PHOTO BY RICK DREW PHOTOGRAPHY
Date of birth (or current age): 62
Home town: Chicago, IL
Height: 6 ft. 1.5 in.
Contest Body Weight: 220 LBS
Off Season Body Weight: 232 LBS
Name of training facility: USA Gym, Bridgeview
Tell us briefly about yourself. Any general information you want to provide about who you are, what you do, family life, special interests etc.
I'm a Chicago fireman, married for 10 years to my lovely wife Susan and we have one son, Joe, who is 21. My interests include yoga and bodybuilding. Yoga is a wonderful thing for you both mentally and physically. It really is very challenging for people that are into bodybuilding as much as it is to people who are out of shape. It's very difficult but the benefits are amazing.
How many years have you been training?
Probably about 30 years.
PHOTO BY RICK DREW PHOTOGRAPHY
Why did you get into bodybuilding?
I always admired people who were in shape and respected the work and discipline it required. I also had a pretty rough childhood and was picked on a lot so maybe that is part of it too. I just seemed to be pushed in that direction. I didn't wake up one morning and say I was going to do this . I had a lot of problems that the gym seemed to remedy. I'm in an intense guy. It's part of my make up to have a lot of energy and adrenaline. So I needed to channel that into something. I also wanted a better quality of life .
How many competitions have you done?
I've done 4 all in 2007. In March 2007 I did the Mid-Illinois Fitness & Figure . That was my first show and it was so much fun. I got 4th place in the 50 and over and 4th place in the novice. When I got up there, I was really nervous when everyone yelled and I wasn't sure why. When I asked someone as I got off the stage what that was about, they told me "they loved you up there". Then afterward people came up to me saying I looked great out there and that was really wonderful to hear.
The next show I did was on May 19th, 2007, the Illinois State Fitness and Figure . There I took 4th place in novice heavy weight and 1st place in 60 and over. Then I did the Masters National July 2007 Pittsburg and took 4th Place in 60 and over . And then on December 8th, 2007 I did the Midwest Iron Man Figure & Fitness where I took 1st place and overall in the Masters Men 60 +.
PHOTO BY RICK DREW PHOTOGRAPHY
What is your main motivation to compete?
It's the challenge . And I get a lot of motivation from people around me who have told me that I could do this. I work out hard. I am intense and I stay in shape. I'm doing things now that I should have done when I was 30 years old. I push myself. When I decided it was time to compete, I went to the pro and started training with Chuck Sanow at USA Gym in Bridgeview. I has trained for a long time before that but I needed someone to show me the right way to do things when it comes to competition, and Chuck did that for me.
Who did you work with throughout your contest preparation, if anyone, and how did they help you?
As I just mentioned, I started working with Chuck Sanow when I was ready to compete. I went to him for information and tips about the right way to do this. I've known him for 6 years before training with him because of working out at USA Gym and because he is a fireman too . He showed me how to pose and gave me a lot of information and tips about preparing for a show.
What was the hardest thing about preparing for this most recent competition?
I slow down between competition. Most bodybuilders who compete wouldn't do 5 shows in a year. I'm blessed with the fact that I'm very lean and my diet keeps me lean all the time . I pretty much stay in shape all year round. As I get closer to competition, I up the weights and lower the reps. Then when I get closer to the competition, I decrease the weights and increase the reps generally.
PHOTO BY RICK DREW PHOTOGRAPHY
What kept you motivated and focused on your goals prior to your most recent competition?
I'm very motivated and it's a great stress reliever to train . I don't know anyone my age that can stay at this intensity. I don't know why it is possible for me but I love going to the gym and working out.
Why do you think you won over the competition in your most recent show?
My conditioning. I was in great shape and was able to win because of that.
Tell us about your off season training, nutrition and supplementation program. What does that look like typically?
Off season it's heavier weights and less reps. I follow the same diet in and out of season. I eat low carbs, high protein and medium fat typically. And I use a lot of nutrients , protein supplements and protein caps.
How were you doing the day of the show? What were your main concerns and what were you thinking about?
A lot of things, but nothing stressful. There were no worries. You are always concerned about the competition . Who will be at the show that day? But I'm pretty realistic and usually there is no one there in the 60 and over class. Ottawa has no 60 and over but they have 50 and over, and nothing after that. I'll probably be the oldest guy in there, but who cares, right?
PHOTO BY RICK DREW PHOTOGRAPHY
Tell us about your in-season training, nutrition and supplementation program.
It's pretty much the same as my off season. I'm always eating well and so that is not an issue. Some bodybuilders gain 40 lbs in the off season. I could never do that.
In your opinion, what does it take to achieve a goal someone sets for themselves and to win?
It takes determination. Confidence. Insanity (laughs). And a lot of hard work.
What advice would you would give to others working to compete in an NPC sanctioned show?
Learn from the pros, ask questions, work hard and stay focused.
What are your future plans? Are you preparing for any upcoming contests?
I'm planning to compete in Ottawa in 2008. And I'll probably do the Illinois State in May of 2008 too.
Final thoughts? Anything that is on your mind not covered in the questions?
Although life can be hard . And life has a lot of ups and downs and a lot of disappointments. A lot of this can be overcome if you're looking for a better quality of life. Never give up. Keep an open mind and research, research, research. And ask God for help.