OFFICIAL: 2012 FIBO, Essen (Germany)

[Universal Rep]

Universal will be there. Stay tuned for more details...

[Mr. Dead]

Universal will be there. Stay tuned for more details...

Nice...!!!

[Razor]

Oh man i love this. From what i remember the pics from last year were badass!

[Universal Rep]

Oh man i love this. From what i remember the pics from last year were badass!

Last year and this year, Corporate is goin to promote the Universal brand specifically...

[Beach91]

Last year and this year, Corporate is goin to promote the Universal brand specifically...

Maybe a way to foreshadow what we will see at the Olympia?

[Universal Rep]

Maybe a way to foreshadow what we will see at the Olympia?

Anythin is possible...

[Mr. Dead]

Hmmm... How about some pics and commentary from NG...???

[Mr. Dead]

For those unaware FIBO is like the Arnold expo for Europe. I am fortunate enough to go and represent the company at our Universal booth. I'll be joined by Evan "Ox" Centopani, Antoine Vaillant, David Hoffman & G Diesel.

I am in Germany now, flew in last night/this morning. I left Newark, NJ at 4:30 pm flight, it was 80 degrees when I left. 7 hours later and with the time change (6 hours ahead) I landed at 6am German time and it was 28 degrees out :eek: We flew in to Dusseldorf and the FIBO is in Essen.

I don't sleep great on flights so it's a rough day but it's cool to be here. We hoped in a cab which was a Mercedes, they all are here, and we jumped on the autbon where our driver was cruising at 100 mph. Went to our hotel to grab some grub before going to the expo hall to set up the booth. The food here is real good especially the breakfast. The dairy is so much fresher than in the states, the egg yolks are a darker orange and taste much better. Typical breakfast foods are dairy (eggs, keifer, yogurt, cheese), smoked fish (lox), meats & bread. I don't eat much bread these days but as they say when in Rome..............

Here are some pics of the breakfast spread:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0688.jpg

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[Mr. Dead]

On no sleep and my body messed up from the time change we headed to the expo hall to set up the Universal booth. There is still much work to do and most of the booths are not up yet but I'll get pics of the others. There are a lot of the main American companies but a lot of brands you guys may have never heard of that are only sold in Europe.

Some sneek peak pics of our booth, I'll have more later:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0692.jpg

The great wall of Shock Therapy:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0693.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

We took the subway system to the expo hall:

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Luckily I am traveling with someone who is fluent in German however most Germans speak a little english. Thankfully I also have the Google translate app on my phone for backup :p

[Mr. Dead]

Went shopping in a local grocery store, it's interesting to see the different brands, some American and many local brands:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0696.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0697.jpg

Bier:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0698.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

Went for dinner at a place called the Pfefferkorn, I wanted to eat some authentic German food and it was great, I got some type of shnitzel which had a fried egg on top and awesome potatoes:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0699.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0700.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

Glad you guys are enjoying the pics.

Nothing too exciting today so far, we have been setting up our booth.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0701.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0704.jpg

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[smoothballer]

Looks pretty Bad Ass

[Mr. Dead]

Ok so after set up at the booth it was time to train. G Diesel, myself and Antoine went to train (Ox wasn't scheduled to train today). There used to be a gym within walking distance of our hotel and we were about to head there but the girl at the front desk told us it was closed. The nearest gym was several train stops away. Now we have taken the subway to the FIBO hall but we don't know our way around that great, she gave us directions however. This was a fancy gym, it had a cafe in it and not much in the way of free weights but hey we were there and we made the best of it. I trained back with G and 24 sets and several new machines later my back was fried. Antoine trained triceps.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0710.jpg

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[Mr. Dead]

Antoine making me look small

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0718.jpg

Post workout Animal Nitro at the cafe:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0719.jpg

Antoine sipping some espresso at the cafe:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0720.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0721.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

We grabbed some post-workout grub at a place called the Steakhaus. We had some manly steaks cooked "english" which is what they say for rare:

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During dinner Antoine asked me what this thing was called "IIFYM" I explained it to him and many lulz were had :p

[J-Dawg]

Great pics NG! Thanks for sharing them Mr. Dead.

[C.Coronato]

Jealousy has set in. Hope you guys are having a good time! Id like to get there one day!!

[Nix0r]

When in doubt, pinky out.

[HIGA MONSTER]

When in doubt, pinky out.
I noticed that too! LOL

Also, that pic of G and Antoine in front of the graffiti is straight up GANGSTAH!

HIGA MONSTER

[RedlegDbell]

Nice going on the pics. Enjoy it fellas.

[Mr. Dead]

Day 1 FIBO expo:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0724.jpg

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[Mr. Dead]

Furious Pete and me:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0744.jpg

Check it, my lunch - slow cooked cedar plank salmon & potatoes (it was sick!):

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0748.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0753.jpg

You can't ask for a diet coke, they look at you funny, it's "Coca Cola light" and they come in glass bottles:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0754.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0749.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0750.jpg

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A gorilla (wtf?)

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0752.jpg

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[Cellardweller]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0751.jpg

Ox is such a fitting name. All he's missing is some freaking horns. Just a pic of him doing something mundane like shaking hands is inspiring. You rock Evan.

[Mr. Dead]

Yesterday was day 2 at the expo, still not crazy busy as it's only open to the public Saturday and Sunday which are crowded.

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[Mr. Dead]

BB.com booth:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0767.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0778.jpg

MD Poland interviews Evan:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0779.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0780.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0781.jpg

Coming off the subway Evan stopped to take pics with fans:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0782.jpg

We had a nice banquest dinner for our retailers, Antoine had some creme brule:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0783.jpg

and then he had some more (count the plates):

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0784.jpg

We clean up nice:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0785.jpg

[Biggie973]

Great Pics NG. Keep them coming

[naturalguy]

Great Pics NG. Keep them coming

We are having a blast, got more pics coming, thanks to Mr. Dead for posting these up for me

[Solid Dreams]

Antoine looks so out of place in that club, it made me laugh. Especially the pinky out! This is great, hope you guys got some video too!

[Mr. Dead]

Today the FIBO was open to the public and it was crazy busy, as crowded as any day at the Arnold. It was crazy at times, product and t-shirts were flying off the shelves.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0786.jpg

This is Dan the man, local German guy who works our booth every year:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0789.jpg

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http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0793.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

I caught Antoine eating cookies (he is always eating lol):

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0794.jpg

Antoine and I grabbed something to eat, we wanted something authentic so we hit up some real bratwurst (good sh**)

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0795.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0796.jpg

Not sure what was going on here lol

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0797.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0799.jpg

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Antoine and Evan headed toward the subway:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0801.jpg

Antoine got tired and laid down in the subway station:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0802.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

It was time to head to the gym. We wanted a gym that was a little more hardcore than the other one, there is a chain called McFit that we trained at - Evan, Antoine, G Diesel and myself:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0803.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0804.jpg

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[Mr. Dead]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0810.jpg

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[Mr. Dead]

Time for a post-workout meal (after Animal Nitro)

Antoine got salmon:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0813.jpg

Evan's 550 gram steak (that is how you order in grams):

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0814.jpg

G and I got filet's made different ways:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0815.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0816.jpg

[Solid Dreams]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0792.jpg

That kid in the corner has my facial expression. "Holy SHIT its Evan!"

He looks even bigger in those pictures than before, Jesus. I wish I could have gone, it looks like you guys are having a blast!

[Mr. Dead]

Ok, last day for FIBO. I told you the breakfast food was really good and the dairy amazing, even though we are in Germany our hotel is Swedish and they have their own brand of yogurt which is the best tasting yogurt I've ever had, very rich and creamy

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0817.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0819.jpg

That's keifer on the left ^^^^ which is supposed to be loaded with probiotics, tastes like sour cream/buttermilk but you do it like a quick shot

Baked goods and breads are also really good here, like I said earlier I don't eat bread anymore on a regular basis but have been enjoying it this week

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0818.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

On to the expo. The Universal athletes went on stage to do a show/interview and throw out prizes to the crowd

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0820.jpg

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[Mr. Dead]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0829.jpg

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[Mr. Dead]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0838.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0839.jpg

Antoine was putting stickers on everyone's back without them knowing it, he got me as well

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0840.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0841.jpg

Wtf????

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0842.jpg

[Mr. Dead]

After a long weekend and the expo over we went to grab something to eat.

Antoine is quite large, he didn't fit too good at the table

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0843.jpg

David Hoffman indulges in some ice cream

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0844.jpg

I had Apple strudel

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0846.jpg

so did Antoine

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/er1994/IMAG0847.jpg

We head home in the morning

[Solid Dreams]

Antoine is such a character. Looks like so much fun, wish I could have been there.

[RedlegDbell]

Big thanks NG for all the pics (and to Mr. Dead for posting them). Glad you guys had a good weekend. Good sneak peak of what might be on display at the Olympia.?

[Universal Rep]

Vid compliments of The Hoff... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aHAA3KetoY