2nd Place 2007 NATIONALS

WELL, it's all over for 2007. Started with a win at the Metropolitan's in NY on April 14th followed by a win two weeks later in SC for the JR USA's, after only a month and a half off of dieting I aimed for the Nationals where I placed 2nd to Jose Raymond this past weekend. Got to give it to Jose for his frame of 5'3 he had a solid package with good conditioning, congratulations Jose you looked great. As for myself, I was very happy with my placings, I mean at the time, who couldn't be upset one placing away from turning Pro at Nationals with my good friend Evan, that would have been a dream, but this year wasn't meant to be. I came in with my best package I have ever had, 3 lbs lighter than I was my last two shows, my cuts and separations were deeper, without losing any size or shape. Got to give it to BIG DAVE, he brings me in better and better every show, can't wait to see what 2008 brings for the Nationals in Atlanta GA.
As for the Nationals, I had a great time, exhausted but a great time. I stayed in the Fairmont with Evan and we just relaxed the entire time, never saw out the window, for three days just slept, ate, tanned, and competed. That's what we were there for. You go to these shows to do your best, and you see all these other guys running around doing stupid shit when all they should be doing is resting, makes you think what it is they want, a career or attention. I arrived on Wednesday night, got in late to the hotel ate and passed out. Thursday was a day of tanning, talking with Dave and 7:30pm wiegh-in's where I weighed in at 173.2. The next morning after water depleting I was 170 shredded to the bones after only 2 meals of carbs. Friday was prejudging at 5:30pm, where I was in bed until almost 7pm before I got on stage just in time to get oiled up and a quick pump before getting on stage. After quarter turns they brought us all out, and I got called 1st call out after Jose. After we went through out mandatories they brought the top 3 back on stage for one more comparison round where we all went at it head to head once more. I knew Jose had me in size, but in my opinion I had in on shape and conditioning. After I got off stage it was on to route for my boy Evan whom they didn't even compare anyone too, I mean how could you, he stood head to toe, bigger, drier, and harder, than any other guy in his class, hands down the overall winner. After that it was all about the Hooters hamburgers and fries. Saturday came, and went, tanned and ate during the day, the night show ran slow as shit in the beginning bringing the fitness in between the men's night show, but before I knew it my routine was 90 there and gone. I was standing on stage with 4 other men not knowing what the out come was going to be. I heard 5th, 4th, and 3rd place called but didn't hear 173 which was my number, then......I heard "and runner up" number..173, and I knew it just wasn't my time yet. Hit a few poses for the camera, rubbed the tan off and went back to the seats with my friends and family to give Evan my support, which he didn't need due to his physique spoke for itself. After Evan won the overall with a superb routine, I got very sick, there was a bug going around I found out the next morning I was up all night with an upset stomach, and puked my brains out around 6am. Not a fun way to start an off season. Finally, made it home after a lot of muffins and toast all day because my stomach couldn't handle anything, and feeling better and heavier today. Now taking a week off before starting my off season for the 2008 Nationals!!
Want to give a big shout out to those that came to support me, my Mom and Brother..aka ANTsistant (he was Evan and mine slave for 3 days), also Leah, her Aunt Mary, Kelly, Uncle Tom, Mike, and Will, for showing up at the airport and letting us use the microwave and driving us around the weekend, don't know what I would have done without you guys there. PJ, for just being PJ, kid is just out of control, all you can do is laugh, he's my boy and shout out to his Mom for the Godiva's..already GONE!!! Gold's Gym NH crew, you're all great, and Kenny my posing coach, thanks for everything bro. Also huge THANKS to Evan, this was a weekend I will never forget and couldn't have done it without you bro, can't wait to see you kick some ass at the NY Pro in 08. Also Special thanks to DAVE PALUMBO AND SPECIES NUTRITION, words not needed physique has spoken.......Stay big
Guy

DAVE PALUMBO, EVAN CENTOPANI, & PJ BRAUN THANKS GUYS!!!

These three individuals have been a huge help to me the past 16 weeks of my training. Lets start with PJ. I met PJ over 4 years ago when I was in college, everyone knew I was a bodybuilder and always told me I had to meet this huge kid named PJ. Awhile went by and one night I headed to Benagan's to grab some food and PJ was bouncing at the door, that night I didn't make it to my table. I sat there for hours talking to PJ about training, dieting, and competing, and from there we became training partners. Through the years of training with PJ we both learned a lot from each other from bodybuilding, and more so friendship, PJ and I have had our fall outs, which we laugh about to this day. Since then PJ moved in with his girlfriend whom I love Nicole in CT, where she competes in Figure and took 3rd at the Jr USA's as her second show after winning the overall at the Atlantic States the prior year. PJ has been like a brother to me I became close with him and his family. If there's ever a problem PJ is always there to help and give advice, I can thank him enough for all that he has done for me, Thanks bro you mean more to me than you'll ever know..

Now for Evan. This is pretty funny, I worked at GNC throughout college to make it buy, and worked with a buddy of mine named Andy, who also knew PJ. He would always tell me you have to meet my buddy Evan who lives in Trumbull CT, he is the biggest guy I know. I told him no way is this kid bigger than PJ, at that time PJ was the biggest armature I knew. After college I got transferred to Trumbull as a manager for GNC and met Evan at World's Gym. The day I met him was only a few days after he won his first show at the Atlantic States, I was like HOLY SHIT!! This kid is unreal, I met him along with Ron Rich who is an outstanding bodybuilder as well. Me and Evan hit it off from the start. Evan would always stop into GNC and bull shit with me and we would catch up on workouts a few times a week. Since I met Evan a lot has changed, he's another one, whom I went from not knowing to becoming best friends with. After I won my class and was National Qualified in the Gold's Classic after some help with PJ with my contest prep, Evan told me he had been working with Dave Palumbo for the JR Nationals and Nationals and I should hook up with him. I was skeptical at the time because I had got dropped from my last nutritionist who was an asshole, and I wasn't a big name in the sport so what would Dave want with me. But I followed his advice and did. Evan you have been there a lot for me the past 3 years I can't thank you enough for all the time and dedication you put into helping me prepare for the Mets, Jr USA's, and now well be going together to the Nationals, a time to remember...LOVE YA BRO

NOW MR. JUMBO PALUMBO...I talked to Dave for the first time in the end of December, great, open, down to earth guy, he told me take a few pics and send them to him and well go from there. So the next day went to my girlfriends house snapped some shots sent them to Dave, received an email back asap. He said I had ridiculous legs and a great physique, I was shocked because my old nutrition didn't think I had shit to work with. After going back and forth via e-mail I finally took a trip to see Dave, we sat down went over my contest prep and got started, it wasn't easy. I was used to dieting the "old school" way carbs, low fats, high protein, cardio here and there, not with Daves' Methodology it was 16 weeks of no carbs, cardio, high fats, and a CHEAT MEAL....I thought a CHEAT MEAL..AWESOME. Well it's awesome alright until he pulls that away, along with your fats and your eating just protein. But who can complain, after winning two shows under Dave, being sponsored by Species, and gaining a great FRIENDSHIP with him and his fiance Colette, I couldn't be more happier...Thank you Dave for all your hard work and dedication you put into me and you have inspired me to become so much more than a bodybuilder, you are a great person and I can't thank you enough for all your help, your more than a nutritionist your a great Friend!!!
Thanks you guys, Love everyone of you
Guy

IN THE TRENCHES GUY AND EVAN!!!

WELL WELL, WHAT A SIGH OF RELIEF!!! Today was my last day of work until I get back from Nationals and it was also my last leg workout. I don't know what's worse doing legs or doing legs then doing my second session of 75 minutes of cardio afterwards when my legs are feeling like J-E-L-L-O. But got to give it to Dave and Species Nutrition along with his advice and taking LIPOYZE, SOMALYZE, AND ISOLYZE, I am already at my competiton weight. This morning I was 176.5 lbs, right where I need to be for weigh-ins. The good thing about this is that last time the day before both shows I was 178 so my carb up wasn't that good, Dave wants me to be a little lighter so I can get a full day of carbing up to look full and hard on stage which I have NO doubts about. Eveyone keeps asking me how do I think I will do, my answer is always the same, I want to look the best I have ever looked before, and where ever I place I place. Who ever looks good on that day deserves to win, so hopefully all the hard work, and dedication I put in this year will pay off. This Thursday and Friday I will be shooting IN THE TRENCHES WITH EVAN CENTOPANI AT BEVS GYM IN SYOSSET NY. It will be up on MD I am sure before the Nationals, it will be a good time, the last one I did was three days after the JR. USA's with Nick Zack who won the Super Heavy wieght class at the Mets and the Arnold, so this will be a good experience. Evan and I train together at least once a week in Gold's New Haven so our training styles are similar and we will have fun with it even though were both close to death..hahaha, but I will keep you all posted on how it goes and when it's up and running on MD. Until then GOOD LUCK AND STAY STRONG
GUY

2 WEEKS OUT..LEANER BY THE DAY

Whats up everyone been a long week, today was my first day of fats in 6 days so that's why I haven't typed anything. It's hard enough to go through the day, doing this wouldn't help nor would it make any sense I would be all over the place with my typo's. Well this week surprising went fast, had awesome workouts which I can't believe since I am eating just protein. Also Saturday my buddy Dominick and myself went up to Gold's New Haven, home of the Montanari Bros, and my posing coach Kenny Wallach. We got in a sick arm workout and I had a great posing session with Kenny, we got a lot accomplished in the hour we had together. Also did some of my workout with Evan who looks unbeatable, he is just a sick individual, his legs came up 100% from last year, his is striated from head to toe, no one is going to touch him at Nationals that's my prediction! GO GET EM EVAN, LETS BRING THOSE PRO CARDS HOME KID. Also, last night I went to the East Coast show held in Totowa NJ, which is 10 minutes from my house. I went there to see Dave so he could evaluate me and see if there was changes to be made. He thought I am where I am supposed to be at this point, so things stayed. Only one week left of cardio and working out can't complain about that! IT'S CRUNCH TIME NOW BABY!!!!!!

So this morning I woke up at 179, and looked very good, I am my own worst critic so I still think I need work, but last shows I weighed 178 the day before the show so I am defiantly on point. My goal in every show is to come in better than I did at my last show, where I place after that is where I place, I can only come in at my top conditioning, which I plan to do, and with that God willing my pro card. Until next time everyone. GET BIG!

On a sadder note, Evan lost his aunt whom passed away on Friday morning. I just want to give my condolences to Evan and the Centopani Family and let them know that my prayers and thoughts are with them through this rough time. I love you guys, stay strong and hang in there. PLEASE KEEP EVAN AND HIS FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS AT THIS TIME..THANKS AND GOD BLESS

3 WEEKS OUT...GETTING TOUGH

SO....its 3 weeks away the biggest show of my life thus far, and man am I feeling it. I was looking through my diet log for the Mets and the Jr. USA's, 3 weeks out from the mets I was 190 lbs, currently 3 weeks out from the Nationals I am 182 lbs. I am looking a lot better than I did for my last shows but as always my body gets very stubborn due to the fact that my body does not want to be this weight (as Palumbo would say) so this is the point where I start to get tortured. Dave made some changes in my diet today, if you kept track of my blogs the past few weeks, two weeks ago he cut my cheat meal and I was doing 2 days without fats, 2 days with. The following week he changed it to 3 days no fats, 1 day with. Now, today he changed it to 6 days not fats, 1 day with fats (That day is like a cheat meal to me). Along with that I am also training 5 days a week and doing 2 1/2 hours of cardio a day, 75 minutes in the morning on an empty stomach and 75 minutes post workout. The diet I can deal with its the boring cardio that I have to do, there's nothing fun about that crap. But hopefully I will be in shape early so I can get a good carb up for the show and be the biggest and most ripped in my class. But 3 weeks until show time, and only 2 weeks left of cardio and training so just got to keep the warrior mentality and keep getting after it.

On a better note, this past Saturday I was at the Gold's Classic in Jackson NJ, where Calro Filopone and myself where the guest posers. I had a good time there, their were 80 competitors because that show is a National Qualifier so a lot of competitors are trying to get qualified for Nationals in November. That's the original show I got Nationally qualified at back in 2005. My routine was good except I put on an oil before I went onto stage which I never do and the stuff was horrible I couldn't grip any part of my body for any lat spread poses so it threw a monkey wrench in my routine but all in all it was fun Karen and Mike Stienfield ran a very well organized show. Thanks for having me guys, greatly appreciated.

Also, today I had a photo shoot at strong and shapely gym with my good friend/photographer Tony Monchinski, who is a great guy. He has his own column in Muscle Mag which focus's on a lot for East coast bodybuilders. He shot 8 bodybuilder total including myself. So keep an eye out after Nationals for my write up in his column...Thanks Tony for all your help the past year. Tony is the man, he shot all my Amazing Amateurs videos for MD, and I had a full page article that he put in Muscle Mag which I received a lot of emails and complements on. He's a great guy, and a huge impact in the East Coast regime.

Until next time Stay Focused and Keep after your Dreams, you only live ONCE, make it well worth it....
Guy

The Two Families That Have Been Here For It All

This blog is for the two families that mean more to me than anything that I haven't mentioned throughout my website being up. And if it weren't for them I don't know how I would have done it all.
My family, mom, dad, Lisa, and Anthony. You guys are my life. You guys have put up with more shit of mine (well until this show because I just got my apartment), than anyone else. My mother who for some reason I fine a reason to yell at about everything, but she's the one always checking up on me to make sure Palumbo is killing me. My father for giving me the tools I have to become the dedicated person I am, and who can forget, the one who is always calling me letting me know whats on sale at the super markets and pick it up for me so I can have food on stock at all times. My sister, well my sister and my brother are like my two best friends, my sister would just be there for me, she would always want to do things to get my mind off dieting, shes the best sister God could have given me. As for Anthony, this kid is something else. When I was home, dieting for the Mets and the Jr USA's, he was like a slave for me, anything I needed he would do, go up the stairs to get this and that, drive here to pick this up for me, and the biggest pain in the ass thing, he put over 10 coats of protan on me for each show, and I know how much he enjoyed that. My family is my saving grace when I diet, when things are going bad and times are getting tough, they are always there to push me through it and keep me level headed. I love all of you to death, you guys are the best family that a son/brother could have asked for, thanks for all your support and I love you all!!!!

As for my "Second Family," Mrs. B., Leah, and her brother Peter. I started dating Leah in March of 2005, and she had no clue what she was getting herself into..lol...We were together for two years. Leah has been a big savior for me, she's not the biggest fan of bodybuilding, but the biggest supporter that I have. She has been there wen I won the Golds Classic in 05, she's been there in 07 when I won the Mets and the Jr USA's and she told me she wanted to come to Dallas because in her eyes she's been through it all and wanted to be there for in her words the "grand finale." Leah and her family have been a huge part of my life for almost 3 years, I met her right before I graduated college and after I graduated I stayed in Connecticut to be close to her, they live in Westchester NY, so I was only 20 minutes from her. Her family was like my family away from home, I was there every night with or without Leah being home having home made meals with Mrs. B. and Peter (Mom is a great cook by the way.) Peter and I would relax and play x-box for hours on end. Peter would occasionally come along for a gym workout with me, when the time was there. Mr.s B. is a Elementary teacher, Leah works for a marketing company, and Peter is a Freshman football player in high school, who one day I can see playing pro ball. The kid is a monster. Big, tall, and strong as an ox, the kid is gonna turn heads when he gets older. You guys have been so much to me for the past 3 years and I hope you guys continue to be here for me for years to come. Thank you for all your help and support through the years, I love each and everyone of you guys.

***Sometimes in life we look past the most important things, and those are the things who made who we are today, sometimes, we all need to stop, take a step back, and look at the whole picture, and realize who we are and how we got to be where we are at...Thank you for showing me that today...You know who you are
until next time
Get After it
Guy

BEVS POWERHOUSE GYM

Again, today, was another one of those traveling across the world days for me. I took a trip to see Palumbo to evaluate me since I am 4 weeks out as of today. Me and my training partner Dom went to Bevs gym in Syosset NY, which I workout at every time I am in the area. That gym is the mecca of gyms around. By mecca I say that because there are so many pictures and collages of old time and up and coming bodybuilders, along with fitness models, figure competitors, and athletes. I mean the gym just has an aura about it that when you walk in the only thing you want to do is throw around weight. I met Colette Nelson there (Dave Palumbos finace), and her, Dom, and myself all got a great arm workout in. Wanted to give a thanks to Steve and Bev, although they are usually not there on the weekends, the staff always welcomes me with open arms and that means a lot when your a bodybuilder trying to make a dream come true. So THANKS TO STEVE AND BEV AND POWER HOUSE GYM FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!

So on a worse note, my diet, and cardio changed as of today. I saw Dave, he said he thinks I am right where I need to be, but wants me to come down lower than I was for the Mets and Jr USA's so I can get a better carb up. For the next 4 weeks I am doing 3 days of just protein, NO FATS OR CARBS, 1 day of Protein and Fats, but here's the worst part my cardio is up to 2 1/2 hours a day, which sucks when you work over 40 hours a week and try to keep a level head. But this is why its bodybuilding, you have to build your body to the best it can be, that's why there's only few who can do what I/We do. Until later on, Stay Strong All, because God knows I have to right now...lol
Guy