World Physique

Interviewed by Tammy Renee'
Photos by:BBPics.com

Hello, Gerald! Great to have you here today! I know you've been through a lot that has challenged you. Can you tell me the story of how you has gotten you where you are today?

GK: Sure! Let's start from the beginning. I was born on August 13, 1990 in Reading, Pennsylvania. I grew up in the country with my two younger sisters, Kayla and Miranda, working with my father doing construction. At the age of 11, my dad brought home my first weight lifting machine and he would get me up at 5:30 in the morning to lift and exercise before school.

My workout regimen was inconsistent up until the 9th grade when I started wrestling. I started to save my money in order to buy enough gym equipment to have my own small gym in my house. Lifting everyday, I came to conclusion that this is where my heart is. Lifting was something I truly had a passion for. Working out, to me, is my therapy. I free my mind of everyday stress and chaos and I let all my thoughts, emotion, and negativity push me to max. I knew from the age of 14, that I would succeed in life through this environment. I knew I would make my dreams come true because this is something that makes me a better person. I believe that possibilities are unlimited and I challenge myself in the gym, which makes me not only physically stronger but mentally, as well.

While wrestling for two and a half years, I went from being 140 lbs. in the ninth grade to 175 lbs. mid way through11th. At this time, my dreams were to train hard, day in and day out, to become a Navy Seal and a UFC fighter. During this time of wrestling, I was slammed down on my shoulder illegally; breaking two ribs off my vertebrae and bulging a disk between my sixth and seventh cervical. It was only a millimeters away from being paralyzing me from the neck down. I was rushed to the hospital and had MRI’s taken; with the results being that I would no longer able to compete in any contact sports. Not having a passion or drive for anything else, I didn’t know what to do.

I continued to lift, day after day, until a year and a half later when I met a friend’s dad, Rob Furman, through my sister, Miranda. Rob started to inform me about bodybuilding and was telling me about an upcoming show which sparked an interest. It was both our first show and I agreed to compete with him. He introduced me to his trainer at Air Products, Angie Courduff. Angela is now my nutritionist and bodybuilding consultant. He had her set up a proper nutrition plan for me. Following the nutrition plan and training for my first show, I put on an additional 10 pounds of muscle in 12 weeks. I took third place at the competition. From there, I knew this was my new path in life for me to follow.

From wrestling to bodybuilding, my life changed for the better. The gym became apart of me and the possibilities and opportunities seemed unlimited. My body is a work of art that tells a story. The obstacles, I have faced in life, have helped me paint my picture and helped me become who I am today. I plan on being the best at what I do, no matter what the challenge may be. I won’t quit until I feel I have succeeded.

At the age of 18, I work at a gym, LA Fitness in Wyomissing, PA, as a Personal Trainer. I’ve only been working there for five months. I am being promoted to Assistant Manager. Within the next year, I plan to move up to General Manager or even VP of the District. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for me and am thankful for the life I live.

WP: Wow! You’ve had a lot to happen to you in your young life! But, you’ve been positive all the way though it so far.

How long have you been seriously lifting?

GK: I have been lifting since my freshman year in High School, on and off, along with wrestling but, with no set program. I started a real lifting regiment and diet system on New Years of 2008.

WP: You mentioned that you competed. What titles have you won to date?

GK: I have competed four times within the year 2008, when I started. All of which were drug tested natural competitions. All four were OCB. My first competition was the Natural Bodybuilding Association Classic on April 5, 2008 in Philadelphia, PA. I placed third in Novice Tall. Second competition was OCB Bloomsburg Natural on May 2, 2008 at Bloomsburg University in PA. I placed first in Men’s Novice Lightweight, first in Men’s Junior. My third competition at OCB Presidential Cup on September 13, 2008 in Washington, D.C., I placed second in the Men’s Junior Division and first in Men’s Open Middleweight; along with the Best Poser Award. My fourth competition, OCB Eastern Regional on May 2, 2009 in Baltimore, M.D., I placed second in Male Fitness Modeling, forth in Men’s Junior, and fifth in Men’s Open Heavyweight.

WP: That is outstanding! What are your best lifts?

GK: My best lifts range from lunging 185 lbs. down the center of LA Fitness's Gym around 30 reps, to leg pressing 1215 lbs. for 4 reps. I squat 405 lbs. for reps of 5. I clean 225 lbs. for one rep and bench 315 lbs. for one rep. My best dead lift was 405 lbs. for two reps. My best curl with a strait bar was 135 lbs. for one rep and overhead DB tricep extension, I repped out 125 lbs.13 times. LA Fitness doesn’t have dumbbells any bigger.

WP: That's pretty dang impressive! Do you have any advice to people that wish to build more mass and more cut?

GK: When trying to build up more mass, you need to take you calorie intake higher, but make sure not to substitute the good calories with bad. This will help keep you lean and not put on a lot of fat during the process. Up your carbohydrate intake with complex carbs; no simple carbs like sugars and other junk food.

WP: What do you eat in a normal day?

GK: I start of my day with two breakfasts. I cook 15 egg whites and eat 7.5 whites, with a cup of oatmeal and two tablespoons of natural peanut butter for my first breakfast. An hour and a half later, I have it again.

One hour after that, I have a grapefruit with two scoops of protein.

For lunch, I eat 7 oz. grilled chicken with a 6 oz. sweet potato and 2 cups of broccoli.

30 minutes before pre-workout: I eat a half-cup of oatmeal and two scoops of protein.

After work out, I have another two scoops of 100% whey protein.

An hour later, I have a 6 oz. grilled chicken and a cup of brown rice with 1-½ cups of broccoli.

Hour and a half later, I eat 7 oz. of grilled tilapia and a cup of brown rice, along with a 1-½ cups of spinach.

Two hours later, I’ll have another 7 oz. tilapia, with a cup of brown rice.

If I am still hungry before bed, I’ll drink two scoops of 100% Whey Protein.

I drink at least two gallons of water a day. As competition or modeling day comes closer, I drop the amount of carbohydrates down.

WP: Do you allow yourself a cheat day?

GK: I do allow my self a cheat day; sometimes two a week. Normally, I would cheat on a weekend. It’s all relating on how far away from the contest or modeling shoot. Three weeks prior to contest or shoot, I don’t allow any cheat meals. I try best to watch my diet all year around.

WP: What supplements do you take?

GK: I have taken Protein, Creatine, Nitic Oxide, and have tried many more. The ones that work best for me are: BSN’s NO Xplode, Cellmass, Syntha-6, and Nitix. I also take Anobloic Pump, Animal Pack, Animal Flex, and 100% Optimum Whey Protien.

WP: Do you have anyone you can thank for helping you get where you are?

GK: I would like to thank everyone that believes in me to succeed. I will be in your debt until I do make it to the top. I would like to thank Angie Courduff for taking time out of her day to help get me started in the right direction. My friends and my family that stuck by my side, always believing in me no matter what decisions I made. Last but not least, John Mitchell, for getting me in touch with Tammy and World Physique to help take my career to the next level.

WP: Tell me about your modeling.

GK: I just recently started modeling and I love being behind camera and making all my hard work come true. I will continue to model and plan to be one of the best out there. Some day I would like to acquire a path into acting, as well.

WP: Where do you want to be in 5 years?

GK: In five years, I plan to be at the top of whatever is thrown my way. I plan to be VP of my district at LA Fitness, being one of the best role models, and I want to be a top model in the industry. I wish to have my fitness/bodybuilding pro card.

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?

GK: Thank you. Diet is one of the most important things in keeping a great physique. Exercise and learn what is best for your body. Every ones body is different. See what works best for me does not mean it will work best for ever one else. Experiment, do what you have to do, to be the best. The hardest this for me is working around the herniated disk in my neck. One wrong thing could change everything.

WP: What gets you up in the morning?

GK: I hate mornings! But, I overcoming that first obstacle of the day by fighting the urge to go back to sleep. I make the best out of the time I have until tomorrow starts again.

WP: Are you married, dating, or do you have kids?

GK: I am dating Kathryn Regopoulos. She is a model, actress, and dancer. She is an amazing girlfriend that sticks by my side no matter what and is always there for me whenever I need her to be.

WP: Who had the most impact on you growing up?

GK: My father and mother have had the most impact on me.. They have always pushed me to my limits and provided me with the right information to make the best choices in life. They always support me in what I do. I thank God to have them by my side.

WP: What is your work out regimen?

GK: My workout regimen changes month to month. I work one muscle group twice a week, depending on what needs the most work. This month, I work shoulders, abs, and calves on Monday. Tuesday, I work back, abs, and calves. Wednesday, I do chest. Thursday, I work out legs, calves, and abs. Friday, I work shoulders, calves, and abs and on Saturday I work my arms. If I miss my calves or abs thoughout the week, I make it up on Saturday’s. Sunday’s are always my rest day, unless I need to do cardio for a shoot or competition.

WP: Anything you would like to see change in the bodybuilding world?

GK: Drug testing should be a definite; no matter what organization.

WP: What is your greatest achievement in bodybuilding?

GK: Winning my first place Men’s Junior Division Medal at OCB Bloomsburg is my greatest achievement. I’m also proud of taking home the ‘Best Poser Award’ at OCB Presidential Cup.

WP: What are your interests outside of bodybuilding?

GK: I enjoy hanging out and meeting new people. I love just having fun and making the best of things.

WP: We're coming to the end of this interview. Is there anything else you would like to add? Now is the time!

GK: Thank you, World Physique for this interview. It was a pleasure to spend the time to complete it.

I also would like to thank the readers for spending the time to read my interview; to learn more about me. I hope it befitted all who reads it. I hope to hear from you in the near future and if you ever have any questions, I will be grateful to answer them. I am a very busy person but, I promise to return a comment or answer as soon as possible. Thanks and be the best at what you want to be.

WP: You have been a pleasure to interview! Thank you for your time, and good luck in your future bodybuilding endeavors!