I first learned about the existence of bodybuilding when I read a book on Tom Platz when I was 12, or maybe even younger. It was his legs that blew me away. His legs where amazing—front to back, side to side—I remember always wanting to have huge legs from that day on. Also, as a kid Arnold's films had me glued to the TV, and wrestling, too. I was increasingly drawn to the "extra-normal," shall we say. Wanting to look like a cartoon appealed to me from as far back as I can remember.
About the same time as the book on Tom Platz, I actually found some weights in my dad's shed. I asked if I could use them, but being 12 the answer was a direct "no—when you're older." Needless to say, that didn't stop this young Jack the Lad. I remember doing 50 squats every night with this old, rusty bar before bed. As time went on I increased the reps to 100. Of course, it was only a matter of time time before my parents caught on and took the weights back off me. Still, I dabbled in weights until I was 15.
I stepped into my first gym at 15 and saw my first real bodybuilder in the flesh. I was playing rugby at the time and needed to put some size so I started doing some power movements. The gym was made up of mainly power lifters, so that was the start of my power lifting. I was a strong kid, and maybe all those squats gave me an early advantage.
But there was something lacking in my heart. I loved to lift, but just not like that. Then one day, when I was alone at the gym, the local bodybuilder came up to me and said I had potential to compete. I started training with him and a year later, at age 19, I entered my first show. I won the teens Wales, and from there I went on to win the British also.
I train for two reasons, long and short-term goals. My short-term goal is to stay in that 202 class until I outgrow it. I want to win the 202 Mr. Olympia. And five years from now I want to be one of the top men in the sport, not just in the 202 class. My long-term goals are simply to be in the IFBB Hall of Fame one day like Rich, and to be healthy and happy with my wife and our children—when they come!
The phrase PUSH HARDER motivates me. It means so many things to me…in bodybuilding and in life in general. We all face adversities every single day, and always there are two options—A or B, easy or hard. As a pro I deal with this in every workout: do I go balls to the wall, or go heavy and half-hearted? I NEVER take the easy option. PUSH HARDER! When you can't do another rep, PUSH HARDER. When you feel you can't give more, PUSH HARDER! These two words are very powerful. Read them over and over again, and let them sink into the lowest depth of your brain. When in fact you are faced with a tough situation, guess what? PUSH HARDER will come to you.
I am realistic. I set realistic goals, one at a time. One thing that remains constant is that I always train for first place. After I won the British Championships the 202 class came along, and I've always trained for first. You know how I came out there in the Europa, and I'm hoping that's the start for many more to come.
My short-term goal is to stay in that 202 class until I outgrow it. I wanna win the 202 Mr Olympia. And five years from now I want to be one of the top men in the sport, not just in the 202 class. My long-term goals are simply to be in the IFBB Hall of Fame one day like Rich, and to be healthy and happy with my wife and our children—when they come!
Seek the guidance of a well-known competitor or, if you have one in your gym, a professional. Ask him to spare 10 minutes of his time. Read and all you can on nutrition—that is the key! There is no quick way of getting BIG, no magic drink or pill to make you look like Mr Olymia overnight, or even in a year, contrary to what some think. It all stems from having a well-balanced diet, good supplement intake, along with hard training and plenty of rest. Eat + sleep + train = start growing!