Relentless Pursuit: Don't Let Your Mind Limit Your Potential

Push Harder and Reach Your Goals

Presented by Allmax Nutrition

You posted your 12-year bodybuilding transformation on your Instagram and it blew me away! How have you stayed so determined for so many years, or did you take a break for a while?

First off, I appreciate the follow and I hope I’m putting out content that helps you, both on my Instagram and in this column here. Weight training changed the entire course of my life. It kept me out of trouble and gave me a sense of accomplishment I never had before, so I immediately fell in love with the challenge and discipline of the bodybuilding lifestyle. After about eight years of hard work in the gym, I wanted to show my hard work and get onstage to compete. At that point, I was all in. Even as a first-time competitor I ate, trained and studied like a pro!

From 2006-2014 I was as consistent as anyone could be, climbing from a 176-pound middleweight to a 240-pound super heavyweight and finishing top five at multiple national-level shows, narrowly missing my pro card multiple times. In 2015 I had two surgeries (shoulder scope and triceps tendon reattachment) and missed that whole season. It had me in a depression and filled me with self-doubt. I started thinking that after all the years of grinding and complete devotion to the sport I love, I wouldn’t be able to compete again and fulfill my dream of becoming an IFBB pro.

After that season I got a message from Dante Trudel of DC Training, who I highly respected. I had no idea he knew who I was, but he said, “Hey man, I didn’t see you at the National shows and you are so close, I hope you didn’t hang it up.” The realization that people, particularly someone of his caliber, were rooting for me and supporting me lit a fire under my ass. Instantly, my self-doubt (weak mind) turned off and I found the drive to push harder than I ever had before. I realized just how powerful our thoughts and emotions are in determining our actions and in the grand scheme of achieving our goals. From that point on, my mind would never again be my limiting factor to seeing how far I could go in this sport. That’s why I work so hard every day in the pursuit of my dream and goals, which have taken me as far as making it to the Mr. Olympia stage with the very best in the world! I never allow my mind to limit my potential anymore. Don't let your mind limit yours! Just keep grinding.

Getting Enough Sleep: Consistency Is Key

I work a lot of night shifts, and I know sleep is crucial for growth and recovery. Do you have any tips?

Honestly, I think no matter what your work schedule is, it’s the consistency that matters the most. Your body gets used to what you want it to do and when. For instance, if you suddenly had a change in your schedule and had to train at a time much earlier or later than what you had been doing for years, the first couple of weeks would be a struggle, but then you’d find your workouts were just as productive once the body adjusted to it. During the week I’m lucky if I get six to six and a half hours sleep nightly with a few extra hours on the weekends. Yet I feel rested because again that’s what my body is used to. Eat every three hours while you are awake and have a protein shake after your workout because keeping a consistent caloric intake is probably the most important thing for recovery and building.

To aid in recovery and growth I use a lot of intra-workout nutrition and always have a shake post-workout:

Intra-workout:

1 scoop Impact Pump (helps increase blood flow and transportation of nutrients while significantly helping the focus for mind-muscle connection)

1 scoop Aminocore (prevents muscle tissue breakdown during training)

10g Glutamine (helps with DOMS, insulin sensitivity, gut health and immune system)

5g Creatine (for that fast-acting, explosive power needed to push weights and helps with muscle hydration)

1 scoop Carbion (50g carbs) (really helps with energy and endurance during workout by giving your body carbs that don’t have to be digested, therefore they are readily available for fuel)

Post-workout:

2 scoops Isoflex (fast-digesting protein with essential amino acids to start the building or repairing process immediately)

10g Glutamine again (helps with DOMS, insulin sensitivity, gut health and immune system)

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Website: www.teamwadefitness.com

Instagram: @ifbbprojoshwade and @teamallmax

For more information, visit allmaxnutrition.com

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