I had a passion for basketball growing up. I started playing in third grade and played it all the way to high school. Two weeks before high school tryouts, I broke my tibia and it changed my life completely. I spent six months resting and recovering. It was hard because I thought I'd never play the same as I did before my injury. At the time, I was depressed, so I started lifting weights.
A few months later, as I was recovering, my grandfather passed away from cancer. He was a second father and did everything for me. My grandfather always told me to never stop exercising. I believe that was my calling and I started lifting seriously. Lifting took my mind off stress. It was like meditation. Anytime I felt hurt, stressed, or depressed, I had an urge to hit the gym. Three years later, I became a totally different person. I went from skinny to having a great physique.
I stopped playing basketball and built a strong love for bodybuilding. I made it through hard times and became stronger in the process. Now I train a few friends and they love the results. Bodybuilding has always been there for me. It shapes who I am and I believe it will benefit me in the future. I know my grandfather is watching me in heaven and must be proud. I promised myself that I will never quit and I will become the best person I can be. I love what bodybuilding did for me.
I love bodybuilding for many reasons. I love the results and who I'm becoming. Bodybuilding gave me discipline, commitment, toughness, and pride. Bodybuilding isn't just a sport, it's a lifestyle. There are great things that come from bodybuilding. It brings respect, confidence, self-assurance, and overall motivation. Being a shy, quiet person growing up, bodybuilding helped me gain confidence and now I have an incredible physique. Bodybuilding took me on a great journey. Many teens get addicted to alcohol and drugs, but I'm addicted to bodybuilding. I won't make the mistakes most teens do.
How can you not love bodybuilding when you're able to impress your friends, excel at something that others cannot, lose fat, gain muscle, get stronger, feel healthier, live longer, stay young, look better, and so much more? I know that bodybuilding will always be there for me, and I will never stop pursuing my dreams. I won't quit on myself or the people who depend on me.
Many things motivate me, but I stay motivated by thinking of my grandfather who passed away. He told me to never stop exercising, so I promised myself to never quit on him. He did so much for me. It's only fair that I give my best for him. My friends and family play a big role in my motivation. They see great potential in me and I never want to let them down. I look at successful fitness competitors and wish that could be me one day. I'm focused on the end result and feel like I accomplished something amazing. I want to inspire many people, give everything my best, and make wise decisions.
I want to show people that anything is possible if you put time and effort into it. I want to be better than I was yesterday. I came a long way, so why would I quit now? Why should I ever quit? I know my grandfather, family, and friends are watching me and want the best for me and I will never quit until I achieve my goals. Hard work always pays off.
I've been training for three years and only decided a few months ago to compete in men's physique. I dieted hard, researched during my senior year, and watched my physique change dramatically. It's amazing how I'm able to transform my body. My first show will be in the summer and I can't wait.
When I turn 18 years old, I plan to become a certified personal trainer and learn about exercise science and nutrition in college. We are put on this world to help others, so my goal is to inspire people and help them pursue their dreams. Becoming a personal trainer, training hard to improve my physique, competing, eating healthy foods, and never giving up will help me accomplish that. My goal in the future is to continue training and inspire and help many others who want to stay fit and feel great. Winning awards, getting sponsored, and being on a few magazine covers will also be nice.
Pursue your dreams, no matter how far they seem. Never give up on what you want in life. Set a goal, work hard for it, give it your best, be patient, and your dreams will come true. Many people will put you down, hurt you, laugh at you, and say you can't do something. When that happens, I take the negative energy, and let it all go at the gym. The more you train, the fewer problems you have in life. Never give up on your dreams no matter how impossible they seem. The end result will be so rewarding.
Phil Heath, Ronnie Coleman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jeff Seid, and Lazar Angelov.
Bodybuilding.com is the best source for information and supplementation. I order supplements, research new workouts and foods, and much more on the site. Bodybuilding.com helped me through my fitness journey.