The 2024 Olympia Weekend on the Resorts World in Las Vegas, NV on October eleventh and twelfth will function all 11 of the IFBB Professional League divisions. Probably the most inspirational competitors of these 11 for a lot of followers should be the Males’s Wheelchair division. The athletes who will face the judges and spectators usually are not solely the very best wheelchair bodybuilders on the planet, however they’ve needed to overcome nice odds to realize 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 because of successful the 2024 Dallas Professional Wheelchair title earlier in the summertime. After arising simply wanting qualifying in 2023, Berger was decided to seal the deal in 2024.
“I didn’t want to leave anything to chance. Winning a show meant there was no doubt.”
Like all the very best physique athletes on the planet, Berger could be very aggressive. He developed that whereas rising up in Oklahoma. He performed soccer, ran monitor, and competed in powerlifting, however he additionally appeared for alternatives to work and earn cash for himself.
“I had a really good upbringing, nothing to complain about.”
His life modified endlessly on Could 29, 2010. After making the admitted mistake of ingesting and driving at an estimated prime velocity of 110 mph, he wrecked his truck and hit a nook publish of a fence. The truck went finish over finish a number of instances and hit the highest of a gooseneck trailer in addition to a horse trailer. It might additionally hit two small bushes earlier than lastly stopping the other way up. Berger stated it was six hours earlier than he was discovered and one other hour to get him out of the truck.
“I don’t remember any of this,” he stated. “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 bunch of associates in addition to his mom, daughter, and greatest buddy 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 have been sober for 10 years now.”
Whereas Berger acknowledges that some days have extra challenges than others, he is ready to keep upbeat and optimistic, which could be a large cause 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 show in 2017 and have been doing it ever since then.”
Now he’s about to compete on the largest 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 honestly excited,” he shared. “I’ve been to the Olympia and helped backstage. To be on the competitive side of it is a whole different ballgame. I want to bring the best version of myself to that stage.”
Past the stage, Berger helps Scott on the social media and on-line aspect. He’s very obsessed with contributing to one thing that has modified his life for the higher. Many individuals would by no means see being in a wheelchair as a great factor, however Berger has discovered the positives and works to maximise these.
“The chair has taken me more places than I would have been walking around,” he acknowledged. “I’m really excited to see where 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 give up. You have to trust the process 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 may see all of the motion stay 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 maintain fixed stress on the lats and deal with all sides of his again individually.
“Keep your elbow tucked in to your side and control the weight.”
Reverse-grip Lat Pulldown
3 units: 12-15 reps
The second train helps goal the decrease lats, particularly. Berger isn’t afraid of including weight on this one, both. He defined, “Control the weight and go heavy as possible before losing your form.”
Vast-grip Lat Pulldown
3 units: 12-15 reps
Berger’s last motion for the higher again is a second pulldown motion. He’ll deal with your complete lat in addition to the remainder of the higher again, and the aim is to benefit from the ultimate train of the session.
“Control the weight, and after three sets go home happy!”