Interview With Matt McLellan
Competitor of the Month - July 2010
Interviewed by: Mike Hall
We usually give this title to those competitors that have been competing for a while but, we got to thinking. It takes a lot of guts and determination just to step foot on the stage for the very first time. Once accomplished, you are already a winner; no matter if you placed or not. When we met Matt through a nomination, we were so taken by his spirit and positive reactions about this industry. What Matt has is pure motivation and the need for competition. But, he does it in a modest way...to push himself to be the best he can be. His competition is within his diet, work-out, and how he responses to his body. He doesn't do it to compete against other people. He competes against himself. And, to us. that makes him a winner.
Matt McLellan is the owner and operator of a nutrition store called Absolute Nutrition in Decatur, AL. He has been into some type of athletics or fitness his entire life,with the major portion being cross-country running. After he left this passion, he fell into bodybuilding as a hobby. This past year, he decided to pick it up as a sport and competed in his first show. He went from a tiny, shrimpy 138 lbs. man 4 years ago, to 185 lbs. this past January; before dieting.
I also think I might have forgotten to mention that Matt brought home 4-1st place trophies from his first bodybuilding show.
"People always ask, "What are you taking?", or "How much do you bench?", but what I want to hear is, "How hard do you train?" because, that is what separates the men from the boys.”
WP: Congratualtions on winning our Competitor of the Month! What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
I have always had drive and passion for achieving what I want to do. "If you want something, go get it. Period." Those words from The Pursuit of Happiness well describe my life, and if there is a way to accomplish something, I will find it.
WP: What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?
Well, I have a very high metabolism and that sucks! Gaining weight and size is very difficult for me, especially when my heart still lies with running and being very active. I have had to pretty much cease any cardio when I want to start putting on size and really work hard to get in the nutrition and supplements I need to grow.
More lately, I have latched on to a much higher carb diet. By high, I mean 600 - 700g carbs a day, and it is working great for me.
WP: So, you have competed before? Can you tell me more about it?
This year was my first time to compete. Since I opened the store last year, I have met many local bodybuilder friends that inspired and encouraged me to compete. It was all fun and games until I learned about how strict the diet would be, and then it became a game of discipline! I am glad I did it, and I had a lot of fun, but it was HANDS-DOWN, the hardest thing I have done in my life. Ya gotta be a little crazy to want to do it!
WP: It takes a lot of guts and dedication to get on the stage for the first time. I have to admire you for that. Are you planning to compete again in the future?
I am planning to take off until the 2011 season, and hope to come back bigger and better, with more of an idea of what it really takes to win!
WP: What other sports or activities did or do you enjoy?
I have played almost all sports. I have been on competitive teams in swimming, football, baseball, soccer, cross country/track, and Ultimate Frisbee. Ultimate is currently the only other sport I can tolerate alongside bodybuilding. Running was the only thing I was good at before bodybuilding.
WP: Tell me about your family. In addition, are you married, single, or dating?
I have great parents who, although they support me in my goals, did not understand the bodybuilding community or the discipline behind it until they watched me struggle first hand. And yes, ladies, I do currently have a girlfriend…sorry to disappoint! Ha-ha!
WP: Oh well, ladies, you can still admire from afar! Ha-ha! What has competitions taught you thus far?
Bodybuilding competitions and the prep work, has taught me to pay attention to all detail, and also to flaunt what ya go! If you have a weak area, hide that, and bring out your stronger features and draw the judges’ eyes to them. Also to think, with every decision that you make, that your competitor could be doing more, so bring you’re A-game always!
WP: That’s actually great points to make! What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started preparing?
The diet; hands-down. I normally eat fairly healthy, but I am not too strict.
WP: What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?
Taking away all the foods I love: ice cream, cookies, Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers from Wendy’s, you know; the essentials! The diet put me through a mental chaos and emotional roller coaster you can only know if have done it. The hardest thing I have done in my life.
WP: What are the key factors that dictate the way you train today?
I always train hard, and pain doesn’t phase me. Being a distance runner, pain became part of the job, always. Just because something hurts, or burns, might mean I will go even harder to compensate for the weakness I have there. Muscle failure is basically the only thing that dictates a change in my workout plans.
WP: How has your training changed over the years?
I have gone from internet-derived workouts, to workouts I have structured myself and incorporated new training exercises or techniques I have learned along the way.
WP: That goes to prove that knowledge goes a long way. I’m dying to know what title you brought home from your first competition.
I won Novice Lightweight, Novice Overall, Jr. Middleweight, and Jr. Overall at the Vulcan Classic 2010. I was ecstatic to win anything, let alone, 4-1st place trophies at my first bodybuilding show. That attributes to the hardcore “balls-to-the-wall” training I put into it, along with my diet coach guiding me in the right direction.
WP: Hard work does pay off, I see! Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?
10 years, huh?
WP: Yelp, 10 years!
That’s a long time...
WP: Yes, Matt, yes it is. (Twittling thumbs).
Ha-ha! Maybe I will have a gym open at that point where I can show off the trophies that I will win in upcoming years! I would like to help coach many more athletes to follow the same routes I have!
WP: A gym to hold all of those trophies... Hum, makes sense to me! Ha-ha! I can see that happening. Are you currently doing any modeling?
I am not currently doing any modeling, although I am interested in maybe doing some fitness photography, and have had some photographers inquire about me doing so.
WP: You have done modeling in the past. Can you tell me any photographers you’ve worked with, or someone you’d like to work with?
Sure! Randy from RLS Images and Brian Bennett have taken some photos of me, but I have not really done any work outside from the competitions, yet.
WP: Yet...that is. Since you own a supplement store, you are surrounded by supplements all day. What supplements do choose to take?
Currently taking ALRI’s HumaPro, NO Shotgun, Chain'd Out, Opti-Men, fish oil and Power Carb from Labrada.
WP: Good choices! What are your pet peeves? We all have them. Ha-ha
In bodybuilding or in life?
WP: Give me both.
Bodybuilding, I don’t like wimps. If you are training with me, and I tell you 1-more rep, you better not quit on me. I will let you dangle 265 lbs. over your face until you rep it once more, and I have several people that can attest to this! I won’t push you past your capabilities, but I won’t let you settle either.
In life, I don't put up with dishonest people. I am an honest person, and strive to be that way in all aspects of my life.
WP: What do you consider to be important in life, and why?
3 things: God, friends and family, and goals. God and my friends and family will never leave my side regardless of my decisions, whether things go well or badly. Goals; I consider very important for everyone. Even if you are in a position where you cannot currently accomplish them, or are climbing the ladder to success, you always need a direction to be headed!
WP: Wow! Love your answer to that question! How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?
From college student, to unemployed college grad, to business owner; life has done a 180, but my mindset is the same. Work for what you believe in, do what you love, and be nice to people. It’s amazing how a positive influence can affect not only your quality of life, but others,’ as well.
WP: What are your stats such as height, weight, biceps, and waist?
I am currently, 5'10", 181 lbs. Biceps are 15" (my weak point) and my waist is a 32.
WP: Any shout outs?
I want to say thanks to those who were here to help with my training: Rick, Justin, Zach, and Will. Without those guys, I would have lacked to motivation to keep pushing to new limits!
WP: Give me an example of your workout.
I workout, generally 5 days a week on no specific day with rest; where it is needed; I do shoulders - chest - arms - legs - back. Abs are generally every day except during competition prep.
WP: Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?
I try to eat 6 meals a day, at least 3 being solid foods, and 2 being HumaPro and some Karbolyn or Carbo Force drink
WP: Could you tell me about your future projects?
Future project is launching smoothies at the nutrition store. I couldn’t do any taste testing on the diet, so now it’s time to play catch-up!
WP: Yummy! Smoothies! Good luck launching that. Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to bring to light?
People always ask, "What are you taking?", or "How much do you bench?", but what I want to hear is "How hard do you train?" because, that is what separates the men from the boys.
In bodybuilding there are several things that combine to make a great athlete/competitor:
-The will to win. "No one trains for 2nd place".
-Dedication. There is no trying, you do as you're told, and you will like it!
-Motivation. You have to be on it, 24/7, ready to push yourself harder than your competitors! If I had a bite or 2 left in a meal and was walking to the garbage can, full and miserable, I would think to myself, what if your competitors are eating those last two bites and your not, and every time, I would clean my plate!
WP: I like the way you think! It has been a pleasure interviewing you! And we are honored to have you as our competitor of the month! You are what you stand for and you stand for a lot in this industry. I wish you all the best of luck!
Thank you very much!
