My name is Antoine and I’m a bodybuilder. In this article, I will explain how I got into bodybuilding and how it has changed my life. I was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada in July of 1987. Growing up, I had a normal life. I moved a few times but that didn’t matter to me. I started playing hockey around the age of 5 and played the sport for the next 8 years. I didn’t like it that much compared to the other kids on my team.

After that I got into the martial arts. I practiced numerous styles over the next 5 years including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Shorin Ji Kenpo, Kobayashi Shorin-ryu Karate, MMA and also freestyle artistic form called ‘’Tricking’’. I did tricking for a long time. Before bodybuilding, it was my real passion. I still do it from time to time, but I’m not nearly as good as before. Oh, and I played  some football too. I stopped all of that though to focus all my energy on one thing: Bodybuilding.

Before I ever step foot into the gym for the first time, I used to do push ups at home every morning. I quickly figured out that just doing push ups wouldn’t get me anywhere physique wise. I watched Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movies and wanted a physique just like his. So I researched online and found that, to get big and ripped, you had to go to the gym. So I started going to the gym.

2003-2004

I joined my first training facility back in 2003. My body responded really well to weight training. I went from 155 pounds to 183 pounds in less than 5 weeks. I eventually picked up a bodybuilding magazine which covered the 2003 Mr. Olympia event. I was amazed by all the incredible physiques. I couldn’t believe my eyes. So I went back on the internet and found out that nutrition plays a key role in bodybuilding, especially when it comes to dieting down for a contest. I researched a little more and I found a diet that I though might work for me.

My first contest diet mainly consisted of canned tuna and other really cheap meats, lettuce and green beans. I went from 195 pounds to 175 pounds for my first local contest in 2004. I was really proud of myself because I won my class at my first show! After that I knew bodybuilding was meant for me. Afterwards I went to the Quebec Provincials. Provincials are the equivalent of a state show in the U.S. There, I got 2nd place. Not too bad, I thought to myself. I was hooked.

2004-2005

After the provincials, I continued on my quest to achieve a better physique. I went up to 222 pounds during the winter of my seventeenth year. By this time, I had big legs but I lacked the upper body to match my lower half. I was still at school back then so I had to juggle so many things–I managed school full time, work and training for a competition. I got pretty good at managing my time, actually. Bodybuilding will do that.

I didn’t do as well as I would have liked in 2005. In my third show, I only got 2nd place (I guess dieting on French fries didn’t work as well for me as it had for Ronnie Coleman–be honest, who hasn’t tried this after watching his DVD?). Anyway, I competed at 185 pounds that year with an average condition. I was competing against guys who were years older, so I knew I had to get bigger.

2005-2006

2006 was a turning point for me. I had a good offseason, going up to 242 pounds. I wanted to win the Provincial Championships in early July. That was my goal. So I got nutritional guidance from a local coach. I knew I could win the show as I was training like a maniac and had a solid diet. At 18 years old, I competed at 205 pounds. Guess what? I beat everybody in the Junior Class and won overall best posing award. I was thrilled! I did this going to college full time and working 30 hours at work. I worked at a gym, Nitro Gym. The people there encouraged me to do the Canadian Nationals. The show had an under 21 class. The next step was saving up enough money to compete. Nationals was in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and

I was young and I didn’t have a lot of money. So I worked hard and started saving every last penny I could. Many of the gym members helped out and gave me donations. Eventually, and with their help, I saved up enough money to buy the plane ticket. At 218 pounds, I won. To this day I am thankful for everyone at Nitro Gym. I’ve worked and trained there for 5 years.

2006-2007

At 19, I had already won the biggest title I could earn in Canada. What was next? Everybody was telling me I should do the Canadian Nationals again as I was still under 21. Well 10 days before the contest I decided to listen to them. I flew to Edmonton and won the show again.

I also had an opportunity to do a photo shoot in the States. So I flew out to California and shot with an old school photographer, Irv Gelb. He had been in this business for a long time. This experience was one of the best times of my life! It opened windows to new opportunities and I felt so lucky.

2007-2008

I gained another 10 pounds, and my off season weight was now 260. I was now aiming for the Overall title at the Quebec Provincial Championships. My off season was fine but my contest prep was ‘’okay’’. I didn’t diet as hard because I went out and did a little too much partying (it’s true, though I hate to admit it). I still managed to get into a pretty good condition at 230 pounds. Unfortunately I messed up in the last week and gained 10 pounds in the carb up which resulted in a soft, watery physique. I ended up in 2nd place in the heavyweights. I wasn’t happy at all with my placing. I knew I had much more work to do.

2008-2009

I had a poor off season that year and regressed a little bit. I didn’t have a lot of money as I moved to my own apartment for the first time and began university. I was aiming the heavyweight open class at the Canadian Nationals. I started my diet 15 weeks before the contest and had a flawless prep. I stepped onstage at 220 and in my best condition ever. Still, I only got 4th place. I was beaten by smaller, stockier bodybuilders. I went back to the drawing board and moved to a place near Montreal.

2010

Today, I am with Universal. In my honest opinion, this is the best brand out there. I have the eye of the tiger and I’m very focused. I’ve got my eye on a pro card. I feel like nothing can stop me! Last year, I did a 15 week contest preparation. Screw that! I don’t want to be a bodybuilder only 15 weeks a year. I’m starting my preparation now–365 days of contest prep. That’s the only way to do it if you want to be at your best. My plan for this year is to first compete at the Arnold Classic Amateurs and then proceed to the Canadian Nationals to try and earn my pro card. Follow me as I share the good times, the hard times, and all the glory.

All right, I hope you know me a little better now. A lot has changed since I joined my first gym back in 2003. Everyday though, I keep telling myself that this is only the beginning. There are more changes in my future and I can’t wait!

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