(Read Part 1 and Part 2 first?)
Since turning professional in 2009, Shavis has done very well competing in the pro ranks. Going from the <202 lbs division, then to the even “smaller” Classic Physique division, he’s been able to stand amongst the very best in the sport. In 2016, Shavis won his first professional competition at the Northern California Pro, punching his ticket to both the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic shows the following year. Shavis is the first and only bodybuilder from the state of Hawaii to have competed in both prestigious events.
In 2018, I watched Shavis compete in the IFBB Hawaii Pro where he placed 4th. As usual, Shavis was content with the physique he showcased that day, however, to me it was a status quo Shavis. Don’t get me wrong, Shavis looked amazing as always, just not much difference since turning professional 10 years prior. And nothing wrong with that at all, again he was amongst the one-percenters who had the gifted shape, size and condition combo. Shavis would always be in the mix for the title in any show. So who was I to be a critic of Hawaii’s best bodybuilder ever, right?
Then we had “the talk” again. We sat down and I told Shavis that I believed he still had better in him. Even at the age of 43 then, I had confidence if Shavis could put his full trust in me, we would reach his full potential. Remember, Shavis was already great, I just wanted to make him better. I believed he could not only put on more size, but we could bring up his upper body to match his always dominating legs. I also wanted him to achieve his best condition on stage, ever. So what did Shavis have to lose? He’d been on a stagnant plateau for a decade, and was even considering retiring from competitive bodybuilding due to it not being fun for him anymore. He thought he had already reached his peak in the sport.
Needless to say, Shavis decided to give it one more go in 2019. But this time we were going to do a very hard reset and revamp, not only the way he trained, but more importantly I would change the way he viewed food as it pertains to performance, recovery, and health.
How did I convince Shavis to put his full trust in me? Easy, I reminded him I was not the guy with blessed genetics who became great. Nope, I was the guy with less than average genetics who got pretty darn good. And not just in bodybuilding. I’ve proved the same as a young junior tennis player, and now as an endurance athlete.
You see, not in any of these three sports did I have the DNA to turn professional, but I was able to reach a high level of competition, all credit to the way my brain is wired (thanks mom and dad). I’ve been able to achieve relative success in sports by diligently studying my crafts, analyzing endlessly, and always applying what I learn with a crap load of hard work. Becoming “the best you can be” is what drives me and I wanted the same for my friend.
So I promised Shavis that with his gifted genetics, plus my teachings combined, the great physique he had built over the years would improve, even through his late 40s. By implementing both my nutrition protocol (The HC2 Diet) and science based workout regime (Purpose Training), June of 2018 would be the start of Shavis Higa 2.0 – “The Okinawan Tank”. And the rest is history…
Thanks for reading,
Fran Sur