IFBB Men’s Physique Pro: Dennis Johansen

Dennis Johansen 2

 

Dennis Johansen 2 IFBB Men's Physique Pro: Dennis JohansenCountry: Norway
City: 
Fredrikstad
Age:
 29
Occupation: 
Student (Industrial design/engineer)
Marital status:
Girlfriend
Height:  
174 / 5.8
Division: 
Men’s Physique
Years in training: 
9 years
Weight:
on / off: 79kg – 174lbs on / 83kg  – 183lbs off
Favorite cheat meal:
Burgers

RM: First off, huge congratulations to your win at the Nordic Pro.

Secondly, Dennis please take us back in time, when and why did you pick up weight training?

DJ: It all started with basketball. I had just made the division 1 team, great athleticism, but I was 15 years old, short and very skinny. In order to compete with the seniors and tall Americans, I got told to put on some weight. I have always been extremely competitive and willing to do what it takes. So I did. 2 weight session, 5 days a week and eating 1kg of pasta and chicken a day for a whole year. Came back the following season 20 kg heavier and ready to play.

RM: Why did you choose to become a men’s physique competitor and not a bodybuilder?

DJ: I started lifting weights for athletics and performance, but never for the looks. When I stopped playing basketball at age 24, I picked up weight lifting again in order to stay zane. It became hard to not do anything. My whole life had considered with sports and training up to 9 hours a day.

After a while at the gym, I was pressed by many to do a show against my will. I never wanted to be a bodybuilder or compete at all, but I did very well in Physique from the start and got the motivation to see how fare I could go in this division.

Today I’m a big fan of bodybuilding, but it’s not something I personally want to do. I will always consider my self as a performance athlete and I focus more on health rather than size.

RM: What does an ordinary day in Dennis life look like?

Breon IFBB Men's Physique Pro: Dennis Johansen

DJ: Not anything special. It really depends, but I always wake up early and get the day started by 8 AM, regardless if it’s weekend or not. In weekdays I study until 4, come home and eat my first meal of the day. Then relax and I may spend time with family and friends, before eating my pre workout meal around 6 and heading to the gym. After the gym I eat my third and final meal and go to bed early. Then do the same thing the next day.

When I’m home it’s all about study, family, diet and training. When I travel is the only time I may get a little spoiled with my diet and training.

For me there is no really off-season as long as I’m still competing. Maybe 1 month during Christmas, but I always strive continuously to get as good as I can be. That requires some lifestyle sacrifices, but I only have so many years in this game, so I might just make the absolute best of it now and enjoy beers with friends when I retire.

RM: Which moment in your competitive career has been the most memorable so far? (although it might have happened this past weekend)

DJ: Although it was great receiving my Pro card after so many years of pure dedication or winning my first Pro Show at the Nordic Pro. My most memorable moment so far was being able to step on the Arnold Classic stage as a Pro, competing with guys I’ve looked up to and posing with the big bodybuilders in front of Arnold himself. For me, just one more thing can beat that, and that’s stepping on that Olympia stage.

RM: What are your passions besides training?

Mens Physique IFBB Men's Physique Pro: Dennis Johansen

DJ: I have a passion for traveling, meeting new people and learning about different cultures and way of life. That’s one of the reasons I love competing. It takes me around the world, learns and shares a complementary sport with many people. I also still have a passion for basketball and snowboarding, although I don’t get as much time to do these activities as much as I want. And I’m a huge tech and car guy.

RM: Dennis, what advises would you give to guys who want to follow your path and become Men’s Physique Pros?

DJ: The best advice I can give, is to do it for the passion of the sport. That also regards everything else in life in order to truly become successful. You may have great genetics or become lucky some time, but without passion you won’t be able to become as good as you could be.

I’m coming from a sports background and I will say that competing in fitness and bodybuilding is the toughest mentally sport you can do. Along the road you may experience decisions that at times may not make sense. Regardless of what other people say or are doing, as long as your passionate and have a goal, keep learning and working on your self with patience and consistency. There is no clear road to success and everyone is unique in their own ways. No diet or weightlifting plan will work perfectly for everyone.

RM: time for the round-up, is there anyone you would like to thank or something you want to add, please feel free to do so:

Dennis Johansen 3 IFBB Men's Physique Pro: Dennis Johansen

First off, I would like to thank my friends and family for putting up with my journey and supporting me through all these years. I would also thank my sponsors Nebbia, Myprotein, Nocco and Quest Nutrition for their support and partnership

RM: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the questions Dennis. Best of luck with the career ahead of you as well as your studies.

Rising Muscle would also like to thank our good friends, Norway’s IFBB President: Tone Opheim and IFBB Figure Pro Ellen Berg and Josef Adlt for making this interview possible.

Photo credits: 
Featured Alexandra Eide Hernandez

To reach Dennis:
@dennis_ifbbpro

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