By: Jaime Filer

Interview With BSN Cover Model Julien Greaux

Mixed martial artist, fitness training expert, sponsored athlete, cover model, world traveler - sound like a dream come true? Actually, sounds like the life of Julien Greaux.

At a mere 32 years old, Julien has already accomplished what it takes most people a lifetime to do. It all started when he moved himself out of his home in St. Barth (in the French West Indies), and off to Los Angeles, California.

It was there that he met world famous photographer Irvin Gelb, who subsequently introduced him to Joe Weider, and the Weider Publications empire. The rest, as they say, is history.

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Julien Greaux - Mixed Martial Artist, Fitness Training Expert,
Sponsored Athlete, Cover Model & World Traveler.

He became the Fitness/Mixed Martial Arts director at jamcore training. He runs his own Mixed Martial Arts camp, which has "expert instruction from some of the world's greatest exponents, and teaches its students how to integrate the various arts to become a physically and mentally superior athlete." I'd say that's a pretty impressive resume.

But that's not enough for Mr. Greaux. Meeting Irvin Gelb opened up a whole world for Julien. The world of cover models and photo shoots. Since coming to the US in 2002, he's been on the cover of over 25 magazines, as well as doing hundreds of other photo shoots.

Whether it's because of his MMA background, his superstar athleticism or his movie star good looks, Julien has secured a sponsorship with BSN, and appears in most of their ads.

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He's Been On The Cover
Of Over 25 Magazines.

In this interview, I am to find out more about Julien Greaux, the cover model, and how he stays in shredded, lean 'photo shoot shape' year round. Now, let's meet the man behind the abs.

[ Q ] Please talk a little about your background - how you got into martial arts, the health and fitness industry and cover modeling.

[ A ] I have been practicing from the age of 7, starting with judo, and then practiced karate shotokan for 8 years, Thai boxing and jujitsu.

I started weight lifting when I was 14 years old with my dad. At the beginning it was to get stronger for my karate. I started seeing my body change and loved it. I started really seriously at the age of 16.

I was discovered by Irvin Gelb, a famous photographer, when I was in NY at the 'Night of Champions'. He told me I had a really good potential, and he gave me his card.

8 years later I still had the card. So when I was in LA, I gave him a call, we met at Gold's Venice and he called Weider publications.

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I Started Training Seriously At The Age Of 16.

For my first cover it was really easy. I was training at Gold's, a friend introduced me to a photographer and he asked me to show him my abs. That's it, we shot the cover next day.

[ Q ] How long have you been a cover model?

[ A ] Its been 6 years now.

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[ Q ] What is the first step in becoming a popular cover model? What should a beginner focus on in terms of seeking shoots, agents, etc?

[ A ] To become a really successful model, you need to be in top shape 24/7, no excuses. It's like being a pro athlete - if you run the 100 meter, all year you are trying to get better.

I don't see it as looking good, but how can I be better, stronger, faster, more flexible etc. That's what makes the difference between me and other fitness models. I consider myself first an athlete first.

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You Need To Be In Top Shape 24/7.

[ Q ] How do you get into magazines and gain sponsorship from big companies like BSN without having to compete? How did you break into the "big world"?

[ A ] Just by accident for the first one. But after, I was the one who contacted everybody and sent my stuff out to all the mags.

[ Q ] How do you maintain a ripped physique all year round, and is it an essential component to being a successful model?

[ A ] Everybody is asking me this question, at the gym they call me 'The Freak'. I think I was blessed with good genetics to start with.

When I started I was skinny, but really cut. On the other side, I have been training for more than 15 years and my diet is really good; no cheat day for me.

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I Was Blessed With Good Genetics.

[ Q ] How long does a cover shoot take?

[ A ] In general in takes 8 hours, with a 30 minute break between.

[ Q ] What kind of preparation goes into a shoot in terms of how your training, diet & supplementation changes? Do you utilize bodybuilding techniques like sodium, carb, water depletion and loading?

[ A ] The way I get ready for a shoot is the same way for a bodybuilding contest.

If it's for a cover, I'm ready in 10 days. I can shoot it anytime but I'm really hard on myself and want to be the best so I need those 10 days.

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If It's For A Cover,
I'm Ready In 10 Days.

[ Q ] In February, you'll be on the cover of both Muscle & Fitness and Fitness RX. Did you plan on having two covers simultaneously? Has this been done before? How did it come about?

[ A ] This is my biggest cover so far: Muscle and Fitness with my name on the cover and a huge interview inside. I still can't believe it.

Once again, it happened by accident, or more by luck. Fitness RX and Muscle & Fitness both have my name on the cover mentioned as the next action martial arts hero.

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I Still Can't Believe It.

Don't miss it: February issue 2009, a dream come true. Having your name on a cover as a fitness model is almost impossible.

[ Q ] Does the traveling for shoots take a toll on your body, in terms of irregular eating patterns, workouts, etc?

[ A ] Traveling does not affect my shoot at all. I bring some protein shakes with me, and there are gyms everywhere; no excuses.

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I Bring Protein Shakes With Me.

Thank you so much for this great interview. I would like to thanks my sponsors BSN and I would also like to thank Kris Gethin.

jaim91@mail.com

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