MY MAIN GOAL AS A NATURAL BODYBUILDER IS TO LEARN NEW THINGS EVERY DAY
BIG BACK GRIPS USER PROFILE INTERVIEW: MIKE BOYECHKO
BBG: Mike, this is really the first time we’re meeting. So maybe we can just start out with some basic stuff on your background. Where do you live? What do you do? How old are you, etc?
Mike: I live in Thunder Bay Ontario, which is in Canada. Currently I am a senior student at my high school, I have been working a job since I was 14 years old, and most importantly I am living the life of a bodybuilder! I am 17 years old.
BBG: How long have you been working out seriously?
Mike : Ever since I was 11 I started looking up to the amazing physiques and talents off all the great bodybuilders such as Ben Pakulski.
BBG: One of our Big Back Grips dealers, Chris Byrd and his supplement store in North Kansas City. is also your sponsor. Now, you’re in Thunder Bay in Canada, on the north side of Lake Superior. And Kansas City, MO, is a good way from there. How did you meet Chris’s team, and how did you become their sponsoree?
Interview Questions
Mike: It was a confidence booster when I heard I had the chance to represent Chris’s company. I met the team through my good friend and fellow sponsoree, Jj Schelling. I started talking to Chris Byrd who is the owner of the KC North store, and we started going back and forth. We both thought it would be a great idea for me to represent his store, and we went through with it. Chris took me aboard the team as one of the two teen bodybuilders being out of Canada.
BBG: And Supplement Source KC North sent you your first pair of Big Back Grips. What did you think of them?
Mike: When I received my first pair of big back grips from Supplement Source KC North, I wasn’t surprised at all! Even though they were two small pieces of rubber like material I knew they would improve my gains in the gym. Everything I’ve heard about Big Back Lifting Grips previous to receiving my own pair has been nothing but positive feedback on the web.
BBG: What did you use before BBGs and why did you settle on BBGs? What part of your workout do you use them for how do they help your workout?
Mike: Before Big Back Grips I was using lifting straps. When I came across Big Back Grips I did further research and found nothing but positive feedback and had to get my hands on them! They helped me threw my back workouts by stabilizing my form and they made sure I hit the muscle I was hitting with full tension and control. Big Back Grips didn’t just help me with back but as well as chest. You can use BBGs for about any muscle group! Wouldn’t train without them!
BBG: Where do you work out?
Mike: I work out at a gym in downtown Thunder Bay known as Fitness Plus. Fitness Plus is the former World Gym here in my city.
BBG: Did you play or excel at any sports?
Mike: To this day, I still excel in the sports of hockey and baseball. Both sports I’ve grown up playing and have been doing so ever since.
BBG: What brought you into the world of lifting? What are your main goals in bodybuilding?
Mike: I have always looked up to my Dad as a former natural bodybuilder and when I grew up I started lifting day in and day out. My main goal as a natural bodybuilder is to learn new things every day, inspire and help others in the sport, stay natural and hope to compete in the years to come!
BBG: What are your biggest accomplishments in your workout history so far? : Titles, personal goals achieved, etc.
JAA: I don’t play around and bullshit in the gym. I go in and bring that intensity and get it done. The main thing I look for in a partner is effort and support, makes for the best workouts in my opinion. Oh and needs to be a good spotter. LOL.
BBG: Is there a workout that really stands out from the rest? A particularly amazing workout where you ended going further than you ever had?
JAA: I’ll tell you what. I had a leg day where for the first time ever I did 7 sets of squats with 315 for fifteen reps/30 second rest, and did heavy hack squats after up to 700. And finally, I normally work up to 275 for lunges but in this case did 10 sets of 12 with 185 and I literally could not walk for about a week. Now that’s a leg day and it was a damn good one. That workout was about a year ago now, and I have come a long way since.
BBG: What’s your advice to people just starting out?
JAA: Don’t be insecure!!! We all had to start at some point or another. The big thing is form, you want to get that down first don’t worry about the weight. That will come I assure you. Consistency and willingness to want to learn and better yourself are key. I personally find comfort with pain to pursue greater gains. Also I’d say have fun with your workout; if you’re not gonna enjoy it, don’t do it.
BBG: Finally, can you give us your workout for just one body part: back or legs, shoulders, chest or arms, even abs. Just pick your favorites.
Mike: My accomplishments I have been able to achieve as a natural teen bodybuilder is being put on a team and sponsored by the great company Supplement Source. I have been lifting for many years and seeing my physique change ever year has determine me to keep going!
BBG: What is your workout schedule like?
Mike: Along with this schedule, I do rotator cuff 3 times a week/abs 3 times a week –all abb movements consist of 15-20 reps each set/low and high intensity cardio 3 times a week
- Monday: Shoulders & Traps
- Tuesday: Back & Calves
- Wednesday: Rest Day
- Thursday: Chest
- Friday: Legs & Calves
- Saturday: Triceps & Biceps
- Sunday: Rest Day
BBG: What about your diet?
Mike: As far as diet goes, my body gets in 5 to 6 meals a day.
BBG: What are your favorite exercises or body parts to work? What do you consider your best body part? Do have a body part that’s especially challenging to make headway on?
Mike: My favourite body parts to work are legs and triceps. My best body part are my legs. A body part on me to make headway on are my calves.
BBG: If someone were going to work out with you, what are they in for, what’s your workout style? What would you want from a partner? Perhaps describe your ideal workout.
Mike: If someone was going to have a training session at my gym with me they would be in for nothing but hard work and a challenge! Nothing beats a leg workout with your training partner! During the session of legs we would be doing drop sets at the end of each exercise to push that individual to their max.
BBG: What’s your advice to people just starting out?
Mike: For people that are just starting to lift weight and wanting to put on some size and stay healthy, I’d say seek the right advice from the right people. I seek advice from Ben Pakulski. Personally I think Ben is the most knowledgeable and educated IFBB Pro bodybuilder in the sport today.
BBG: Finally, can you give us your workout for just one body part: back or legs, shoulders, chest or arms, even abs. Just pick your favorites. Maybe legs since it sounds like that’s one of your favorites.
Mike: Sure, here’s my leg workout:
- 2 warm up sets of choice
- 4 sets of back squats
- 3 sets of front squats with a drop set
- Seated leg extensions with a drop set
- Stiff leg dead lifts super-setted with hamstring curls