"Never let anything stop you!"
Congrats on a great showing! What made you decide to compete in the Men’s Physique Division?
I used to compete as a bodybuilder and still do sometimes, but I saw myself more in Men’s Physique since I am not so huge compared to bodybuilders these days. And my first coach in the UK told me you will have more chances if you compete in Men’s Physique because I have a better overall look as a fitness model.
Can you tell us a little about the show in which you most recently competed?
I have competed at the NPC Iron Man Naturally Championships during the LA Fit Expo, since I live in LA and this is the second year I’ve done this show. I love everything about it, well organized, and the crowd – it is put together in a very good way. Many people usually come to this show because the expo gets most Mr. Olympia competitors to attend and all the sport supplement companies.
How did you feel after pre-judging?
I felt good I was not in my best condition nor at my peak, because I had the flu and I have been preparing for that show so I did not want to step out but I did it to the challenge myself and stepped on stage and did the usual routine.
How did you feel about the final results of the show?
I am a certified IFBB judge for the other region of the world, yet judges in the US have a different view and they look at the athlete in a different way. Honestly, it’s sometimes difficult to know the exact standards. Here in California, the level of competition is really tough. I personally always look to self-satisfaction and being the best me on stage, that’s definitely if everything went as my plan is set.
What are your thoughts on the Men's Physique Division and what it may be able to do for your career?
Men’s Physique division has grown widely in a very fast way, and it will continue to do so. It is the division where you can have that nice looking body as a model and as a competitor. I think they should make a slight change on it. Example, making the athletes raise their hands up same as the UKBFF did for this division. That will make it more interesting. As a fitness model it can really help me grow and get more exposure.
Age: 29
Hometown: Beirut
Current city: Los Angeles
Years training: 10
Education: Master’s degree in sports
Occupation: Nutritionist , personal trainer, fitness model.
Favorite type of training: The Mike Mentzer way.
Favorite body parts to train: Back and biceps.
Favorite exercise: Pull ups.
Rep range: Until failure.
Number of sets: 3-4
Typical workout duration: 45- 50 minutes.
Training split: back- chest-legs-rest- biceps, triceps- shoulders, traps- rest
Typical daily eating plan: Grilled turkey breast, grilled chicken breast, greens, baked potatoes, salads, and sashimi.
Favorite supplement: Bannout Nutrition’s Replica-191 and Crea-Prime.
What peaked your interest in training? I was a basketball player when I was so young, but I was skinny. Then I wanted to be stronger and to have more muscles so I started weight training.
Who influences/influenced your training?
The golden era bodybuilders – Samir Bannout, Frank Zane, also Dorian Yates.
Sports: Basketball, swimming, soccer, and bodybuilding.
Special interests: Reading nutrition books and articles.
Physique, fitness, bodybuilding competition history:
2010 Mr. Beirut and Lebanon (Bodybuilding)
2012 Muscle and Fitness model search (Mr. Olympia Men’s Physique)
Arnold Classic 16thMen’s Physique
Iron Games NPC 12th
2013 NPC Ironman Naturally Men's Lightweight (3rd)
2014 NPC Ironman Naturally Men's Lightweight (5th)
Awards and/or accomplishments: The first and only Middle Eastern Lebanese Men’s Physique competitor
Next planned competition: 2014 Arnold Classic Men’s Physique
What keeps you on track towards reaching your goals? I write down most of the things I do and eat. I have some good friends who are always there for me and play a big role in my life.
Interesting fact or something you would like our readers to know about you:
Never let anything stop you or be in between you and your goals. Just go ahead and do it even if you fail to get the ultimate goal, but still you got something. I lost all my family when I was young and I was skinny. Most of the people used to look at me in a pity way. Right now my name is written in the IFBB books and my federation as the first Men’s Physique competitor coming from all of that region. When I met Arnold here in Cali he told me never stop and keep going, I faced the same issues as you…
Website and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FitnessResultCoach
Contact information: [email protected]
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