An Interview With Aspiring Bodybuilder Nate Washington

House Of Muscle: Hi again everyone. House of Muscle has another great interview for our readers. We are happy to be talking with NPC (National Physique Committee) Competitive Bodybuilder Nate Washington! Tell the readers a little bit about yourself and how you got into the sport of bodybuilding.

Nate Washington: Okay, well my name is Nate Washington. I'm 26 and I compete as a bodybuilder. I first got into bodybuilding when I was about 18. At the time I was about 120 lbs. soaking wet and I just wanted to put on some size. I had my dad purchase a home workout set so I could start hitting the weights. Shortly after I started lifting, I took a trip to the supplement store and picked up some creatine. In the midst of it all, I ended up with a bench press and 10 lb. dumbbells along with a mirror to watch my muscles grow and my physique progress. But, the actual sport of bodybuilding struck me when I saw the magazines and contest pictures of Troy Alves, Lee Priest and Ronnie Coleman. I was amazed that people could actually transform their bodies like this and compete from all over the world. At that moment my destiny was built and my lifestyle had changed in many ways. I no longer drank alcohol, smoked cigarettes or hung with the wrong crowd. I committed myself to a healthy lifestyle and the gym.

HOM: Sounds like a great story, Nate. Let's talk about some of your competitions. What is your contest history? How many shows have you entered and how have you placed?

Nate: I have competed in the following shows:
• 2008 San Francisco Cup: 12th place out of 15. Novice division, Middle Weight.
• 2009 Jay Cutler Classic: 4th place out of 4. Open Class, Light Weight.
• 2009 NPC Northern Cup: 1st place out of 3. Open Class, Light Weight.
• 2012 NPC New Englands: 5th place out of 8. Open Class, Middle Weight.

HOM: Congratulations on your shows, Nate. Let's talk training. What is your current training split like? How does off-season differ from pre-contest training for you personally?

Nate: My current split is like this:
Monday: Legs
Tuesday: Back
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: Shoulders
Friday: Legs
Saturday: Chest
Sunday: Arms

During my off-season, I focus on high intensity training and recovery rather than training every day. I do not count my reps and I focus on going past absolute failure, allowing myself to train less. I also add negatives in, as it is known that the negative portion of the rep builds more muscle than the positive movement. When I train I count 5 seconds positive and 5 seconds negative with a full ROM (range of motion).

In my contest prep training I become a lot more strict and focused. My training is still high intensity but just in a different way. It is more of a circuit with a lot of drop sets (completing a set, immediately dropping the weight and completing another set right after) and super sets. Reps don't go under 20.

HOM: Wow Nate, that sounds like some intense weight training. As you said recovery is your priority in the off-season. It must take a lot to recover from those brutal sessions. What sort of recovery work do you do to get ready for your next training session? Stretching? Massage? Chiropractor?

Nate: I'm a huge believer in recovery and allowing your muscles to heal properly before hitting that muscle again. It is crucial to get in your meals and take the proper time off for recovery. I personally like to visit the massage therapist to help with my recovery and loosen muscle tissue from tension.

HOM: Agreed Nate, massages are great to aid in recovery. As you said, nutrition is important too. How about your nutrition; can you tell us about a typical day of eating for you in the off-season?

Nate: Here is a typical day of eating for me:
Meal 1: 9 egg whites, 3-4 slices toast and 1 banana
Meal 2: 6-7 oz. chicken and rice
Meal 3: Shake post-workout
Meal 4: 6-7 oz. steak or chicken with potato or rice and veggies
Meal 5: Repeat meal 4

HOM: Looks like a lot of good, clean whole foods. In addition to these foods, what types of supplements do you include in your day-to-day routine?

Nate: I will sometimes have protein shakes. I also like to include some type of a pre-workout without caffeine. If I have a chance to obtain a type of sponsorship in the future, I'm sure to have more options with supplements.

HOM: Sounds good, Nate. Have you had to overcome any obstacles so far in your bodybuilding career?

Nate: I overcome obstacles every day in my bodybuilding lifestyle. During difficult times, I had no way to get to the gym and no money for food or supplements. I cannot count how many times this has happened in my life and I thought about quitting because these obstacles had set me back. But, I have a goal and a passion and I truly believe that my heart is in this sport. Otherwise, I would have quit a long time ago.

HOM: That's inspiring Nate. It is good to hear about people with the drive to succeed. That is the sort of thing that can help you excel in this sport. What would you say is the most important characteristic needed to be a successful bodybuilder and why?

Nate: Most important characteristic? To become successful in bodybuilding I believe you have to look at the business aspect of the industry. You should understand how to save your money and profit, and be able to understand the industry and treat bodybuilding as a business. Separate it from your personal life and I believe you can become successful financially.

HOM: Sounds like you have the drive to succeed in competition as well as financially in bodybuilding. I'm sure you've met and spoken to some great bodybuilders in your time competing. What would you say is the best advice you've gotten from them in regards to bodybuilding training and competition preparation?

Nate: To never give up. I can do badly in one show and do great in another.

HOM: Simple and true advice, Nate. I agree. What are your future goals in competitive bodybuilding?

Nate: My future goals are to be the best that Nate Washington can be. To take my body as far as it allows me to, and hopefully make it on the Mr. Olympia stage one day.

HOM: Awesome goals, Nate. You have a great attitude and drive. It was great speaking with you. We look forward to talking with you in the future. Keep training hard and good luck pursuing all of your bodybuilding goals! Thanks for your time, insight and advice!