Amateur Bodybuilder Of The Week: Reality Hurts!

I wasn't small in stature as a teenager, but I was overweight, shy, and lacked confidence. It wasn't how I wanted to live and I was determined to change without looking back until I achieved a jaw-dropping physique.

Because I was too embarrassed to walk into a gym, I started eating healthier and doing crunches every day. Four months later, I joined a gym for the first time. It felt like home. I knew it would take time and sacrifice to reach my goal. I eliminated unhealthy foods from my diet so my performance wouldn't be hindered. On May 21, 2003, I committed to the journey toward my dream.

Despite various obstacles (surgery, plateaus, long days), eight years passed and I never broke the promise I made to myself or missed a day at the gym due to fatigue or laziness. I was willing to make sacrifices and work as hard as possible to turn my dream into reality.

I make sure to vary my workout routines as much as possible, including different exercises, forms of cardio, and calisthenics to optimize muscle confusion.

If I'm still hungry at night, I have 1/2 cup of Special K strawberry cereal with skim milk and an apple.

The feeling of accomplishment after a great workout is exhilarating. Achieving goals and seeing my body evolve motivates me. Bodybuilding provided me with strength to incorporate calisthenics workouts using my bodyweight to exercise and optimize muscle confusion. My goal to be a fitness model and get actively involved in the fitness industry drives me. The drive and dedication required to succeed fascinates me. Bodybuilding frequently tests your determination. If you overcome challenges, you will be rewarded.

Fitness models like Greg Plitt and Rob Riches are my main inspirations. I often imagine myself in their shoes. They must be very proud of their accomplishments. My hope is to become involved in the fitness industry like them. My involvement may include attending events, competing, representing brands or products, or simply creating fitness-related videos.

I've overcome fatigue and worked very hard to accomplish my goals. I find inspiration and motivation through videos on the Internet and listening to success stories. I constantly try to find new music to listen to while I workout or run.

I'm very ambitious with my bodybuilding plans. I want to enter a physique competition within 6-12 months and earn a pro card. Applying for castings or contests for fitness modeling opportunities is also on my agenda. I'll continue taking my body to a higher level and create more calisthenics videos to showcase the results of my hard work.

If you're willing to sacrifice everything to reach your goals and have no regrets despite knowing nothing but failure, then you will succeed.

One of my favorite bodybuilders is Kai Greene because I admire his journey to the top. He's a fighter. His losses served as motivation for improvement and lessons for future competitions. He's determined to work until he wins, which is exactly my philosophy. He talks about the mental aspects of bodybuilding in several videos, which are very important and fascinating. He doesn't hesitate to help others become better bodybuilders.

Reading success stories from other bodybuilders and fitness models helps greatly. Bodybuilding.com taught me a great deal about exercises and techniques. The forums were a great place to learn from other members about how they overcame plateaus. Entering contests offered by Bodybuilding.com provide extra incentive to work hard.

Peyton Williams: Working with him has been an amazing experience. He's a very talented photographer who helped me build a high-quality portfolio. I could never do it without him.

Corey Jenkins: I've never met someone so talented so young. If he's behind a camera taking pictures or making videos, this is his world. He deserves all the credit.

Special thanks to my family, friends, Tiffany Nance, Frank Medrano, Barholics, Hannibal for King, The Barstarzz, Kalosthenos, and many others all across the world. Check them out on YouTube!

Corey Jenkins and myself teamed up to create a video into my world of calisthenics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnJXm0EWQX4

A video I made showcasing some callisthenic exercises in various locations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R8AzjMOkbY