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How did you get started with bodybuilding?

I got into bodybuilding at the start of my senior year of high school. I can remember it pretty well, my buddy Justin came in to school 1st day of senior year and had huge arms! I hadn’t seen him all summer and I was like, I want arms like that. Justin brought me to the gym where I got my first membership. I was into BMX so I was no where near built like a bodybuilder. I was about 145-150 on a 5’ 11” frame when I was 17 and look at me now. I didn’t quite take the path of the competitive bodybuilder right away but instead got in to power lifting but still admired the great physiques out there. My training partner was a national level NPC competitor and he trained with me my 1st couple years. I had a motorcycle spill and tore my hamstring. It didn’t quite heal well and actually that is what got me on to the path of a bodybuilder. At about 22 my friends starting egging me on about competing and basically told me I couldn’t hack it. Tell a guy like me I can’t do something, I am going to do something about it. So after I turned 23, I decided to train for my first competition and ended up doing pretty well. At first I thought I’d stop there but after my first one I had the competitive bug and haven’t stopped since then.

Where does your motivation come from?

Everybody, my family, my friends, past competitors, future competitors, a guy or girl who goes running at 4AM in the morning. I get my motivation from it all. They all have worked hard and their drive gets me motivated. But most of all, my motivation comes from all the hard working bodybuilders out there. I know they are busting their butt and know that if I slow down, I will be left in the smoke. I’m not going down without putting 100% effort into it. I am here for one thing, progression.

NGA American International 2009 Steven Chip

What is your training philosophy?

My training is kind of strange. I don’t really count reps, sets, or number of exercises per se, I focus on getting the pump, getting a great work out, and leaving the gym like I put it all on the line. My philosophy with weights is: if it’s hard getting to my reps, then that’s the weight I’m using that day.Training is all for one goal progression.

Maintenance is crap, progression is everything!

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

• Squats
• Bent Over Rows
• Bench Press

These are the 3 best exercises in my opinion. Benching is not one of my favorites but you can get so much development out of it. I love to squat and all you need to build some big wheels are squats. Bent Over Rows, the weight you can pull is awesome and you can get such great development from this movement.

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

I sometimes do the HIIT but usually I stick to normal cardio. Normally I do moderate intensity cardio. It’s nothing crazy, simply to help keep my metabolism running high.

What is your philosophy on nutrition?

It’s all about balance. I don’t do fad diets. The ratio of my macro nutrient changes depending on my goals but I still keep it well balanced.

What are your favorite meals and foods?

My favorite meals are pretty simple. I eat a lot of white rice and veggies. I sometimes have it with fish, lean meats, or poultry. I usually have it with chicken. I love to eat rice, beans, with sweet potato. Peanut butter, oatmeal and banana protein smoothies are real good. But for the most part, I love almost all food.

Favorite cheat foods?

Pizza, usually a loaded one and French fries are my favorite cheat foods. It’s a daily battle to keep myself from cheating haha.

What supplements do you use that give you great results?

When it comes to supplements I’m pretty standard nothing extreme. But here’s the list:

• Multi-vitamin
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• B12
• B6
• Omega-3 and Omega 6 Fatty acids
• Creatine
• Whey Protein
• Caffeine

Favorite Bodybuilders?

I have a bunch but the ones that come to my mind quickest are Dexter Jackson, Kevin Levrone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dorian Yates.

Favorite Quote?

Shut up and squat!

Bodyspace: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/rr1bmx/

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