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. Essentially 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 usually are not 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 developing simply wanting qualifying in 2023, Berger was decided to seal the deal in 2024.
“I didn’t need to depart something to likelihood. Profitable a present meant there was little doubt.”
Like all the very best physique athletes on the planet, Berger may be very aggressive. He developed that whereas rising up in Oklahoma. He performed soccer, ran observe, and competed in powerlifting, however he additionally regarded for alternatives to work and earn cash for himself.
“I had a extremely good upbringing, nothing to complain about.”
His life modified eternally on Could 29, 2010. After making the admitted mistake of ingesting and driving at an estimated prime 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 might additionally hit two small bushes earlier than lastly stopping the other 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 keep 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-about incomplete spinal wire 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 buddies in addition to his mom, daughter, and finest 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’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 optimistic, which could be 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 actually excited,” he shared. “I’ve been to the Olympia and helped backstage. To be on the aggressive facet of it’s a complete totally different ballgame. I need to convey 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 enthusiastic 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’d 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 quit. It’s important to belief the method and be disciplined.”
Observe 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’ll be able to see all of the motion reside 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 give attention to either side of his again individually.
“Hold 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 potential earlier than shedding your kind.”
Vast-grip Lat Pulldown
3 units: 12-15 reps
Berger’s remaining motion for the higher again is a second pulldown motion. He’ll give attention to the complete lat in addition to the remainder of the higher again, and the objective is to take advantage of the ultimate train of the session.
“Management the load, and after three units go dwelling glad!”
