The world of bodybuilding is changing. We are living in a moment in time that could simply be described as 'a change of the guard.' When I first heard about Zach Merkel it was because of the buzz created by his GoFundMe campaign. I reached out to him a couple times, but he had received so many messages, that mine was buried in the overflow pile. He never even saw my very opinionated video I posted on YouTube about him. But 
then I noticed that Bostin Loyd posted his photo on facebook; I decided to leave a comment. He immediately wrote me back and we started talking.
My video was a bit skeptical; let's face it, I'm a skeptic. It wasn't anything personal. But the more I spoke to Zach and learned about him and his story, I felt like someone had kicked me in the heart. Here's a guy who’ss doing everything, despite not having all the advantages that many of us take for granted. He's committed; he has an indomitable spirit and more heart than a lot of people I've come across. I immediately pulled my video, reached out to Dave Palumbo, and as I write this interview, I'm already trying to figure out how to get Zach ever more press. ZACH MERKEL is precisely the kind of person who should be entrusted with an IFBB Pro Card. I hope you enjoy the interview.
Christian Duque: I'd like to welcome NPC Bodybuilder ZACH MERKEL to RxMuscle.com, Zach please take this opportunity to introduce yourself to the Rx community
Zach Merkel: Thanks Christian, my name is Zachary Robert Merkel. I'm 22 years old, 5'11", 250lbs in the offseason, 235lbs on stage. I live in New Castle, PA and train primarily at a gym called Body Structure Fitness.
Christian Duque: Zach, take us back to when you first got started weight-training. Who or what inspired you to start training, and why did you decide to take the plunge and compete? Also, I'm a firm believer that the NPC is the premier amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States, would you agree? What have your experiences been like with the federation?
Zach Merkel: I credit my passion towards weight training and bodybuilding to the fact that my father, Peter, did some competitive bodybuilding himself in college. I saw a photo of him when he was my age and was beyond impressed. I was and still am so proud to call him my dad. The dedication was evident. I decided to compete in a small show, the Mr. Slippery Rock contest when I was 20 because I knew that the guys I went up against would push me to be the best version of myself possible. I won my first open overall.
As far as the second premise of your question, I do agree. The NPC is a common bond that us amateur bodybuilders can all share and use as a platform to give our best effort at a run for the coveted IFBB prestige. Collegiate nationals is my only true NPC show to date. The first show was however recognized by the NPC and that's how I qualified for the national stage. I had a blast through the whole show process at Collegiates.
Christian Duque: In terms of training, I think most people are going to focus on two factors. For starters, your age. You're very young, but have put on a crazy amount quality size. What's your approach to training? Are you a high intensity guy, high volume lifter, or do you constantly mix it up?
Zach Merkel: All of the above! To be honest, in the off-season, the intensity takes a back seat (within reason). I'm a true gym rat and love spending hours on end in the gym. I aim to move heavier weights and a lot of them for the better part of the year, so yes volume gets pretty ridiculous as well. When it's time to get shredded for a contest, these qualities remain and I crank the intensity.
Christian Duque: Just one look at your IG, I can tell you like to eat!! I've heard of a great many competitors that say between the training and supplements, their appetite go out the window. How important is keeping the calories up in order to keeping your size & strength? What are you go-to protein, carb, & fat sources?
Zach Merkel: I love this question. You have to play the eating game according to your metabolism and mine is on the faster end. Clean, whole food meals are hands down the best means of achieving growth. Too much junk is a no no. I like to eat 5-6 clean meals when gaining size and one "half cheat meal" per day, meaning the protein and complex carbs are still present, just with added faster carbs as well as fats whether it be bread, tortillas, bagels, fruit, etc and oils, red meats, dressings, and sauces. Staple protein sources are chicken, egg whites, fish, and steak. For carbs, white rice, yams, and oats. For fats, whole eggs, avocados, and almonds. No surprises here!
Christian Duque: In terms of competition, talk to us about how your prep differs from your off-season. Is it like night & day in terms of diet & training, or does everything stay pretty much consistent. What's the mindset to training when the calories just aren't there?
Zach Merkel: Prep is not all that different from the offseason. I simply pull the cheat meals and replace them with high carb/refeed days when necessary, slowly diminish carbs, and crank the cardio and hard posing. The training mindset remains. You have to dig deep, and I mean deep to push heavy weight to retain the muscle mass while leaning out. Development never gets a break either. The offseason is no excuse to skimp on reps or variety.
Christian Duque: Talk to us about national level competitions to date. What's it like doing a show at that level? Also, you're currently under two weeks out from the 2015 NPC North American Championships. What have you done to prepare for this contest? Anything different?
Zach Merkel: National level shows are the real deal and need to be treated as such. Collegiate Nationals (the show I did last year) has seen some great, young bodybuilders. Recent names that come to mind are Dominick Cardone and Cody Montgomery (who I took a close 2nd place to last year in heavies). The basic formula for my North American prep has not changed. What has is the attention to detail with everything I do, including but not limited to training, workout priority/approach, diet, supplementation, water, sodium, etc. Not a single corner was cut for this prep.
Christian Duque: Talk to us about your financial situation. I ask this because recently you made headlines on various message boards, websites, and even videos for launching a GoFundMe page to help with your contest fees. From what I understand, you were called a douche by IFBB Pro Evan Centopani. Talk to us about your journey, what shitheads have told you, and how committed you are to making your dreams a reality.
Zach Merkel: I had a suspicion this question was coming. I took the past year off school to pursue this show. This resulted in student loans flooding in. I have two very supportive parents aiding me, but their financial status is far from comfortable. At the end of the day, I live for this and sometimes feel that bodybuilding is all I have when all else fails. People have given me crap for asking for help, claiming that bodybuilding is a mere hobby. Well, for me it is not. I'm gonna pursue it, limited resources or not. I'll find a way to make it work. I'd be stupid to abandon my dream based on the opinions of these "shitheads." I think they fail to realize that one day, some day, I plan on giving back to the bodybuilding community tenfold.
Christian Duque: Let's switch gears to supplements. It seems everyone wants to talk about what a freak (and you definitely are a freak) takes. What are some of your essential go-to natural supplements that you like to incorporate into your program? Are you big into creatine, protein shakes, or amino products?
Zach Merkel: My supplement regiment is nothing fancy. It consists of the well-established supps that have been proven to work. If taken in the right proportions at the right times in conjunction with a precision diet, they are all you need. I'm talking about aminos throughout the day, creatine and an optional stimulant pre workout, a carbohydrate drink while training with plenty of water, and a whey protein isolate post workout. I am technically unsponsored although as a brand ambassador for Biorhythm, I do receive some free products. They have an awesome preworkout and creatine supplement however they do not offer the whey isolate and carb powders that I swear by.
Christian Duque: I'm sure you've thought about this, but if you haven't, tell us, what would it mean to you to win your IFBB Pro card in just a few days? Also, what are some of your long & short-term goals in the fitness industry?
Zach Merkel: An IFBB pro card would mean achieving my first mid to long term goal in this whole bodybuilding pursuit. I consider myself an efficient worker so a couple years for me is indeed long term. But now that we're on the fringe of a potential pro card we can bump it down into the short term category along with progressing my online coaching platform to help others get their bodybuilding journey underway. My biggest long term goal is to be an elite IFBB pro and to start a fitness clothing company.
Christian Duque: As we start to wrap up the interview, please take a moment to let your friends & fans know where they can go to keep up to date with you. Also please talk about your online coaching business and what services you offer. 
Zach Merkel: Ok, my preferred and most frequently updated social media outlet is Instagram. Find my account, Merkdiesel69 on there. You'll get a look into my fitness endeavors, progress, receive helpful tips, and get a taste of my personal life as well. I really suggest you give me a follow.
I offer online coaching for affordable monthly rates. This is active coaching, meaning you'll have my full on attention and receive weekly adjustments to your program based on your check-in progress and feedback. I also offer 1-time fee nutritional/training programs for those who may be strapped for cash and/or those who simply need a solid starting point that they can begin and run with. You can contact me at [email protected], but please, after my contest (September 4th) and serious inquiries only!
Christian Duque: Finally, and most importantly, please take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped you get where you are today. Thanks again for taking the time, Zach!!
Zach Merkel: I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my family first and foremost. Thank you dad (Pete), mom (Melissa), and thank you to my brother and sister (Jake and Grace). Massive thanks to my coach and great friend, Morgan Rice, my various training partners (you know who you are!), and anyone who has helped me, donated to my prep, or simply believed in me along the way. And thank you, Christian. This has been an awesome and thought provoking interview!
