Profile of Natural Bodybuilder Chris MacKenzie:

UPDATE: Chris MacKenzie wins NPC 2010 Team Universe Middleweight

" It is finally Done! NPC Team U Middleweight It has been a life long goal of mine to win the middle weights at the NPC Team Universe (and go on to represent the US at the IFBB world Games). After 4 attempts over 8 years, I've reached that goal.

I am not a braggart, I am not writing here to say how awesome I am, just to reach out to the nat BB community and share this win. Kerry a.k.a. lift, I have been on this forum since 2001 (it wasn't even a forum them), and you have a great thing here! Thanks for keeping it going.

So good luck to all, lets keep pushing our sport to get better and thanks for giving me a "forum" to get my thoughts, successes and failures out there."

1. How did you get started in bodybuilding?

Even when I was a little kid I wanted big muscles.  The tangible beginning for me, like most of us, came from a desire to be a better athlete in HS sports, then grew into a love of weightlifting, and eventually into competitive bodybuilding.

2. What is your training philosophy?

I use a training method I have developed and call EHA....  "EVERYTHING HEAVY ALWAYS".    This is kind of a joke that started when someone in my gym asked me something like "What, do you just like lift heavy all the time?"  The answer is yes.

Every workout is designed to push myself to get better.  One thing about bodybuilding, especially natural bodybuilding, is that it is a long, slow road.  I am 36 now and have been lifting since 13 years old.  I am proud that I am stronger now than I have ever been and hope to keep getting better for years to come.

One key component to my philosophy is also patience.  It takes a long time to change something on your body, and a long time to get ready for a show, and a long time to get better before the next show.

3. What is your diet like?

My usual diet is not that fancy, I just try to keep the protein high.  I always avoid  fast food (except pizza).

For a competition I keep my calories around 2500 - 3000.  I do about 10 weeks prep, keeping calories the same but increasing the protein while lowering the carbs week to week as the show gets nearer.

4. Who are your role models?

My role models are anyone that has set a goal and achieved it.  In life this might be a Bill Gates, or Bill Clinton, or Walter Payton.  Specific to bodybuilding my lifting partner is a good model to follow after.  He just turned PRO in the IFBB and he is LIFETIME NATURAL.  Sounds impossible, but he did it...  that is what makes him a good model to follow after.

5. What advice would you give to new athletes?

1.  Be Patient.

2. Don't be a scared-cat.  So many people are scared to compete in bodybuilding.  Be brave and enter a show; it is the best learning experience you'll ever get.

3. Set goals and go for them.

Natural Bodybuilder Chris MacKenzie

 
Photo credit: Jeff Binns - Muscular Development