Interview With CJ Sanders

September 2009

Photos by: BBPics.com
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee



Q. Let's begin with you telling our viewers a little about yourself.
My name is CJ Sanders, aka Mr. Hot wheels, Mr. hot pants. Ha-ha! It seems I get a lot of nick names and I don't know why. Ha-ha! I'm 24 years old and I am currently living on the west coast.

Q. What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
Having people talk negative about me has been the biggest stepping stone, or having them tell me that I can't achieve something when deep down inside I know I can, it made me realize that negative talk only comes from jealousy. Knowing that has helped with achieving my goals cause I don't let anything get in the way or stop me from reaching my goal in life.

Q. What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?
Hmmm, well, I have found eating clean and working out "consistently", no skipping days because you feel too tired after work. Ha-ha That has helped me maintain the physique I have today.

Q. Where do you reside now?
I currently live in Reno, Nevada.

Q. Have you ever played any type of sports or activities?
Yes, when I was growing up I was involved in baseball; I played lead pitcher and short stop position. As I got older I ventured away from team sports, and got involved into snowboarding, and wakeboarding. I love to Jet Ski at the lake in the summer time. I also raced motocross throughout high school and that is what inspired me to start working out.

Q. Tell me about your family. In addition, are you married, single, or dating?
I was raised by my mother and have learned so much from her growing up as young child. She gave me the best guidance a son could ever ask for. She has shown me that no matter how hard you work at something never give up on your goals or dreams, and knowing that has made me achieve all of my goals growing up! Am I single? Ha-ha! Well, currently I am single, but don't ask me why. Ha-ha!

Q. What has modeling taught you thus far?
Modeling has a lot to do with confidence and believing in you. If you work hard enough and never give up, you can achieve anything you want. You have to be able to believe in yourself.

Q. What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?
Taking away from my social life through high school, I sacrificed weekend fun and parties with friends to train, workout and race competitive motocross on the weekends.

Q. What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?
It is probably cheesecake and ice cream. Ha-ha! I'm a sucker for sweets! Oh yeah, I can't forget about star bucks. Mmmm, cinnamon swirl cake.

Q. What are the key factors that dictate the way you model today?
I do a lot of fitness modeling so, keeping a good clean diet and having a strict workout program helps me stay the condition I am in now, and that is what helps with my modeling.

Q. How does your training compare to when you model to when you do not? What do you do differently?
I don't really change up the way I train or work out, if there is anything I change it would be doing a little more of super sets which helps me burn more fat and get leaner, helps me get optimum work outs.

Q. What titles/accomplishments have you thus far? Tell me about them.
1. 1st place in the spring motocross series out of 180 riders.

2. 1st place for Vitamin Shoppe's Best Physique live photo shoot contest.

3. 1st place for models and bottles high fashion modeling contest.

4. Had the honor to be featured on the cover of 2009 February issue of another fitness magazine with top fitness model Matt "Jett" Schaeffer who has passed away from cancer. RIP Jett, we will all miss you.

Q. Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?
I plan to be featured on numerous fitness magazine covers, spreads and staring in large films.

Recently, I read this quote that made perfect sense to me, "Shoot for the moon, if you miss, you will still land among the stars." That's a great quote to follow. I am always a very positive person!

Q. Can you tell me any photographers you've worked with, or someone you'd like to work with?
Here are a few I have recently worked with: Marcello Rostagni MR photography marcellorostagni.com . He is an amazing high fashion, glamour photographer, has great work and he also does commercial work, as well, being very reputable. Check out his website if you are interested in any commercial photography, really nice guy and very professional.

John Mitchell with BBpics.com, I can't say enough good things about him. He is so professional and has the most unique style for outdoor fitness photography. I flew over 3,000 miles to shoot with him and it was the best experience I have had thus far, can't thank him enough for the shots that were taken, none of it could have been possible without him! bbpics.com.

Q. What supplements do you currently take?
I take L-Glutamine, L-Arginine and I take Optimum Nutrition Protein called "Pro Complex". I like the chocolate flavor. Ha-ha. Also, I take my EFA's and my aminos.

Q. What are your pet peeves?
When someone doesn't say thank you when I do something nice for them; such as holding the door for them, or buying them dinner, or lunch. Simple things like that. Ha-ha.

Q. What do you consider to be important in life, and why?
My mother and good health of course, without her I would not be the person I am today, next would be all my close friends who have stood by me and supported me with everything that I have done. Thank you guys so much for believing in me.

Q. How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?
It's like Nike says, "Just do it". Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and do not be afraid to chase your dreams and goals down, go for what you want, because one day you may never have a chance at it again.

Q. What are your stats such as height, weight, biceps, and waist?
You guys are going to hate me for this, but I never weigh or measure myself at all. Ha-ha! Numbers are a poor way of keeping tract, in my option. I go off of the way my body feels, if I was to guess, I am around 175 pounds to180 lbs. and 6 to7% body fat. I'm 6'0" tall and I have a 31" waist.

Q. Any shout outs?
Yes, actually I do. I would like to shout out to my little man Collin, his birthday is August, 31st and he will be turning 3 years old. I am going to miss his birthday this year and it breaks my heart because I love that kid to death. I know he will have the best birthday ever, though. I just wish I could be there, I think about you all the time! Happy birthday, Collin.

Q. Give me an example of your workout.
Monday: Chest, back & abs. Tuesday: Legs, triceps & calves. Wednesday: Shoulders, biceps & abs. Thursday through Saturday: Repeat.

Q. Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?
I eat egg whites, chicken, and fish for protein, broccoli, and asparagus, mixed green salads or Caesar salad for carbs. I also eat apples and bananas with 100% peanut butter. Mmmm, I am hungry now. Ha-ha! Oh yeah, I love Bellini Peach Tea from Olive Garden. Ha-ha! It is my favorite. Lately, I have been having this addiction to Starbucks that I really need to break. Ha-ha!

Q. Could you tell me about your future projects?
I have a commercial photo shoot for Versa Gripps, for their new ad that they will be running inside other fitness magazines this fall. I will also be attending the Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas at the end of September.

Q. Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to bring to light?
Nope, I think we have covered everything. Well, one last thing, always believe in yourself and never give up on achieving your goals.

Q. It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!
Thank you so much! Take care and best of luck to you, as well!