Natural Contest Promoter Profiles
Featuring the those individuals who work so hard promoting Natural Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness competitions and who share our enthusiasm and dedication to drug-free bodybuilding and fitness.

Jerry Marsala

Promoter Name Jerry Marsala

Show(s) Promoted

CAN/AM – Buffalo NY – April
OLYMPUS – Buffalo NY - October

Which Organizations have you promoted with?

NGA
NaturalMuscle

Why do you choose to work with this organization?

NGA has always been a great organization. I have been with them for almost 20yrs. I have much respect for its founder and president, Andy Bostinto. He strives to give his promoters the necessary freedoms needed for success.

NaturalMuscle is a division that I and promoter Joe Christiano have formed. It is kind of our own spin-off to better support the Pro and Figure divisions for our shows in the Western NY area.

How do you feel about the number of shows and different organizations that currently make up Natural Bodybuilding? Do you ever see a day when all of the major organizations will work together? Do you think the variety of organizations is good or bad for the athletes?

There is a lot of GREED out there. We have too many shows that are scheduled too close in the vicinity of each other. It “thins out” the competition and hurts the sport. It’s kind of like having too many pizzerias in one neighborhood.

In order for promoters and organizations to work together, they must first respect each other. That means respecting the individuals that are already in place. Unfortunately, that does not happen.

What is your background in Bodybuilding and Fitness?

I’ve been involved with this sport since the 80’s. I started out as a Power Lifter, where I won the NY State Title in ‘84 and then successfully migrated to Bodybuilding with the Great Lakes Title in ‘94. I have also been a personal trainer for some national and world class athletes. However, this is not what I do for a living. I have a Bachelors Degree in Engineering and a Masters Degree in Education. I was originally an Electrical Engineer for a few different companies before I switched over to Education. I now teach college level engineering for honor students at the high school level.

How did you get started in promoting shows? What made you decide to become a promoter?

I wanted to bring a strong presence of Natural Bodybuilding to the Western NY area. So with part of my student loan and a credit card, I ran the CAN/AM. It was such a great success that I started the NORTHEAST the fall of the same year. I met Joe Christiano around the same time and he took over the NORTHEAST and moved it to Rochester NY. I then created the OLYMPUS to run in place of the Buffalo fall show.

Tell us a little bit about the history of your shows, when it first started, how it has grown?

As I said before, “a student loan, credit card and a dream” lol. It was very tough in the beginning. I had just graduated college with massive debt and I was working as an entry level engineer for a local FOX affiliate. I was trying to be a Promoter, Engineer and back at school for my Masters. It seems that I worked harder on the shows than my regular job.

All the hard work did pay off and now I have 2 very successful shows.

Many people don’t know this but I have had a few “Firsts” in the Bodybuilding Business”

• 1st Natural Fitness Competition
• The 1st Website featuring Natural Bodybuilding
• The 1st Natural Masters Pro Bodybuilding Competition

And when I say Natural I mean 7 years Drug Free

Who were your mentor(s), if any when you started promoting shows and how did they help you?

I didn’t have any mentors, but I did have a few very good friends that were and are a big help. Joe Christiano (NORTHEAST Promoter) has supported me since day one. I go to him all the time for advice. I owe much of my success to Joe.

What are some of the challenges you have had to deal with as a promoter?

I start every promotion with this statement in my head, “I am there for the competitors not the other way around”. It is my job to give them the best experience possible the day of the show. They spend up to a year preparing for the event and it needs to be PERFECT.

Every show to me is a “Challenge” and I love a good challenge.

What makes your show different from the others and why should competitors choose your show(s)?

Honor, Integrity, NO POLITICS. I don’t care who you are, where you’re from, and where you compete. Everyone is treated and judged fairly. This is very important to me. I work very hard for the competitors. I was once a competitor so I know how important the night of the show is. It’s like the day of your Wedding; everything has to be just right. That’s my job and I do it well.

What are some of the most memorable moments from your show(s)?

Quite a few years ago there was a competitor by the name of Bill Fike. Bill had cancer and was going through chemotherapy while preparing for my show. I saw the kid killing himself at the gym. The only positive thing he had in his life was my show. He begged me not to tell anyone about his cancer until after the show. Bill not only won, but turned Pro that night. I went up to the microphone and announced his struggle. He got a standing ovation. I think everyone felt Goosebumps that night. Bill also accomplished his biggest victory, he beat cancer.

What are some of the funniest moments from your show(s)?

Well, I have had 2 marriage proposals on my stage. The 1st one the girl didn’t say yes or no. That didn’t go very well. The 2nd was more of my doing. A competitor back stage asked me if I could recommend a nice restaurant so that he could propose to his girl friend after the show. I told him “let’s do it on stage”. It took a little prodding, but I did convince him. This time the girl said YES.

If you could do it all over again...what, if anything, would you do differently? What do you wish that you knew then that you know now?

I am not sure I would change that much. There were a few people in the business that I should have never trusted but that is with any business.

How do you drug test at your show? Polygraph or urinalysis? All competitors, class winners or random.

I Polygraph test everyone for 7yrs. We have had over 60 failures in the past 10 yrs. I take the drug free status very serious. I built my reputation on it.

Is your show judged by weight class or by height class. Why did you choose the method you use?

We use height for Figure and Weight for Bodybuilding. It seems to be the industry standard.

How do you select your judging panel? What qualifies someone to be a judge at your show?

I am very particular on who I pick. I look for natural people who are unbiased and share the same view that my shows are based on. These people truly care about the sport and want to make a difference. I also make my judges available to talk to the competitors after the show.

What advice do you have for competitors getting ready for the show, on the day of the show and after the show is over?

1st off natural competitors do not need 3 days to carb up. 1 to 2 meals will do it.

2nd don’t eat heavy sugary or milk products the morning of the show. For example; Honey, Jam and Chaocolate. Use fruits and wet carbs. Trust me, I have been in this business a long time.

3rd there can be the 5 best bodybuilders in the world on stage. One will win and one will take 5th. Don’t get down on your self due to your placement.

4th when you practice posing do so in front of a video camera not the mirror. You can self correct in the mirror and there are no mirrors on stage.

5th your friends and family will always tell you, you look great. Get an unbiased opinion on your physique, like from a judge. This way you can take the constructive criticism and improve.

What the your contact info and website for your show?

jerry@naturalmuscle.com
716-553-4905 (phone or text)
www.NATURALMUSCLE.com

What new ideas do you have for your upcoming shows?

I will be running a 1st Time Division at this years Olympus. This is for competitors who have Never competed before. I am very excited to see this happen.

When is your next show?

The OLYMPUS – October 17th. Go to www.NATURALMUSCLE.com for details (shameless plug)

Who are the folks you would like to thank for supporting your show?

Joe Christiano – Joe promoters the NORTHEAST in Rochester NY. I cannot say enough about the guy. Joe is my Gumbadi and the best personal trainer I know
Mike (The Kid) Knapp – He is my right hand man the day of the show. A huge help.
Joe Beef – Joe is my security guy and his physical stature matches his last name.