Your Background
I would like to share about my life in the hope that the transformation may help others!
Hope springs eternal.
As a child of five, I found myself with an alcoholic father who physically and mentally abused my mother on a regular basis. Finally my mother divorced him. Unfortunately, when she remarried, my stepfather was not very fond of me or my siblings for that matter. This resulted in my mother having to make a very difficult decision. Off to an orphanage I was sent with a promise that she would return soon to get me. This never happened.
As you may know, Europeans look at orphans as being worthless and ultimately a burden on society. Consequently treatment is barely civil. In the first orphanage I was physically abused and basically ignored. I became so distraught that at age six I tried to hang myself. As a result, the government moved me to various orphanages. I was hospitalized with alcohol poisoning several times before the age of thirteen.
I finally left the orphanage environment at sixteen. In my subsequent travels, I met a young lady, became romantically involved and by age seventeen, she was with child. With very little money, a few suitcases, no friends, a guitar, no prospective employment and no knowledge of the English language, we were off to America with optimism and hope of a brighter future.
At the inception of a “new life”, I was able to locate my oldest sister. I asked her to help me get in touch with my brother who was actually the only one of my siblings that I vividly remembered. She said that she would help me. She did. Much to my dismay he was killed in a motorcycle accident that very night.
It would have been very easy for me to “give up” at that point. I asked myself, what else must I endure?! After all, approximately ninety percent of the children who grew up in the environment that I did, have died from a drug overdose, committed suicide, were murdered or are in jail. NOT ME! I decided not only to survive but to become a difference maker and an inspiration to others.
In spite of horrible past of rejection, physical and mental abuse, fear, despair, persecution and uncertainty, I have become one who firmly believes changing adversity into opportunity. I truly enjoy giving to others with no expectation of reciprocation.
Do you think that you can do this? I KNOW that you can!
Training
What is your training philosophy?
To feel good about my changes.
Please add the workout that’s worked best for you:
- Monday - Calves on leg press, seated calf raise, dips, tricep pushdowns, front dumbbell raise, barbell press and ab bootcamp.
- Wednesday - Incline dumbbell bench press, pull ups, hammer curls, tricep extension, shoulder press, leg extension, leg curls, side squat on bench.
- Friday - Pec dec, chest press, lat pull down, seated cable rows, preacher curl, concetration curl, sumo squats, one leg Smith machine squats.
If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?
Leg Press, curls and Arnold presses. I believe in keeping the body equal looking not like a cartoon figure.
Any other info you want to add about training?
Never say you can’t.
Nutrition
What is your philosophy on nutrition?
I believe in eating healthy, everything fresh from fruit to vegetables.
Give us a typical day in your diet (off season):
I love eating out of the cookbook EFL by Bill Phillips.
What are your favorite meals and foods?
Breakfast, turkey, bread, chicken... wow, too many to list.
Favorite cheat food?
Something fried LOL.
Supplements
List 3 supplements that you’ve used to with good results, why you use each one, and when/how you use it.
- MuscleTech Cell-Tech Hardcore 2 times a day.
- EAS 40 gram protein 2 times a day, has a lot of vitamins as well.
- Betagen 2 times a day - has creatine and HB which helps recovery.
Advice For Others
What’s your best tip for looking your best on competition day?
Believe in yourself, do not live by the aspect you look fat, feel good about who you are.
Future Plans
What shows have you got coming up, where can we see you compete?
I’m still searching for that.
What are your fitness goals?
What ever comes my way is what I would like to achive.
How Can People Contact You?
How can people contact you?
Email: kenwoodjens1@aol.com
5 Comments
This is a true Champ!
I would Love to help with whatever I can, so be so kind and E-mail me at kenwoodjens1@aol.com and lets talk.
I'm honert for you asking me to help
Best Regards
Jens
Hi and thank you,I'm a handicapped guy ,I have a rare brain disorder,one of the side effects are tremors,so I can't more than 15lbs. Last year I lost 50lbs,I need to lose another 30-40lbs more.
My ? is shold I use a mass building workout since I can only 15lbs max (like german volume technique)and relie on diet for sliming down or use a cutting routing?
I know my situation is not common,I been cleared medical to workout,my doc.has no leads for me on trainers.
Any advice will be helpfull.
Truly inspirational interview.
Thank you very much for thos kind words
Jens