In Episode 273 of The Menace Podcast, host Dennis James welcomed Chris Cormier, Milos Sarcev, and a notable special guest, Shahriar “King” Kamali. During the discussion, Kamali opened up about how he managed to keep his bodybuilding trajectory on course, undeterred by the discouragement from detractors and negative influences throughout his career.
King Kamali Shares How Tough Love Shaped His Approach to Negativity
Today’s bodybuilding landscape heavily emphasizes a polished, harmonious image on social media platforms, where serenity and equilibrium are often portrayed as the keys to outstanding achievements. However, behind the scenes, the intense demands of competition and the impact of critical or pessimistic feedback can significantly hinder an athlete’s advancement. Shahriar “King” Kamali stands out as an exceptional figure who remained steadfast in pursuing his goals amid the rigors of professional bodybuilding. His impressive journey kicked off with a first-place overall victory at the 1994 NPC Collegiate Nationals, paving the way for appearances on the grand stages of the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic finals.
“He thrives on that negative energy, doesn’t he?” remarked Sarcev about Kamali. “We were discussing how some individuals require everything to be perfectly aligned to perform at their best, and any hint of negativity disrupts them completely. But King, you truly mastered that dynamic.”
Kamali credited his resilience to the influence of Fairfax Hackley, a legendary master trainer who received the Dwight David Eisenhower Lifetime Achievement Award in Fitness from the United States Sports Academy in 2017. “Every single weekend, from the nationals through to my professional debut, when I went to train posing with him, he was the toughest, most unrelenting person I’ve ever encountered,” Kamali recounted to The Menace Podcast. “Everything he said was negative; there was no positivity at all. ‘You’re not even going to crack the top ten—what’s holding you back?’” Developing a robust mental armor was essential for Kamali, as he prepared to compete against titans like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler on the pro circuit.
Initially, Kamali found it challenging to process such harsh feedback, but over time, he came to grasp its true purpose. “Eventually, it all made sense to me,” he explained. “He revealed that his intention was to build my mental toughness.” Bodybuilding, at its core, is a fiercely competitive arena that often hides its cutthroat nature beneath the friendly facades seen on social media. Hackley instilled in Kamali the vital skill of transforming negative energy into a powerful motivational force, a technique that proved invaluable throughout his professional path. “I carried that philosophy with me throughout my entire career,” affirmed The Persian Pearl, renowned as one of the most memorable and innovative posers in bodybuilding history.
This mindset not only helped Kamali navigate the ups and downs of elite competition but also distinguished him in an industry where mental fortitude is as crucial as physical prowess. By embracing criticism as fuel rather than letting it derail his ambitions, he exemplified how elite athletes can turn adversity into a cornerstone of success. His story serves as a reminder that in the high-stakes world of professional bodybuilding, mastering one’s response to negativity can be the difference between mediocrity and legendary status.
