Interview with Natural Pro Bodybuilder Jason Powell

by Blake Selby

Standing 5 ’ 9”, 215lb Jason Powell has been at the top of the Natural Bodybuilding world. He has earned the rank of Professional Natural Bodybuilder and is on his way to a Ph.D after achieving his Masters degree in Kinesiology. As the Founder of the REAL organization, Jason’s efforts continue to benefit our sport. (www.REALWorldTour.com and www.TheREALSpot.org)

Blake Selby: Jason, welcome to Jacked Without Juice! Could you give our viewers a little background on yourself and how you got into Bodybuilding?

Jason Powell: Blake, it was really an accident. I was rehabbing my back after an injury and discovering I couldn’t fight any longer. During the rehab, I stopped dieting (playing that weight class game) which actually took me out of a minor starvation diet of MANY years. When I started working with the lighter weights in the rehab, I got pumped and started growing! Soon after getting medically cleared, I started working in the gym with a CRAZY idea that I would prove to the world that one could make it to the IFBB stage without drugs. I applied all my education and knowledge to build the most perfect physique that I could, with my motto: “A lifetime of sacrifice, dedication and eliminating every excuse, that’s what it takes”.

Blake: As I am closing in on my B.S. in Exercise Physiology I realize just how much work goes into higher education. What made you decide to take your education so far, how has it helped you in Bodybuilding (and vice versa), and what do you plan on doing with your Ph.D?

Jason: No one in my family had completed their doctorate, so I felt I would be the first! I was one of the lucky one’s to have completed my undergrad VERY young and finish my grad work before I really knew what the “outside” would was like. The degrees haven’t really helped a lot. The science can actually be a hindrance at times, making one heavily over-think training and nutrition. My education was helpful in that it offered me the knowledge to avoid the gimmicks, fads and myths of bodybuilding. I was able to avoid the typical overtraining phases most athletes go through in the first year or so of their training.

Blake: What does a typical day consist of for you? (training, work, ect.)

Jason: Wow, I start my day at about 3:30 am, eat breakfast, answer a few emails and head off to the gym to start with clients at 5am. I get to work out for myself from 8 to 10 am each day (change, cardio, weights, change and eat). I typically finish with clients at about 7pm. My “breaks” are spent answering emails, phone calls and further promoting and developing REAL. Anything I get in free time from there is spent with my sons and Kai, my fiancé.

Blake: Wow you sound really busy! You mentioned on Natural Bodybuilding Radio that you have a very successful personal training business. There are plenty of pro-bodybuilders who have trouble making money in the PT business. What do you think has led to your success as a trainer and made you stand out?

Jason: I actually live what I preach and have a “marketable” image. The PT business is first based on looks, then reputation which is built over years of quality results from a wide variety of clients. I also DO NOT sell my services. I have the thought that I am here to help fill the ‘gaps’ of my clients’ programs. I don’t want to BE their program. I do my best to educate my clients in the process of training them. It also helps that I have seen the world and lived in so many different cultures. This helps me be more in tune with my clients and stay clear of the stigma of being a “Meat-head”. I am sure it helps that I am well educated, but the truth is that I think my image is the first sellÉit’s a truth of the industry.

Blake: Has your lifestyle/job influenced your Bodybuilding diet?

Jason: No, I have been on the frequent meals and such my entire life, seriously! This type of diet is actually my norm. So, it isn’t tough for me to stay on it, or more importantly, to be able to help guide others on ways to make it fit their lifestyle. We ALL can be on this type of diet as it’s about the healthiest nutritional plan out there.

Blake: What caused you to avoid steroids and pursue a career in Natural bodybuilding instead?

Jason: I have never had alcohol, never smoked, and never had drugs (recreational or AAS). I have always treated my body as a temple and have been focused on keeping my body as tuned a machine as possible. I have never understood why athletes are interested in drugs. It seems to me that those athletes are choosing to see what they “can’t” do themselves, but rather how they can “cheat” genetics and natural ability to gain something they do not deserve. I know that’s a rough statement, but to parallel it, it would be tough for a 4’6” man to play in the NBA, he simply wasn’t designed for it. So, we are not ALL designed to be bodybuilders, no matter how much we want to be, it takes genetics on top of everything else to be a bodybuilder.

Blake: If you had to pick a favorite Natural Bodybuilder other than yourself, who would it be and why?

Jason: It WAS Stan McQuay and Skip Lacour, before they changed their philosophy on drug use, if that is safe to write. Dave Goodin has done TONS for the sport as well, but jumping over to the NPC made me raise a brow. I LOVE what he has done, but the NPC is known for those untested shows and athletes. Since Kai and I have founded REAL, we have taken a pretty firm stance against untested events and those who support them.

Blake: It’s nice to see someone take a bold stance on the issue. I think many are afraid of political (believe it or not we’ve got politics) ramifications. What do you consider your best Bodybuilding Contest Victory?

Jason: I have to say two events, neither of which I won, but they were the greatest victory, here’s the run-down:
First, the 2007 Universe in Miami with Musclemania. I had the best overall condition, fullness, presentation and confidence at that event. Writing candidly, there is a LOT of politics in the Musclemania and Fitness Universe circuit at that level. I placed 4th behind competitors that have tested positive at other events in the past.
Second was the 2008 FAME World Championships where I placed 2nd. I actually surpassed all I did at the above contest, again, the “victory” here was what I was able to do with my body, what I was able to overcome due to external stresses during the entire prep. The other “victory” here was my eyes were opened WIDE to level of politics yet again. It’s hard to explain, but the winner had just finished promoting an event that broke all the records for FAME, it was his last contest and sort of a farewell victory for him. He looked great, but had the look of most likely 3rd place.

Blake: Good old politics. Well you looked your best so that’s what counts. Do you prefer “power” type training, traditional bodybuilding training, or PowerBuilding type training as Layne Norton calls it?

Jason: My method is pretty long in description, but in short, I like to periodize from workout to workout. To try to sum it up:
I rotate workouts between Heavy (6-8 reps), Moderate (12-15reps), Volume (20 plus reps) and Drop Sets. Every workout is different and each day does not match the “style” from the day before. For example, I may work heavy legs on day 1, and then volume arms on day 2, then moderate back on day 3 and so on. I have found this style of periodization to keep me in shape, harder, more mature looking, and allowing for both greater stimulation and recovery. The athletes I have on this have all experienced the same thing. I took what I learned from Dr. Steven Fleck, my own education and practical knowledge, slammed it all together and came up with this style.

Blake: Since you have been sponsored by Optimum Nutrition and featured in their many advertising campaigns, do you find it easier to be a Bodybuilder due to the perks, or is it a lot more work having to represent a supplement company?

Jason: Representing Optimum Nutrition and ABB is easy, I have used their products since the mid 90’s and love it! I really do what I would be doing anyways on the social sites and such, I just add the ON/ABB component, do demos (FUN) and get to go to some of the bigger events like the Arnold and such. Being with them has allowed me to reach more people and inspire them to be and stay naturalÉthat’s the goal!

Blake: Could you tell us a little bit about the FAME organization, how you became involved with it, and where you see it headed in the future?

Jason: Atually, Kai and I had a falling out with them. They acted consistently with their reputation of the past and failed in several areas of our legal agreement, so we dissolved that relationship. Since, we formed REAL World Tour and The REAL Spot (our social network). REAL will soon be the leader in natural events, representation and be the only true legitimate stage for natural athletes, we have a streamlined format and have added two unique areas of competition to increase our separation from the pack. The REAL Deal Challenge, combing an obstacle course of sorts to showcase our athletes abilities as well as having them have incredible physiques. We have the REAL Transformation Challenge where members will create specific profiles, blog and post their story and transformation over a 12 week period, our community will vote on them along with our board and the finalists will be brought on stage at a culminating event for the finals.

Beyond the above, we have several areas of checks and balances to ensure fair, unbiased judging, testing, promotions and more. This is a NO JOKE company and is not run as many of the smaller organizations out there. We take great pride in being a professional establishment. The future will be REAL. REAL will be global within two years and we will be aggressively promoting our format, athletes and more. We are 100% about out athletes and supporters, NOT about filling our pockets.

Blake: Well I hope to see more of that in Natural Bodybuilding for sure. So what are your future plans in Natural Bodybuilding and the Industry?

Jason: I will continue modeling and being an advocate for natural athletes. With REAL, we will continue to develop legitimate stages and platforms for natural athletes of all kindsÉchanging the industry as a whole through live events, educational camps, promotions and representing athletes and even community outreach. All spreading the way of being clean, natural and drug-free.

Blake: Well thank you so much for being on JackedWithoutJuice today and is there anyone you would like to thank? Sponsors?

Jason: As always, Optimum Nutrition..for everything and most recently being the image for the newest and greatest protein to ever hit the market, Platimun Hydrowhey. My better half, Kai, she gets to see ALL the good and bad! Joe Lobell with MostMusclular.com, he is a primary reason I am in this industry and he’s kept me focused over the years. And some other folks that have helped along the way, EAS, Mike Sanservo (North American Bodies), Irvin Gelb, Paul Olson (major supporter) and so many more.

Check out some of Jason’s videos below: