Competition experience:-
Have competed in approx 40 shows the most i did in one year was 10!.
Highlights-
NABBA Mr Scotland over 40 2012, Scottish Open Classic Overall 2014. IBFA Worlds 3rd over 50 2017, IBFA shows won Cumbria, Newcastle, Yorkshire, independent shows Mr Lancashire over 50 2016/2017.
Competed at NABB A Britain and 3 IBFA Britains.
Favourite shows to compete in Muscle Xcess classic Lochgelly run by my good friend James Salmond and the Yorkshire Classic run by Jason Mathews.
Background-
I have always played competitive sports tennis, squash and golf when i was younger . Then Rugby for 18 years (i was pretty crap but had fun). I got made redundant for the second time when i was 38 and to stop me lying in my bed all morning thought i would join the gym round the corner. The only bodybuilder in the place asked me to train legs one day and after that i was hooked and we trained together for about 2 years. Then I thought as part of a mid life crisis and the fact that i was 40 i would do a show, my first one was 2006.
PT-
I help a few people get ready for a show and this is something that i enjoy and would like to do more of. The gym that i have in Edinburgh, Spartan Gym, is one of the few ‘bodybuilding’ gyms left. So with regard to PT most people are looking for a bodybuilding type experience. We do cater for every type of individual and many of my clients are just looking to get fitter and get in better shape.
I have found that some people have been apprehensive, especially girls, about coming to Spartan Gym as it has the reputation as a ‘bodybuilding gym’ . When they get the courage to come in they soon realise that its a friendly place where everybody gets along and usually you hear comments like i cant believe i didn’t come in before !
Off season i don’t currently use a prep coach but did use Jason Corrick for a couple of years. If i need someone to run an eye over me either on or off season my good friend James Salmond who owns Unique Physique in Leven runs an eye over me.
Off season diet –
Meal 1 – 6 eggs 150g porridge
Meal 2 – 250g chicken 250g rice and veg
Meal 3 – Post workout shake 50g protein 50g carbs
Meal 4 – as meal 2.
Meal 5 – 250g lean mince 250g rice and veg
Meal 6 – 250g lean mince 250g rice and veg
Meal 7 –casein shake and almond butter.
I’m a bit boring with my diet, i do have sauces off season!
Cheat meals on a Saturday night and normally a cheat breakfast as an extra on a Sunday.
Supplements –
My go to supplements are a quality whey protein, glutamine and creatine. I take these along with multi vit,vit c, vit b, vit e, omega 3,6,9, and magnesium. These are just used to supplement my food however the glutamine and creatine help recovery while the vitamins do a variety of things including heart health, blood pressure and blood thinning.
Favourite bodybuilder –
One of my favourite bodybuilders is Dennis Wolf because i think he has done as well as he possibly could with his genetics.
Cardio –
My favourite form of cardio is steady state either outside, on the treadmill or the stepper, i don’t think this needs to vary pre contest. The only difference would be the duration and frequency of the cardio.
Me as a PT.
I think i have a wide variety of knowledge with regard to training and supplementation as i do read a lot of studies etc. The one thing that i believe could make me different to others as i care about all my clients and don’t really see it as a job. Although i do get paid for it that is not my driving force its trying to help people achieve what they want not what i want !