Hey All! Hope your Monday is going great so far! I’m super excited for today’s “News, Facts & Fitness Monday” I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Kris Gethin!!
I was recently sent his book “Body By Design”….and I must say, it was a great read! If your stuck on getting motivated and want to learn some new techniques, you’ll want to go and pick it up….NOW! You can purchase it on Amazon. Kris is the Deputy Editor and spokesmodel of Bodybuiling.com, so you could say he knows a thing or two about fitness (to say the least!!!)
Here’s the interview :
Kristine: Hi Kris, thanks so much for doing this interview with me! For those people that aren’t familiar with you, can you give them a brief background, and how you got into fitness?
Kris: It’s my pleasure and honor, Kristine! I was born in Wales and grew up on a farm. Throughout my teenage years I raced motocross whilst suffering from severe asthma. I had to endure hours of mountain biking, swimming, running, etc, as well as medication just to stay on top of my asthma so I could finish a race. Following an injury to my back as a result of a motorbike accident, I received therapy from osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists and acupuncture therapists, but nothing worked. As soon as I received rehab from a physical therapy via weight training, I felt relief. From then on, I have been hooked on bodybuilding, and I haven’t looked back since.
I went to college for 3 years and became qualified Sports Therapist. I worked as a Personal Trainer on board cruise liners and later moved to Australia to open a fitness center. In 2006, I finished runner-up in the Natural World Bodybuilding titles representing Australia and the awesome ANB federation. I moved in LA as a contracted writer and photographer for Weider International and I also launched my own magazine called Kaged Muscle. Today, I am extremely proud to be the Deputy Editor and Spokesmodel of Bodybuilding.com, and the author of our book, Body by Design.
Kristine: How did you get started with bodybuilding?
Kris: I am an all or nothing character so when I began weight training I decided to enter a bodybuilding show a year and a half later so I could have a goal that would keep me accountable to my commitment. I was partying quite a lot prior to this so I knew that a Bodybuilding show would be the perfect medicine for my recovery. That was in 1999. I have competed ever since and became runner-up at the Natural World Championships in 2006. The last time I competed was in 2009 at the Idaho state natural titles, in which I won in. Competition is a very small part of my reasoning behind bodybuilding. I just love the fact that I gain more energy, confidence, bone density and discipline, etc, while I am lowering my cholesterol and chances of heart disease and diabetes. The bodybuilding lifestyle, done correctly, is extremely rewarding. The biggest reward of them all is getting to meet and work with some truly amazing people.
Kristine: In your new book, Body by Design, I love how the focus is around support and community. What is your experience with this?
Kris: Community and support is the foundation to a lifestyle change that allows your transformation exceed the usual 12 weeks. Many people think there is a secret exercise gadget, pill or diet that will get you from point A to B. In actual fact, the focus should be placed on the social network. If you are surrounded by people with like-minded goals who are positive, sympathetic and supportive of you, you are much more likely to stay on track when the going gets tough and emotional. On the other hand, if your friends are more interested in partying, encouraging you to eat the wrong things and making fun of your new-found lifestyle or being just plain negative, you are likely to give-in and fail. I have been there myself. My social network turned me into someone that became an overweight partier who was seeking pleasure in unhealthy choices for short-term pleasure. As soon as I began to change my social network, so did my priorities towards the health of myself, and then, eventually, others.
Kristine: I understand that you’ve done a very popular 12 week Transformation Series. I understand that Jamie Eason is working on a female version as well for bodybuilding.com. Can you tell us a bit about that?
Kris: Of course! My 12 week Transformation Video Series was published earlier this year and it has really taken off. People of all ages, experiences and backgrounds have made amazing changes by following this program. All of a sudden, they are getting free personal training, tips from some of the world’s best that I train within the series and daily bouts of motivation and support. It’s also like a fly-on-the-wall peek into my challenges when faced with long working hours, frequent traveling and even sickness. People are able to apply this to overcome challenges in their own lives. I have people come up to me in the street, restaurants, shops, cinema and gyms to tell me that they are following this series or have achieved an amazing transformation as a result. I can’t believe how widespread it has become amongst the everyday person who wants to achieve their health, fitness and appearance goals. Never did I think I would be recognized so much. It certainly keeps me accountable to make good food choices in public. Although my video series does apply to the female trainer wanting to transform, Bodybuilding.com will soon be releasing Jamie Eason’s version which is sure to be an even greater hit. Jamie is extremely knowledgeable. She is an amazing role model and knows how to overcome challenges having overcome them herself. Jamie is also much more creative than me when it comes to cooking.
Kristine: Its so great to see that you are inspiring so many people! Your advice is so valuable! I’m a fan of Jamie’s as well. She’s such a sweetheart and I’m sure her version will be amazing as well! I’m curious, what does a typical day look like for you with training & diet. Do you workout in the morning or later in the day?
Kris:
Meal 1: 12 egg whites and two yolks. 1 ½ cup of oats, almonds, greek yogurt, pineapple and blueberries.
Take Grenade fat burners and cup of coffee 30 minutes prior to my 20 minutes of cardio which is usually walking up and down stairs or power walking.
Meal 2: 200gm of Turkey, 1 ½ cup of brown rice and greens
Meal 3: 200gm of Tilapia, 1 Yam and salad
Meal 4: 200gm of Tuna, potato and greens
5pm: Pre workout supplements: Size On, Anavite, Glutamine and Vitamin C
5:30pm: Weights. I usually train using the DTP (Dramatic Transformation Principle) techniques.
6:30pm Post workout supplements: Myofusion, Vitargo, Glutamine and Creatine
Meal 6: 200gm of Sirloin Steak, two fried eggs and greens
Meal 7: 300gm of Cottage Cheese, pineapple and Udo’s oil
Midnight Snack: Myofusion and Udo’s oil
I drink 1 gallon of water per day mixed with grape flavored Xtend (BCAA mix).
Kristine: WOW! Thanks for sharing that. It definitely looks like a plan for success! What are 5 things related to training & diet that you can’t live without?
Kris: Peanut Butter Chocolate Myofusion Protein by Gaspari because it tastes so good, even mixed with water. Better Bodies wrist supports because I have previously broken both of my wrists. My Smart Shake, because it has several compartments to both add my pre and post workout supplements, or sometimes I store extra protein in them when I am travelling. Vitargo because it helps me recover quickly after my workout preventing the dreaded crash while enabling me to workout harder at my next training session. And lastly, my ipod because it really helps me focus on my training while stopping people from coming up to talk to me while I am working out.
Kristine: If you were to give someone that is just starting on their fitness journey a piece of advice, what would that be?
Kris: Focus on positive people, consistency and support. The best training and nutrition will never get you to where you want to go if you aren’t consistent with your day-in, day-out application. And this application is much easier when you have a system of support. That’s why I encourage absolutely everyone to log on to BodySpace (which is like facebook for fitness) and accept the free system of support, inspiration, motivation and encouragement that it has to offer. Here, you have the opportunity to interact with new friends who are on the same journey, or others that have completed their goals and who want to help. You will feel so much more accountable to reach your goals when you are transparent by telling everyone about your ups, downs and achievements. You can start by connecting with me – my name on BodySpace is Kaged Muscle
Kristine: I love BodySpace and its an amazing tool to keep motivated and connect with other like-minded people. As we both know, it can be tough to stay motivated. What works for you?
Kris: At one time, I was motivated by professional athletes whom I aspire to replicate. Now, I am inspired by the amazing transformations that I am honored to assist and witness every day on BodySpace. If I feel like I am having a sluggish day or my motivation is lacking, I only have to look at some of the achievements that, in many cases, had the cards stacked against them. The stories behind the before and after pictures are as impressive and inspiring for all of us in the real world to relate to. That’s why Ryan Deluca (Bodybuilding.com CEO) decided it was time for me to write Body by Design. I think everyone should witness the amazing stories and profiles it has to offer. Not only that, you get to learn how these people battled to overcome their struggles to make life-changing transformations.
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I want to thank Kris again for doing this great interview! I hope it inspires you all to stay motivated and perhaps try some new tools that may just “click” with you! You’ll find lots of great tips in his book, Body By Design: The Complete 12-Week Plan to Transform Your Body Forever. If you want to hear more from Kris (I do!!), follow along on his Facebook Page
Yours In Health,
