Interview With Fitness Model David Shutler

admin On March - 19 - 2010

How did you get started in the world of bodybuilding?

I got started with bodybuilding when I was in college. My friends dared me to enter the www.bodybuilding.com teen bodybuilder of the week contest, and I won. After that, I told myself I was going to compete. Soon after, I entered my first bodybuilding competition in late May 2007, where I earned 2nd place light heavyweight in a South Jersey NPC show. What can I say, I was hooked! Since that first competition in 2007 I have competed in about 5 bodybuilding shows and 3 fitness modeling shows. I still train and live the lifestyle of a bodybuilder but am sticking to fitness modeling for now because I enjoy staying lean year round, building muscle very slowly.

What Training Routine Do You Use To Get That Quality Physique?

Recently I have adopted a training philosophy recommended by pro natural bodybuilder Layne Norton. Layne is truly a great guy and offers a wealth of knowledge with contest prep and nutritional/training information. Basically. I follow a power/hypertrophy split…with the earlier days focusing on more of a power phase (more weight/less reps) and later in the week split the body parts and focus on more of a hypertrophy response(moderate weight/more reps) and better pump. I really emphasize the core lifts though more than anything (deadlifts, squats, bench pres, barbell curls, pullups, barbell rows etc)

What’s your diet like?

Diet primarily relies on whether I’m trying to bulk up a bit or cut down…I keep it pretty simple…I eat a lot of the same foods…and just manipulate my calories to about 300-500 cals above or below maintenance(goal depending). I am a little more lenient when I don’t have any shows or shoots…and sometimes I will throw in a nice cheat meal once or twice a week. Other than that though, my diet is on point and kept pretty strict. I don’t really consider it a diet, because I like everything I eat. The only thing that changes is HOW MUCH I am eating.

What’s your motivation?

My motivation comes from many places. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer back around 2002 and passed away four years ago in 2006. Ever since then, I have really aspired to work as possibly hard as I can to make her proud and do all the things people said I couldn’t. I use this motivation in every day: every rep, set and exercise…she is there to push me even further. My mind has been so clear and focused these last few years. Also, I went through quite the transformation in a five month period back in 2008. I decided, “man, I could be in those magazines” so I went for it. I was 250lbs and just didn’t feel good about myself. Constantly eating just to maintain that weight was just too difficult. So in those five months, I dropped about 45 lbs. and since then have gotten signed non-exclusively with a fitness modeling agency in NYC and have been published in two fitness magazines (Exercise for Men Only and Men’s Exercise) in 2009.

In addition, I enjoy being a role model for other guys and always strive to be “what every guy wants to look like.”

If you could give once piece of advice about bodybuilding/fitness what would it be?

Getting the body of your dreams takes time. Don’t rush it. Eat right and form a gameplan. Rome wasn’t built in one day, and neither is your body. Be smart.

Any plans for the future?

Plans for the future include getting signed on with a reputable supplement company and being one of their primary fitness athletes. Also to continue competing in fitness modeling competitions and also working with several agencies in NYC and hopefully branching out and making a name for myself in the industry. My life is an open book, just working hard and seeing where life takes me.

Favourite Bodybuilder?

Right now it is Jay Cutler bc the guy just doesn’t quit. Also I like Dexter Jackson bc he has a slightly leaner shredded more symmetrical look. Back in the day, definitely ARNOLD.