The 2024 Olympia Weekend on the Resorts World in Las Vegas, NV on October eleventh and twelfth will characteristic all 11 of the IFBB Professional League divisions. Probably the most inspirational competitors of these 11 for a lot of followers have to be the Males’s Wheelchair division. The athletes who will face the judges and spectators will not be solely the very best wheelchair bodybuilders on the planet, however they’ve needed to overcome nice odds to attain their very own greatness.
One such competitor is James Berger, who will make his Olympia debut when the opening callouts are made. Berger certified for the Olympia due to successful the 2024 Dallas Professional Wheelchair title earlier in the summertime. After arising simply in need of qualifying in 2023, Berger was decided to seal the deal in 2024.
“I didn’t wish to depart something to probability. Successful a present meant there was little doubt.”
Like all the very best physique athletes on the earth, Berger could be very aggressive. He developed that whereas rising up in Oklahoma. He performed soccer, ran observe, and competed in powerlifting, however he additionally seemed for alternatives to work and earn cash for himself.
“I had a extremely good upbringing, nothing to complain about.”
His life modified ceaselessly on Could 29, 2010. After making the admitted mistake of ingesting and driving at an estimated high pace of 110 mph, he wrecked his truck and hit a nook publish of a fence. The truck went finish over finish a number of occasions and hit the highest of a gooseneck trailer in addition to a horse trailer. It could additionally hit two small bushes earlier than lastly stopping the wrong way up. Berger mentioned it was six hours earlier than he was discovered and one other hour to get him out of the truck.
“I don’t bear in mind any of this,” he mentioned. “Don’t drink and drive.”
Berger broke his T10, T11, and T12 vertebrae in his backbone. The accidents he suffered are thought of incomplete spinal twine accidents as a result of he can use his hip flexors, however he’s unable to lock out his legs. At first, he resorted to the bottle to masks the ache, however he gave that up in 2014. Berger credited a gaggle of associates in addition to his mom, daughter, and finest pal Whitney for not letting him get too depressed and serving to discover the very best path ahead.
“I’m very grateful for that. I don’t dwell on it,” he shared.
He additionally realized that he hit a milestone whereas he was sharing his story that made him smile. “I’ve been sober for 10 years now.”
Whereas Berger acknowledges that some days have extra challenges than others, he is ready to keep upbeat and constructive, which is usually a massive purpose behind his success as a bodybuilder and Mutant sponsored athlete. His first connection to the game was when he noticed Wheelchair Bodybuilding legend Nick Scott on YouTube. Berger noticed his story and expertise and determined to start his personal journey, which led him to the place he’s now.
“I did my first present in 2017 and have been doing it ever since then.”
Now he’s about to compete on the most important stage within the sport, the Olympia. There are some nerves that he faces as the massive occasion attracts close to, however that’s overshadowed by the positivity that comes with the chance.
“I’m truthfully excited,” he shared. “I’ve been to the Olympia and helped backstage. To be on the aggressive facet of it’s a complete completely different ballgame. I wish to carry the very best model of myself to that stage.”
Past the stage, Berger helps Scott on the social media and on-line facet. He’s very keen about contributing to one thing that has modified his life for the higher. Many individuals would by no means see being in a wheelchair as an excellent factor, however Berger has discovered the positives and works to maximise these.
“The chair has taken me extra locations than I might have been strolling round,” he acknowledged. “I’m actually excited to see the place the Olympia takes me.”
He additionally hopes that others use his instance as incentive to beat their very own adversity for the higher.
“Don’t ever surrender. You must belief the method and be disciplined.”
Comply with Berger on Instagram: @ifbbpro_james_b.
Go to www.mrolympia.com to be taught extra about all 11 divisions on the Olympia and to order the 2024 Olympia pay-per-view so you possibly can see all of the motion dwell because it occurs.
James Berger’s Olympia Higher Again Exercise
Single-arm Cable Row
3 units: 12-15 reps
Berger begins with a unilateral cable train to assist him hold fixed stress on the lats and concentrate on all sides of his again individually.
“Preserve your elbow tucked in to your facet and management the load.”
Reverse-grip Lat Pulldown
3 units: 12-15 reps
The second train helps goal the decrease lats, particularly. Berger will not be afraid of including weight on this one, both. He defined, “Management the load and go heavy as attainable earlier than shedding your type.”
Broad-grip Lat Pulldown
3 units: 12-15 reps
Berger’s ultimate motion for the higher again is a second pulldown motion. He’ll concentrate on the whole lat in addition to the remainder of the higher again, and the aim is to take advantage of the ultimate train of the session.
“Management the load, and after three units go residence pleased!”
