2008 Transformation Contest

On Friday night, I caught a Denver Nuggets basketball game. Good company, good entertainment and good times. It had been awhile since I experienced the live energy of a game. When I returned home I wasn’t quite ready for bed so I hopped online to check my email and amongst the spam of how I can make my "schlong longer" or "please my woman better". You know the usual crap that clogs up our email. Amongst these emails and a few legitimate ones I see an email from a girl I used to date. She was big into fitness and very attractive. Things ended when I got to know her for what she really was and the more I learned the uglier she got. Hence the reason why we were no longer seeing each other. A physical relationship can only take you so far.

So anyways, I open the email and it’s a forwarded email about presidential candidate, Barack Obama. The title read "Obama to doom the United States" and she adds a comment of, "Im scared for the United States!!"

As you can imagine, The email was full of such rubbish I couldn’t believe it. One line said, "The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at the ighest level - through the President of the United States,one of their own!!!!"

The email was much longer but it straight up pissed me off. Keep in mind, this is coming from a girl who didn’t know who Jimmy Carter was. One who never wanted to discuss politics or anything of any substance. She’s 28 and I’m sorry but if you don’t know who Jimmy Carter is you need to study US history again. So, I respond with "That’s crap. You don’t even follow politics and sending this poop."

Her response, "Knowing we have a muslim running to be president is problem enough.  So I don’t wanna hear it.  You always have to stick up for everyone in your open minded ways"

We went back and forth a couple times until she wrote the most horrific response I’ve ever seen from someone. I am disturbed just copying and pasting it. It makes me sick. Warning this is everything that is wrong with America today, moronic, narrow-minded views and such racist language. Her response to me telling her to check her facts before sending out such garbage, "I have, and I don’t believe it. Of course he and all his people, media etc is going to deny it and say otherwise. There’s no way he would win if people knew who he really was. Obama Bin Laden baby. hahahaha…. Damn Muslim. He is LITERALLY a sand ******. hahahaha"

SERIOUSLY WTF IS THAT?! I am embarrassed to say I know this person much less any type of relationship with someone who could actually write that.

Bono says it best at the beginning of this U2 song. "God does not hate. This is a song about people who recreate God in their own image, tiny, pathetic you knwo the kind of people I’m talking about." Yes Bono, I know EXACTLY the kind of people you are talking about.

The energy this man is able to create in such a positive way is everything that is right in the world. I’ve wasted enough of my energy on this foul woman and will not communicate with her in any fashion. I urge everyone to show some love for others and themselves.

On a happier note, this is one song I jam to in the gym and gets me pumped while lifting. As it also applies to the story above as it’s a reminder to elevate myself from the negativity and narrow-mindedness that exists in the world today.

I’ve received a number of emails and messages asking where my photos are at and what’s happening with me. One of my goals it to motivate people here in a variety of ways. Lately I’ve been using music to help motivate others. Don’t be fooled, that doesn’t mean I’m hiding or I’ve fallen off the workout wagon. My man Jumbo asked me a few questions and check out my responses below. I’ve also posted my progress photos that were taken on Monday, ya nothing like a few days late eh? As a reminder I am not competing against the other five for the prizes but rather lend a hand at some advice and inspiration while going through the same transformation process. Aight, enough babbling. Here are the questions/answers and my progress photos.

Jumbo: I was wondering if you would give us a little more information about yourself. I see that you got into tremendous shape and competed on stage. What was that like?
Me: Yes I have competed in bodybuilding contests 2x. I work with a number of the top fitness, figure and bodybuilding personalities. Many times clients would say "oh I’m dieting" or "I can’t worry about this now". I decided to go the extra step and find out what it would be like to compete. Are these people full of crap or is it really that tough? If you haven’t stepped on stage to compete, you really truly have no idea what is involved. I am 5′11" and weight 167 my first show, the second show I weight 176 on stage. Both times I was ripped and I had fun. It was an experience that was unlike any other. Lots of people can look good in the gym or in street clothes but to be on stage in nothing but a speedo is an : entirely different experience. I gained perspective on what my client went through and while I never claim to be a bodybuilder I do understand what my client go through by having lived through it and followed through.

J: Did you find the last few weeks leading up to competition to be harder on your body than the previous months of dietand workout?
Me: It wasn’t harder because I was "in the zone". I still went out with friends but I would drink diet coke and water while they got wasted. I’d disappear to go have chicken and rice while they ate fries and onion rings. I also did Yoga a couple times a week which improved my strength and flexibility. Guys in the gym asked me if it was to pick up women but ah no, it was to improve me mentally and physically. The last week going into the show was tough. I wanted to quit more than once but I knew it would be worth it. I would get up at 5:30am and walk on the treadmill (yes walk as to not loose muscle at that point) and then go back in the afternoon, workout and do more walking. This was only for the last 3-4 weeks. The thing I grew tired of was eating. If I went longer than 3 hours without eating I was not fun to be around.

J: How much gym time were you spending?
Me: 1 hour or less. I’d run around the park in Denver in the morning and then hit the gym for an hour of weights. The last 4 weeks I did cardio 2x a day and stopped running and went to walking on an incline. I was boring ass hell but it worked for me. As I leaned out I spent more time in the gym because people would constantly be talking to me. Asking me what I was doing, what I was eating, etc. Even the trainers in the gym would hound me for tips. I started going at different hours to avoid crowds and have my space back.

J: You said that you had gotten out of shape, though we have no real proof of that…  Was it the work or family that caused a slide?
Me: Jumbo see the photos below. This is my out of shape. Last year I traveled at least 2 weekends every month. Photographing shows for bodybuilding.com and occasionally FLEX magazine kept me busy. My downfall was not planning and resorting to airport food or going all day without eating. If I eat 2-3 meals a day I pack on the pounds. I have to eat 6-8 small meals to keep my metabolism sped up. I let my workouts slide and in the process found myself at a weight where I wasn’t comfortable. That’s all changing now.

J: How did you get into the Lift Studios thing? Did it blossom out of your gym work or did the lifting blossom out of you studio work?
Me: I read FLEX and Muscle and Fitness mags growing up and at one point tried weight gainer 2000. How funny thinking back on that. I was very active in high school sports and then went into the Army National Guard. I was in awesome shape coming out of basic training. I tried my hand at college football but after pulling my hamstring and being too small I hung it up. I only weighed about 170 at that point. I proceeded to drink a bit too much and eat like crap for a few years. I found myself eating ramen noodles and vending machine food when I was attending art college. I decided to do Body-for-Life and lost a great deal of weight. That motivated me to not be complacent. At the time I was working at a large ad agency with a great career. I was tired of living in Omaha so moved to Denver. Worked for a small design firm as Interactive Creative Director working with outdoor/sports related clients. My boss at the time thought I was conspiring to steal her clients with a former co-worker and friend of mine. I went in one morning and she told me I was fired. This was the best thing to ever happen to me. I had been procrastinating on starting my own business like I had about my weight for some time. It took a drastic change and challenge to force me to put up or shut up. I took the challenge and ran with it. That was nearly 6 years ago and since that time I’ve combined my love for fitness and sports into my other talents of art, photography and marketing. I believe in the cliché “everything happens for a reason”. Fired from a job for the first time turned into a career I love with my business Lift Studios.

J: Is there a food you must avoid because it would start you off on a crazed binge?
I LOVE a number of foods but it is all about balance. My vices are chips, Italian and Mexican food. I love to eat those foods but I don’t buy them and only have healthy foods in my place.

I’ve babbled long enough here. Thanks for the questions and if anyone has any others feel free to email or post them here. This has been a very productive month for me both physically, mentally and with my business.

My progress pics:

Da back.

Da Front.

Where will I end up? I know this much, much happier in all facets of my life. Rock on!

An old college friend recently emailed me asking me for some advice on working out and loosing weight. I sent him here to find more knowledge on getting back into shape. He was one of my closest friends in college and we lost touch somewhere along the way. I hadn’t heard from him in years but when I did it, brought back many memories. Many times songs remind me of a place in time. This particular song, Cumbersome, was one we used to sing to at the top of our lungs, completely out of tune, and many times over. My friends and I once played pool with this band years later before their show in Omaha, Nebraska. It’s funny to think back how we jammed to this 7 Mary 3 CD in the dorms, shot pool with the singer years later and now I am sharing it with an entirely different audience. ROCK ON!

Crank this one up in the gym and tell me this isn’t a timeless lryic:
"too rich too poor, she’s wanting me less and I’m wanting her more"

I admit, I’m a sucker for some of the reality shows at times. I caught this clip a few months back on the show "America’s got Talent". I remember seeing this cat walk out and thinking, "oh great another horrible goofball". Then he busts out one of the coolest renditions of this song I’ve ever heard. The judges on the show made similar comments about the singer, Cas Haley. I am posting this as another tune that I absolutely love but this clip is more than that. We’re all guilty of judging a book by it’s cover. All too often we make assumptions and stereotype people based on their appearance.

This is a reminder that we all have our own talents, no matter what you may look like or how much you weigh.

My tune of the day comes via the John Butler Trio. I had this one cranked in the gym today as well as on the way to the gym. I enjoy the banjo and the beat of the song but when you take a minute to listen to the lyrics it’s an interesting song. Do we sometimes let being "better than that" let the get the best of us? I know I’ve been guilty of it before and while I am always striving to be my best I try not to let it get the best of me. Enjoy today, you never know what tomorrow what will bring.

All you want is
What you can’t have
And if ya’ just look around, man
You’ll see you got magic

So just sit back and relax
Enjoy it while you still have it
Don’t look back on life, man
And only see tragedy ’cause

chorus
You can be better than that
Let it get the better of you
What could be better than that?
Life’s not about what’s better than

This song is a reminder to me that we all have pain. It doesn’t matter if you’re old, young, 300lbs or 150lbs. We all have things that we battle with, we all hurt a little at times. Don’t give up hope. Don’t give up on your goals. Don’t stop. Don’t Quit. You can and will do anything you set your mind to.

Keep the faith. Keep the faith in yourself this Thursday!

Keeping with the Counting Crows and VH1 storytellers again today… I share with you my tune of the day: "Have your seen me lately". This is a song I like to listen to on the way home from the gym or while eating breakfast. It’s mellow and makes me think.

Have you seen me lately?
Have you seen me lately?
I was out on the radio starting to change
Somewhere out in America, it’s starting to rain
Could you tell me the things
you remember about me
And have you seen me lately?
I remember me

Make something happen today!
I like to surround myself with positive, upbeat people and one of my goals for 2008 is to avoid negativity. One of the most positive people I’ve met over the last year is Sara Hurrle. She’s whooped my butt in the gym but she’s also a very positive person to be around and a joy to be around.

I read a number of books and the other day as I was sweating like an oldie on the gauntlet reading away. The author wrote, try for one day to be upbeat, smiling and encouraging to everyone you encounter, even strangers. Note their reactions. Then try for a day not smiling, looking down, avoiding eye contact and see what reactions you get. Sure there will be some people who want to know what’s wrong and ask if you’re okay but for the most part the energy/vibe you give off will be very different if you’re smiling and upbeat than if you’re hanging your head and dreary. My point is Sara is one smiling and upbeat and you see people’s reactions to her. It’s cool to be around positive, upbeat people. She passed this along today and I thought it was a pretty good reminder…

Everyone who got where they are had to begin where they were.
Your opportunity for success is right in front of you.

To attain success or to reach your goal, don’t worry about having all the answers in advance.
You just need to have a clear idea of your goal and move toward it.

Don’t procrastinate when faced with a difficult problem.
Break your problems into parts and handle one part at a time.

Develop a tendency toward action.
You can make something happen today.
Break your big plan for success into small steps and take the first step right away.

Success starts with a first step.

A new little item I’ll be blogging blog for the remainder of the challenge is the "tune of the day". I have a variety of music in my ipod, well now I use my iphone in the gym, but that aside I am motivated by listening to music when I work out. Today my "tune of the day" is from the Foo Fighters "The Pretender". The beat of this song gets me amped up and keeps me moving for the duration of the 4:30 song.

Apparently they’ve disabled the embed function on this video but you can check it out here.

Feel free to post your favorite songs for others. What tunes gets you cranked up for your workout?
SO WHO ARE YOU? YA WHO ARE YOU? RAAAAHHHHHHH. (Can you tell I’ve had my coffee today?)

MuscleTech is no stranger to the bodybuilding and fitness community. We’ve all see there ads on tv or in the various magazines. They have some of the top competitors on their athlete roster. They have a reputation of leading the way in innovation. I’ve eaten their bars and also tried Hydroxycut back in the ephedra days. I’ve never tried their shakes or a number of other products in their line. That is until today.

My man Dean over at MuscleTech hooked me up with a number of Muscle Tech products. I’ll be talking with him tomorrow and devising a plan for me to implement them all into my diet and training. Tonight I made a shake with MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Hardcore Vanilla.
• 14oz of water
• 3 scoops of the Nitro-Tech powder
• About 12 ice cubes
• Blended it all together.

I was surprised at the consistency when pouring it out. Many shakes are clumpy and don’t blend well. This was surprisingly smooth and evenly blended. It smelled good, which some proteins make me want to gag just for the smell. It tasted awesome! It didn’t have a chalky taste or any type of after-taste. Again many shakes I’ve tried have this type of taste.

I rate this shake an A on my grading scale of shakes. I’d definitely recommend this shake to others. You can get it at the bodybuilding.com store.

I will be giving reviews and other updates on other products. No, I don’t like everything I try and will comment why on those as well.

My work schedule is unique and changes daily. One day I’ll be writing preview articles for bodybuilding.com, the next creating a logo for a client. Every day is different in the land of LIFT. Yesterday I spent the afternoon with IFBB Pro Bodybuilder, Phil Heath as he prepares for the IRONMAN next month. He’ll then make the trip to Columbus for the Arnold Classic. Phil is focused and on track do doing very well in both contests. He trains hard and with great intensity.

Since my day changes every day I need to be prepared. I knew I wouldn’t be home for a few hours so I packed a protein shake. Luckily I did because we ended up shooting for 2 hours and then I made the trek home.

Let me tell you, when you see a guy like Phil train it is motivating and makes you step up your game. Will I ever look like Phil? of course not. That’s not the point. You don’t need to look like a pro bodybuilder or even train like one but you can learn something from them. Phil’s reminded me that when you set your mind to something nothing will stand in your way.

Check out the preview photos and story from our shoot at FLEXONLINE.com. A training video will be posted tomorrow on their site.

Phil just under 5 weeks out from the IRONMAN PRO.

I think this quote holds true. I may not have to like someone or agree with them on everything but it doesn’t mean I don’t respect them.

"I believe it is very important to show respect toward individuals who live up to their obligations and responsibilities, whether you like the individual or not. Respect is a virtue that goes far and beyond the emotion of liking."
–Reggie Jackson

One of my favorites. I didn’t come up with this but it’s definitely thought provoking. I encourage all the contestants and our fellow Bodyspacers to take a moment and ask yourselves… Do you have class?

WHAT IS CLASS?
Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident in the knowledge that you can meet life head-on and handle whatever comes along.

Jacob had it. Esau didn’t. Symbolically, we can look to Jacob’s wrestling match with the angel. Those who have class have wrestled with their own personal "angel" and won a victory that marks then thereafter.

Class never makes excuses. It takes its lumps an learns from past mistakes.

Class is considerate of others. It knows that good manners are nothing more than a series of petty sacrafices.

Class bespeaks an aristocracy that has nothing to do with ancestors or money. The most affluent blueblood can be totally without class, while the descendent of a Welsh miner may ooze class from every pore.

Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down.

Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse.

Class can "walk with kings and keeps its virtue, and talk with crowds and keep the common touch." Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class–because he is comfortable with himself.

If you have class, you don’t need much of anything else. If you don’t have it, no matter what else you have–it doesn’t make much difference.

I am wrapping up cardio after a grueling workout with Insane Sara Hurrle. I woke up a 6:30, had a protein shake and headed to Greenwood Athletic & Tennis Club for a back workout and a little cardio. By the time I woke up and got to the gym it was a little before 8 am. My gimpy arse is finally recovering from the leg workout. Any who… Sara always has more energy than the energizer bunny and this morning was no different. Here was our back workout.

• Hyperextensions - 20reps - 4 sets

• 1 arm rows - 20 reps each arm
• Standing cable flies - 20 reps
• seated lat pulldowns - 20 reps
No rest between exercises. 2 min. Rest between sets. Repeat 3x

• Bent over rows with rope/cable - 20 reps
• Seated row - 20 reps
• Bent over dumbbell flies - 20 reps
No rest between exercises. 2 min. Rest between sets. Repeat 3x

• Smith machine bent over rows - 20 reps
• Standing Deadlifts - 20 reps
• Bent over dumbbell rows one in each arm - 20 reps
No rest between exercises. 2 min. Rest between sets. Repeat 3x

I peeled off for cardio while Hurrle continued with more shoulder work. While the primary focus was on my back, a couple of the above exercises are more rear delt orientated. 45 minutes of cardio and I am starving! Time to eat! My back is on fire thanks to another "hurling" from Sara.

Busy day today getting photos out to a couple magazines and the meet up with IFBB Pro Bodybuilder, Phil Heath for a training video. Phil is competing in the 2008 IRONMAN Pro next month.

I am hobbling like an 80 year old man today. I met up with Sara Hurrle and fellow Greenwood Athletic Club Member - Theresa for a leg workout. I haven’t worked legs but maybe 2x in the last 6 months so I was gassed from the get-go. Here is a small sample of our leg workout which nearly had me puking.

Legs:
Squats - 20x - 4 sets
Walking lunges - length of gym up and back - 4 sets

1 legged leg press - 50x - 4 sets
side lunges - 20 each leg - 4 sets

lying hamstring curls - 20x - 4 sets
seated hamstrings - 20x - 4 sets
leg extensions - 20x - 4 sets

seated calf raises - 20x - 4 sets
standing calf raises - 20x - 4 sets

40 minutes of cardio

Abs
leg raises - 20x 4 sets
rope pulldowns - 20x - 4 sets
decline situps - 20x - 4 sets

Needless to say I am sore, sore and did I mention SORE!? Great workout.