Last Visit: Jun 27, 2008 11:17am Last Forum Post: May 12, 2008 9:28am Last Photo Upload: Feb 13, 2008 8:00am Last Profile Update: Jun 16, 2008 9:22am Last Blog Post: Feb 19, 2008 6:26am
"An Athlete should never go to a contest to win a prize. An Athlete should only ever go to a contest in order to display one."
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
Christian (aka XN)
Sex:
Male
Age:
36
Location:
Occupation:
Graphic Artist, Head Bodybuilder Coach for The Next Level: Team-Based Competitive Bodybuilding program, head coordinator for the PhysiQulture Collaborative
When I was young, back before 1992, I was living my life "for the neck up." There was only one reason my body was important to me: it was a way to bring pleasure to my brain. By the time I turned 21, my life was hitting a horrible, depressing, self-destructive and addictive low point. It was either look at things honestly, or end it. With help from several very profound mentors, I began transforming my sense of self-care. Soon, with that change in attitude, I began learning that the body has a will and intention of it's own. Regardless of what my brain wanted, my body had needs beyond just "feeling good". My body was my responsibility, and what I did with it would be the difference between living a joyful life, or just running around trying to always have "a good time". Joy is permanent, pleasure is temporary -- I needed to start living with a joy for my body. Through this learning process, I soon realized that exploring my body's abilities was going to be vital for maintaining my self of self-respect, self-appreciation, and dignity. I needed to look beyond mere health and fitness; I also needed to look at abilities like my sense of personal strength, growth, healing, power, and so on. Looking at these aspects of who i am helped me not slide back into my old, crazy, destructive ways. And looking soon turned into action -- and I was led into the gym . . . In the end, you could say that what got me started in bodybuilding was a change of heart. If I didn't take the path of difficult, rigorous honesty and self-care, I probably wouldn't be here to take any path at all.
Why I Love It:
Look, I always hated all you muscle guys. I had nothing but insults to sling at you muscleheads, gym jocks, cocky bastards, nightclub prettyboys, gym rats and all the rest . . . all I knew how to do was mock that which was foreign to me. yeah -- I was a real little bitch. But that resentment I had was (is?) actually all about something else. It is not the bodybuilders and athletes who I get angry with -- it is something in ME that needs adjusting. Working my body helps me explore what those resentments, jealousies, and my impatience for others might all be about. So, I love the surface results, but it is the self-discoveries I keep making on the journey that really hold the most joy for me. Seriously. No joke.
How I Stay Motivated:
if I was poor-sighted, I would need glasses to see clearly. And it would HAVE to be EVERY day -- I couldn't just pick and choose which days I "felt like'" wearing my glasses. I would need to put them on every day to see my world clearly. Self-care is the same way. And seeing how bodybuilding has so many self-care tools within it, I would be a fool to not pick them up EVERY day. It is simple.
BB Accomplishments:
Using my work to help others reduce suffering in their life. Period. It would cheapen the accomplishment to boast about the details. Ask those around me for details.
Forum Signature:
Tune in to The Big Inside!
It's the show that turns the big world of bodybuilding inside out!
Podcasting at www.thebiginside.com, or search for us in the iTunes Store!
Listen LIVE (and CALL IN to be ON THE SHOW)
Monday evenings at 5:00pm EST on 1510thezone.com!
Tune in to the hardest physical challenge you can have while using only your ears!
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2007 5:38am
Progress Pictures
Oct 16, 1999
Jan 19, 2008
Taken 1 week prior to my second contest ever
Sorry about the cell phone pic, but I HAD to document the moment I BROKE THE 240 lbs. MARK NATURALLY! At 5'10.5", that's a BIG DEAL for me personally. And remember, it was done WITHOUT drugs or methyls of andros . . . never done them, never will -- just dedication, discipline, a sense of...
An Athlete should never go to a contest to win a prize. An Athlete should only ever go to a contest in order to display one.
Goal (Long):
To use my work in the sport to help reduce chaos and eliminate suffering in my fellows. To see growth and change in individuals and communities that's motivated by excitement, betterment and joy, rather than motivated by fear, greed, conceit and inadequacy. To keep on my game so long as it is of service to others. To be a vital member of the revitalization and recreation of the sport of bodybuilding by helping create cooperation among and between the athletes and the organizations, rather than by forcing policy with bullying tactics or regarding an athlete's worth in terms of financial revenue. To be an essential role in physique sports, helping them operate with more equanimity and within more meaningful parameters, by encouraging understanding rather than placing demand.
2007 MuscleMania Fitness atlantic Interview with X
Played: 562
Description: Here I am being "interviewed" backstage at the 2007 MuscleMania Fitness Atlantic. Most competitors were interviewed, and here I was asked to explain a little bit about my work. And, yes, I am really that goofy in real life.
Last Updated: Jul 25, 2007 8:20pm
Favorite Bodybuilding And Fitness Videos
Wheelchair Back Flip Woodward, California
Played: 503
Why I like this video: This video captures for me, in a very small, neat space, the spirit of accomplishment for it's own sake, as opposed to accomplishment for vain gains, fame and petty credentials. It's just a 14 year old kid doing a flip. But how that flip is done becomes so important for the REST of us.
Have I ever mentioned to you that you are ready to begin prepping for a contest?
Seriously, you are ready. In spite of what you may believe, you are ready. If I have mentioned it to you, then TRUST MY JUDGEMENT; it's time to step up.
hey thanks a lot for your help im very greatful. Also i checked out the big inside its sounds great man unfortunatly its not available on my uk itunes but im definatly gonna tune in everytime im online keep up the good work man
YO Chris .. sup bro ' .. I had a few set backs so I had to stop training for a minute ... But Iam gonna get back on it again. How is your training bro ?
Hey man thanks for the great comment. You give awesome advice and believe me ill keep researching and learning all that I can in order to reach my goals (im hooked). But hey I listened to your show today and I thought it was great bro! I think that its awesome that you have a show that talks about the bodybuilding world and I will def be listening to more of you. Again awesome job with you bod as well as your show, and any training advice you have for me is accepted and def appreciated.
Oh yeah, one thing I just remembered; no way was Dave Jacobs dealing to Ronnie Coleman, Branch Warren or Johhny Jackson at Metroflex. Jacobs joined because he'd hired Branch Warren to train him, then he started calling himself Branch's workout partner and just showing up to workouts. But all those guys were huge and already had theit own source before Jacobs came around. I used to talk to him on the boards, and he would have been telling everyone he could if he'd been hooking Ronnie up.
Well of course Weider wasn't responsible for the West Coast scene, muscle beach was around before he made it to the coast. But it was when he moved out there that and started to play up the east coast/west coast rivalry that caused bodybuilding to really florish. Bodybuilding may be from the East Coast, but I think when it's hub moved out to California, it was like taking a plant that had been in the dark and suddenly putting it into the sun.
lol thanks for the history lesson, and I am well aware of the history of the sport, i love bodybuilding history. I mean, a bodybuilder should at least find out who the guy on the O trophy is right? I've always wondered if the west coast scene would have made the comeback it did if Weider had payed all his bills and hadn't had to leave the East coast to dodge his publishers.
Hey no prob man, it's all good. I listened to the latest episode, good stuff man. It's crazy to me sometimes how big bodybuilding is in the northeast. If you're ever interested in more of an 'insiders' look at sport, you check out No Bull Radio if you haven't already. It's an internet broadcast every monday done my Muscular Development Magazine, you can find it on iTunes.
Awesome! I may have a story you're interested in after I compete in the Jr. Nationals in a couple weeks. I know evan is looking forward to another appearance on your show and getting to speak a little more. keep up the good work, and i'll be sure to send in anything of interest I come across.
Christian, its all good bro. Im all about learning. That way you always have the tools you need. i have a good idea of what i need to do and all the other intangibles. i am just curious as to what you are doing. I like to "broaden" my knowledge. Everyone is diiferent and sometimes a change here or there is all it takes to get to the next level. No one EVER knows EVERYTHING....not even me....lol. Take care bro and thanks!
Christian, thanks bro...I REALLY APPRECIATE the support. Coming from you it means a lot, youve got a great physique. I may pick your brain a bit if you dont mind about a sample of you daily nutrition to maybe give more of an idea of what you do...give me some ideas as far as tuning mine in...every little bit helps...lol. Take care bro. KIT!
Hey bro...thanks for the motivation and great comments. By the end of this sponsored log, i may give you a run for your money and get as shredded as you. What you think of my log? First one. Take care bro, ill keep in touch...you do the same.
The biggest lesson I discovered was actually at the show, timing is everything and I was actually pretty flat by the time I hit the stage. I peaked the day before really with fullness of my muscle. We were supposed to be on at 1130am and didn't get on stage till 2pm! Finished at 12:30 am, a little disappointed with FAME for that. Never treat your athletes that way. Learned a lot about my discipline as well. J~
hey bro. im in grad school so thats why im not on here alot. honestly, im focused on that right now. the comp thing would be to much of a distraction. i don't have that kind of free time. thanks though.
