Da Bullpen With George “Da Bull” Peterson III

Written by George “Da Bull” Peterson III

16 March 2021

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Da Bullpen

With George “Da Bull” Peterson III

My First Year as a 212

Interview by Ron Harris

2020 was your first year in the 212 division, and the first time you didn’t have to go down to 192 pounds in years. Was it liberating to know you could finally keep all your muscle and show it on stage?

For me, the best part of switching from Classic Physique to 212 was that the stress factors of losing muscle and making that lower weight were gone. I knew I could add more muscle and still be able to get to 212. There were times shortly before contests as a Classic pro where I was genuinely worried I would not make 192, and I would not be allowed to compete.

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The Tampa Pro was your first time as a 212, and I noticed that your condition was a touch off what we’re used to. You and your coach Justin Miller fixed it for the Olympia. What adjustments or corrections did you make?

The main thing was getting me ready a little earlier. And thanks for saying my condition was on point, but the Olympia was not the best I could have looked. I was flat at judging, for one thing. I did not peak exactly right on the day of the show, and I know that once we nail it 100 percent, I win.

So many athletes switch coaches, even when they are doing well. You’ve had the same coach from your first NPC Classic show in 2016. Why do you stay with Justin?

Let’s say I did jump ship and go with someone else. Now it’s going to take the new coach a certain amount of time and probably at least a couple of contest preps to learn the things about my body and how it responds to different variables that Justin already knows. A new coach would try new things and some of them would not work. Peaking is a science. I have 100 percent faith and trust in Justin. Together we’ve won everything now except the Olympia. He helped me get third place four years in a row at the Olympia in two different divisions. We’re so close now it would be foolish to even think about switching to anyone else.

It was an accomplishment, especially considering you beat two-time 212 Olympia runner-up Derek Lunsford. Were you happy with third place?

Definitely. I don’t think anyone else has ever gone from being top three at the Olympia in one division and then had such immediate success in another one. It’s great, but I’m a fighter. I know I can do better.

You had so many loyal fans who supported you when you were in Classic. Did they still support you once you moved to the 212 division?

They absolutely did. It’s funny. When I was in Classic, it was a mixed bag. There was one group that was totally behind me, and then there were the hecklers talking smack that I didn’t belong in Classic and wanted me to leave that division. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I was going to stick to my guns regardless. When I switched to 212, damn near everybody was supportive, even the ones who hoped I would stay in Classic.

But now you have people saying you should move up to Open because at 5-foot-8, you’re too tall for the 212.

They said I wasn’t Classic, but I took third place three years in a row at the Olympia. The fact that I just took third place at the Olympia in the 212 division proves I must not be too tall. I believe if you present a quality physique, regardless of your height, you will be rewarded. Most of the men in 212 are between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-6, so I am taller. But I create an illusion with my shoulder and back width and narrow waist where I can stand next to those shorter, more compact guys and not get outsized.

What do you want to improve on next time?

I want to come in much harder, just razor sharp. I will have more mass, that’s a given. I just feel if I bring that extreme conditioning, I will win.

If 100 percent is the best possible condition you could get into, what percent would you say you were at the Olympia?

Eighty-five. I know what I’m capable of. It’s just a matter of dialing it in perfectly on that day.

For the last few years, you really couldn’t train for mass because getting bigger would have meant you wouldn’t make the weight limit for Classic. What if you put on 5 pounds of muscle and show up with that crazy condition? Keeping your waist the same, of course.

One key when we switched to 212 was that we were determined to get everything to grow, but my waist had to stay the same. I think it would take something extreme to make my waist grow, like pounding ungodly amounts of food every day.

Speaking of food, I know you’re back eating clean now, but for the couple of weeks after the Olympia, what were some things you’d been craving that you finally ate?

At about three weeks out, I saw a commercial for Domino’s Pizza with two new pizzas, the cheeseburger pizza and a chicken taco pizza. I had those. Then, and I know this will sound really bad, but I’d been craving soft Taco Supremes from Taco Bell. One night I got 30 of those and put them all down in one sitting. I was eating clean all day for about two weeks and then having whatever I wanted for my last meal. For about 10 days I kept getting fuller and more vascular, and then the cuts started to fade away fast!

IG: georgep_dabull

Online coaching info at http://www.dabullcoaching.com

YouTube: George Peterson

Redcon1 Stack

Upon Waking

Double Tap powder, 1 scoop

With Breakfast

GI Juice, 1 scoop

Pre-workout

Total War, Big Noise and MOAB all together, 1 scoop each

Post-workout

Breach