Carl Jefferson

Male

37

Providence R.I.

Pastor, Fitness Trainer

Oct, 2006

My journey started in 2000, when a friend and I just wanted to lift to gain some weight.After being challenged by God to change my eating habits, my journey started where God insturcted me that I had to do better with his "Temple", this is how it all started. For the past 6 years I have been in the process of sculpting my body so that it will be a tool that God can use for his glory.

God is not only concerned about the spiritual, but he is concerned about the whole persom (Body, Mind, Spirit). I had a grip on both the spiritual and mental, however the body was lacking. Through the inspiration of a Personal trainer and bodybuilder, Joe Summeral, he challenged me to see that my body is a conduit that God desires to use to fulfill his purpose. he not only challenged me, but also was a living example of how to be a good steward over what God has given and gifted us with. Our bodies should be something that we take care of and appreciate, because they were given to us by an awesome artist and craftsmen. I love bodybuilding, it has taught me how to have patience, discipline, and endurance not only in the sport, but also in every area of my life.

My motivational factor is having TRUE support and accountablility. I am so gratefult to a loving and supportive wife, who has been by my side for seven years. I could not have done this without her,God knew who I needed when he caused me to see my good thang. I thank God for Tamica, she is not only my wife, but my #1 supporter and friend. Tamica is helping me to be all that God has called me to be. Much props goes to her, because she so willingly made sure that I had everything that I needed as it related to my diet, and when I felt like I was not reching my goals, homegirl stroked my ego everytime and reminded me of how wonderful "The temple" looked! Along with her, God brought a very special individual in my life and although he is not a trainer by profession, he is "my personal tainer". While preparing for his own competition, I am so grateful to Sean, that he took the time to take me up under his wings to train, and mentor me through my firts ten months of training. The transformation of my "temple" is unreal. I believe that both Sean and I were on a collision course to meet and he has impacted my life greatly. Along with Sean, my other mentors (Pete, Evan, Ron, and Hawk) held me accountable throughout the process, I have leaned that you need a full team of support to reach your goal and these people kept me accountable and I so thank you for it. Also during the process when I really felt unmotivated I looked Ulisses Williams Jr, and Dr. Kof who greatly inspired me with their stories and bodybuilding success, I call these two my role models, who I desire to one day meet. Lastly, GOD is my great motivator and inspiration because he has given me "my body" as a tool to be used for his purpose and I have sculpted his "temple" to be a representative of how he would desire for his creation to tend and care for their bodies.

1st time competition and placing 6th in the Light weight division- The Northeastern Natural Bodybuilding Championship-Oct. 21, 2006

Cowboy