Meet IFBB MP Pro Angel Cordero

Details

Published on Monday, 09 January 2012 02:23

Written by Ian Lauer CSCS

 

 

We are here with IFBB MP Pro Angel Cordero. Congrats on earning your pro card in the first year of MP!  What made you decide to compete in the Men’s Physique Division?
I competed in my first BB show in 2009 and got smoked by good friend and now IFBB Pro Seth Feroce who won the overall. Seeing the package I needed to bring, I then decided to take time off to grow. I was going through the grind trying to bulk up like a lot of fellow competitors and got up to about 215 lbs. I ended up getting into a car accident and catching pneumonia within a 3 month span and lost almost all my gains. As I was rehabbing from my accident and getting over being sick I found out they were coming out with the new division and talked to a good friend of mine National competitor Brian Hoydic about prepping me for my first show. The rest is history.

Can you tell us a little about the Competition where you earned your card?
I competed at North American’s in Cleveland Ohio, which is my home town. It was such an amazing experience having my family and friends there to support me. It’s crazy because about a week prior to the show they decided they were giving out 6 pro cards. Good thing they did! It was going to be my last show of the year regardless of how I placed. My mind, body, and soul were drained from all the stress of juggling being a father, working, and dieting for my shows. Good thing I decided to give it one more shot. I mean who doesn’t want to earn their pro card in their hometown?!

How did you feel after pre-judging?
After prejudging I had dinner with my fiancé and we talked about how it went. We were both really excited but there was a possibility I could’ve possibly taken 3rd place. I knew top 2 took home pro cards and top 3 were between Bobby, Mark, and me. I had my fingers crossed!  I’m the type of person that doesn’t get excited until everything is all said and done because my life experiences have taught me if something seems to be too good to be true it usually is. Thankfully in this case my hard work came to fruition!!

How did you feel about the final results of the show?
It was a euphoric feeling to earn my pro card in my hometown! Although I didn’t place first, I’ve done what a lot of people have been shooting for their whole lives in bodybuilding and all year in the new MP division.  It was a little bittersweet because I’m very competitive by nature and I sort of have a bad taste in my mouth about my performance and placing 2nd. Needless to say I am going to come out with a vengeance & something to prove for myself, not everyone else this first year as IFBB Pro! I love the camaraderie the division brings but in the end it’s still a competition.

What are your thoughts on the Men's Physique Division and what it may be able to do for your career?
The MP division is going to be great for my career in a sense that it will give me more exposure to do the things I’ve always wanted to. I am working on a clothing line, modeling portfolio, and doing what I do best which is train people and get results. The exposure has already gotten me some new clients and helps validate the skills and knowledge I have in the fitness industry. I’m still in a smaller market right now in Cleveland but who knows what the future holds.

Age:
28

Hometown:
Cleveland, Ohio

Current city:
Avon, Ohio

Years training:
I have been training hard for at least ten years. My father who played the biggest role in my fitness life and where I am today had me in the gym when I was about 7 years old. It’s funny to think back because I was just playing around then. Now I can reflect and see that by him doing that; it made me not only comfortable in the gym, but helped me develop in the gym at a rapid pace.

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Sport Science
Business Administration Minor

Occupation:
Regional Training Director at Anytime Fitness

Favorite type of training:
I love super sets and drop sets.

Favorite body part to train:
Chest and Arms

Favorite exercise:
Incline Chest Press

Rep range:
Off season 8-12
Contest prep 12-25

Number of sets:
I will typically hammer out 15 sets per muscle group

Typical workout duration:
I shoot to have my workouts done in about 45 minutes. Anything more than that then I know I’m clownin’ around too much.

Training split:
This always varies but this is my usual split.
Off season: Mon/Chest,
 Tues/Back,
 Wed/Legs,
 Thurs/ Shoulders,
 Friday/Arms

Contest Prep: Mon; Chest, Tri, Abs
            Tues; Back, Bi, Calves
            Wed; Cardio & Abs
            Thurs; Legs & Calves
            Fri; Shoulders & Abs
            Sat; Cardio, Calves, Abs

Typical daily eating plan:
This is always fluctuating in the offseason, but I shoot for about 2 whole eggs, 4 egg whites, with toast in the morning, the rest of the day I eat whatever my taste buds want. Towards the evening I cut out my carbs and stick with protein and vegetables. My problem is I clean up whatever my kids don’t eat. They call me the garbage disposal. Lol
Contest Prep: I start my diet about 16 weeks out and alter it every two weeks based on how I look. I keep my calories fairly moderate and restrict little by little every two weeks. That’s all I got, I can’t give away all my secrets!!

Favorite supplement:
I am a big fan of Evogen for pre workout and Cell KEM for post. If I need a little added energy I will take some Neurocore about 45 minutes prior to my lift then drink my Evogen during. I will also throw in some Roxylean first thing in the morning right before my a.m. cardio during contest prep.

What peaked your interest in training?
I was always active growing up and had a smaller frame. Once I hit high school I realized a needed to get bigger. I played football for a couple years which forced me to lift heavy and work on growing. I also played and excelled in basketball which kept me active and training. Being in sports and having my dad being an experienced lifter helped me tremendously. Once I hit college it was a different ball game. That was when I took training and dieting more serious and to a whole new level.   

Who influences/influenced your training?
My dad played the biggest role in training and developing my body. He was an amateur bodybuilder in the early 50’s. It’s crazy when I see pictures of him from back then and how bodybuilding was to where it is today. He guided me as a youth in the weight room and it stuck! I took it from there and have been at it ever since. I also met Jerry Beck who’s big in the fitness industry a while back and he had asked if I competed. I said, “Nah I just lift to look good, get big, and feel good.” He planted that seed of competing and I took it and ran with it. A couple years later I tried my first show.

Sports:
Football, Basketball, and Boxing. I’m pretty athletic so I’ll try any sport.

Special interests:
I am a sports fanatic. I am a huge gamer but my kids kind of took that over so now all I play is Lego video games. I’m into the UFC, and was really into Lost, Dexter, and Hoarders. Now I unfortunately get caught up in Jersey Shore… I know what you’re thinking, but it’s like a train wreck, you have to watch it!!

Physique, fitness, bodybuilding competition history:
2009 NPC Pittsburgh
2011 Natural Northern Ohio
2011 NPC Michigan
2011 Junior Nationals
2011 North Americans

Awards and/or accomplishments:
Took 3rd at the Michigan show, and 2nd at North Americans where I earned my Pro Card.

Next planned competition:
My next show is looking to be the Europa in Orlando.

What keeps you on track towards reaching your goals?
I have an inner drive to succeed at anything I do and that has led me to where I am today. I also know that there is always someone out there training harder and working harder than me. I use that to fuel my drive. I am lucky enough to have my beautiful fiancé to keep me on track. She is the love of my life, best friend, cheerleader, coach, and drill instructor all in one!

Interesting fact or something you would like our readers to know about you:
I am a huge Lego connoisseur!! I put them together with my kids and fiancé.  I was also on a kick of trying to collect G.I. Joe’s, which failed miserably once the movie came out because they remade all the figures!!!  I also take combat classes a couple times a week to keep my boxing skills and jujitsu skills up to par.

Website and facebook:
I’m working on the website as we speak!! You can hit me up on Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Ifbb-Pro-Angel-Cordero/12321692
My athlete page: www.facebook.com/pages/IFBB...Angel-Cordero/284159904933407
Twitter: @Angel_Cordero24