Michael Stuart - IFBB Pro
WPM's Competitor of the Month - January 2012
Michael Stuart made some poor decisions as a teenager and got mixed in with the wrong crowd, which led down a very dark road. A few years ago, he decided he wanted to change the direction his life was going and he started working out; he substituted the gym and fitness as his main focus in life. He has not looked back since!
Michael started out as a scrawny 110 lber and in 3 years he has grown to about 170 lbs. Also in the process of changing his life around, he has worked his way up from a trainer, with 3 nationally accredited certifications, to upper level management in some of the biggest training companies in the country. "That, in turn, led me to traveling all over the East coast opening up new gyms, staffing the trainers and helping the gyms to grow", stated Michael.
He decided to start competing in Men's Physique this year, winning his first show at the North Carolina State Championships. He was hooked on the division. "I feel like Men's Physique suites me well for where I am at physically and goal set wise in my life right now. I think maybe one day I would like to move up into bodybuilding in maybe 10 years or so, but right now, I am grateful for all the opportunity that has come my way with this new division", says Michael.
He went on to earn his IFBB Pro card at Nationals this year. In addition, he has earned a full athlete sponsorship and is now an athlete for BEAST Sports Nutrition!
"...I cannot even describe how much I have learned in just one year of competing. I have learned so much about myself, I still cannot believe it. It has taught me about dedication, discipline, hard work, persistence, the list goes on. I have also met some awesome people along the way who have really reached out to help me and guide me in the right direction. I just cannot explain enough how grateful I am to be where I am now and to know the people that I have met along the way."
WP: Let's begin with you telling our viewers about yourself.
Wow, where to begin? Well, I was born in New Jersey and relocated to North Carolina as a young kid. I love the South. I am very big on respect and southern hospitality, most definitely more of a North Carolina trait. Ha-ha. I have a very complicated family history and I have not had an easy road growing up at all, actually quite the opposite. I never met my biological father, which is ok because my mother married a man who ended up being my step dad, but in my eyes, will always be real father. He is the most hard working and respectful man I know. When I grow up, I hope to be half the man he is.
My parents did everything they could and sacrificed so much for me to be able to play sports and just do the things kids do growing up. I played every sport you can think of growing up including, basketball, baseball, football, golf, soccer, and mixed martial arts. I was also in the Honors and AP programs.
WP: What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
If I had to choose a stepping stone, I would say the biggest one would be me deciding to compete in Men's Physique because without this new division I would not be where I am now, and I am truly grateful for it!
WP: What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?
I really have not done too much different, other than teaming up with Peak Performance Prep and my awesome coach, Nick Freglette, to help me with my prep for my last few shows. It definitely made a difference in my stage appearance!
WP: What is your history in competing so far?
Last year I competed in a novice lightweight bodybuilding class, where I took 3rd place. After that show, my eyes opened up to what bodybuilding and competing is really like. I learned a lot about the real dedication it takes and hard work that is put into being the best. Then I heard about the new Mens Physique division, and I felt like it would suit me better! So, I earned 1st place at my state show, then 6th place at Junior USA's, 2nd place at USA's, 4th place at North Americans and most recently 2nd place at Nationals, thus earning me my IFBB Pro Card!
WP: Since winning your Pro card, are you planning to compete again in the future?
Oh, absolutely! I am currently trying to pack on a little more size to keep up with the bigger guys on a pro level, considering I am on the short end of the height spectrum. Ha-ha! I really need to come in top notch to stand a chance against the bigger guys with longer torsos!
WP: What other sports or activities do you enjoy?
I love all sports, football, basketball, baseball, golf and MMA. I gave up MMA to focus on physique, but I still get out on the links every once in awhile when I have the time. I absolutely love golf! I am always up for playing with new people as well. You can learn a lot about somebody on the golf course. Ha-ha!
WP: What has competitions taught you thus far?
I cannot even describe how much I have learned in just one year of competing. I have learned so much about myself, I still cannot believe it. It has taught me about dedication, discipline, hard work, persistence, the list goes on. I have also met some awesome people along the way who have really reached out to help me and guide me in the right direction. I just cannot explain enough how grateful I am to be where I am now and to know the people that I have met along the way.
WP: What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?
This is an easy answer, DIETING! I have never once in my life truly dieted for a show or anything close to a contest prep diet. Whew, was it an eye opener! I am a sweet junky, so putting down the Debbie cakes and candy was the hardest part!
WP: What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet other than giving up sweets?
Eating fish! Cold nasty and flavorless fishy fish! Ha-ha. I absolutely despise tilapia now, but I do choke it down if it is necessary!
WP: I have to laugh at your last answer. Ha-ha! I know the feeling! What are the key factors that dictate the way you train today?
Staying motivated is key; without motivation and a drive to succeed, then you simply will not succeed! You must have a plan and goals, or else, you are just going through the motions!
WP: How has your training changed over the years?
Over the years I have obviously been moving more weight, but I have also made sure to constantly switch up my workouts, rotate muscle groups I train together, changed food plans, and I have also tried different supplements such as pre-workouts and proteins. Over time, I have been able to find what works best for me. I love my Beast Mode Pre-workout and Beast Whey and when I am prepping for a show, I use the Fat Burner 2 Shredded!
WP: So, what all supplements do you currently take?
Beast Mode Pre-Workout, Beast Whey, and Gargantua from Beast when I am in off- season and it is bulking time. Pre-contest, I take 2 Shredded. My favorite Creatine is Creature by Beast. I also use basic Glutamine and Beast BCAA's.
WP: What are your pet peeves?
First thing that comes to mind on this, for some reason is, people in the gym who wear white socks with black shoes! Drives me nuts! Ha-ha! I mean you do not have to be fashionable in the gym, but come on man, put on black socks if you're going to wear all black shoes!
I also hate when people drop and slam the weights, especially when it is unnecessary. I am not a fan of guys who walk around the gym with ILS (Invisible Lat Syndrome). Also girls who cake on makeup and get all fancy to go sit on a machine and talk without even using it, or walk on the treadmill at about 1.5 speed. I am not a fan of people who talk smack and are overly cocky. I am very big on being humble and respectful of EVERYONE! Humility is something I have learned in the past few years, as well.
WP: What do you consider to be important in life, and why?
Respect and kindness is very important to me. It is rare now-a-days to find a truly unselfish person who will go out of their way to help you no matter what, even if it does not benefit them. That is how I try to carry myself and I like surrounding myself with people who are the same.
WP: Tell me about your family. In addition, are you married, single, or dating?
I have 2 younger sisters, who I adore, a father who is a great man, my mother who is actually a group fitness instructor and really good one at that, and one set of grandparents who are the most awesome people ever! My grandparent both just recently started eating healthy and working out and I love coaching them! I have an awesome aunt and uncle with 4 adorable younger cousins. I am the oldest child in the family. My family is very, very important to me. I may not see them as much as I would like to, but we are all very close.
And my relationship status is, "It's complicated" in Facebook terms. Ha-ha!
WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?
Whew, I would say I have done a complete 360 with my life! Wait, I mean 180 to be technical, because a 360 would mean I am still facing the same direction, right? Ha-ha! I have turned my life around completely! I behave so much differently now than I did 3 or 4 years ago! I am proud of myself and so is my family, which I could not even put a price on or describe how important that is to me!
WP: Any shout outs?
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for everything he has put into my life now! Also, I want to thank every single person, family and friends who have supported me along the way! I am very grateful to have you all in my life!
Also a shout to Peak Performance Prep and Nick Freglette for helping me with my contest prep.
Also a huge shout out to BEAST Sports Nutrition for sponsoring me and providing me with the best supplements I could possibly need!
Also, I want to give a shout out to World Physique Magazine, for just being so awesome.
WP: Give me an example of your workout.
This is a really tough question to be specific on, so I will give you an example of what I did today in the gym!
Chest day:
Flat barbell bench press
135 - 25x
135 - 15x
225 - 12-15x
255 - 10-12x
275 - 8-10x
315 - 6-8x
275 - 6x
255 - 8x
225 - 10x
135 Burnout/Rep to failure
Incline Dumbbell Press
75 - 15x
90 - 12x
100 - 10x
110 - 8x
120 - 6x
40 Burnout/Rep to Failure
Cable Flys
12x
12x
12x
With pushups to failure in between sets
Dips
3 sets until failure each time
WP: Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?
Currently (This is not pre-contest):
There are random Protein shakes thrown in the mix as well on top of all the meals. I may have left out a few Debbie cakes here and there, along with some cookies and desserts.
WP: Could you tell me about your future projects?
I will be on Making Muscle in the Kitchen in 2012, an awesome cooking show hosted by Bob Caputo, who happens to be one of those awesome people I have been fortunate to know this year. He is an awesome guy! I plan on also trying to set up some more photo shoots in 2012 and getting ready for my first pro show which is still undecided at the moment!
WP: Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to bring to light?
I think you did very well on the being thorough with your questions! If there is anything I would like to say, it is that I really hope that I can inspire people along the way to live a healthier lifestyle. I hope I can reach out to people and influence them to get off their butts and get in the gym! I also do online coaching and have many training clients with plenty of room for more, so be sure to follow me on twitter and like my facebook page, as well! Also, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel! I believe in everyone out there, even if you do not believe in yourself, so that should tell you something. You are important! Everyone is and everyone deserves a chance at a healthy lifestyle! Let me help you! Beast mode!
WP: It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!
No, no, no! The pleasure is ALL MINE! Thank you so much for this opportunity!
