Stephen Frazier is Spreading the Gospel of Fitness
Famed author Sean Patrick once s
aid, “What is generally recognized as great talent is, in almost all cases, the outward manifestation of a dedication to a process.”
At the 2012 USA Championships, Stephen Frazier’s years of dedication to the sport he loves finally manifested itself in the form of an IFBB Pro Card when he won the Superheavyweight Class, and made his dream come true. Recently, Stephen and I had a chance to talk and we discussed how bodybuilding found him, who helped him finally capture his pro card, and what life is like away from the stage. You can read it all here, in this Rx Muscle exclusive interview.
Q.) Before we talk about your transition to life as an IFBB Pro, I'd like to step back and take a look at how you began your journey. Many athletes in the bodybuilding and fitness industry come from athletic backgrounds. Did have an athletic background prior to entering the sport?
A.) Growing up, I played soccer, baseball, football, basketball and ran track. Eventually, I began to put my focus on football and basketball. I really believe these two sports prepared me for my future in bodybuilding and fitness. Beyond the gym and bodybuilding stage, I have also done some TV/film and commercials, including appearing in a NIKE/Dick's Sporting Goods commercial with Steven Jackson with the Atlanta Falcons, and even an episode of "Suburban Secrets" that aired on TruTV.
I'm pretty sure my bodybuilding size helped to land me those roles. Here's a version of the commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHSZUNhAc6M I'm wearing #77 on my jersey in this Nike spot and am the first football player who Steven Jackson faces in the on-screen tackle.
Q.) At what point did you first start to gain an interest in bodybuilding?
A.) In college I was training to start up playing college football after recovering from a shoulder injury. I had picked up a bodybuilding eating program to add to my training to maximize recovery. This was the first time I had planned out and prepared all of my meals and ate every 3 hours each day. The eating program was very basic foods that included eggs, chicken breast, protein powder, oatmeal, bake potato and green vegetables spread over 5 meals which was 3 more meals than I normally ate. Well, within three months my bodyweight shot up 23 lbs.! At that point I would say bodybuilding found me. I was amazed on how nutrition made my body change and how good I felt physically. At this point in my life, for the first time my day-to-day life felt organized and productive. Simply by planning out what I was going to eat each day gave me a new discipline that greatly impacted all aspects of my life from academic to personal.
Q.) What athletes did you look to for inspiration early on?
A.) Of course Arnold, considering he being a tall bodybuilder as well. Also for the way he viewed bodybuilding as a vehicle to go on to do great things. Plus, Arnold always credits his success from the disciplines he learned through bodybuilding. He's a great inspiration way beyond just bodybuilding!
Q.) When did you decide you were ready for the competitive stage? What spurred that decision?
A.) After many people in the bodybuilding industry told me that I would do well and could be a champion one day, I decided at age 21 to compete at my first bodybuilding show.
Q.) You earned you IFBB Pro Card at the 2012 USA Championships but, prior to that, you'd been competing at the National level for a number of years with mixed results. What changed in 2012? What did you do differently to dial in your physique and find the winning formula?
A.) Everything came together perfectly in 2012! After years on the national scene I put together the perfect 
next-level team that knew exactly what was needed for me to further mature, learn, grow, develop and graduate into the pro ranks of the IFBB.
My people at PUMP SportsEnt and I formulated an 8-month plan starting the Monday after the 2011 Nationals. The plan was to effectively get me from 8th Place to 1st Place in 8 months, and that's exactly what happened. Just like their other pro sports/entertainment and pro bodybuilding clients, they were able to represent, manage, advise and also pair me with a coach, mentor, a sports nutritionist, a massage therapist, a chiropractor and other wellness professionals, beyond just the everyday bodybuilding flow.
They have been my people for seven years and have helped me to not only look ahead to a pro career, but to also integrate my training, diet, interactions and goals for everyday living and for every aspect of my life. They also helped to interest and involve my family, friends, military personnel, fans, clients, church, business community, students, other athletes, media, sponsors and supporters in all that I do. Bodybuilding is a sporty health/fitness art form!
Q.) Describe what it was like standing onstage and hearing your name announced as the winner after years of trying to battle your way to the top.
A.) When the legendary Lonnie Teper announced my name as the 1st Place winner in the Super-heavyweight class at the 2012 NPC USA Championships, all I could do was look up and thank the man upstairs for blessing me with that moment. That was one of the most incredible feelings that words cannot even explain. And, at that moment, instantly any previous placings were erased out of my memory by the great victory.
Q.) Away from the stage you're extremely active in your community, and are a strong advocate for a number of causes. Amongst those causes, and one that strikes a personal chord with you, is the issue of educating youth on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Why do you feel so strongly about this? What are some of the things you've done to voice your message?
A.) I believe educating the youth about living a healthy lifestyle is extremely important due to the serious childhood obesity problem in our country. I am always encouraging our youth to be active in sports or even just daily activities such as bike riding, playing with friends outside at the park or in their neighborhood. I also try to set an example by encouraging my own son as well as my nieces and their friends to play outside every day.
Q.) Recently you served as a special guest coach at the first annual NXT-Hoop Academy Basketball and Fitness camp along with former WNBA player, and current NPC Figure competitor Morenike Atunrase, an event that benefitted local children from the Dallas area. Why is it so important to you to do this type of work within the community?
A.) When I was growing up, professional athletes would come and speak to schools and camps that I attended. The other kids and I would be so excited and motivated to do everything we learned from those speakers. Those athletes took time out of their busy schedules, and that meant the world to me. Now that I am in a position to do the same I see this as my duty as a professional to give back.
I'm thankful that my people have connected me with a number of pro athletes, like Morenike Atunrase. She's a great person who's a school teacher, WNBA alum, a Texas A&M student-athlete alum, and a wonderful ambassador for health/fitness. I look forward to the day she adds IFBB Pro to her resume. She and others inspire me to be better and to do more.
Q.) Another one of your many pursuits away from the stage is your dedication to your faith. Recently you were recognized for your work, and you're now set to receive a special World Teacher's Day acknowledgement. Talk about the role that your faith plays in your life.
A.) My faith is my found
ation to my whole life. Yes, I am also a Sunday school teacher. I prayed long ago that when I became a professional in the sport I love so much I would use my gifts and talents to praise his name all around the world. On that special night in Las Vegas when my hand was raised up in victory my prayers were answered, reassuring me that God is in total control. He has a special plan for my life that involves me being an IFBB Pro.
Q.) If someone would like to reach you, or find out more about what you do, what's the best way for them to contact you? I can be contacted www.stephenfrazier.com and/or http://www.facebook.com/pages/IFBB-Pro-Stephen-FrazierOwner-of-South-Grand-Prairie-Fitness/263843650410284. Bookings/Business matters can go through my PUMP people at http://www.facebook.com/pump.sportsent.
Although he’s known as an IFBB Pro, it’s Stephen’s work away from the stage that defines him. For some, bodybuilding isn’t just about growing physically; it’s about growing spiritually and mentally as well. Stephen uses bodybuilding as a vehicle to help drive his message home to his community and others around him. Look for Stephen to continue his work spreading the gospel of fitness to the world, and helping others navigate their way to a better life.
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