11 Attachment(s)
Mike Zylstra Interview with CBB
Age: 32
Height: 6'2
Weight: 315 currently and last contest weight 252
Occupation: warehouse position
Hometown: Morden, Manitoba
Currently Residing: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Website: do not have yet, am on freakfitness.ca, and kaizen website
Have you always been an active person - did you play sports in your youth?
Yes, I started at a young age in sports. I played soccer in elementary then ventured into more competitive leagues of basketball, I played it from grade 6 to 12 and won provincials the last two years. I played on the provincial all star team my last year.
What made you get into bodybuilding competitions?
I started to work out at the local gym in Morden, the owner of the gym saw potential in me due to my genetics and convinced me to compete in the Manitoba novice. Previous to this I was always inspired by the photos and physiques of the bodybuilders like Arnold.
Having been a bodybuilder for many years, what advice can you give to a young competitor just getting into the sport?
I would say that bodybuilding is a lifestyle sport it is year round preparation and you eat, sleep and breath it while training. Your off season training is just as important and contest training without it you cannot make any gains on your physique. Your biggest competition is yourself, meaning you do not need to worry about how others look and how they train, stay focused on your training and how you are progressing. don't let anyone bring you down just keep working at it and if you loose keep striving to be better and better and see how far you can go.
How has the sport impacted your life?
Well, it has impacted my life as it is my life. Meaning that the sport never has a stop spot. I work at my physique year round, whether it be gaining muscle or dieting it is nonstop. I cannot go out to the clubs and drink excessively or go out to eat all the time I have rules and a diet I follow all the time. It impacts my social life more on dieting time, like at Christmas and holidays I cannot eat as everyone else, it takes a lot of self control. I have good mind control over dieting I am pretty faithful to my diet and don't usually go off on a binge or anything like that. It has also impacted my life by recognition I receive by the public, and by my friends etc. I recently went to an elementary school to speak about the sport and nutrition etc., this felt like a big accomplishment by helping children understand the value of their health etc.
Who do you look up to in the industry and who has helped you along the way?
I look up to my trainer and mentor Darren Mehling at Freak Fitness. He has encouraged me to strive for success and always backs up my decisions and goals. He has enabled me to use my genetics in a way that I never thought possible. Darren is motivating, strives for perfection and drives the life out of you to get to your goal. He has changed my physique over the last few years and last year was incredible the gains I made with his training program, never thought I could be so shredded and am looking forward to what is gonna happen next. I am sponsored currently by Kaizen, and they have helped me over this last year with supplements and promoting myself to the public. They recently gave me a 500lb drum of weight gainer for my off season diet, Do I need to gain that much weight (lol).
Favourite foods for dieting? For cheating?
Favourite for dieting would be oatmeal because it fills me up and if I add cinnamon and splenda it tastes like a cookie. As for cheating well that is an open book. Love my wife's cheesecake, can eat a whole cake in a day.!!
Are there any sports supplements that you cannot live without?
I cannot live without my protein powder (Kaizen isolate of course). When you need to get your protein in and have no time to cook it is the next best thing.
Are you sponsored by a company? If so, who?
Yes I am as I previously mentioned. Kaizen is my sponsor.
What is a typical day for you when prepping for a show?
5am 1 hour cardio, eat, 9am train a specific body part, eat, 2 hours later I eat. I work 8 hours per day and care for my 3 sons as well as preparing for a show. I do not have the privilege of time off of work and life. I balance my training, dieting and work/kids everyday and I have learned to do it quite well. My wife cooks for me which helps and my day will consist of eating every two hours 7 times per day. Drinking lots!! And more cardio at bedtime usually 1 hour. It is a sacrifice away from my wife and kids and that makes it even more important that I give it my all and strive for the top.
How do you balance your training? See above
What do you find the most difficult about this sport?
My diet!! And the mind games people play that piss me off. My diet is hard to follow due to it being the same sort of food everyday, day and day out. It gets hard to eat chicken after awhile especially when it is not deep fried and battered (lol). People always have something negative to say behind your back and to your face they are nice as pie ( the worst are some fellow competitors).
When will we next see you on stage?
Hoping for Nationals 2011. And North Americans (maybe)
I am looking forward to competing with the best in Canada. I respect and look up to many of the previous athletes that have been on that stage and may be there along side myself. I was at nationals this year and got a preview of the super heavy class and I was really impressed by their size and condition especially Ron Partlow's condition, and seeing makes me want to be a part of it. Next time I step on stage with the help of my coach I will be at least 15lbs heavier and am hoping that will be enough to compete with the big boys. Bodybuilding has been a part of me since I was 16 and it will always be a part of me whether I am competing or an old man it will always be with me. I feel honored that my children and wife back my decisions and accomplishments with the sport and without them it would not be as meaningful to win or even to step out on stage, the feeling of your kids excitement for you is winning enough!
For current contest history, please check out the Mike Zylstra Profile
