I bought my first body building magazine in 2002. I was hooked from then on. In May of 2005, I bought Anthony Ellis's program "Gaining Mass". Using the diet and exercise techniques outlined in the program, I managed to gain about 25 pounds. After I learned the basics, I used my own diet and routine to get up to 165 pounds before cutting down for a contest. Since Beginning bodybuilding, I've gained over 50 pounds of muscle. I've also added nearly 200 pounds to my max bench, 250 to my max squat, and I'm currently near a triple bodyweight deadlift.

It gives me a great outlet for all of the frustration and anger that comes from living everyday life. I like to think of bodybuilding as my "anti drug" because it mostly kept me out of trouble during high school. Also, unlike singing, dancing, or playing sports, people can tell just by looking at you that you work out. You probably wouldn't be able to pick the best golfer out of a line of people, but you can certainly pick out the bodybuilder! Being strong helps in a lot of areas outside of bodybuilding and powerlifting too. Bodybuilding has influenced the path I've chosen for myself in life. Because of my interest in the human machine, I'm now pursuing a degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago.