Male

20

United States

College Student

2002

In the 7th and 8th grades I started wrestling and discovered that my body went through a tremendous change. At first, before sports, I had believed myself to be skinny and weak, but after two or three seasons of wrestling I found myself beginning to develop muscle. My father dusted off a few Weider books (still sold today, and for good reason) and gave them to me, starting me off in our basement with a home gym set, using basic exercises to develop a base for me to get started. After my first year, even without huge results, I became addicted.

I love the "positive" pain and pump that you get when slamming down each rep and every set that you do. It's good to see the results a month, a year from whenever your start point is, and it's exciting to set new PRs.

My major motivation are the other bodybuilders in my gym. Specifically anyone who works hard or is stronger or bigger than me; doesn't matter whether they're the same age or 10 or 20 years older. Knowing that other people are doing their best also motivates me to give it my all. Respect is another thing that keeps me motivated. I highly respect people who take care of themselves and their bodies, and who make an effort to stay in shape because it takes a lot of effort to get in shape for most of us.

Been going for 5 years strong now, and I don't think I'll ever stop. I suppose the day when I surpassed my body weight was a major accomplishment from the bench press standpoint. - Finally gained that weight I had always wanted to permanently gain.

Sever. And step forward. I will separate myself from you. I will walk this line unassisted and undeterred. ----- For some reason I used to want to use lifting straps to improve grip. But I learned that that's what chalk is for. Go raw, every time.