World Physique

Interviewed by Tammy Renee'
Photos by:NorCalBodz

Let’s begin with you telling our viewers a little about yourself.

SW: During my younger years, I’ve always been into working out and playing sports. I’ve been in the construction field for 9 years; mainly in the flooring industry. I started training at Gold’s Gym 2 years ago and it has definitely changed my life for the better. My passion for working out and obtaining a good physique, and now that I’m getting into modeling, is my key motivation for staying dedicated to going to the gym.

WP: What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?

SW: First of all, I have strong beliefs in my religion and that has everything to do with where I am today. Thanks to God and my family, I would not be anywhere close to the person I am today. In addition, I have a lot of support and guidance from NorCalBodz. I have found a company (NCB) that I can trust and Gary provides the models lots of guidance to make us a better fitness model.

WP: What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?

SW: It has definitely been my second job maintaining my physique and keeping the gains I have achieved, dieting has been a lot harder than I could have ever imagined. One of the things I do different, now, is focus more on my diet and tweak my workouts with different hand positions, supersets and just getting more creative with my workouts to keep it fun.

WP: Where do you reside now?

SW: I currently reside in St. Louis, MO and would like to have the opportunity to move to California to pursue my fitness modeling career.

WP: Have you ever played any type of sports or activities?

SW: I started playing Ice Hockey at the age of 5, baseball, as well hockey. They were my main sports until my freshman year of high school, where I played football, ran track. A couple of years later, I started to really get into lifting weights. I’ve competed in 3 armature MMA fights and did my first bodybuilding show last July ‘08.

WP: Tell me about your family. In addition, are you married, single, or dating?

SW: I’m currently single and I come from a well loving family! I have a younger sister and many aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. I get a lot of support from them. I’m very blessed to have my family.

WP: What has modeling taught you thus far?

SW: What I am learning quickly from modeling is that time is a major factor. I have realized modeling is very competitive, but I feel with the assistance that I’m receiving from NorCalBodz Model Management, I will be able be one of the “fitness models” you’ll see in many magazines, and/or in the modeling industry.

WP: What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?

SW: I have a very open mind, so I really enjoy being in front of a camera. The hardest item for me is time management skills! I’m learning how to complete any tasks that have been assigned to me from Gary. One thing I don’t like to do is to let him or anyone down and I appreciate the opportunity to work with NCB.

WP: I think you have made Gary very proud of you! What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?

SW: I would say the hardest thing is doing high intensity workouts plus having a labor intensive job. I get cravings for fast food, too. I see all the guys I work with eating double quarter pounders on lunch break and it can be pretty tempting, compared to my tuna, protein powder, and egg whites, but its well worth it go through the kind of starvation period to see myself at 3 percent body fat.

WP: All you have to do is compare your physique to those around you. Your physique and confidence stands out because you don't allow yourself to break under pressure. So, you should be very proud of yourself.

What are the key factors that dictate the way you model today?

SW: Well, I really enjoy working out and staying fit. I like to receive direction from a photographer that I receive from Gary. I like variety when having my photo taken and I appreciate receiving the constructive criticism. Diet is a major factor, too!

WP: How has your training compare to when you model to when you do not? What do you do differently?

SW: I diet a lot more if I have shoot coming up and add in circuit workouts and higher reps on my sets. Before I went to California, I did a 21 day workout that consisted of 2 workouts a day for 21 days. That’s 42 workouts in 21 days. It works wonders, I must say, but I always strive to continue to bring the intensity levels of my workouts to a higher level than the previous week.

WP: You should write that workout for us one day. It sounds great! Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?

SW: My dream would be a top fitness model and or modeling high fashion (clothing, underwear, etc). I would hope to have the many good things in life that I’ve been dreaming and wanting. I hope to be settled down with a wonderful lady and starting a family. But, as of right now, I’m thankful for what I do have in life, family, friends and good people around me.

WP: Good things come to those that wait! What supplements do you currently take?

SW: I take Branch Chain Amino Acids, Universal Uni-Liver, and about 280 grams of protein a day, as well as, Vitamin C.

WP: What do you consider to be important in life, and why?

SW: Being the best person I can be and helping out others is what I feel is important. I strongly believe if you give; good things will come back to you. I have a caring heart and I know I’m a great person. I like to surround myself with others who are caring (and not takers!). I’m blessed to have family and friends who mean so much to me.

WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?

SW: I would have to say I’m learning to be a lot more responsible than I was a few years back and I tend to think a lot more about my actions before I do something.

WP: What are your stats?

SW: I’m 5 feet and 11inches tall, 200 pounds with 18 inch arms and a 30 inch waist.

WP: Any shout outs?

SW: Yea! I have to give Gary a shout out at NorCalBodz! He’s been a great friend besides being my photographer and Manager; and without him, none of this would have been possible. I would like to thank my stepfather, Joe Tangaro, for all his phenomenal workouts, advice and guidance. I want to give a shout out to Drew with extreme fitness wear. I gained a lot of knowledge about training from him. He wrote my diet for the shoot I did with NorCalBodz. And last but not least, my boy Steve Firman steve-firman.com and all my friends and family.

WP: Give me an example of your diet.

SW: Basically, if I’m getting ready for a show or a shoot, I carb strip Monday and Tuesday slowly; adding my carbs in slowly throughout the rest of week. Basically, I go low carbs and high protein.

I wake up to cup of oats 2 scoops of whey and a banana.

6:30 a.m. - CLA 1000mg, Vitamin/minerals, 6 uni-livers, 5g. Glutamine, super-antioxidant 1/2 grapefruit.

7:00 a.m. - 25 min cardio (at heart midlevel heart rate).

Abs - 10 minutes workout.

7:35 a.m. - 1-epol.

7:40 a.m. - 1/2 banana, 1scoop Whey protein, CLA 1000mg, 5g. Glutamine.

8:40 a.m. - 6 eggs (2whole 4white), Uni-Liver 6, 1tb. Flax, 1/2cup Cal Blend mix vegetables.

10:40 a.m. - 1oz (30p) Planters mixed peanuts, 5.8oz Chicken breast, 1/2cup Cal Blend mix vegetable, and Uni-Liver 6.

12:40 p.m. - 1scoop whey, 1tb. flax.

1:30 p.m. - Supplements (6uni-livers).

25 minutes cardio.

2-3 p.m. - Workout .

3 p.m. - 1scoop whey, 1/2 banana, CLA, B-complex with C, 5g. Glutamine, and 1 E-Pol.

5 p.m. - IDS Liquid Protein, 42q. (2vales), uni-liver 6, and 1tb. Flax.

7 p.m. - IDS Liquid Protein, 42q., Uni-Liver 6, 1tb. Flax.

9 p.m. – 10 eggs (9white 1 whole), Uni-Liver 6, and 1/2tb flax.

11:40 p.m. - 25minutes cardio/ abs 10 minutes, CLA 1000mg, ZMA, Uni-Liver 6, BCAA, and 5g. Glutamine.

3 a.m. - (optional) 2scoops Whey Protein.

WP: Could you tell me about your future projects?

SW: I have a shoot coming up in July for NorCalBodz, few underwear companies, and also in July, the 'Missouri Open Bodybuilding Show'. I can’t wait to get out to Sacramento again!

WP: I am sure we will see you around for a while! It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!