Congratulations Eric Johnson for being selected as Bodybuilding.com's Fit Employee of the Month. Find out how Eric took his love of fitness to a whole new level to compete in his first bodybuilding competition!
Vital Stats
[ Q ] Tell us a little about yourself. What is your position at Bodybuilding.com? How long have you worked here?
I'm currently going to Boise State University, studying Health Education and Promotion. I plan to graduate this December and continue working at Bodybuilding.com, utilizing my degree to its full potential! I love travelling every opportunity I get, and would love to remain with Bodybuilding.com as we cross international waters and continue to destroy our competition.
I work as a writer-editor in the Web Content Department, creating consultative article and video content to help our customers reach and exceed their fitness and appearance goals. Last year, we produced the Find A Plan program and are now working on new Daily Video Trainers and several Video Articles that I'm incredibly excited about.
I've worked for Bodybuilding.com for 3 years. I started in Customer Service, moved to Quality Assurance and Floor Management, and then moved to the Content Team roughly a year ago. I absolutely love it here!
  Click Image To Enlarge.I've Worked For Bodybuilding.Com For 3 Years.
[ Q ] What was your workout/fitness/nutrition level before working at Bodybuilding.com?
I've been working out since I was a junior in high school. I originally started training for football and to trim down as a kid. I was always athletic and played a variety of sports in school. Once I picked up a set of free-weights, it was all over. No turning back, I was hooked!
I've always been focused on training and exercise, but my diet was never on par before I started at Bodybuilding.com. I've now learned the importance of a proper nutrition and supplementation program for optimal fitness and health.
 Click Image To Enlarge.I've Now Learned The Importance Of A Proper Nutrition And
Supplementation Program For Optimal Fitness And Health.
[ Q ] What does your workout routine consist of now (please give detailed weekly workout)?
My workout plan consists of two days of lifting followed by one day of rest. I repeat this split nonstop, doing cardio 7 days a week. I do cardio after lifting on weight training days, and in the evening on rest days. I do 20 minutes of High Intensity Interval Training on the Stairmaster, then 20 minutes of low intensity incline walking on the treadmill. On Sunday, I'll take a complete rest day if my body is especially pulverized.
Otherwise, I'll start up with what I lifted on the previous Monday, continuing with the two-days-on, one-day-off approach. Here is an example of my lifting schedule and training split:
Note: My first two exercises of each training day start with two warm-up sets of 20 reps. After the first 2-3 exercises, the targeted muscle group is completely warmed up and I go straight into my 3 sets of 12 reps.
Monday: Chest And Triceps
Tuesday: Back And Biceps
Wednesday: Cardio - Cardio: 20 minutes of HIIT, 20 minutes of low intensity
Thursday: Shoulders, Calves And Abs
Friday: Legs
Saturday: Cardio - Cardio: 20 minutes of HIIT, 20 minutes of low intensity
Sunday: Repeat - Start with Monday's routine and continue to follow two-day-on, one-day-off with the same scheduled routine for each body part.
 Click Image To Enlarge.
My Workout Plan Consists Of Two Days Of
Lifting Followed By One Day Of Rest.
[ Q ] What does your diet consist of now (please give detailed daily diet)?
Meal 1:
Meal 2:
Meal 3:
Meal 4:
Meal 5:
Meal 6: Post-Workout
[ Q ] What supplements have helped you reach your goals (please give daily supplement program)?
Universal Animal Pak: I have one pak when I wake up, always with breakfast. Whether I'm cutting down for fat loss or bulking up, I want to ensure I don't have any micronutrient deficiencies. Taking a multi-pak covers me on all levels. I have an extremely busy schedule, so getting in vitamins and minerals from a variety of foods just isn't possible for me. I take Universal Animal Pak because, in my opinion, it's the most comprehensive multi and it helps keep me healthy in and out of the gym.
Optimum Fish Oil: I take one serving with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everyone on the planet should take fish oils! They support joint health, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and more. More and more research comes out every year talking about the benefits of fish oils. I've been taking them consistently for the past 3 years and don't plan to stop.
Muscle Pharm Assault: I take 1-2 scoops of Assault 30-40 minutes before training. I get an insane amount of energy from this product, and the vascularity and muscle pumps are amazing. I think the psychological benefit of taking a pre-workout provides instant motivation to absolutely destroy the iron. It always improves my training intensity when I take a nitric oxide pre-workout supplement.
SciVation Xtend: I drink SciVation Xtend throughout the day. I add 5-6 scoops in my gallon water jug, and drink at least 1-2 gallons every day. Xtend helps with recovery, helps keep my immune system up to par, and tastes absolutely amazing. Drinking up to two gallons of water is extremely difficult, but with a little Xtend mixed in, it makes water a delicious treat.
Optimum Platinum HydroWhey: I take 1.5 scoops of Optimum Hydrowhey immediately after training to support muscle growth, enhance recovery, and increase my overall protein intake. After training, your muscle fibers are broken down and ready for nutrients. Supplementing with a whey protein post-workout will help you get the most out of your training.
NOW L-Carnitine: I take one serving of L-carnitine with breakfast, lunch, and dinner to help oxidize fat and stay lean in the off-season. Caritine assists in fat loss by oxidizing fat and utilizing stored adipose as an energy source.
Cheap Supplements Creatine Monohydrate: I take 5 grams of creatine monohydrate before and after training. Creatine is one of the most scientifically supported athletic/performance supplements on the planet. While taking creatine, I notice that my strength is increased, I get a better pump in the gym, and it assists in recovery after intense lifting.
 Click Image To Enlarge.
While Taking Creatine, I Notice That
My Strength Is Increased.
[ Q ] What is it like working at Bodybuilding.com? Does it create a helpful fitness environment?
Working at Bodybuilding.com is perfect for anyone who is goal-oriented and a fitness enthusiast. You are literally inspired every time you walk through the building by the dedication, devotion, and amazing focus that so many people have. No matter what your fitness goal, everyone here inspires one another to push beyond personal barriers and exceed expectations and goals.
[ Q ] How does the Bodybuilding.com environment influence your health, fitness and appearance goals?
Before working here, I was always athletic and worked out consistently. But nothing has pushed me farther than the inspiration of so many fitness-minded people. Since working here, I've reached the best shape of my life, set and achieved numerous goals, and competed in my first bodybuilding competition.
I have not only improved for a sport, but I've focused on staying healthy and improving my level of fitness by setting and achieving monthly goals. It's an incredible feeling knowing that you're accountable to everyone you work with. We know each other's goals, and we motivate one another to constantly excel.
 Click Image To Enlarge.
Nothing Has Pushed Me Farther Than The Inspiration
Of So Many Fitness-Minded People.
[ Q ] What are your co-workers like?
I get to work with an amazing group of people every day. I consider it an honor and a privilege to come to work and be surrounded by such amazing, genuine, and inspirational co-workers.
We're not all bodybuilders here, but one thing is for sure, we all have a passion for what we do. The promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle is such an integral part of our culture, and you get to see it everywhere you look. Endurance athletes, "outdoors" people, college athletes: we've got people who are into everything.
[ Q ] Did someone from Bodybuilding.com inspire you to reach your goals?
I was inspired by the 12 Week Transformation that McKyle Duncan and Jed Reese completed here for our company transformation contest. They proved that with the right dedication, complete devotion, and a hell of a lot of hard work anything is truly possible. Both of them are also amazing sources of information and are always willing to help.
 Click Image To Enlarge.Anything Is Truly Possible.
[ Q ] Have you inspired others with your new look and attitude?
I would hope that the transformation I completed this year has inspired someone to start their own. Since our first 12 Week Transformation, it seems that more people 'get the bug' and have amazing transformations themselves.
[ Q ] What is your favorite feature on the Bodybuilding.com website?
My favorite feature on the website is definitely BodySpace. The accountability that comes with a fitness-specific social network is absolutely incredible. The features and constant innovation that continually get added to BodySpace make it the fitness network of the future. I log all of my progress, my workouts, supplements I'm taking, and everything else on my BodySpace. I check it every day!
[ Q ] How does Bodybuilding.com help to motivate/support you?
This is the most amazing company I've ever worked for. Not only do I get the obvious financial support, but the support of a family of employees' dedication to personal and professional improvement motivates me to come to work every day inspired to change the industry and transform lives. Really, I don't know too many people that get that feeling every day.
 Click Image To Enlarge.
This Is The Most Amazing Company
I've Ever Worked For.
[ Q ] Does practicing the bodybuilding lifestyle improve the productivity of Bodybuilding.com? If so, how?
Absolutely! Scientific and anecdotal evidence has shown that working out improves cognitive function. If I train before work, I come in absolutely invigorated and ready to take on the day. The days where I'm lacking energy are the days when I don't have time to train. Working out and living a bodybuilding lifestyle is my stress relief: it allows me to handle an extremely busy schedule and combat stress in a healthy and productive manner.
[ Q ] What are your future goals? Do you think working for Bodybuilding.com will help you reach them?
I want to take the next year to prepare for my next bodybuilding show and win an overall trophy! I also want to maintain a low body fat throughout the year to stay lean while putting on quality muscle in the offseason. Working here will keep me motivated each and every day to set and exceed each new goal from now until completion.
Want To Work For Bodybuilding.com?
Company Info, Career Opportunities And More!
Ever wonder if we actually practice what we preach? Well, look no further. We are proud to announce "The Bodybuilding.com Fit Profile Of The Month". This new monthly feature has been created to share the successes and determination of each employee selected.
 Nominate A Bodybuilding.com Employee Here.
Check Out Career Opportunities Here.
Learn More About Bodybuilding.com Here.
 Back To Bodybuilding.com Fit Profile Of The Month's Main Page
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