How I Prepared for My First IFBB Pro Contest

Age: 40

Occupation/Education: 5th and 6th grade Math and Language Arts Teacher

Current Residence: Russell, PA

Family: My beautiful wife Julia, daughter Brynn (7), sons Camden (4) Cullen (2)

Height: 5'2"

Weight: 170 (off-season), 140 (contest) My goal is to be on stage at 160.

Favorite Bodybuilding Meal: My twice weekly carb up meal - 1.5 cup oatmeal, 10oz sweet potato, 6oz banana, 2 tbsp almond butter, 1 cup broccoli.

Favorite Gain phase Bodybuilding Meal: 5 whole eggs, 2 oz cheese, 2 tbs almond butter, 2 whole wheat pieces of bread, 1 apple.

Favorite Supplements: Mass Maker Ultra, UMP Chocolate, Ultra 40, Mass Amino, Quadracarn, Creatine Select, Muscle Synergy.

What would you recommend to someone who has never used Beverly supplements before? UMP is by far the best protein on the market. It tastes amazing. It can be used in so many different ways. I've made no bake brownies with it by stirring it into a pudding and letting it set over night, pudding, ice cream (freezing the pudding).

Music: Hard rock and metal.

Most Inspiring Book: The Bible, The Little Engine that Could.

Hobby or Interests outside bodybuilding: Playing with my kids (my favorite), training (I don't take much time off), working on cars.

Words to live by: What is impossible for man is possible for God. Never give up. Push through the hard things, they will make you stronger.

It had been eleven years since I won my pro card at the 2008 NPC National Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. Big changes, good changes in life happened. I took time off to start a family. My wife Julia and I were married in September of 2009. Then in 2012 our first child, Brynn was born. Our two sons Camden and Cullen followed in 2015 and 2017. My family and I moved from my home state of Indiana to my wife’s home state of Pennsylvania. Other things in life were more important, but I kept training and future competition remained in my mind.

At first, I saw the 212 class as a possible option. Being a person of short stature (I’m 5’2”) and weighing what I did (I won my pro card at 137) and never higher than the 170s, I knew I would be out of my league in open IFBB contests, even competing in the 212 class would be difficult. But I did not let that deter me. I kept training, trying to gain enough size to possibly compete in the IFBB one day.

Then in 2015, The NPC and IFBB introduced the Men’s Classic Physique division. I honestly didn’t pay much attention to it at the time. I had other things on my plate as mentioned above. But last December I saw an announcement that the IFBB Pittsburgh Masters Pro would have a Classic Physique division. When I researched how this division was set up, by height vs weight, I could not have been more excited. I had an avenue to compete again. I’d waited eleven years and finally, I had my chance. I knew with my stature and structure I would never be close to 212. With Classic Physique, I could compete in the 5’4” height, 170-pound class. It was exactly what I needed.

Once I decided to do it something inside me clicked. It was like a switch flipping on inside me and there was no turning back. It had been eleven years since I had stepped on stage last, but once you get the rush of it all, you can’t let go. I love the competition.

I immediately started cleaning up my diet and began a diet plan to gain good muscle weight (see Sidebar – Maximum Muscle and Lean Weight Gain Diet) and started a training regime geared toward developing a more “classic” physique (see Sidebar – My Classic Physique Training Plan). I started solid dieting 20 weeks out from the show and stayed on the same meal plan for a majority of the prep.

Most days I trained before work. In the summer I would get up at 3:30 or 4:00 am and be at the gym by 4:30 to train my hardest. I had to be at work at the local lumber yard by 6:30 and worked until 5:00 pm. By training early in the morning, I had the rest of the evening to spend with my family. When school started (I teach 5th and 6th grade math and language arts), I was able to switch my training time to an hour or two after school. I enjoy the training because for many of us the gym is our “fortress of solitude.” We walk in, forget about our troubles for an hour or two and get our workout in. Dieting gets monotonous but the food is fuel. It is part of the process. It will get me where I need to be.

Preparing for the IFBB Pittsburgh Masters Pro show, my pro debut was tough. Not only for me, but also my family. We all sacrificed a lot. When you show prep, or compete in anything, you never do it alone. I was blessed to have my family alongside me. As the weeks went by, I had to become totally focused - to embrace the challenge and ask myself how bad I wanted it. When I compete I go for the win, plain and simple. If I get beat by someone who is better than me, I’m fine with that. If I lose because I didn't do all I could, that is something totally different. Obstacles are only obstacles if we let them be. We, if we choose to, can work around anything. You might have to give up a little sleep or favorite food, possibly a favorite past time. To surpass an obstacle, and not let it be in your way, there is always a sacrifice.

The closer the show became, the more excited I became. I was excited and nervous at the same time. Once I stepped backstage, I was in the zone and ready to go. It was game-on. Everything was in focus. All my sacrifices got me where I wanted to be, a winner in the IFBB. I competed in three classes, Open Men’s Bodybuilding where I took 6th place, Men’s Classic Physique 35 and over where I took 2nd, and Men’s Classic Physique 40 and over which I won.

In closing, we have to remember our goals. Make small, short- term goals, then larger, long-term goals. Smaller goals always lead to bigger goals. All the great bodybuilders and others in different avenues of life say the same thing. Greatness takes time, effort and sacrifice. I’m not where I want to be but I’m working on it.

When I earned my IFBB pro card back in 2008 I told myself right away how amazing a gift it was and how it was then, and is now my obligation to help others. I see my pro status as an obligation to help everyone I can. If anyone has a question, or if I see someone struggle with something, I offer advice. I try to make myself available for anyone who has a question, needs a spot, or wants to train. I do not know everything, I’m still learning myself, but I’ll help anyone who wants it. That's the fun part of bodybuilding. We are all at different levels of our training. We all have different goals, some are bodybuilders, some are powerlifters, and some train for athletic improvement or overall wellness. In the end, it’s the simple fact that we are training.

I can’t thank all who helped me enough. My family, my wife Julia, my children Brynn, Camden, and Cullen, my parents and my wife’s parents. I also want to thank my friends, including Roger and Sandy along with everyone at Beverly International.

Phase 1:
Advanced Gaining Phase Program
You can find this plan in Section 7, Weight Gaining Nutritional Programs of Beverly's Blueprints for Success. Go to beverlyinternational.com, click on “Bev Solutions” at the left and then “Nutrition Solutions”. You’ll find the entire Blueprint there.

Strategy: This is a 12-week program that alternates gaining and hardening phases in a specific pattern. The “Gain” cycle includes six meals PLUS a pre and post workout Mass Maker Ultra recovery drink. The “Hardening” cycle consists of five or six meals daily and is designed to solidify the gains I made during the “Gain” cycle.

Schedule:
Weeks 1-4: 4-Week Gaining Phase
Week 5: 1-Week Hardening Phase
Weeks 6-8: 3-Week Gaining Phase
Week 9: 1-Week Hardening Phase
Weeks 10-11: 2-Week Gaining Phase
Week 12: 1-Week Hardening Phase

Meal #1: 3 egg omelet with 2 ounces cheese, 2 slices whole-grain toast with almond butter, 1 apple.

Meal #2: Protein Drink: 2 scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein, 2 tbsp healthy fat source (olive oil, flax oil, almond butter) or heavy cream.

Optional: 1 serving low carb fruit.

Meal #3: 8oz lean beef or chicken breast (or other lean protein source), 3/4 cup cooked brown rice (or other complex carbohydrate source).

Optional: 1 or 2 servings of low carb fruit or vegetables.

Meal #4: 6-8oz turkey breast, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1/2 cup pineapple (unsweetened) or 1/2 cantaloupe

Option B: Protein Drink with two scoops Muscle Provider or Ultimate Muscle Protein, one tablespoon healthy fat source (olive oil, flax oil, almond butter) or heavy cream.

Meal #5: 8oz steak, lean beef, pork loin, chicken, turkey or fish, 6oz baked potato or sweet potato, 1-2 cups low carb vegetables or salad.

Meal #6: Protein pudding – mix two scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein in a bowl with just enough water to make a pudding texture. Add one tablespoon of almond butter, walnuts, or heavy cream.

Option B: 8oz lean beef, one serving low carbohydrate vegetable or fruit.

Pre and Post Workout Drink - Training Days Only:

30 Minutes before training: 2 scoops Mass Maker Ultra mixed in 10oz water

Immediately after training: 2 scoops Mass Maker Ultra mixed in 10oz water (Eat your next meal about 60 minutes after your Mass Maker Ultra shake.

Meal #1: 1 whole egg, 5 additional egg whites, 5oz chicken breast or turkey breast, 1/2 cup oatmeal

Meal #2: Protein Drink - 2 two scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein, one tablespoon healthy fat source (olive oil, flax oil, almond butter) or heavy cream.

Meal #3: 6oz chicken breast (or other lean protein source), 1/2 cup cooked brown rice (or other complex carbohydrate source).

Optional: Add one or two servings of low carb vegetables.

Meal #4: 1 can tuna (water packed) or 6oz turkey breast, 1 or 2 servings of low carb vegetables or 1/2 cantaloupe

Option B: Protein Drink with 2 scoops Muscle Provider or Ultimate Muscle Protein mixed in 16 ounces water.

Meal #5: 8oz chicken breast, turkey or fish, 1-2 cups low carb vegetables or salad

Meal #6: Protein pudding – mix 2 scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein or Ultra Size in a bowl with just enough water to make a pudding texture.

Option B: Six egg whites, three ounces chicken breast, one serving low carbohydrate vegetable.

Essential Supplements during the Hardening Phase:

Super Pak with meal 1

3 Ultra 40 with each meal

Density - 3 first thing in the morning, 5 after training and 2 before bed

Muscle Synergy – 1 scoop before training and 1 scoop in the evening

Creatine Select - 2 servings daily (pre and post training) on training days, and 1 serving daily on non-training days.

I did not take the Mass Maker pre and post workout shakes during the Hardening Phase. Instead I took 2 scoops Glutamine Select mixed in my water bottle during workouts. Another good plan is to add five Muscle Mass tablets at the start of your workout, five at about the half- way point, and five more at the end of your workout.

Meal #1: 2 whole eggs + 4 egg whites, 5oz lean meat, 1/2 cup oatmeal

Meal #2: Protein Drink - 2 Scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein,

2 tbsp healthy fat (almond butter, flax oil, olive oil) or 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream, add enough water to make a shake or pudding the consistency you desire.

Whole food option: Add one or two servings of low carb vegetables.

Meal #3: 8oz lean meat, 6oz sweet potato or 2/3 cup cooked brown rice, 2 cups vegetables (broccoli, etc.) and/or salad with 2 tbsp vinegar and oil dressing

July 31 – August 12
I continued the Phase 2 diet but added the famous “Beverly Carb Meal” at 5 weeks out. On Tuesday and Friday night I ate the following as my last meal of the day. It was a blessing and something to look forward to.

1 1/2 cups oatmeal (measure before cooking)
10oz sweet potato
6oz banana
1 cup vegetables
1 tbsp butter or almond butter

August 13 – August 30
Here are a couple of tweaks we made to the diet for the final 2 1/2 weeks.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: Meal 1, add 3 oz meat (8oz total), substitute 1/2 grapefruit for the oatmeal (no oatmeal on Monday or Thursday)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: Meal 3, add 2 oz meat (10oz total) – cut out the sweet potato and rice – added more veggies
Wednesday and Saturday: Follow current diet and keep the added meat at Meals 1 & 3.
I continued the carb meal on Tuesday and Friday

This is the diet I followed then going in to the show:

Meal #1: 2 whole eggs + 4 egg whites, 8oz lean meat*, 1/2 grapefruit, Wednesday and Saturday I also had 1/2 cup oatmeal.

Meal #2: Protein Drink: 2 Scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein,
2 tbsp healthy fat (almond butter, flax oil, olive oil) or 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream, add enough water to make a shake or pudding the consistency you desire.

Meal #3: 10oz lean meat, 2 cups vegetables (broccoli, etc.) and/ or salad with 2 tbsp vinegar and oil dressing, Wednesday and Saturday I had a 6oz sweet potato.

Meal #4: (same as meal #2)

Meal #5: 10oz lean meat, 2 cups vegetables and salad with 2 tbsp vinegar and oil dressing

Meal #6: 6 egg whites, or on Tuesday and Friday the Beverly Carb Up meal.

*Lean meat was almost always lean ground beef.

My Classic Physique Training Plan

My training plan was formulated to not only build muscle, but also to create an optical illusion so that I appeared larger than I actually am. I was very likely the smallest guy (at 5’2” and 140 lbs) in each of the pro divisions in which I competed. By putting extra emphasis on my weak points and those most important for classic physique I was able create the illusion of a much larger physique. For example, I placed great emphasis on increasing my lat width and also on the lateral (side) head of my delts so that I’d appear wider with a pronounced "V" shape.

I used the pyramid system on most of my exercises. Here’s a quick explanation:

First set – Use a medium weight for the indicated reps primarily as a warm-up.
Second set – Do ten strict reps with a slightly heavier weight.
Third set – Use a poundage that allows eight reps in good form.
Fourth set – Add more weight, you can use a slightly looser style on this set.
Fifth set (where indicated) – Use the heaviest weight you can handle for five good reps.

I performed the schedule below just as listed for the first three months. Then, for variety, I performed the program as follows:

1st 5-Day cycle I performed the reps as listed below.
2nd 5-Day cycle I doubled the reps on each set.
3rd 5-Day cycle I performed the reps listed, but supersetted the exercises. For example, Bench Press & Incline DB Press, etc. I repeated the above schedule up until the show.

I added extra chin ups on my off days.

Day One: Chest/Back/Abs	Amount
Bench Press	5x12,10,8,6,5
Incline DB Press	4x12,10,8,6
Decline (or Flat DB Flyes)	4x12,10,8,6
DB Pullover (Chest / Back transition exercise)	4x10–15 (constant weight)
Lat Pulldowns to front	5 x12,10,8,6,5
Cable Rowing	4 x12,10,8,6
1 Arm DB Row	4 x12,10,8,6
Hanging Knee Up	4 x maximum reps
Crunches	4 x maximum reps

Day Two: Lower Back/Thighs/Hamstrings/Calves	Amount
Squat (Olympic style)	5x20,15,12,10,8
Hack Squat	4x12 (constant weight)
Leg Extension	4x15
Hyperextension	4x10
Leg Curl	4x15 reps
Straight Leg Dead Lift	4x12 (constant weight)
Seated Calf Raise	5x15–20
Donkey Raise or Standing Calf Raise	5x15–20

Day Four: Shoulders/Biceps/Triceps	Amount
DB Press	5x 12,10,8,6,5
DB Lateral Raise	4x12,10,8,6
Incline Rear Lateral Raise	4x12,10,8,6
DB Shrug	4x12,10,8,6
Lying Triceps Extension	5x12,10,8,6,5
Triceps Pressdown	4x12,10,8,6
1 Arm DB Extension	4x12,10,8,6
Barbell Curl	4x12,10,8,6
Incline DB Curl	4x12,10,8,6
Preacher Curl	3x10,8,6

No Nonsense Magazine Vol 23, #3

Maximum Muscle and Lean Weight Gain Diet

Maximum Muscle and Lean Weight Gain Diet

My Classic Physique Training Plan