LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Local athletes are going to have the chance to showcase their hard work and dedication this weekend as the National Physique Committee's Cajun Muscle & Expo takes over the Cajundome Convention Center.
The event will bring together the worlds of bodybuilding, powerlifting and professional wrestling.
Bubby Lupo, of the National Physique Committee (NPC), said NPC is two different things: powerlifting and bodybuilding.
"One based on performance, one based on looks. But we're in a gym together. All of us are in a gym. Our athletes co-mingle," Lupo said.
With that camaraderie between athletes in the gym, the NPC, the National Powerlifting Association, and WildKat Sports and Entertainment partnered up for the annual Cajun Muscles & Expo.
The stage is where the bodybuilders are going to showcase their physiques. Right next to it will be the powerlifting area, where athletes will be doing three main lifts: the squat, the bench press and the deadlift.
Just a little ways away from there, a professional wresting ring set up for WildKat Wrestlers to show off their skills.
"Some of these people are getting in a show because it's a Bucket List Item. Some of them are going to compete and try to qualify for nationals," Lupo said.
Recce Allenmore, of the National Powerlifting Association, said the event is a place where people can get inspired to try the discipline themselves.
"We have people that come through and think they can't do it, like I can't be a powerlifter, I can't be a bodybuilder, you know, like I'm not good enough, I'm not strong enough, I don't look great enough. I'll have the discipline when they get here and they see what it's all about and they say, you know what? This could be for me," Allenmore said.
One of the athletes who is taking on the challenge and competing in Men's Classic Physique is Rob Dupre, who has been relentlessly preparing for the competition since March.
" It puts things into perspective. You know, it's a sport like anything else. But I truly understand now the sacrifices that it takes to to step on stage weighing our food. We're eating less food, doing more cardio workouts have changed a little bit, less stress, keeping track of like your steps and stuff like that. All of that kind of starts to play a role when you get closer to a show," Dupre said.
With the weekend of the expo finally here, Dupre reflects on the fulfillment he and so many others will find after pushing themselves to the limit to make their goals a reality in front of their community.
"To be able to put myself through this and still be able to handle everything I feel like is the most rewarding because I know after this show, I'm going to be a better individual. I'll be able to eat, I'll be able to function like a normal human being. I'll have more energy, I'll have more patience, I'll have more understanding," Dupre said.
"If I can handle my life and business and my kids and everything else, barely making it, you know, off of no food and stuff like that, I'm excited to get out of this show and really have some energy and some umph to put towards all of these little things in my life," Dupre continued.
Tickets for the Expo can be purchased online or at the Cajundome box office and doors open on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
