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16 || FITNESS MAGAZINE || JANUARY 2016 MFM: What type of food or supplements do you consume pre-workout and post-workout? SC: I typically have Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy, branched-chain amino acids (BCAA%u2019s), carnitine, and creatine before a workout. Post-workout, I reach for more glutamine, Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrowhey, and some form of carbohydrate. MFM: What are your top 3 favorite bodybuilding exercises and why? SC: Pull ups, front squats, and incline bench. These three exercises directly and indirectly work the entire body. MFM: What is your training routine like? SC: I%u2019m currently following a strength conditioning program that is designed to build strength through a series of functional movements %u2013 it%u2019s similar to how a football player may train. For example, I%u2019m doing a lot of compound lifts, like deadlifts and squats, combined with typical bodybuilding splits, through strength conditioning exercises. These movements allow me to work my entire body, instead of particular areas. That said, I also work bodybuilding training elements into my workouts, targeting specific areas like my chest and back. MFM: What%u2019s the most challenging thing you feel people consistently struggle with when trying to stay in top shape, and why?SC: Staying in shape can be difficult for many people, for individual reasons. However, what I%u2019ve observed throughout my career is that many people plateau at a particular weight or goal, and instead of pushing through to maintain or build on that goal, they simply give up. In addition, I%u2019ve also observed that when certain people reach their goal, they develop a mindset of, %u201cOK, I%u2019ve reached my goal, so I don%u2019t have to work as hard.%u201d And as a result, they start to slowly fall-off their fitness routines. Fitness is all about pushing yourself, and far too often I see people stop pushing. MFM: As the media landscape has changed dramatically in the past few years, how do you network and stay in touch with your social media followers?SC: You have to look for the latest trends. For example, Snapchat is hot right now, so you have to adopt things like this early and continue to be active on them as they develop and grow in popularity. It%u2019s very tedious, but also a very rewarding way to connect with my community. I connect with my community by being completely transparent %u2013 I document my day, my lifestyle and go about it in a very real way. What you see is what you get. I like showing my community who I am %u2013 a down to earth guy that likes to inspire people. I think by being open and showing honest highlights of my life, makes me more approachable and relatable. My community sees the balance of my work and personal life on a daily basis, and it%u2019s great to connect with them as often as possible by responding to a post, message, or conversation thread. MFM: You have a massive amount of social media followers, what do you like them to know the most about you?SC: I want to be completely transparent with my community at all times. I want everyone in my social community to look to me as an example of a guy who lives a happy, healthy lifestyle, and all of the elements that entails. You%u2019ll see what I post is not about %u201clooking a certain way,%u201d but more about living a happier, healthy lifestyle and pushing through the tough stuff. I%u2019m just like everyone else; I rise and fall, and everyone that follows me sees that. I lean on my community, and in turn, I know they lean on me.