"Positive attitude is absolutely crucial" says bodybuilder Jirka Vacek (Interview)

Although his views and experience are unprecedented, not much is known about him. In our next interview, we interview Jirka Vacka, a charismatic hard worker who plays no games. You will not only learn about his plans for the future, but also about his newly released documentary and his views on today's practicing YouTubers.

Hi Jirka! Even though you're a big figure in our bodybuilding scene, this interview will definitely reach someone who doesn't know you. So could you introduce yourself to our readers first?

Hi, my name is Jiri Vacek, I'm 30 years old and I started training when I was about 16 years old. Until then I played football and then floorball. I have been doing competitive bodybuilding for about 10 years. I work as a personal trainer, but my main focus is on preparing competitors.

First of all, I would like to ask about your recent competitions in Malta. If I registered it correctly, they merged the under 100kg category (yours) with the over 100kg category, how did you feel about that? I mean, the chances of success for the lighter competitors were significantly reduced. Didn't it?

Yes, that's right, our categories were merged together. I don't even know, on the one hand I perceived a certain disproportion and disadvantage, on the other hand I didn't care, I thought that in the pro you're around 100 kg, you just compete in the open regardless of the weight of your opponents and the other thing was that it's not worth it if I can't change it anyway. It was just a matter of whether the finish would work out. And unfortunately it didn't work out as it should have.

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How do you enjoy the period after the races? I saw donuts, beer on your instagram... What did you look forward to most in your diet?

Yeah, you saw that right. The day after the race I enjoyed the food, but the very next day I was back on a reasonable diet. I told myself that this year I wanted to keep it up and not gain too much fat. I want to keep myself in decent shape year round, and it actually fits me. Yes, if I feel like something, I'll have it with a clear conscience, but the rest of the day I stick to what I have. It makes me feel better.

Many inexperienced athletes think they can eat whatever they want for a week or two after a race and not gain fat, but the opposite is true. A day or two is ok, but I wouldn't do more than that. Otherwise, it's hard to say what I was looking forward to, but I'm pretty much into sweets like cakes, muffins, cronuts. so I guess.

Do you like it in Malta? As far as I know, you raced there last year. What made you come back?

Yes I loved Malta right away and I plan to be there next year... Interesting history, quiet, relaxed people, no rush, overall it's a beautiful place...

After the race you wrote on your instagram profile: "I'll see where my future goes, whether I'm really into this sport or not..." Why did you start doubting this after so many years of competing?

That's exactly what I wrote. And it wasn't even frustration, it's just that anyone who knows me knows that I don't give it my all, but then of course I can't make the muscles as hard as others. Plus the last two races I've been bothered by water retention, the week before the race I'm always better than the day of the competition, but once I start dehydrating my body goes crazy. Last year even Tomas Bures didn't know what was going on. That's why the idea... but nowadays I'm motivated even more, so maybe next year, I just have to evaluate everything and how to change it. I didn't have such problems before, that's why now.

That brings me to the question that I can't help but ask. How important do you think it is to have the right and positive attitude in bodybuilding? Can one achieve anything if one doesn't have the right attitude?

A positive attitude is absolutely crucial, you simply can't do the training without it. You'll be broken by outside influences. So without the right attitude, you can't achieve it. And maybe because I'm not able to sacrifice everything, including my health, I'm not further away. But like I said, the future will tell...

How has your mind and your approach to life evolved during your time in bodybuilding?

A lot. When I started, it was the center of the universe for me, as a youngster you are able to sacrifice a lot. It's such a youthful naivety, but also your strong inner player. But as you get older, you start to see the true reality of the sport and it kind of wears on you... You run into real problems in life and you realize there are more important things than bodybuilding.

Are you planning any more competitions this year?

I'm not planning anything this year, but I know myself, so that's why I'm not saying anything for sure. Right after the competitions I started light volume for 3 months, the body is hungry after that dietand if you give it good nutrients, the first month it has a chance to gain new muscle.That's why I started working hard on my groin right after the race.

What made you want to race in the first place? You've talked in many videos about your love for bodybuilding, which is obviously admirable, but you can love it without competing, right?

I think it's the vision of perfecting your body. I'm actually fascinated by it and I think every guy should work on the strength of his body. And like I said, the foundation is to love bodybuilding, the day-to-day work, competing is the superstructure, sort of an afterburner. I'm like, I need a goal, a date. I know I'll give it that much more.

We're slowly getting into your recent bodybuilding documentary, Sense of Life. What prompted you to make this great and inspiring documentary in the first place? Did you want to make yourself visible, get a message across to people or did you just have a desire to express yourself?

I certainly didn't want to be visible. From the very beginning, when I started these videos with Christopher (Zeerest), it made methe intention was to make videos that would be beneficial, that would give people something and open their eyes. The documentary was Kryštof's idea that it wouldn't be out of place to outline everything about the sport to people from my approach and perspective on life.

I thought it was a great idea to express my perspective on things that bother me and should change... I'm so glad for so much positive feedback, and especially for me personally, I've had so many kidsthat have reinforced that what I'm doing is not pointless.

What do you think causes people with great insight and knowledge (like you) to have a fraction of the subscribers/fans of the various Internet steroid counselors and other such people?

Well, first of all, I still don't see myself as an extra. Yes I may be elsewhere, but I still have and always will have new things to learn, it never ends. One has to want to improve. But as you say, I don't think a person like me will ever have the same following as someone who is vulgar, pretends and does certain stupid things.

A friend of mine has a youtuber friend who has one of the biggest subscriptions in our country (he's not and he said that the more crap you put out, the bigger the audience. So as sad as it is, it's true. We will never easily gain viewership, but I think our subscribers will be the more reasonable people for it.

What are your goals for the future?

My goals? To find new techniques, to improve my knowledge, to continually improve my weaknesses, to successfully guide my competitors, and as far asas far as racing goes, at the moment I'm aiming in my head for Malta again next year and maybe some races in neighbouring states to make it 2-3 in total. But it's mainly about whether the finances will be there for all the travelling...

Finally, please tell our readers what social networks you use the most and where they can follow you.

You can follow me most on Instagramwhich I like the most, or then on Facebook.

Thank you very much for the interview and we wish you much success in the future not only in bodybuilding but also in your personal life. May you avoid all injuries and fulfill all your goals.

Thank you very much for the interview as well, I must say that out of the recent interviews, this one is the best asked with the quality of the questions. Have a great day, keep working on yourself and never give up!

More interviews with interesting personalities:

• Filip Grznár [interview].
• Pavel Beran [interview]: "Stop worrying about shit and start working"
• Václav Češka [interview]: "A Ferrari that doesn't run is useless"
• Vlastimil Kužel [interview]: "If you focus on everything, you can't be the best at one thing"
• Jiří Orság [interview]: "Motivation for me is the belief that I can be even better than ever before"