This was taken from an interview I did with John Stone of www.johnstonefitness.com back in June of 2009. I’m going to have to tell you this story doesn’t so much start at the decision to make my physical transformation but rather many years prior leading up to that very point (it’s like a Quentin Tarintino movie!) Well, I've been strongly interested in bodybuilding and bodybuilders for most of my life. As a young child I aspired to be just like my Dad (and still do!). He was and still is a very strong, muscular guy and has a 6 pack that looks better than guys half his age - truly inspiring. But it wasn't till years later I would find a magazine that would truly start me off on my journey. At the ripe age of 13 (11 years ago) I came across a 1996 collectors edition of MuscleMag. It was a tribute to Arnold and his accomplishments. I remember seeing his photos and I was hooked... that's what I wanted to look like. I still have that magazine to this day. Shortly after finding that magazine I joined the high school weight room in hopes of becoming the next Arnold. Of course I had no idea what I was doing in terms of dieting and working out, but I did my best and trained everyday on my lunch hours. As time went by I became discouraged because I wasn't looking anything near like Arnold as I had hoped and I started to fall away from the gym. After awhile of being on and off from the gym I finally stopped working out altogether and sadly enough picked up on a path of self destruction. I seriously spun out of control! Near the end I was smoking 6 grams of marijuana as well as drinking a 24-pack of beer DAILY! On top of this I was eating at McDonald's and Wendy’s regularly, eating junk food, and consuming large amount of pasta before bed. As the weight started to pack on the more depressed I became which in turn had me indulging more in these things. It was a vicious cycle. It wasn't until May 2005 that I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and I didn't recognize the man staring back at me. I had went from being a fairly fit teenager to a substance abusing, overweight young man. I knew right then and there I needed to change, my life depended on it. It may seem like I’m being overly dramatic but seriously….I know myself well enough that had I chose to keep going down that path in life I would have become much worse and at that rate I wouldn’t have lived long. I tore through my house ridding the junk food from my pantry, the beer from my fridge, the pot from my table, and everything else that was associated. I packed it all in one box, called up some of my friends and told them they had 10 minutes to come get it. Sure enough there they were right on time, lol. When asked if I was sure I wanted to do this and receive nothing in return I simply replied. “Take it, take it now before I change my mind” The journey began…

I personally love bodybuilding for many different reasons. I love the adrenaline rush I get as I'm stepping under 300 lbs of weight for squats, I love the sense of accomplishment I get when I look back over the years I have spent bodybuilding and the changes I have made to myself. Not just physically but mentally. It simply the best thing that has ever happened to me. Heck had it not been for bodybuilding I wouldn't be where I am today nor would have I met my wonderful girlfriend