Born and raised in Boise, ID. Was always the skinny guy, always laughed at for being rail thin, however I was athletic as could be and could jump out of the gym! I graduated High School around 161-163 and 5'11" with really no muscle. After school was done, I needed a boost. Something that could fill a competitive gap that sports filled during high school. Along with that need, was the desire to finally start putting some "meat" on my bones. So I did what every other American does and bought a Gold's Gym barbell and dumbbell set and started working out. I began to read and research every training technique I could, and as I did that I began to read about a powerful and increasingly popular supplement called "creatine" :) I really didn't know what I was doing, I just did what felt natural and watched my body respond. I remember when I first weighed in at 175lbs! In my mind I was huge and motivated like nothing else!
From this point forward my craze for lifting was born, and with that my passion to help others succeed and change their physiques as well. I earned my ISSA certification and began to impart my knowledge and love for resistance training. Today my journey continues and I am finding new and creative ways to train. I have been as heavy as 215, as a result of my insecurities that were created from all the jeers of childhood I felt like I needed to be heavy and "big." As my passion and understanding of fitness grew I realized I was ready to change my body again and take it to another level! Lean out (get skinny again) and compete! My first attempt failed, as I ran my body down and got sick with the flu. My second try, finances would just not permit, as I was getting remarried and my money and time suddenly were being funneled to all of that prep. Third time is the charm right? Just when the stars had finally aligned, seven days away from my first show this past April! An impromptu fun and friendly game of pick-up ball with the family turned from fun to competitive and ultimately disastrous. Playing in running shoes I drove to the basket planted to make my move and my ankle snapped! I went down in a flash, looked up and my foot was basically looking back at me. A complete inverted, dislocation! I was devastated, discouraged, and for a time depressed. So much prep and focus to have finally made it and boom, it was gone in a flash.
Ultimately this injury did not stop me or crush any dreams, but motivated me even more. This past 8/27/11 (fourth attempt) I finally stepped on stage as a Novice and took 2nd place! I have to admit first would have been nice, but I was the proudest man on that stage that night. Flash forward 6 weeks later and I am prepping for the Northwest Pro Atlas here in Boise on October 15th! I am leaner and just as heavy, and aiming to place in the top three in my weight class. With some hard lessons learned and now the help from Magnum Nutraceuticals I am motivated like never before! Progress pics coming next week!
Favorite Cheat Breakfast (just made this yesterday) – Strawberry Quattro Pancakes (Crepes)
6-8oz H2O, ¼ cup of oats (cooked in microwave for 40 seconds), 4-5 egg whites, sprinkle or two of cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla – Blend for 15 seconds or so and voila!
Spray electric skillet, cook at 350 degrees 1-2 minutes and flip, then continue cooking for roughly 1-2 minutes (going for that light golden brown look)
Little bit of butter ;) drizzle on honey or sugar free syrup, eat like a pancake or roll it like a crepe!