Like most of you reading this story, I love bodybuilding! In fact, I cherish bodybuilding. I love everything about it. The self-esteem you gain the respect you get the whole ball of wax. But unlike most of you, my path has been a long and difficult course. I'm speaking of those who are like me; I speak of the genetically challenged.
It wasn't too long ago when I was swimming at the public swimming pool and a bunch of local jocks were making fun of me yelling, "Hey, Johnson, get a new body". Still haunted, I use that nightmare for inspiration during a heavy set of squats! I even had a nickname when growing up - "Bones". The worst part of being super thin was never making the high school football team. Ever! Wow, looking back at my high school days now it sure wasn't much fun in that aspect, but stay tuned because there is a wonderful finish here.
Upon attending college, I vowed to change my course in life. I wanted a new body, new friends, and a better education, you get the picture. But like everything else in my life at that time, it was a big challenge. I bought all the supplements, read all the magazines and trained like a crazed lunatic. I never got anywhere but flat broke. Everyone around me seemed to magically grow just at the thought of touching a barbell. Yeah, you know the ones, the genetically gifted! I ended up so frustrated and overtrained that I just gave up. I finally accepted the fact that I was a Greyhound and Greyhounds are meant to be thin.
Years flew by and I grew older. Now 31, I wasted a lot of time doing nothing constructive with my physique. Then one day while thumbing through a muscle magazine, I saw a contest that was giving away a new car, money, fame, you name it. It was all there for the taking and I was going to win it! A big name company sponsored it. "Hot diggety dog" I thought as I read the ad at least fifteen times. This is just what I needed to get back in the iron game. I was so motivated; I ran immediately to the local GNC and bought a ton of expensive supplements. These were supplements I was told that I MUST USE (if I was to win, of course). I started my diet right away. I took the before and after photos, swallowed tons of supplements, and wasted a lot of time and money on nothing! Now, don't get me wrong, looking back, I see what I did wrong. There is a lesson to be learned here so keep reading.
After this disastrous experience, I was truly convinced that I was to always be thin. Then one morning while training, I noticed a flyer advertising a bodybuilding contest. So I went. No sooner than I arrived WHAM-O! I was smacked right in the face with muscle! Walls of it. Everywhere I looked there it was - women, men, and even teens! So big and ripped that I felt too embarrassed to be seen, especially with my wife beside me viewing all this too. I looked terrible and felt even worse than I looked. Driving home that night, I said to my wife, "Honey, I'm going to compete next year". She looked shocked, then smiled and replied, "Go for it, I think you can do it!" So I charted a new course and promised myself to set sail and not sink, no matter what storm came my way.
I knew I needed real help so I got on the web and started searching. That is when I found Roger and Sandy's web page. I read it and downloaded all the newsletters I could find. I stayed up all night reading them, seeing success stories like Jeff Baugh, Jeff Storch and Rainer Hartman. The newsletter even had recipes to make food taste wonderful while dieting by a real chef (Scott Acton). I was smitten and called Roger the next day. Nervous with excitement and with a shaky voice I squeaked out, "Hello, I'm Troy Johnson and I need your help". Roger replied with a very friendly "Hi, I'm glad you called. What can we do for you?" Right away, I felt at ease. I explained to him my story and goals (to just come in the best shape naturally possible and place in the top three in my class) and he was honest and straight forward about what I had to do to come in ready for battle. It was not pretty, but champions must take criticism and turn it around.
I was 6'2" and weighed 200 pounds with 14% body fat and very thin. We discussed a plan of attack and Roger assured me to trust him and I did. I started about three months out from my contest (mid-central states natural championships) and he immediately changed my whole life and diet around. Everything changed from training (one body part a week) to eating red meat! Everything I thought I knew, I really didn't. But I remembered what my mom told me once, "Only a foolish person turns away knowledge". So I listened and I learned. With the immediate change to my diet my lean mass increased 3 pounds and fat melted away right from the start.
I'm telling you from my own personal experience, I have experimented with every supplement and training philosophy out there and nothing has worked as well as Beverly International. Roger and Sandy nailed it right from the start. They really know the secret to bodybuilding. Plus, I honestly love the combination of Ultra 40 liver tabs and mass aminos. Beverly International has the best supplements I have ever used! This simple formula made my strength and size increase almost over night. It wasn't a placebo effect either! Remember that you measure a supplement by results, not hype! When I saw my size jump like that overnight, I started getting really excited about things. I remember one night getting ready for bed. My wife started making comments about how wonderful I was looking! Even the people at my gym were asking me what was going on. That is when I started covering myself up and saying, "Troy, you're going to surprise everyone on contest day!" Instinctively something deep inside me said I was on track!
I got my body composition done every two weeks and e-mailed Roger and Sandy my results. The fat melted away - super fast, and I even gained lean mass clear up until six weeks out. No kidding, Roger has the evidence to prove it! Everyday I woke up and looked in the mirror, I freaked out! I said to myself, "I can not believe I own this body!"
As the contest grew nearer, Roger and Sandy provided me with everything I needed. Everything from posing trunks to tweaking my diet to thermogenics and the art of posing. It was really that easy. And it was free. Yes, they do this out of love for the sport. They are a blessing. I just want to take time out to thank them for helping me achieve my dream and wish them the best. There are not too many people like them left out there.
Well, nerves were flying high as contest day arrived. I looked great as I came in lean at 5.3% and weighing 174 pounds. I felt extremely confident and strong! Prejudging was brutal and tough. My class was so close we hit mandatory poses for what seemed like forever. The head judge said we weren't leaving until there was a winner! Finally we exited the stage and I went home. My wife really thought I won my class and I got even more excited. That night during my routine I got caught up in the yelling and cheering of the crowd. I forgot my routine for a split second but pulled it out nicely due to it being drilled into my subconscious from all the practice. The judges called out the top three and I was one of them! I was so pumped and relieved! During the trophy presentation, I received third place and was thrilled. I accomplished my goals, from Greyhound to Bodybuilder!
The lesson here is this, if you are new to the newsletter and Beverly International then you have found your way to the right place. Quit messing around and call Roger and Sandy. Take control of your life. You can do anything you want, if you really want it bad enough. You must never give up no matter what happens. Remember that one success builds upon another and so on. I recall what Roger said to me the night before my contest and it really hit home. He said, "No matter what happens tomorrow, Troy, you have already won". I went to bed that night and really thought about what he said. He was right, I am a winner and I will always be because I believe in myself.
Currently Roger and I are setting new goals. They are as follows - I will put on ten pounds of lean mass, and compete in the Northern Kentucky Championships and then win my class at the mid-central states. I know success will be mine because I believe in myself. You see even the genetically challenged can achieve bodybuilding dreams! Thank you Roger and Sandy for everything.
PS: Here is a list of supplements used during my contest prep and my diet diary.
Supplements Used Muscle Provider Lean Out Ultra 40 Liver* Mass Aminos* Creatine Monohydrate Flax Oil * My personal favorites My Diet 3 Months To 6 Weeks Out Calories: 2997 Protein: 381 grams (50%) Carbs: 150 grams (20%) Fat: 99 grams (30%) Supplements: Super Pak, Flax Oil, 5 Ultra 40 per meal, 5 Mass Aminos Meal #1 2 whole eggs + 4 egg whites 4 oz. lean beef ¾ cup oatmeal (before cooking) 1 TBS Flax Oil Meal #2 8 ounces lean turkey breast, tuna or chicken 1 apple Or Protein Drink (see below for formula) Meal #3 10 oz. chicken (before cooking) 6 oz. sweet potato 1.5 cup vegetables Meal #4 Protein Drink #1 2 Scoops Muscle Provider 4 TBS whipping cream 1 whole egg 6 frozen strawberries or 6 frozen peach slices Meal #5 10 oz. sirloin steak (lean) 2 cups vegetables 1 TBS Flax Oil My Diet 6 Weeks To 1 Week Out Calories: 2380 - Non Carb Meal Days; 3235 Carb Meal Days Protein: 341 grams (58%) Carbs: 75 grams (13%) Fat: 76 grams (29%) Supplements: Super Pak, 4 Ultra 40 and 4 Mass Aminos per meal 1 Diet Phen for men, 2 Diet Fuel and 4 Lean Out 30 minutes prior to meals #1, 2, & 4. Meal #1 5 oz. lean beef 6 egg whites, 2 yolks ½ grapefruit or 4 large strawberries Meal #2* Protein Drink: 2 scoops Muscle Provider, 1 TBS Flax Oil, ½ banana, 12-oz. water Meal #3 8 ounces chicken (weighed prior to cooking) 4 cups salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber, green peppers, etc.) 2 TBS Cider Vinegar and I TBS Sunflower Oil (or other vegetable oil) Meal #4 6.5 oz. can tuna or 6-oz. chicken 3 egg whites, 1 whole egg 1 tomato Meal #5 7 ounces lean meat (strip sirloin, lean beef, etc.) 2 cups vegetables Monday and Thursday: Add a sixth meal: 1.5 cups oatmeal (precooked) or cooked rice,
10 oz. sweet potato (after cooking), 4 oz. banana, 1 cup vegetables,
1 TBS butter - No supplements with this meal. Last Week Preparation Diary One Week before Contest Sunday - Wednesday Upon waking 4 Lean Out, 3 Ripped Fuel Meal #1 5 oz. red meat, 6 egg whites, 1 yolk, ½ grapefruit (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40, Vit/Min., Vit C) Lite Salt on food. Pose 20 mins/abs (30 mins before meal) 4 Lean Out, 2 Ripped Fuel Meal #2 2 scoops Muscle Provider, 3 strawberries, 1 TBS Flax Oil (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40) Lite Salt Meal #3 2 cups veggies with 1 TBS olive oil, 2 TBS vinegar, 8 oz. chicken (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40) Lite Salt (30 mins before meal) 2 Ripped Fuel, 4 Lean Out Meal #4 6 oz. tuna, 4 egg whites, 1 tomato (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40) Lite Salt Pose 20-mins/ abs Meal #5 1 ½ cups veggies, 7-oz. red meat (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40) Lite Salt Sunday: Train legs and calves - hard! Cardio - 30 minutes only! Drink water - 3 gallons Monday: Train chest and shoulders - hard! Cardio - 30 mins only! Drink water - 3 gallons Tuesday: Train back and arms - hard! Cardio - 30 mins only! Drink water - 3 gallons NOTE: Start loading Beverly International Creatine Monohydrate
- 1 teaspoon each meal from now until show Wednesday: Light full body workout No cardio! Drink water - 2 gallons spring water only! Also, start taking 99 mgs.
of Potassium every hour starting with meal #1 until bedtime. THURSDAY - Upon waking 4 Lean Out (No Ripped Fuel from now on) No training/cardio! NOTE: Drink spring water - 1.5 gallons spring water only!
Also, take 2 - 99 mgTablets of Potassium every hour starting with meal #1 until bedtime) Meal #1 5 oz. red meat, 6 egg whites, 1 yolk, ½ grapefruit (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40, Vit/Min., Vit C) Creatine Pose 15 mins/abs SHOWER - 1 coat of Pro Tan, Dry, 1 Coat Sunless Tan, No Face until Friday (30 mins before meal) 4 Lean Out Meal #2 2 Scoops Muscle Provider, 3 strawberries, 1 TBS Flax Oil (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40, Vit/Min., Vit C) Creatine Pose 15 mins Meal #3 2 cups veggies w/ 1 TBS olive oil, 2 TBS vinegar,
8 oz. chicken (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40, Vit/Min., Vit C) Creatine Pose 15 mins (30 mins before meal) 4 Lean Out Meal #4 6 oz. tuna, 4 egg whites, 1 tomato (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40, Vit/Min., Vit C) Creatine Pose 15 mins Meal #5 1 ½ cups veggies, 7-oz. red meat (4 mass, 4 Ultra 40, Vit/Min., Vit C) Creatine 1 coat Pro Tan, Dry, 1 coat Sunless Tan Meal #6 1.5 cups oatmeal, 1 TBS butter, 10 oz. yams, 1 cup veggies, 4 oz. banana FRIDAY - Upon waking - eliminate both Ripped Fuel and Lean Out! Drink 1 gallon spring water only, double intake to 8 each meal of
Mass/Ultra 40, Alternate 2 Potassium one hour -
3 the next up until prejudging tomorrow. Meal #1 8 oz. lean beef, ½ cup oatmeal - Creatine Pose 15 mins SHOWER - 1 coat Pro Tan, Dry, 1 Sunless Tan Meal #2 8 oz. lean beef, ½ cup oatmeal - Creatine Pose 15 mins Meal #3 8 oz. lean beef, 6 oz. red potato - Creatine Pose 15 mins Meal #4 8 oz. lean beef, 6 oz. red potato - Creatine Pose 15 mins Meal #5 8 oz. lean beef - Creatine 1 coat Pro Tan, Day, 1 coat Sunless Tan, apply 1 coat each to face evenly! SATURDAY - CONTEST DAY! NOTE: Sip spring water throughout the day and 2/3 rotate potassium
per hour 8 Mass/8 Ultra 40 per meal Meal #1 3 large pancakes with syrup and butter (7:30) Creatine 1 coat of Dream Tan or Ultra Bronze 30 mins before prejudging Meal #2 8 oz. red meat, 6 oz., sweet potato - Creatine Meal #3 8 oz. red meat, 6 oz., sweet potato - Creatine Meal #4 8 oz. red meat, 6 oz. red potato - Creatine Meal #5 AFTER SHOW - WHATEVER I WANT! (BEN & JERRY'S) SUN - MON. Take 1 tab. Potassium every hour after contest
