In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Evan Centopani was one of the most popular figures in the IFBB Pro League. Many people in bodybuilding saw him as a big star of the future at the time. With titles such as the New York Pro and Tampa Pro under his belt, it looked like he would make those predictions come true. However, the injuries piled up and the Connecticut native hasn’t been on the pro scene in a competitive role since 2016. This left many fans wondering if he called it a career. Centopani told Dennis James on a recent episode of The Menace Podcast that he wasn’t quite on board with closing that door just yet, but he was concerned about it.

“I’m still training, at least so far, I don’t feel ready to give up. It’s been a part of my life for so long that it’s kind of wired,” says Centopani. “It’s part of my routine. It’s part of my diet.

Although he’s not officially ready to retire yet, he’s focused on the future, which is why he’s working with a group of friends in a new role as a financial planner.

“So it’s a very large gathering of businesses located all over Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, probably about 800 consulting firms,” ​​he told James. “But I work in a team of guys, there are only six of us. And one of them is a long-time friend of mine, and also someone who’s been handling all my stuff for the past 10+ years.

Centopani was smart enough to plan ahead both financially and with his career aspirations, but he’s well aware that not all bodybuilders do the same. In a company where sponsorships and careers can end in an instant, he advises more people to consider their options when it comes to what they do with their money.

“It’s something that everyone needs at one time or another. It’s something you need. And a lot of people, unfortunately, probably don’t spend enough time planning,” Centopani explained. He also suggests that it would be best to take a cautious approach when working with someone.

“So you have to work with people who you resonate with, you believe you have a similar value system and they’ve really taken the time to understand you, right? Your goals and what you feel about things, your risk tolerance.

James and Centopani take a deep dive into The Ox’s career, his road to recovery from his knee injury, and more. Watch all episodes of TMP on the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow @themenacepodcast on Instagram.