I grew up playing sports and always cared about my level of fitness. I've had an interest in bodybuilding and resistance training since age 13. I was proud to have the largest biceps in my eighth-grade class and remained fit throughout high school.
When I graduated high school and stopped playing organized sports, my interest shifted toward weight training. As an undergrad, I took weight training classes and enjoyed the muscle gains. I got stronger and learned more about my new hobby during the next four years. The only problem was that I wasn't consistent with supplementation or the gym. That changed when I entered graduate school.
I became motivated to learn more about how to achieve my fitness goals and I saw good gains. I lifted heavy and got stronger and bigger. Unfortunately, I began accumulating several minor injuries. Being the stubborn knucklehead that I was, I kept lifting. I had so many injuries that I got to the point where I couldn't continue exercising without pain.
Being unable to do what I loved was depressing. I lost motivation to stay fit and eat healthy. I was frustrated and defeated. I gained body fat. For the first time in my life, I had fat rolls. I had to make a change because I was ashamed.
I decided to change my lifestyle in 2012 and entered the $100K Transformation Challenge on Bodybuilding.com. I wanted my transformation to prove that people can make drastic transformations without crazy and extreme exercises and diet plans. I later won the contest and proved that my transformation was possible. Since then, I have remained in the best shape of my life and my passion for fitness has only grown.
Being an inspiration to others and motivating people to live a healthier lifestyle drives me. It's not about getting recognition. It's about motivating, inspiring, and educating people to realize their potential. It's about helping people recognize their potential to reach their goals.
I love the science and strategy behind bodybuilding. Researchers are always making new and exciting fitness discoveries. It's fascinating that you can change your body drastically by training and altering nutrition.
I stayed motivated by constantly discussing fitness articles, workouts, and recipes with my fiancee and best friend. As a result, fitness was always on my mind. Participating in the $100K Transformation Challenge brought out my competitive side. I scoped out my competition for the contest. Seeing others succeed motivated me to go harder. I also stayed motivated by eating normal foods with healthier ingredients, like whole wheat spaghetti and Italian turkey sausage. Eating like this kept my cravings in check.
On days when I was tired, unmotivated, and didn't feel like going to the gym, grocery shopping, or cooking, there was one thing that consistently inspired me to suck it up. I was inspired by the "future me." I had a picture of what I wanted to look like at the end of my transformation. I knew it would be difficult and required consistency. It required that I do right even when I didn't want to.
Since my transformation, I started fitness modeling. I also started online fitness coaching. I got many requests for personalized exercise and nutrition programs that I now offer on my personal website.
I plan to compete someday. I will take most of 2013 to put on more muscle and compete in late 2013 or 2014.
Be a sponge for knowledge and a model of consistency.
My favorite bodybuilder is Ulisses Jr. He has an amazing physique and work ethic. I would love to have two-thirds of the muscle he has.
Bodybuilding.com has been integral to my goal achievements. The site is my source for affordable supplements with quick delivery. I read countless articles on different training techniques and programs, recipes, and nutrition. If I want to research any fitness topic, a search at Bodybuilding.com would reveal at least four different articles on the subject.
BodySpace is the most positive and motivated social community online. I met inspirational people there. I also like tracking my progress with body fat and bodyweight measurements. Seeing my stats all organized and laid out helps me assess the effectiveness of my programs/diet.
- "Go N' Get It" by Ace Hood
- "Throwed Off (Freestyle)" by Lil Wayne (feat. Gudda Gudda)
- "Ambition" by Wale
- "Hustle Hard" by Ace Hood
- "So Sophisticated (Explicit)" by Rick Ross (feat. Meek Mill)
Photographic Credit: Will Edwards, Bodybuilding.com