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How did you get started with bodybuilding?

I’ve never been a bodybuilder in the classic sense. While I’ve always sculpted & toned my physique with weight-training & other methods, I’ve never genetically had the mass-potential to naturally allow me to compete as a bodybuilder. The plus side is that I have a very attainable & naturally lean physique with genetically great ab-structure.  I first began weight training as an athlete in junior-high & HS sports and then into college where I competed as a pole-vaulter on the varsity track team at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and on the club wrestling team.  My father played pro-football & owned several gyms so I was always into fitness & training – it has always been a way of life.  My last year in the navy I started modeling for RoadRunner Sports & then got in with Men’s Health magazine.  I got my first cover in 2004 with Men’s Fitness magazine & the rest is history.

Where does your motivation come from?

My motivation comes inherently from my parents who were both athletes & in the fitness industry.  Like I said, hanging out in gyms & training was a way of life ever since I can remember.  I knew I would play sports all through school & growing up – there was no question.  Now I have a daughter of my own who is a sponsored skateboarder at only 6 years old named www.brycewettstein.com so now she knows she is an athlete.  I enjoy the physiological science & challenge of getting my physique dialed in for a shoot, though I tend to stay photo-ready in appearance all year long.

What is your training philosophy?

My training philosophy is, “Optimum health is my method of life. Focus on fitness & your ideal physique will follow.”  All-natural, all the time.  Get outside & play sports whenever possible: I surf, skate, play beach volleyball, mountain bike, snow ski, trail run, slackline, and actually only am in the gym when the weather is bad or 2 times per week for weight-training.  Even for weights, usually I do Olympic-style lifting with a barbell on a platform in my backyard.  “Full-body, functional fitness.”

My Workout Sample

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

As far as weight-lifting goes if I could only pick 3 exercises they would be this:

• Clean-&-Press
• Pull-ups
• Push-ups.

Every muscle group is hit plus I prefer training with my own body-weight when possible & upping the reps for maximum burn.

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

HIIT is way more effective for improving lean-body mass, and yields the greatest exercise VALUE.  HIIT produces Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption or EPOC and provides a Growth Hormone bump, and can be accomplished in under 30 minutes.  But that being said, above all else I cross-train & sometimes even do the occasionally marathon so I will incorporate some longer slower training runs.

What is your philosophy on nutrition?

I generally eat a all-natural, whole-foods-based diet, emphasizing lower-glycemic carbs & high-protein, saving sugar for the post-workout meal window for optimal glycogen replenishment. That being said, I’m generally always in a rush & travel a lot as a pilot so I do use a fair amount of supplements to include Greens+ brand bars, & lots of protein powder!  Right now I use Pro-NOS protein powder.  Max’s meal plan link.  Max’s eating pie-chart.  My recovery smoothie is world-famous.

Max’s Ultimate Post Workout Smoothie

What are your favorite meals and foods?

Favorite healthy meals are wild salmon & brown rice.  Coconut seared-ahi.  Stuffed halibut with ginger & garlic – all fresh.  My wife’s homemade salads with grilled chicken.  I use a lot of brown-rice pasta for carb-loading.

Favorite cheat food?

My favorite “cheat meals”, (& even these don’t have to be too bad if prepared fresh), are: pizza; meatballs & Bolognese sauces; anything chocolate & homemade.

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

I’m a consultant for www.naturessunshine.com vitamins & supplements.  My favorite protein powder is Pro-NOS French-vanilla protein.  I use L-Glutamine for recovery; I cycle micronized creatine monohydrate – the more fancy creatines are a waste of your money in my opinion.  I drink Green Tea or take green tea extract capsules every day for thermogenesis and health.  I drink a morning alkalizing & cleansing drink I make every morning.  Sometimes I use DHEA for anti-aging & natural testosterone support.

Favourite Bodybuilders?

Favorite Bodybuilders are of course the legends: Arnold, Frank Zane, Ronnie Coleman.  Can’t keep track of all the IFBB pros now, and sometimes their drug-use scares me & disappoints me as an all-natural athlete.  Favorite fitness models: Greg Plitt, Clark Bartram, Jessie Pavelka, Matus, David Kimmerle.

Favourite Quote?

Favorite quote is my own quote:

“Optimum health is a method of life. Focus on fitness & your ideal physique will follow.”

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