So after reviewing the Big Man on Campus articles and videos I was ecstatic to learn Bodybuilding.com did a piece on how you can stay fit and, more importantly, succeed in school; however, I was sincerely wishing the article was about me! I'm a big proponent of education and therefore, I'm super pumped that BB.com emphasized academics.
I wanted to reach out to the teen section of the forum to share my story, inspire others, and encourage aspiring academics/bodybuilders to contact me. Also, I'm reaching out to the teen section because I failed to value and appreciate the benefits of fitness/education and how much they can do for your life. If you're reading this.. you're already ahead of the game.
I am living proof that BB.com can not only help you be a big/fit/lean man or women on campus, but also an extraordinarily successful one. I went from being an unhappy, disorganized, 120 lb. something, college dropout to a 181 lb., 4.0 GPA, top of my class student (in both my undergraduate and graduate education). Additionally, I was an author on multiple scientific publications, a graduation speaker, a graduate student instructor, a research assistant, and won numerous academic awards due to the determination, motivation, hard work, and lifestyle instilled in me by BB.com.
In addition to these academic accolades, I managed to gain approximately 60 lbs. throughout my college career (most of it toward the beginning years) and stay lean in the process -- I believe my highest bodyfat percentage was around 10%.
I have achieved these aspirations and goals while concurrently living in an extraordinarily happy and successful marriage, maintaining a great social life, succeeding in my environmental science employment (currently in public service), and helping my family through difficult times. The culmination of these aforementioned attributes, I hope, makes me an inspiration and role-model to others. I sincerely want to help aspiring students excel in the classroom, gym, and life!
I really wanted to share my story so that I could motivate, inspire, and help others! So please, do not hesitate to friend me on bodyspace (zane11) and ask me any questions you may have regarding nutrition, fitness, time management, or academics -- I would absolutely love to help. I reached out to the Bodybuilding.com team in hopes of sharing my story and I am waiting to hear back from them.
In addition to the knowledge and motivation instilled in me by BB.com, I put together a simple yet useful equation that helped me stay determined and motivated in my fitness, academic, and employment goals. The equation was I = CAN where I is impact, C is consistency, A is aspirations, and N is never give up.
So this is equation was not only a motivational and inspiring saying, but also made sense to me. Your overall impact-- whether it's academics, bodybuilding, or employment -- is a result of your consistency, aspirations, and ability to never give up. I made sure I had this equation somewhere that I would see it every day because it is inevitable that hardships will arise and unforeseen obstacles will occur. But, if you keep your eye on your aspirations, consistently work toward them realizing that it won't be easy, and never give up (even if you score poorly on a test, fall off your diet for a bit, miss a workout, or miss a deadline) I know that you can succeed. I encourage everyone to embrace challenges as opportunities and make sure to utilize the I = CAN equation, which worked so very well for me!
Again, I encourage anyone with questions to contact me -- I'd love to help out. I want to pay it forward. BB.com has helped me so much and I would love to give back!
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Thread: Excel in school and the gym!
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09-08-2012, 11:42 AM #1
Excel in school and the gym!
Last edited by zane11; 09-08-2012 at 12:12 PM.
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09-08-2012, 11:48 AM #2
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09-08-2012, 11:51 AM #3
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09-08-2012, 12:01 PM #4
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09-08-2012, 12:50 PM #5
Thanks for the positive feedback!
I know it's a long post, but I think it's definitely worth the read. I'm trying to be a helpful resource for aspiring academics and fitness enthusiasts. HI highly encourage anyone to hit it me up if you have questions.
Comdeybreak:
The majority of the weight gain came over the first few years on my undergraduate...I like to think of it as a desirable and healthy "freshmen 15". Then it was a steady gain, but I always stayed lean.
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09-08-2012, 01:09 PM #6
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09-08-2012, 04:01 PM #7
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09-09-2012, 07:54 AM #8
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09-09-2012, 08:02 AM #9
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09-09-2012, 08:40 AM #10
That is inspirational man, me bein a college student and tryna achieve a great physique as well is hard, but not impossible. I need some motivation and advice from someone who's been down a similar path and u might be able to help. I'm not too good wit this app so if u could add me"joshuab93" Id like some advice from you. Thanks for ur story bro!
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09-09-2012, 08:45 AM #11
Great job on your well rounded accomplishments brah. Thanks for the motivation! And what do you work as now?
Certified Broscientist.
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***TEAM REDRAIDER86***
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09-09-2012, 08:55 AM #12
So true. In school I hated science, never tried and ended up with a B. Ironically, a year after those exams I got into lifting and nutrition and all of a sudden I spend hours reading complex nutritional articles that a year ago I could never imagine myself being interested in, nevermind reading.
I find it remarkable how as soon as you see a need to learn for non-academic reasons you can suddenly become so much more engaged and develop a passion for a subject.I rape back everytime!
Dec 2011: 145 lbs
March 2012: 155 lbs
May 2012: 160 lbs
June/July 2012: Bulk on hold due to working abroad - unable to control diet :( (Maintained 160lbs)
August: 160lbs
Sept: 165lbs
***GOAL 180lbs by Jan 2013!***
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09-09-2012, 11:01 AM #13
Lendogg -- thanks for the positive feedback. I am certain that if you set your mind to it...you can definitely lean bilk -- remember... " I = CAN"
JoshuaB93 -- I'm confident that if you want to succeed in school and the gym you can do it. Please hit me up with questions. I love to help aspiring students and bodybuilders achieve their respective goals!
Gymrat2000 -- Thanks! Currently I work in public service in the field of environmental science... more specifically sustainability.
heroes1308 -- glad to hear you found what could lead to your success! I notice your bulk is on hold because you can't control diet. I spent time traveling all over the USA (seeing all 50 states) and time traveling several countries in Europe and still manged to exercise and keep a solid diet. So please hit me up if you want to talk about it!
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09-09-2012, 11:20 AM #14
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09-09-2012, 01:39 PM #15
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09-09-2012, 02:44 PM #17
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09-09-2012, 10:23 PM #18
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09-09-2012, 10:31 PM #19
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09-10-2012, 05:52 AM #20
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09-10-2012, 10:06 AM #21
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09-10-2012, 06:30 PM #22
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09-10-2012, 06:42 PM #23
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09-11-2012, 07:26 AM #24
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09-13-2012, 08:18 PM #25
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10-11-2012, 06:45 AM #26
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10-11-2012, 06:56 AM #27
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10-11-2012, 07:06 AM #28
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10-11-2012, 07:19 AM #29
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10-24-2012, 09:06 AM #30
iPump -- I couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks for the response.
SkeIeton -- I know lots of people in the same situation, and I was one of them. Honestly, I couldn't afford it either, but that is the purpose of loans. I'm in debt now, but I surely have a much high paying and satisfying job that will allow me to pay off my loans. Hit me with a PM if you want to talk about it. Your move.
jstar1 -- Interesting comment...but I respectfully disagree. People tend to be attracted to individuals that show great passion and enthusiasm for what they do. So much more goes into than simply looks my friend. Looks is actually lower on the totem pool than you believe.
asian66 -- I'm not sure what my weight gain per month was, and I didn't monitor my body fat very closely; therefore, I'm going to have a really difficult time answer your questions adequately...I'm sorry. Send me a PM if you'd like to talk in greater depth though.
Keep working hard everyone, and I love all the feedback I've been getting...keep it coming!
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