So we do a whole lot of taking about training and drugs and blah blah blah....but one thing I’ve been finding more and more interesting as I grow up is how different people got into the sport. And what are some key things or personality traits that have lent themselves to this endeavor.
For me, I was always a skinny kid, got picked on here and there, but nothing crazy. But I HATED being skinny. I was 6’1” and 141 pounds at my high school graduation. I looked like a little boy. I saw pictures of the guys in the muscle mags and comic books and I wanted that more than anything. Never could find any interest in the actual training though.
Fast forward to I’m 19 and professionally racing enduro races for KTM. Ended up in a terrible crash at 90 mph that left me with fractured vertebrae, a herniated disk, and eventual crippling sciatica. During physical therapy for this I actually started to put in some muscle and I liked this. I went and signed up at the local gym which looked like a tiny little ymca inside, but actually had some legit equipment and was open 24 hours a day, and I was hooked for life.
Fast forward a billion years and I ate, trained, and drugged my way up to a 274 pound record holding powerlifter, and couple times bodybuilding competitor. I never really was hooked on the competitive part of either.....I really just enjoy looking big and powerful, and thankfully I have a metabolism fast enough to prevent me from ever looking tubby while doing so.
Speaking of which....the other part I want to hear is what helps you here. For me....the aforementioned metabolism. The bane of my existence in the beginning. I spent years and years trying to outrace my metabolism with total calories and food volume. Well over 400 grams of protein and 800 grams of carbs for years and years. But as I’ve aged I’ve come to appreciate this as I have to do very little to stay pretty lean. Just trying usually does this.
The other major contributor to my success has been world class OCD. When I’m committed to something, I’m committed. I’m 0 or 100. No in between. This drives my wife insane, I have no give when it comes to these things and it causes some stress and anxiety for me, but also causes me to be very meticulous. I don’t miss meals, ever. In ten years I must have missed a handful. I don’t miss training days. Unless I’m in the hospital I’m training, even if it’s just a light bike ride because I’m sick or injured. It’s a blessing and a curse, and I’ve worked very hard to find a happy medium.
Anyway....let’s hear your story