Armon Adibi: The Drive of a Bodybuilding Icon and Entrepreneur

There has been few names that stand with such profundity in the world of bodybuilding as Armon Adibi. Such attributes include a muscular built, sheer dedication, and an entrepreneurial mind that makes Adibi stand out even in the already highly competitive field of bodybuilding. He is a man of hard work, resilience, and innovation and has paid his dues in the competitive world of bodybuilding

Adibi's insights into bodybuilding disclose a tremendous amount of dedication needed behind the scenes. "Bodybuilding is not as glamorous as it may seem," he confesses. "It includes eating 6-8 huge meals a day, every 2-3 hours, and manipulating your diet to achieve a certain look. The hard part is the strict diet; you don't get to eat whatever or whenever you want."

For bodybuilders like Adibi, the quest for the perfect physique is as much of a battle as the competition itself. "You have to focus, plan, and diet. You have to go through a lot of injuries," he states. "Strength training is pushed to a high level of intensity, pushing your body to the limit each time just so that your muscles grow." "There's always the possibility of getting injured; in my case, I've had 14 surgeries."

Otherwise, cardio, which is another equally integral part, can get very daunting. "Thank God I have a high metabolism; otherwise, for the very bit of fat remaining, some people have to do cardio for hours," exclaims Adibi. The lifestyle is also more regimented and continuous than a number of other sports where, typically, the game lasts a couple of hours. A bodybuilder's preparation for a contest lasts about 12 weeks on an average.

On this note, Adibi also brings up another con of the sport of bodybuilding—though an often-unmentionable one—the use of "super" supplements. These performance-enhancing supplements are no stranger to professional sports, but they cast bodybuilding in a poor light with these facts. "With dedication and hard work that is put into it all," he boasts.

The Financial Reality of Bodybuilding

Contrary to popular belief, bodybuilding is not a lucrative sport. "The assumption that it's a money-making or high-paying sport is far from reality," Adibi clarifies. "The assumption that it's a money-making or high-paying sport is far from reality. Back in the day, magazines provided various income avenues, including TV commercials, ads, sponsorships, and fans paying just to talk or train together. Now, everything is digital, and the various ways of making an income hardly exist. Even if they do, the pay is unlike before."

Prize money mostly contests at the apex level rarely pays the bills for a bodybuilder in terms of groceries, supplements, entrance fees, and others. "Sponsors pay, but it's barely what people think, and you are restricted by contracts," he adds.

A Transformation and Coaching Journey

Adibi first entered the bodybuilding game at a young age. "I started my bodybuilding career at 17," he recounts. Initially a high-level soccer player, Adibi turned to weights after a knee condition, Osgood Schlatters, made running too painful. "My body transformed quickly, and I discovered my gift for being a contest prep coach when I helped friends with their diet, which propelled them into first place."

Over the past 20+ years, Adibi has trained hundreds of people, with the majority placing in the top three in their class. "I work with men and women in different categories—like bodybuilding, classic physique, figure, wellness, bikini," he says. But his skills are broader—even further—than competitive bodybuilding.

Adibi elaborates to let followers know it is also very important for them to have the right coach, and in his case, the right coach for contest prep. "Many 'coaches' today don't know how to adequately dial someone in safely, which can jeopardize their health," he says. "Every individual is different, and having a coach is crucial, especially when your brain isn't functioning right due to low body fat and lack of certain foods."

Entrepreneurship within the Supplement Industry

Entrepreneurial by nature, Adibi started his supplement company, Adibi Army Supplements. "I saw that many of the supplement lines available on the market were poorly dosed with a lot of filler," he says. "I wanted my own line to ensure effectiveness and transparency."

He continues to pioneer the supplement industry with his latest venture, AMG (Advanced Muscular Genetics) Labz, a brand he founded with his wife. "We've been together for eight years, and she has supported me through all my ventures," he said.

Life in Dallas

Coming from Dallas, Adibi cannot help but be homesick: "Dallas is an overall great place. Out of all the places I've traveled, I'd still choose Dallas as home." He advises visitors to try the authentic Tex-Mex and BBQ and catch a game featuring the Dallas Cowboys, Mavericks, or Stars. For a night out, the Reunion Tower offers a beautiful view and dining experience.

Adibi's passion for rock music often takes him to concerts at Trees, The Factory, and Canton Hall at Deep Ellum. "I love hanging out there for the concerts," he says. Fitness remains to be a cornerstone of his lifestyle, and he enjoys training friends at the many great gyms in Dallas.

Adibi says his family and friends were instrumental in what he has achieved today: "My mom, Beverly, was my best friend and supported my bodybuilding career until she passed away from breast cancer." His wife has been by his side all through, believing in him through his every venture.

Adibi remained a committed fitness enthusiast and entrepreneur, despite still being immersed in the activities of the bodybuilding world—thereby attesting to all that anything is achievable through hard work and doggedness.