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THE SHED is going to the 2026 Mr. Olympia!! And it couldn\u2019t have come at a better time!! James has become the perennial people\u2019s champion for a number of reasons. The most obvious one is that he\u2019s been competing relentlessly in pursuit of that Olympia qualification. He took 2nd to Jordan in Portugal, 2nd to Behrouz in China, and 2nd to Nick in Tampa. And did he ever complain? Did he ever blame politics? Was he ever sore at the man in the winner\u2019s circle? No, never! He has been a shining example of good sportsmanship. The fans see that and they appreciate it. The sport of bodybuilding has been plagued by sore losers and conspiracy nuts \u2013 people who throw their trophies on the floor or storm off the stage. It\u2019s a breath of fresh air to see a competitor who values good sportsmanship and respects the stage. There is something to be said about being a professional.<\/p>\n
A lot of times physique-based athletes think of being a professional based on the pro card, alone. That\u2019s not quite what I\u2019m talking about. That means that you\u2019re able to compete with other professionals, but it doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re a good sport or much less a role model for others. James has displayed good sportsmanship when it really matters. Anybody can be a good sport when they\u2019re winning and receiving top honors, but you really are put to the test when you are faced with adversity. I\u2019m not talking about taking the runner-up spot at one or two shows. James has literally been runner up at a handful of them, on several continents, but he doesn\u2019t stop. He always shows respect to the judges, and he always comes back better.<\/p>\n
This is something that we have seen from Portugal to China to Tampa and now to Atlanta. The Shed was able to work hard and not let the placings get into his head. At the end of the day getting to the Olympia is the top priority, but it should not dominate your thoughts. Ultimately, your values are what matter most. And he showed that. That\u2019s why I believe he\u2019s a consummate professional, because he could have thrown a tantrum or he could have gone on the various programs and implied bad faith from the judges or the Federation but he didn\u2019t do that. Guys like that are seldom if ever recognized by the media. But I would like to make a point to do so because I have always prided myself on writing about the athletes that make the sport better. The athletes that grow the sport. A great way to grow bodybuilding, or any sport for that matter, is by having competitors and athletes that believe in something greater. After all, without the competitors there would be no sport. But also without the fans, there would be no sport, either. James is very mindful that a lot of people are watching him and what he says and what he does. This is why I believe he is such a great pro bodybuilder. We need all the guys like The Shed possible.<\/p>\n
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