Interview With Andre Vettorato
Bodybuilder of the Month - November 2010
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Photos by: BBPics.com
Andre Vettorato, INBF competitor, was born in Padova, Italy but moved to Long Island, New York when he was five. Growing up, he played a little soccer and trained in martial arts. When he was twenty, he moved back to Italy with his family where he studied languages and business. At that time, he got involved in boxing in Italy and lifted four times a week, as well. He moved back to New York two years later to continue going to school. He is currently a teacher and works landscaping and construction.
"...I started training in the gym at fifteen and also martial arts. The more I lifted the more I stayed in the gym, learning about muscle groups and nutrition. I love the mental focus, power and energy I get when training."
WP: What was it that made you know without a doubt that you wanted to go into bodybuilding?
I think a lot of it has to do with seeing my first movie in America, Rocky 4! That had a lot of influence on me since Rocky was Italian and I was an Italian kid who barley spoke English. I still watch that movie from time to time for inspiration, and workout to the soundtrack, as well. I started training in the gym at fifteen and also martial arts. The more I lifted the more I stayed in the gym, learning about muscle groups and nutrition. I love the mental focus, power and energy I get when training.
WP: What competitions have you appeared in and what place did you win?
I finally had the guts to start competing in 2008, but I have always trained hard year round. I did an INBF show, lightweight class and came in first place in my very first show. It was an amazing experience and has really inspired me to train even harder and set more goals for the future. I plan on competing in several shows this upcoming year.
WP: Do you have any advice to people that wish to build more mass and/or more cut?
Yes, it’s a lot of work. You have to know and understand nutrition extremely well, lift hard and the correct way, never being a seasonal lifter. I like to stay relatively lean year round, so gaining lean weight would include eating high quality carbs, along with high quality lean meats and fish. Plenty of rest and intense training is key along with your multi-vitamins, aminos and Whey Protein. If cutting, the same rules apply with limited calories intake and of course more cardio.
WP: Give me a break down of your diet.
I love my food. My diet consists of everything. Lean meats, fish, veggies, rice and anything else I feel like eating. I try to stay towards the healthy side, but at times I eat whatever I want. You have to know how food affects your own individual body and what you can get away with. A typical day:
8 am: Oats, Whey, and Espresso
10 am: Lean meat and veggies
1 pm: Chicken or fish, rice, and Espresso
4 pm: Pre-workout shake, some simple carbs, and Espresso
6 pm: Post-workout shake, 40 grams protein/100 grams simple carbs
7:30 pm: Sweet potato/chicken/veggies
10 pm: Casein protein or egg whites
WP: Do you allow yourself a cheat day?
I always have cheat meals! I try not to go overboard. I like real food, so a cheat meal might be pasta, pizza or a burger. I tend to have a couple each week. I think sometimes they are needed more often, especially with the way I train.
WP: What supplements do you take?
I take several, even though I feel like they are really simple ones. I like Whey and Casein proteins, oils and multi-vitamins. I believe there are no secrets and foods are the best supplements. I stay away from the supplement fads that come and go.
WP: Could you tell me a story of how you have gotten where you are today?
I have always been part of the gym and always wanted to do something a little more with it to show all the hard work. One day while I was landscaping before lunch, I called the promoters for the first show I competed in. It was now or never for me. I am always consistent in training and only take off when I’m sick. I actually hate having my off days and look forward to the next lifting day. I also have a lot of students that get into fitness, and they tell me, “I want to be like you.” I love hearing that! They always want my advice and I’m happy to help them out. All of this helps keep me focused.
WP: Do you have anyone you can thank for helping you get where you are?
Well, my family is always there for everything I do. But, as far as bodybuilding comes, I guess it would have to be any positive friends that I see and talk to in the gym. I’ve seen people come and go and switched a ton of partners that had too many excuses. I read, research, and talk to people at the gym; I would consider my workouts very different.
WP: Tell me about your modeling.
I worked with a photographer, John Mitchell, for several years and some other fitness photographers, as well. This helps keep me motivated and I like to look back on my physique and what I can improve on more each year.
WP: You look great! How do you keep the physique you have? What is the hardest thing for you to face when it comes to keeping your physique.
Thank you! The hardest part is not letting yourself get mental when losing muscle while dieting or when gaining a little fat in the attempt to gain muscle; hitting a wall when seeing no change is definitely tough. Sometimes, you just have to get to the gym, keep training, and just not even think about yourself; having friends that are into training really helps out, as well. We all have our issues and see ourselves differently in the mirror. When you talk to real people they help you get off your butt and get back to focus.
WP: Tell me about your future projects. Have any in sight?
Of course, I would like to compete in some shows next year and improve on my physique by getting even harder and bringing out much more definition. Not necessarily gaining too much weight. I love when I get asked, how much do you weigh? 200 something? I usually stay around 180-90. I try not to go over, you just get sloppy and loose the definition and abs for no reason. It’s not about how much you weigh at all.
WP: You mentioned working with John earlier. What was that like?
John’s a great guy. I have known him for several years and stay in contact with him. He works hard and is very passionate about his job. This summer, I shot with John for an entire day; it was tougher than a competition! John didn’t even take a break for any food! The images came out amazing, I’m very happy with the results.
WP: How did he go over and beyond for you?
He worked at getting me an entire day to shoot on 3 separate locations. He likes to see what my opinions are on a lot of the shots and talks to me about the fitness industry and latest news.
WP: Are you married, dating, or do you have kids?
Yes, I’m married to my beautiful wife, Jennifer; that is also very into fitness and still trains while pregnant!
WP: Give me a sample of your workout.
My workouts are a bit complicated. They go according to how I feel during the workout on that specific day. I make my own rules as the workout starts. A sample would be chest/back day:
6 sets of incline dumbbells
3-4 sets/10-15 reps of wide grip pull-ups; sometimes weighted
3 sets/10-12reps incline hammer strength chest
3 sets/10-15 reps back cable rows
3 sets 12-15 reps pec deck
3 sets/ 12-15 reps bent over rows
3 sets/ 10-12 reps flat dumbbells
3 sets/ 10-12 reps pull-over machine
2 sets of each/12-15 reps cables low and high
3 sets/ 12-15 reps behind the neck pull down
WP: What are your interests outside of bodybuilding?
I have too many. I love cars from hotrods to European cars and motorcycles. I also have a 700 gallon salt water reef system filled with exotic fish and corals. I’m never bored, ever.
WP: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That’s a tough question. As long as I’m healthy, I’m pretty content with myself. But, more muscle and less fat is a given!
WP: Do you have someone you would like to thank before we end the interview?
I just would like to thank my family and all the positive people in my life. Thank you for the interview and I look forward to working with you in the future, with new accomplishments!
WP: You have been a pleasure to interview! Thank you for your time and good luck in your future bodybuilding endeavors!
