Changing the game

Flex, July, 2009 by Allan Donnelly

Change. I've never really liked it much. Not in kindergarten, when I snuck out of class every day my first week of school to find my older brother during recess, because that's who I was used to hanging out with. Not in college, when I wore the same T-shirt under my jersey for each of my 52 games playing lacrosse at Bucknell University. And not today, when I pick up the same order of egg whites, chicken, green peppers and onions from the same deli every morning on my way to work.

But sometimes change happens, whether it be in or out of our control. In kindergarten, my teachers eventually convinced me five-year-olds weren't technically supposed to ditch class and roam the school grounds unsupervised. In college, I graduated, my playing days ended and I put away that old T-shirt for good. And I'm sure some morning, my favorite deli is going to be closed--or worse, shut down--and I'll have to find another option to start the day.

Like the changes that are happening here at FLEX magazine. Over the last six months, since my friend and mentor Peter McGough stepped down from his long - held position as Group Editorial Director, there have been plenty of them. Maybe you didn't notice in the beginning, but perhaps you are starting to now.

From our new, expanded departments to a new style of photography to a more streamlined, easy-to-read format for our cutting - edge training and nutrition articles, we have rededicated ourselves to making the changes necessary to move our magazine into this new era in a fresh, informative and entertaining fashion with something for bodybuilding enthusiasts of all levels.

As always, we'll focus on the top pros in the business, like we have this month with the Ronnie Coleman/Jay Cutler feature and our Dennis James pictorial. Also, as evidenced by our expanded NPC Report, we'll shift some of our focus toward introducing the stars of tomorrow. And we won't forget about the women, as we continue our Girls Are Back women's training series with Mindi O'Brien.

We're not abandoning our roots, not by any means--more like going back to them. Since our inception in 1983, FLEX magazine has been focused on publishing the most up-to-date training, nutrition and lifestyle information from the best bodybuilders in the world, along with the most in - depth and comprehensive contest reviews and previews on the market. We still are, and always will be.

Yes, change is here, and we think it's a good thing. Hopefully, you do, too.

BY ALLAN DONNELLY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF