The next athlete we are about to meet has made a tremendous transformation with just a few years of training. He did his first competetive debut last year in the middle weight division at the 2014 Michael Francois classic, a show that he won. Afterwards with just a few weeks between the shows he stepped on stage at the NPC Nationals and did take the title there as well and that meant that he claimed his IFBB Pro card.
Thereby its time for Rising Muscle to welcome IFBB Pro Bryan Balzano for an interview.
Bryan Balzano
Country: US
Age: 26
State: Ohio
City: Columbus
Occupation: Underwriter
Height: 5’4 ft / 165 cm
Weight: on: 176 lbs / 80 kg off: 208 lbs / 94 kg
Contest background:
1.pl 2014 Michael Francois classic 2014
1.pl 2014 NPC USA bodybuilding championships
RM: Could you please give use some insight on the area and environment you grew in and how it interacted with your journey in bodybuilding?
BB: well I grew up in Cleveland ohio where a lot of people went to the gym, but it wasn’t to compete just to looked good. I originally just started lifting to look a little better cause I started out at 110 lbs. I was the definition of a skeleton. I just
RM:What training methods have been prosperous to you and illustrate your philosophy as to why they have.
BB: My training philosophy is train smart. I do not lift heavy nor do I care what weight I have on any bar or machine at any point. I believe in just truly engaging the muscle. I believe in using weight not moving weight. I do alot of volime, supersets, tri sets, quad sets, negatives, pause reps, rest pause just to name what I can off the top of my head. but ultimately the main idea of how I train is mostly mental not physical in a way. I close my eyes pretty much most of the lift and listen to the muscle respond. I dont like looking or watching my body. I never look Into a mirror and I am always covered up 100% in sweat shirts and pants and use my mind to listen to my body.
RM: Can you contribute some mistakes you’ve made during prep to up and coming bodybuilders? In addition to how you overcame them?
BB: well I only have done 2 shows and pretty much I never made a mistake during my prep. I had road blocks and unexpected things pop up that made it difficult at times to stay on track. but during any situation you must remember you
RM: Was there any barriers you faced during your 2014 USA victory that could have changed the turn out of the show for you? If so how did you make your adjustments? And what strategies did you develop to over come them.
BB: I did have some barriers that I faced during my USA experience and fortunately it didn’t affect the turn out for me. my biggest barrier I had was I was traveling to vegas all by myself and had no one with me and didnt know anyone in vegas to help me out. first off my plane arrived late and I got to vegas really late. having to pick up my rent a car which was given to someone else because the plane arrives late and there was a high demand for cars during that weekend. I lost extra time trying to get me another car. by the time I got back to the hotel I lost half a day of prep. I had to then go shopping for all my food. so I ran all over town to pick up what I needed and then had to cook it all. I started to cook at midnight. I still had to do my skin prep and I had to weight in that early afternoon the ne
RM:How has becoming a Pro bodybuilder impacted your life?
BB: Becoming a pro has impacted my life but it has not changed who I am. people now know who I am and when I go places people want to get to know me and tell me how my stroy has inspired them to chase their dreams. I cant explain how it makes me feel knowing that I am helping change people’s lives because of my dream and me chasing my dream. its just incredible. but becoming a pro hasent change who I am. all the success I had is a blessing but im still a quite, shy kid that just loves to lift weight and eat healthy. I love this lifestyle and and am in this sport because the sport is me. im not here for any anterior motive, I just want to show the world my heart.
RM: What can we expect to see from you in the fitness industry.
BB: well I cant tell you what I expect cause I dont expect anything but I can tell you what I dream abo
RM: Balzano it’s time for the round-up, if there is anything you want to add or someone you want to thank, please feel free to do so:
BB: I would like to personally thank my close freind and mentor justin compton for everything he has taught me. I would also like to thank matt Jensen of INOV8 elite performance for all the help he has given me along my journey. additionally I want to give a thanks to my biggest supports at my home gym James Bowe, Ryan Kiowa Propst Marcus Perry, and Mica Schneider #MWP. And i want to give a special thanks to a very good freind of mine Sara Abdeljabbar! Your the best Sara!
Contact Balzano:
Instagram: @bryan_balzano
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bbalzano
Photo credits: first pic by Amir Mirandi