Nicholas William Beal
Bodybuilder of the Month - December 2010
Interviewed by: Mike Hall
23 years old Nicholas William Beal is currently working toward his Masters in Kinesiology and plan on continuing his education post-graduate into physiotherapy or athletic therapy. He resides in Toronto, Ontario, but currently resides in Thunder Bay, Ontario during the school year. Beal has competed in weightlifting, power lifting, and bodybuilding. He has placed first place in his first competition where he competed in the light weight category.
"...The only thing I would like to see change in the bodybuilding world is to see bigger mass monsters out there. "
WP: Thank you Nicholas for allowing me to interview you today. How long have you been lifting?
No, thank you! I’ve been lifting for about 7 years, since grade 10 in high school. Since then I’ve trained in Olympic weightlifting, power lifting, but bodybuilding so far has been both the most rewarding and the most enjoyable.
WP: What was it that made you want to get into bodybuilding?
Since age 14, I have seen pictures of bodybuilders, and being of short stature, I wanted to emulate those heroes’ physiques’. This was the point at which I knew I wanted to be a bodybuilder and to this day remains my goal above any other.
WP: You have developed a physique to be proud of. What competitions have you appeared in and what place did you win?
As far as bodybuilding competitions are concerned, I have only competed in The Ottawa championships and placed number 1 in the lightweight category. This win has allowed me to compete in level 3 shows. My next step is to compete at the Toronto super show in June to move on to nationals. Previously, to bodybuilding, I had competed and placed top 3 at nationals as both a senior and a junior for 3 consecutive years. During this point I had qualified for the worlds, but did not have adequate funding to attend.
WP: What do you eat in a normal day?
In a normal day for I have for:
Breakfast: I eat 4 whole omega eggs, a bowl of oatmeal (half a cup mixed with isolate protein).
Pre-workout shake: 40 g. of Protein Isolate, 10 g. of Glutamine, 5 g. of Creatine, and 20 g. of large flake oatmeal.
During workout: I have a NO buster of some kind mixed with 20 g. of BCAA’s.
Post-workout::40 g. of Protein Isolate, 10 g. of Glutamine, 5 g. of Creatine and 20 g. of large flake oatmeal.
Pre-lunch: I have 6 oz. of extra lean beef, onion, garlic, and hot sauce all packed in a whole wheat pita.
Lunch: I normally have a 6 oz. chicken breast cut up into a stir fry, with mixed vegetables and a little bit of macadamia nut oil for flavor.
Post-lunch: I have a protein shake 30 g. of protein and 30 g. of natural peanut butter or almond butter mixed in.
Pre-dinner: I normally have a homemade protein bar that has generally high protein, a small amount of low glycemic carbs and some type of fat from nuts and seeds. (Mostly pumpkin and flax).
Dinner: I normally have 4 to 6 oz. steak with broccoli, onions and some cashew butter to dip my broccoli in.
2 hours before bed: I have a half cup of dry cottage cheese with 2 scoops of vanilla or peanut butter casein protein mixed in with 6 oz. of water to make a nice bed time snack.
WP: Do you allow yourself a cheat day?
Yes, I believe a cheat day is not necessary, but a cheat meal is important to keep metabolism running at peak levels, no matter if you’re dieting or bulking.
WP: What supplements do you take?
As far as supplements are concerned, I go a bit over board. Half my house is a shelf for my supplements. Currently I take 10 g. of fish oils a day, 3-5 protein shakes a day (including Casein, Isolate and a medium speed releasing protein such as Muscle Milk).I take pre-workout supplements including, but not at the same time, NO-explode, 1RM, HemoRage, Super pump and currently I‘m taking NO-shotgun. Besides that, I take a high quality multi-vitamin, B-complex, ZMA, and 15 g. of Vitamin C every day.
WP: Could you tell me a story of how you have gotten where you are today?
If I did that I would be writing a novel of hardships and drama similar to the works of Charles Dickens. To keep it short and sweet I would say a lot of failures, mixed with a lot of hard work and dedication has brought me to where I am today.
WP: Do you have anyone you can thank for helping you get where you are?
I would like to thank my family and friends/girlfriend for always being there for me and for all the positive role models that the health and bodybuilding industry produces. There are some truly inspirational people doing great things.
WP: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
In 5 years time, I would like to be competing in the 202 class internationally, and have my physiotherapy/training center started and established.
WP: What is the hardest thing for you to face when it comes to keeping your physique?
The hardest thing about maintaining my physique is consistency; everyday is a new day filled with so many factors to alter your plans and goals. As long as I live for today and forget about the problems, yesterday keeping consistent is easy.
WP: Tell me about your future projects. Have any in sight?
For the near future, along with competing, I will be starting my masters in Kinesiology soon and explore the impact certain diets have on strength training. The future for the health profession is rapidly changing and improving and in order to be a part of it research is crucial to stay competitive.
WP: Who had the most impact on you growing up?
I would say my weightlifting coach had the most impact on me as I was growing up. Having coming from a broken home, he helped me learn responsibility and showed me what hard work and dedication was all about. Also, he supported me as I transitioned from Olympic weightlifting to bodybuilding.
WP: Being active must be a lifestyle for your family. I heard that you also have siblings that are very active, too. Can you tell me about them?
Yes, I have 2 younger siblings that are highly active in sport. My younger brother is currently getting ready for a junior bodybuilding show and my sister is getting ready for her first national competition in Olympic weightlifting. I’m proud of both of them and cannot wait to see my brother on stage, side by side at the final pose down for nationals.
WP: What is your work-out regimen?
I currently train everyday:
Monday: Legs, calves (quad dominant day)
Tuesday: Shoulders, abs
Wednesday: Biceps, forearms, calves, abs
Thursday: Back, abs
Friday: Chest, calves, abs
Saturday: Legs (hamstring dominant day)
Sunday: Triceps, abs
WP: Anything you would like to see change in the bodybuilding world?
The only thing I would like to see change in the bodybuilding world is to see bigger max monsters out there. Besides that, I would like to see supplements at more reasonable prices. On a lighter note, the invention of protein powder trees. Ha-ha!
WP: Protein powder trees. Now, there’s a thought! Ha-ha! Any shout outs?
I would like to thanks my friends Amer, Jon, Richard, and my mom. Love you mom.
WP: What is the funniest story that has happened to you during competitions or while working out?
The funniest thing that ever happened while training was when I was spotting my friend Amer doing dumbbell bench press. He was doing drop-sets and he had several weights around him and during his last set he lowered the weights to the side and crushed his thumb between a 120 and 80 pound dumbbell. This was not the funny part; the funny part was after crushing his thumb, he proceeded to do cardio for another 45 minutes before going to the hospital and getting 20 stitches.
WP: Geez! People, don’t try that at home! Ha-ha! What is your greatest achievement in bodybuilding?
My greatest achievement in bodybuilding was winning my first show and basking in feeling of success that had only come from dedication and hard work.
WP: What is the proudest moment of your life?
My proudest moment in my life was when I was accepted into University after being told my whole life I didn’t have what it took to make it in academics.
WP: I can see why! If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would change the size of my hands; they are way too small to be gripping the kind of weight I do.
WP: Is there anything else you would like to add? Now is the time!
I would like to tell anyone out there that is having a hard time with there goals to just take a step back and remember why you started them in the first place and if you can remember why then you should keep them up.
WP: Great comment! You have been a pleasure to interview! Thank you for your time and good luck in your future bodybuilding endeavors!
No; thank you for the opportunity.
