1. Why did you choose bodybuilding as a hobby?
I first started with just lifting weights, going to the gym day in and day out following a program my friend had laid out for me. I used it as a tool to release stress from work and life itself, but as I kept lifting I started feeling energized and better about myself, making me want to continue bodybuilding and now it has become an addiction for me.

2. How do you balance your home life, work, and bodybuilding?
I have a pretty steady hour’s type of job. I usually work from 7:30am-3:30pm, leaving me time to hit the gym and also time for my family after gym time.

3. When and how did you get started in bodybuilding?
In 1993 I started training, in 1998 I started competing when I thought I had build a muscled enough body to compete.

4. How has bodybuilding made your quality of life better?
The energy I get from being fit it’s incredible. I once fell in a rut and gained lots of weight because of excuses and I felt sluggish and uninterested in doing anything, but as soon as I started losing the weight, my energy has been up since.  I also feel that it keeps you fit, and being fit makes you look good and above the average body, therefore we are looked up to as bodies that motivate and inspire others, so to know that I’ve inspired and motivated someone else makes me feel good.
 

5. What competitions have you entered?
From the most recent to the oldest:
2011 NPC USA’s – 1st place and earned IFBB Pro status
2010 NPC Nationals – 8th place
2010 USA’s – 1st place
2009 NPC Nationals – 5th place
2009 NPC USA’s – 1st place
2009 NPC Jr. Nationals – 1st place
2009 NPC Muscle Mayhem – 1st place
2008 NPC Rocky Mountain – 1st place and overall winner
2008 NPC Colorado State – 1st place novice/7th place open
2007 Mr. Puerto Rico – 1st place
2007 NPC Colorado State – 4th place novice/10th place open
1999 Mr. Puerto Rico – DNF due to injury after pre-judging (broken ankle)
1999 Southern Caribbean – 3rd place
1999 Puerto Rico Night of Champions – 1st place
1998 Mr. Puerto Rico Novice – 1st place

6. Tell us about some of the things that you have achieved in this bodybuilding industry that you are proud of!
One of the things has been the amount of people I have met through the sport, the ones I’ve been able to help out, inspired, and motivated.  To earn my professional status.  To be able to come out in various magazines, making my son, family, friends, and fans proud of my accomplishments in the sport.

7. How does your significant other feel about you competing?
Couldn’t have asked for better support.  My wife competes as well in figure so we support each other.

8. Do you have any good advice for someone who might want to do a bodybuilding show in the future?
#1 Set a budget plan, bodybuilding is expensive and many fail to finish due to the expenses. 
#2 Hire a trainer and don’t just try to do it yourself, as most of the time we only see what we want to see, having a different set of eyes (not from your loved one) helps to get you exactly where you need to.

9. Do you have any other hobbies besides bodybuilding?
When I do have time I love to play some Golf, either go to the range or play 9 holes to get my rust off.

10. What makes you different than most of the other guys who workout your age?
I don’t see myself different from any other man that workout at my age, I see it more as my goals are completely different than some, so it looks like I may push harder or work harder, but I know they’re just on a different mindset, therefore their goals are different than mine.

11. What are your future goals?
My immediate future goals are to compete at the Pro level, qualify for the Olympia and set foot on that stage at my best shape ever.  My further in life future goals are to make bodybuilding a lifestyle, to excel in the industry and impact others in many other areas of the industry. To have an after bodybuilding life while still in the industry if that explains it better.

12. Lastly, is there anyone who you would like to thank?
This is by far one of the hardest questions. The reason for this is because there are so many people that have even the smallest impact on someone’s life, which is an important part of the prep, so if I forget anyone please pardon me for that.  To God first for life, health, and allowing me to do this day in and day out.  To my son for being my inspiration to want to do all this.  My wife for the unconditional love and support, for believing in me from day one and pushing me through every rough moment. My parents for giving my life also and raising the man I am today. My brother and sisters for being some of my biggest fans and giving me all the support.  To my best friend Jose “Orly” Gonzalez, who took me under his wing from 2007 and taught me most of what I know today and continues to look after me to become the best bodybuilder in the world as he puts in his own words. To my friends who have been there from the beginning also and continue to be there.  To my coaches, friends, and pretty much my family now Cameron and Tracy, who saw more than I could ever see in myself, pushing me to limits I never thought of ever accomplishing, and for guiding me through this amazing journey that continues alive to this date.  To MD Latino for giving me an opportunity to explore other areas of the industry as a correspondent.  To Chief of Operations in ProBody Solutions Mrs. Courtni Bean, for taking care of me on a daily basis, making sure I’m always taken care of, making sure there’s nothing missing in my daily prep for my shows, just daily lifestyle, and for just being a great person.  Last but not least to my amazing sponsors ProBody Solutions, owners Dr, Robert and Nellie Richardson, for believing in me from my amateur career, putting all their effort in making my career as a bodybuilder an easier one, taking care of my family also, and mostly for being not only my sponsors and friends, but also great family.