The Bionic Physique of Traditional Physique!
Meet the Inspirational Edgard John-Augustin
By Ron Harris
I first noticed this man over six years in the past when he took the stage as an Open bodybuilder on the Toronto Professional. He stood out within the lineup for 2 compelling causes. One, he’s 6-foot-3, and two, Edgard has two prostheses from the knees down. Like everybody else within the crowd, I each applauded his braveness and puzzled what his story was. It took me this lengthy, however I lastly spoke with this outstanding athlete shortly after the perfect inserting of his profession up to now, fourth place in Traditional Physique, as soon as once more in Toronto.
One factor that basically stunned me was to study that you just earned your professional card as a Wheelchair athlete, as I’ve by no means seen you in that division.
Sure, I gained the Wheelchair division on the 2016 European Championships. Not lengthy after I gained, they informed me I might by no means compete in that class once more. It was a tough time for me as a result of I used to be already in prep for the Arnold Traditional Wheelchair division once I bought that information. I contacted Mr. Jim Manion, and he informed me simply do one thing else like Males’s Physique, Traditional, or Open.
The primary time I noticed you was on the 2017 Toronto Professional, which was your professional debut and I consider the one time you went Open Bodybuilding. Some child named Chris Bumstead gained Traditional at that present.
Sure, I attempted the Open class for enjoyable. Straight away I noticed these guys had been a lot larger than me. After that it has at all times been Traditional Physique.
I believe I had the identical response as most individuals after they first see you, which is questioning what occurred to his legs? Was he a soldier in a battle, was there some accident or sickness? I regarded into it and discovered you had been concerned in a horrible automobile accident at simply 4 years previous while you misplaced each legs and your older brother additionally misplaced a leg.
Sure, that was 34 years in the past in my native French Guiana, which is in South America. We had been each very fortunate that somebody pulled over and drove us to the closest hospital, or I’m I might have bled to dying. When I’m in America, strangers will usually inform me, “Thanks in your service,” as a result of so many US troopers have misplaced limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan, they usually assume I’m a type of.
I do know you’ve got spent most of your life in France, beginning shortly after your accident. You went there primarily for medical care. What had been they attempting to do for you?
My brother and I had been there by ourselves for a complete yr working with medical doctors and rehab specialists. The very first thing was serving to me learn to stability myself and stroll once more, which took virtually a yr in itself. It was really lucky it occurred to me so younger, as a result of it was simpler for me to study than it might be for an grownup. I hadn’t gone my entire life with legs after which misplaced them. All I wished was to do what the opposite youngsters had been doing, and shortly I might run, trip my bike, and climb timber like them. The one factor that harm was after they would make enjoyable of me and name me ‘robotic legs.’ However I used to be again house after that yr, and life went on.
You began coaching at age 20 in Paris, France, the place you had returned for college. What made you start lifting?
I knew about gyms, however I used to be by no means . I used to be chubby as a teen. Meals was my consolation and the way I managed stress. In the future I had a remaining examination the following day and I used to be extra wired than traditional. I had a free go to attempt a neighborhood gymnasium so I stated, why not? I’ll always remember that day. It felt actually good to elevate weights and really feel my muscular tissues working. They supplied me an amazing deal for a yr’s membership if I joined that day, so I did. I’ve been coaching ever since. Bodybuilding got here a lot later. First, I simply wished to drop some pounds and get match. I began trying on-line and studying bodybuilding boards to find out about learn how to eat and practice correctly.
The place did the nickname “Bionic Physique” come from?
I used to be working as a gross sales supervisor in Paris. A colleague of mine knew a photographer who was in search of a really match man to shoot. At the moment solely my household and shut pals even knew I had prosthetic legs. I used to be ashamed of them and at all times wore lengthy pants or sweatpants. I met with the photographer. I informed him about my legs, and he insisted we do the shoot in shorts. In a few of the photographs I used to be depicted as a runner, and I posted a few of these on my Fb web page. That’s how individuals discovered, and the response was very constructive. They messaged me and informed me how I confirmed that something is feasible. I made a decision I wanted a nickname, and I got here up with “Bionic Physique” as a result of sure, my legs do appear to be robotic legs. I began an Instagram account, and it went viral. Somebody informed me there was a incapacity class for bodybuilding and instructed I compete in that. I stated, why not?
Did you get the identify from the previous TV present “The Six Million Greenback Man”?
No, I’ve by no means heard of that present.
You’re too younger, however I believed possibly you had seen a clip or one thing on YouTube.
Now that you just inform me about it, I’ll test it out.
When do you know that your physique was growing into one thing particular that you just don’t see day-after-day in gyms?
I by no means had any want or curiosity to be a bodybuilder, regardless that I knew a few guys once I was youthful who had been very a lot eager to be professional bodybuilders. As soon as I began making use of the issues I used to be studying, my physique modified. A pal of mine informed me I might do nicely in a bodybuilding competitors if I attempted. I agreed to attempt it as soon as, not having any objective of being the perfect bodybuilder, the perfect bodybuilder with out legs, or something like that. That first weight loss plan was the worst. I went months with out consuming any carbs, simply loopy stuff as a result of I didn’t know any higher. My first contest was the Grand Prix Des Pyrenees. I used to be allowed to pose however to not compete, as a result of they didn’t have a handicapped class. It was there that the pinnacle coach for the French bodybuilding staff requested me to symbolize France within the Wheelchair division on the European Championships three weeks later in Spain. I needed to get a wheelchair for it as a result of I didn’t personal one. I gained my class, then got here again a yr later and bought the General. That’s how I gained my professional card. It was God’s plan.
I believe you turned professional on the good time, as a result of Traditional Physique was simply beginning. At your peak of 6-foot-3, you would need to be at the very least 300 kilos on stage to be aggressive, and also you compete round 225. However Traditional is all about form, proportion, and symmetry, and people are all qualities you possess.
Traditional is actually the one division for me. I don’t have the scale for Open, and with all due respect to Males’s Physique, I practice my legs too exhausting to cowl them up.
That’s essentially the most inspirational facet of what you do so far as I’m involved. I went in your YouTube channel, and you’ve got quite a lot of leg coaching on there. That solutions the query quite a lot of us have after we first see you, which is, how does he practice his legs?
That’s what I get essentially the most questions and feedback about. Individuals are amazed in any respect the issues I’m able to do with the prosthetics. To be trustworthy, my legs are the one a part of my physique I needed to work the toughest for, so I’m very proud to have the ability to present them each time I can.
From the movies I’ve seen, it seems to be like you are able to do the whole lot for legs besides free weight squats. You are able to do extensions, leg presses, hack squats, leg curls, all of these.
Sure, as a result of I nonetheless have my knees. The guard railing severed each my legs under my knees. In case you don’t have a knee joint, you possibly can’t practice your legs. That’s why I can nonetheless do isolation and compound actions for my quads and hams. I don’t have the sensation, or mind-muscle connection of a traditional particular person, possibly 50-60 p.c of that.
What concerning the ache and strain of that prosthesis pushing on the stumps when you’ve got, say, 1,000 kilos on the leg press? Is it very painful?
I can’t even describe the ache. It’s worse once I’m weight-reduction plan as a result of with the fats gone, I get deeper into the prosthetic. I did an hour of cardio day-after-day for my final exhibits, and day-after-day I felt like giving up. I used to be blissful as a result of ultimately we introduced my greatest form ever. My coach and I made a decision to take a relaxation after Toronto, which was three exhibits in 5 weeks for me.
You should get hundreds of messages from individuals all around the world.
I do, and I’m so grateful for them. It’s people who find themselves handicapped and lots of who should not. They inform me issues like how they had been depressed however then noticed my web page and it made them really feel like they will go after their objectives and goals. I confirmed them something is feasible. I don’t even care about being well-known. Studying messages and emails like that makes me really feel like I’ve finished one thing significant. It additionally makes me wish to push myself tougher. This spring was the primary time I competed in virtually 4 years. I had shoulder surgical procedure, after which Covid got here alongside. Gyms had been shut down in France and I misplaced quite a lot of my muscular tissues. I noticed from my social media that individuals had been beginning to neglect about me. I used to be beginning to assume possibly bodybuilding was over for me, after which I met my present coach, Calum Raistrick.
What objectives did you two set when you started working collectively?
I met him in February of this yr whereas he was in Dubai, the place I reside now with my spouse and kids. Calum was giving a seminar about coaching, vitamin, and PEDs. We talked and I informed him I hadn’t competed since 2019, and he was desirous about prepping me. I defined that I’m 38 years previous, and I’ve three kids. I wish to be round for them for a really very long time, so I’m not desirous about doing something loopy or harmful simply to rise up on stage once I wish to have a protracted and wholesome life after bodybuilding. Calum assured me he wished me to stay wholesome too, and it turned out to be my greatest prep ever, and my greatest look on stage up to now. He actually modified the way in which I have a look at contest prep, and now I can’t wait to do one other one after I’m totally rested and have an low season. We haven’t labored collectively for an low season but, as a result of I met him proper earlier than I began my preps for New York and Toronto. I hadn’t even deliberate on doing Pittsburgh, nevertheless it didn’t make sense to fly 18 hours from Dubai to the USA simply to do one contest if there was one other one only one week earlier than it. It additionally gave Calum an opportunity to determine my physique and peak week higher. I used to be watery in Pittsburgh as a result of we didn’t cut back both my sodium or water. He didn’t wish to take any probabilities. We had been in a position to get higher for New York, and by Toronto it was the perfect I’ve ever regarded in my life.
You’re dwelling in Dubai now, which appears to be an actual sizzling spot for bodybuilding. Andrew Jacked and Sergio Oliva Jr. are two of the various champions who name Dubai house.
The entire mentality and perspective towards bodybuilding right here is unimaginable. We’ve got a few of the greatest gyms on this planet, like Binous Health club the place a lot of the high guys and ladies practice. We get new tools each month! Folks will cease you on the street and say, “good physique!” In distinction, in France they appear down on bodybuilders like we’re show-offs, they usually at all times assume we’re silly. It’s not an amazing place for bodybuilding even in comparison with different European international locations like Germany and Spain. Dubai is the right place for it.
One factor I wished to ask you was, how are the judges in a position to pretty assess you if you find yourself lacking your legs from the knees down? I do know it’s not a calf contest, however nonetheless, is {that a} issue?
I spoke with Tyler Manion, who was the pinnacle choose on the New York Professional. I informed him pay attention, I push myself so exhausting, however I didn’t place. Ought to I maintain going or not? I can’t compete in Wheelchair as a result of I’m able to stroll, and I can’t examine to the Open guys with their dimension. Tyler stated I look superb, simply work in your again and higher chest and convey higher conditioning, and I’ll place higher. In New York I used to be 224 kilos, and for Toronto I labored very exhausting to get tighter and got here in at 194 kilos. That’s once I lastly made the highest 5 for the primary time, with fourth place. I noticed Tyler once more and he stated, that’s the sort of situation we wish to see from you.
Are you finished competing for 2023?
Possibly. There’s a professional present in Dubai in late September. My two older kids haven’t seen me compete since they had been very small and the youngest has by no means, so it might be good to have them there. Proper now, Calum and I are planning low season the place the objective could be so as to add about 10 kilos of muscle, which I do want as a result of I’m so tall. The load restrict for my peak is 247 kilos, and I used to be greater than 50 kilos below that in Toronto. Gaining weight isn’t actually that tough for me. Everybody in my household is massive. African genetics! Getting the conditioning within the decrease again and glutes is difficult.
I’m so glad I lastly bought to speak with you, Edgard. I believe you’re going to make enhancements and place larger, however that’s nothing in comparison with the inspiration you present for thus many people. When you have been in a position to construct a world-class physique as a double amputee, that exhibits the remainder of us that something is feasible if you happen to consider in your self, work exhausting, and refuse to let excuses cease us from following our ardour.
It’s been my pleasure! If I did it, anyone can do it. You simply need to need it badly sufficient.
//www.youtube.com/@Bionic_body“>YouTube: Bionic Physique
Contest Historical past
2016 European Championships – Wheelchair Champion
2017 Toronto Professional – 10th Place (Open Bodybuilding)
2018 Toronto Professional – Ninth Place, Traditional
2018 Veronica Gallego Traditional – 10th Place, Traditional
2019 New York Professional – Didn’t place
2019 Toronto Professional – 12th Place, Traditional
2023 Pittsburgh Professional – 14th Place, Traditional
2023 New York Professional – Didn’t place
2023 Toronto Professional – Fourth Place, Traditional
Ron Harris bought his begin within the bodybuilding trade through the eight years he labored in Los Angeles as Affiliate Producer for ESPN’s “American Muscle Journal” present within the Nineteen Nineties. Since 1992 he has revealed practically 5,000 articles in bodybuilding and health magazines, making him essentially the most prolific bodybuilding author ever. Ron has been coaching because the age of 14 and competing as a bodybuilder since 1989. He lives along with his spouse and two kids within the Boston space. Fb Instagram
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS
SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF
VISIT OUR STORE
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
