6’8″ – 320lb Monster! Martyn Ford Talks With Simplyshredded.com

Quick Stats:

Age: 33
Height: 6’8″ – 203 cm
Weight: 320 lbs – 145 kg

How did you get started?

I was training to become a professional cricket player and during that time I sustained a really bad injury. After my injury, I managed to get really bad glandular fever that basically cost me 9-12 months at a vital time in my career.

The end result was that I had to give up my dreams of being a professional cricket player, and I had to find a new focus for my hunger. Then I decided to enter the world of bodybuilding and I absolutely loved it!

What motivates you to keep going and push harder?

I have a few sources of motivation. My family and especially my daughter really motivate me. I will never stop trying to be all that I can be to show her how much I care for her. Being able to provide for her and set an example of a strong role model to her and many others is an amazing feeling for me. Another thing is I don’t like negativity, I feel it drags you down and eats away at you. I deliberately separate myself from negative people. On social media sites I block and delete them, and in life I avoid or ignore them.

I find negativity is infectious and also very depressing. Choose friends who you admire and aspire to be like! Positive, driven and determined.

What do you love most about being so huge, and do you face any challenges?

I just feel it’s the real me! I hate feeling skinny and weak; it just depresses me, and it doesn’t feel right. I do have daily challenges, trying to find clothes that fit, cars to drive and having enough food to eat.

When you need to consume up to 8,000 calories in a day, it can be a real pain getting that much food into your system day after day while trying to live a ‘normal’ life.

What is your current training philosophy? How often do you change your training?

Currently I am doing HIT training. I run a program for 4-5 weeks and then I have a week off, where I do high volume work. I will switch up the exercises in the second phase, but the reps and methods will remain the same. In regards to fitness, I do MMA training twice per week, with two sessions at the Gracie Academy for BJJ and 2-3 interval sessions in the gym.

Full Routine:

Monday: Chest/Biceps

Incline Press 3 x 12/8/6
Incline Fly’s 3 x 12/8/6
Decline Press 3 x 12/8/6
Barbell Curls 3 x 12/8/6
Concentration Curls 3 x 12/8/6

Tuesday: Back/Traps

Bent-Over Rows 3 x 12/8/6
Close Grip Pulldowns 3 x 12/8/6
Deadlifts 3 x 12/8/6
Seated Single Arm Rows 3 x 12/8/6
Shrugs 3 x 12/8/6

Wednesday: Recovery

Rest day

Thursday: Shoulders/Triceps

Seated Dumbbell Press 3 x 12/8/6
Seated Laterals 3 x 12/8/6
Single Arm Lateral Raises (Using Cable) 3 x 12/8/6
Front Raises 3 x 12/8/6
Rear Delt Fly’s 3 x 12/8/6
French Press 3 x 12/8/6
Rope Pushdowns 3 x 12/8/6

Friday: Legs

Leg Extensions 3 x 12/8/6
Squats 3 x 12/8/6
Leg Press 3 x 12/8/6
Hamstring Curls 3 x 12/8/6
Calf Raises 3 x 12/8/6

Saturday/Sunday: Recovery

I rest for 60 seconds between sets and for 2 minutes between exercises. I use forced sets, drop sets and negative reps for advanced techniques.

What is your approach to nutrition?

Over the last year, I have really started to pay greater attention to my nutrition. I now weigh and monitor my food intake much more closely.

Over the past 6 months, I have been playing around with my macros, and I’m really starting to see what works for me.

How many calories do you consume in a day?

This can vary massively depending on what I’m training for, but I can consume anywhere from 4,500 to 8,000 calories per day.

Do you bulk and cut or stay lean year round?

I used to bulk and cut, but never to extremes. I have always been more into what my body can do verses how it looks; I guess this comes from my early days of cricket, fighting and athletics. However, my plan now is to get lean and stay lean, so I will be ready for any potential jobs on the acting front.

Daily Diet:

Meal 1: 7 ½ ounces Chicken Breast, 2 tablespoons Udo’s Oil and 3 ½ ounces Green Vegetables
Meal 2: 5 ounces Chicken Breast, 5 ounces Egg Whites and 3 ounces (dry measure) Oats
Post Workout: Protein Shake
Meal 3: 7 ½ ounces Chicken Breast, 7 ½ Vegetables, 3 ½ ounces Udo’s Oil and 2 tablespoons (dry measure) Brown Rice
Meal 4: Same as meal 3
Meal 5: 5 ounces Chicken Breast, 5 ounces Egg Whites and 5 ounces Sweet Potato Salad
Meal 6: 7 ½ ounces Chicken Breast, 2 tablespoons Udo’s Oil and 3 ½ ounces Green Vegetables
Meal 7: 7 ½ ounces White Fish and 1 cup Large Green Salad
Meal 8: 15 Egg Whites, 2 tablespoons Low-Fat Cottage Cheese and 1 cup Green Salad