World Physique

Interviewed by Tammy Renee'

Andre Bland was born in Hampton, VA, USA on February 12, 1988. He works for Parks and Recs, as well as the Public School System. In addition, he volunteers in the PE department at an amazing elementary school. He is also a drug free, all natural athlete. Pretty much all day, he works with kids, in which he loves dearly.

WP: Andre, what has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?

AB: My stepping stone to get me where I am today would be my mom and my faith. Personally, I feel that my mom has guided me through the years to make wise choices in both.

WP: What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?

AB: Maintaining my physique has actually been pretty easy. The hardest thing for me is be patient for the things I need to work on. I stay lean pretty much year round. And my work out schedule has become part of my daily life. Lately, I haven’t done much different. I think I’ve taken more rest days than I did in the past. I’ve also cut down on my cardio a lot. I have a competition coming up, so I’m going to still try and fit my cardio in.

WP: Where do you reside now?

AB: I am currently living in Williamsburg/James City County, VA, USA. It’s quite an active town with a lot of attractions. There are a ton of great people here, some amazing kids, and plenty of places to keep in shape.

WP: Have you ever played any type of sports or activities?

AB: I’ve always been involved in some sort of activity through the years. In my Pre-K years, I was in gymnastics. I used to watch the gymnasts as they would perform all of their stunts and acrobatic tricks on bars, beam, and floor. It really painted an image in my mind of how much hard work pays off and how important proper technique was.

Following this, I was very active in my neighborhood having races, playing kickball, tag, and wrestling around a lot. During the middle of my 2nd grade years I was introduced to the sport of wrestling after a short grapple over something minor in a local Food Lion. Being that the season was coming to an end, I didn’t actually join the sport until I was in 3rd grade.

Wrestling became a pastime for me. I learned so much discipline. I became attached to the sport so much that it just grew on me as I got older. I was a team captain in high school. I wrestled a year of Division I College Wrestling. But, I eventually dropped the sport. I think that was one of my toughest choices, but I was so happy when I did.

Also, in high school I was involved in Cross Country. I started in 8th grade competing as a JV runner. I was pretty good at it. I wasn’t the best. In fact, I don’t think I ran enough to be an elite long distance runner. My 5k times hovered around the low to mid 18 minute range before I dropped the sport. That too was another tough decision.

But, let me not leave my PE out of the sports field here. I was a big Physical Education student. In school, PE was always my favorite class. In just about every school I’ve attended, I would set a personal goal to reach outstanding fitness records. I’d set records for both pull ups and sit ups primarily no matter what school I was at. Some schools didn’t actually track the records, but the instructors had told me that they never seen scores that high. My senior year of high school, I was a teacher’s aide for one of my previous PE teacher’s younger classes.

Currently, I’m competing in the fitness industry around the country and pretty soon around the globe. During my free time on Fridays I volunteer in PE department at one of the local elementary schools. It feels good to give back some of the knowledge that’s been passed on to me. Pretty soon, so of the very kids I influence now will be making some pretty decisions themselves about fitness and lifestyle.

WP: Wow! That's outstanding! You really sound active! Tell me about your family. In addition, are you married, single, or dating?

AB: I was raised by my mom, Pamela Robinson. I have three brothers. I have an older brother named Anthony Bland, and two younger brothers being Nicholas and Marshall Robinson. My mom works in the school system. I cannot remember exactly what her job title is, but I do know she helps families in need. My mom also owns Sunbeach Tanning Salon. My two younger brothers are both in High School in Williamsburg. And lastly, my older brother is living in Georgia.

Currently, I’m single. My wife will come around for me!

WP: I like how you said your wife will come around for you! She would have to know how to sprint to keep up with you! Ha-ha! What has modeling taught you thus far?

AB: Modeling has taught me a few things. One of the biggest things it taught me was to be happy with how God made you. I cannot stress this enough, because so many people want what I have and they have no clue what I went through to get to where I am now. Another thing it has taught is to stay strong to my beliefs no matter what. I know I’ve done a lot of stuff wrong, but the past is over. I was raised conservative. And I can’t just drop my beliefs for personal pleasures whether it is for money or anything else.

WP: That is so true. You have to hang onto what you believe in. Modeling can steer you in the wrong direction if you allow it. And, for a physique like yours, it doesn't come easy and it isn't made over night. What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?

AB: I think the hardest thing for me to overcome was knowing that growth takes time. I was constantly trying to find instant results, and it would frustrate me. In fact, I was so determined to see results that a lot of times I would go overboard on my work out. But that’s when I realized that I had to balance things out better and just be patient. I’m a whole lot more self-conscious than most people.

WP: What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?

AB: The hardest thing for me to deal with when it came to my diet was knowing that I didn’t have the life of the normal competitor. My work schedule would dictate my eating schedule to an extent. But nonetheless, I still manage to eat as healthy as I can for the most part. Lately, I’ve been cutting out snacks. I’ve had a few cheat days, but not too many.

WP: What are the key factors that dictate the way you model today?

AB: A few of the key factors that dictate the way I model today include the fact that I know I’m a huge role model for those around me. People watch the choices I make. I have to model clean. If I don’t I just feel a conviction in my heart. As I get older I realize how important my choices really are. In my earlier years I wasn’t as aware.

Another dictating factor is knowing that a photographer, management, or even peers are not always looking out for your best interests. Very few people care about the best interest of others. Most people just care about “themselves”. So if I do everything that everybody else wants than, I’ll just go downhill.

WP: How has your training compare to when you model to when you do not. What do you do differently?

AB: My training for modeling is that exact same for when I model as compared to when I don’t. I train year-round. There is no off season. I think the big difference would be diet. I don’t have to worry about as much of a strict diet for modeling as I do for something like bodybuilding.

WP: That is the physique that I respect the most. Those that stay fit all year around. Also, when you get asked to model, you're ready right then. That will get you far in this industry. What titles/accomplishments have you thus far? Tell me about them.

AB: Here is a list all my accomplishments thus far. All in all it seems like a lot, but it really isn’t. For 2008, I’ve won every competition for my age category. I’m glad about that.

2007 NASF American Challenge Nationals
2nd YM

GameDay Magazine Article December 07

2008 Old Dominion Classi
c 1st YM 1st MN 1st MN Overall 2nd MOD M

2008 American Challenge Nationals
1st YM 1st YMO 3rd MOD M

2008 OCB Yorton Cup Nationals & Super Pro Qualifier
1st JD 4th MOD S

Amateur of the Week for Bodybuilding.com for adult men! My week is coming up

Jan/Feb (01/25- 02/05) 2009 Featured Profile for FAME Body Proud

February 2009 Mr. World Physique Model Online Contest (placement 3rd)

2009 FAME Northeast USA Model & Figure Championships
1st Fitness Model 2nd Muscle Model

WMBG AM 740 Radio Interview (3/2/09)

VA Gazette Special Edition Sports (3/11/09)

Featured Photo on World Physique Network (3/30/09)

Featured Profile on World Physique Network (4/3/09)

April 2009 Mr. World Physique Model Online Contest

April 2009 (4/13-4/17) Featured Profile for FAME Body Proud

FAME World Championships Banner

WP: Wow! Impressive! You will be on our header on our main website, too, very soon. Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?

AB: In 10 years, I have no clue where I’ll be. I know I’ll be much wiser, I’ll have developed a whole lot more, and more than likely I’ll have perfected many of my weaknesses. Maybe I’ll be acting, maybe I’ll be finishing up school, or maybe I’ll be doing music stuff. Honestly, I have no clue how my life will be in 10 years nor do I really want to think about it right now. Hopefully I’ll be happily married, have a wonderful family, and be the greatest father I ever can be. That sounds like a great goal for me!

WP: Sounds like a good goal to me, too! Can you tell me any photographers you’ve worked with, or someone you’d like to work with?

AB: I’ve worked with Peter Leider, Mike Sansevero, John Schultz, Lage Carlson, and Andy Lundgren. I will be working with many more in the future. As far as photographers I’d like to work with, I’m not exactly sure.

WP: What supplements do you currently take?

AB: At this very minute, I’m not taking any supplements. I’m 2 weeks out from competition. I try to cut out supplements when this close to a show. But personally, I like Muscle Milk. It tastes good and I know it helps, even if it doesn’t do a whole lot.

WP: What are your pet peeves?

AB: I really can’t think of any big pet peeves. If this question was asked a few years ago, I’d probably have a long list. I guess the biggest pet peeve would be seeing so many fathers abandoning families, knowing that there are so many homeless people on the street, seeing the death rate on a rise, and in the midst of all of this knowing that people don’t seem to care. It’s so sad. I just feel a desire to do something. I just don’t know how yet.

WP: What do you consider to be important in life, and why?

AB: I think the most important thing in my life is God. If I truly believe that there is a God out there then I have to stay strong to my faith no matter how hard it can be. Following this, I feel my family is next. My mother and brothers have been with me my whole life. We’ve been through so much. I love my family! I feel that love is important too. It took me awhile before I actually grasped the concept of the term love. It’s overused so much in society today. Even I have overused it. I don’t know what it is, but there’s this burning love in me. It like I just have to give back all the love I was never given out to others.

WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?

AB: In the past few years, I’ve changed so much. I’ve become more conservative than before. I’ve been a lot more peaceful and no so bitter. I’ve been a whole lot more forgiving. I think in the past few years I’ve just become freer. Before this year, I was always so bound up. I had so much anger bottled up inside from constantly being abused, used, and mistreated that I couldn’t take it anymore. It wasn’t until I actually moved to Williamsburg that I started to calm down and just let God work things out instead of trying to do everything myself.

WP: What are your stats such as height, weight, biceps, and waist?

AB: I’m roughly 5’7”. I weigh around 154 on average. My waist size is generally the 29/30 range. My biceps are 15 inches.

WP: Any shout outs?

AB: I’d like to give a shout out to my mom, Pamela Robinson, and my brothers Anthony, Nicholas, and Marshall. I would also like to thank everybody who’s helped me to get to where I am today. I would like to thank them for their guidance, critique, and even some of the constructive criticism I’ve received.

WP: Give me an example of your workout.

AB: This is a sample of what I do; no weights included! It's much more complicated. I also change the routine every 10 to 12 weeks!

Day 1 (Monday):

Recovery: 1 min
Deadlift
Weighted Wide Grip Pullups
Back Squat
Narrow Grip Seated Row
Standing Calf Raise
Pullover (Machine)
Seated Calf Raise
Decline Sit Ups (4 sets of 25)

Day 2 (Tuesday):

Recovery: 1 min
Military Press
Bicep Curl
Dips
Front Raise
Hammer Curl
Tricep Extensions (pull downs)
Lateral Raise
Popeye Curl
Rear Delt (Machine)

Day 3 (Wednesday)

Light Cardio and Crunches (Rest day)

Day 4 (Thursday):

Recovery: 1 min
Prone Leg Curl
Bench Press
Hamstring Extension
Pec Fly
Hip Abduction
Decline Press
Hip Adduction
Incline Press
Ab Work (3 min variation routine)

Day 5: (Friday)

Row Machine Cardio/Bike/LSD (Long Slow Distance) Jog
Carb up the night before to have energy for the cardio

Day 6: (Saturday)

Free

Day 7: (Sunday)

Focus on God!
"Even in the pain, pray through it!"

WP: Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?

AB: A typical diet for “ME” is not too strenuous at all. Lately, I’ve been eating stuff like sausage, eggs, yogurt, and maybe a waffle for breakfast. Then I snack on a yogurt and maybe a Nutri-Grain bar. For lunch I’ll eat something provided at the schools, or I’ll just make a sandwich and eat an apple and maybe some cereal. Following this I may have another snack. And I usually finish the day out with water is available. This could range from a soup to a pasta. I do eat my greens by the way.

WP: Could you tell me about your future projects?

AB: As far as future projects go, I have a few photo shoots planned. But, currently I’m focusing on my competitions. I have a FAME Lone Star show in May, FAME World Championships in June, and a Musclemania Mountain Pride show in July.

I’ll be competing as a natural bodybuilder, a fitness model, as well as a muscle model. I’m going to continue training, and hopefully go out there and put forth the best shows I’ve done as of yet.

WP: You're going to be very busy! Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to bring to light?

AB: I’m very open to sponsorships or donations. I have a paypal account via DOG4U@msn.com

Also, if anybody has any questions for me please feel free to ask. I’m still young and still learning. I’m open for interviews, motivational speaking and much more.

WP: It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!