I started working out back in high school when I realized I didn't have the power to hit a home run on my baseball team. I was always a very skinny kid, and it was extremely hard for me to put on any mass at all. I got stronger through my teens, and finally put on some solid muscle. Some guys at the gym I was working out at thought I should enter a contest. I laughed... why would i put on a speedo and stand on a stage?
I finally went and watched one, and realized I could probably take on a few of these other teen competitors. I trainer super hard, dieted well, learned how to pose, and finally the big day came. I stepped on stage in the light/heavyweight class, and ended up winning! I couldn't believe it. I also took home the overall that day. I went on and competed in the teenage nationals and took 3rd in my weight class.
You would think I would live a life of fitness from then on... but that wasn't the case.
I lifted a bit through college, but studying and partying took over. After college I played in a softball league and had an accident, breaking my wrist. I was out of the gym for months, and never really got back in. The "corporate lifestyle" was taking me over. I was commuting 3 hours a day, working crazy hours, and eating unhealthy foods (I totally have a sweet tooth). The end result was a lot of bodyfat, some more nagging injuries, and just an overall feeling of unhealthiness. I had just turned 30... and I needed another goal.
When I saw this contest, I thought "this is my chance". I am naturally competitive, so I knew I really wanted to win this thing. I also love being on a program, and the diets and training routines on the bb.com site were perfect for me to put together a new program. I joined a new gym... and started the day I took my "before pix".