Interview with Ian Lauer
Rising Star of the Month - August 2010
Interviewed by: Angie Courduf Moreno
What does it take to be a rising star? For starters, how about passion, dedication and an unrelenting drive to reach your goals? These are just a few of the traits our Rising Star for August possesses. Ian Lauer was a college athlete who went on to start his own thriving personal training business and then made the bold move to LA to pursue his acting and fitness modeling career. He may be exceedingly focused on his personal goals, but he is just as focused on his clients and helping others find the joy in exercise. "I love helping people find the joy in fitness that I have been blessed to find." This is one rising star who has already launched himself beyond the moon. Meet Ian Lauer!
"(Fitness) is part of my life. I can't imagine life without it."
WP: Hi Ian and congratulations on being nominated as World Physique's 'Rising Star of the Month'! Please tell me a little about yourself.
IL: First off, thanks so much to World Physique for considering me for this honor. This means a lot to me, especially considering that the title is being given by a Magazine that is a "Rising Star" in their own right in the fitness magazine community.
A little bit about myself, okay I can do that. Brief recap of the last few years: I received my BA in Chemistry with a minor in Theatre from The College of Wooster. I was a linebacker on the football team and a sprinter on the track team. After graduating, I acted professionally and performed in a number of stage productions. I ended up going to graduate school to study Acting at Wayne State University in Detroit. I soon found myself missing my college football days and began training for tryouts and simultaneously building a Personal Training Business. In the process, I was blessed to meet numerous wonderful people. I learned so much about building a business and made some great friends in Michigan as well. During this process, I could feel something that kept pushing me in a new and exciting direction.
In September of 2008, I decided I needed a huge change: I had to live in San Diego, so I moved. After just a short time in California, I found my calling again in the acting and fitness modeling community. So, I recently moved again to Los Angeles to be in the middle of it all. I currently am focusing my efforts and energy on my acting and fitness modeling career. I perform in an Improv Murder Mystery Show and am working on a couple of other fitness-related products. I have been blessed with the opportunity to do some commercials and have some other exciting projects on the horizon.
WP: You went after your dreams with passion and determination; that is extremely admirable. You have been involved in fitness for most of your life. How did you become interested in fitness in the first place?
IL: As a football player in high school, lifting was part of the routine and I loved it. At a younger age though, I loved the old school kung fu movies with Bruce Lee and wanted to be ripped like him. Of course, I liked WWF wrestling and wanted to be like Hulk Hogan, too. I like to think I am finding my own place now and building a physique naturally that will perhaps inspire others.
WP: That is exactly what you’re doing. You are a Professional Fitness Trainer. What made you want to become a trainer? What certifications do you hold?
IL: I am naturally a teacher and love training. The two fit perfectly together for me. I really enjoy seeing that switch flip when someone first starts to actually "enjoy working out." I am a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) via the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) as well as Pilates certified through NESTA.
WP: That is quite a powerful combination. What do you feel are your strengths as a trainer that set you apart from the rest?
IL: I believe my humor, empathy, and my unique background allow me to bring a different perspective to the table.
WP: Where do you typically train your clients? Do you train in a gym, in-home?
IL: I train my clients in-home.
WP: What is your training methodology? What do you like to concentrate on with your clients?
IL: Education. Debunking myths and deleting a lot of crap that just gets in the way. Sure, there is a ton of science out there, but if we get too hung up on every tiny detail before we start, we will never start and we will get nowhere. I believe in getting started with a small step. Once that is in place, take another small step. This is a lifestyle change that takes a lot of incremental steps. What is most important is to make sure my client is having fun. If they are having fun then they will have a positive association with training. Then, they will stick with it and get the results they are looking for. Because they took "the steps" necessary, they will have "arrived" at their new lifestyle and they will keep the results.
WP: It sounds like your plan is working for your clients, too! What gets you up in the morning?
IL: Life! Knowing that what I do today will make my tomorrow.
WP: That positive attitude of yours is contagious! With your busy schedule, how do you fit in your own training?
IL: It is my priority. Plain and simple!
WP: What keeps you motivated and on track with your fitness lifestyle?
IL: Maintaining my focus on the end goal. If you don't know where you want to go, you have no track to even try to stay on.
WP: Very good point. If you happen to slip with your nutrition or workouts, what personal tools do you incorporate to help get you back on track?
IL: The process is like a hike up a mountain. If you slip and fall down, you don't just give up. What are you, a baby?! You get back up, wipe the orange Cheetos dust off your shirt and start climbing again!
WP: Ha! I love it! What advice do you give to your clients if they suffer from a lack of motivation?
IL: It really depends on the client. Someone trying to pack on muscle is going to be different than a mother of three. "Eye on the end prize" is always constant, but the prize is always different.
WP: You recently began fitness modeling and were even nominated as "Prodigy of the Month" by www.muscleprodigy.com for the month of June. Congratulations! What got you interested in modeling in the first place?
IL: You heard about that, huh? Thanks! I love training and I love inspiring others, so fitness modeling was a natural progression. Only recently did I even come to realize that fitness modeling was an option for me. I always thought, "That would be fun." Recently though, I took action to make a change and educate myself on the business of fitness modeling. I attended a workshop (Fitness Model International) and have been meeting the right people and am learning how this business works. Now, I see that this is a field I can work in and I am planning on making waves! Best of all, if any of my pictures that get out there inspire someone to workout it is all worth it and has come full circle!
WP: It’s great to hear you did your research first; way to be informed! Who are some of the photographers you’ve worked with? Anyone you’d like to work with?
IL: I have worked with Ralph DeHaan, Harvey Elkins, Wander Aguiar, BB Pics, amongst others. There are so many I would love to work with. Each photographer has their own art to bring to the table and, consequently, can bring something new out of you. I am seeing a lot of good work coming from Jason Ellis. I also want to shoot with World Physique's photographers that are LA based, such as Harry Grigsby, III and Mike Byerly.
WP: Where would you like to see your modeling career take you in the near future? How about down the line?
IL: I love public speaking and helping people find the joy in fitness that I have been blessed to find. I hope that my fitness modeling will assist in boosting my capacity to do both. I also hope it may help me land an acting role; perhaps as a martial artist action character!
WP: How very commendable that you want to help others also find the enjoyment in fitness. How does your training differ on a typical day from when you are getting ready for a shoot?
IL: My training is the same; I just clean my eating up a bit more.
WP: Do you see yourself stepping onstage in a bodybuilding or fitness modeling competition?
IL: I haven’t, but I would consider doing a fitness modeling competition. Bodybuilding, as it is today, is not something that currently peaks my interest.
WP: Do you train any of your clients for competition?
IL: I have trained many clients with multiple goals competing in multiple forms of competition.
WP: What are some of your proudest accomplishments thus far?
IL: Some of my proudest accomplishments are helping my clients find the same love of fitness I have and mentoring trainers to do the same, earning my Black Belt, and earning 1st Team-All Conference Honors in football and track in college. Also, making the move across the country to follow my acting and fitness modeling dreams is a big personal accomplishment.
WP: You have accomplished so much in such a short while! You are so disciplined with your nutrition. Do you ever allow yourself a cheat day? What’s your favorite cheat meal?
IL: Yes, I do occasionally allow myself a cheat day. Pepperoni pizza is my hands-down favorite!
WP: How has your training and nutrition changed over the years?
IL: It is vastly different. My workouts are shorter, and I focus more on form now and do higher reps as well. I still go pretty heavy but am more concerned about feeling the work in the muscle groups I am focused on for that particular day.
My nutrition is night and day where I am now from where I used to be. Now, I eat 7-8 times a day, taking in 200-450 calories at a time. Before, who knows? That was part of what was holding me back!
WP: It’s amazing what experience can do for your knowledge of diet and exercise. What are you keeping in your fridge right now?
IL: Chicken breast, milk, apples, cottage cheese, non-fat yogurt, Greek yogurt, steak, carrots, and eggs!
WP: That is one healthy grocery list you just rattled off. What does your typical daily routine consist of?
IL: A normal day for me is to eat, submit for auditions, network, lift, drink a protein shake, eat, audition, eat, audition, eat, cardio, eat, submit for auditions, network, protein shake; you get the picture!
WP: And, I didn’t notice SLEEP in there at all! Do you make time for any hobbies outside of fitness? And, what about down time?
IL: I enjoy public speaking and acting; although, acting is my other job more so than a hobby. Down time? I'm not dead yet!
WP: I should’ve seen that response coming! So, let’s talk family! Are married, dating? How does your family feel about your fitness lifestyle?
IL: I have a great family back in Ohio as well as a very talented brother who is about to start his Doctorate Studies at The University of Colorado. I am proud of my family and I like to think that they are proud of what I am doing and understand it is THE road I MUST travel.
"Am I married?" HA! No, I am not married. However, I do look forward to meeting that special someone and growing and becoming a better person with them.
WP: What tips do you suggest to keep fitness interesting?
IL: Consider multiple pathways and also find what kind of training you enjoy. That may be weights, swimming, yoga etc. What's important is to build a base and add on other disciplines to keep it interesting.
WP: Very good advice. So, how has fitness impacted your life?
IL: It is part of my life. I can't imagine life without it.
WP: What are your future fitness goals? How about your career goals?
IL: I want to do magazine covers, editorials, TV shows, be a supplement spokesperson, etc. I want to do it all!
Regarding my career goals, I want to have a successful career in both acting and fitness modeling. Define success in each of these fields you say? Well, that would be an interview in and of itself. Perhaps, another time.
WP: I will hold you to that! How do you feel you have changed over the years?
IL: I have leaned out and gained muscle maturity, for sure. I feel healthier and just better in general. I also have direction and goals in mind that were not in place years ago.
WP: What else would you like our readers to know about you?
IL: I have always seen myself as the underdog in the beginning of numerous challenges. An example of this would be having earned a spot on the college football team or becoming a fitness model. However, persistence and belief in oneself can and will overcome.
WP: Before we close, any shout outs?
IL: My Family, Irwin, Nat, The Beater Brothers, Rossano Rea, Jim Kielbaso, The Dale, Ricky, Ralph DeHaan, Harvey Elkins, Renee Watroba, Mike, Kris, Rob Riches, and many, many, many, many others. It is hard to name everyone who has helped you along your way. This is a journey we are all intertwined and making together.
WP: Again, congratulations on being featured as our ‘Rising Star of the Month’! Your dedication to fitness and your clients is extremely admirable. We at World Physique are honored to be featuring you, and we wish you the best of luck in the future!
IL: Thank You! I hope this interview inspires others to pick up a weight and make their own way!
