We are here with recent Class Winner
Erik Marra! Congrats on a great showing! What made you decide to compete in the Men’s Physique Division?
I did my bodybuilding competition in 2004. I decided to do that knowing I would be switching careers from digital animation to the medical field. After my one and only BB’ing show, I loved it. One drawback was that my body will take the “massive” weight gain it needed to contend as a bodybuilder. When I heard MPD was starting up in 2011, I felt it was a blessing. An actual competition built for my physique. I love to train and live the life of a fitness role model. It didn’t occur to me once I got on to the journey asn an MP Competitor, that I’d be making influential impact on people and through social networking.
Can you tell us a little about the Competition you just competed in?
After the Jun 19th show in San Diego. I decided to finally take the offer my friend offered to me help me with. He wanted me to put on more size and we actually accomplished that goal. I gained 20lbs in about 6-8 weeks! Stricted high carbed meal plan! When my mentor told me to prep up for TOC, which was in 6 weeks at the time, I felt I wasn’t ready but I trusted him. He also competed in TOC, but in LHW. I originally wanted to do the Oct 22 or even Sacramento in Nov 5th. I guess, trusting my mentor was good. I took home 2 trophies! The Show great! Hung out with fellow MP guys, met new ones, and Class B was very tough. Full of rock, hard, shredded and chiseled guys!
How did you feel after pre-judging?
Extremely amped! When Tamer called me up first in the 1st callouts for 35+, I was just ecstatic! Then in Class B, out of 15-20 guys, I was called 3rd in the first callout, which was far more of an amazing feeling! That was what mattered to me! Top 5 to qualify for Nat!
How did you feel about the final results of the show?
Very pleased! I went from the previous 2 MP shows that I didn’t do well in. Discouraged about coming back to do the night show but this time, Placing 1st in 35+ and 3rd in Class B, I definitely wanted to come back at night! Anxious to get the trophies! I achieved an expectation far beyond what I imagined.
What are your thoughts on the Men's Physique Division and what it may be able to do for your career?
I call it a blessing! An actual competition built for the mainstream look, and for the public to erase the stereotyping of bodybuilding. We are still considered bodybuilders because we are technically building our bodies to a physique standard. I want this division to be on top, the very top where the next generation would consider our look to be the standard of what we should look like if we work out naturally. I also want people to understand that we can look like the fitness models in the magazine and our bodies can achieve that look year round. I want to be a fitness role model, especially for my ethnic background, I am considered the first Indonesian NPC Men’s Physique Competitor. I want to represent Indonesia!
Age:
35+
Hometown:
Rosemead aka The ‘Mead
Current city:
Anaheim, Ca
Years training:
over 10 yrs.
Education:
AA – Animation Graphics
AS – Respiratory Care
Occupation:
Respiratory Therapist at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Specialist in the Neonatal and Pediatric ICU’s.
Favorite type of training:
Light weight, focus on the actually muscle I am targeting.
Favorite body part to train:
Quads
Favorite exercise:
Leg Extensions
Rep range:
First rep, feel the quad, hold the rep at the peak of ROM. Feel the quad as the muscle fibers start to ripple down the quads. Go slow, focus on the quad’s muscle fiber, then rep ‘em until you see more fibers running down the quads. I don’t count, just rep ‘em ‘til failure.
Number of sets:
3 to 4, depends on if I am doing in between sets, usually lunges.
Typical workout duration:
1 to 1.5 hours. I have been doing light weights and more concentration on the muscle I work on. A different version of HIIT method. It has been effective. It’s a work out principle I got from my mentor. Work out smart, not heavy!
Training split:
Day 1 – Chest
Day 2 – Back
Day 3 – Delts
Day 4 – Arms
Day 5 – Legs
Day 6 – off
I have been doing abs and calves after each workout. I have seen great results on my calves. I use light weights on the leg press machine and just rep ‘em and squeeze the calves until I can’t do anymore. In between the calves burning, I stop, reverse the motion and work on the Tibia muscle, and go back to reppin’ out the calves.
Typical daily eating plan:
Meal 1 – Egg whites (equals 40g), 1-2 slices of Ezekiel Whole-wheat with Almond butter
Meal 2 – 8oz Grass fed ground beef, 1 cup of white rice, sriracha sauce
Meal 3 & 4 – same as 2 but switch with grilled chicken and I use Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper
Meal 5 – Same protein intakes as 3 & 4, but cut down on carbs to ½ cup
Meal 6 – Dymatize Casein Protein Shake, with 1 tbs Almond Butter
Usually snack on almonds all day.. small portions.
Favorite supplement:
Gaspari – SuperPump Max Sour Apple and Size On Pre-Contest
Dymatize Casein and Elite XT
Bpi – RX6 or RoxyLean ECA for thermos
What peaked your interest in training?
I was always scrawny growing up. Playing basketball year round as a kid took a toll as I grew up. I graduated high school at 118 lbs. 6 months later, I got shot with a .38 caliber thru my rib cage. Bullet was the perfect size in diameter, it went right thru and didn’t puncture any major organs. I spent 3 weeks at the USC Medical Hospital and came out weighing 110 lbs. I was tired of being picked on, hence God gave me a second chance in life, I must have a purpose! My body is precious and I must take care of it!
Who influences/influenced your training?
The fitness couples and fitness couples who have a family! If they can pull off competitions with full time work, kids, and obligations then I tip my hat to them. I have no excuses!
Sports:
Basketball (NBA and NCAA)
Snowboarding – 15 year veteran
Special interests:
Digital Special Efx Artist – Compositing, Movie Editing, Photoshop Specialist.
Figure Drawing – you should check out my sketches!!
Computer Networking and troubleshooting… hacking!
Physique, fitness, bodybuilding competition history:
2004 Tournament of Champions Bodybuilding
Men: MDW 7th
Men: Novice MDW 11th
2011 Orange County Classic Men’s Physique
35+ (8th)
Class B – 7th
2011 Southern California Men’s Physique
35+ (6th)
Class B – 10th
2011 Tournament of Champions Men’s Physique
35+ (1st)
Class B – 3rd
Awards and/or accomplishments:
Freshman & JV (as a sophomore) MVP – basketball
First time I’ve gotten 2 trophies in one MP competition.
Next planned competition:
Nationals, this year or next!
What keeps you on track towards reaching your goals?
The influence I make via in person and social network. Knowing I can motivate and inspire people from locally to across the globe. Most importantly, I love my life!
Interesting fact or something you would like our readers to know about you:
I’m a computer and comic superhero geek =)
Website and facebook:
Facebook.com/airrik
Contact you would like published:
[email protected]
949-698-3944
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