This article is one that I am doing as part of some personal development and as a challenge that has been put forward to me. I'm very much looking forward to sharing with you my experience and how I first got into the gym scene.

It will also serve you in the way of knowing where

I come from and where I am going.

Below I will answer some pivotal questions and explain why I lift and train the way that I do.

***Professional photo-shoot when on the Foxtel TV show 'Football Superstar'***

When did I First start working-out?

I first started gym training, with a combination of lifting weights and general cardio when I was 16. Pretty much as soon as I was able to join a gym, I did!

Was I self-conscious, embarrassed or ready to make a change?

The reason that I got into the whole 'gym' thing was to help develop my ability as a soccer player. I was selected for multiple state teams and always played above my age group growing up.

This led me to want to play professionally. I had it in my head that "I would make it".

My build, growing up was one of a 'skinny' kid. Naturally lean, I found it hard (and still do) to put on any weight, and was quite a thin build. A lot of people used to call me skinny, which got to me.

Even now, I still get peeved when people call me skinny!

So I thought if I hit the gym it would give me an edge and help make me better than other players, and put some muscle on my frame too.

Why do I continue to train?

That is one of the reasons I continue to lift weights today, to make sure I don't lose my hard-earned muscle. That would turn me skinny (Little muscle, little-moderate fat), instead of being lean (Moderate-high muscle, with little fat).

Staying strong is also a pivotal part of why I lift weights every week. I don't want to be weak.

I still play soccer, but my hopes of a professional career aren't there anymore. My focus is now on building and growing my business, and helping as many people as I can in the process.

Where do I see myself in 6 months?

In half a year's time I can see myself back into a full strength training program and being the strongest I have ever been. In-season, I reduce the amount of weightlifting that I do and just make sure that I am not losing much strength, or size as the season goes on.

Once the season is over my focus will shift to a full strength phase and packing on some more muscle. My nutrition will change slightly, allowing me a bit more flexibility and an increase in calories to gain weight.

What is my normal routine?

Recently I have just started getting my training back on track and have found 'the fire' again! I had a period where my training was sporadic and then I made a conscious decision to get it back where I wanted it to be.

Currently I train 3x per week and each one is a whole body strength session, with minimal cardio/conditioning. I save that stuff for my sport-specific training.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday are my training days. I aim to do the heaviest/hardest of the sessions on Monday. As far away from game day as possible, which is Saturday.

The sessions contain all of the big movement patterns. Push, Pull, Hinge, Squat. That's it!

(Listen to what they are in detail HERE)

It's not the most fancy program, but it's effective and works great for me and my goals.

Normally I train using Dumbbells, Kettlebells, Barbells, Body-weight and also bands.

This is how I train from time to time. Not all the time, but sometimes getting the sled out is great for a bit of a kick in the arse!

That's my story on why I train and why I will do so for the rest of my life.

I don't want to be weak. I don't want to be skinny. And I don't want to be average!

Hopefully that gives you have a snapshot of me and what drives me to stay active and really focus on my health.

It's part sport, part mental, part fun. I truly enjoy getting into some heavy lifting. It's my outlet from everything else that's going on in my life!

Until next time,

Train hard!

Jesse

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