Post by Drew Stevenson on Feb 5, 2017 16:46:43 GMT -6
”You do realize that most people who are “retired” don't hit the gym as often as you do, right?”
Letting down the heavy weights on the bar, a sweaty Stevenson sits up with a smile on his face as he knows that voice all too well. Sliding off of the weight bench and getting to his feet, he walks over to the man who is revealed as his longtime friend and former manager, Mark Robertson. Embracing each other in a quick, brotherly type hug, Stevenson then walks back over to the weight bench and takes a seat on it as Robertson sits on the one right next to him.
”Yes, I’m aware!”
Letting out a small chuckle, it's not very often where a retired man gets bigger from a physical standpoint than when they competed. Grabbing the towel off of the bar, Stevenson wipes away the sweat and then slings it over his neck while reaching down and grabbing his bottle of water.
”If you’re aware then why don't you act like a normal retired guy for once?”
After taking a drink of his ice cold water, he holds the bottle in his hands and answers Robertson’s question.
”And exactly how does a “normal” retired guy act, huh?”
Placing the bottle back to his lips, he listens to Robertson speak.
”I don't know! Go travel, see the world. Be a taste tester for food, stay at home and sleep all day, do retirement stuff.”
Throwing up his arms, he’s not really sure how to answer that question. Nodding his head, Stevenson responds immediately.
”Well I have already been to Disney World. I used to travel when I competed and taste tester? Really?”
”What? I didn't say it was good stuff, just “retirement” stuff, you know?”
Taking another drink of his water so he can stay hydrated, he then places the white cap on the bottle and sets it on the floor.
”Nah, I know what you mean man. I’m really trying to get used to retirement, you know? I’m not used to sitting at home with nothing to do. I’m not used to life moving so slow and I’m still trying to adapt. Admittedly, it's much harder than I’m used to but it's already been a little over two weeks and I haven't contacted any company's to come compete like I normally did so that's always good, right?”
Nodding his head and shrugging his shoulders, he kind of agrees with Stevenson.
”For you, yeah! But let me ask you this, how long do you think it will last? We both know that if a company comes to you with one HELL of an offer that you’ll cave in and return; especially if Championship gold is on the line.”
Reaching up to scratch his head, Stevenson looks down at the floor and then up at Mark.
”Not you too Mark!”
Shrugging his shoulders, he responds.
”I’m sorry but I know you better than anyone else and while I support you if retirement really is your thing: I also know that you’re only thirty-three years old, almost thirty-four and like you put it on Twitter — you went out in your prime. *I* personally think you weren't finished, that you still had a lot left but I’m also not the one who deals with the pain either.”
Simply listening, he nods his head but says nothing.
”All I’m saying is subconsciously? It's pretty fishy that you’re MORE active in the gym than when you were competing. I think even you know that it wasn't fully time to call it quits just yet but IF it really is then well; just try to enjoy it man — you know?”
Nodding his head, he smiles at his good friend as he knows that Robertson has his best interest at heart, even if it looks different.
”I know man and I appreciate that. Maybe I did call it quits too soon, I don't know but I can't just sit home and become lazy, I've tried. I get bored and then I head to the Academy or the gym and well, here we are-”
Opening his arms up, he motions all around the gym.
”So yeah, I can't predict the future or if I’ll really return or not because even I know in the back of my mind that yeah, I’m not the greatest when it comes to retirement but — I am trying much harder this time so I can stay healthy enough to play with my kids and my future grandkids without being too beat up to do anything, you know?”
Nodding his head, Robertson can see that Stevenson speaks with sincerity. Reaching out and patting his best friend on the top of his right leg, he responds.
”That I do understand and respect you for. Just know that while you are beat up, you’re not as bad as you think man. Like you told Alia, you could still go if you wanted to but I support you in your decision and if you ever decide to return then let me know and just like usual; I’ll get you the best contract that I can.”
Reaching out and lightly slapping Mark on the back, he chuckles.
”I appreciate it man and thank you!”
As both men rise to their feet, Stevenson, who is a sweaty mess heads to the shower area.
”If you want to wait up, I’ll shower and then we can grab some wings or something.”
”Sounds good brother!”
Nodding his head and walking away from Robertson, Stevenson hits the showers as he really stunk after that intense workout. Watching some of the younger Japanese students train, there looks to be a lot of promise as Robertson waits for his best friend.
Letting down the heavy weights on the bar, a sweaty Stevenson sits up with a smile on his face as he knows that voice all too well. Sliding off of the weight bench and getting to his feet, he walks over to the man who is revealed as his longtime friend and former manager, Mark Robertson. Embracing each other in a quick, brotherly type hug, Stevenson then walks back over to the weight bench and takes a seat on it as Robertson sits on the one right next to him.
”Yes, I’m aware!”
Letting out a small chuckle, it's not very often where a retired man gets bigger from a physical standpoint than when they competed. Grabbing the towel off of the bar, Stevenson wipes away the sweat and then slings it over his neck while reaching down and grabbing his bottle of water.
”If you’re aware then why don't you act like a normal retired guy for once?”
After taking a drink of his ice cold water, he holds the bottle in his hands and answers Robertson’s question.
”And exactly how does a “normal” retired guy act, huh?”
Placing the bottle back to his lips, he listens to Robertson speak.
”I don't know! Go travel, see the world. Be a taste tester for food, stay at home and sleep all day, do retirement stuff.”
Throwing up his arms, he’s not really sure how to answer that question. Nodding his head, Stevenson responds immediately.
”Well I have already been to Disney World. I used to travel when I competed and taste tester? Really?”
”What? I didn't say it was good stuff, just “retirement” stuff, you know?”
Taking another drink of his water so he can stay hydrated, he then places the white cap on the bottle and sets it on the floor.
”Nah, I know what you mean man. I’m really trying to get used to retirement, you know? I’m not used to sitting at home with nothing to do. I’m not used to life moving so slow and I’m still trying to adapt. Admittedly, it's much harder than I’m used to but it's already been a little over two weeks and I haven't contacted any company's to come compete like I normally did so that's always good, right?”
Nodding his head and shrugging his shoulders, he kind of agrees with Stevenson.
”For you, yeah! But let me ask you this, how long do you think it will last? We both know that if a company comes to you with one HELL of an offer that you’ll cave in and return; especially if Championship gold is on the line.”
Reaching up to scratch his head, Stevenson looks down at the floor and then up at Mark.
”Not you too Mark!”
Shrugging his shoulders, he responds.
”I’m sorry but I know you better than anyone else and while I support you if retirement really is your thing: I also know that you’re only thirty-three years old, almost thirty-four and like you put it on Twitter — you went out in your prime. *I* personally think you weren't finished, that you still had a lot left but I’m also not the one who deals with the pain either.”
Simply listening, he nods his head but says nothing.
”All I’m saying is subconsciously? It's pretty fishy that you’re MORE active in the gym than when you were competing. I think even you know that it wasn't fully time to call it quits just yet but IF it really is then well; just try to enjoy it man — you know?”
Nodding his head, he smiles at his good friend as he knows that Robertson has his best interest at heart, even if it looks different.
”I know man and I appreciate that. Maybe I did call it quits too soon, I don't know but I can't just sit home and become lazy, I've tried. I get bored and then I head to the Academy or the gym and well, here we are-”
Opening his arms up, he motions all around the gym.
”So yeah, I can't predict the future or if I’ll really return or not because even I know in the back of my mind that yeah, I’m not the greatest when it comes to retirement but — I am trying much harder this time so I can stay healthy enough to play with my kids and my future grandkids without being too beat up to do anything, you know?”
Nodding his head, Robertson can see that Stevenson speaks with sincerity. Reaching out and patting his best friend on the top of his right leg, he responds.
”That I do understand and respect you for. Just know that while you are beat up, you’re not as bad as you think man. Like you told Alia, you could still go if you wanted to but I support you in your decision and if you ever decide to return then let me know and just like usual; I’ll get you the best contract that I can.”
Reaching out and lightly slapping Mark on the back, he chuckles.
”I appreciate it man and thank you!”
As both men rise to their feet, Stevenson, who is a sweaty mess heads to the shower area.
”If you want to wait up, I’ll shower and then we can grab some wings or something.”
”Sounds good brother!”
Nodding his head and walking away from Robertson, Stevenson hits the showers as he really stunk after that intense workout. Watching some of the younger Japanese students train, there looks to be a lot of promise as Robertson waits for his best friend.
