Pose Down Mag Online 2011

SEPT 2011

A RED STORM UPDATE WITH NANCY DI NINO NO TIME TO DIE Plus: Anna Mikhaylenko Nutrition With Kay Blue Collar Bodybuilding

NOVEMBER 2011

Hello Readers: The Central Texas Showdown was a complete success. Bob and I are planning next years ventures with a few surprise annoucements. Stay tuned to Pose Down once we finalize our plans.

I have the distinct pleasure of revisting with a friend of mine in this issue Nancy Di Nino. Please read her updated news and ventures.

Cover Picture: Nancy Di Nino Stephen Frazier Photo By: Eva Simon Ray Rojas Editor In Chief : Bob Johnson Editorial /Director/Designer: Laura Johnson Publication Interest: Aaron Fletcher Photographers: Dan Ray Contributing Column Writers: Tye Sheets Pierpont Kay Simms Prince Fontenot

HALL OF FAME TEXAS METRO FLEX FT WORTH TX

WWW.JCWNUTRITION.COM

COPYRIGHT

All content included in this publication, including but not limited to, text, graphics and images, is, unless otherwise noted, copyrighted under United States law and protected by worldwide copyright laws and treaty provisions. The compilation (meaning the collection, arrangement and assembly) of all content in this publication is the exclusive property of Pose Down Muscle and Figure Magazine LLC and protected by United States and international copyright laws. No use, including the reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, republication, display or performance, of the content in this publication is permitted without Pose Down’s written permission.

LIMITS OF LIABILITY This Publication is provided by Pose Down Muscle and Figure LLC on an “as is” basis. Pose Down makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the content written in articles and columns of the publication or the information, content or materials included in this publication. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Pose Down disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to, interviews, photos, written content of articles and perspective views of its columnist.

Pose Down Magazine accepts photos from individual athletes with the understanding that each athlete own the rights to photos submitted…….

OFF THE CHAIN DON’T LET YOUR WORKOUT GET THE BEST OF YOU! GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR WORKOUT!

OFF THE CHAIN is the ultimate pre-workout matrix designed to enhance energy, focus, power, and stamina.This unique combination of 6 scientifically proven ingredients will help you achieve workouts you never thought were possible. Strength, endurance, motivation NO CRASH*************************NO JITTERS

jcwnutrition.com

METRO FLEX GYM FT WORTH

Kay’s Bio

NUTRITION WITH KAY

Kay Simms, M.S., CSCS, HFI My Health Philosophy: Good health is a blessing not to be taken for granted. I love sharing my passion for fitness and wellness with others.

The greatest reward I could ask for is seeing my clients succeed and change their lives. The combination of proper resistance training, cardiovascular training, and nutrition provide the formula for success!! Hard work is not an option, it is MANDATORY! I enjoy utilizing the science of my exercise physiology degree background to evaluate and address every client’s individual needs. My goal is to serve every client with energy, passion, and commitment every day to lead them to happier, healthier lives.

Changing lives is what I do every day through fitness, nutrition, and mental training. Clients feel better as they work toward and achieve their goals. Whether improved body composition, daily functioning, or sports performance is the goal, I address all aspects training required to achieve it.

Nutrition is a key aspect of reaching health/fitness goals. Whole, clean foods are the ticket to success. I myself must live a gluten-free/lactose-free diet; thus helping others identify unknown food allergies/intolerances has become a passion of mine raising quality of life for many and increasing awareness of keeping foods “back to basics” as much as possible.

Experience in cardiac rehabilitation research and living a gluten/lactose-free diet enhances my ability to serve a more diverse clientele with compassion and care. Competitive collegiate tennis and figure competition experience provides a further level of performance training for those with competitive goals. Whatever the need, the client will be served 110%!

Certifications/Education/Background: Certified NSCA- CSCS, ACSM- Health/Fitness Specialist 2 ½ years cardiac rehabilitation research-Baylor Hospital, Dallas- 8 published articles 4 years NCAA Division 1-AA tennis player Specialties include: Weight loss Special Populations-including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, fibromyalgia Nutrition-including gluten- and lactose free diets and other food intolerances/allergies Body sculpting Performance training Contact Info: Kay Simms, M.S., CSCS, HFI Professional Trainer/Director of Training www.jessejamesfit.com http://kay.jessejamesfit.com kay@jessejamesfit.com 972-207-9800

SPAGHETTI SQUASH-DECEPTIVE AND DELICIOUS! It’s spaghetti! It’s a veggie! It’s both!

Do you love pasta, pass on vegetables, or both? Unless you are trying to bulk, enjoying a hot plate of spaghetti and meatballs or other pasta dishes seems off-limits. However, substituting high-carbohydrate pasta for low carbohydrate spaghetti SQUASH just may be your answer!

Nutrition: Spaghetti squash, per cup, contains about 40 calories, 2 grams fiber, 10 grams carbs, and 4 grams sugar. It also contains vitamins A, C, and B vitamins, along with the minerals calcium, potassium, and zinc.

How to eat: Serve with your favorite meat/marinara sauce over squash for main course, side dish, or dessert or try one of the delicious recipes below.

How to pick: The squash should be bright yellow in color and heavy for its weight.

How to cook: Spaghetti squash can be cooked by steaming, baking, boiling, roasting.

It may look complicated, but it is very simple. The best method I have found (both quick and easy) is microwaving: 1) Wash and dry squash, then microwave 3-4 minutes to soften outer skin for easier cutting.

2) Cut top end off to create flat surface.

3) On cutting board, stand squash up on flat side. Place large cutting knife at top end of squash to cut lengthwise.

4) Using a mallet (or other similar tool), hammer down knife while guiding knife with hand to cut the squash in half.

5) Scrape out seeds of each half(you can save for roasting later if you’d like) 6) In large, shallow microwavable dish, place one half cut side up in dish. Add about ¼-1/2 in water to dish and cover with plastic wrap.

7) Microwave 7-9 minutes or until all inner flesh is soft (cooking time depends on microwave power and size of squash) 8) Remove from microwave and let cool 5-10 min.

9) Take fork and scrape out flesh, which will come out like spaghetti.

10) To get final flesh, I scoop out with a spoon.

11) Repeat with second half.

WWW.JCWNUTRITION.COM

Spaghetti Squash Casserole • 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeds removed • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1 small onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1 teaspoon dried basil • 2 plum tomatoes, chopped • 1 cup (8 ounces) 1% cottage cheese • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese • 1/4 cup chopped parsley • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated parmesan cheese • 3 tablespoons seasoned dry bread crumbs DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Coat a 13” x 9” baking dish and a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place the squash, cut side down, on the sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a sharp knife. With a fork, scrape the squash strands into a large bowl.

2. Meanwhile, warm the oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and basil. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft. Add the tomatoes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the mixture is dry.

3. To the bowl with the squash, add the cottage cheese, mozzarella, parsley, salt, and the onion mixture. Stir to mix. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and bread crumbs.

4. Bake for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.

Baked Spaghetti Squash with Feta Ingredients • 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 onion, chopped • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese • 3 tablespoons sliced black olives • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven, and set aside to cool enough to be easily handled. Serves 6.

3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook only until tomatoes are warm.

4. Use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash, and place in a medium bowl. Toss with the sauteed vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and basil. Serve warm

www.posedownmag.com

Smartshake.com announces the Signing of Cover Model/Media Personality Nancy Di Nino Official Spokesmodel & Canadian Marketing Liaison

PRESS RELEASE October 2011 Smartshake.com, “The Worlds Smartest Shaker” is shaking things up! Based out of Sweden, Smartshake has catapulted itself to being the top shaker cup in the world, now available in over 21 countries. We are proud to have Nancy Di Nino join the team as an official Spokesmodel and Canadian Marketing Liaison.

Nancy’s diversity of talents as a cover model & media personality has allowed Smartshake to establish an active voice and presence in the media. Some of her many roles include: former co host of Living Beautiful Radio, and co-host of the 2007 Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival women’s webcast including a personal interview with the former Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nancy, a 6x Cover Model has been internationally published in magazines such as Oxygen, Ironman and most recently this October’s issue of Planet Muscle.

“I am thrilled and honoured to be part of such a renowned team of professionals. I don’t leave home without the convenience of my Smartshaker carrying all my pre/post workout supplements.” As the Official Spokesmodel and Canadian Marketing Liaison I look forward to promoting Smartshake and ensuring its presence as the #1 sport supplement shaker not only in Canada but worldwide,” …says Nancy Team Smartshake has sponsored various athletes in many sports. Their roster of athletes includes but is not limited to 8x Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, 4x Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, 6x Fitness Olympia Adela Garcia, IFBB Pro Flex Lewis and the newly crowned Mr. Olympia Phil Heath, each with their own unique signature cup series. The team also is showcased by Spokesmen, IFBB Hall of Famer Shawn Ray. The benefit of Smartshake is not only the high quality craftsmanship but also the ability to carry 3 shakers in 1. Great for athletes to manage protein shakes, pre/post workout supplements or sport accessories.

Visit www.smartshake.com

www.posedownmag.com

A RED STORM UPDATE NANCY DI NINO

Picture By Eva Simon

A REDSTORM UPDATE NANCY DI NINO Tye Sheets Pierpont

There’s a lot more to National-level Figure competitor Nancy Di Nino than meets the eye - although, what meets the eye is pretty impressive. The 5’4 redhead with an Italian/Venezuelan heritage known as the Red Storm is breathtakingly beautiful. However, beyond that, her careers as a correctional officer in a men’s jail in Canada and a professional salsa dancer just add to her intrigue.

“I definitely have my hands full trying to juggle the demands of both a day job, competitions and modeling career. I am a ‘Prisoner of Figure’” she said.

Nancy, who currently lives in Toronto, became interested in fitness and competition through her gymnastics career, which began when she was 7.

“At the beginning of high school, which would have been around 15 years of age, I signed up for my first real gym membership as I wanted to continue the strict training regimen developed from gymnastics. I used to beat the boys in arm wrestles at school and could leg press more than them as well….so everyone was fascinated with that. They thought I was a mini superwoman.

“I always trained throughout high school lifting weights to keep me good shape for the other sports I was involved in such as volleyball, track, field and cheerleading. Gymnastics gave me my best conditioning growing up. Starting at the age of 7, I was averaging over 700 ab exercises a day!” Nancy said.

One day while working out, a fellow gym enthusiastic suggested she compete in a fitness competition because of her background in fitness, dance and gymnastics. Initially, she says she wasn’t interested in getting on stage in a bikini.

“The person said to me’ Are you saying you can’t??”…and the “Can’t “ word was enough for me to take on a new challenge…don’t ever tell me I can’t do something. That is when the true warrior comes out of me!”

Working overnight as a corrections officer potentially could negatively impact Nancy’s ability to diet, compete and keep her trademark abs in shape. However, as in every other aspect of her life, Nancy sees the positive and finds a way to be successful.

“I will be the first to admit that working long hours and being a shift worker can sometimes make it difficult to keep on track with your training and nutrition; however, with a little pre planning you too can live a healthy lifestyle and achieve your own personal fitness goals. The goal is to still maintain your nutrition and training regimen but in reverse,” she says. “Stick to the same simple rules. Some people fear eating at night time, but it’s about fueling our body with the proper food choices. I continue to eat my meals every 2-3 hours throughout the night and keep hydrated with lots of water. I continue to keep my focus and concentrate on over all goals at hand. I always try to shed a positive light on things and don’t allow circumstances to hinder and influence my nutrition and training. Love and respect your body, no matter what time of day.” www.posedownmag.com

NANCY DI NINO CONTINUES

By Tye Sheets Pierpont Nancy says her favorite body parts to train are her legs and her shoulders.

“Funny as with training legs, there is somewhat a “love-hate” relationship there. For me as I find legs the most challenging to work, I like to get it over early in the week. Every time, it’s like I anticipate tackling that work out, and even though in the back of your mind, you dread it and can’t wait until it’s done, and during the workout you are grunting and groaning ….working through the pain. At the same time, I develop a loving mindset as I visualize every rep and movement and what the outcome will look like presented on stage. I love that feeling and it makes it all worth it. I also love training shoulders. I really feel that having a nice shoulder line really defines a women’s physique.”

“My least favorite body part to train is chest. That is probably because I don’t really feel like I see any significant development or feel that is a defining factor in my overall physique. For men, it is the complete opposite as they want a big defined chest, but with women, it’s really just about being firm in that area and having help with perhaps the addition areas, if you know what I mean, ha-ha. I have always had a pretty lean chest area”.

Over the years, Nancy has become a fitness celebrity, gracing the covers of various fitness magazines, hosting a radio talk show for several years as well as the Bodybuilding.com webcast coverage of the Arnold Classic.

Her short and long term goals are as follows: To always create a better version of me. I am innovated and like to create new projects.

I would like to continue to have a prominent voice in the media by landing a solid assignment or radio or television branching into the entertainment and YFC industries.

ET..Watch out here I come. Your host….

No matter what I do, I always want to leave a lasting impression on people’s lives, to continue to inspire those around me in everything I do. I think of people like Betty White and she is near 90 years of age is still a fan favorite…and I hope I can continue to leave such a lasting impression and influence on people.

As far as marriage and children, if it happens it happens, but I am not one that feels because the world‘s view is you need marriage and children to be complete that we must all follow that module. Remember I am one who likes to think outside the box of life…so if God chooses to have those wonderful things happen, they happen, and if they don’t then I had another plan and another path to follow.

I hope to be very content in a beautiful home by the water sharing my life with my loved ones around me. Family is very important to me and I hope to be close and continue to spend time with them. Regardless I want to be comfortable with who I am and where I am at.

The following page depicts the most recent news and all about Living Beautiful Radio!

WWW.JCWNUTRITION.COM

NANCY DI NINO CONCLUSION Recent News with Nancy Di Nino..the Redstorm My media and appearance schedule has been quite demanding this year, and especially the last few months ( trust me , nothing that I am complaining about). I am very much my own walking billboard and really work at my branding and marketing ventures in addition to maintaining my own business “Bravado Marketing & Management Services for Models and Athletes” I really enjoy educating other athletes and models in this business about he importance of self marketing, branding and seeking professional work assignments. My main goal for myself is versatility and diversity in so that I can continue to inspire a diverse group of people and therefore have also entered others areas such as the world of UFC and MMA . As a media personality I have worked at various events this past year including the Arnold and the Olympia assisting with the contest and video coverage for the women’s events.

I am also excited about my most recent news of signing on with Smartshake.com “The World’s Smartest Shaker in the world” as their Spokesmodel and Canadian Marketing & Distribution Liaison.

Living Beautiful Radio has been a great success over the 3 years of airing however, we are on a hiatus right now due to us seeking new sponsorships to keep us going. ( so not sure if you still want to include this question or not) About Living Beautiful Radio “Living Beautiful Radio says “Don’t move a muscle, unless you’re in the gym, we’ll be right back after commercial break”…”

LBR is hosted by Dr. Z. Catherine Navarro and Fitness Personality Nancy Di Nino. The weekly broadcasts quench the appetite of the modern-day, multi-faceted woman who craves the most cutting edge information from two of the world leaders in health, beauty, lifestyle, nutrition, medicine and the science of “Living Beautiful”.

Each week Dr. Navarro and Nancy feature experts in various areas of fitness, medicine, nutrition and special appearances from the biggest names in fitness! From magazine cover models to world-class athletes, top trainers and magazine editors, Living Beautiful one-hour broadcasts will deliver EVERYTHING that matter to women! Past guests have included 3x Fitness International Champ Adela Garcia, Cover Model Monica Brant, Fitness Olympia and Arnold Classic winner Jen Hendershott and current Ms Figure Olympia Jenny Lynn.

“We are really excited to be able to promote and increase awareness of women in the health and fitness industry”…say Dr. Navarro and Nancy.

COMPETITIONS

North American Champ North American Champ.

Cdn. Figure Nationals 2006 Ontario Provincial Champ.

Fitwings Model Search FAME World Series Figure FAME Great Lakes National World Qualifier Ontario National Qualifier Molson Indy Model Search FAME Canada Model Search

3rd Place – Figure Class B 11th Place Figure Class B 7th Place Figure Medium 3rd Place Figure Medium 4th Place 6th Place – Pro.Figure Model 1st Place – Figure Model 2nd Place – Figure Model 1st Place – Figure Model 4th Place 4th Place – Figure Model

NPC/IFBB NPC/IFBB OPA/IFBB OPA/IFBB Fitwings Calendar Search FAME-WNSO Model Search FAME-WNSO IFBB IFBB FAME-WNSO FAME-WNSO

NO TIME TO DIE HER OWN STORY Anna Mikhaylenko What would you do if faced with a difficult surgery and was told by doctors, that you wouldn’t have much longer to live? Imagine such circumstances as a teenager. Add to this being an orphan and a street kid. Not having the money to even go through a recovery in the hospital. Living in a country with a horrible economy, with citizens who have no hope for a better future. This was typical life in Ukraine. Maybe some would give up when faced with such obstacles, while using their final years to relax. Simply putting their arms down and meeting their fate. Maybe they would let it be... I know a lot of people would do that, but not I.

NO TIME TO DIE ...continues This story happened to me when I was a teenager. I lost my mom, who was killed in a car accident, I was an orphan, a street kid, dreaming only to have enough food to survive and not die with hunger. Then unexpectedly, a new problem arouse, as another wave of life left me far under the dirty waters of hopelessness. I was diagnosed with pelvic peritonitis. I was through a very hard surgery but the doctors said - we can’t save you totally - we just ask your death to wait for a couple more years. If you survive till your 20th birthday it would be a great miracle of God! and you will not be able to lift more than 7 pounds of weights. I was through a very hard and long recovery and had a lot of time to investigate my soul, mind, and life. I was able to understand that there is God who is in control and who can help me in my situation. But he will not solve my problems, he will give me a chance to solve them. He blessed me with the years I needed, but it was up to me to decide whether I would use them for good or bad. Thus, I decided to do whatever it takes to go through this heroically and to achieve all I can.

This is why I decided to prove the doctors wrong, despite their prognosis. I began my journey humbly, I exercising my body by lifting and carrying various people. I started out lifting small woman, then bigger women, men, and eventually heavy men. Step by step I was moving towards my goal of becoming the strongest woman in the world, and have already proven the doctors wrong. At the time, I didn’t even dream about a gym as I didn’t have the money to afford it. Earning my own money since I was 11 years old I still couldn’t afford good food, let alone a gym membership. Yet, God has his plan and His timing for everything, so it happened one day. A friend of mine got into a satanic group and transformed from a good-hearted, pure kid he was turning into a spoiled and crazy person. I decided to stop it and invited him to visit a church with me. He agreed but only If I go to his gym afterwards. So we had a deal.

I obliged and went to his gym and saw a sea of iron, bars, dumbbells, and machines. Immediately my heart began to talk inside of me. I had an intense passion to lift the biggest bar, and to become as muscular as the biggest guy in the gym. But, I began with powerlifting only. As I didn’t have food to eat, sometimes even several days, which just isn’t the proper routine for good muscle growth. Despite this, my strength was still increasing. I did five to seven hours a day, through hard Ukrainian winters and through burning summers. Nothing could deter me.

I was fainting through workouts but still pressed on, dedicated to my dream of becoming the best in this form of art.

Several years passed away and I felt like I have no time to die, I should live because I have so much else to do... I was becoming stronger increasing my passion to survive even more.... So after about four years of power-lifting I was able to bench-press 145 kilos, a world-record for my category as I was only about 110 pounds those days. My dead-lift was 167 kilograms.

One day I had a dream that I still remember vividly. I was on a riverbank, and on the other side of the river was another bank, even bigger and much more beautiful than mine. But, that river had a very strong waterfall, and there was only one way to the other side of the old and broken bridge. God told me-step to the bridge and go to this side, and the figure of Jesus Christ unexpectedly appeared on the other side, calling me to Him. But I was frightened and scared to death. Yes that other bank is beautiful and promising, but.... what if I die? ... And seeing my hesitation, God waved his arm and fire began on my side. I had to run away from the incoming fire and the only way was through the bridge. and.. here I am on the other side, and I didn’t fall to the waterfall and didn’t die...

NO TIME TO DIE.....CONCLUSION I found the answer to this dream when checking my e-mails at an internet-club a few days later. I saw an invitation to participate at the world level competition for bodybuilding! The thought of it was just too good to be true. I assumed it had to be a bad joke because no one can be invited to the world level without going through the national level first. So I sent an e-mail in reply, asking whether or not this invitation was indeed legitimate. Soon I received a response stating that I have a good shaped body with promising development and need to begin the world level contest....It sounded strange for me as I wasn’t even doing bodybuilding those days, only powerlifting, but I was invited and so joyful for it.

Only God and my best friends know what it cost me to make it to Bulgaria for this world event. Tickets were so expensive that I had to eat almost nothing during the entire month, in preparation, to be able to afford one. I borrowed money from all the people I could, ensuring them I would work very hard in order to be able to pay them back. Thankfully, my friends understood what this event meant for me and gracefully paid for my tickets and hotel room.

The end result was ninth place in a world contest, which given the circumstances was a victory for me in many ways. Being able to compete and do well, meant so much to me. Thus, began my career in the sport I love. Today, I still work hard and continue to drive myself in this sport, below are a few of my recent accolades.

Absolute world record in power-lifting, now my dead-lift is 305 KILOS and the bench press is 170 KILOS I place 3rd in an arm wrestling competition of Russia national level 1-st place in mix-wrestling, Russia level and Ukraine level 3rd place in the strength show competition Russia/Ukraine level green belt in karate sports master on acrobatics sports master of international level of female bodybuilding my biceps off season are 18 .5 inches my body weight off season is 205 pounds My height is 5’2 Sincerely yours Anna Mikhaylenko And yes, I still have no time to die

Armon has most definitely taken my physique to an entirely new level! I had the previliege of meeting Armon after competing in the Greater Gulf States. He saw potential in me, & new exactly what I was missing in order to be a contender at my next show, which was the NPC Alabama State Championships. I have competed in this show for a few years now, but never could deliver the “complete” package that was needed, not only to achieve one of my goals of getting a National qualification, but also win my class. He took me from being an average competitor at the Great Gulf States to winning the over-all light-heavyweight class at NPC Alabama Championships! To reiterate, in only “8 weeks”!

Armon’s knowledge & passion for the sport of bodybuilding speaks volumes, in regards to how he approaches his job everyday. From the very first interaction with him, I knew that he was the guy I needed to work with, in order to take my physique to the next level. I literally saw my body changing by the day! It was an overwhelming feeling to know & see that my hard work, for so many years was coming to fruition!

I was finally reaping the fruit of the labor, that I have been working so hard to achieve.

There’s so much to be said about Armon’s style of coaching. He has provided a breath of fresh air to my bodybuilding career, and created a ton of excited for next years prep. I wish that I could keep him as my secret weapon for years to come, but he deserves every bit of recognition for his unyielding efforts with me.

If you’re looking for a prep coach that will honest, candid, knowledgeable, & reliable; then Armon is definitely the guy to work with it. He’s the Real Deal!

Brandon Francis Alabama’s State Light-Heavyweight winner - 2011

CHRIS HUNT Ever since I was younger I always had the determination to become great. At the age of 5 I became active in martial arts where I have continued until the age of 14. In those years I have won several championships and earned a second degree black belt in tae kwon do. It was in those nine years where i developed a strong sense of discipline that will later shape me into the man today. I have been active in many sports since then (basketball, track and field, powerlifting and now bodybuilding) but it was in bodybuilding where I felt I belonged and felt that the sport would be my calling. The disciplined I have gained at such a young age help me also win numerous 1st place trophies in all the above mentioned sports and has allowed me to become a 3 time national bodybuilding champion before the age of 21.(2008 heart of texas 3rd place lightweight, 2009 teen nationals light weight winner as well as lightweight collegiate winner, 2009 ronnie coleman 1st place lightweight winner 1st place teen winner, 2010 npc jr. usa welterweight winner,2010 4th place middleweight 2010 11th place nationals lightweight). My 2 all time favorite bodybuilders would have to be Flex Wheeler and Ronnine Coleman but Flex especially because I feel I have a lot in common with Flex. He too has been in tae kwon do since an early age and has also carried that discipline throughout his bodybuilding career. I also feel that I am starting to mimick the positive assets of his physique (round shoulders, tiny waist, big quads). I hope to one day not only become professional bodybuilding status at a young age but to one day represent this sport in a positive attitude and follow the footsteps on some of the greatest.