Interview With Matt McCaghren
Featured Model - March 2010
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
WP: Matt is new to the modeling world but, he's already with a agent! We feel you will be hearing more about him in the near future!
“ I’m just trying to take everything that is thrown at me and trying to deal with it the best way I possibly can. I want to take full advantage of what God has given me and I plan on doing so in all aspects of my life.”
WP: Let’s begin with you telling our viewers a little about yourself.
MM: Well, let's see, I am a Criminal Justice major at Middle Tennessee State University. I have a wonderful girlfriend I have been with for three years now. I love movies, dogs, and I definitely love to eat. Ha-Ha.
WP: What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
MM: I got into lifting and training back in high school. It was probably my junior year that I got really into it. I have pretty good genetics so I had good results from doing pretty minimal training and dieting. I am from Memphis TN, originally but after moving to Murfreesboro for school I was just completely surrounded by bodybuilders and people that take their training to the next level. I was training one day and this guy came up to me and said I had really great potential. So, that was the stepping stone right there. I took him seriously and started to advance in training, dieting, and supplementation and it has totally altered my physique.
WP: Well, you look great! What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?
MM: Honestly, I have not gotten to the point where I want to "maintain" my physique really. It is a constant battle for me to get better and better. I am never wanting to maintain; I am constantly wanting to build. I do not care if it is shedding body fat or adding a different look or shape to the muscle. My goal is to always do things differently. It is that shock factor that keeps your body in check, you know? But if I had to say something I am doing differently lately, it is adding in a lot more cardio to my routine. I am hitting the weights in the early afternoon and making a second trip back to the gym to battle that friggen eliptical machine!
WP: Have you ever played any type of sports or activities?
MM: I wrestled in high school and once I graduated I got really heavy into Muay Thai kick boxing and Jiu Jitsu. I still practice every now and then but, as for going to the classes, they just got much too expensive. Ha-ha!
WP: Tell me about your family. In addition, tell me a little more about your girlfriend.
MM: I have a great family. My mother has taken care of my brother and I completely by herself while working two jobs for ever since I can remember. They are both always there for me. My brother is probably the most influential person in my life. He just graduated nursing school and is currently saving up money to go to anesthesia school.
As for my relationship status, yes, I have been with the same beautiful girl for the past three years as I mentioned earlier. She is on the MTSU dance team and she supports me in everything I do.
WP: What has modeling taught you thus far?
MM: This industry is crazy. I am pretty new to it so far so, I can’t really say what I have learned from it yet. It has definitely given me some confidence. I mean you have to be confident to do this type of work. I was usually a shy guy about my body for the most part and it kind of made me uncomfortable when my friends and stuff would be like, "Hey show them your abs!" or, "Show them your biceps!" Ha-ha! Now I am just to the point where I just go with it.
WP: What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?
MM: Knowing how to work the camera is a big issue. I would just stand there and strike the same pose over and over again. Now, I’m trying to come into my own style and work it into the pictures with every shoot I get now. I'm still learning!
WP: What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?
MM: Oh, don’t even get me started on the diet! That thing is the devil. I had a pretty good metabolism and I just thought I could do whatever I wanted. But, then I kept seeing pictures of these guys that were just absolutely shredded. I am very competitive so, I’m just not going to be second place in terms of doing the work. If a guy has a better physique than me then ok that’s that. But, if I lost a job or lost a show because I did not do the work? That just kills me. So, I guess the hardest thing to deal with is, of course, giving up the McDonald's and the pizza. Ha-ha I am a sucker for both.
WP: Step away from the McDonald's! Ha-ha! What are the key factors that dictate the way you model today?
MM: I am still learning so many things when it comes to modeling. I try to go towards my strengths in terms of body parts and what looks the best on camera. I have realized that attitude can play a major role in how pictures turn out. Just have fun with it and know that you can do it.
WP: How has your training compare to when you model to when you do not. What do you do differently?
MM: As Master Yoda would say, “There is only do.” I train the same way year around for whatever goal that I am trying to achieve. If someone told me tomorrow that I could never model again; I would not change my training. I have set a goal to get as shredded as I possibly can and until I get it there is no stopping me unless a different goal that I feel I would rather chase comes along.
WP: Great outlook on things! Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?
MM: I honestly don’t think that far ahead because I really just have no idea. If modeling takes off then, who knows? If it does not then I guess I’ll be a lawyer doing his thing!
WP: Can you tell me any photographers you’ve worked with, or someone you’d like to work with?
MM: I am a very easy going guy. I will work with whoever wants to work with me for the most part. I have seen some shots by Rick Day and this cat named Hudson Wright that I was very impressed with. But I’m not really dying to work with them or anything.
WP: What supplements do you currently take?
MM: Currently, I am taking whey protein, a pre-workout, multivitamins, and fish oils.
WP: What are your pet peeves?
MM: I really don’t like it when people pick on others. I dislike bad drivers. And, I definitely have problems with very judgemental people.
WP: What do you consider to be important in life and why?
MM: God, family, and friends. There is not much more to it than that for me.
WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?
MM: I really have not changed over the past few years. I’m just trying to take everything that is thrown at me and trying to deal with it the best way I possibly can. I want to take full advantage of what God has given me and I plan on doing so in all aspects of my life.
WP: Any shout outs?
MM: Rick, Daniel, and Spence! Y'all are my boys!
WP: Give me an example of your workout.
MM: I'll use chest as an example considering it is my favorite body part.
Chest
Flat Bench - 12,10,8,6
DB Flyes - 12,12,10,10
Incline DB Press - 10,8,8,6
Incline Flyes - a billion...kidding...12,12,12,12
Burn out with dips or push-ups.
WP: We'd find you dead if you did a billion! Ha-ha! Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?
MM: Protein shakes blended with oatmeal and a banana in the morning.
Eggs, fish, chicken throughout the middle of the day and the early evening.
Protein shakes with natural peanut butter and cinnamon. Not cinnamon sugar! Just cinnamon at night.
WP: Could you tell me about your future projects?
MM: I have got some upcoming photo shoots that I am pretty excited about. Just trying to get in shape for them. Going to do some gym shoots and some outdoors stuff pretty soon!
WP: Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to bring to light?
MM: You have covered everything; great interview!
WP: It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!
MM: Thank you so much, the pleasure is definitely all mine!
