World Physique

Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Photos by: NorCalBodz

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

TG: I am a very ambitious person that likes to dive head first into anything that peaks my interest. I have a dry sarcastic sense of humor that I like to refer to as my outer shell, and a genuinely soft as cotton candy core that people tend to appreciate once they get to know me. I have of potential, which drives me to become better than the day before, and so on. I don't believe in lost opportunities if I gave it my best shot initially!

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

TG: The support of my family and those closest to me has inevitably been the cornerstone of my development, along with a very strong belief and faith in god. I went through some dark times in my past and came out of it on top, having learned from my experience; I wanted to prove to everybody, but most importantly myself, that I could beat the odds no matter what they were.

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

TG: I started working out when I was sixteen, and I got descent noticeable results, I guess you could say. It wasn’t until I was about 22 years old that I began understanding bodybuilding as a science. With the help of one of my friends, “Matt W”, I began learning how to get results that could not be argued with. Somebody can always give you thee opinion, but you can never argue with results as long as you’re getting them. At this point, I devoted myself to this particular regimen that was working and stuck with it, but as many people know, the human body adapts to any workout if you do it long enough so switching up the workout routine is crucial for building muscle because it keeps your body guessing.

WP: Where do you reside now?

TG: I reside in Pinellas Park Florida, also known as the Tampa Bay area. I did the vast majority of my life growing up here and have built up a tolerance for the heat and humidity. I love this place and it will always be home, but I thoroughly enjoy traveling, and could see myself moving in the future.

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

TG: I enjoyed playing all kinds of sports and activities growing up, and if I enjoyed doing it I usually excelled at it. Anywhere from martial arts, to football, to skateboarding, I covered everything. Nowadays the only sport I go out of the way for as often as possible is volleyball. It’s a great way to absorb sun while having fun, plus it’s one of the few sports where females tend to be just as good as the guys. That’s not a bad thing.

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

TG: I have the most supportive father and the most caring mother in the world. I have one brother, but there is still sibling rivalry between us even at this age. I’d like to say that it’s his fault, but it takes two to tango. Also, I have the most beautiful and supportive girlfriend (future wife) a man could ask for. Her name is Brittany Achor and if it wasn’t for her I would have never started modeling. The rest of my extended family isn’t anything to be embarrassed about. Ha! Love them all.

WP: What has modeling taught you thus far?

TG: Three months ago I knew nothing about the industry, and I have learned a great deal ever since I started in May. There are a bunch of grey areas to watch out for, and it is a pleasure to have somebody like Gary from NorCalBodz looking out for my best interest. If I have learned anything about modeling it is to be patient, and to jump at the correct opportunities that will only optimize my image and persona.

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

TG: Staying patient, and waiting for good things to happen. I had a preconceived notion that things would happen rather fast for me, and they did, but waiting for the best opportunity instead of just jumping at the first opportunity was something I needed to get used to.

WP: What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?

TG: I know people are going to hate me for saying it, but I haven’t changed one thing about my diet since I started modeling. I never refuse any offering of food, and will eat whatever I desire, but I can only do that because I am burning more calories than I am taking in. It’s a simple equation that works, and it’s not like I sit there and count calories, but so far my workout regimen burns every last intake of calories.

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

TG: My discipline and ambition drives me to look my best everyday. I am not a shy person and love to display what I have worked so hard for. At this point there is no purpose in doing any work that will not benefit me in the long run. It’s awfully nice having Gary from NorCalBodz looking out for my best interest, and at this point I’m just going to continue sculpting my physique while Gary produces the jobs.

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

TG: The only difference is that I used to just workout for myself, and ever since I started modeling it sort of feels like it’s my job, and I don’t like that, but it all has to do with my state of mind. I am my worst critic and if there is anything that I need to work on I already know it. Nobody is completely flawless, but I am perfectly content when I am giving 110 percent.

WP: What titles/accomplishments have you thus far? Tell me about them.

TG: As far as modeling, I have shot for “Exercise for Men” magazine, and that should be hitting the shelves sometime next month I believe. I have also been featured on “Underwear News Briefs” website, and there is a pod cast interview with me on it.

Besides that, I just finished up my Associates degree in business and plan on furthering my education.

WP: Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?

TG: In 10 years, I see myself forecasting hurricanes and hopefully reporting for them on location before, during, and the storm has made landfall. I’m an adrenaline junky, and there is nothing like experiencing a hurricane. It’s intense to say the least! If that doesn’t workout, I would love to be a full time model if the industry can provide me enough work. I feel as though I have the kind of personality and character to go along with television, so if any of those opportunities arise I will surely take a shot at it. I am sure that in ten years I will live comfortably as long as I have peace of mind and a certain level of serenity. That stuff doesn’t come easy, and if I achieve it, than I must be doing something right.

WP: Can you tell me any photographers you've worked with, or someone you'd like to work with?

WP: What supplements do you currently take?

TG: Since my body burns fat extraordinarily fast, I often prefer the protein that has the most calories from fat, because this kind of protein is meant to put on weight. I thoroughly appreciate creatine supplements because it allows me to stay stronger longer, but the catch is that I must cycle off of it, meaning two months of taking it and one month off. Along with that, I ingest plenty of amino acids and nitric oxide supplements, but it’s important to only take NO supplements in pill form when cycling off of creatine because the powder form has creatine in it. Besides that, I take various supplements that promote joint flexibility, and I also take glutamine post workout.

WP: Wait until you get my age! I bet you will be begging for some supplements to help with everything! Ha-ha! What are your pet peeves?

TG: There is not enough time in the day to give you all my pet peeves. It tends to be the very small things that irritate me severely. I hate it when people chew their food with their mouth’s open, or when people are blindly ignorant. The people that prefer to talk, rather than workout at the gym frustrate me, along with the females that think it’s just a fashion show.

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

TG: This is how I feel about life in general and this has been my experience.

Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows.

It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.

You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.

How much you can take and keep moving forward.

That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go and get what you’re worth.

But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody.

Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that.

Quote from Rocky Balboa.

This quote hits home because my entire life has been a struggle, but not because of anybody except myself. It is so easy to blame people, places, and things for the attitude one might take on life, but that’s the easiest way to get nowhere. Staying accountable for one’s own actions and thinking is brutally crucial for developing as a human being. During my twenty four years on Earth, people have been quite fond of telling me I can’t do it, or it can’t be done, and that has always motivated me and added fuel to the fire that is my determination. I love serving as an example for those that think they can’t. If you do not give back in life, or do something simply out of the kindness in your heart, you will never know true enlightenment, peace, or serenity. Not many people know that gratitude is an action word, and that one can not be truly grateful when they have shown it through their actions.

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

TG: I used to only think about myself in the past and was completely self centered and egotistic. When I figured out that I myself was my own worst enemy I began reinventing myself in order to figure out who I truly was. It was not easy and was probably the hardest thing I have ever done, but it was definitely worth it. Nowadays I try and give back as much as possible, it might sound corny, but I do. When somebody asks for some help with losing weight, or putting on muscle, I train them for free because I enjoy doing it, and if they commit, which is very rare, they end up getting results just as I have. You cannot purchase the feeling you get by helping others, especially when your helping them start a new way of life as far as their health is concerned.

WP: You do look outstanding! What are your stats such as height, weight, biceps, and waist?

TG: I stand about six feet tall with a forty three inch chest, a thirty three inch waist, and seventeen inch biceps. I am constantly fluctuating between 190-200 pounds.

WP: Any shout outs?

TG: I want to thank anybody that has contributed to my experience in this industry. My girlfriend, Brittany Achor that got me started modeling, and of course the photographers: Jeffrey Rich, Dondi Star, Robert Taliver, Michael Downs, and Gary from NorCalBodz. I would like to acknowledge a special thanks to Gary for working his tail off for me, this guy is constantly looking out for my best interest, and I greatly appreciate it bud. All of my buddies at the San Martin Group of Alcoholics Anonymous that have been there for me, and of course my loving family. Can’t forget God, he’s got my back. All of these people have been a true blessing in my life, and have all played a huge role in getting me to where I am today.

WP: Give me an example of your workout.

TG: Monday: Completely destroy my chest.

Tuesday: Lower, mid, upper back, traps, and deltoids.

Wednesday: Obliterate my legs and light cardio.

Thursday: Devote an hour an a half to the triceps.

Friday: Biceps and abs.

Saturday & Sunday: Circuit workouts.

The basic idea is to pick one muscle group and devote an entire workout to that group of muscles. This is the cornerstone for what gives me results; because you can be assured that you gave that muscle group 100 percent of your attention instead of dividing your efforts. It is very important to keep up the intensity, do not give half an effort, every 45 to 75 seconds do another set. Intensity is key. behind that, circadian rhythm is a term to describe the internal clock in humans; it’s what tells us when to go to sleep and when to wake up based on patterns. Muscle memory is much the same, if you develop a set routine like I have displayed above, it is paramount to switch up that routine to keep your body guessing. It is very simple to fool your muscles, all that is necessary is to change the order of the weekly workout, or do a different exercise that isn’t used regularly to wear out the muscle. Even resting for an entire week can confuse the muscles.

WP: I see why your physique is so awesome! Let's see how your diet is! Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?

TG: To be honest, I do not eat like your typical model, or athlete. Yes, eating right is half the battle in most cases, but I have never had a problem with maintaining a lean physique. For the most part, I load up on carbs, take the appropriate supplements, and rip myself to shreds in the gym. I eat fast food! I said it, that’s right. I constantly load up on calories and will approach 200 pounds each month, but when I get to that weight I am not there for longer than one day. By the second day I am comfortably back at 190 pounds. About 6 months ago I was most comfortable at 185 pounds, and now that has changed. In my opinion that extra 5 pounds that puts me where I’m at now is all muscle. I would also like to mention that it takes the most extreme and intense training to even gains one pound of muscle per month. So if anybody tells you that they gained 5 pounds of muscle in one month, unlikely in my scientific opinion.

WP: I wished I could say the same! Ha! Could you tell me about your future projects?

TG: Nothing in particular, I feel as though if god wants me to be doing something I will be presented with it. I’ll be ready for any opportunities that come my way, and whatever they might be, I can assure you I’ll do it big and with everything I got.

WP: Thank you so much for a wonderful interview. Good luck in all that you do!