Pro/Am Contests Blog

I was recently contacted by Bodybuilding.com to do a brief interview before NPC Nationals this year.

Here are the questions and my answers:

1.  Please introduce yourself (name, occupation, how long bodybuilding & competing, best placings, etc.).  Also please send a photo or two if you have one.

Hi - my name is Jason Wojciechowski - or Wojo for short.  I just finished my Ph.D. in Immunology from Duke University.  I’ve been competing for about 10 years in organizations ranging from the now-defunct ANBC, MuscleMania, and now in the NPC.  I won the NPC NC State Bodybuilding Championships in 2005 along with the light-heavyweight class of the Jr. USA and placed 10th at Nationals out of 38 competitors.

2.  Will you try something different in the days leading into the show in comparison to what you have done in the past? If so what? And do you feel you are taking a risk of the new strategy backfiring?

This time I’m leaving sodium in my diet the entire time and won’t drop it at all come showtime.  I also likely won’t cut water. Each contest prep is an experiment and I learn new things each time I diet.  This strategy could potentially backfire, but I am consistently making progress on a daily basis, so chances are I should be ok if I continue what I’m doing until the time I step onstage.  Usually it’s the things you change at the last minute that end up backfiring.

One other thing I’m doing differently this time around is continuing DC Training throughout my prep.  I have been extremely happy with this system of training in the offseason and it’s worked equally well for my pre-contest diet.

3.  Is this show a team effort or have you prepared by yourself?

I am very lucky to have a great team behind me for my prep - the foundation of which is my girlfriend Rae who has been extremely supportive and helpful (www.TrainwithRae.com).  Also Kevin DeHaven of ISS is doing my diet prep as he has in the past.   He truly is an expert and I feel blessed to have his guidance and friendship.  Also, True Protein has supplied all my supplement needs, which is a huge help.  Finally, my family and friends and daughter are also very supportive - Jenn, Debbie, Steve, Micah, Dante, and Ari.

4.  Who do you see as your main competition and why?

Everyone who shows up is my competition.  I don’t count anyone out.  On any given day someone can step up and surprise everyone.

5.  What is the strangest strategy you have practiced in preparation for the 2007 Nationals?

Nothing really strange.  Pretty standard contest prep by conventional standards.

6.  Have you cheated on your diet? If so, how did you cheat?

No way.  I don’t cheat.  Oh wait - I think I might have had an extra tbsp of natural peanut butter once or twice but that’s about it.  If anything I usually eat less than I’m supposed to.

7.  What has been your main focus of motivation to be the best you can be come November 16th?

To improve from last time.  I got 10th last time around so this time my goal is to beat that, whatever place that may be.   For me competing isn’t a race or an end result.  As long as I continually get better I’m happy.  If I don’t place any higher but look better, that’s still a success in my eyes.

8.  What supplements have been most beneficial for you contest preparation?

I’ve used True Protein supplements almost exclusively for this diet prep.  Specifically, I use their BCAA Boost, beta alanine, whey protein, and waxy maize.

Jason Wojciechowski
www.jasonwojo.com