| The 2009 INBA Natural Universe was extremely | | | | unilateral isolation, high rep super-sets, static |
| rewarding as I had a pretty big personal setback in | | | | contractions and pre-exhaustion. |
| terms of getting my final prep for the Olympia right | | | | The following week I train at a power lifters club, |
| which was one month prior. In spite of this I | | | | focusing on the big three lifts with reps in the 1-5 range |
| re-evaluated my diet/training and made the | | | | and employing accessory exercises like box squats, |
| commitment to go there, not necessarily to win, but to | | | | close grip block presses and rack pulls. This training is |
| be satisfied I had gotten on stage in the best shape | | | | targeted towards my power lifting and overall strength |
| possible. It goes to show that if you continue to persist | | | | goals. |
| eventually you succeed. | | | | I also use water running, inversion and massage for |
| I became a vegetarian in my teens after researching | | | | recovery. Doing this gives my mind and body a variety |
| the facts about what was sitting on my plate, and | | | | of stimulus and for me provides an answer to the |
| didn't like what I found with respect to the process of | | | | debate about the best way to train - which is they all |
| the breeding and killing of animals for food. I believe in | | | | have their place and no one routine is the absolute |
| karma and didn't want to be a part of it. Don't get me | | | | best. Vegetarian Bodybuilding has made me think |
| wrong, throughout history we have had to eat animals | | | | recovery management is something we need to be |
| to survive, but not necessarily thrive. These days | | | | more aware of and I also have the view we get to |
| survival is not an issue and making the choice can | | | | keep what we make for longer! |
| have a positive impact in many areas in one's life. - | | | | In my early days as a vego when I was training in |
| Ethically, economically, environmentally and spiritually. | | | | martial arts full time I discovered it was an advantage |
| I know that bodybuilders are a tough crowd on this | | | | to eat and not feel bloated, and have lots of energy. |
| matter of Vegetarian Bodybuilding and I respect others | | | | Later though when I announced I was going to try |
| opinions and I have never been someone that | | | | vegetarian bodybuilding I was met with a pretty |
| chastises meat eaters, but for me it's a personal | | | | skeptical audience. Not deterred, I learnt how to eat |
| decision. | | | | effectively to reach my goals. That was 20kgs/44lb |
| At present I train one week in a commercial gym using | | | | ago, and most of my friends respect that I have stuck |
| the latest Hammer Strength equipment, doing large | | | | to my values and overcome a pretty big |
| compound movements and using techniques such as | | | | misconception - you need to eat meat to gain muscle. |