SimplyShredded.com

How did you get started with bodybuilding?

I got started with bodybuilding when I was in college. My friends dared me to enter the www.bodybuilding.com teen bodybuilder of the week contest, and I won. After that, I told myself I was going to compete. Soon after, I entered my first bodybuilding competition in late May 2007, where I earned 2nd place light heavyweight in a South Jersey NPC show. What can I say, I was hooked! Since that first competition in 2007 I have competed in about 5 bodybuilding shows and 3 fitness modeling shows. I still train and live the lifestyle of a bodybuilder but am sticking to fitness modeling for now because I enjoy staying lean year round, building muscle very slowly.

Where does your motivation come from?

My motivation comes from many places. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer back around 2002 and passed away four years ago in 2006. Ever since then, I have really aspired to work as possibly hard as I can to make her proud and do all the things people said I couldn’t. I use this motivation in every day: every rep, set and exercise…she is there to push me even further. My mind has been so clear and focused these last few years. Also, I went through quite the transformation in a five month period back in 2008. I decided, “man, I could be in those magazines” so I went for it. I was 250lbs and just didn’t feel good about myself. Constantly eating just to maintain that weight was just too difficult. So in those five months, I dropped about 45 lbs. and since then have gotten signed non-exclusively with a fitness modeling agency in NYC and have been published in two fitness magazines (Exercise for Men Only and Men’s Exercise) in 2009.

In addition, I enjoy being a role model for other guys and always strive to be “what every guy wants to look like.”

What is your training philosophy?

Recently I have adopted a training philosophy recommended by pro natural bodybuilder Layne Norton. Layne is truly a great guy and offers a wealth of knowledge with contest prep and nutritional/training information. Basically, I follow a power/hypertrophy split…with the earlier days focusing on more of a power phase (more weight/less reps) and later in the week split the body parts and focus on more of a hypertrophy response (moderate weight/more reps) and better pump. I really emphasize the core lifts though more than anything (deadlifts, squats, bench press, barbell curls, pullups, barbell rows etc)

If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?

• Deadlifts- I feel they hit every muscle fiber in the body, great for overall development.
• Pullups- Great back developer, especially for getting your back wider and giving you that illusion of being bigger than you really are
• Front Squats- I don’t feel like people do these enough and can be so beneficial to the quads.

When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?

I’m a fan of combining HIIT a few days a week and lower intensity a few days a week. I usually rely more on my diet and just incorporate the cardio as needed, whether it be HIIT or low intensity.

What are your favorite meals and foods?

Favorite foods include: Apples, bananas, brown rice, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, steak, chicken, eggs. Pretty simple guy…I like just about everything

Favorite cheat food?

Pizza of any kind…and also any kind of chocolate.

What supplements do you use that give you great results? How do you use them?

I really love Cellucor brand products. They have a lot of scientific research behind them and have given me great results. M5 and P6 are great muscle boosters and are a great addition to my regimen because it is more difficult to build muscle when trying to stay lean all year round. I use Cellucor’s products just about everyday, and usually add D4 (fat burner) in the mix when I’m trying to really get shredded.

Favourite Bodybuilders?

Jay Cutler because he overcame the odds and kept coming back to finally beat Ronnie…and also Arnold of course, just because he’s freakin’ Arnold.

Favorite Quote?

“Apply the mind and the body will follow.” One of my favorite quotes that I adopt day in and day out. It all starts with mental preparation.

Bodyspace: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/batlats/?

Simplyshredded.com answers your questions! Check out our new forums for free bodybuilding advice from the community. Fast, friendly and free! What are you waiting for?