Interview with Rob Basler
Bodybuilder of the Month - August 2010
Interviewed by: Angie Courduff
Photos by: RLS Images
Meet our Bodybuilder of the Month, Rob Basler! This young fitness star recently blazed onto the scene and is taking bodybuilding by storm! He is truly passionate about bodybuilding and fitness. With his competitiveness, discipline and constant efforts to push himself further and better his physique, he is just getting started. We will be seeing even more great things from this young man.
"Always follow your dreams because somehow, with drive and passion, you will find success in enjoying life."
WP: Hi Rob! Congratulations on being chosen as World Physique’s Bodybuilder of the month! Tell us about yourself!
RB: Thank you, I greatly appreciate the opportunity! I am 22 and manage Better Fitness Nutrition Center. It’s a hardcore sports nutrition store that focuses on every area of health and fitness from bodybuilding and figure to the everyday person training to drop or add size. Next door to the nutrition center is Tru Fitness, the gym where I train clients and myself. I am working on my second year of competitive bodybuilding and being involved in the wonderful industry of health and fitness. I am happily engaged to my beautiful fiancé, Kandice Dyches.
WP: Congratulations on your engagement! You became interested in weight training at a very young age. What made you first want to step into the gym?
RB: A good friend of mine invited me to work out with him at the local gym. As soon as I stepped in the door, I was hooked. I was introduced to bodybuilding magazines and was amazed at the physiques on those guys. At the time, I believed the mission to achieve those physiques was impossible. But, as time goes on, I feel like I am on the path those guys walked.
WP: From the pictures I’ve seen of you, you’re already there! What made you pursue the health and fitness industry?
RB: Health and fitness has always been a passion of mine ever since I was young doing pushups and crunches in my bedroom. Weight training creates discipline in one’s life and teaches patience. No matter what occupation, weight training can always improve one’s lifestyle. Once I was introduced to the owner of Better Fitness Nutrition Center, Brandon Francis, everything started falling in place. He had so many clients on his agenda he could not handle them all, and he suggested I get certified. Bodybuilding is one of the best forms of advertisement in this industry and people really respect the lifestyle once they are introduced to it. So, I am focusing on building my physique and getting my name out there.
WP: You were incredibly passionate about your training but things really changed when you incorporated the nutrition element. What changes did you see when you began eating healthy?
RB: Wow, where do I start? Nutrition took me from 160 lbs. after my first competition to 205 lbs. in the off-season; a very lean 205. Realistically, all the work for a competition is done in the off-season. Never missing a meal and always training hardcore really adds the lean mass to bring a better package in the next competition. The preparation for the competition is showing what muscle mass you achieved in the off-season.
WP: 160 to 205 lbs. and still staying lean is an incredible feat. You aren’t kidding that you put in a lot of work during your offseason! Tell me about your mentor, Brandon Francis. How did you meet? How did he help you?
RB: Brandon was looking for someone to work in the nutrition center that had prior experience with supplements and all that goes along with sports nutrition. The owner of the gym where I formerly trained suggested that I speak to Brandon because he thought I was perfect for the job. Brandon interviewed me and asked that I begin working in two weeks. Since then, Brandon has not only helped me compete and prosper in my career, he has shown me the business side of this industry. He helped me grow as a person, a bodybuilder, and a businessman. Every bodybuilder has a team that supports them and Brandon is one of my biggest supporters. His passion is not only health and fitness, but also mentoring young people and helping them grow into successful adults. He owns his own business, has two young kids, coaches his son’s football, basketball, and soccer teams year round and still makes time to mentor other people. I have never met anyone more dedicated to making the most out of life than Brandon. I have learned more in the past couple years working with him than one can fathom. Ultimately, he continues to guide me in the right direction and share his knowledge of life with me.
WP: What am amazing mentor and person he is. You are so fortunate to have him guiding you. You stepped on stage for the first time last summer! Tell me about your first competition! Where did you place?
RB: I was nervous, exhausted, and excited all at the same time. I knew that I gave my all the past 12 weeks and was ready to get on stage. When I first stepped foot on the stage an unexplainable overwhelming feeling took over. The mandatory round and routine went by so fast and it was all over. I placed 2nd in the Open Short Class and 3rd in the Novice Lightweight.
WP: That’s fantastic, especially for it being your first show! What did you take away from that experience?
RB: Respect for the athletes who put themselves through the tough prep and offseason to improve their bodies. Respect for the promoters who take time out of their life to give athletes the opportunity to compete and pursue their passion. Respect for my family for understanding how consuming show prep can be. Respect for my fiancé for supporting me even when I fall asleep when we are trying to spend time together and missing out on opportunities to go out and do things. Respect for my trainer for sharing his experience and knowledge and asking for nothing in return.
WP: It sounds like you have a tremendous support group surrounding you. Again, you are really fortunate. Tell me about your sponsor, Better Fitness Nutrition Center!
RB: Better Fitness Nutrition Center has sponsored me for the past two years. They carry the most hardcore supplements on the market at very low prices. If you are an athlete, the place is heaven! They always stay stocked with the newest and most hardcore supplements. They are located in Millbrook, AL. Brandon Francis, the owner and my mentor, is an amateur competitor who qualified this year to compete nationally. Since we’re both competitors, we know how expensive supplementation can be, so we try to keep prices low while still keeping the quality high. If someone would like any more information, you can contact Better Fitness Nutrition Center by phone at (334) 290-1553 or check out their website, www.betterfitness.org.
WP: I have a feeling their phone will be ringing off the hook after this interview! I hear you’re in training for an upcoming show; which one are you training for? Are you doing anything different to get ready for this competition?
RB: I am currently 3.5 weeks out of the Clash at the Capstone in Tuscaloosa, AL. A lot of things changed this year in my contest preparation. I am eating a ton of food and hardly doing any cardio because my metabolism is so fast right now. The training is always intense. Just trying to stay as full as possible and rest more.
WP: How does your training differ now from when you first started weight training?
RB: When I first started training, I was resting 2-3 minutes in between sets and going as heavy as possible on everything, even sacrificing form. My rest periods now are 30-45 seconds and I focus more on contracting and stretching the muscle rather than the weight.
WP: How does your training differ from off-season to on?
RB: Off-season I was doing very heavy weight and finishing with the FST-7 training by Hany Rambod. For contest prep, I still train heavy, but I include more drop sets and supersets and really keep the contraction intense at higher reps.
WP: Can you give me an example of your current workout?
RB: Saturday- Legs, Calves
Sunday- Chest, Abs
Monday- Back, Traps
Tuesday- Off
Wednesday- Deltoids, Abs
Thursday- Arms, Calves
Friday- Off
WP: What is your favorite muscle group to work? Favorite exercise?
RB: I actually enjoy training legs. I know that I will get the most response from keeping leg training extremely intense. I like the leg press because I can concentrate on different parts of the leg by just moving foot position and I get a really deep burn.
WP: I definitely agree with you on that one. What are some of your best lifts?
RB: To be honest, I only train to add volume to the muscle, so I never max out. I only go as low as 6 reps in the offseason. However, I like to go heavy on dead lifts in the offseason and I went up to 405 lbs. for 6 reps.
WP: How about your diet? Has anything changed from when you prepared for your first show?
RB: Yes! Much has changed as I am carrying much more mass this year. My carbs have doubled from last year. My trainer and I recently learned that if I am not consistent with high carb days then I will flatten out and lose weight quickly. I am eating every two hours now instead of 3 last year. My meals also went from 6 a day last year to 9 a day this year.
WP: Wow, you must be eating all the time! In the weeks leading up to a show, what does your typical diet consist of?
RB: This year is carbs, carbs, and more carbs until it’s time for carb depletion. My protein intake is in moderation. My main food sources are brown rice, Ezekiel bread, chicken, beef, and eggs. Exciting, I know!
WP: Maybe, but consistency is what it takes. You are so dedicated to your training and nutrition. Do you ever allow yourself a cheat meal? If so, what is it that you crave?
RB: I do not like cheat meals because they bother my digestive system and I can feel the difference for a of couple days. I have cheat meals once a week because my metabolism can handle them and they provide me with extra energy. Usually, I crave high sodium, greasy foods like pizza or a burger and fries. This year, I am eating so much I rarely think about food.
WP: Must be nice. Tell me about your family. And, of course your fiancée!
RB: My family is very supportive of everything I do as long as I am happy. They constantly ask about my diet, training, and are really intrigued by the whole bodybuilding lifestyle. I try to see them once a week and they will cook some chicken for when I come over. They’re actually pretty hilarious because they cook so much food and think I can eat it. I’ll walk in to see chicken, fruit, biscuits, white rice, etc., and they offer me all of it. It is really sweet and I am so blessed to have them support me.
My fiancé is the biggest support. She is always so enthusiastic about life and has her own goals and plans for the future. She has grown to really understand bodybuilding and all that goes into the lifestyle so she really respects it. She has taught me how to enjoy all the little things in life. She really is the backbone and motivation of my training and determination. She will not let anything get me down and is constantly checking on me to see if everything is going well. She loves to be a part of what I do and no one can ask for anything better than that in a significant other. She is just a great person who is so much fun to be around. She is my #1 fan!
WP: You definitely have a great girl there; it’s a good thing you’re marrying her! What does your family think about you competing and your fitness lifestyle?
RB: My fiancée loves it. She likes to watch the fitness routines. Last year, all I could hear on stage was her cheering my name and number. It was an awesome feeling. We try to go to all the local shows and we just recently went to Louisiana to watch my trainer compete and she really got into it. She understands the meals; she understands getting up at 4:30 in the morning and not laying in bed until 11:00 at night. She knows how passionate I am about what I do, and she respects every aspect of my life. She really is a great person and I am so very blessed to be her other half. She does wish we could go out to eat more though! Ha!
WP: I hear you’re starting to break into fitness modeling. Tell me about it!
RB: I recently started working with Randy Sewell, owner of RLS Images. He is an awesome photographer. No official modeling yet, but we are going to see where the path takes us. We have shot a couple times and the pictures look good.
WP: What future projects do you have in the works?
RB: I am working on a few things. Randy and I will do more work after my show. A couple different agencies have contacted me about doing some work. So, we will see what happens. In this next off-season, I will really concentrate on publicity for Better Fitness Nutrition Center. We are doing a lot of big things! Always planning for the future! Other than that, I’m just trying to improve in the off-season and continue to bring a better package each year.
WP: What is your goal for your fitness career? Where would you like to see yourself?
RB: To constantly improve my physique and establish myself in the fitness industry. I would like to see myself owning my own business. I will always compete and seek to bring my best package to the stage. There is always room for improvement!
WP: How about in 10 years from now?
RB: 10 years?! I will be married, owning a prominent health and fitness business, promoting shows, still competitively bodybuilding, mentoring aspiring athletes, spreading and promoting the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. I really want to give back to the health and fitness community for allowing me to make a living through my passion. Also, I have talked with my fiancée about working with children who are not as fortunate as others.
WP: You really have a plan laid out for yourself! What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start working out?
RB: Seek those who you look up to. Do not let negativity bring you down. Learn from mistakes. Always follow your dreams because somehow, with drive and passion, you will find success in enjoying life.
WP: That is great advice. What do you believe has been your stepping stone that got you to where you are today?
RB: I see a lot of people working 9-5 jobs and hate their occupation. I see people struggle financially in life. I made a decision a couple years ago to constantly improve and maintain comfort in my life. I enjoy life and the industry, but I always want to get better and will not let anything hold me down. Also, my fiancée plays a big part. She helped me to stay focused and has been with me since I began the pursuit of my career.
WP: What is one thing you want people to know about you?
RB: I am very humble and love to help anyone in any way I can. I am so thankful for everything I have and being able to make a living off of my passion. Once you have worked so hard for something you enjoy, you learn to enjoy the struggle!
WP: Who are some of your idols? Who do you admire most in the fitness industry?
RB: I admire my mentor, Brandon Francis, because of his work ethic and mentality. He never misses a workout, a meal, or a client. He knows how to separate business from home life and keeps his eye on the prize.
I also admire my fiancée for seeking this journey to success with me. We are both fairly young and work very hard at everything we do. She is very patient and works so well with people. She will do great things and I look up to her for being so determined and motivated.
Last but not lease, I also admire my mother. No matter what struggles and hardships she encountered she was always there for her family. She did everything she could to provide and keep us comfortable. She is a very hard working woman and has the patience of a turtle!
WP: Do you have any shout outs? Anyone you’d like to thank?
RB: So many. My fiancée for being there and supporting me through all that we have been through, we continue to grow in life together. My mentor, trainer, and best friend, Brandon Francis, for every single thing he has done for me. I take nothing for granted. My family for caring and welcoming me into their home with a smile every time I see them and everyone who supports me at the gym, from Better Fitness Nutrition Center to friends. Everyone who supports health and fitness, the people is what keeps this industry afloat. All of the support means so much and I am so thankful to have such great people in my life.
And, of course World Physique for allowing me this opportunity. I appreciate all your hospitality and intrigue!
WP: It has been a pleasure interviewing you, Rob! You are such an inspiration! I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming competitions and all of your future fitness endeavors!
RB: Thank you!
