It started with tennis which I played for years when I was younger but unfortunately injured myself in 2002, when I broke my wrist. After that I began training at the gym to work on strengthening my wrist and body to help me get back into the game. Soon after I simply lost my craving for tennis and went entirely into strength training where after a while it felt it was where I belonged. I had always been fascinated with muscles, both on boys and girls and in my eyes a fit body is a healthy body. I have been doing weight training for six years but more serious/competitive bodybuilding for 4 years.
After I won the Better Bodies Model Search in 2006, I was more pumped than ever to work harder on my nutrition and training to help me achieve that ideal physique I was aiming for. Last but not least, training plays a huge part of my life, and I think today I would find it very hard to live without it.
Where does your motivation come from?
Everyone needs something to aim for, it is the driving force behind the motivation. Therefore, the goal and motivation is often linked, right? I am often asked how I motivate myself to work out and live this lifestyle? First of all, I have always been training, since I was little, so all this comes natural for me. Although I am only human and sometimes do feel a little less motivated.
When this happens I turn to motivational videos on the web, success stories and other motivational quotes to help keep my motivation at its peak!
What workout routine has worked best for you?
The workout routine that has worked best for me is high reps and very little weight. It gives me an amazing pump! I also never train using a set program and each day is a completely different workout compared to the last. The reason for this is that I always try to keep my muscles guessing.
Sample Split:
Monday – Chest and Triceps
Tuesday – Back and Biceps
Wednesday – Shoulders and Abs
Thursday – Legs
Friday – Rest
Saturday – Chest and Triceps
Sunday – Back and Triceps
If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?
Pull Ups – Because they work your entire upper body and are also great on the core. You work so many stabilization muscles when you do a pull up.
Squats – If you do them correctly, they work your entire lower body and your core! Your core is in constant stabilization as you squat. When you squat nice and low you activate your hamstrings and your glutes!
Shoulder press – The shoulder press exercise is a very good compound movement for the upper body and this movement has helped me sculpt my shoulders over the years.
What is your diet like?
Right now, my diet consists of mostly protein, vegetables, and some complex carbohydrates and fats.
Example Daily Diet:
Meal 1: Oatmeal, chocolate protein powder
Meal 2: 4 egg whites
Meal 3: 4oz lean fish, 1 cup veggies
Pre Workout: BCAA and L-glutamine
Post Workout: Protein shake, BCAA and L-glutamine
Meal 4: Red meat and 3 pounds of vegetables
Meal 5: Chicken or egg whites
When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?
I stick with low intensity cardio for the most part and do 45-60 minutes at a steady pace every morning.
What is your supplementation like?
Current Supplement Stack:
Multivitamin
Omega 3
CLA
Vitamin C
Protein powder
Glutamine
BCAAs
Favorite figure competitors?
My favorite figure competitors are Davana Medina & Jenny Lynn
Favorite Quote?
“You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be” – Unknown
How did you get started with bodybuilding?