Did you know? Eddie began bodybuilding at a mere 140 pounds!
Hoping to return to form to replicate, or better, his impressive 2007 third place finish at this show, 'the Savage' promises to, as always, bring an improved package to dominate the opposition. Learn more here!
Fighting for top honors at this weekend's Pro Fight Supplements Iron Man Pro will be massive UK physique star Eddie Abbew. Hoping to return to form to replicate, or better, his impressive 2007 third place finish at this show, 'the Savage' promises to, as always, bring an improved package to dominate the opposition. Size-wise he will have no problem doing this: at around 275 pounds, ripped, he never fails to get the judges' attention.
As one of pro bodybuilding's senior competitors - at over 40 years old - Eddie is now in his twilight years, but this has not slowed him down and his ability to pack on quality muscle has not diminished - at the 2007 Iron Man Pro he weighed a little over 270 pounds, in 2008 he competed heavier. This year he is aiming to be even bigger and better.
One of bodybuilding's more charismatic competitors, one never short of a colorful insight or two, Eddie is always good to talk with. In this extensive interview, he discusses his bodybuilding beginnings, how he has packed on so much size (he began at 140 pounds!), the state of bodybuilding today, what keeps him grounded in life, and a chance meeting he had with the great Muhammad Ali.
I moved to a boarding school for six years. I was in a British boarding school in Nairobi, Kenya actually for a while before I finally moved here. The school is called Starehe Boys Centre.
[ Q ] How did you find the contrast, coming from Ghana?
It's a different culture completely (in the UK). People are more family orientated in Africa than in the UK. And the food obviously presented a problem for a while.
[ Q ] In Africa you had access to the same kinds of sporting facilities as in the UK?
The sporting facilities were very good at my boarding school. I was in the same athletics team as Paul Ereng, the Kenyan Olympic gold medallist.
Paul Ereng:
Paul Ereng (born August 22, 1966) is a former Kenyan athlete, and the surprise winner of the 800 metres at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Born in Kitale, Trans-Nzoia, Kenya, Paul Ereng attended Starehe Boys Centre and School in Nairobi, Kenya. He was a promising 400 m runner until the end of 1987. After enrolling at the University of Virginia, Ereng took up the 800 m in early 1988.
[ Q ] When you eventually began bodybuilding, what necessary changes did you make to go from the amateur to the pro ranks?
My training didn't change that much, I just looked after my off-season diet better.
[ Q ] And you obviously found the competition harder
I trained with Charles Clairmonte for about six years when he was an IFBB pro and yes the training was much harder upon becoming a pro. I also found that it was easy to make mistakes whilst on a long haul flight prior to a contest.
[ Q ] Charles was voted one of the most aesthetic bodybuilders of all time by FLEX. What is Charles doing these days, do you know?
He is a personal trainer at the gym I train at but we do not have much to do with each other anymore. We had a disagreement
2007 Iron Man: Eddie Abbew Interview!
In the following interview, Eddie discusses this turning point in his pro career and his plans for the rest of the year.
[ Q ] You say you also trained with Paul Ereng. What was it, in your view that made him such a great athlete?
He was a great athlete even when we were at school. I remember we used to have to get up very early in the morning to go running. I hated it, but he seemed to love it. His work ethic was very good. I didn't see the point in getting up at five AM to go running (laughs).
[ Q ] But now you have to do loads of cardio right? Did he train harder and have more discipline than the others on the team?
We were all disciplined but perhaps not as good as he was. He was talented. And yes I do have to do a lot of cardio now. I do two hours' low impact cardio a day so I can keep my calories high
[ Q ] You naturally had a greater degree more size than your fellow team athletics team members?
Yes I did, I did the shot put.
Shot Put:
The shot put is an athletics (track and field) event involving "putting" (throwing in a pushing motion) a heavy metal ball (called the shot) as far as possible.
It is common to use the term "shot put" to refer to both the shot itself and to the throwing motion.
[ Q ] What did you do in your early years to pack on half your bodyweight in size again, as reported on your website?
I was given a room in the student nurses' quarters to put my weights in and train. I had a Weider bench and some weights and just went for it.
[ Q ] Did you make the typical beginners mistake of overdoing it early on, before you began packing on the mass?
Yes I did, especially when you train on your own. But now I have decided to stick to what I know works for me
[ Q ] And low impact still does the job for you in terms of cardio?
Yes, for me low impact works best for me, with my heart rate below 60% of max.
HEART RATE CALCULATOR
[ Q ] What form of cardio do you do? Bike or treadmill?
By training smartly. I don't do movements that cause me distress. I have access to two gyms that provide me with a range of equipment.
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The human body is an incredible machine but in order to get the most from weight training, joint health and mobility are important.
[ Q ] Are there any special supplements you take for joint health?
Not at all. My joints seem okay for now.
[ Q ] How much do you spend each week on food and supplements? Must be astronomical.
You know, I was thinking about that today and I decided I didn't want to calculate it because it would depress me. Yes, it is astronomical.
[ Q ] Ha, ha I guess so: you must be a regular visitor to the local supermarket.
Almost every day because I prefer fresh stuff: there's a supermarket opposite one of the gyms I train in, I spend so much time there that people have asked me if I worked there.
[ Q ] Maybe they could sponsor you?
(Laughs) I shall ask them, you know, that is a good idea. I might just do that you know.
Eddie Abbew Interview!
Bodybuilding.com caught up with Eddie as he prepared for the Olympia with only two weeks counting down to the biggest night of his bodybuilding career.
[ Q ] Yes and you can wear a shirt to your next pro show with the name of the supermarket on the front. Then you would look really cool. What is the bodybuilding scene like in the UK right now?
Not as good as it was a few years ago. It's pretty tough.
[ Q ] Who are the top UK guys other than yourself right now?
[ Q ] Is Mr. Freaky triceps Ernie Taylor still around?
Ernie has retired, but he has helped me a lot in the last couple of years.
[ Q ] What are your views on substances like synthol? Is it necessary in the pro ranks and extremely common as reported?
I have never ever seen synthol much less used it. I have been advised to use some in my calves but I have kids and what I take now is bad enough without having to worry about that also.
RELATED POLL
How Do You Feel About Synthol?
[ Q ] You seem to have very high calves?
(Laughs) My calves, if you can call them calves, are right behind my kneecaps. Very high
[ Q ] You use the word Stickability for your DVD? Why this word?
Stickability is a word that was floating around when I was at school. I was advised to stick to whatever I chose to do in my life and give it a chance. It's just the ability to stick to something despite all knock-backs and adversity.
[ Q ] Where did your moniker "the savage" originate from?
Savage was my mother's maiden name. My son's middle name is Savage: Brandon Savage Abbew. My mum's name was Elizabeth Eva Savage. She died in 1995.
[ Q ] When Ali visited your school did he give a sparring demonstration?
Yes, they put a ring in the middle of the school grounds and he sparred with the whole school's boxing team, one by one. It was a treat.
[ Q ] That is awesome; I assume he went light on them?
He did, but one kid did land a good one on his nose, which made the front page in every paper the next day.
[ Q ] What did Ali do specifically for the African people do you think? How did he guide them?
I think most Africans my age idolized Ali, Michael Jackson and Bob Marley. We were only used to seeing white faces on TV, until they came along. I think they still do idolize these men.
Eddie Abbew Interview!
We interviewed Eddie to see what he's doing differently in his preparation for the Iron Man this year compared to last year's Mr. Olympia.
[ Q ] At what point did you know you had a gift for packing on size?
I was about 15 and accidentally stumbled upon some old weights in the garden of my Aussie drama teacher. I started doing concentration curls and saw a difference within two weeks in my biceps.
[ Q ] That's pretty fast. And from the age of 15 you began gaining overall size quite rapidly?
Yes, but being a bodybuilder was not in my plans at that point.
[ Q ] So it would be safe to assume you were an easy gainer when it came to putting on muscle.
Yes I was an easy gainer but I slipped a lumbar disc at the age of 21 by showing off how much I could squat, and that has affected my quad development ever since.
Lumbar Disc:
The five vertebrae in the lumbar region of the back are the largest and strongest in the movable part of the spinal column, and can be distinguished by the absence of a foramen in the transverse process, and by the absence of facets on the sides of the body.
[ Q ] In what way did this injury affect your quad development exactly? And how did you overcome this limitation to progress to the pro ranks?
I have never been able to free squat since I was 21 so I have had to stick to hack squats and leg presses. I still have a lumbar disc protrusion with a sciatic reference.
[ Q ] Yet your quads are very quite developed despite this limitation. Do you train them especially hard, more so than over body parts to overcome this setback?
Yes, I have to. Actually I sometimes only train quads for a six weeks and stop upper body training completely. Just train quads and hams.
[ Q ] And this would be in the off-season I presume?
Yes. But pre-contest, I have to train all the body parts. It's imperative.
[ Q ] You did well in school? Achieved at a high level?
I wanted to do law so yes I had to work hard academically. I eventually obtained degrees in psychology and nursing.
[ Q ] Why the choice to become an RN over a psychology professional?
My intention was to branch into clinical psychology but that didn't happen. Bodybuilding took hold of me.
[ Q ] Is being an RN is complimentary to your bodybuilding career? In what ways does it enable you to pursue your bodybuilding goals?
I think it's made me understand my body better and of course how to supplement better. Other than that, nursing does not really help bodybuilding at all.
[ Q ] What do you enjoy most about working as an RN? What are its biggest challenges?
I have not practiced as a nurse for a while now - I now personal train. It's impossible to combine the shift work and dieting and training.
[ Q ] What is you usual pre contest training strategy, or does it change year to year?
I tried to change a few things for the (2007) Olympia to come in bigger but it didn't work. I was way off on the day. Way off!
RELATED VIDEO: EDDIE ABBEW FAN INTERVIEW
2007 Olympia:
Eddie Abbew Fan Interview!
Check out this interview conducted by one of Eddie Abbew's fans at the 2007 Olympia Meet The Olympians event.
I went back to doing what got me to the Olympia in the first place: high rep training and more carbohydrates. I have a very fast metabolism remember.
[ Q ] Would it be fair to say that the physique you showed back at the 2007 Iron Man was the best you have displayed yet? You truly looked awesome there.
Yes, but think the 2007 Iron Man was my best condition ever in the States. I might have looked good at the Santa Susanna, but I didn't even get one callout even though they placed me 10th!
[ Q ] Who did you draw inspiration from in your teen years as a bodybuilder?
Sergio Oliva Interview!
In the following rare and exclusive interview, Sergio discusses his life in bodybuilding and relays never before published aspects of his various careers.
[ Q ] Who among today's pros do admire most and for what reason?
I admire Jay because I think he's a good ambassador for the sport and I like Victor's physique.
[ Q ] Were you ever an admirer of Ronnie Coleman?
Yes, in terms of his sheer size, he took the sport to a different level but Ronnie didn't really have much to say did he?
[ Q ] When you say ambassador do you mean someone who can promote the sport in a positive light in both a vocal manner as well as a physical manner?
Yes, I spent time with Jay during the Euro tour of 2006 and he is a better representative for the sport both in physique, focus, vocal manner and approachability.
[ Q ] Then there is the other extreme. What are your views on those who are really outspoken, like Lee Priest and Gustavo Badell?
I think sometimes it's best not to rock the boat too much for fear of consequences. It's a minority sport with not much money floating around and I think that fact gags a lot of us.
[ Q ] That reminds me, you had an interesting exchange with a few of the competitors at the 2007 Olympia press conference. Do you think bodybuilding competitors are b!tchy in general? Maybe it is the low carbohydrate levels the guys often experience around Olympia time.
I think all that was for show because Quincy was cool with Gustavo and the rest back stage. I think that incitement was good for the crowd.
[ Q ] Quincy is definitely an interesting character; I like his approach, as he does not bullsh!t around.
He is a real cool guy. He says what he thinks.
[ Q ] Digressing slightly, I understand you have three children. They must keep you busy also.
Yes, I have a 20-year-old daughter, a 13-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. And yes they do keep me busy. It takes me over an hour to do the school run every morning.
[ Q ] What are the benefits to having a family while training as a pro? Do they keep you grounded?
Yes they do. I can't be grumpy at home, as its not their fault daddy is on a stupid diet. My kids come first in everything I do.
The Iron Man Can't Tame Eddie "The Savage" Abbew!
Eddie Abbew descends upon American shores next week with a much harder look and better conditioning than in the past.
[ Q ] What you have said shows real commitment. What is the best thing about having a close family?
Looking forward to coming home. My youngest is always so excited when I walk through the door and that makes life worth living.
[ Q ] Is your son interested in bodybuilding at all?
No, I wont allow him to be a bodybuilder. He has a very high IQ so I want him to study. He loves rugby though.
[ Q ] You don't want him to risk his future on his genetic physical gifts and the sacrifices that are to be made at bodybuilding's highest level if he were to progress that far?
That's right. I know how hard this sport is and how unrewarding it can be.
[ Q ] What difficulties do you face training and competing at over 40 years of age?
When you get to my age, you take time off and it takes ages to get your joints back into gear again. To counter this I just ease off on the intensity slightly after contests.
[ Q ] So what keeps you going despite the sacrifices you need to make day in and out?
I just love the sport and I believe in achieving my goals. My goal after my first contest was to eventually make it to the Olympia.
[ Q ] You achieved that particular goal; what is you ultimate bodybuilding goal?
I didn't get to show the judges what I was capable of at the Olympia (in 2007) and my goal now is to redeem myself. Whether I will be able to do that or not, we shall wait and see.
[ Q ] So redemption is the primary goal. Do you see a top six Olympia placement in your immediate future?
I will never say never, but I think it's impossible to predict.
[ Q ] It is pretty tough competing in professional bodybuilding these days without a major sponsor.
It just means I am at a constant disadvantage.
[ Q ] You are happy to aim for your best from contest to contest regardless?
Yes, my goal and intention is to present a better package than seen at my last contest although this may not always happen.
[ Q ] You are one of the biggest guys competing today. How hard is it to function sometimes as one so big? Do you need special airplanes seats, for example, in the off-season?
(Laughs) No, I just have to manage with the normal seats when I fly.
RELATED POLL
Where Do You Predict Eddie Will Place At The 2009 Iron Man Pro?
[ Q ] So pro bodybuilding is not as glamorous as some may think?
Not at all, especially when dieting, and towards the end of the diet.
[ Q ] Yes, I have heard from certain competitors that people you do not like, you like even less when you are at the business end of your diet.
I am generally good with people during the first few weeks of my diet but towards the end, I just don't like anyone apart from my kids (laughs).
[ Q ] What are your thoughts on the state of bodybuilding today?
Generally it is okay.
[ Q ] What are some of the major problems within bodybuilding right now, as far as you can see?
I really don't want to say too much, I think there are so many gurus around now who are suggesting some dangerous stuff for athletes to do.
I love meeting different people through traveling and I love training. I have met some very interesting people and made some great friends.
[ Q ] What is the best place you have traveled to as a pro and why?
I spend a lot of time in Italy where my friends Paolo and Giovanna Marsella live. I go there when I need a break - Italy for sure. I love the country.
[ Q ] Looking at a recent front double biceps picture of you, you show phenomenal development in your frontal lats. Is this a genetic trait or do you do anything special to train for this kind of width?
I started doing standing lat pulldowns on the cables and I think that has improved the width of my lat muscles.
[ Q ] What do you feel are your strongest attributes as a bodybuilder?
God that is a hard question to ask but I shall try. I think my personality. Not necessarily my physique.
[ Q ] That said, what mental attributes do you feel give you an advantage?
I have had so many disappointments in this sport that I have learnt to roll with the punches. At the (2007) Olympia, of the nine of us that did not place, most looked pissed off but I just looked at it as, "hey, just another setback, move on".
[ Q ] And you have shown persistence. What are the most important qualities needed to make it to the pro ranks in your view?
If you are not lucky to have a complete package and make an impression in the first instance, you either give up or be patient! So I would say, patience.
[ Q ] What did you weigh at the 2007 Iron Man and what did you weigh in 2008?
I was 270 (in 2007) and I weighed a couple of pounds more (in 2008). (Three weeks out from the 2008 Iron Man) I weighed exactly 280 lbs naked and my height is 6 feet and half an inch. Don't forget to mention that half-inch, that's important to me.
[ Q ] What do you hope to weigh this year?
I intend to come in a fraction lighter compared to the 270 I competed at last year. I think that will make me more competitive.
I feel good going to this year's Iron Man. Whether this is a good thing or not, I will know when I stand on the stage next to the other competitors.
[ Q ] What areas have you been working on for this year's Iron Man?
I have been trying to improve on my quads the last year. I hope I have achieved that to a certain degree.
[ Q ] There are some pretty impressive competitors' listed to compete at this year's event. Who do you see as you main competition? What are your predictions?
I do not have any predictions for the Iron Man as I am not even sure who the other competitors are. I find it helps with my preparation, not knowing who my opponents are so I can concentrate on my own game.
[ Q ] Have you made any changes to your training and nutrition programs going into this year's event?
I have not changed anything from last year or the year before. I have just dieted longer, in fact two weeks longer that I normally diet for.
[ Q ] What is your approach to final week prep? Do you do anything like sodium load?
Yes, I always sodium load the night before when I stop my water. Burgers are my favourite.
[ Q ] And this causes you to fill out while retaining a ripped look? Does it dry you out?
Yes, that works for me. For the 2007 Iron Man, I had two huge burgers and a bottle of dry white wine the night before. That dried me out.
[ Q ] After a show do you eat like there is no tomorrow like some competitors do? How long do you take to rest your body before resuming with training?
I usually have only a week of training lightly before getting back into full training. I usually have a photo shoot after contests so I never get to eat like there's no tomorrow. I don't really have much of an appetite anyway. That's why I blend most of my food and drink it.
[ Q ] What kinds of food do you blend? Must be some interesting combinations. Can you blend chicken and rice?
Mainly the protein, I eat the rice because it's not much anyway. But with the chicken, I bake it in the oven, break it into little pieces, add water, blend and drink it. It takes two minutes (to consume it).
[ Q ] During this light training week you will eat a good deal of calories? How does you diet change during this week?
I tend to eat the right foods during the week of light training.
[ Q ] So would you say that dieting is relatively easy for you?
I would say I do not mind dieting at all now; I like my meals being structured.
[ Q ] I would like to discuss some nutrition specifics. How many grams of protein do you shoot for each day?
Now it is about 500 grams (in early 2008).
[ Q ] In the off-season does this amount change?
No, it stays the same but the carbohydrates obviously go up.
[ Q ] What about fats? How are these manipulated as the contest draws near?
I only have fats for my last meal before bed. I don't believe in that zero carbohydrates and fats thing. I tried it and lost too much weight. I am too hyperactive to eat no carbohydrates.
[ Q ] What is your view on the high fat, low carbohydrate diet that is again becoming popular in pro bodybuilding right now.
It's hard to combine that with kids, training and dieting so right now I don't have many customers until after my contest.
[ Q ] What is the number one quality a good personal trainer needs in your opinion?
Enthusiasm. Most personal trainers these days don't seem to give a damn.
[ Q ] You produced a training DVD in 2007. Describe the process of shooting your own DVD.
I made sure I was captured as I trained every day, with no airs and no graces. The camera just followed me and filmed what I do everyday and I was asked a few questions.
RELATED PRODUCT
Eddie Abbew:
Stickability
This is the 2007 pre Mr Olympia training and dietary schedule of Eddie Abbew, UK's current no 1 bodybuilder. Eddie turned Pro in 1997 and did his first pro show in 1999 in Toronto. His goal, which had eluded him for 8 years was to qualify for Mr Olympia and be a decent contender. [ Click here to learn more. ]
[ Q ] So in the DVD you just do what you do with no acting as such?
That's right. No double takes, just editing.
[ Q ] Yes you wouldn't want to have to do another set of leg presses because the camera guy got it wrong. What other interests do you have outside of bodybuilding?
At the moment I have no time for any interests, but I love traveling.
[ Q ] How many meals are you eating per day right now?
Seven meals.
[ Q ] How are you feeling in general?
I feel great, very hungry right now as I am almost 30 minutes over my mealtime, but I generally feel okay.
[ Q ] I will now let you go eat your fifth meal of the day. Thank you for your time Eddie, and all the best for upcoming contests?
My pleasure David, thank you.
Editor's Note:
This interview was conducted in early 2008 as Eddie was preparing for the Iron Man Pro.
Click Image To Enlarge.
[ Q ] What was life like for you growing up Eddie?
