Bodybuilding.com Interview

Matt Weik, writer for bodybuilding.com, recently posted an interview with me where I address my career both past and present and answer questions about our documentary "I Want to Look Like That Guy."

I enjoyed doing the interview as I was able to touch on some topics that people often as me about such as why I chose to retire from competition. I also share my thoughts on why drug free bodybuilders can be their own worst enemies.....

Here's that snippet from the interview:

[ MW ] Is there anything you would like to add to this interview that we didn't cover that you feel the readers would like to know?

[ JW ] First I would like to say thank you for doing this interview and helping to bring some attention to "I Want to Look Like That Guy". I am very proud of this documentary and its valuable messages. People are finding it motivational as well as very informative and entertaining.

I've taken a lot of flack over the years from people doubting whether or not I am drug free. People are entitled to their opinions and that is fine. I understand why people would be skeptical because the results I've achieved are above what many conceive to be possible without drugs.

My question to those people is have they ever stopped and thought that maybe, just maybe the great success I achieved has something to do with the training approach I've used or the fact that I meticulously executed this smart plan for years on end?

This documentary shows you right in front of your eyes the power of what a smart approach combined with hard work over an extended period of time can do. Look at what Stuart did in 6 months. Now think about applying those principles for years on end and maybe it suddenly isn't so unthinkable that outstanding results can be achieved without drugs.

I wish natural bodybuilders would spend less time doubting and more time learning how to maximize their potential from those who've achieved great success without drugs.

Believe. Achieve.

www.jeffwillet.com
www.iwanttolooklikethatguy.com

FLEX Magazine Review

In the December issue of FLEX Magazine there is a great review of our documentary "I Want to Look Like That Guy". Here's the entire review:

by Shawn Perine, Senior writer

"In this fascinating documentary, filmmaker Stuart MacDonald turns the cameras on himself as he undergoes a grueling transformation from a 42-year-old 200-plus pounder (nearly 30% of it adipose) to a 154-pound competitive bodybuilder, with the help of IFBB pro Jeff Willet and Dr. Adam Coughlin.

MacDonald undergoes extreme duress, both mental and physical, as he wavers between reaching his goal and calling the whole thing off. In the end his saga is unexpectedly gripping and, although not exactly revelatory to the bodybuilding inveterate, it does provide ample confirmation that living the life of a bodybuilder isn't quite the simple task that the uninitiated might believe."

Believe. Achieve.

http://www.jeffwillet.com/
http://www.iwanttolooklikethatguy.com/

Stuart MacDonald Interview

Bodybuilding.com recently posted a feature interview with Stuart MacDonald, maker and co-star of "I Want to Look Like That Guy."

Read entire interview here.

Believe. Achieve.

http://www.jeffwillet.com/

http://www.iwanttolooklikethatguy.com/

Q&A - Creating a Caloric Deficit

Q:
I just viewed the DVD "I Want to Look Like That Guy" and it was awesome!!! I do have one question.... I noticed that on the diet schedule that was on the DVD, Stuart's calories went way down there at the end....

Question is did he stay on the same 5 day Max-OT training and cardio during that time? I ask because I have been warned that if I take my caloreis to low and continue to work out at a high level than it will basically backfire and be counterproductive.

A:
Thanks for the great feedback! Glad you enjoyed the film.

Not only did Stuart stay on the 5 day Max-OT schedule throughout, he actually increased cardio frequency as the show got closer and as calories got more restricted. To reach single digit body fat levels it is imperative to create such a caloric deficit.

The process of gradual caloric reductions and increased cardio frequency needs to take place over a period of several months to be most effective at losing fat while continuing to build and maintain muscle. If there is a dramatic caloric drop and a dramatic increase in cardio frequency all at once, indeed that can be counterproductive to building and maintaining muscle.

Other keys to the process that Stuart followed were smart nutrient ratios/nutrient timing, continuing to train heavy with Max-OT principles and always keeping cardio sessions short (16-20 minutes) and intense. All of these are important principles for achieving maximum fat burning while continuing to build and maintain hard earned muscle throughout the process.


Believe. Achieve.


http://www.jeffwillet.com/
http://www.iwanttolooklikethatguy.com/

Drug Free Competitor Tip of the Day

Don't try to rely on some last minute technique like carb loading to make you look great onstage. If you are not already in great shape by the day of the contest there are no last minute tricks you can do to make you shredded.

Your performance is determined by your actions in the months and months leading up to the contest and how intelligent and consistent you are with your daily execution.

First time competitors shouldn't worry about the scale and shouldn't worry about any fancy "tricks" like they may read from the pros in the magazines. Instead, the focus should be on getting as lean as possible while still building and maintaining your hard earned muscle. This is accomplished by continual execution of a smart plan for many months leading up to your contest.

I touch on these points and other FAQ about contest preparation in my new DVD "Posing to Win."

Believe. Achieve.

www.jeffwillet.com
www.iwanttolooklikethatguy.com

Sundance and other Saturday thoughts.

Co-producer/film maker and star of "I Want to Look Like That Guy" just entered our film into the highly acclaimed Sundance Film Festival. I am not sure how long the screening process takes. It would be incredibly exciting if we made it in. I know they get thousands of entries each year and it would be an elite honor to be accepted. Keep your fingers crossed!

Another thought that came to mind is it was 9 years ago almost to the day when I officially started my job at AST Sports Science HQ in Golden, CO. Hard to believe it is possible that it could have been 9 years ago already.
(Photo: In my office at AST Sports Science)

For those of you who don't know the story, here's the condensed version. I moved form Michigan to Colorado in August of the year 2000 to work as a Technical Specialist for AST Sports Science. I lived in Colorado and worked directly for AST for about 4 years before returning back to Michigan to open my Powerhouse Gym.

The four years I spent in Colorado were some of the best and most challenging years of my life. It was also one of the single greatest educational experiences as well, not only from a bodybuilding/fitness standpoint but also on a personal level. That was the first time living completely on my own far away from any family or friends. I really didn't know anyone when I moved to Colorado. I had only met Paul Delia (CEO AST Sports Science) a couple times and I had met my future co-workers on a weeks visit to Colorado about 6 months prior to moving. It was a giant leap for me but a leap I had to take as I recognized it was an opportunity of a life time and a chance to help make my dreams of becoming an IFBB Pro and one of the worlds greatest drug free bodybuilders a reality.

Paul was incredible during those years as a mentor, boss and friend. I am forever thankful of the opportunity he gave me. Truth is barely a day goes by where I don't think about something he had told me regarding business, bodybuilding or life in general.

Believe. Achieve.

http://www.jeffwillet.com/
http://www.iwanttolooklikethatguy.com/

Which Max-OT routine is best?

I often get asked which Max-OT routine is the best, meaning is there a best way to arrange exercises/body parts. Truth is there is no one Max-OT arrangement that is better than another. The way the workout is arranged is not as important as whether or not all the Max-OT principles are being followed such as set/rep volume, exercise selection and workout frequency.

You'll find many examples of Max-OT arrangements on the AST Sports Science web site as well as multiple examples in my Training Journal and you will have success with any of those because the core Max-OT principles are present in all of them.

The one thing I would suggest if you are making your own arrangement is not placing two major body parts together on the same day such as Chest and Back. I also prefer keeping legs to a day by themselves. Reason being, it is very hard to maintain the level of intensity needed for maximum results throughout your workout if you have two major body parts following one another on the same day.

Believe. Achieve.

http://www.jeffwillet.com/
http://www.iwanttolooklikethatguy.com/