How Did You Get Started?
When I was a lad, about 3 or 4, I was drawn into the world of professional wrestling. The guys during that era all had body building physiques. Naturally, like many young kids who watch, I looked up to these athletes with large than life personas and bodies to match. I idolized guys like Shawn Michaels, Triple H and Hulk Hogan. Way before I knew what lifting weights was I decided that one day I wanted to look just like them.
My first experience lifting weights was at the start of the 6th grade. I had acquired my first bench press and 110 lbs of weights. I convinced a close by neighbor to let me borrow it while they were on vacation. (They never got it back.) I remember being so thrilled at being able to lift all the weights I had, the whole 110lbs. I showed all my friends, my sister, my parents and some of their friends too. Not knowing any other exercises besides the bench press, I continued doing just that, sometimes every day, for about the next year until I took my first weights class.
Freshmen year was when I learned more about the nutrition side. It was my cousin Hector who first introduced me to protein and creatine. He also gave me a bunch of fitness magazines, which I studied and learned boat loads from. With my newfound nutritional knowledge, I took weights classes all through high school. Setting bench press records my Junior and Senior year, some of which still stand.
It was in early April of 2006 that I became serious with bodybuilding. Before than I was a guy with an above average body, but not a bodybuilder by any standings. Knowing I could not reach my full potential alone, I asked a local body building mogul for help. Former Over 40's bodybuilder of the week Dennis Fannuchi and I worked out together for over a year, and with his help, turned me into an actual bodybuilder.
What Workout Plan Worked Best For You?
I switch my workouts up on almost a daily basis. I rely on a good portion of instinct in the gym. As far as the constants go, I shoot for 45-60 min. Workouts: 3-5 exercises per body-part, 4-5 days a week, 6 precontest.
What Nutrition Plan Has Worked Best For You?
Ever since I was little I can remember eating way more than anyone else my age. Nowadays I can honestly say I've never met anyone who eats more than me on a regular basis. I'm just always hungry. That's my number one, eating as much as I can.
Currently I'm offseason, which means I'm eating 6-8 semi-clean meals a day. Somewhere between 3,000 to 5,000 calories with a tad more fat and lower carbs than a normal body building diet.
What Supplements Have Given You The Greatest Gains?
I stick to the basics. Protein, Creatine, glutamine, Arginine, BCAA's Fish Oils and sometimes a Testosterone booster. From working at GNC, I've come to the conclusion that there's no brand of supplement that really works too much better than another. I enjoy the BSN line because of the taste.
Why Do You Love Bodybuilding?
Many Reasons: I love the pump. I love to compete. I love looking like my childhood hero's. I love being strong, physically and mentally. I love feeling like I can handle myself in any situation. I love the sense of accomplishment after a workout. I love not feeling guilty about eating more calories in a day than some get in a week. I love how my shirts don't fit. H*ll, I even love needing my girlfriend to scratch my back because I can't reach. All this and more bodybuilding has gotten me.
What Are Your Future Bodybuilding Plans?
To be 210lbs lean by my 20th birthday (December). Besides that, it's to train hard and not compete again any time soon. I spent the last 8 weeks in full-on pre-contest mode and it damn near killed me. I definitely could not have done it without Dennis' training, Leroy Healy as my nutritionist/Pre contest specialist and my girlfriend Andrea cooking my food.
What One Tip Would You Give Other Bodybuilders?
Eat, train, sleep. in that order. This is a 24/7 kind of sport. If you can't handle that, play basketball, tennis or something.
Who Are Your Favorite Bodybuilders?
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Phil Heath, Dennis Fannuchi, Leroy Healy, & Hector Hernandez.
More Bodybuilder Profiles:
:: Current Teen Of The Week.
:: Other Previous Teens Of The Week.
:: Adult Amateur Bodybuilder Of The Week.
:: Over 40 Bodybuilder Of The Week.
You Could Be Our Next Teen Bodybuilder of the Week!
Thousands of people from around the world will know all about you... you'll be famous! You will also win a Bodybuilding.com T-Shirt and $50 worth of FREE supplements! SIGN UP TODAY!
Click Image To Enlarge.
