Ted Trush Interview with CBB

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CBB Handle: Praetorian
Age: 42
Height: 5’ 11”
Occupation: Telecommunications Network Engineer, Co-Owner & CEO, BodyAthletica
Hometown: Thunder Bay, ON
Currently Residing: Toronto, ON
Website: www.bodyathletica.com

Competition History:
1996 Mr Thunder Bay, HW & Overall
1996 Northern Ontario Championships, HW 3rd
2005 Northern Ontario Championships HW 4th
2006 Northern Ontario Heavyweight 2nd
2006 Ontario Championships SHW 5th
2007 Ontario Championships HW 3rd
2008 Canadian Championships Masters Heavyweight 3rd
2010 Canadian Championships Masters Heavyweight 7th

Have you always been an active person - did you play sports in your youth?
I have always been active and into sports even as a child. I played minor hockey until 16 and minor baseball until 16, gymnastics through high school, track & field through high school, alpine skiing, powerlifting and bodybuidling.

What made you get into bodybuilding competitions?
When I saw Arnold on the cover a Muscle & Fitness magazine and in the movie Pumping Iron, I started training and was lucky enough to meet Al Young Canadian Powerlifting Champ 165lb class and Yanni Toivanen World PowerlIfting Champ 198lb class…they basically taught me the three basic lifts bench press, squat, and deadlift as well as how to focus 100% intensity by getting into the Zone.

Having been a bodybuilder for many years, what advice can you give to a young competitor just getting into the sport?
I started lifting seriously at 18 so it’s been 24 years. Best advice I can give is be patient, learn proper technique early and thus avoid injuries, and never be satisfied with where you are - always strive to be bigger and stronger.

How has the sport impacted your life?
It has had a huge impact on my life, goal setting and dedication are attributes I have applied to all aspects of my life, from relationships to my career. I’ve learned that there is nothing I cannot do if I put my mind to it…as in my Signature Motto from the Master Yoda…Do or Do Not, There is no Try!

Who do you look up to in the industry and who has helped you along the way?
As a bodybuilder Dorian Yates…he is the epitome of mass and granite hardness. No one comes close, not even now. As a true genius in contest prep Dave Palumbo, one of the most intelligent and down to earth prep guys today, and Dave Tate, a true call it like it is power lifter and motivational speaker.

Favourite foods for dieting? For cheating?
Favourite diet food: filet mignon, Franks Red hot sauce, Natural Peanut butter.
Favourite cheat food: pizza, donuts, pancakes with syrup, ice cream

Are there any sports supplements that you cannot live without?
Whey Protein Isolate and Creatine Monohydrate (Creapure)

Are you sponsored by a company?
Currently talking to a few companies

Having been an active member on various bodybuilding and fitness forums for many years, what do you find positive about interacting with other members on them and what do you find negative?
Positive aspects are the ability to pass on my experience and knowledge to less experienced lifters in order to prevent injures, health issues, and improve overall athletic performance. Negative aspects are those with little experience and or knowledge yet think they know everything. It’s amazing how many “gurus” there are who have very simplistic if any knowledge of the human body, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals.

What is a typical day for you when prepping for a show?

• Typical day starts at 6am cup coffee and cardio (walk outside)
• 7am breakfast
• 8am off to work
• 10am meal 2
• 1pm meal 3
• 4pm meal 4
• 5pm head home
• 7pm meal 5
• 8pm train 1.5 hours
• 9:30 cardio+posing
• 10:30 meal 6
• Check emails, respond to clients, check work schedule for next day

How do you balance your training?
I train about 8pm at night…and cardio is done morning and evening…career takes priority during the day as well as responding to clients via email.

What do you find the most difficult about this sport?
The most difficult thing I find is off season eating…I need to eat so much food and it gets very monotonous.

When will we next see you on stage?
I am adding more lean mass off season and will be ready for the 2011 North American Championships in Cleveland Ohio.

Can you provide us a workout routine for a week?

• Monday-Chest+Calves
• Tuesday-Back+Abs
• Wednesday Arms+Calves
• Thursday off
• Friday-Delts+Abs
• Saturday-Legs + Calves
• Sunday-Off

As for an off season diet...basically start with 6-7 meals 40-50g protein+40-50g carbs+15-20g fat depending on lean body mass.

Keys to becoming a successful bodybuilder:

1. Its not about drugs...training and nutrition need to be prioritized or you will fail.
2. You need to believe unequivocally that you will succeed…there is no room for self doubt.
3. You need a support structure, family & friends…you cannot do it alone.
4. Never be happy with where you are - more mass, more strength, leaner, harder etc.
5. Train the exercises everyone hates, i.e. full deep squats, deadlifts, bent rows, good mornings, chins.
6. Do what you suck at doing…if you have skinny legs learn to love the pain from deep squats, skinny calves….hit them EOD relentlessly etc.
7. Read…this will probably propel you ahead faster than anything.
8. Train with those who are better than you.
9. Learn to enter the zone when training…a totally driven mindset, 100% focus.
10. Talk less and listen more!

For current contest history, please check out the Ted Trush Profile