Interview With Brandon Franklin
Transformation of the Month - May 2009
Interviewed by Mary Kay Valenti
Growing up, Brandon saw everyone around him naturally skinny just from being young and he thought they must have those “lucky-fast metabolisms”. It was recognizable to him from the beginning, that he was growing up chubby and it's just something he knew felt it was not right at his age.
He grew up and maintained his chubby size. At times, he started getting heavier; in a chubby state. “My self esteem issues were bad and I never took my shirt off around anybody, because I felt embarrassed, even if some heavier people were around”, says Brandon. He kept this up all the way until Jr. High and mid way through High School.
“Friends would joke, calling me fatty and various names, that secretly bothered me. I attempted to laugh about it because I wasn’t the type to cry out in front of people, but let it build up inside of me.”
“I wasn’t the most attractive or outgoing person at this time as I did not understand how somebody could be overweight and attractive. I looked at the world as very arrogant from what I know today, and thought it was all about looks but I guess in teenage years, it is that way 95% of the time.”
He finally took drastic measures by starving himself to anorexia. It did not take him long to stop starving himself, because he knew it was wrong. Anorexia had such bad moments with him that he could not do anything while functioning properly.
“I did not gain the weight back but I lost almost any muscle mass I had on my body, which made me look like a twig in clothing.”
He had lifted weights some prior during High School just for fun with friends, but quit. He decided to start back after he realized starvation diets were not the best way to go. He started working out hard and from the beginning, read a lot about nutrition and proper weight training for optimal muscle growth.
“I did not ask many questions, so I just went with what I read in top-rated articles.”
He became addicted to the lifestyle of bodybuilding and any type of fitness training.
“A lot of people choose sides in this stuff but if you truly love it, then you truly love every part; no matter if its bodybuilding or fitness. Both bodybuilding and fitness can help create a beautiful physique and some people just enjoy doing it in different ways.”
He worked hard to change his physique since he was 16. He is now 21 years old.
“I plan competing in powerlifting competitions and most definitely, my true love of bodybuilding competitions, for as long as my body will let me. I had to change many things about myself by focusing on the way I looked like. I had to change hairstyles, skin tone, complexion of my face, teeth, and developing my own style that would work best with me, so that I can look my best. I feel so much better about life. It was hard work, but it was 150% worth every second of my time.”
WP: Congratulations on winning our ‘Transformation of the Month’. How does it feel to be considered for such a title?
BF: I am a big fan of people achieving personal goals, and especially with the physiques they present once, they are finished, so I am much honored to win this award. The fact that it takes dedication and planning to reach goals over a period is something that is not very easy. I know, personally, how hard it is for somebody to do that, especially when they first start.
WP: Can you tell our readers a little about what who you are, what you are made of, and where you came from?
BF: My name Is Brandon Franklin and I am currently 21 years old. I grew up in an obese, unhealthy family style of living without any knowledge of what fitness even was. I knew growing up that I was chubby, and that I had friends who were blessed with fast metabolisms. I understood I was different, and this caused an entire childhood of low self-esteem issues. I became more knowledgeable about getting in shape and being healthy. I started just to get in shape, and eventually, became addicted to getting bigger and stronger. I love competing now and it is weird, because I was never competitive as a younger child. Now I love trying to be the best, and putting forth 100% effort. I hope to become very big in natural bodybuilding and do it for the rest of my life.
WP: What percent of body fat did you begin with?
BF: I started at 16% body fat.
WP: What percent of body fat do you have at the present?
BF: I am currently at 7% body fat.
WP: How many pounds of muscle did you gain?
BF: I have put on over 15 pounds of muscle since I have started.
WP: Did you decide to go with a Personal Trainer, self-knowledge, or a gym?
BF: I chose to do self-knowledge and plenty of research since day one. I started off strong myself and just kept reading and following as I learned what was working for my physique. I believe hiring a trainer is very helpful in becoming more knowledgeable and I have used Layne Norton during a competition prepping, and it was worth every penny.
WP: Did you have a support group helping you or did you do this alone?
BF: My family and girlfriend are a very big support in what I do. My parents support me 100% because I am not out doing drugs like many other people in our area are following along with. Many parents do not understand about how bodybuilders need to eat and why so frequently, and my parents were the same. After seeing my progress since I have started, they became more supportive than anything I have ever done. My girlfriend helps me in posing practice, training, and even dieting with cooking food at times.
WP: What made you decide you were ready to transform?
BF: I spent my entire childhood and most teen years overweight, feeling very bad about my physical appearance, and dealing with low self-esteem issues.
WP: (Click picture to left) What was the biggest challenge you faced while going through your transformation?
BF: My biggest challenge is when friends and family want to go eat pizza during my competition prepping and I cannot have any because my diets are so strict. The low energy effects after a long day and just wanting to rest at times can make a person become very irritating, but one thing you need to realize is, it’s the individuals’ choice so stay focused and strong in the best way possible.
WP: Did you take any type of supplements during this time? If so, which ones did you take?
BF: I am not a very big fan of supplements. I feel if you’re on a healthy diet, training, and every other aspect are pretty near solid, then they can help “supplement” your already-perfect setup. I did take some vitamins like B12, fish oil, Dialene 4 fat burner, and some Creatine Monohydrate from GNC.
WP: What program did you follow and explain how it worked for you.
BF: I used Max-Ot training style. The training is based on slow negative repetitions in the 4-6 repetition range. It has helped me build thick muscle in a shorter period of time than with any other program I have used. I enjoy many other routines, but I love going near or to failure on all working sets and high intensity low volume workouts.
WP: What type of physique did you have to begin with?
BF: I started off chubby but, lost all kinds of weight by turning to an ED, which is known as anorexia. I quickly changed this lifestyle and had to build my muscle back. You can see in the pictures on how much muscle mass I had lost.
WP: How does your life compare now to before your transformation?
BF: I get many compliments and people ask for advice all of the time. I am more confident than ever to take my shirt off at the beach and that was something I never would do before, because I had no self-confidence at all.
WP: What type of effects has your transformation caused?
BF: Many girls have started noticing me. I can remember when I was younger, all of my friends getting girlfriends, and I wished I could do. I get a lot of respect from fellow gym goers, wherever I may visit on vacation, because I inspire people just starting out. That is because I can relate to them very much.
WP: Do you believe that people can ‘spot reduce’? Please explain your answer.
BF:(Click picture to left) I do not believe in spot reducing. Many people have the problem with abdominals because all commercials say they can get a six-pack within 4-6 weeks using the product being advertised. Yea, honestly, you can get a six-pack but it will not be revealed, because spot reducing is not possible. It’s all about lowering body fat enough to see the muscle you have built easier. Defining the muscle can make it appear easy as body fat lowers, but as far as spot reducing, naturally; it’s not very possible.
WP: Did it ever come a time that you came to a ‘stand still’ in your progress?
BF: I have had many stalls in progress but I have always known they would come. I can now realize it slowly coming during my routine. I have ways of changing around my routine so that I slowly start going back up in progress, yet again.
WP: What did you do differently to overcome the ‘stand still’?
BF: I followed through with a de-loading process where I commonly lower the weight by 40-50 pounds from average working weight and follow through with that moving back up 10-20 pounds each week. Typically, this helps let the muscle recover from the heavy lifting without taking the time off or losing any muscle from taking time off.
WP: How long did it take for your complete transformation?
BF: I have been changing, overall, since I was 17 years old. I’m now 21.
WP: Can you give me an example of your current workout?
BF: I work out typically in the evening now because of my work schedule. I follow a 4-6 rep range; 1 rep shy of failure on all sets, except for warm-ups. I work no more than two body parts in a single day so that I can focus hard on that particular group. I do a total of nine working sets for all body parts, but my intensity is very high throughout the entire workout.
WP: How does your diet compare now to before?
BF: My diet is very strict but I enjoy some finer things such as baked chips and French toast, to name a few. I still eat around 5-7 meals a day according how many meals I want to space out in my day.
WP: Can you break down your daily diet into a sample diet for us?
BF: Breakfast-4 egg whites, 2 WW French toasts (2 whole eggs) and sugar free syrup.
Meal 2: Turkey deli sand which on WW bread, and 2 servings baked potato chips.
Meal 3: 5.5 Oz chicken breast, 94g brown rice.
Meal 4: Whey protein shake, banana blended with ice, servings baked chips, one-tablespoon apple butter.
Meal 5: 6 oz. chicken bread on WW tortilla, 1 serving oatmeal with fried banana.
WP: What have you accomplished since your transformation?
BF: I have accomplished 2 - 1st place states, one national, one world championship power lifting meets, 4th place in the open class of my bodybuilding show, and the building of a physique I have always dreamed of.
WP: What would you like to say to motivate others to transform their lives?
BF: Stay focused and don’t let it control your life. Find ways to make it enjoyable on your free time. If you wish to compete, then 100% dedication is needed, and plenty of patience. You’re born skinny and weak, you die skinny and weak, but what you do in between is up to you.
WP: Do you also model? If so, tell me about it.
BF: Yes, I currently model. I have been looking for jobs for magazine articles within the bodybuilding and fitness community. I am relatively new at it and hope to pursue it more in the near future.
WP: Who have you worked with?
BF: I’ve modeled mostly for small businesses from the area.
WP: What are you goals?
BF: My goals are to definitely show the world things are achievable without the use of drugs and it takes more than just drugs, but more hard work; no matter what path you take. There is no easy way out of things. I would like to show my physique off in magazine ads in various photo shoots.
WP: How does your training differ when you are modeling and when you are not?
BF: It does not differ much at all. I believe if it is not broke, don’t try and fix it.
WP: What future projects do you have planned?
BF: I actually have plans with a photographer working with you guys, World Physique, to do a photo shoot during the summer of 2009, to possibly appear in World Physique magazine.
WP: Do you also compete now? If so, what titles have you won. What competitions have you entered and what place did you take?
BF: I compete more in bodybuilding now and I have placed 4th at my first show. I competed in the Mr. West Virginia NABBA Bodybuilding Show in April 2008. I enjoyed it very much and knew it was my calling as soon as I stepped on stage. I fell in love from that point on.
WP: How does your routine and life changes when you go from pre-contest to off-season?
BF: I can go out to eat with family without counting my macronutrients so strictly. My training is not very different during the two because I believe what can work one way, can possibly work the other. I may up the volume of my routine, slightly, if I feel I need to spend more time in the gym and to burn a few extra calories.
WP: What do you like and dislike about competing?
BF: I do not enjoy the politics of competing. I love it so much, I overlook it every time. I love that it’s something not very many will do, because that makes me a unique person in most places. I love showing what I have worked hard for and trying to make the show as exciting as possible with my posing; which many competitors do not focus on enough.
WP: What would you change about the judges in the competitions?
BF: I think it is silly to have so many judges and to have the two highest scores dropped for no reason. I believe the best competitor should win by the overall score. I am sure this process has messed up many people placing from 1st to 2nd.
WP: What Federation do you compete in?
BF: I compete in NPC, NGA, USBF, and INBF. Natural Competitions that are drug tested at every show. I enjoy being on a level playing field.
WP: Are you aiming for a pro-card? If so, tell me what you are planning to reach your goal.
BF: Yes, I am competing for a natural pro-card in the NGA and USBF this summer. I believe I have good symmetry and I can bring conditioning with enough hard dieting, but where I am young, my muscle maturity and size isn’t as good as an older athlete.
WP: From your past contests, what have you learned you need to correct or work on for the physique you are aiming for?
BF: I believe I need to work on overall size of my muscles, thickness in my legs, and width in my upper body.
WP: What are your strengths and weaknesses in your physique? How are you attempting to correct them?
BF: I have noticed my insertions points in my triceps are not very long so, it makes the muscle appear smaller than average and not as strong as other body parts. I work on them as much as possible so I can achieve more thickness overall. My strength is my glute and back muscles. I was blessed with good calves and a peak in my biceps. I have a pleasing physique and was very blessed to say this; as many do not come out with a great look.
WP: What problems have you had as far as staying motivated and disciplined to stick with your workouts?
BF: I have never had motivation problems. I love every second of everything I do; even dieting for a show.
WP: What problems did you have to overcome in order to stay on track with your fitness program?
BF: Finding time in a busy schedule at first but now, I have no problem.
WP: What keeps fitness interesting to you?
BF: Progressions, competitiveness, and being the best I can be.
WP: Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. It’s just between us, no one else will know. Ha-ha.
BF: Ha-ha, I trust you. I really don’t have many secrets but I am fascinated by the human body. I enjoy watching bodybuilding competitions, even though most males find them “strange.” I am fascinated at some of the places striations and vascularity can be present.
WP: How have you, mentally and physically, changed over the years?
BF: I believe I am the same good person I have always been, but my dedication has grown outrageously overtime. Physically, I am in the best shape ever at this point and I only plan to overcome it within time.
WP: Any shout outs?
BF: I love my girlfriend, Lyndsey Bateman, very much. She has been with me through it all; even during my grouchy moments during contest prepping. She trains with me 24/7 and even shaves me for my competitions. Ha-ha. Without her, I do not know what I would do.
I would also like to shout out to family; especially my parents, Tim and Drema Franklin, for helping through everything and supporting me when nobody else would at all. They trust in me to do great things, no matter what I do. I do not want to let them down. I am big family person and I just wanted to say, “I love all of you.” In addition, a shout out goes to my online supporters, who follow my workout journals. Also, a shout out goes to my current contest prep trainer, Layne Norton, for everything and for showing me that dieting doesn’t have to kill your social skills and even, strength in the gym. I would also like to give a big thanks for World Physique Magazine for choosing me to win this competition and letting some people see that changes can come when you put forth a little effort.
WP: Who had the most impact on you in your life thus far?
BF: I had many friends and family who affected my life greatly over the years without knowing it, until recently. My late cousin, Henry, always affected me to not let people put me down, and be confident. He was always strong and would lift weights with me when we were younger. I miss him very much. I am glad to have had him in my life for what short time I was able to. I have had friends pass who have affected me. They were very genetically gifted and I would like to thank them for always inspiring me in ways they will never know they have.
WP: What were you like in high school?
BF: I was more outgoing after my physique changed and I started focusing on my looks. I was outgoing towards the end. I was always a good person and treated everybody the same.
WP: Please describe a typical day for you. What is your daily routine like?
BF: I wake up at 5 am, drink a branch chain amino acid shake, sleep, wake up at seven for work or classes at college, make meals for the day, and go to my destination. I, then, follow my workout for that day in the evening around 3 or 5. I, then, come home to eat and hang out with my girlfriend for the rest of the day. Weekends, we go to movies or travel out of town to watch various events, or travel to different places.
WP: If I were to open your fridge and kitchen cabinets, what would I find in them?
BF: You would find eggs, apple butter, baked chips, lean meals, bread, milk, fruit juices, fruit bars, fruit, frozen pizzas, frozen French fries, kool aid packets, pasta, rice, and sweet potatoes.
WP: If I were to walk into your house and have a look around, what type of fitness equipment would I find?
BF: Upstairs, I have a small setup for holiday gym closings. You would find a bench press, ab lounge, elliptical, dumbbells, barbells with 300+ weight, and ankle weights.
WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
BF: Outside of fitness, I enjoy traveling, drawing, video and picture editing, spending time with family and loved ones, training people, and watching movies; because I am a big movie fanatic.
WP: Where are you going from here? What are your future goals for your career, this industry, and your physique?
BF: I plan to keep moving forward with small goals for progression. I want to turn into a natural pro and compete in pro shows and model. I would like to bring a great physique no matter how I do it, and keep it pleasing over time, so modeling can be part of my career. I want to stay injury free so that I can at least compete for a very long time, even if I do not go anywhere with it.
WP: How do you make time for yourself? How do you relax and hide from the stress of the world?
BF: My girlfriend and I are very laid back so, we relax pretty much everyday. My stress is released during my workouts and helps me 100%.
WP: Here is the place you can throw a plug in on anyone, any company, or say anything. Who do you want to plug?
BF: I want to mention that Layne Norton is very good trainer. If you want to learn a lot and come in very good shape, then hiring him is a great thing.
I would like to World Physique for choosing me, and believing what I have is special. I hope to appear more in the magazine and many more magazines in the future.
WP: Do you also train people?
BF: Yes, I do consultations for diets, training online, and in-person training.
WP: How do you feel you have improved you and your life?
BF: Well, it was the right choice on everything I have decided and I do not regret anything I have done to get where I am at now.
WP: The interview is coming to a close now. Is there anything that you would like to add prior the end of the interview?
BF: Everybody, enjoy what you are doing because, that is the true secret with a little science behind it. Enjoy what you are doing and do not let it control you. Unless you’re going to try for a professional career, then a great beach body is possible within a short time. Be strict on form, because injury is very easy. And never think it will not happen to you.
WP: We can't wait to see you in the hard copy magazine! We are delighted to have you featured as our ‘Transformation of the Month’. Thank you for taking the time out to hold this interview with us. We wish you the best of luck in the future.
