It really just depends on the individual. I’m not saying that going the adult themed route is bad, we all have to make a living somehow and the powers that be within the IFBB do NOT make it easy for women at all. The prizes are laughable for the women compared to the men. Why?
I think you answered your own question with your next line.
Outside of a niche subculture, no marketability,
therefore no need for them as reps and/or spokesmouths for selling products for a profit.
All because middle America can’t accept women who are muscular
This is not strictly limited to the US, this is true whereever you go in the world.
Conversely, the women, many of whom look like they’ve been hit with an ugly stick just don’t know when to stop using the juice. Not exactly the kind of visual standard bearers that you want if your goal to win over the mainstream to the sport. Major turn off, not only to men, but especially women.
Go back to the 80’s, seems like every FBBr that hit the scene was amazingly attractive and consequently not as threatening in the eyes of the public. Were drugs used then, certainly. However, they seemed to have a better sense of physique balance w/ their femininity that is lacking with the current generation. Perhaps this is because they were well aware that as a vanguard they were role models as well as athletes to any women that would follow them. Fast forward to today that aspect is gone.
“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)
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