PERSONAL: There is no such thing as genetics

The lean, Romaneque, supercut body is probably evidenced by Mark Wahlberg -- Marky Mark -- but not for the reason everyone thinks...

I remember seeing him years ago on t.v. strutting across stage with his shirt off. I was literally shocked at his physique. Wahlberg's chest was very titanic, defined and 'built' in such a way that, coupled with his supercut abs, gave the illusion of being larger than he really was (which, interestingly, was the training technique pioneered by Vince Gironda). Plus Wahlberg was able to craft an incredible set of biceps with excellent definition from the forearm to the delts. All I heard at the gym during this time among the more austere 20-something lifters were his "excellent genetics." It was a bloody mantra for years and I beleived it, thinking no person could build such a body unless they possessed comic strip enhanced DNA.

Though I never found out whether he had a personal trainer or not (I was told from a legitamate source that he did not) Wahlberg was able to move from skinny kid to Calvin Klein model to movie star in a realtively short time. Years ago, I saw a teenager's picture book of Wahlberg (meant to sell exclusively to young, burpy, teenage girls) at Half Price Books. I found this gem in the back, written by his brother Donnie in the hundred-odd page photo spread: "Mark's body is his entire making. When you say that he has a great body, your only saying what is the truth. I mean, man, he did it himself, by himself." This statement was somehow lost in translation by the only-superior-genetics-will-work faddists within the bodybuilding community.

I don't beleive in genetics, good or bad. Only good eating.

That probably should be the epithet for Wahlberg's early photographs. Later, CNN carried a cover story about Wahlberg, "Marky Mark: The early years" and while being interviewed by the talking heads, briefly mentioned his excellent diet; when the rest of his band and road crew stopped to get something to eat while on tour, everyone made their way to the chinese buffet. Wahlberg settled for fresh fruit and a smoothie. After the concert the band and roadies would light up and use. Wahlberg would run, do calistenics, drink a protein shake and eat raw celery with peanut butter. Diet, not genetics seemed to be his magic pill, if there had to be one.

Superior Genetics is just a term, perpetuated by the Weiderites and the other thousand-odd bodybuilders and weight lifters who have paid the price in the gym. Genetics my ass. You went to the gym, lifted, ate right (at least six out of seven days of the week), rested and built a superior physique. Genetics had absolutely nothing to do with it. You can still be dumbshit but have a great body; there is no clear dilineation on this!

Marky Mark simply reminds me of the reasons why building the right body is all about diet, nutrition and will power ... the most important being will power.

If there is a statement to be made about Mark Wahlberg, it really isnt his body even though it is impressive (even today) but about his will power. How a young teenager was able to rise from a life of crime and obscurity in Boston to super stardom without missing a beat -- while building a superb physique -- says bushell loads about his integrity, character and ability while a teenager, not as an adult.

Genetics my ass.