World Physique

Interviewed by Angela Courduff

WP: Hey James! Great to see you! Let’s begin with you telling our viewers a little about yourself.

JW: First of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to interview with you guys.

WP: We are very proud to have you here. We really think the world of you.

JW: Thank you! It’s truly an honor and I’m humbled. I was raised in Birmingham, AL all my life. In Birmingham, I played football, basketball and ran track. I moved to Knoxville, TN to attend College.

WP: What was it that got you interested in bodybuilding?

JW: In 1977, as a kid, I would draw pictures of the Hulk. I got into trouble with my teacher because she thought that I was drawing dirty pictures since I made the Hulk’s chest big. I loved the Hulk series and wanted to look like him. I started doing pushups, sit ups, and pull ups when I was 7 years old. My dad bought me my first weight set when I was 13 years old. I worked out all my life and folks would ask if I was a bodybuilder. I thought bodybuilding was drinking eggs and bench pressing. When I was 22 years old, I started thinking about going into bodybuilding. Finally, at the age of 23, I entered my first show and won my class.

WP: You won your first show? That’s amazing! Have you won any other titles since then?

JW: In 2007, I was the Musclemania World Overall Winner (Pro status) and Mt. Rogers Overall Winner (Pro Status), 1999 & 2003 TN State Overall Winner, 1999 Natural Alabama Overall Winner, and won Mr. Birmingham in 1994. That’s just to name a few.

WP: Wow, I can’t imagine how long the list would be if you named more than a few! How many competitions have you appeared in all? Do you remember your placings?

JW: I have competed in over 50 competitions and I’ve won most of them.

WP: It takes incredible dedication and motivation. What are your best lifts?

JW: I bench approximately 435 lbs., squat approximately 615 lbs., and I curl approximately 185 lbs.

WP: Do you have any advice you would give people that wish to build more mass and more definition?

JW: Remember this: Genetics play a very important role in mass gains. Depending on body type, grams of proteins and carbs may vary. Multiply your body weight by 2.2 kilograms, then take that number and multiply by .3. That number should be your total amount of protein per day. Too much can be bad for your kidneys.

For definition, I recommend at least 72 ounces of water a day. Also, 25 minutes of cardio with a heart rate of 75%-80% of your max heart rate.

WP: You really know your stuff! What do you normally eat in a day? On-season? Off-season?

JW: On-season: No more than 150 grams of protein, 250 grams of carbs, and 15 grams of fat each day.

Off - season: I still take in 150 grams of protein. The only thing that changes in my daily eating is that I double my carbs and fats.

WP: Do you allow yourself a cheat day?

JW: Yes, you better believe it.

WP: What is your current workout regimen?

JW: I do one body part a day. Per day, I pick 3 movements for each body part. I do 2 high reps of 15 and 3 power sets of 5 to 8 reps. For cardio, I do 5 different cardio sessions. I do a different method of cardio each day, consisting of a 2 mile run, elliptical, bike, stairs, or sprints.

WP: What is the hardest thing for you when it comes to maintaining your physique?

JW: Not gaining 25 lbs. over contest weight during my off-season. The hardest thing is the last 6 weeks of training and trying to dial it in. Also, dieting can be difficult because I tend to hallucinate when I see a Krispy Kreme on every corner. Ha ha! One more thing that makes it difficult for me is that I coach an AAU Girls’ Basketball Team and when we travel we eat out all of the time. It’s hard to watch everyone else eating burgers, pizza and all the sweets. You know all the good stuff.

WP: Step away from the Krispy Kremes. Slowly walk away! Ha-ha! I think that situation would be difficult for anyone trying to stick to a diet. Have you considered doing any modeling?

JW: I would love to have the opportunity to be in magazines and on covers. I think my physique is pretty good and I should be in fitness magazines. I’m certain that I can look just as good as any other bodybuilder in the industry. I think bodybuilding gets a bad rap because a lot of folks think that if you’re a bodybuilder that you are on steroids.

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

JW: I want to be a true ambassador of bodybuilding.

WP: I think you already are, James. Tell me about your future projects. Do you have any in sight?

JW: I want to educate kids to train and eat properly. In order to get the projects I‘m planning on doing, I need more exposure. It’s important in this industry.

 WP: I hope you get that opportunity. Education in proper training and nutrition can never start too soon! What gets you up in the morning?

 JW: My stomach growling. Ha ha! I wake up at the same time every day and stay on a schedule most of the time. I sleep as much as I can, as well as get all my meals in for the day. I hate those missed meal cramps. ha-ha!

 WP: I hear you! How do you approach a challenge?

 JW: Head on!

 WP: With all you have going on in your life, how do you create balance?

 JW: I have a schedule that I stick to every day. I change it some when I’m off season.

WP: Tell me about your family. Are you married, dating, and any children?

JW: I’m single, but have a girlfriend. I have a daughter that’s 14 years old. My girlfriend has a son that’s 8 years old, who I consider mine.

WP: That’s fantastic! Who had the most impact on you growing up?

JW: My mom.

WP: Awwww! Do you have anyone else you want to thank for helping you get where you are?

JW: I thank those who believed in me and kept encouraging me to continue to compete.

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

JW: I would like to see different bodybuilders on covers of magazines. There are a lot of folks with good physiques that don’t get noticed.

WP: We hope that our magazine will be able to change that but, you are so right! What is the funniest thing that has happened to you during competition or in the gym?

JW: I was told that I needed to dance on stage. I practiced the “drop it like its hot move” for a month. When I got on stage and I dropped it, I couldn't get back up. ha-ha!

WP: I hope you got that one on tape! Ha-ha! What is your greatest achievement in bodybuilding?

JW: Getting 2 Pro Cards in one year. It happened to be just 1 week between each competition.

WP: That is quite an achievement! What is the proudest moment of your life?

JW: The birth of my daughter.

WP: You really are a big guy but, your heart is bigger, I think! What are your other interests outside of bodybuilding?

JW: Reading, coaching and going to movies. I also like to help others in the gym.

WP: Any shout outs?

JW: I thank God for giving me the health and the strength to compete, and I plan to continue to compete as long as I can. You will probably see me on stage at the age of 70 years old!

WP: Is there anything else you would like to add that I might have forgot to ask?

JW: I’m open to do photoshoots, interviews, and auditions, plus I’m an unsigned athlete and would welcome a supplement sponsorship. I‘m also a drug-free athlete.

WP: We have dibs on one photoshoot with you! Us first! Deal? Great addition! Thank you so much for your time. Good luck in your future bodybuilding endeavors!