Road to Misters of Filipinas Competition

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If you've read some of my previous articles, you know that I usually don’t write topics with a personal theme. Instead my focus is on providing short lessons rich with fitness information; I want to educate people and give them something they can take away and use to make an impact on their fitness journey. I rarely make an article focused on me. But today I’m going to make an exception :)

 

   

Anyone who follows me on social media will know that I competed in and won my first male modelling pageant last year, and as a result will be representing Australia in the Misters Pageant 2016 held in the Philippines (*think the men’s version of Miss Universe*). I chose to undertake this unique challenge because unlike Bodybuilding contests, which are judged purely on muscle development, this competition requires candidates to test themselves in a wide range of areas that combine to make a well-rounded man. The 2-week Pageant evaluates each candidate’s Presentation/Grooming, Fashion sense/Marketability, Intelligence, Charisma and of course Physique. I see this as the perfect challenge for me in that it relates directly to my core value for success in life: that your mind, body, personality and brains are all equally important and therefore deserve to be developed equally. Competitive bodybuilding is simply too one-dimensional for my goals. I see no point in being the most muscular, ripped guy in the room if I don’t know how to dress properly or be able to engage in intelligent conversation with people from all walks of life. Competing in this male Pageant is a way for me to refine my personal character and people skills, which is essential in my line of work!

And it’s now less than 4 weeks away.       

                    

 

People at the gym where I work (Fitness First Melbourne Central), regulars who see me train everyday, have been asking me lately if I’ve been doing anything special to get ready for my upcoming comp. I often get questions like ‘So, are you in full-blown training mode now?’ or ‘Are you going to go on a stricter diet/start depleting/start the Cutting phase?’

It’s a strange feeling when I answer each of them with a simple ‘No’ and a little smile on my face.  You see, what many don’t understand is that I already do most of these things each week for my whole year. I already train as hard as I physically can each session, 5-6 days a week - and I have for the past 4 years. I already eat a fairly clean controlled (not perfect) diet. I wouldn’t be a very good personal trainer if I didn’t practice what I preach :) So there was no real need for any sort of special Prep leading up to this competition as I was already in a good place to begin with. All the hard work was done in the weekly grind of my normal routine for the year. This is one secret to success in any endeavour that people often underestimate: don't make the road to the finish line longer for you than it needs to be. Do your best to put yourself in a position with as many things working in your favour as possible - this way success is much more likely!

You see, for the past 12 months I made it a point to stay below 12% bodyfat. Many physique competitors go on a 'Bulking' phase during their 'offseason', where they gain muscle mass quickly but often routinely put on just as much if not more bodyfat on in the process. I decided to go against this. Instead I chose to take a more balanced approach towards the whole year, one where I never had an 'offseason' and always kept myself in decent shape so I'd be within striking distance of being sharp and ready when a career opportunity came up; but still allowed myself to maintain a more relaxed diet where I could enjoy social events with friends every week if I wanted. This way it never felt like I was "on a Diet' or " training for a Comp". I've been able to stay consistent with a fitness lifestyle that's sustainable for an unlimited amount of time, while never actually switching off...or feeling the need to! I was eating 80% well and training 90% hard - every single normal week of the year. This makes it much easier to add that extra 10% when it's needed.

 

 

 

The result: with still 3 weeks to go, I'm sitting at a muscular (not weak/skinny) 10% bodyfat....without ever having to do a single minute on a cardio machine. 

Neither did I have to go on a low-carb diet (it's at 200g on a Rest day, more on most days), or go on a low-calorie diet (never below 2500 cals even on Rest days), or even give up my cheat foods on weekends - sometimes I even cheated on weekdays if I wanted!

 

This allowed me to find the perfect lifestyle balance for gaining muscle while getting leaner, all the while enjoying myself each week and never having to go on a 'Dieting' regime :D Now only time will tell if I can maintain this level or better for the duration of the 3-week Misters of Filipinas Competition. Wish me luck!

 

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