| Christian Duque: Let's start with the basics: full name, age, ht, off season & contest weight (approximations). Also what's your hometown and current city? An Nguyen: My name is An Nguyen and I am 26 years old at 5'8'' and weighing 250lbs off season and 220lbs for contest weight. My hometown is San Jose, CA and now I am located in Los Angeles (Westchester), CA. Christian Duque: At what age did you first start weight-training, and what inspired you to become a competitor? Were there any Pro's you really looked up to when you got started (and why)? An Nguyen: I started weight-training at the age of 12 for sports and I saw the gain I was making and it felt good. After high school I was debating to play college football or pursuit bodybuilding, I went with bodybuilding. The Pro's I looked up to when I first started were Flex Wheeler, Shawn Ray, and Kevin Levrone. I looked up to them because they were the bodybuilders I wanted to look like. Great shape, round muscle with that athletic look. Christian Duque: Talk to us about your first win, at the INBA Oakland Silver and Black Muscle Classic. Did you have people helping you with your diet & training (if so, who?) and how much time/effort did you invest into your posing? An Nguyen: The INBA Oakland Silver and Black Muscle Classic was my first experience on stage and I really didn't now what I was doing. I competed in the teenage class and placed first due to I was the only one but the audience and the people working the show was amazed at how built I was for a teenager. I did everything by myself, alot of online research. I trained 5 days a week and did 30 mins of cardio everyday and pose 1 hr one day of the week. Christian Duque: You've competed almost exclusively in the NPC, winning the Fresno State & Contra Costa. How would you compare competing in the NPC, as opposed to other federations? How well are the shows promoted and executed in this organization, how deep are the classes, and how hard to you have to work to take the stage and win titles here? An Nguyen: NPC felt more comfortable for me so that is why after my first show which was INBA I switch to NPC from thereafter. I felt that all the show I have competed it was promoted all the same, just sit back and do your thing. But at the National level, that was a big different, the excitement and sportsmanship of athletes was great. Winning my class at the Fresno State as a light-heavy and Contra Costa middle novice was good for me but I could of done so much better. I won those due to my physique. The pass two years the reasons why I accomplished so much is because I work with a diet coach. Christian Duque: We're living in a new age, where "amateurs" are able to make important connections with magazines, supplement companies, photographers, and in designing their own websites, fan pages, and acting as their own managers. What do you have to say in this regard? How much time and effort have you put into marketing yourself? An Nguyen: I believe this separate all bodybuilders. If you do it smart and right you can make a fortune. Now that I am a Pro I will have to put all my time into marketing myself, I want bodybuilding to be first on my list. Christian Duque: How important would you say friends and family have been along the way? Do you have a trainer, nutritionist, and/or training partner(s) that has helped you get in the zone? An Nguyen: Friends and family are very important. They are the support system that help push me. My trainer is Charles Glass, my nutritionist is Dave Kalick and I train sometime with Justin Lovato. Christian Duque: What are your thoughts on our new Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath - deserving champion? Do you think Jay can still come back, or is The Gift going to retain the title for the foreseeable future? Also, what's your take on Victor Martinez & Kai Green? (By take, we're talking purely insofar as the physiques). An Nguyen: I am a big fan of Phil Heath. His physique is incredible. I would want him to retain the title a few more times. Victor and Kai, they are great to but I don't know if they can beat Phil Heath. Christian Duque: Let's go back to the basics a little. What were your favorite muscles to work out - way back when you first started training, and do they remain your favorites today? What, if anything, would you like to improve about your physique, posing, and/or presentation? An Nguyen: When I first started off I did a lot of push ups and sit ups. My favorite muscle to train is my chest but at the same time that area is where I would like to improve and also my back. But overall, I would like to improve on my posing and presentation and that just take practice. Christian Duque: And now...saving the best for last. Congratulations on winning the Heavyweight Class at the 2011 NPC Nationals and for earning your IFBB Pro Card!!! Talk to us about how long the diet was, how intense the training break down was, and how much cardio you did -- you looked RIPPED! An Nguyen: I diet 4 months for the USA's and then took a 1 month off. Then I train 3 months for the Nationals and get better, bigger and leaner. My training was intense everyday, I had so much people supporting and pushing me I couldn't half ass. I doing 50 minutes of cardio in the morning on an empty stomach everyday and 4 days out of the week I would do 30 minutes cardio post workout and on top of that I was doing 30 to 60 minutes of posing a day. Christian Duque: What are your thoughts on Super Heavyweight Champion Todd Jewell taking the overall? Was he better - or just bigger? You're both champions, without a doubt, but the Overall still seems worth scrutinizing. An Nguyen: Todd Jewell is a good guy. I spent about 8 hours with him during a photo shoot. My wife and his wife was also there. He is bigger but he also does have great shape. The judges went for his look. Christian Duque: Do you anticipate doing battle with Todd in the future - where you'll both be IFBB Pro's? And do you have your sights set on your first Professional contest? An Nguyen: I would like to battle with Todd in the future, if it happens it happens. I haven't put much thought into my first Pro contest. I going to talk it over with a few people first. Christian Duque: Finally, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to speak to us, and wish you the best. Is there anything you'd like to tell your fans? And where can people go to stay up to date with your career? An Nguyen: I would like to say thank you to all my fans because they are the one that makes me push myself harder to be a better bodybuilder and person. Right now, I have my facebook and you can check me out at www.facebook.com/its.an.nguyen |
| 2011 NPC Nationals Heavyweight Champion New IFBB Pro Bodybuilder An Nguyen |