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Q: Earning your figure pro card in 2020 at the age of 33 was a huge accomplishment. What was that moment like for you, and how did it feel to see your hard work pay off?A. That moment was absolutely surreal. After so many years visualizing this moment and so many hundreds of hours of hard work that went into getting my physique to this level, I was so incredibly happy and proud of what I had accomplished. To achieve a huge goal that I had set 13 years prior and envisioned for so many years was an indescribable moment in my life that I will never forget.Q: Bodybuilding requires a lot of mental and physical discipline. How do you balance the demands of training with maintaining a fulfilling personal life?A. I think having the right mindset is one of, if not the most important pieces to being successful in bodybuilding. There is so much sacrifice that takes place in order to be at your best, and you have to be okay with saying no to things in order to achieve your goals. Discipline takes a lot of practice to master, and ultimately it goes back to knowing WHY you are chasing a given goal. If your values, goals, and your WHY are aligned, the rest will come more easily. I always try not to burden other people with my training demands and remember that I am choosing this lifestyle and making these sacrifices (again, mindset). When in competition prep, I try to continue making time for my family and friends and just do what I have to do to stay on track with my goals. In the end, it%u2019s really about spending time with people, and just because I%u2019m not participating in drinking alcohol or eating %u201cfun foods%u201d doesn%u2019t mean I can%u2019t have a good time and enjoy making memories. In the off-season, I make sure to relax more and find balance with food. Over the years, I%u2019ve learned that for me, taking a longer off-season is imperative to having a successful prep.68 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 63