Name Stephen Anthony Burke
Age 21 DOB 26/09/1987
Gym you train at and location: Netherton Activity Centre and Hornby Boulevard Gym (LIVERPOOL)
Qualifications
- 5 A Levels
- FDA Degree Business and Management
- BSC Degree Business International Strategic Marketing
Q.1 Why did you start training and did you have any goals of competing to begin with?
From a very early age I have always had a very keen interest in anything sports related; to be honest a large part of my life revolves around it. I first joined a local gym when I was 18 to keep fit, but never in my wildest dreams did it cross my mind I would one day become a competitive Bodybuilder. I started off just doing the basics not really understanding the fundamental aspects behind Bodybuilding. Then shortly after my 20th birthday something triggered in my mind. If I am willing to put all the hard work in whilst in the gym why not take it that stage further. That’s the moment I realized Bodybuilding was the way forward for me. I don’t think there is any greater challenge than that presented to a Competitive Bodybuilder.
Q.2 What is your current training schedule like? How does it differ between pre-contest and off season? Do you do much cardio work?
Currently am in off season so training 3 times a week, training every other day working different body parts each day, e.g. Chest Shoulders Triceps one day and Back and Biceps another and Legs and Cardio another day. I allow myself the weekends off I feel the rest period allows my body to repair itself fully and provides time for my muscles to grow. To say off season is more relaxed is not always the case because you must always train with that winning mentality constantly referring to your next show and making sure come that day you will be in the best possible shape of your life. NO REGRETS! My training schedule differs dramatically when I hit pre contest that’s when I have to turn the intensity right up. Weight sessions intensify to 5-6 times a week and you have to make sure you step your cardio training up also to loose that excess weight the off season so kindly adds to your frame ha-ha. This is the time I really tune in and adopt the mentality if I train to my full potential and stick to my rigorous diet there isn’t another competitor who can live with me on that stage, but its all down to how much I want it and those who have Champions spirit and perseverance can one day compete at the highest level and be the best.
Q.3 How long have you been competing?
To this day October 2008 I have only been competing 5 months. I competed in my first show which was the BNBF Junior Northern British Championships on July 13th 2008 which I won so I earned my place in the Overall British Finals on October 12th 2008. Currently looking forward to a busy year competing in 2009 and will continue my Bodybuilding for the foreseeable future.
Q.4 What are your main competitive achievements?
My main competitive achievements so far have got to be firstly the competitions against myself, the hard thorough gym work sessions getting myself into contest shape and sticking relentlessly to the most of stringent diets. I am also a Second Degree Black Belt in my chosen Martial Art. But in relation to my shows my biggest achievement has got to be winning my first Junior Bodybuilding Title at my first attempt. This came at the “NATURAL” Northern British Championships held in Manchester July 2008. Next achievement came at the Overall British Championships 3 months after my first show. Just to stand there on that stage in Scotland after only 5 months of serious training competing against the BEST of the BEST “NATURAL” Junior Bodybuilders in the whole of Great Britain was an achievement in its own right.
Q.6 Who are your main sources of inspiration in your training and whose physiques do you most admire?
The people who are the main sources of my inspiration are not necessarily famous well known sports stars but those individuals who have experienced particular failure and have came back even stronger against the odds to prove those who doubted them wrong and go on to achieve great things. People who prove they have the heart of a Champion are those I turn to and these people always provide me with all the inspiration I need to succeed, without a doubt.
The physiques I admire the most are that of proven Bodybuilding legends and Champions Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Reg Park and Serge Nubret. Since I have been interested in the art of Bodybuilding I have constantly envisaged these special physiques in my mind took different attributes form the four physiques to make a picture in my head and strived for perfection in sculpting my body in a similar way.
Q.7 What are your current competitive goals?
My first and foremost Competitive goal is to succeed in what I started out to do, that is to be the best in my category in whatever line up or competition which I may enter. My next competitive goal is to retain my BNBF Northern British Title July 2009 then aim for top honours in the Overall Junior British Finals later in the 2009 year I want that Title BAD. Then make even more progress and use the experience which I gain from competing at this level to propel me even further to future successes.
Q.8 Why do you feel you have been able to make continuous gains over the years?
My main reason for this comes down to my ever Present Positive Mental Attitude. I have a quote which I thought of when first starting training. “Act like a winner, Train like a winner, BE A WINNER. I tell myself this repeatedly in my head many times in a day that way I never let a negative thought enter my mind and always approach any situation knowing that if I follow them three things I will succeed. But other than that it has been the great support I always receive from my family and friends. Combinations of them two things for me have been the reasons that I have made continuous gains over the years.
Q.9 What supplements do you use?
Currently I am supplementing with the following products;
- Extreme Performance Whey Protein
- A whole lot of Extreme Amino Acids
- L – Glutamine
- Creatine
Q.10 How much do you feel supplements and sports nutrition help your training?
Personally I feel I would not be in half the shape I am in today if I did not supplement in sports nutritional products. They provide me with all the essential ingredients to help me “NATURALY BUILD” a competition winning physique. They prepare me for training they help me during training then they help and aid my recovery after my intensive workouts. As much as 75% of my success in training comes down to my diet.
Q.11 What is it that motivates you through a hard session?
My main sources of motivation come from deep inside me and the fact that I always strive for perfection. It’s my competitive nature which allows me to train at my full potential even when the going gets tough and things are not going all my way that’s when I dig deep and perform at my best. The fear of letting people down especially those around me who follow me to shows and support me keeps me training harder than ever. I tell myself constantly if you don’t train hard enough to be able to compete which them boys sharing that stage with you that’s where you will let everyone down. No matter what the outcome of the show, that fear of turning up to a show not in my best possible shape and condition drives me on, it’s a constant pressure I like to put myself under. I LOVE IT!
I’d like to say thanks to a few people:
The people who I would most like to say thanks to are, my two great guides and mentors Colin Mathierson and Alex Large out of the Hornby Boulevard Gym. One of my closest friends and priceless training partner Peter Allen (Royal Marine Commando). Also my Family and Friends for always offering me their support and following me all around the Country when I compete. And finally Doug Black and Everyone at Extreme Nutrition for giving me the opportunity to work with them and also for their great help and support. I couldn’t do what I am doing today if it wasn’t for these people. Thanks again everyone.
