Ambassadors

More in Ambassadors

Ashkan Aghili has been performing bodybuilding specific training since ’97 and have had an active competing career between ’99-05. A severe knee accident put the competing to an end for Ashkan but he still lives and breathe bodybuilding every day and still train like he would get up on that stage again.

Today his drive is all about inspiring others in their training and bodybuilding lifestyle. His goals are to constantly improve his physique and performance with the mindset that there’s no end to making improvements.

"Be consistent, be patient, never give up and keep pushing. Eventually you will evolve."

Get to know Ashkan

We have all heard that hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard...

Samir Troudi is a 212 IFBB Pro bodybuilder with his goals for 2020 set on qualifying for the 2020 Olympia. Samir has the genetics and bodybuilding talent to literally smoke a lot of veteran professionals and is aiming to do so in the Korean Pro that is fast approaching in July.

Samir was born and raised in Sweden and began competing around 65kg. Samir competed for the first time in 2005 and won. He competed for the next 5 years and realized he had potential in bodybuilding and started aggressively pursuing the pro card in 2012 and attained that goal in 2016.

Samir now lives in Dubai with his wife and daughter to be able to focus on his bodybuilding career, focus on personal training and really give everything he has to preparing for competition and qualifying for the Olympia this year.

Stay tuned to GASPOFFICIAL.COM for updates on Samir and his prep for the Korea Pro.

Goal Set For Mr. Olympia 2020 

Killing it in the gym or killing it in business it is always pedal to the metal. Passion has to meet with purpose with any goal that exceeds mediocrity.

Branch Warren was able to experience massive success in bodybuilding when the odds were always against him. Flash forward to to starting up Wicked Cuts and stacked odds yet again and Branch did what he does best, he got to work.

This is a day in the life of Branch Warren. He starts in typical fashion at the gym with Johnnie Jackson, then we get to see another, more creative and not so serious side to him when he gets to the offices at Wicked Cuts.

A Day In The Life of Bodybuilder Branch Warren 

Ed Brown has put in the work and has earned it.

Now, after trials and tribulations Ed Brown has put in the work again and is at Masters Nationals for another run at qualifying for professional status.

There is a different look from EARNED muscle through legit, programmed lifting and constant progression compared to genetically blessed or younger lifters. Ed has done a myriad of training styles including powerlifting, power building and strongman. The different styles has built an ultra dense look to Ed's physique but it has also given him knowledge and mileage that he transfers to his clients both competitor and general health alike.

Ed brown has also coached driven and hungry bodybuilders and powerlifters to win everything from meets to NPC contests to pro cards.

Big shout out to Big Tex Gym, Metroflex Gym and of course Destination for cultivating the no excuses atmosphere and mentality.

Earned Never Given - Be The Hardest Worker

2020 has no doubt been a roller coaster ride especially for competitive sports in general and for bodybuilders in the IFBB. Samir Troudi tried to get a visa in time to compete in Korea but was unable to do so.

In this video we get a chance to spend a full day with Samir and rebound from not being able to make it to competition in Korea and looking to see what options the future holds.

First off we head to the barber where Samir gets cleaned up then heads to one his favorite restaurants and meal prep companies to fuel up before heading to Olympia Gym UAE.

"Olympia gym has the best equipment, its the freshest and simply the best." Samir takes us through a typical arm session and then finishes the day with another meal.

Bodybuilding In Dubai - Day In The Life with Samir Troudi

The uncertainty of 2020 has been daunting when it comes following through with bodybuilding prep and not knowing if the competition will be possible. Bernardo Costa at 6'4 and near 300lbs offseason is damn near the second coming of Lou Ferrigno. Needless to say both of these facts attribute to the title of this video.

"Can you be ready too early? (Jokingly) Yes I think so. No, I think you have to know how your body works and adjust. I never heard of someone having too good of condition on contest day."

Being that this is Bernardo's pro debut (originally he set out to do the New York Pro) he put everything into this prep and is ready to step on stage NOW. Most bodybuilders are of the same thought process that someone can "peak too soon." Bernardo has a very practical approach to diet if this happens so he maintains that he can change up his calories if need be and be ultra shredded and avoid this peaking too soon problem.

The Battle of Texas is gearing up to be a MASSIVE pro show with a lot of rookie pros and some more established pros looking to take the top spot and the Mr. Olympia qualification for 2021.

Massive Pro Debut - Bernardo Costa

How well can you do the same process over and over and OVER until you break through?

Bodybuilding is not for the weak minded or those addicted to instant gratification. The grainy muscular density paired with next level conditioning worthy of pro status comes from years of training, learning how to progress and a super comprehensive understanding of how the human body needs to repair from proper nutrition.

Ed Brown is a prime example of years of experience and plugging away hard core, getting stronger and fine tuning nutrition and training before attempting a pro qualifier. At the same time he passes on this knowledge to those under his tutelage.

This weekend at the 2020 NPC Universe he earned his pro card in the IFBB. Big congratulations goes out to the one and only Ed Brown. Follow him 

Ed Brown Universe Weekend Pro Card - Earned Never Given

Here he explores Jumeirah Beach, home of the world's only 7 star hotel and recaps his whole Dubai and travel experience.

After the beach and posing with a lot of pedestrians Joe and Larry link up with mobility expert Joshua at TrainSF to work out some kinks and imbalances.

Joshua works on both Larry and Joe and prescribe a routine to get Joe to be able to do the "Ronnie Coleman splits in 3 months."

Joe Mackey and Larry Wheels - Last Day In Dubai

We bring part of the team to the massive Cowboy Stadium. This structure is symbolic for many reasons. It is in the Guinness book of world records for having the worlds largest video display, hosted most fans at an NFL event with over 105,000 people and has over 3,000 LCD displays throughout the building.

Outside of the physical aspects of the stadiums symbolic nature, it is also symbolic of the saying "if you can dream it, you can do it."

Jerry Jones had the vision to outdo any stadium that had ever existed in history with this endeavor and succeeded in it. It was a massive initiative that nearly doubled in budget from $650 million to over $1 billion. Nevertheless the vision that was Cowboy Stadium was realized and finished in 2009 and is now the standard to which the world rises to when it comes to entertainment, construction technology or creating an ultimate experience.

We take Keone Pearson, Martin Fitzwater, Olivia Gravengaard, Liv Rothenberg, Ian Gaines along with GASP CEO Michael Johansson along for this ride and lesson in vision, having a plan of action and then executing.

Cowboy Stadium - Chasing Greatness

 has made the 10,304 miles he has traveled since December 14th well worth it. On the 14th of December just after landing in the United States from Dubai, Samir jumped in the back of CEO Michael Johansson's truck and headed to Orlando for the GASP, Better Bodies and Destination Iron World Tour stop in the sunshine state.

While in Orlando Samir quickly became an integral part of the team by not only fulfilling his duties as an athlete but also helping the team as we took on Orlando and the Olympia like no one ever before. As we shot content, visited local gyms, and invited guests for dinner, he was right there in support of the brand and the athletes competing during the week.

The GASP, Better Bodies and Destination Iron World Tour Orlando concluded on December 21st and the team along with Samir headed back the home base in Allen Texas, but that wasn't the end of Samir's trip to the U.S. From mid December until mid January, Samir made every moment of his 4 weeks spent with the brand and the team count. From training at Destination with 

, getting the usual heavy dose of hospitality all athletes get from Michael Johansson, ice bath led by 

, and even having the opportunity to sit in on a few product meetings and provide his valued perspective.

As the Swedish born Son of Sahara makes his way back to Dubai we hope he will look fondly on the time he spent at Destination and with the team. We are glad to be included in his journey, and we are looking forward to seeing Samir again soon!

Son Of Sahara 

A big part of the team along with tons of local friends, fans and destination members came out to celebrate Shaun Clarida's 212 Olympia win.

GASP OG's Johnnie Jackson and Branch Warren weigh in on Shaun's big win and what makes him a champion outside of the title.

Destination was also host to Shauns live Q&A which detailed out what was necessary to get this far and what the plan is going forward.

In true real and raw fashion Shaun also trains back with Jonathan Irizarry. This is Shaun Clarida coming off the gas a bit. "We start the prep for 2021 on February 1st."

What Makes A Champion - Shaun Clarida

On January 30th 50 years ago in Hammonton, New Jersey Johnnie O Jackson was born, and thus began his journey that would impact the world of powerlifting and bodybuilding in ways only he could.

As one of the strongest bodybuilders to ever step on the stage Johnnie Jackson is indeed an icon and a living legend. Very few on earth can match the intensity and down right insanity that Johnnie brings to a workout, and throughout his over 20 years in the sport he still approaches life and workouts just as he did at in the very beginning.

Please join in and help us wish him a Happy "Golden" Birthday.