Local bodybuilder prepping for flight to Calif., national championships

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July 11, 2012

Local bodybuilder prepping for flight to Calif., national championships

By Pete Chiodo Meadville Tribune The Meadville Tribune Wed Jul 11, 2012, 07:00 AM EDT

MEADVILLE — A bodybuilder has a whole different set of worries than most other people.

For example, there’s getting through security at the airport. For most, it’s merely a nuisance.

Meadville resident Matt Esmond, however, feels like his upcoming flight to Sacramento, Calif., for Saturday’s IFPA Natural Pro USA bodybuilding championship could be a disaster waiting to happen.

“I’m more concerned with taking food on the plane,” said Esmond. “It’s not going to be just three ounces.”

See, dieting is just as important to a bodybuilder as working out. These athletes consume numerous, small, protein-rich meals on a frequent basis throughout the day.

A bag of almonds or a plate of airline food over an eight-hour journey just isn’t going to cut it for Esmond, who is heading down the home stretch of a carefully managed 15-week regimen.

So, he’s got to figure out a way to get on board with all his food and his protein powders and even a scale to weigh out portions, all while assuring security that he isn’t cooking up anything nefarious.

“Everybody I talk to who has done it, they did it before Sept. 11,” said Esmond. “That is not helping me.”

The 31-year-old physics teacher at Cochranton High School adds, “We’re just going have to try to wing it.”

Of course, once Esmond makes it to the event he’ll have a whole new group of concerns. The main one would be stacking up to his competition.

This — unlike smuggling nutrition — he has done before. In the fall of 2008 he was the overall winner at the OCB Natural Steel City competition in Pittsburgh.

The Natural Pro in Sacramento will mark Esmond’s first competition since that event, having taken the last four years off to deal with some back issues. And it will also be his first competition as a professional.

He’s put a lot of leg work (and arm, back, chest, etc.) into making sure he’s prepared for his first professional foray.

“I feel like my conditioning is the best it’s ever been,” Esmond said. “I don’t know who else will show up. Well, I’ve seen pictures of some of them. But pictures can be deceiving. And I hope to compare well. I’m going out to compete and to do my best. My goal is top five. I think, conditioning wise, that’s a good spot to be. I’m definitely ready.”

Esmond should have a good gauge for where he stands. He’s somewhat of a veteran at bodybuilding, training for the past 15 years while competing for the last 10. He’s also helped a number of other prospective bodybuilders prepare for competitions, running his own coaching service called Champion Physiques (championphysiques.com).

He’s even roped his family into helping out.

“My wife,” he said, “she’s been a trooper. It will be our second year anniversary three days after the show. And she’s learning a lot, dealing with me. I owe a lot to her.”

Amanda, his wife, is now being trusted with applying a couple coats of tanning oil on her husband before the show.

“My mom used to put on my tanning stuff, the oil,” said Esmond. “This will be the first time that (Amanda) is going to have do it. So, we’ll see how that goes.”

See, bodybuilders have to worry about the strangest things sometimes.

“We might have to make a trial run on that before we leave,” he said.

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Local bodybuilder prepping for flight to Calif., national championships

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