Hardbody Shot of the Day: Competitive Obsession
IFBB Fitness Pro Tracey Greenwood finds herself a bit obsessed with winning the Fitness Olympia this year. Okay, not really but I wanted to portray that concept and Tracey was kind enough to help out. Here’s a look at one direction we took…
Tracey Greenwood obsessed with winning the Olympia.
Tracey just happened to have a straight-jacket to bring along. Why? You’ll have to ask her. Thanks to Lorena Gutierrez for helping out with the make-up and styling. We’ve already alerted Adela so she can watch her back around Tracey.
Love this! Very different, but so cool. Good luck Tracey!!!
LOL OMG this was sooo much fun! And in my defense it was ALL of Isaac’s idea!!! Adela I am glad you find it humerous. Love ya! see you soon
This looks disturbing…and I LOVE IT! Great job once again, Issac!
Issac,
Hello. I am an NPC competitor and a daily Hardbody viewer. I was shocked to see this as your photo of the day. It clearly uses mental illness as a playground for the appeal of your viewers. You may be shocked to know that anchorwoman Jane Pauley and musician Shawn Colvin are just two of the many individuals out there who suffer from mental illnesses. It is no different than a brain tumor. It is just another disease of the brain that affects a person’s behavior. Much like Tracey in the picture, many spend their lives in white rooms with no chance at life. Next time you decide to mastermind a theme with shock value, think of your audience. I’m just one of the millions who aren’t laughing.
Suzanne
Suzanne –
I don’t know how Jane Pauley and Shawn Colvin have any relation to this photo. Because they suffer from mental illness has no baring on the concept shown.
I did consider my audience and is EXACTLY why I came up with this concept. When the outside world looks at what a competitor goes through, many would and do consider it an illness. Competitors become obsessed with winning and to the point where is isn’t healthy – all of which play into why I shot this.
Isaac
The artist is correct.
Mental illness isn’t intended to be a sexy topic, and it’s being neither glamorized nor exploited by this imagery.
Well-done to both model and photographer.
Issac-
Would you be willing to use sensitive subjects such as down syndrome or cancer? You felt it acceptable to use mental illness when it is just as painful for the individuals and their families. I understand the metaphor you were trying to create, but by doing so you are minimizing the REAL pain the mentally ill encounter. The pain a fitness competitor goes through is THEIR CHOICE. Mental illness is a disease that takes away the rights from individuals, and they have NO CHOICE. Fitness competitors can stop any time they choose. Mentally ill people in this country suffer for life. Issac, there is no off season for the mentally ill, not even a cheat day.
Suzanne
As both a fitness competitor and someone who “suffers” from mental illness, I feel like I should speak up. I have spoken often on forums about my experience with Attention Defecit Disorder and how it has both helped and hindered me. I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with Isaac’s photo or the concept. I think it is a creative, humorous take on what competitors go through. I should also add that my mother, a practicing psychotherapist, loves it too. She has many times looked at the obsessive side of this sport with scrutiny. It’s refreshing to see people from the inside making light of what really can take over someone’s life.
Mental illness is difficult, but many people, including the two examples given, have overcome their mental illnesses and done amazing things with their lives. In fact, many will tell you that people with mental illness tend to live more extraordinary lives than those considered “normal”. And let’s face it, almost any person on this earth (and certainly a lot of competitors I know) will fit into some diagnosis category.
Isaac is a photographer first and foremost. Photographers are artists. Let’s just appreciate his artistic concept for what it is.
Suzanne I fail to see how down syndrome or cancer has any relevance to this topic. There are many things people and their families suffer from and yet they have little to do with what I was portraying in this photo.
You are entitled to your opinions however I disagree with what you’re saying.
Tre and Kayde thank you.
Kayde…WELL SAID!
I love the photo and the concept behind it!
Finally someone who breaks the cutsom ways to shoot fitness and bodybuilding!
The female athletes are humans and not superhumans – not sex objects (such seen by a big, “fan” “shmoe”, “fetishist” communitiy) and porn stars, not objects of art – they are women with feelings, sometimes weak, sometimes strong.
The picture shows both parts – beeing a fitness star onstage – and beeing a fragile woman.
Nice concept!
Claus
I think it’s AWESOME issac
Tracey – you look great girl, in a sick way of course 
LOVE IT!