SC: Thanks for the interview Lionel. Can you please give us a description of yourself?

LD: I’m a married (12 yrs in Oct) father of two wonderful children – a son Mikhael 6yrs and a daughter Rebekka almost 9yrs old.  I am a chemical engineer, currently working as a Safety/ Environmental Specialist with Coca Cola Ltd.  

SC: How long have you been into bodybuilding/weight training?

LD: January 1st, 2003 I decided I needed to get into shape.  I worked out at home for about half a year.  I joined a gym then and realized that working out at a gym was easily three times better.  For those of you working out at home, don’t under estimate the quality of a workout program at a gym.  You feed off the energy of others.  It’s hard to describe.  Having said that I would consider myself only training “seriously” once I got to the gym, 2 years ago.

SC: Tell us about how you got into natural bodybuilding...

LD: As I indicated earlier I started on Jan 1, 2003.  I had just received some bad news concerning my health in December.  I decided then and there the best thing I could do to help myself deal with my problems was to get my body in to its best possible condition.  I haven’t missed a workout since.

SC: What or who inspired you to compete?

LD: I had started a new job in late 2003.  There were two fellows at work who had entered many competitions in the past.  I began using them as a resource for learning different exercises, form, routines, diet, etc. At first I never thought about competing.  As I became more and more satisfied with my body the idea entered my mind.  After I attended my first show as a spectator, I was hooked.  What ultimately did it for me was wanting to show my two children (both with health problems) that they can do anything they put their minds to.

SC: Last years’ Canadian Classic was your very first show.  How was the experience and what motivated you to stick to the diet and follow out your goal of getting on stage.

LD: It was fantastic.  I was so nervous going in, but in no time I was made to feel very comfortable, by all.  I would highly recommend the experience to others.  I have been actively trying to recruit novice bodybuilders for your shows, because I want everybody to have the positive experience that I had.  As for the motivation, that part was actually fairly easy.  Every workout, every rep, every meal or craving, I simply thought of myself on stage in a Speedo, in front of strangers!  Talk about intimidating.  That’s what gave me the motivation for one more rep, 5 more mins cardio, or to stick to the diet.  I didn’t want people laughing at me, and that one extra rep or 100 extra calories could make the difference.

SC: Tell us what you learned from competing.

LD: I learned that I can do anything I put my mind to.  I also learned that I am my own harshest critic, and that I need to have more confidence in myself.

SC: What is your favourite bodypart to train?

LD: Oddly enough, compared to most other bodybuilders, I enjoy training the smaller muscles the most.  My favorites are calves, forearms, traps, and abs.

SC: What's your training philosophy?

LD: Stick to the plan.  I never miss a workout.  Sometimes it may be in a hotel room, doing various bodyweight exercises, or exercises I can do with a set of dumbbells that I take with me.  I never break the routine, never.  I break my body building into several plans.  I have a diet plan, workout plan, supplement plan, and a rest/recuperation plan.  These form my program, and I never deviate.  Given that I started late in life with bodybuilding, and I am not naturally a big or strong person, I can not afford even the slightest deviation from the plan.

SC: Do you train on your own or do you have a training partner?

LD: I have 4 guys I train with.  All are 230lbs or more.  I find being the smallest (and weakest) I push myself harder then normal trying to keep up with them.  When you workout with guys that bench 435lb, squat/dead lift 500+, with proper form, it can’t help but push you to try and keep up.

SC: What about supplements?  What are your favourites?

LD: Being a chemical engineer with a bit of background in food chemistry I appreciate the importance of this facet of bodybuilding.  I take, not all at the same time however, Protein, Glutamine, Creatine, ZMA, NO2, Multivitamin/mineral, EFA, and Arginine

SC: Any competitions coming up?

LD: I plan on competition in the Toronto Classic on June 3, and in the Canadian Classic on November 4th.

SC: Any final words?

LD: I am so thankful to both you and Desmona for putting on the Canadian Classic Series.  It’s a wonderful event that allows natural bb’s a chance to shine. You should both be extremely proud of what you have started here, as it will only grow in the future.  All your hard work and commitment will be paid back ten fold to you in the future as the Series grows.  I am so pleased to be a part of it right from the start.  I am looking forward to some day telling other bb’s that I competed in the first Canadian Classic.  I will either compete in or attend all of your future shows.  I will also continue to try and recruit competitors in my area for this fantastic event.

SC: Thanks for the interview Lionel.