In speaking with Chris, I found a man who is humble, honest, and very passionate about bodybuilding and the lifestyle surrounding bodybuilding.
You will see in this interview his goals and aspirations. Future plans with Advanced Genetics, and his goals for the 2010 Canadian National Bodybuilding championships.
I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did!
- Chris, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. It is truly a pleasure and an honor to interview you.
-When did you start getting involved in bodybuilding? What led you to this sport?
I was 15 years old when I started weight training. There was a great gym down the road from my high school (the same gym I primarily train at today!) so it was rather convenient for a kid without a car. I initially got interested in weight training because I looked up to my uncles who did some recreational lifting. Team sports didn't really appeal to me, so this gave me something I could work at on my own. The changes I could make in my body were really exciting, especially in the beginning. I was hooked! I started competitive bodybuilding at age 20.
-When was your first competition? What did you learn from that 1st experience?
I was 20 years old and competed in the bantam weight division. I went from 180 pounds (chubby) to 135 pounds in 12 weeks. I dieted on nothing but egg whites and white rice. I looked terrible. I'm not sure who gave me that advice, but that was the worst dieting experience of my life. Keep in mind I was also attending university and exams were around the same time as the contest. Surviving that ordeal (and passing all my courses too!) gave me the confidence to to know I could do anything I put my mind to - even if it almost killed me.
-You will be competing in the 2010 Canadian Championships. How many weeks have you been preparing for?
I've been dieting for 15 weeks with 3 more to go. Normally I do a 16 week diet, but I miscalculated and started early. I'm glad I did - you can never be "too prepared".
-Other than winning, what are your goals for the Canadian Championships?
My ultimate goal is to bring the best Chris Johnson to the stage. I was happy with my look at both the Nova Scotian's and the Atlantics in 2009 - at the first I was very sharp and at the second, a week later, I was full and nearly as sharp (and 10 pounds heavier). I will combine those two looks for the 2010 Canadians. Winning would be fantastic and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want that big trophy, but I can't control who shows up. Anyone who beats me is a very good bodybuilder.
-Other than bodybuilding you are also involved with supplements. You are known as “The CEO”. What made you develop your own brand?
I've been involved in the supplement industry for almost 20 years and have worked for some of the biggest brands. In 2005 I decided to take all that I had learned and create my own product, GP3. It was a combination of the most scientifically proven ingredients for building muscle: creatine, glutamine, and BCAAs. I figured, worst case scenario, if the product didn't fly I'd have a life-time supply of what I felt was the best bodybuilding supplement ever created. Luckily it was well received and over the last few years I've been able to come out with three more products; DRIVE, ALPHA and F-10.
-How is Advanced Genetics different than most other brands? What benefit do your products carry?
I design AG products for myself. It may sounds egotistical, but I wouldn't expect anyone else to use a supplement that I wouldn't use myself. I don't construct my formulas based on profit margin - no corners are cut and I don't use proprietary blends. I believe in full disclosure right down to the milligram. I use the products myself, exactly how the directions on the box say to. AG products work! On the flip side, I'm not a marketing guy so I'm still learning about packaging and presentation - we've come a long way as a company in the last year or so bringing our look up to match the quality of our products.
-You finished 1st in the 2009 Atlantic Championships Welterweight division. Describe the feeling of hearing your name as winner.
Being announced as winner is always a great feeling. I don't think anything will match my very first win in 2004 - I had a lot of family at that show including my grandfather, who has since passed. Having him make his way back-stage to congratulate me was one of the most memorable moments of my life.
-Do you have any contest plans post 2010 Canadian Championships?
I'm taking one contest at a time. I'm 37 now and feel I'm just hitting my stride - I'm a late bloomer. I know there will be more, at least one more, but I'm not sure when. I think how this next show turns out could determine the direction I take.
-What advice would you offer to a young male or female teen that want to get involved in fitness and bodybuilding?
Bodybuilding teaches discipline and hard work. Like life, you will get out of it exactly what you put into it. Learn as much as you can - and recognize that the learning process is a life-long endeavor.
-Going back to Advanced Genetics, what products can we expect to see in the near future if any?
We have two new powdered products coming out in the Fall of 2010. One is a powdered version of GP3 and the second is a pre-workout energy supplement that really delivers some nitric oxide power!
-If somebody came to you and said they can only afford 1 AG product, and they wanted to compete in a bodybuilding contest, what product would you recommend? Why?
GP3, hands down. Whether you are male or female, young or old, muscle is built in the exact same way. No other supplement can deliver the advanced muscle building and enhanced recovery power more than the synergistic combination of creatine, glutamine and BCAAs. The science behind GP3 is unequivocal.
-Other than bodybuilding and supplements, what does Chris Johnson do on his spare time?
Wow - you just made me realize how unbalanced my life is. I've really constructed my entire life around bodybuilding. I'm either training, eating, researching new ingredients, testing products, calling clients, or shipping product. Luckily for me, my son trains with me every day and my girlfriend also lives the lifestyle. To be honest, I feel very lucky because I truly love what I do. I know how rare that is in today's world.
-What is your favourite body part to train?
Chest
-What body part do you not like to train?
Legs
-During your off season, how well do you stick to an overall healthy diet?
In the past I just made sure to eat 4-6 meals per day. That's not really good enough. Last year I kept my offseason diet on the fridge (just like I do during contest time). It made a HUGE difference and I will continue to do that. I realize that I am the type of person who needs to have a well constructed plan in order to succeed - I believe we all do.
-If you weren’t in bodybuilding and supplements, what profession would you like to try?
I went to school to be a teacher so that was always an interest. I think now though, instead of teaching English, I'd like to teach kids about proper nutrition and "real-world" economics. Kids these days are really out of shape and it has to do more with lack of proper nutrition than activity levels. Teaching kids AND their parents is the only way to make for a healthier next generation. It's also remarkable how few young adults know how to balance their budget and get into all sorts of financial trouble at an early age.
-Chris, I thank you again for your time and honesty. I wish you the best of luck with AG, the 2010 Nationals and all your other aspirations.
I hope you enjoyed reading the interview, and please stay tuned as more amazing interviews will follow.
No comments:
Post a Comment