Tyson McCrea (RX): Mike it's a pleasure to interview you for Rx Muscle Australia, we're excited to see you back on stage again soon, when will be your next show?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): Thanks for having me on your website, it's always a pleasure to do interviews for Rx Muscle Australia. My first show for 2013 will be the Arnold Classic, it will be extra special this year being the 25th anniversary and it's a privilege to be invited to attend such a big event.
Tyson McCrea (RX): Which other shows have you planned to do this year?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): Next will be the Aussie show of course, never miss that one, I owe a lot to the IFBB committee of Australia and I do love coming every year, seeing the Aussie fans and family of my wife's that live there in Adelaide. made some good friends there in Melbourne also.
Tyson McCrea (RX): Mike, you announced through facebook you have parted ways with MHP, have you picked up a new sponsor yet or are you still looking?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): I do have a new sponsor, it's only been very recent that I signed with them, so recent that they still haven't announced it officially. I am very happy with this move and it will help me achieve better things in my pro life. (Mike has allowed us announce that his new sponsor is MyoLabs)
Tyson McCrea (RX): We've heard before you drive taxi's for a living in Greece, how does this work in with your bodybuilding lifestyle?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): Well driving the taxi is my first job as it is my income, I make time to train, and my family understands this as it cuts into family time. Even before I had kids I was in the gyms, so they know no different. As for the taxi, I have meals with me, in summer Helen has them all ready before I head off to work. In winter there is no pressure to do 12 hour shifts so I go home to eat. I even manage a swim after work before the gym.
Tyson McCrea (RX): What do you get up to outside of bodybuilding?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): Not much actually, we might go for a coffee or meal with friends. I tend to relax, catch up with family and sleep.
Tyson McCrea (RX): Last year in Australia you went head to head with branch, many believed you were close to branch and some had you beating him, what did you think of the result?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): The result was what I expected, I would of been very surprised if I had of won. I enjoyed it actually, got a chance to show myself next to a big name, never get many chances of going head to head with a top 6 Mr O. I did my thing and let the people decide and I thank them for the support and positive comments.
Tyson McCrea (RX): Are you doing anything new this year with training or nutrition?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): The nutrition part is the same, We changed a bit in the training part, worked on my legs more, I had a back injury this time last year and my legs were left back a touch, but I made up for it this time.
Tyson McCrea (RX): What does your current pre contest diet look like at the moment?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): In a typical day it's fish, sweet potato, chicken fillet, 10 egg whites, just cut out the rice and another serve of eggs a few days ago.
Tyson McCrea (RX): You've now won an IFBB pro show, what goals do you have left in bodybuilding?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): To get higher positions and to improve myself, in my posing, stage presence and not to get overlooked.
Tyson McCrea (RX): How long do you plan to compete in bodybuilding as a professional?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): As long as I can, I feel good, no injuries, as long as I can do what I do to keep this body the way it is, I will keep going, I think I'm just getting started now, still have a few good years left in me lol.
Tyson McCrea (RX): Michael you’re known around the world in bodybuilding for your amazing conditioning, what does your final week look like before a contest? (carb deplete, carb load, how far out do you cut water, etc)
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): I cut almost all carbs, in six meals 4 will be just about 200gms each of sweet potato, 4 of fish, 2 chicken and 2 cucumber. The day before the show I cut the water and start eating 2 days before the show, rice, red meat, potato, lots of good food.
Tyson McCrea (RX): do you do much cardio coming into a show?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): I do about one hour a day, up until 2 days before the show. A lot of pros seem to be fans of long slow cardio (like walking for a long period on an incline treadmill) I do the opposite, speed walk for 20 minutes.
Tyson McCrea (RX): But it's starting to become more popular to do high intensity for a shorter period... what are your thoughts on cardio? What do you prefer?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): The one hour that I do is 20 minutes each on the bike, treadmill and elliptical high speed, so I guess it could be called high intensity, I do it like that so I have time to get everything done in time, otherwise I would be there for hours, lol. Plus it gets my heart rate up and I sweat heaps.
Tyson McCrea (RX): You mentioned you guys just moved house, did this interfere with your contest prep at all?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): Oh yeah! My in laws have given Helen a small house on the beach and we had to leave the house we were renting so it took me one month of working on it from the morning till after dark, Helen bought me meals during the day but sometimes I had to cheat a little bit if I was hungry, but always clean food.
Tyson McCrea (RX): How are you finding the new place?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): We love the new place, have a view of the ocean and turkey, it's quiet here now because it's winter but in summer it's full on packed out with people from all over Europe. But best of all, we love the fact that's it's ours and we are our own bosses in here. It's in town and no more driving all over the place for the kids, they now walk or ride bikes everywhere. It's great and we're very happy.
Tyson McCrea (RX): Mike you are one of the nicest guys I've ever met, the people in Australia love you, is there anything you would like to say to your Australian fans?
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): I love reading their positive remarks, makes me strive to do my best. I want to send them all my love and to keep being the nicest fans out there. Can't wait to see them all again at the Aussie show!
Mike Kefalianos (IFBB Pro): Thanks to Tyson and Rx Muscle!
Tyson McCrea of NDA caught up with Aussie/Greek IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Michael Kefalianos just under a week from the Arnold Classic. Tyson asks Mike about a heap of interesting topics, as we learn a little more about Mike's lifestyle and future plans/goals.
