Post by Bubba on Aug 4, 2015 15:10:45 GMT -5
“Put up…or shut up. That is the way of things around here.”
Bubba Reece’s unmistakable southern accent draws out each syllable of each word with almost painful deliberation. Sitting on a bench press machine facing a mirrored wall in a workout facility, a 50 pound dumbbell in his left hand. Sweat runs down his face and neck plastering his white wife beater tank top to his chest. With each rep Bubba strains to pull the weight up to his chin only to slowly lower it again. A black nylon and Velcro harness is strapped to his chest, attached to the harness is a Go-Pro camera, red light lit indicating that it is recording.
“The time for jaw jackin and ass slappin is over, like decades done. No one cares what you have done, they only care about what you are going to do. The only way to stay ahead in this sport is to stay relevant!”
Laying on his back on the bench press machine the Go-Pro camera gets a great view of the ceiling lights and ventilation system. Intermittent shaking of the camera feed corresponds to the clanking sound of weights being pressed up and lowered down again. A soft voice can be heard off to the side encouraging Bubba to try harder and keep his focus on the prize ahead. After several sets with short breaks in between the camera suddenly shakes violently and the image blurs as Bubba raises to a sitting position and then stands. When the camera refocuses Bubba is standing in front of the mirrored wall again 50 pound dumbbells in each hand behind him several other implements of weight training and working out can be seen, some occupied some not. As Bubba begins shrugging his shoulders, rolling them backward then forward a trainer steps in with his grey sweat pants hanging loose and gray muscle shirt stretched tight across a massive chest. The logo for the workout facility plainly visible declaring that Bubba is at Planet Fitness. After a few pointers the trainer steps out of view again and Bubba continues.
“It’s been said if ya ain’t champ ya ain’t shit, well I’m about to prove that out when I whip Tide around the ring and walk away champ at Return to Glory. Judge you got some balls getting back in the ring, not sure where ya been but like I said you got to be relevant and well you aren’t anymore…Sure you were a bad dude and you can sneak up on people when the lights go out and sucker punch like the worst of em but when it’s all said and done this country boy will survive, No I won’t just survive I will thrive and walk out a champ!”
With these last words being said Bubba tosses down the weights with a loud THUD and brings his arms up flexing for the camera in the mirror. His freshly swollen biceps and trapezius muscles popping up to stand at attention. Moving on to the inclined sit up bench Bubba laces his feet under the padded bar after getting himself into position. Again the camera has an unobstructed view of the ceiling until, after the first sit up, Bubba takes the camera off of the harness and hands it to someone, presumably the trainer. A short muffled discussion ensues and the camera comes back into focus on Bubba as he is sitting up again…and again…and again. As he reaches the top of each sit-up he pauses and speaks to the camera.
“This one’s for you Tide, beat on my gut all ya like. All you’re gonna do is hurt your hand.”
“This one’s for you Judge, judging by your blind side tactics and sneak attack mentality you ‘d stand a better chance if I turned around and gave ya my back the whole match.”
“I can do this all day for you guys but I can tell working out and staying at the top of your game may not be your cup of tea…that is what judges drink right? Tea? Oh I suppose Tide would want grog or rum or something like that…ah well ya get what ya get and ya don’t throw a fit!”
After removing himself from the inclined sit up machine Bubba heads into a small padded room, what appears to be a heavy bag is laying in the center of the room, without stopping Bubba makes a bee line for the bag and begins grappling and striking it. With direction from the trainer Bubba picks the bag up hoisting it to his shoulder then with a grunt he flings it to the ground with a loud slap as it hits the padded floor. Following the bag to the ground bubba lands a vicious elbow to the midsection and then wraps what would be the head of the bag into a wrenching headlock. A bit more instruction from the trainer and Bubba lands a leg drop on the heavy bag. After grabbing a towel from the trainer Bubba tells the him he will be back to finish his work out later. Taking the G0-Pro back he unstraps the harness and heads back into the gym. Bubba turns the camera to give a panoramic view of the gym.
“You see these people in here, every one of them have more dedication than either one of my opponents. So go ahead and sit in your drinking establishment getting sauced, and go and do…whatever it is you do Judge. I will continue to prepare to have championship gold strapped around my waist. There is no greater feeling than being the best at what you do!”
A short walk later giving high fives to fans finds Bubba at the doors of the men’s locker room. The camera feed quickly spins to find Bubba’s bearded face taking up the entire view a sly grin parts his lips
.
“Sorry ladies but the camera gets shut down here, I will have it back on in just a bit I promise.”
With that the feed goes black then just as suddenly it pops back on as Bubba is walking out the front entrance of Planet fitness. Freshly showered and changed into a black wife beater tank top and slightly different yet similar camo cut off shorts and black combat boots Bubba grins at the camera once again. The street lights buzz softly as he makes his way to his 2015 Chevy Silverado king cab truck. Its silver paint job showing almost white in the harsh light shining down on it. Hitting a button on the key fob his truck lights up and chirps at him indicating it is ready to go. Opening the driver’s side door Bubba climbs into a well-appointed spacious black interior. Heaving a contented sigh Bubba hooks his camera to the dash mount and points it facing out to catch the road as it is coming.
“Let’s go for a drive shall we? I mean why not, there’s more than just physical preparations. We have to be prepared mentally as well as spiritually. Without all three we are doomed to failure.”
Turning the key in the ignition Bubba is greeted with the almost hollow, deep, throaty sound of his truck coming to life. Smiling from ear to ear Bubba eases the truck into reverse and pulls out of his parking spot. Quickly he is on the road and cruising the streets of Greenville South Carolina at night. After several minutes of driving Bubba seems to have relaxed enough to speak and drive simultaneously.
“This is just one of the places I go to prepare mentally, there is nothing like sitting in two tons of steel watching life happen all around you. I mean the amount of focus you have to have to safely get from point A to point B is astonishing! One little lapse in concentration could be the end of you or someone you love. It’s not that difficult to translate that into the ring either, one small lapse in concentration in the ring could be the difference in your dreams crashing down around you instead of them becoming a reality.”
Making his way to the Miracle Hill Greenville Rescue Mission Bubba pulls into a parking space and after shutting the engine off he pulls his go-pro from its dash mount. Facing the camera at himself he smiles opens his door and begins walking up to the mission.
“Alright now for my favorite part, spiritual preparation! If you don’t make yourself feel good in some way then all the work and preparation means nothing. You have to know how to have fun in order to celebrate properly! I love helping people, it makes me feel good. Let’s head on in and do what needs doin!”
Upon opening the doors to the rescue mission Bubba is greeted with cheers and whistles from his adoring fans. Members of faculty as well as residents step forward to give and receive high fives, low fives and hugs from the lovable ragin redneck. Making his way back to the kitchen area Bubba finds a spot on a shelf and sets the camera down so it has a full view of the kitchen. Mixing bowls and boxes of instant mashed potatoes sit on the table that dominates the center of the kitchen as well as bins of produce and pitchers of water, milk and juice. Grabbing an apron from a hook Bubba straps it on and gets to work mixing mashed potatoes stopping every once in a while to wipe his brow and smile and wink at the camera. After mixing the potatoes Bubba takes them out to the serving area and then returns for the pitchers of liquid. He returns for the camera and after attaching it to a head band Bubba stands in the serving line greeting residents and helping them dish out their food. Once every plate is filled the director of the mission loudly announces that Bubba will lead them in prayer. After every head is bowed Bubba prays for blessings on the food and for each person taking part in the meal. Grabbing a plate for himself Bubba dishes up some food and sits at a table and begins eating and conversing with his table mates. After several minutes of talking strategy and strengths and weaknesses of his opponents Bubba gathers plates and cups and silverware and returns them to the kitchen to be washed and put away. As Bubba leaves the mission his camera once again in hand he is wished well and that he dive safely.
“And that is how I like to prepare spiritually, helping others is in my DNA I was raised with a helpful spirit that can never be torn from me! My opponents might like to think they can use that to their advantage but truth be told, they don’t stand a snowballs chance in hell of beating me! I am pumped up, laser focused and flyin high ready to drop a beatin on both of my victims…er I mean opponents!”
Again the deep throaty sound of Bubba’s truck is heard as he turns the key and slides the truck into reverse.”
“I’ll be seeing you soon Judge you and me got some business to attend too. Oh and Tide you shine that belt up real nice for me! I’ll be by to pick it up after I win at Return To Glory!”
The rumble of the truck speeding off down the road is the last thing heard as the camera is clicked off…
Bubba Reece’s unmistakable southern accent draws out each syllable of each word with almost painful deliberation. Sitting on a bench press machine facing a mirrored wall in a workout facility, a 50 pound dumbbell in his left hand. Sweat runs down his face and neck plastering his white wife beater tank top to his chest. With each rep Bubba strains to pull the weight up to his chin only to slowly lower it again. A black nylon and Velcro harness is strapped to his chest, attached to the harness is a Go-Pro camera, red light lit indicating that it is recording.
“The time for jaw jackin and ass slappin is over, like decades done. No one cares what you have done, they only care about what you are going to do. The only way to stay ahead in this sport is to stay relevant!”
Laying on his back on the bench press machine the Go-Pro camera gets a great view of the ceiling lights and ventilation system. Intermittent shaking of the camera feed corresponds to the clanking sound of weights being pressed up and lowered down again. A soft voice can be heard off to the side encouraging Bubba to try harder and keep his focus on the prize ahead. After several sets with short breaks in between the camera suddenly shakes violently and the image blurs as Bubba raises to a sitting position and then stands. When the camera refocuses Bubba is standing in front of the mirrored wall again 50 pound dumbbells in each hand behind him several other implements of weight training and working out can be seen, some occupied some not. As Bubba begins shrugging his shoulders, rolling them backward then forward a trainer steps in with his grey sweat pants hanging loose and gray muscle shirt stretched tight across a massive chest. The logo for the workout facility plainly visible declaring that Bubba is at Planet Fitness. After a few pointers the trainer steps out of view again and Bubba continues.
“It’s been said if ya ain’t champ ya ain’t shit, well I’m about to prove that out when I whip Tide around the ring and walk away champ at Return to Glory. Judge you got some balls getting back in the ring, not sure where ya been but like I said you got to be relevant and well you aren’t anymore…Sure you were a bad dude and you can sneak up on people when the lights go out and sucker punch like the worst of em but when it’s all said and done this country boy will survive, No I won’t just survive I will thrive and walk out a champ!”
With these last words being said Bubba tosses down the weights with a loud THUD and brings his arms up flexing for the camera in the mirror. His freshly swollen biceps and trapezius muscles popping up to stand at attention. Moving on to the inclined sit up bench Bubba laces his feet under the padded bar after getting himself into position. Again the camera has an unobstructed view of the ceiling until, after the first sit up, Bubba takes the camera off of the harness and hands it to someone, presumably the trainer. A short muffled discussion ensues and the camera comes back into focus on Bubba as he is sitting up again…and again…and again. As he reaches the top of each sit-up he pauses and speaks to the camera.
“This one’s for you Tide, beat on my gut all ya like. All you’re gonna do is hurt your hand.”
“This one’s for you Judge, judging by your blind side tactics and sneak attack mentality you ‘d stand a better chance if I turned around and gave ya my back the whole match.”
“I can do this all day for you guys but I can tell working out and staying at the top of your game may not be your cup of tea…that is what judges drink right? Tea? Oh I suppose Tide would want grog or rum or something like that…ah well ya get what ya get and ya don’t throw a fit!”
After removing himself from the inclined sit up machine Bubba heads into a small padded room, what appears to be a heavy bag is laying in the center of the room, without stopping Bubba makes a bee line for the bag and begins grappling and striking it. With direction from the trainer Bubba picks the bag up hoisting it to his shoulder then with a grunt he flings it to the ground with a loud slap as it hits the padded floor. Following the bag to the ground bubba lands a vicious elbow to the midsection and then wraps what would be the head of the bag into a wrenching headlock. A bit more instruction from the trainer and Bubba lands a leg drop on the heavy bag. After grabbing a towel from the trainer Bubba tells the him he will be back to finish his work out later. Taking the G0-Pro back he unstraps the harness and heads back into the gym. Bubba turns the camera to give a panoramic view of the gym.
“You see these people in here, every one of them have more dedication than either one of my opponents. So go ahead and sit in your drinking establishment getting sauced, and go and do…whatever it is you do Judge. I will continue to prepare to have championship gold strapped around my waist. There is no greater feeling than being the best at what you do!”
A short walk later giving high fives to fans finds Bubba at the doors of the men’s locker room. The camera feed quickly spins to find Bubba’s bearded face taking up the entire view a sly grin parts his lips
.
“Sorry ladies but the camera gets shut down here, I will have it back on in just a bit I promise.”
With that the feed goes black then just as suddenly it pops back on as Bubba is walking out the front entrance of Planet fitness. Freshly showered and changed into a black wife beater tank top and slightly different yet similar camo cut off shorts and black combat boots Bubba grins at the camera once again. The street lights buzz softly as he makes his way to his 2015 Chevy Silverado king cab truck. Its silver paint job showing almost white in the harsh light shining down on it. Hitting a button on the key fob his truck lights up and chirps at him indicating it is ready to go. Opening the driver’s side door Bubba climbs into a well-appointed spacious black interior. Heaving a contented sigh Bubba hooks his camera to the dash mount and points it facing out to catch the road as it is coming.
“Let’s go for a drive shall we? I mean why not, there’s more than just physical preparations. We have to be prepared mentally as well as spiritually. Without all three we are doomed to failure.”
Turning the key in the ignition Bubba is greeted with the almost hollow, deep, throaty sound of his truck coming to life. Smiling from ear to ear Bubba eases the truck into reverse and pulls out of his parking spot. Quickly he is on the road and cruising the streets of Greenville South Carolina at night. After several minutes of driving Bubba seems to have relaxed enough to speak and drive simultaneously.
“This is just one of the places I go to prepare mentally, there is nothing like sitting in two tons of steel watching life happen all around you. I mean the amount of focus you have to have to safely get from point A to point B is astonishing! One little lapse in concentration could be the end of you or someone you love. It’s not that difficult to translate that into the ring either, one small lapse in concentration in the ring could be the difference in your dreams crashing down around you instead of them becoming a reality.”
Making his way to the Miracle Hill Greenville Rescue Mission Bubba pulls into a parking space and after shutting the engine off he pulls his go-pro from its dash mount. Facing the camera at himself he smiles opens his door and begins walking up to the mission.
“Alright now for my favorite part, spiritual preparation! If you don’t make yourself feel good in some way then all the work and preparation means nothing. You have to know how to have fun in order to celebrate properly! I love helping people, it makes me feel good. Let’s head on in and do what needs doin!”
Upon opening the doors to the rescue mission Bubba is greeted with cheers and whistles from his adoring fans. Members of faculty as well as residents step forward to give and receive high fives, low fives and hugs from the lovable ragin redneck. Making his way back to the kitchen area Bubba finds a spot on a shelf and sets the camera down so it has a full view of the kitchen. Mixing bowls and boxes of instant mashed potatoes sit on the table that dominates the center of the kitchen as well as bins of produce and pitchers of water, milk and juice. Grabbing an apron from a hook Bubba straps it on and gets to work mixing mashed potatoes stopping every once in a while to wipe his brow and smile and wink at the camera. After mixing the potatoes Bubba takes them out to the serving area and then returns for the pitchers of liquid. He returns for the camera and after attaching it to a head band Bubba stands in the serving line greeting residents and helping them dish out their food. Once every plate is filled the director of the mission loudly announces that Bubba will lead them in prayer. After every head is bowed Bubba prays for blessings on the food and for each person taking part in the meal. Grabbing a plate for himself Bubba dishes up some food and sits at a table and begins eating and conversing with his table mates. After several minutes of talking strategy and strengths and weaknesses of his opponents Bubba gathers plates and cups and silverware and returns them to the kitchen to be washed and put away. As Bubba leaves the mission his camera once again in hand he is wished well and that he dive safely.
“And that is how I like to prepare spiritually, helping others is in my DNA I was raised with a helpful spirit that can never be torn from me! My opponents might like to think they can use that to their advantage but truth be told, they don’t stand a snowballs chance in hell of beating me! I am pumped up, laser focused and flyin high ready to drop a beatin on both of my victims…er I mean opponents!”
Again the deep throaty sound of Bubba’s truck is heard as he turns the key and slides the truck into reverse.”
“I’ll be seeing you soon Judge you and me got some business to attend too. Oh and Tide you shine that belt up real nice for me! I’ll be by to pick it up after I win at Return To Glory!”
The rumble of the truck speeding off down the road is the last thing heard as the camera is clicked off…
