Natural bodybuilder Jose Marmolejos was just back from training this morning when sending this update. At 5'10", 185 lbs., he says, "I love working out at 4:30 in the morning. I can focus and concentrate on my workout more in an empty gym as I prepare for my Musclemania® debut." Jose will be on stage at MM New Mexico next month in Alburquerque.

At 6', 235 lbs. Musclemania® Pro Logan Michaels says, "I am off season now, so I'm eating everything." The veteran bodybuilder is a big believer in the basics. "I usually stick to high protein and low carb intake at 7 meals a day. I train heavy and basic with compound movements and incorporate functional exercises as well. I'm at it no less than 5 days a week in the off season and 6 days at contest time." Logan always brings to the stage a athletic looking physique appealing to mainstream bodybuilders.

At just 17 years old, Moroccan natural bodybuilder Abdellah Tayeb has developed an impressive physique. He's training for Musclemania® Middle East and at 5'9", 155 lbs., wants to compete in the Teenage Division. "I started training 3 years ago," Abdellah says. "I don't use any steroids and the supplements are too expensive. I just can't afford them. So, I eat as much solid food as possible." Abdellah says he goal for this season is simple. "I want to go to Cairo and get my trophy from Ulisses."

Greek natural bodybuilder Kwnstantinos Badidos has only competed once, but he's training now for MM Europe in Berlin in November. The 5'9", 200 lbs., 24 year old building engineer says he's been training for 10 years. "I keep a tight split routine, twice a day, 3 times a week," Kwnstantinos explains. "I like a lot of rest between workouts and feel it helps my muscle recuperate better."

Mexican bodybuilder Rob Franzoni continues his natural journey. The 5'8", 180 lbs., 21 year old video producer is training for Musclemania® Mexico in May. "I had learned a lot and am focusing on training for symmetry and conditioning," Rob says. "Every time I compete, I learn more about my body and what makes it work - off season, contest prep and show time. My physique is in a constant evolution."

At 5’7″, 182 lbs., Ruben Caballero is a new junior bodybuilder who’s been training for 6 years. The 21 year old Colombian is lifetime natural and will make his Musclemania® debut this season. “I train normally six days a week in which 3 of those days are twice a day in order to hit hard and constantly all my muscle groups,” Ruben explains. “My nutrition is basically carb cycle (2 days moderate, 1 day high) in which I carb load the days I train my weak body parts.” Ruben says he was watched last month’s MM Colombia in Medellin and was most impressed with MM Physique Julian Tanaka. “I got some issues I’m working on, then I think I will be ready for the stage.”

Lifetime natural bodybuilder Kwame Adom has won every natural show in New England, but now the 5’8″, 185 lbs. is bumping up his game and training for Musclemania® New England. He says, “Measurements are out of the window at this stage, mirror guide only. I have to win the overall to make MM Pro, so I care less about my weight on stage, just how I’m put together.” Kwame will be on stage with nearly 200 other natural athletes at Foxwoods Resort Casino on May 2.

Musclemania® World Pro Champion Samuel Dixon radiated on stage in his best condition ever. It took the 6’1″, 220 lbs., Canadian star 4 times to win the show but as he explains, it was all worth it. “I struggled, sacrificed and trained like an animal for years to get to this level. To be the #1 natural bodybuilder in the world is a pinnacle in my life!”

Peruvian natural bodybuilder Luis Bellatin says after 2 months of dieting and condition is physique, he’s achieved his goals. At 5’11″, 195 lbs., he explains, “I wanted to get back into shape because I have some advertising and promotions scheduled for my fitness center.” Luis has one of the most popular gyms in the country and appears regularly on national news programs as an expert trainer. He will be competing at Musclemania® Central America in Guatemala.

Just 19 years old, Clyde Mataj has been training for just 2 years. The 5’10″, 185 lbs., Detroit natural bodybuilder says he’s still working on weaknesses. “I train twice every day, 7 days a week,” Clyde says. “I work at a restaurant with my Mom during the middle of the day and the hit the gym in the morning and nights. I started using supplements last year and it made a big difference. But being able to work and eat at the restaurant really helps. I will pick which Musclemania® show soon and then get start getting ready. I’m really excited about all this!” More about Clyde soon as he improves his symmetry and start preparing for his first show.

Musclemania® India bodybuilder Vivek Rock competed for the first time last month. “I have been training for 8 years, but just never competed,” Vivek says. “I have been natural all my life, so when I heard MM was coming to India, I started training for it.” The 5’8″, 165 lbs., 23 year old personal trainer now wants to compete again. “It was really something great! A super experience to be on stage, especially with other natural guys. I never wanted to go against the steroid boys, so this was everything I wanted and more. I will be back for more this year.” 

Musclemania® Paris Physique star Raqieb Balaydin looked incredible today after his workout. He says, “I’ve trained my abs hard today. I’m not as shredded this time of the year but still have to train abs. Remember: there is no off season! It’s all about the winter gains. Starting from tomorrow I will add more carbs to my diet, because for me it’s all about lean bulking. I try to stay lean even when putting on mass, so you can see what happens to your body when you train. It’s keep me motivated.”

The 5’8″, 185 lbs., Dutch natural bodybuilder is training for his MM Pro debut this season.

Greek natural bodybuilder Kwnstantinos Badidos has won both of his two competitions. The 5’8″, 195 lbs., 25 year old, former National Swimming Champion says its where he got his training discipline. “I swam for 16 years, nearly everyday,” Kwnstantinos explains. “I Ioved it and was really competitive. Now, I am putting the same drive and ambition into bodybuilding.” Kwanstantinos works in a sports nutrition store in Athens and says he uses whey protein, BCAA,pre-workout, omega-3, fat burners, CLA, multi-vitamins and glutamine. “I am completely drug free and never used any steroids or GH. I am crazed with natural bodybuilding and want to compete at Musclemania® shows in Europe and America.”

Musclemania® Pro Burkley Goss looking fuller, leaner and contest ready . . . but his show was 3 weeks ago! The 5’8″, 211 lbs., South African natural bodybuilder says, “I am so much leaner than the show. I’ve stuck to my diet but kept eating, clean of course. Me and Henry Adell agreed we should diet all the way down. My training is twice a day. I’m focused on heavy compound movements. My diet is higher protein with carbs fluctuating, carb cycling but more like macro cycling.”

Raghu Ramappa is a popular figure in the Bangalore, India film industry and won Musclemania® India LW Championships last weekend. He says “I was always a hardcore enthusiast of bodybuilding. My Dad was a competitive bodybuilder and I wanted to follow his footsteps. I was in the industry and competing for four years, until 2006. But being natural and trying to win shows where ‘enhanced’ freaks competer is was close to impossible. I was distraught and gave up on competing. But when I recently learned about MM and natural bodybuilding was coming to India, it gave me hope. I’ve been training harder than ever to get back into prime form. And thanks to my Dad, my biggest inspiration, who at 62 years recently won a local competition, I’ve managed to win my first show after 8 years! My Dad is still in the reality television show ‘Big Boss’ (in India) and we haven’t spoken in months. He doesn’t even know the result yet. When he asked the television crew to call me, they refused and the entire state of Karnataka was shocked to see him break down on live television. He was always known to be a strong person, so this came as a shock and I couldn’t sleep all night. The ZEE TV network said it was to surprise him later when we get my pictures and complete posing routines. I hope to get them soon so he can celebrate my victory.”

Looking insane, Colombian bodybuilder Julian Tanaka stays in this lean shape all season. The 5’8″, 185 lbs., 27 year old will make his Musclemania® debut next season. Julian just earned his MBA in Micro Business and works in his family farm business.

Congratulations to Julian Tanaka who will graduate next week with an MBA in Nuro Business! The 5’8″, 195 lbs., 27 year old bodybuilder mixed his training with school while also working for his family businesses. Julian will make his Musclemania® debut next season. “I keep a super lean 5% physique all season, so contest prep won’t be more than loosing a bit of water,” he explains.

As France’s #1 natural LW bodybuilder, Bertrand Lim amazed everyone at the recent Musclemania® Paris. The 5’6″, 165 lbs., Parisian brought incredible shape, symmetry and condition. “I didn’t plan on competing in Paris, but jumped in at the last minute to warm up for MM in Las Vegas,” explains Bertrand. The computer programmer and network manager promises to be in even better shape next month and is certain to be a major force at MM World.

A skinny guy who was ignored and bullied decided to take control of his life and health. Mazher “Mazi” Hamlaanihas been relentlessly working out for years. Now at 28 years old, the Indian bodybuilder he’s at an impressive 5’8″, 150 lbs., 5% body fat and keeps getting fuller, thicker and more aesthetic each day. “When I started working out, it was to gain attention, but I soon realized that doing this to prove someone else wrong only gives them the power they always had over my mind”, Mazher says. “Instead, I embraced fitness as my passion and never looked back.I did it for me alone. Initially I faced financial issues while working out, as I was still a student. Then when I started working with an events agency, I faced major time constraints; since I had to travel for work and my working hours were almost never fixed. Round the clock reporting and ate night rigorous event setups took a toll on scheduling consistent training and food timings.” Mazi says. But this never stopped him. “When you want it that bad, you find a way around the obstacles. Over the years, I learned to work efficiently across various aspects of my life, be it work, workout, nutrition, or partying with friends. Sure, I never smoke or drink, but that doesn’t mean I ignore friends who do. It’s important to strike a balance between all. Having very supportive parents is my biggest strength. Especially my Mom. I would never have reached so far” he says. He doesn’t follow any star religiously but is a fan of Ulisses Jr, watches his workout videos and reads his material. Mazi says “Third time’s a charm. I did not place in both the Men’s Physique competitions I took part in this year. But that did not disappoint me. Instead, I took them as learning experiences. They only made me work harder and be more focused for Musclemania® India. I will bring my best form yet, and am pumped to kill it on stage!”. Mazi will be competing in Model and Physique India this December at the first Musclemania® India Championships.

His friends call him Anand Arnold for being an Arnold Schwarzenegger fanatic. But behind it all is an inspiring story of determination. “At the age of 15, my legs stopped functioning because of the effects of cancer,” Anand explains. “I had to wait three years after my cancer treatment to begin bodybuilding. Now, I am 25 and I continue working out and am one of India’s top bodybuilders beating men with fully functioning legs.” Anand has won several titles including Mr. India (two times), Mr. North India and Mr. Punjab (nine times). He’s lifetime natural and says he’s been waiting for an all natural competition in India. “The moment I heard about the world’s greatest competition Musclemania was coming to India, I was exhilarated and signed up immediately!” Anand works out hard thrice a week, eats clean and is continues to be an inspiration to Indian bodybuilders, natural or not.