Last Visit: Today, 6:23am Last Forum Post: Aug 9, 2009 9:42pm Last Photo Upload: Nov 15, 2009 7:33am Last Profile Update: Yesterday, 10:46pm Last Blog Post: Today, 4:27am
Overall Goal: Get back on the WNBF Pro Stage in 2010. Be the first Raw USAPL Masters lifter to total over 1700lbs and break the 220 Open Military Deadlift with a 707lb. Most importantly...remember to keep the fitness life in perspective.
Fit Status:
I'm delpoyed to the Desert. Just give me some time. I will get back to you!
Motivation Level: 10/10
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
Troy Saunders
Sex:
Male
Age:
41
Location:
Kaiserslautern, Rheinland, Germany
Occupation:
US Air Force and contributing writer to 'Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness' and 'Exercise for Men Only'.
Bruce Jenner won the Decathalon at the 1976 Olympics. I thought his ability to do it all was the epitome of fitness. Again in 2008 an American won the Decathalon...can anyone name him? Times sure have changed.
Why I Love It:
After 3+ decades it is my life.
Some of my oldest and truest friends I have met as a direct result of being involved in the pursuit of fitness success. The motivation and camaraderie of my fellow athletes is contagious. The support I have received from friends and fans has been uplifting and has driven me to pursue more challenging goals.
Bodybuilding & powerlifting have become entwined with my day-to-day living. The choices I make about work, travel and recreation involve a consideration of how my workouts and diet will be affected. In fact my diet, workouts and personal training sessions are part of my daily calendar. That being said, it is not my life all encompassing. I enjoy many other pursuits, and I do make workout/diet adjustments to allow for broader and more developed experiences beyond the fitness realm. Often my personal successes unrelated to fitness have been affected indirectly from the foundation bodybuilding & powerlifting I have in my life. Having the dedication to follow through and never give up and the belief that anything is possible have both been taught and bolstered from my experiences in bodybuilding & sports. Steadfast determination is not something people are born with, but something that must be developed and nurtured. Once you have an understanding of the strength of character it offers you can transfer that energy to anything that you want in your professional and personal life, family, education, etc… (put your own goals here!)
How I Stay Motivated:
This is not an easy question. It is an ingrained part of my life, but admittedly I am motivated by more than just pumping iron and getting ripped. When I was in my teens it was very much about an image I could present. Who I was…was in part what I looked like. As I have matured the focus has gone from looking the best I can to being the best I can be. When I turned 36 I had only competed in 34 bodybuilding competitions. I had always limited myself to competing only when I thought I was truly ready, i.e. big enough. 3 years later at age 39 I had completed my 55th show. I had learned to enjoy the camaraderie of my fellow competitors, and the vast amount of experience and knowledge I gained from them. Since then my condition and overall muscle mass has increased dramatically. But more importantly I was NOT competing to win, I was competing to be better than I was the last time I was on stage...regardless of the results. Not surprisingly I begin to win and lose more, but I simply thoroughly enjoyed the experience more. This same motivation also pushed me to the same successes and experiences in my powerlifting pursuits.
In short, I keep motivated by always upping the ante of being better than I was before, and more importantly helping my fellow fitness enthusiast to excel!
BB Accomplishments:
2008 US Air Force Europe Athlete of the Year
2007 WNBF Worlds-Didn't break the top 10, but I was proud to be there none the less.
2007 Swiss INBF International Overall Winner
2005,2006 & 2007 US Forces Europe Championship 1st Place
Mr. Montana 1998 Overall - My first Drug tested competition.
POWERLIFTING
Persently Holds 4 American Raw Records, 4 USA National Raw Records, 8 Military National Raw Records and the Military National Masters Deadlift Record
2009 Arnold Classics Raw Invitational 1st Place Masters 220 lb class
2009 Military National Champiosnhip 1st Place in 220 Class Open, Masters, Raw and Raw Masters
2008 RAW USAPL National Championship 220lb Master and Military 1st Place and Open Class 2nd Place
2005 Military Nationals Overall Lifter Award
'04, '05,'06, US Forces Europe Champs 1st Place 220lb Class all years.
'99&'00 Montana Champs 220Lb Class 1st Place both years
Forum Signature:
WNBF Pro and American Powerlifting Record Holder
"Desire is the fuel which ignites the passion for fitness, but commitment is the engine that propels us to reach our goals!" Saunders 2009
This isn't truly a beginning progress pic, but it does show you what my condition was in January 2005. My true beginnings were over 20 years before this pic. Here I weighed about 230, which was the heaviest I have ever been to that date. You can barely see those abs under a layer of pretty hef ...
This is kind of a progress of not just me, but of Denise and Bri too. I had just started training them only 4 months before. Although very different body types, I was able to use the same training regime to help Denise put on muscle and help Bri tighten up her physique! They were my most consiste ...
Get back on the WNBF Pro Stage in 2010. Be the first Raw USAPL Masters lifter to total over 1700lbs and break the 220 Open Military Deadlift with a 707lb. Most importantly...remember to keep the fitness life in perspective.
Goal (Long):
Right now I am the leanest I have ever been at 225...other than I am lifting a lot heavier there is not much different going on in the diet or cardio. Although it might go back to the old Arthur Jones philosophy of very heavy training and lots of rest per body part…10-20 days. I will let you know how that turns out. As for goals. Get back on the WNBF stage in 2010, and break some Masters records in both Raw and Conventional Powerlifting. Perhaps get the deadlift up over 740 lbs.
Weight Goal:
Bodyfat Goal:
5%
Upcoming Contest:
2010 Arnold Sports Weekend RAW Powerlifting Invitational, and the Military National Championships
Fitness athletes and enthusiast have goals that motivate them to succeed. Be it to lose weight, do a first ever competition, to lift a personal record, or look better than they ever have in their life! At some point you may even ask yourself if you have finally reached your peak. Richard is proof that even at 40 I have a long way to go before I reach my full potential! Beyond that he also lives a balanced life and is more than willing to share his nearly 5 decades of training experience!
I receive over 40 inquiries a week about how I eat. Also, a friend recently queried about how it is possible to eat healthy and still enjoy special occasions with friends and family without either totally refusing to participate or becoming overly glutinous and losing control over...
Hey Troy thanks for your support. Struggled with my eating this month, lots to do with the negative things I say to myself when I get off track a bit. So helpful to read your blog. Also going to experiment with only grain of the day at breakfast, then carbs only from vegs & fruit. If someone your size can mange on that surely I can also. You're looking amazing as always!
i can definitely confirm you are NOT the average bodybuilder, Mr.Montana AKA Mr.Wonderful! I'm sure they'd all agree with me!! We are blessed by your support :)
troy - thanks for the kind words; it's really very encouraging for somebody with the physique and experience you have to say that i'm doing good. hope you're enjoying the weekend. peace from ATL. -b
:p LOL. I know, hard to believe a type A personality like me is overtraining...
well, now I'm listening to the doctor in me and toning it down. But I want that marathon. How are things for you?
Hi,Troy!I don't have a secret plan,I just try to work a bit harder than usual another 4 weeks.Then I'm gonna prepare myself for the Masters Nationals in May 2010 and maybe for the European Championships,if everything's going well with my diet and training.
been off and on.. set backs here and there, traveling a little too much, but overall doing well. I see some definition coming in, and I will post pics soon! Looking great yourself!
hey! well i really appreciate your support! it means alot comming from someone that has been doing this alot longer than me! However ive just blown my knee playing football! i was playing a solid game until the rival coach asked 3 of his players to take me out! ( bastards ) and they did! MCl and ACl ripped right out :( surgery in 6 weeks so my training has not been the best latley! but hey im still in the gym every other day keeping at it!
Anyway thanks again.... and keep up the great work!
Troy - thanks for checking in. I've gained a few pounds, but I'm nowhere near satisfied. Started a new job (with the Air Force BTW), but it's taking me a bit longer than expected to get a good routine in with time at the gym. In due time, I'll get it together.
Sorry it took me a little while to respond. I haven't logged on here since my hubby returned from deployment...but thank you very much. It does take a lot of dedication to lose that much.
Good luck with your goals!
Wow Troy that really means a lot. Yes I am passionate about what I do for myself and also for others. There is no greater reward than being able to change the life of another. Congrats to ALL the success you achieved. Keep going strong because the best has yet to come. You look good bro. Keep inspiring others. Once again thanks for your choice of words. It's people like you that make this industry worth it. Keep in touch. Have a great weekend.
