CALGARY – Proudly wearing a golden medal around his neck, the result of winning a bodybuilding competition, Canmore’s Andy Mabidi gives a smile when talking about the sacrifice it took to get to win the praise. That time spent grinding and hustling in the gym also happens to be one he’s grown to cherish.
The natural bodybuilder, an iron-pumping “Mountains Beast”, won the men’s classic physique 50+ masters category at the 2023 Alberta Summer Natural in Calgary on Saturday (July 22).
The victory qualifies the Canmore strongman for the 2023 and 2024 CanFitPro Natural Championships in Toronto. Mabidi’s buff stuff is going to be showed off next year at the national event, which is a pro qualifier for Mr. Olympia.
“You have to have that dog fight mentality in you to be able to pull this off every single day,” said Mabidi. “You have to be committed. There’s no shortcuts. You have to be prepared to go through all the pain and everything for the competition.”
At the 2023 Alberta Summer Natural, there was a lot of challengers out there. Enough so that even a multi-winner of the event like Mabidi had to take an extra look around. But at the same time, a lot of guys were also wondering about the ageless Mabidi, what category he was in, and if they were competing against him.
“A lot of guys had been preparing for this show, I couldn’t believe it,” said Mabidi. “I was so proud and jealous seeing people all jacked up and everyone was rearing to go.”
For the past three years, Mabidi has competed in natural bodybuilding throughout Canada. His dedication at the gym and implementing of his training routine has seen many sleepy-eyed early mornings inside the walls of Canmore’s 24/7 gym, Anytime Fitness.
Most competitions in Canada are held during summer, so during winter it’s bulking season, a process where they eat everything on the menu to gain bulk.
About three months before a competition, that’s when the self-trained Mabidi starts to heavily focus on training routine and diet, which goes from chowing down on food like pizza to the much leaner chicken and rice – mostly every day. Even cancelling plans with friends isn’t out of the ordinary so he can break an early morning sweat.
The hard work has paid off, as Mabidi’s allegiance to barbells and exercising has awarded him tons of medals and trophies of golden strongmen statues.
The thrill of competing has become a part of Mabidi’s lifestyle. However, the real reward is the time spent disciplining his body and mind.
“I’m not fighting against anybody – I’m fighting against my inner demon,” said Mabidi. “The real thing is about my mental health and fighting my own struggles every day. I fight all those things in the gym, so I’m more happier and comfortable in the gym every day. I went through a severe depression, but now it’s history.”
A personal trainer in town, Mabidi’s passion is inside his second home at the gym. Someday, he would like to open up his own gym in Canmore.
“I rarely get injured because I train smart. I don’t focus on the weight, I focus on my muscle,” said Mabidi. “I want to do this for the rest of my life.”
