and could see so we then decided to make our way back. Got a cab back to the hotel, neither of us could stop smiling all the way back.

Both of us were hungry so after the egg whites and porridge it was now time for some proper food, we ordered a pizza to take back to the room, large, we could just about carry it, but between us neither could make a dent in it, we both fell asleep. 

September 16th

We set the alarm early as today was expo day! We had breakfast buffet style, today I had everything, food was amazing once again. Our hotel was linked to the expo convention so once again we did not get that Vegas heat, air con all the way, VIP again so early entry! We had a plan to work from the left of the hall up and down, got half way down and this went out the window, so much to see and even better so many freebies, we met the hulk, Lou not Hogan, He’s still big.  10:30 time for the women’s judging, fitness, bikini, figure and Miss O, at this point I got the camera taken off me by Leann, she’s in charge of the photos now!! 

A quick walk around the expo and back for the 202 weigh ins, these guys are big, We shouted for all the brits! We saw a bit more of the expo and then I wanted to see the pro power lifting, another welsh athlete and team Gaspari member, Chris Jenkins, Chris nailed it anyway, well done bro. We went back to the hotel for a shower and dinner, another beautiful buffet, could not move, we decided to give the show a miss tonight and check out the sights.  AMAZING, is all I can say, seen the fountains, seen a volcano seen it all, Paris, Caesar’s palace and Leann took me to The Stratosphere where the view was yet again amazing, didn’t really like it up there as it was too high, we didn’t miss one hotel out you name it we saw it. We went to bed very tired. 

September 17th

Again we woke early and again breakfast buffet style. I've never seen so much food or variety! It was the last day at the expo, once again VIP so early entry! We checked out all the booths that we could not get near yesterday, as we were allowed in 1 hour before everybody else. The expo was amazing everything you needed for a sports lifestyle. I picked up some good bargains as well including a new belt, wraps and elbow sleeve so cheap. 10:30 came around and it was the 202 showdown judging, we got our seats and awaited the show, UNREAL! I enjoyed every minute of it shouting and cheering for Flex, James and Shaun, I think we were starting to get on a few local peoples nerves.

Flex got called out on the first line up, looking good and on target, Leann took a lot of photos so I got to be in charge of the camera. Next up was the Gaspari Nutrition’s FLEX magazine Bikini Model search and I got the camera, well not for long anyway, all the girls looked like winners to me! We managed to catch the second day of the power lifting, man these guys were moving big weights, and local Welsh boy Chris did good, well done mate.  We had a bit of time off before tonight’s show so we decided to hit the pool and spar, got ourselves pool side. I could only manage 5 minutes in the sun before I had to get in the water, OMG hot wasn’t the word. We showered in time for a bite to eat. We got a cab up to the Orleans Arena and got our ring side seats and waited.  First up was the figure final, hard to tell with these girls they all looked the same to me, next up was the 202, the guys came out and threw some shapes, Flex looked massive, then the heavy weights, wow after seeing the 202 guys the heavy weights are in a league of they own, I for one could not call it, I think the crowd favourites were Phil and Jay. 

Anyway back to the 202, James Llewellyn got joint 16th (I think) well done, mate proud of you, as it was your first time on that Olympia stage.  Shaun and Flex were in the top ten.  The next thing I remember Flex is down to the top 2, himself and Kevin, I don’t think Kevin had the size or condition as Flex but someone did, you were my winner mate anyway. I think most of the crowd agreed with myself and I felt a bit down then, Flex was awesome as runner up, first to shake hands with Kevin but you could tell he was hurt.  Next up the heavy weights, the top ten got called out and it was a bit of a blur for me as I was still on a downer, it came down to Phil and Jay, could have gone either way, they called “a new Olympia Champion”.  The man and ambassador for bodybuilding Jay was the first to congratulate him, the crowd were screaming, the atmosphere was amazing. We made our way out and back to the cab rank, we had tickets to the victory gala but had an early morning flight so had to give it a miss. 

The queue was massive again but it did not seem to take long to get a cab. I think Leann and I realised at the same time that this was the end of our trip, got back to the hotel and had one last walk around and returned to bed tired, happy and sad (sounds like the seven dwarfs). 

September 18th

Home time, did not have time for breakfast at the hotel as our flight was early, we got a cab to the airport, checked in and had a bite to eat. It wasn't the same as the buffet! We sat there reflecting on the wonders we had both witnessed, on and off the stage. I think we were both exited about seeing the kids and our families. We boarded our flight at around 09:20, we then had a small 4 hours in the air before landing once again in Charlotte Douglas. We had a 2 hour wait before the last leg of our journey and had another bite to eat and possibly our last tastes of the states. I had to have a greasy burger!

We then got on plane for the last 8 hours. The little TV you get to watch movies was not working on my seat so I tried to sleep, got woken up by a elbow from Leann, thought I was snoring but we were coming in to land, happy days! We got through the airport with no problems just in time to call the kids before they went to school, that’s right, it’s now Monday morning, where did Sunday go!  Had a three our drive back home which Leann snored all the way. I forgot about the change for the seven bridge and I only had a pocket full of dollars, so I woke Leann up, not a happy bunny! We got home in time to drop her off with the bags and go to work, what a culture shock. My shift went quick (thank god) and I eventually got home, to find Leann had kept the kids up, I was very happy to see them, kissed and cuddled them and put them to bed, showered, had my protein and went to bed like nothing had happened.

This trip was one of the best experiences of our lives, we were nervous but shouldn’t have been, Gaspari Nutrition and Body Temple made us feel like Kings and Queens, thank you very much, we will never forget it.