How it all started
I've been to the gym a few times in High School, but it wasn't until I was a Freshman in college that I started going on a consistent basis. I'd get my information from bodybuilding.com or just talking to bigger guys at the gym. I'd try out different programs for weeks at a time which eventually led me to creating my own programs. I didn't know the importance of nutrition at the time, but all I wanted to do was to gain as much weight as possible being that I was 135lbs at 5'9".
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Look at me at 7 months into lifting! Beginner's Gains in full effect 🚀
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Consistency
When I couldn't go to the gym due to classes and extracurricular activities, I'd do calisthenics at home just to keep my fitness up. At one point I was doing 100-500 pushup-ups and 20-50 pull-ups a day for 3 months straight. This yielded amazing results which got me hyped up to hit the gym again!!
I got back into lifting in early 2008, and I continued going after graduation. By then I had gained a significant amount of weight and muscle. I'm around 165lbs in this photo from 2008.
Creating Mindset
Once I graduated, I sought to take fitness to another level. I've always wanted to compete in some type of bodybuilding competition, but knew I couldn't get as big as the guys you see in Mr. Olympia. As soon as the NPC introduced the Men's Physique Division (MPD), I knew it was something I could train for. This was the beginning of Instagram and when IG fitness started to become popular; however, there was a lack of coaches to choose from so I decided to prep on my own.
After reading countless articles and studies on training techniques and basic nutrition, I created a training and nutrition plan that I stuck with for 12 months. I bulked for 6 months and then began my first Contest Prep in January of 2013. I switched from casual lifting to a having a bodybuilding mindset and the results paid off tremendously.
This is me taking first place and the overall win at my 2nd ever show at the NPC Mid-Atlantic Classic.
Living the Fit Lifestyle
After my first competitive season ended in July 2013, I found that drug-tested bodybuilding competitions actually exist. This got me excited to try the Open Bodybuilding category. I liked that I could showcase my legs, instead of board shorts from MPD, as well as my hard work through the mandatory poses. I stepped on stage in the Fall of 2014 to compete in the NGA and INBF, two well-known natural bodybuilding organizations in the U.S.
The following year I made a life-changing decision to move to the Philippines with my wife, where I would pursue fitness and Online Coaching as a full-time career and to live the fit lifestyle I preach to my clients. It took some time to adjust to the new environment, but I eventually found my way into the bodybuilding community especially through my sponsor, Supplement Hub. I stepped on stage again in 2017, winning 1st place in my first international competition (NAC) in the Philippines and competing in the AustralAsian Natural Bodybuilding (ANB) Pro show.
Competitive Bodybuilding History
2013 - 3rd Place - NPC John Kemper Classic, Men's Physique Open Class B
2013 - 1st Place and Overall - NPC Mid Atlantic Natural Classic, Men's Physique Open Class A
2013 - No Placing (non top 10) - NPC Bev Francis Atlantic States, Men's Physique Open Class B
2013 - No Placing (non top 10) - NPC Team Universe (National Competition), Men's Physique Class B
2014 - 1st Place - NGA Natural East Coast Classic Championships, Men's Bodybuilding Novice
2014 - 2nd Place - NGA Natural East Coast Classic Championships, Men's Bodybuilding Light Heavyweight​
2014 - 3rd Place - NGA NJ Championships, Men's Bodybuilding Open Middleweight
2014 - 5th Place - INBF Monster Mash, Men's Bodybuilding Open Middleweight
2017 - 1st Place - NAC 6th Phil-Asia 2017 Int'l Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships, Athletic Bodybuilding Open Tall
2017 - No Placing - ANB Universe International Pro Show, Men's Bodybuilding
2017 - 2nd Place - Gemmalyn Crosby Sports Festival, Athletic Bodybuilding Open Tall