Lifted in high school for track/sprinting but never took anything but legs seriously. I could barely bench 185 lbs in highschool. Went to community college that didn't have any sports I was interested in so I lost the drive. Always been a multi-sport athlete. Stayed around 150-160 lbs and started to get a gut. Didn't want to be the skinny-fat guy so I decided it was time to take it all seriously. Got back into lifting in November 2007 and never looked back. It's similar to track as in I'm always looking for ways to improve myself.
In the spring of 2011, I decided to join RAB Fitness. (www.RABFitness.com) and work towards competing. With the new NPC Men's Physique division, I thought this would be a great opportunity to step on stage. With their experience and knowledge, I have been able to succeed in this sport.
I didn't start at the top, nor have I even reached it. The biggest motivating factor from my journey is that I have persevered. Some things you may not have known about me...
I didn't place in my first show. I was frustrated by this because I've always been an athlete and done well at things of this nature. At the time, I didn't quite "get it", what competing is really all about. So I jumped into my next show a few weeks later. Didn't place again. This time by 1 point. I was so frustrated with myself, I entered a show the following weekend and took 2nd, granted this gave me National Qualification, but there were only 3 guys OVERALL in Physique...
I wanted to really place, so I did 1 more show that year. Worked my hardest at the time, and took 4th. I was happy, but knew I needed time. From there, I placed 3rd at Vancouver in 2012, 5th at Emerald in a huge class, then slacked going into Oregon where I took 4th. I knew I slacked. I knew I didn't give my all. I knew I could do better.
After that, I said, never again will I ever give less than 100%. Which lead to me winning my class at WA State 2012. Then being REALLY humbled at USA's the following week, ha.
I took a lot of time off and realized competing isn't about your placing, or how well someone else did in beating you. It's about how much better you did than last time. How hard you worked. Yes it can be vain and self-centered, but to me, there's so much pride in giving my all and succeeding (in my eyes, cause it doesn't matter what other people see as "success").
I've been greatly humbled and blessed to be in the position I am today, but not without the work ethic and drive to succeed. I hope that my journey motivates you to never give up and give your all when able. That looks different for everyone, but as long as you know it's your 100%, that's what matters.