Over-40 Transformation: Brad Williams

IM: First give some basic background like age, occupation, family, where you’re from, years working out. 

BW: Age: 40. Occupation: finance manager, From: Wadsworth, Illinois. Family: wife, Kathie (married 14 years) and three kids—Shea, 12; Madelyn, eight; and Grace, four. Years working out: periodically since college, hardcore workouts in the past two years.

IM: What made you decide to transform your physique to this extent? 

BW: It was a bit of a midlife crisis. I was approaching 40, and a friend had planted the seed of doing a bodybuilding show. So that became the ultimate goal as well as improving my overall health.

IM: Why did you decide to hire a coach?

BW: My first attempt at being “stage ready” ended up in failure. I knew that I needed to find someone to draw me a road map for my diet and workouts and to hold me accountable. I found out about you through my wife—and after seeing all of your success stories, as well as the constant support you give, I knew hiring you for a major transformation was the best thing I could do. It didn’t matter what time of the day or night, you were there to motivate, keep me focused and kick my butt when needed.

IM: Who were your biggest supporters? 

BW: First and foremost, my wife. From cooking my food to giving me pep talks, she was always there. Second was definitely my coach, who went further than being in my corner—you have been a true friend as well. Then there are my children, family, friends and my Gold’s Gym buddies, who were also always there to give me a boost.

IM: Did anyone try to discourage you along the way? 

BW: Definitely! There were a few people who were doubters. There was one individual who actually laughed in my face at the notion that I was doing a bodybuilding show! I used all of that negative energy to fuel my fire. It became incredible motivation.

IM: Did you ever want to quit, and if so, how did you get past it? 

BW: Yes. I had one failed attempt under my belt already, but I decided that I was not going to let people say, “I told you so.” That kept me going when I felt like giving up.

IM: What was your exercise program like?

BW: Cardio, cardio, cardio—seven days a week, an average of 30 minutes a day. The cardio was paired with your Power/Rep Range/Shock system .

IM: And what was your diet like?

BW: Pasteurized liquid egg whites were a huge part of my diet. To be able to simply pour and drink them made life much easier. I consumed six meals a day, eating approximately every 2 1/2 hours. I ate a lot of chicken, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, Ezekiel bread, almonds, natural peanut butter and, for my occasional sweet tooth, sugar-free Jell-O. And I would like to add that Mrs. Dash, Splenda and cinnamon can be a dieting man’s best friends!

IM: Did you use any supplements? 

BW: Yes. Along with a daily men’s vitamin, I took: an herbal testosterone booster, a fat burner, a natural estrogen blocker and Kre-Alkalyn brand creatine.

IM: The pinnacle of your transformation was actually stepping onstage at a bodybuilding competition. How did that feel? 

BW: It was beyond amazing. I set a goal for myself, which at times seemed unattainable, so to be able to stand on that stage was truly one of the greatest moments of my adult life. I was sharing the stage with some incredible talent, and regardless of the outcome, I’d already won just by being up there.

IM: What advice do you have for others who want to accomplish what you did? 

BW: 1) Never give up—ever! I’m living proof that it’s possible. I’m a married 40-year-old man, a father of three and putting in 60-plus-hour work weeks. So if you want it bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen. The excuses will creep into your mind, but it’s so worth the fight. 2) Hire a coach. It was the best decision I made. My map was laid out for me, so all I had to do was follow the path. 3) Surround yourself with positive people. There will always be someone trying to knock you down, but you need to block out that noise and use it as motivation.

 

Editor’s note: Eric Broser is available for online training, diet and supplement consulting and contest-prep coaching. Contact him at [email protected] for info and pricing.