When I was a junior in high school I decided to take a weight training class. During that time I noticed I was getting stronger and my body was changing.
I decided to take it again when I was a senior. I started to surpass my goals from the previous year. People in school started to notice.
After high school I stopped working out for more than a year and then I decided to go in the Army. In the beginning I worked out every now and then. I didn't take it too serious. I eventually deployed to Bosnia, in which I had the time to work out. That's when I started to take supplements.
At that time MuscleTech was pretty much king. So I was taking that. Again I noticed a difference in my strength and the way I looked. My motivation was just seeing a transformation in myself. I had a good workout partner at the time too.
Of course the greats Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Levrone, and Lee Haney were a definite inspiration. From then on I was hitting the weights off and on. The last 7 years I really have been constant in the gym.
The hardest part was being away from family. At that time I had a fianceé, so that was hard. I was homesick for about the first year of joining the Army. But then you get used to the lifestyle and all.
I guess that's what the 30 days paid vacation per year is for, to visit your loved ones!
The biggest obstacle to me personally is being away from my daughter. Since I am no longer married to her mother and live in different state.
I do manage every time I get leave (vacation) to go and see her. I have since moved from 24 hours away to 5 hours away from her.
That's a good question. I get asked if I compete and that I should compete all the time. I'm pretty much undecided as of right now. I love everything about bodybuilding.
I still have a ways to go. If I step out on stage, I want to win. I have to make sure that I'm 100% ready.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Levrone, Lee Haney, David Henry, and Ronnie Coleman.
Dedication, you have to be committed to your training. Half-assing your workout is not going to cut it.
Don't expect to see results right away. It takes time, so don't get unmotivated.