Bodybuilder Alex Azarian Interview Interviewed by Ben Tatar of CriticalBench.com - September 2008
1) CRITICAL BENCH: Alex Azarian, tell Critical Bench readers about yourself!
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I have lived here all my life. My profession is A Physical Education teacher to disabled students. I do contest prep and diet consultations to competitors and "just regular" people. I keep pretty busy...check out my website www.prepbyalex.com
2) CRITICAL BENCH: That is very inspirational that you are a physical education teacher to people with disabilities. Shows you are a true inner champion on all kinds of levels. With that said, so far in your bodybuilding journey, what has been your favorite, craziest, funniest and moments that has changed your life the most?
Favorite moment- My favorite moment was my class win at the USA Championship in 2006.
Craziest moment- After an awesome prep and getting in the greatest shape in my life. I made some critical errors, drop 7 lbs in 2 days during the flight and last days before the nationals. Plus my contest color was way too dark, I was black and had too much oil. It looked like crap.
Funniest moment- In 2003 winning my class and walking on stage for the posedown and there was a great old friend from high school who won his class (I didn't watch his class or see him until then) next thing I was posing down with this guy and Mark Dugdale.
Moment that has changed me the most is when I hired Tom Prince to help me with my prep and diet for the USA in 05. My physique has totally changed, for the better of course.
3) CRITICAL BENCH: All priceless moments! What gym do you train at?
I train at North Hollywood Gold's in North Hollywood California.
4) CRITICAL BENCH: What do you think of most of the bodybuilders in the game?
I really don't have much to say, everyone is an individual and I treat them that way.
5) CRITICAL BENCH: Very true and great way of looking at people. Tell us about your diet and what are your favorite supplements?
I'm dieting for the nationals. It is structured around six meals a day. I eat carbs in meals one through five. Protein is about 1.5 grams per bodyweight and carbs are a little higher than 2, and no added fats. The fat burner I use is Xenadrine Hardcore.
6) CRITICAL BENCH: How many days a week do you train and how often do you work your abs and calves?
I train five days per week hitting each major muscle groups once and smaller groups like calves and abs twice.
7) CRITICAL BENCH: You have done great in bodybuilding. Tell us, what makes a bodybuilder a champion?
Champion bodybuilders are very methodical people who take diet and their training to the next level.
8) CRITICAL BENCH: You have had quite the bodybuilding career so far yourself! What have been the 5 high lights of your bodybuilding career?
Competing in my first bodybuilding show, and winning. Competing in my second show and winning, which was a much bigger show. Winning my class at a pro qualifier. Last year's prep for the nationals I was in the most shredded insane shape of my life! Then, Iovate which owns several supp companies, signed me to a contract with Muscle Assylum Project. I'm now a sponsored athlete by Xenedrine Hardcore
9) CRITICAL BENCH: What are your future goals?
My future goals are to get in the freakiest, most insane shape of my life and make a strong run at the nationals in November. I also have a contest prep, an online diet and training business that is growing like crazy.
10) CRITICAL BENCH: What do you enjoy doing away from bodybuilding?
I love actually lifting, doing the cardio and dieting. I love the process of getting in shape.
11) CRITICAL BENCH: That's hardcore. Do you train heavy and what rep range do you usually like to perform?
I like to train as heavy as possible and keep the rep range between 6 and 10.
12) CRITICAL BENCH: How much can you bench press?
I have bench pressed 425lbs at bodyweight of 190lbs
13) CRITICAL BENCH: Very strong! Nice work! What is the best advice you were ever told and what was the worst?
The best advice was to graduate from college. It has paid off big time. The worst someone told me was that college is just a waste of time.
14) CRITICAL BENCH: What are some of the biggest reactions you have ever gotten towards your amazing physique?
Girls flirting with you, people being very nice, respectful and people always asking questions about food or how much I lift.
15) CRITICAL BENCH: Yep and you have some big lifts to tell people about when they ask. What motivates you to be the best you can be?
My hard work ethic and discipline. I'm a martial artist, a black belt and learned discipline very young. That transferred over to bodybuilding and has been huge for motivation.
16) CRITICAL BENCH: That's totally cool. What is your advice for the younger bodybuilder who looks up to you?
My advice is to take this sport as fun. Stay in school, get an education, work on buying a house and having a family. I did all that before I even thought about competing. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
17) CRITICAL BENCH: That is some of my favorite advice too, to not put all of your eggs in just one basket. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
I'm a hard worker, very methodical and disciplined. I will never quit once I set a goal.
18) CRITICAL BENCH: How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as the guy who can get in great kick ass, shredded shape. The guy who was a champion but a super nice guy too, a cool guy, a family guy. Also I want to be remembered for doing awesome preps for other bodybuilders.
CRITICAL BENCH: You are a champion! It has been great having you with Critical Bench today! In closing who would you like to thank?
I would have to thank my wife and my young daughter. They have been through my diets with me, through the hard work and struggles and have been there to see me win and see me lose. No matter what they will always be there.
8) CRITICAL BENCH: You have had quite the bodybuilding career so far yourself! What have been the 5 high lights of your bodybuilding career?
17) CRITICAL BENCH: That is some of my favorite advice too, to not put all of your eggs in just one basket. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
