How I'm preparing for the Dubai Muscle Show

My name is Vitthal Govekar. I am 26 years old and live in Dubai, working as a bouncer in a night club. And I'm taking part in the Dubai Muscle Show, to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 5 to 7.

I have always been interested in body building for as long as I can remember. At school, I was very active in sports and took part in all kinds of competition, from running and swimming. But I started going to the gym when I was 20 and decided body building was what I was really passionate — and something I wanted to do for a living. I began to look into competitive body building and dedicated myself towards it. As the only son of a fisherman in Goa, with four sisters, it was not easy. My father could not support my passion, so I had to find my own way as body building can be expensive.

In 2015, I took part in the Mr Goa competion and won. It was a relatively small competition, with a few participants, and a small cash prize, but it gave me the encouragement that I was on the right track. I also began to collect various qualifications and certifications as a personal trainer.

I came to Dubai in 2017 to be able to support my family better, and began working as a bouncer in a night club. I did personal trainer in my spare time, but because I worked nights, I would finish at 8am in the morning and would sleep before I met my clients in the afternoon. Then, it was back to work again by 10pm. I heard about the Dubai Muscle Show a few years ago but could not participate because I couldn’t afford to. Also, I was not physically prepared.

Earlier this year, I participated in the Mr Goa competition again and won the title for the second time. And ever since I’ve been training for the Dubai Muscle Show. The gym where I train, Fitox Gym in Bur Dubai, and a friend agreed to sponsor me and pay the Dh1,600 application. I’ve been training hard for the last two months, and have even taken time off from work.

I train three to four hours in the gym everyday with my trainer Govind Lotliker. My diet consists of multiple meals including oatmeal and protein shake for breakfast, boiled chicken and rice for lunch and boiled chicken and sprouts for my evening snack. After my workout in the evening, I eat 15 boiled eggs whites along with my supplements. Then, two hours later I have my dinner which consists of boiled chicken and vegetables including brocolli and cauliflower. It’s an expensive lifestyle, to be honest, and I often feel like quitting. But this is my passion and it’s the only thing I know how to do well.

I know the competition is going to be tough at the Dubai Muscle Show, with contestants coming from around the world, some of them already with big sponsors. But I know I have worked hard. And to just be a participant on such a massive international platform will be an honour for me, whether I win or lose. If I win, I’d like to do this full time, focus on my bodybuilding and be the very best I can be. If I lose, I’d still be happy to have taken part in such an important competition, and know that I’ve done by best.