BodySpace Spokesmodel: Ben Booker Shares Excitement!

Below is an interview I did with Ben Booker. Enjoy!

Let’s start off the interview with some background information on yourself and then branch into questions about the contest. Can you give us some background information about yourself and a quick bio?

Ben Booker:  I grew up in Sullivan, a small town in central Illinois.  I loved playing all sports growing up and in high school, I played football, basketball, and ran track.  Three weeks into my senior year of football I got into an automobile accident, broke my back, and missed the entire year of sports.  After I got out of bed rest I weighed 130 pounds and had to relearn how to walk.  I found that bench pressing was about the only thing I could do for a while that would not hurt.  I went to a local college for two years, but then found myself working full time for the family-owned plumbing and heating business owned by my father.

I then got married to my beautiful wife Erin and I now have to beautiful children.  My son is Mason is 2 years old, and my daughter is Madalyn who is 4 years old.  My wife is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I thank God every day for what He has given me.  A little over three years ago a friend of mine named Luke Standerfer and I made a pack to trade out labor and build each other’s houses.  Through very hard work, working nights and weekends, and many others who helped like Jay and Brett, we have two beautiful homes now.  It truly is amazing what can be achieved through believing in yourself and hard work and dedication.

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After recovering fully from my accident I really never stopped working out.  Over the past ten years, I have found what works and have evolved a nutrition and workout plan that works perfectly for me.  I believe that is what life is all about, finding out how to live healthy, one day at a time.  There have been times in the past ten years when I would not work out for months on end.  But over the past year, I have not missed a single day in my 4 day a week program.  I feel truly Blessed to be where I am today.

What drew you to the Bodybuilding.com website?

Ben Booker:  I was getting my supplements from a friend I knew in college for a good price.  One day at my gym someone asked me what I paid for them and told me that they got close to the same deal on Bodybuilding.com.  After checking it out for myself last year the rest is history.  The prices are amazing and the service is second to none.

How long have you been a member of the Bodybuilding.com community?

Ben Booker:  I have been a member since May of 2009.  I started buying supplements and then slowly started posting progress pictures over the next few months on BodySpace.  After seeing all of the inspirational stories, I knew that this was a very good site that I wanted to be a part of.

What is your favorite feature on Bodybuilding.com?

Ben Booker:  My favorite would have to be the community of people on BodySpace and the superstore.  The people that I connect with simply want to better themselves as a whole.  That is exactly how I learned how to stay in shape, by asking questions of others who seemed to know what they were doing.  The only difference is that I had to ask the guys in the gym and did not have a community of people of over 400,000.  That is what I love.  The motivation and inspiration is endless, all at the tip of the fingers.  It leaves little room for excuses.  Helping others is one of the best things to do, and at bodybulding.com, they make it easy.

What made you enter the BodySpace Spokesmodel contest?

Ben Booker:  I was inquiring on how to become a fitness model to some of the models on this site.  After getting some positive feedback from many John Rahn, or tightslick1, convinced me to enter the contest.  I knew nothing of it before then, and after getting over some personal fears I had, I entered the first round of the contest and made top 5 of the first round.  He was, and still is, truly inspirational.

Did you ever have any doubts that you wouldn’t win?

Ben Booker:  Of course I did!  This is the first fitness/model contest of any kind that I have entered.  I had many fears at first.  I did not know what to expect, so early on I was not as confident as I became towards the end.  I got a lot of help to prepare for the on-stage competition from a friend of mine named Shane Ruppert who used to bodybuild years ago.  He helped me a lot with my posing.  My confidence got stronger and stronger as the days got closer, but there was always the thought in the back of my head that I might not win.  My support system at home and in my hometown was amazing.  I now that simply making the top 5 was an achievement in itself.  What an honor it is.  I knew it was going to be tough to win after meeting all of the great guys in L.A. as well.  It was a strong group of men and women this year, and everyone had a good shot at it in my opinion.

What was the best part about winning?

Ben Booker:  I would have to say the best part about winning is that feeling on stage that dreams can come true.  I was one of the least experienced people on that stage and I was holding the trophy…. WOW!!!  I try to lead by example for my kids and others by walking the walk.  For years of my life, I talked the talk and fell short of being the person I wanted to be.  But as soon as I started leading a healthy lifestyle, following His lead, and keeping my eyes wide open, amazing things started to present themselves.  Knowing that in my heart of hearts that I did everything right and left nothing on the table, and it was good enough for the win… that is awesome!

Who was the first person you called when you won?

Ben Booker:  My wife and two of my best friends were at the competition when I won.  My dad happened to call me as I got back to the dressing room right off stage, so a lot of people knew before I could even get to my phone.  But there is one person I called first that means the world to me, and that is my old coach and dear friend Derrick Eaton.  We have been through a lot together and he is and always will be one of my biggest inspirations no matter what.  It was wonderful to be able to share the experience and joy with so many.

What does winning this contest mean to you and what do you hope it does for you and your career?

Ben Booker:  It means so much to me.  I hope that many more doors will open in the fitness industry, and I plan on trying to take my modeling career as far as I can.

During this contest, what did your diet and training consist of?

Ben Booker:  There were only a few things that I did differently.  I kept with my four day a week program, except I went 4 days on and 1 day off.  I also got some advice from Sean Harley about water weight.  I drank at least a gallon of water every day five days before the photoshoot, and then stopped drinking water the night before.  It really paid off too, thanks Sean.  During the contest, I tried to limit my water intake but kept my protein and carbs intake high since my training was pretty intense.  I try to keep close to the same weight year round, so I tried not to change much.  I still ate 6 to 8 times a day.

Any shout outs or anything you would like to add to this interview?

Ben Booker:  I definitely want to thank my wife for the constant support she gives me in all that I do.  Thanks again to John Rahn, tightslick1, because without him I would have never entered this contest.  I would also like to thank Keath Murray and Chester Reeder for pushing me in the gym over the years, and to coach Eaton who was the first person who was able to teach me to believe in myself and achieve things that I believed were unachievable.  I thank God for being there when I need Him and leading the way.  Also, thank you bodybuilding.com and the entire community who has supported me on BodySpace… thank you!  God Bless!

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