Tommy Harsh
Next-In Line Pro - February 2011
Interviewed by: Mike Hall
Photos by: BBPics.com
Tommy Harsh is a 31-year-old pharmacist who competes, lives in the country, and loves to exercise. He grew up in Williamsport, MD and now lives in Hancock, MD. He loves to stay active, especially outside. He received his Pharm D from The Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy in Winchester, VA. He is presently a retail pharmacist for a chain drug store.
WP: What was it that made you know without a doubt that you wanted to go into bodybuilding?
Lots of people at the gym kept telling me that I should compete, so I gave it a try and won first place at my first show.
WP: What competitions have you appeared in and what place did you win?
In November 2008, I competed in NASF Nationals in Virginia and won first place. In March 2009, I competed in the NASF in North Carolina, and won second place. In November 2010, I competed in the USBF Pennsylvania Natural and won first place.
WP: Do you have any advice to people that wish to build more mass and/or more cut?
I’m a big fan of pyramiding my sets with 1-minute rest periods in between sets. Sometimes I start the pyramid off with light weight and end with heavy weight, and then sometimes I start the pyramid off with heavy weight and end with light weight. I hardly ever do more than 10 reps per set and never under 6 reps per set.
WP: Give me a break down of your diet. What does a competition pharmacist eat? Ha-ha!
Breakfast: Isopure protein shake with 5 egg whites and 2 yolks, 2 pieces of Ezekial bread, and 4 oz. turkey sausage.
Snack: Half of a low sugar Detour protein bar.
Lunch: 8 oz. boneless chicken breast on an Ezekial roll, Greek Yogurt with blueberries, and 1 banana.
Snack: Half of a low sugar Detour protein bar.
Dinner: Deer steak or Chicken or Fish with either brown rice or sweet potato and a green vegetable
Snack: 1cup fat free cottage cheese.
WP: Do you allow yourself a cheat day? If so, what is it that you usually eat when you do?
Of course I allow a cheat day. Otherwise you make it uncomfortable for your family and friends. I will go out to eat once a week. I really like Panera Breads Turkey artichoke Panini.
WP: What supplements do you take?
Whey protein, creatine, branch chain amino acids, glutamine, and glucose (post-workout).
WP: Could you tell me a story of how you have gotten where you are today?
Lots of hard work and dedication of course how I got where I am today. I am very focused on success. I hate failing at anything I do. I never give up and keep pushing forward.
WP: Do you have anyone you can thank for helping you get where you are?
With bodybuilding, I give credit to my friend Greg Walck who helped me out with two of my shows. With my career, I give credit to my cousin Dan Mullenix who guided me through pharmacy school.
WP: Tell me about your modeling.
Like bodybuilding, lots of people always used to tell me I look like a model so my friend Greg Walck helped me set up my model mayhem account, and from there, it took off. I’ve worked with some great photographers such as John from Bbpics.com, Luis Rafael, and Kemuel Valdes.
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?
I exercise at least 12 hours per week. In the winter, most of my exercises are at the gym, but in the summer, I do lots of stuff outside such as mountain biking, road biking, kayaking, running, hiking, and whatever else fun stuff there is that makes you sweat. The hardest thing for my physique and me is keeping my bulk. I am supposed to be skinny, but I refuse to be skinny. I want a nice, thick, lean look and that only happens when I work out 12 hours per week.
WP: Tell me about your future projects. Have any in sight?
I would like to be published in more things. As of this moment, I do not have anything else planned. I would like to model for a major company such as Abercrombie or some other clothing company. I will always keep trying to be published in muscle magazines because I think I have that look. The fitness look is my niche.
WP: I understand you worked with John at bbpics.com. What was it like working with him?
Working with John at bbpics.com was fun. I met him in Naples, Florida for our photo shoot. I flew into Miami for other photo shoots and drove to Naples to shoot with him. I was very pleased with how he treated me throughout the photo shoot. He really knows his stuff about photography. He is a big fan “natural lighting”. He does not like to edit his photos. What you see is what the person really looks like.
WP: How did he go over and beyond for you?
He spent the whole day with me making sure we got great photos. We even went to dinner after the photo shoot.
WP: Are you married, dating, or do you have kids?
I am not married and don’t have kids. I do have a girlfriend though who is also a fitness lover.
WP: Give me a sample of your workout.
I do one major body part a day and I always do chinups/pullups, calves, and abs every day. I always take at least 1 day off lifting every week. My workouts usually last 2 hours. My major body part I do with 20 sets and it is with 5 different exercises consisting of 4 sets each exercise. My reps are between 6-10 with 1-minute rest periods betweens sets.
WP: What are your interests outside of bodybuilding?
I love to deer hunt. I am very outdoorsy. I do lots of stuff. I do lots of hiking. I like going to different places. I have visited Cancun, Mexico, Glacier Park in Montana, and the island of Kauai in Hawaii. This year I’m planning to go to Ireland. I do lots of mountain biking, road biking, kayaking, rock climbing, ATV riding, and motorcycle riding. I like horticulture, koi ponds, shooting guns, and archery also.
WP: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wouldn’t want to change anything about me. I like myself the way I am.
WP: Is there anything else you would like to add? Now is the time!
I just want to thank everyone who has helped me out along the way and never gave up on me.
WP: Thank you so much Thomas! It has been great getting to know you better.
