Contest history/highlights 2012: Jr. USAs 1st Super Heavyweight and Overall; 2011: Jr. USAs 2nd Super Heavyweight; Jr. Nationals 5th Super Heavyweight; 2010: Coastal Championships 2nd Super Heavyweight; Nationals DNP; 2008: Golds Gym Southeastern Classic 1st Super Heavyweight and Overall; Georgia State Championships 1st Super Heavyweight and Overall; Nationals DNP; 2005: Iowa State Championships 1st Heavyweight and Overall; Midwest Open 1st Heavyweight and Overall; 2003: Collegiate Nationals 3rd Heavyweight; 2001: Iowa State Championships 1st Heavyweight and Overall; 2000: Iowa State Championships 1st Light Heavyweight
COMMITMENT “I had a hard time as child sitting down and doing nothing. I played many sports from elementary through middle school, but entering high school I played only football. After I graduated from high school, I needed a competitive activity to engage and commit myself to. One morning I woke up from a long night of drinking I made the decision to commit myself to training and a better lifestyle.”
FIRST SHOW “My first show in 2000 was a pain, I did not get in the greatest shape, but I won the light heavyweight class weighing in at 197lbs. I remember water manipulation was the hardest part. Reducing or not drinking water was the hardest part to me.”
MEETING THE CHALLENGE “With bodybuilding more so than any other competitive activity, you are mainly competing with yourself – it’s is more of a mind game than a physical game. Compromising, suffering, pushing when tired and time management are some of the hardest aspects of the whole contest preparation. I fell in love with bodybuilding when I found out how difficult it is, how much one has to compromise to be successful in it. I have always loved challenges, and the activity of bodybuilding is very difficult.”
BALANCING ACT “Many of my role models in bodybuilding are the athletes and friends of mine who are multidimensional; who can balance family, professions outside of bodybuilding, yet are still able to compete and do very well. I have come across bodybuilders who want to succeed and compromise almost too much in their life in order to be successful and come up short, sometimes very short.”
DOING WORK “Obviously my goal in bodybuilding – like many – is to be an IFBB Pro. I don’t know if that is in the cards for me, but I will do my best. I cannot even look beyond that point as far as competing at the that level until I have secured professional status. I understand I have a lot of work to do on my physique to become more symmetrical and balanced which takes a lot of time and work.”
