Bernard Despin dedicates his life to bodybuilding. At 94 kilos and 1m80, he says he has reached his ceiling. A weight that allowed him to win the Open des Corsaires, in Saint-Malo, in the Master I (+40 years) and Senior +90kg category. But far be it from him to get a big head.
Although he is old enough to compete in the +40s, masters category, he continues to compete against 25-year-olds. “ It's nice, it helps you stay young “, he explains.
A humble interview with an Ardennese, living in Montcy-Notre-Damewho lives far from the cameras, despite a very extensive track record. His most prolific year, 2016, saw him become European champion and vice-world champion.
What is your sport about?
It's bodybuilding, you have to strengthen your body and in competition, you are judged on the level of volume, symmetry and muscular quality, leanness. You need to have the most harmonious body possible. There are weight categories. There are a certain number of athletes per category, the judges take the five best, with a drawer system to compare each athlete, and the first wins.
The result therefore remains at the sole discretion of the judges?
There are several judges, each gives a score and the one with the best score wins. But everything is not defined according to the sensitivity of the judges, there are criteria. So the notes are rather objective.
Tell us about your career?
I have been practicing for 26 years, with periods where I stopped and then started again. I've done a lot of things, several times French and European champion and vice-world champion in 2016… currently I'm participating in Grands Prix. All levels meet. Normally, the first in each category at the French championship can make the European championship and the first in Europe can make the worlds. Since I started at 20 and something, I competed as a senior until I was 40.
Is it possible to still progress after 20 years of bodybuilding?
Yes, I have progressed a little in recent years. When we are at our maximum, we manage to maintain ourselves but evolving, it becomes harder and harder. By modifying a few elements of the diet, we can progress towards better muscle quality. But in terms of volume and mass, we have reached our threshold. There is necessarily a ceiling, we are genetically programmed. And then we are not all equal, some have it easier. The goal is precisely to exploit its genetic potential. There, currently, I have reached my best form. 94 kilos for 1m80.
How long does it take to sculpt such a body?
I've been training for 35 years. Basically, it takes a good ten years. It is especially the diet that is hyperstrict to achieve these results.
How do you get into bodybuilding?
It’s to see where you stand compared to other athletes. Having the best physique in the gym where you train doesn't mean anything. There, we measure ourselves against all the athletes from France and the world.
Isn't it ultimately a contest of ego?
I don't know, some people have big egos but I don't think that's it. It's really the spirit of competition, measuring yourself against others. In the same way as someone who runs the 100 meters, he wants to run faster than the others, it's the same. The difference is that it is physical and aesthetic. There are many bodybuilders who have melons, who are narcissistic, but fortunately not all of them.
Why did you become a bodybuilder?
At the time, I was a little skinny, I wanted to get bigger and then I saw Arnold (Schwarzenegger) and (Sylvester) Stallone, they were the idols from before, I wanted to be like them. That’s kind of how we all start. As long as we gain muscle, we want more. Then we progress and we never have enough. I never feel good, I always try to progress. Whereas the one who tells himself that he is at the max, he will no longer progress. But we never reach perfection, so there is no end.
How are you coping with food?
It's simple, I weigh everything. Everything I eat is weighed, morning, noon and evening. I eat 6-7 times a day and everything is always weighed. I eat the equivalent of 66 egg whites per day with carbohydrates, rice or pasta, and vegetables. A little lipid, anything with oil, but not too much. Protein-wise, it’s just egg white. From time to time I eat fish for variety, a kilo of fish to replace around thirty egg whites. I know it's impressive (laughs). The food budget is enormous. It's a bit restrictive because it involves a lot of preparation. It's an organization. I usually prepare 24 hours in advance and bring two bags of food when I go on a business trip. Financially, it's a very big budget, around 400 euros per month. It goes quickly, fortunately I don't have children (laughs).
And how do you go about stocking up?
I buy liquid egg whites online, in liters, like bakers. I can make pancakes, tarts, pancakes, for a little variety and it's more practical to take away. The rest is in store.
Does this lifestyle put the brakes on a fulfilling family life?
It's a bit complicated, yes. I don't have children, so it's easy. Afterwards, the partner must accept, it is not always easy. It's still tough in terms of social life. I don't do any restaurants for several months when I'm preparing for a competition, otherwise I do them from time to time. In the last six months, I haven't been to a single restaurant.
For what ?
A restaurant might not be obvious, but it delays the diet program. Over the last few weeks, the slightest difference is visible. From morning to evening the body changes, it moves.
Wasn't that a bit psychological?
Oh no no! On the scale it doesn't change too much, but it's the aspect that changes. When you're super dry, the slightest thing shows. We become obsessed with our bodies, it’s true. We make a fix. But it's not difficult to manage. Then when we have the results, we are satisfied, it’s the reward for the work.
Are there no health risks for athletes?
No, apart from fatigue because there is a lot of training. Afterwards, we cannot maintain this diet for life. It's so specific, strict, that we last a couple of months but we wouldn't last for years either. There, I did it for six months, to prepare for the competition, and then I took a few months off before starting again. I always weigh everything, except I just up my carb portions. So more rice or pasta. All year round I pay attention to what I eat.
This lifestyle still puts a heavy mental burden on us.
In the long run, it is possible, yes. You have to manage. I did the Grand Prix and I said I was stopping so as not to get tired, whether physically or mentally. Some people compete in competitions all year round but at the end they are exhausted. You have to listen to yourself, when you see that you are too tired, you have to relax.
Are you aware of attracting attention?
I never wear a tank top, I'm always in a t-shirt, so it shows a little, but it remains discreet. I hate showing myself. It's paradoxical, I like competition when we're among bodybuilders, but outside, whether at the gym or at the beach, I don't like people looking at me. It's not to show me that I'm doing this, it's for me. In addition, we don't have a good reputation because of some people who ride mechanics.
What is your opinion on today's bodybuilding social media version?
I'm disconnected, but it's not the bodybuilding I knew before, without social networks, Youtubers… Today, it's really “have you seen me”, always trying to Filming yourself, admiring yourself, it's a bit exaggerated. Egos are disproportionate compared to a few years ago. Personally, I don't have a photo of myself on Facebook or anything. For people, I want to remain a bodybuilding guy, that's all. I'm proud, but I don't have to show myself off everywhere and think I'm a star.
What are your physical references today?
I don't really have them anymore, I find that the physiques are no longer as beautiful as before, they are too big. So I no longer have any models.
Bernard Despin ?
Maybe for some. (He stops, laughs, embarrassed and continues) There are young people who would like to have my physique, it pleases me and it allows them to evolve.
We feel embarrassed…
Yes because I don't like it too much, I'm discreet. I just want to feel good in my sneakers.
What do you think about doping in your discipline?
I respect it, these are choices. Some people have no choice but to have a high level. It's like someone who wants to do the Tour de France, if he doesn't take anything it's not possible. You have no choice, you have to take things to pedal as fast as the others.
And the training?
It's not enough. There are cyclists who say either we take things and do the Tour de France, or we don't take any and we don't do it. They can't hold on. This is untenable.
So you can't be naturally good at your discipline?
Yes, we can be really good, but we will find our limits. You can't be Schwarzenegger without taking stuff. It's impossible. Even if you train and eat what you want, it's impossible.
Are we to understand that you are doped?
No, because I don't have excessive ambitions. I don't even ask myself the question, I prefer to stay at my level, I don't intend to be an American star. But, if I had wanted to be, I would have had no choice.
