How did your fitness
journey begin?
My older brother was into lifting and made solid gains during his high school football career. We had a barbell with weights in our garage and he always had me spot him when he worked out at home. I was amazed at his strength and wanted to be like him.
In high school, I played football despite my skinny 125-pound frame and wrestled. Every day after practice, I was one of few who stayed to lift after school. I didn't understand the importance of nutrition and thought I would grow by eating a protein bar after training. I didn't gain much weight but made steady strength gains until my varsity wrestling season.
I cut from 155 to 138 pounds in one week and maintained for three months by eating 500 calories per day. After wrestling, I became obsessed with gaining weight and spent hours on Bodybuilding.com learning to gain mass and understand nutrition. I loved the culture and lifestyle and didn't return to football or wrestling my senior year so I could focus on bodybuilding.
I started to track my macros and saw rapid results. Five months after wrestling ended, I gained my weight back and more. My friends told me to do a show, so I competed in the INBA Wild West Bodybuilding Show and won my division. I made adjustments to my routine to prepare for a powerlifting meet at my school as well as another INBA show.
What workout regimen delivered the best results?
I'm an ectomorph and struggle gaining weight. To counter this, I found that starting my workout with 1-2 heavy compound lifts followed by 2-3 heavy isolation movements gives me the best results. I'm currently training on a powerlifting/bodybuilding hybrid training regimen.
How did your passion for fitness emerge?
I never avoided training, but I used to view it as a chore. It didn't become a passion until I learned how much I could help others. I watch lots of Elliot Hulse videos on YouTube and he inspires me to inspire others. I made a strength club at my school to help my peers become the strongest version of themselves through strength training.
What or who motivated you?
My motivation comes from within. I want to prove the haters wrong, inspire others, be healthy, and look good, but ultimately I want to become the strongest version of myself.
Where did you go for inspiration?
I'm inspired by people who remain humble despite great success like CT Fletcher, Mike Rashid, Elliot Hulse, Derek Poundstone, and Ronnie Coleman. I watch Elliot Hulse, CT Fletcher, and Mike Rashid on YouTube and listen to Rob Bailey's gym music.
What are your future fitness plans?
I want to earn an INBA pro card and compete in the Natural Olympia. My short-term goal is to bring my power lifts up to 1,000 pounds by high school graduation and compete in an INBA men's physique on May 17, 2014. I'm passionate about all aspects of fitness and want to improve my flexibility, strength, and power.
What is the most important fitness tip?
Stick to the basics and work like hell with sickening consistency. I've gone months without seeing changes, but I stay consistent and the gains come with time.
Who is your favorite competitor?
Steve Cook is my favorite in men's physique, Dana Linn Bailey is my favorite female athlete, Elliot Hulse is my favorite strongman, Lou Ferrigno is my favorite old school bodybuilder, and Kai Greene is my favorite modern bodybuilder. They're my favorites because they stay true to themselves and are still successful. My sister, an amateur women's physique competitor, is also a huge inspiration.
How did Bodybuilding.com help you reach your goals?
I learned everything I know about nutrition from Bodybuilding.com. The easy-to-comprehend articles provide quality information from professional athletes and industry experts.
Anthony's Top 5 Gym Tracks
- "Work Hard Play Hard" by Wiz Khalifa
- "Hungry" by Rob Bailey and The Hustle Standard
- "Arrival To Earth" by Steve Jablonsky
- "Roar" by Katy Perry
- "Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme)" by Bill Conti
Competition History
- 2013 INBA Wild West Bodybuilding Show - 1st Place