World Physique

Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Photos by: BBPics.com

WP: Let's begin with you telling our viewers a little about yourself.

RC: I live in Albany, N.Y. and own an online fitness business, King Cobra Fitness at www.rickcancelino.com. I am a Natural Pro-Bodybuilder and fitness model. In my free time, I spend it with my girlfriend, Voula. We enjoy traveling, any thing in the Adirondacks, eating at nice restaurants, and of course, working out together. I love adventure and challenges. There are not too many things I do not enjoy to do or I am not willing to try.

WP: What was it that made you know without a doubt that you wanted to go into bodybuilding?

RC: The results I achieved when I started training! I also love the challenge of competing in bodybuilding. Bodybuilding is the only sport where you completely control the final outcome and how you are going to look.

WP: Oh yeah, if you want a challange, begin bodybuilding! So many people think it's nothing to become a bodybuilder. Try it! Then, be sure to try it NATRUALLY! It's a challenge! How long have you been lifting?

RC: I have been lifting weights for 20 years. I started training to become a better athlete and I always have loved pushing myself physically.

WP: You are a Pro-Bodybuilder. What competition did you get the title from and how many other competitions have you won?

RC: I become a Natural Pro-Bodybuilder in 2008 by winning the overall at the USBF Plattsburgh Pro Am. I have competed in 6 natural bodybuilding competitions and have won my class in each one. I have also won a few powerlifting meets in the past.

WP: What are your best lifts?

RC: I lift more like a bodybuilder then a powerlifter now days, but I do have my times in gym where I like to go all out with the heavy weights. My best lifts are 465 lbs. bench press, 615 lbs. squat, and 660 lbs. deadlift. I am also a runner and my best 5k (3.1 mile) time is 18 minutes and 15 seconds.

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

RC: My best advice would be consistency and don’t give up! Whether you are trying to add lean mass or get leaner you need to be consistent with your diet and training. You need to learn how your body works and figure out the diet and training that works for you! I help people with this daily and if you are reading this I can help you. Check us out at King Cobra Fitness at rickcancelino.com

WP: To be a Pro, you must be sure to keep your diet in check at all times. What do you eat in a normal day?

RC: I always change things in my diet every few weeks so my body does not get too used to any one plan. I always eat at least 6 meals a day. Currently, my diet consists of 10 meals.

WP: Stop right there! 10 meals?!

RC: Yes! 10 meals!

WP: The normal is 6 meals. Why do you do 10 meals?

RC: This keeps my metabolism kicking. The meals are small, but each meal helps me recover from my workouts. The meals consist of an egg whiles, 4 oz. to 6 oz. of chicken, 6 oz. of fish, whey protein shake, or one can of tuna. Carbs include 25 to 50 grams from oatmeal, sweet potatoes, or rice cakes. For additional calories, I will include natural peanut butter.

WP: Wow! I will have to try that. Do you allow yourself a cheat day?

RC: Absolutely! I love to eat nachos with on cheat days with my girlfriend. My girlfriend and I eat the same foods and are strict during the week, but we let loose a little on the weekends. Cheat days are important, mentally, and to keep your body guessing.

WP: I'm sure everyone is wanting me to ask this question. I can feel them nudging me from the back! Everyone always wants to know what a Pro takes. So, what supplements do you take?

RC: I love pre-workout energy supplements. I currently am using Vasocharge by Scivation and love the product. I also love Albany Strength Whey Protein. Great value and great tasting albanystrength.com

WP: Could you tell me a story of how you have gotten where you are today?

RC: This could be a book. I have been involved in weightlifting and fitness a lo-o-o-ng time. Everything I have accomplished is due to hard work and refusing to give up. I have always used adversity as a great motivator. When things are not going well in any aspect of my life, I look at it as a challenge.

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

RC: My parents have always been very supportive when I was an athlete in high school/college and with bodybuilding/fitness. I would also like to thank my beautiful girlfriend, Voula, for all her love, support, and inspiration she provides no matter what I do in my life.

WP: They seem to be supportive of you! That's great! Where do you want to be in 5 years?

RC: I would like to be healthy, happy, and continue to grow King Cobra Fitness at www.rickcancelino.com in 5 years. In 5 years I would like to be known for being the best overall fitness people in the industry, this includes success in bodybuilding, powerlifting, athletics, running, modeling, and business!

WP: Tell me about your future projects. Have any in sight?

RC: Other then enhancing my online business, we will be at the 2009 Olympia expo and the 2010 Arnold Sports festival.

WP: What gets you up in the morning?

JC: Our two Pekingese puppies get me up in the morning! Then, the excitement of knowing we are going to the gym in the morning.

WP: Ahhh, you should have brought pictures! I know you are a very busy person. How do you create balance in your life?

RC: I create balance by looking forward and not looking back. When the work day is over I do not think about what happened that day and make time to relax and maybe do something spontaneously. I like to work hard during the week, but enjoy loosing up on the weekend to “re-charge” for the upcoming week.

WP: I know you have worked with our Senior Photographer, John at bbpics.com many times. What was it like working with him?

RC: John Mitchell is a great guy. He is very professional and takes great shots!

WP: How did he go over and beyond for you?

RC: John Mitchell has been involved in the fitness industry for years and goes out of his way to create opportunities for you to succeed in the industry.

WP: Would you recommend him to your friends?

RC: I have recommended him too many of my friends. He takes great shots, is very experienced, professional, and an overall great guy.

WP: Have you played in sports before?

RC: I ran track and played football in high school and college. We still hold the Herkimer High School record in the 4x100 relay. I was always able to run fast and jump high which helped me excel in athletics.

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

RC: I think things are great in the fitness/bodybuilding world. I wish more people would get involved in working out and fitness. People, in general, give up too easily when starting a program.

WP: Any shout outs?

RC: What up to Team King Cobra Fitness, Crew at Albany Strength, and Team Yeah Buddy.

WP: What is the funniest story that has happened to you during competitions or while working out?

RC: There are lots of them! Ha! One of them in the gym includes me blowing out my shorts squatting and I finished the squat work out in my boxer briefs.

WP: And I bet there wasn't a camera anywhere in sight! Never a camera when you need one! Ha! Is there anything else you would like to add? Now is the time!

RC: Thanks to World Physique for interviewing me!

WP: You have been a pleasure to interview!