Darren Goldberg
Competitor of the Month - January 2011
Interviewed by: Mike Hall
Darren Goldberg is a 41-year-old amateur bodybuilder, fitness model and outside salesman. He has been lifting weights for over 20 years. He is dedicated to staying fit year round, as he is a drug free bodybuilder and very proud of this. Darren started competing in 2001. In his last show he won first in the Master’s class.
His fitness background is not only limited by doing just bodybuilding shows, but he worked as a fitness, yoga and abs instructor.
WP: What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?
Well, believe it or not, maintaining my physique has actually been pretty easy for me. Since I believe diet plays a key role on how you look I’m able to stay strict with my diet year round. In addition to a strict diet I also do 30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill 5 days a week and workout 6 days a week. I’m always within 10 lbs of my contest weight.
WP: Tell me about your competition history.
Absolutely! I have done three bodybuilding shows so far. My first show was the 2001 NPC Max Muscle Natural. I came in 5th at that show.
My second show was the 2010 NPC Border States. I did terrible. I placed 11th. This was not a drug tested show and since I’m a natural competitor, I was going up against some big boys.
My most recent show was in October of last year, which was the Musclemania San Diego. I finally took first place in the Masters! I also entered in the Open Middleweight and took second.
WP: Are you planning to compete again in the future?
Yes! I plan on entering Musclemania San Diego, which is in October.
WP: What other sports or activities do you enjoy?
I have played in many sports including soccer, football, baseball, swimming and most recently running. On days that I do not feel like doing the treadmill, I will run for a few miles at one of the local parks. I know this might sound odd but I also enjoy playing Frisbee golf. It is a blast!
WP: Tell me about your family.
I have great parents who support my bodybuilding and modeling. I am also proud to say that my dad works out in the gym 4 days a week and looks amazing for his age!
I have been pretty busy lately so, I have not been focusing much attention on dating, but it would be nice to find someone that shares some of the same interests that I have or at least someone who likes to stay fit like myself. I am single and available ladies!
WP: What has competitions taught you thus far?
Competitions have taught me to pay particular attention to detail. I have always been taught to hide your weak points and showcase your strong points to the point of getting all the judges attention. Always be confident onstage and have a smile on your face.
WP: What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?
By far the hardest thing that I had to overcome was looking at other competitors, and feeling that I was never as big or lean as they were. Although I may have looked great my confidence was very low to the point of wanting to back out of a competition.
WP: What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?
I know this is going to sound crazy but dieting has been very easy for me. I am a freak of nature I guess because I eat clean all year round. Ok. Well, I do have one or two cheat meals a week. But, that’s it! I also weigh all my food before I eat.
WP: What are the key factors that dictate the way you train today?
I always train hard and never worry about getting injured even if I know I am lifting too heavy. It is very important for me to train to failure. During the same workout, I will use a 5 to 8 rep range and for certain exercises 8 to 12 reps.
WP: How has your training changed over the years?
When I first started I was mostly using machines, and very little free weight. I was also doing too many reps, typically 15 to 20 reps. Within the last 5 years I started using mostly free weights, and lowering my rep range for bigger gains. It is important that I train heavy to maintain my muscle mass considering my diet is pretty strict. I also have been doing cardio 5 times a week. This has been a big change considering I did not do any cardio when I first started lifting.
WP: What are your accomplishments thus far?
In respect to my outside sales career, I have been a successful manager and branch manager for two publicly traded Telecom companies. In regards to bodybuilding, I placed first in last year’s Masters Musclemania San Diego.
WP: Are you doing any modeling?
The most recent modeling job was a shoot for a national magazine. I am happy to say that I will be featured in the January 2011 issue. Please check me out!
WP: What supplements do you currently take?
I am currently taking L-glutamine, Alpha lipoic acid, Omega 3-6-9, Glucosamine HCI, a multi-vitamin, 3000mg extra vitamin C and Whey Protein Isolate. For energy, I take Jack 3D before I workout.
WP: What are your pet peeves?
My pet peeve is people that are inconsiderate, rude and always in a bad mood.
My biggest pet peeve though is people who do not wear deodorant and happen to be on a treadmill right next to me!
WP: What do you consider to be important in life, and why?
The single most important thing in life is to be healthy. I t is important so you can not only live longer but can live an active lifestyle. Being healthy makes life easier and more fulfilling in every way.
WP: Any shout outs?
Yes. I would like to thank Michael Novotny. Big thanks to my facebook friends who have sent and posted encouraging messages. Thanks, also, to my good friends at El Cajon Super Sport and Rancho San Diego 24 Hour fitness. And a special thanks to Blake, my leg workout partner, for pushing me through many intense training sessions.
WP: Give me an example of your workout.
Monday: Chest and calves
Tuesday: Back and abs
Wednesday: Shoulders and calves
Thursday: Triceps and abs
Friday: Quads, Hamstrings and calves
Saturday: Biceps, Forearms and abs
Sunday: Off
I do cardio 5 days a week for 30 minutes on the treadmill at a 6 percent incline and 4 mph.
I also stretch for 15 to20 minutes before each workout.
WP: Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?
Meal 1: 1 cup Oatmeal with 1 Tb. Natural peanut butter and 2 scoops of Whey Protein Isolate.
Meal 2: 7 to 8 ounces 93 percent fat free lean ground sirloin on sprouted grain bread with Dijon and sliced tomatoes. And 2 brown rice cakes with 1 Tbs. of natural peanut butter.
Meal 3: 6 to 7 ounces chicken breast with 5 ounce yam and 1 ounce of almonds.
Meal 4: 2 scoops of Whey Protein Isolate.
Meal 5: 6 to 7 ounces chicken breast with sliced tomatoes, avocados and broccoli; 1 Tbs. olive oil.
Meal 6: 2 scoops whey protein isolate (probably better to do a slower digesting protein before you go to bed like Casein, but I have not been using isolate for many years).
WP: Could you tell me about your future projects?
Sure. I am currently working with my dad to launch a protein shake that will be distributed to hospitals throughout Mexico. I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset and I am excited about the future of this product. I also hope to get more work as a fitness model this year.
WP: Before we go, I would love to know how you stay so lean.
Yes. People always ask me how I stay so lean. I found a program that will help you not only stay lean, but help you lose fat. This program is called carb cycling. It is a very simple plan to implement. Although there are several variations, the easiest one is the every other day program. On day 1, you eat high carbs and on day 2, you eat low carbs. Keep repeating this cycle of day 1 and day 2 until you reach your weight lose goal. Remember when you increase your carbs; you need to slightly reduce your protein intake. Keep your good fats the same each day. Good fats include natural peanut butter, almonds, avocados, etc. Now, when you decrease your carbs, you need to slightly increase your protein intake. Another variation of this program is on day 1; low carbs, day 2; moderate carbs, and day 3; high carbs.
WP: Great information! It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!
Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.
