Two-time British Champion James Hollingshead Talks Goals for 2015!
Tell us 
about how you first became interested in bodybuilding?
Bodybuilding was never something I thought about… well, not the competition side of things at least. Don't get me wrong I wanted to obtain the best body but my inspiration was drawn from a cartoon rather than reality. You may have heard of Dragon Ball Z. If not, well, you better had check that out! When you watch an episode of this, you won't even need to ask why it inspired me.
How long have you been training and what titles have you achieved/shows won?
I've been competing since 2008, so competitive training six years, though I dabbled with weights from the age of 15.
Shows won:
2009 UKBFF Leamington Spa Jr's
2009 UKBFF British Finals Jr's
2010 Strongman North Southern Qualifier Novice
2012 UKBFF London and South east Jr's
2014 UKBFF British finals Super Heavyweights
Bodybuilding can be a very selfish sport especially when it comes to prepping for competition; how do you balance life and bodybuilding, work and family? Were there times of struggle to balance things? How have you managed to get through that?
I've learnt a lot. Made a lot of mistakes, be a lie to say it's an easy path for anyone around you. You have a larger impact on them, as you know. It's taken me until recently to manage things properly and even now there is still much room for improvement. It's difficult, when you're driven you feel it's 100% or nothing and sometimes this means other people, opportunities and leisure takes a back seat. What I would say is you don't have to be 100% all the time and you certainly should give and little to those who support you… including your time and your love. I manage because I have to. If I don't someone else will. You can only do your best… prep your meals, prep your supps, organize your days with a large notepad!
With your titles now being two-time British champion and recently winning the super heavyweight class what have you done differently in terms of dealing with stress and commitments? Did you decide to drastically change things in order to become more simple and basic during this prep?
I always get told I'm like a shadow. I tend to go into hiding… though it's more I choose when the best times are to train and not be distracted by questions and general chit chat. So people are like ‘where have you been hiding?’ It's not that I've been hiding; I've been selective in my choices… always putting the contest at the height of importance in my books. This year I invested in a coach. I pretty much do all my own prep but I felt to be better it was time to spend a little and gain a little. I worked with Nathan Harman for the majority of the period I was in diet mode. Next time we have a whole off season! This really took some of the load from upon my shoulders. 100% best decision.
Now looking at your physique this year there were some very significant changes to your physique. Can you give us some insight into the strategy heading into the show? I heard previous year, 2013, the moment you stepped off that stage it was full year prep for this year's British?
I just spent the entire year with the goal in mind of winning… first and foremost. This was enough to keep my fire burning brightly. It dwindled at times but the belief was there and that was all I needed. I knew the judges like my physique from previous showings. I also knew what they felt needed to improve having asked them previously. So I went away and attacked my previous self head-on. Safe to say it worked. Intensity and focus were now my best friends.
One of the most impressive aspects of you as a bodybuilder is that you are only 25 years of age! You’ve won two British titles and a Strongman competition! That's impressive, number 1, second impressive note is for a superheavy you weighed in at a shredded 231 lbs. with beautiful symmetry, detailed lines, and aesthetic proportions. I would even say bringing in a classic style into a superheavy genre of the sport.
What's your g
oal for 2015 in terms of where you want to take your physique to next?
Thank you for the kind words. I've always said if I can't do poses kneeling down it ain't bodybuilding. Look back and remember the times where every man had finesse and suppleness. That, to me, is bodybuilding. Obviously mix that up with seriously good condition and proper proportions; you got yourself a lethal cocktail. 2015 will be about continuing to mature and putting the right weight in the RIGHT places… slowly but surely. Whether it's two pounds or ten pounds, we will see.
With the beautiful lines and symmetry you have in the current era of bodybuilding size does overrule a lot in the competitor line up. It's difficult to not play chasing the scales game and aiming for supersize me. How do you propose to improve and still keeping those detailed lines?
Bottom line is I won't try to grow too fast. That is where so many go wrong. I was pretty small in my last line-up, but it was all muscle and that's all that matters… displaying properly conditioned, hard-earned muscle.
Now that you are generating momentum for yourself, what's next for James Hollingshead?
I'm going to have to talk with Nathan, but the bottom line is this: When I next step on stage it's for the pro card and nothing less.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Many, many people along the way have made me who I am today… both positive people and negative. I thank you all.
Main shouts go to Rebecca Andrews. She's been with me the entire prep and capturing all the highs and lows… also one of my best friends to come out of being a bodybuilder.
Mnx Sportswear for keeping me looking reasonably tidy while training! Thanks guys.
All the Pink’s Gym Massive, Doug and the Sydnem Metroflex Gym crew!
Last but not least family… from my mother to my cousin. It was a hard year for my family due to a sudden loss but they still put me in their thoughts. You can't buy that.
If someone would like to reach you for sponsorships or guest posing opportunities, what's the best way for them to reach you?
Feel free to shout me on the following social networking apps.
Instagram Hollingshead89
Twitter J_dawgMrB
Facebook James Graham Hollingshead
I also have an athlete page under the same name.
Email [email protected]
Like to say thanks for the opportunity and that I hope to be able to speak with you all again soon.
As always peace and love, James Hollingshead
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