How did you get started with bodybuilding?
I started lifting in 1999 as part of my 7th grade football and wrestling conditioning. I fell in love with it! I Loved the way it made me feel, and i wanted to be able to out lift my peers. I started reading fitness magazines and learned tons about how to maximize my training and nutrition. Being strong and in great shape helped my sports performance immensely! Its only been in the last 2 years that I have shifted my main focus from wrestling to bodybuilding. After rupturing two discs in my neck I made the decision that it was time for my wrestling career to come to an end, but from the ashes rise new life.
Where does your motivation come from?
My motivation comes from wanting to be the best. Not necessarily to be the best bodybuilder to ever live, but to be the best that I can physically be. I have always had this drive inside and it is probably the biggest reason for my success.
What is your training philosophy?
Go heavy or go home! I love being strong and I love the feeling I get after lifting a huge amount of weight. Most of the time I use heavy compound movements for 5 sets of 5 reps. I lift as heavy as I can without sacrificing too much on form. I always keep in mind that bad form usually leads to injuries.
If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?
Bench, squat and deadlift. These are the 3 exercises where you can lift some real heavy weight, and really push your limits. Also, between these 3 exercises, you can pretty much work every muscle group in the body.
405 x 9 Deadlifts
When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?
I use a combination of the two. Early on in the cut, I will do more HIIT cardio. Usually intervals on the treadmill, uphill sprints, or racquetball. As I get my body fat down, I will start doing more low intensity cardio and increasing the time/frequency of the sessions.
What is your philosophy on nutrition?
When bulking up or trying to get stronger I use a diet high in carbs, moderately high in protein and low in fat. When cutting, I keep the carbs pretty low, under 200 carbs a day unless im carb loading. My fats are a little higher and protein is even more then normal so i can spare as much lean tissue as possible. I always try to keep the carbs as low gi as possible, and keep saturated fats as low as possible too.
What are your favorite meals?
I almost always start my day with a bowl of oatmeal and cottage cheese along with a protein shake. Lean beef is by far my favorite meat, steaks are awesome but i usually go with lean ground beef because its much cheaper. Fish is great as well.
Favorite cheat food?
Pizza or sushi are almost always what i go for if I’m having a cheat meal.
What supplements do you use?
After many years, and thousands of dollars, i have found that probably 90% of all the supplements out there are junk. Its just hyped up supplements that turn out to give nothing more then a placebo effect. These days i just stick to the basics, what’s tried and true and backed by science. Good quality protein supplements, BCAA’s, a good creatine product, and a multi-vitamin are all that is needed.
Which era of bodybuilding had superior physiques? Yesterdays Bodybuilders Or Todays?
Yesterdays by far. Although bodybuilders have way more muscle these days, old school bodybuilders had way better proportions. The main thing that deters me from current bodybuilding physiques are the distended belly’s that so many guys carry.
Favourite Bodybuilders?
Of yesterday, definitely Arnold. Of today, Frank McGrath.
Favourite Quote?
“The Iron never lies to you. You can walk outside and listen to all kinds of talk, get told that you’re a god or a total bastard. The Iron will always kick you the real deal. The Iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black. I have found the Iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is
always two hundred pounds.” – Henry Rollins
Bodyspace: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/-NastyNate-/
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