Ben Curtis Cannon Jr.
WPM's Bodybuilder of the Month - July 2011
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Nominated by: Allen Smith
Ben Curtis Cannon Jr. is 34 years old and a resident, born and raised in Greenville County, S.C. He graduated high school from Travelers Rest High School. After graduation, he joined the Marine Corps and completed boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. He completed all of his assigned schooling and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. His mother had been battling Bright’s disease (a disease that attacks the kidneys) for many years and was becoming very ill. Ben decided to forego his Marine Corps career and donate a kidney to his mother. The transplant went flawless and both of them were healthy. Several years passed and his mother eventually succumbed to Lymphoma, a form of cancer.
He worked in various different fields, until settling into his current career in law enforcement. He has been a Deputy Sheriff for 7 years in a large Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina, and is also am a member of his agencies’ SWAT team; and has been in that capacity for 3 and a half years.
"...The sight of my mother's smiling face for the first time after a long and tedious kidney transplant surgery. I was in a tremendous amount of pain from the surgery, but when I saw her smile, all the pain was gone. A moment I will never forget."
WP: Congrats on winning “Bodybuilder of the Month”. What was it that made you know without a doubt that you wanted to go into bodybuilding?
Thank you. Last year, my good friend Allen Smith competed in the 2010 Carolina Supernatural Show in Spartanburg S.C. I attended the show and decided that next year I would be on that very stage. A year later, I was on the stage competing in the light weight division.
WP: How long have you been lifting?
I have been lifting on and off since 2000; a typical gym rat. I only began serious training after my decision to enter the 2011 Carolina Supernatural.
WP: What caused you go enter law enforcement as your career?
While enlisted in the Marine Corps I had a feeling of pride and knowing that I was a part of a tight knit group of men and women who had overcome soo much to become United States Marines. After I was honorable discharged from the Marine Corps and donated my kidney to my mother, those feelings were some what gone. Do not get me wrong; I would never have not done that for my mother, but those are just the feelings I had those few months after the operation. Law enforcement field in general is probably the closest para military organizations that I am aware of. After completing the law enforcement academy, months of field training, and several years of being a sworn deputy. I was then eligible to meet the required criteria for the Sheriff's Office Swat Team. I completed the criteria and was then accepted to become a SWAT team member. After completing these goals, I have some what obtained those feelings once again. Mission Accomplished / Esprit De Corps.
WP: What positive reaction have you received from being in law enforcement?
After becoming a deputy, My family and friends come to me more often with their personal problems. If I was not a deputy, I do not think it would be as easy to ask some of the tough questions I have been asked. I think that I am a level headed person and tend to give good advice based on both personal and professional experiences.
WP: What place did you win in the Carolina Supernatural?
I placed 2nd in the open lightweight division and 3rd in the novice lightweight division.
WP: What do your fellow co-workers think about you being in competitions? Do they support you?
Some of my co-workers understand the dedication it takes to make the commitment to do a competition. These tend to be individuals who have a back ground in physical fitness, weightlifting, etc. The individuals who may mock or snicker about the decision to do a competition are either jealous or do not have one of the aforementioned back grounds. The decision to do a competition was made by me. I did not and would not let outside influences sway me in a decision that is entirely up to me, and ultimately only affects me in the end. Over all, my co-workers have been very receptive of the competition and some attended the show, resulting in only positive comments on the whole experience.
WP: Could you tell me a story of how you have gotten where you are today?
It was literally a long and hard road, set back after set back. Approximately 16 weeks out of the competition, my body fat was 18 percent and body weight was 186 pounds. I began strict dieting and a strict training regimen. I began to lose weight and cutting body fat. All of a sudden, I came down with the flu. That lasted for approximately 10 days, and then I had to bounce back and work harder than before. My body fat dropped down to about 12 percent and then suddenly stopped. After several doctor visits and many tests, my doctor found that I had a thyroid condition; hypothyroidism. But, after about two weeks, the medication prescribed began to work. After all the hard work of trying to balance losing body fat and not losing muscle mass, I entered the competition with a weight of 150.5 pounds and a body fat of approximately 6 percent.
WP: That was a great defeat! What is the hardest thing for you to face when it comes to keeping your physique?
Diet, Diet, Diet! That is definitely the hardest part of keeping a good physique. A person has to have great discipline and stay focused constantly on keeping a good physique. It is also a good idea to have a person’s body fat checked by the same competent trainer on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. A competitor constantly needs to evaluate their appearance and make adjustments, whether it is their diet, training regiment, etc.
WP: What does your diet consist of?
A normal training day consists of at least 300 grams of protein and 150 grams of carbohydrates. These proteins and carbohydrates come from fish (tilapia, tuna and salmon on occasion), chicken, turkey, lean red meat once or twice a week, egg whites, sweet potatoes, fresh spinach, plain oatmeal, and various protein shakes. I use several general rules in reference to proteins and carbohydrates. I use 2 grams of protein per each pound of lean body mass and I use 1 gram of carbohydrates per each pound of lean body mass. Further more, I typically do not consume any carbohydrates after 5pm or 6 pm.
WP: Do you allow yourself a cheat day?
While training for a competition I do not allow a cheat day for myself. A lot of competitors do have a cheat day. I guess it is a mental thing for me. When it is competition time, I want to know that I have done every thing possible to be at my best.
WP: What supplements do you take?
I use Creatine, but usually will stop taking it approximately 5 weeks out from competition time. I take additionally BCAA’s and Glutamine. I also take many types of vitamins and minerals.
WP: What is your work-out regimen?
Contest Regiment consists of 6-day week training.
Monday - Quads / calves / 45 min. cardio
Tuesday - Chest / abs / 45 min. cardio
Wednesday - Back / obliques / calves / 45 min. cardio
Thursday - Hamstrings / abs / 45 min. cardio
Friday - Shoulders & Traps / obliques / calves / 45 min. cardio
Saturday - Biceps & Triceps / abs / 45 min. cardio
WP: Do you have any advice to people that wish to build more mass and/or more cut?
Each person’s body type is different. What works for me may not work for everyone. I had a lot of trial and error so that I could find out what exactly works for me. There of course are always 2 rules of thumb to go by. Mass Building = 6 to 8 reps of the heaviest weight that a person can perform safely. You may have to occasionally use forced reps or even go until muscle failure. Cut / Shaping = 12 reps and above using a lighter weight.
WP: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
As long as my health stays great and I am physically capable, I would really like to continue bodybuilding. I want to continue passing on my knowledge that I have obtained through my journey that has taken me from gym rat to competitor.
WP: Do you have anyone you can thank for helping you get where you are?
As far as the competition in concerned, I can’t begin to thank the many people that have gotten me here. But, I will try. Allen Smith (friend and gym partner), Bo Bo Eason (trainer), Michael Apps (Greenville Athletic Club), and last but not least, my many friends and family.
WP: Who had the most impact on you growing up?
Without a doubt, definitely my mother, Shirley Cannon, had the biggest impact on me. Hands down she was the best mother a boy could have. Yes, I am a mama’s boy. Ha-ha!
WP: Tell me about your future projects. Have anything planned in the future?
My sights are now set on The Carolina Supernatural Show in 2012. I came close to winning my class in the first show I entered, so why not try and succeed again.
WP: Are you married, dating, or do you have kids?
I have one amazing son who is my number 1 priority in life. He is 2 years old and is nothing but a ball of energy; he is my reason for living the life that I lead today.
WP: What is your greatest achievement in bodybuilding?
Setting a goal to enter an all natural bodybuilding competition, not even having the slightest notion that I would even place, but then to take a second and third place trophy home is an amazing feeling.
WP: What is the proudest moment of your life?
The sight of my mother’s smiling face for the first time after a long and tedious kidney transplant surgery. I was in a tremendous amount of pain from the surgery, but when I saw her smile all the pain was gone. A moment I will never forget.
WP: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Absolutely nothing, I am proud of the man I have become.
WP: Is there anything else you would like to add? Now is the time!
I am glad that World Physique has given me the opportunity to take part in this interview. If any one has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at my e-mail address.
WP: It is our pleasure! Thank you for your time and good luck in your future bodybuilding endeavors!
