lksurf2 is Rx Muscle's April 2015 Member of the Month!

[Curt James]

lksurf2 is Rx Muscle's MOTM for April 2015.

Ian is also the #1 Rx Muscle Trader Joe's Employee! Ian has been an Rx Muscle Forums member since February 25, 2012 and has one of the site's most popular training journals with more than 70,000 views and 3,000 replies since its creation in June 2012. Let's learn more about this month's Member of the Month!


Vanessa and Ian

Q: How were you introduced to the weights?

A: I want to say I was about 13-14 years old. My dad would work out in the garage with his buddy all the time, and I always wanted to do it with them. So my dad showed me some things and I kinda got into lifting for a few months when I was that age, but stopped doing it after a few months because I was a kid who would rather eat Doritos and play video games all day than lift weights.

Q: When did you make the break from Doritos and video games, Ian? Or when did you add gym time to the mix?

A: Probably around 2007 did I start adding in the gym regularly... and ditched the Doritos. But I really did not get a grasp for nutrition and how to use it towards my goals until three years ago.

Q: What is your favorite part of the iron game – strongman, bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Bikini, etc.?

A: Bodybuilding.

Q: What was your epiphany? For me it was a cover of Muscle Builder Power featuring Zane, Columbu, and Schwarzenegger. That magazine set the wheels in motion.

A: My epiphany actually came when I was younger, when I saw my dad’s bodybuilding encyclopedia by Arnold. I remember reading that book for days and days trying to take it all in and wanted to be just like them. But it was not until 15 years later did I actually start to try. haha



Q: What's your favorite thing about bodybuilding?

A: The mental and physical challenges it brings, I feel bodybuilding pushes you to go beyond, and become something greater than what you were.

Q: What's your least favorite thing about bodybuilding?

A: The stereotypes that go along with it.

Q: Would you name one of your top five most irksome bodybuilding stereotypes?

A: That it's all steroids and no work. A lot of people have no real idea the effort it takes day to day to get real results, and that drugs are just a part of it but not the only reason.

Q: What is your goal so far as the weights go?

A: Currently I started dieting to lose a little bit of body fat, I just finished a gaining phase about 3 weeks ago and felt it was time to cut down a little bit before pushing for more size again.

Q: Would you share your greatest experience in the sport so far?

A: My greatest experience would have to be the results that I have seen from being consistent with lifting and eating.

Q: What has been one of your greatest disappointments?

A: I think bodybuilding creates a mindset that you will never be "good enough" for your-self, it sucks you in and consumes you to keep pushing to be "perfect". Sure, constant improvement is always a goal, but when you’re in pretty decent shape and you can't just sit and be happy with it for a day, it gets frustrating.

Q: Do you have any favorite bodybuilders or strength athletes?

A: Evan and Jay.



Q: Do you believe Evan will ever be awarded a Sandow?

A: Not until Phil, Kai, or Wolf are done. Evan I feel can be a Mr. O when the timing is right.

Q: And what’s your take on this current Prime Nutrition drama?

A: The whole Prime Nutrition drama is just that. Drama. Evan has always seemed like a stand-up guy to me which is why I respect him a lot. But business is just that. And sometimes it doesn't work out for both parties.

Q: Who is someone you look forward to meeting and perhaps picking their brain?

A: Well I still pick his brain every now and then, but Austin (data4) is someone who I still would love to meet in person.

Q: How long did you work with Austin and can you share what gains you saw during that time – strength, weight gain, increased knowledge or discipline in the gym?

A: I worked with Austin for almost a year and half before we parted ways. Officially. During that time I saw the best transformation in myself overall as far as diet, mentality and physically. We really worked hard to bring out the beast within. lol

What I loved best about working with him is that at the time we both were going through a lot personally and it seemed like we needed each other to make a positive change in our lives. He helped me overcome a lot of mental blocks about gaining weight and training, and at the time educated me more about nutrition and how to use it towards my goals.

Even though we do not work together anymore I still remember everything he taught me and still ask him questions here and there. He is a true friend to me and I can easily call him a family member.

Q: How is your training going?

A: Great right now.


Yes, pancakes! Check out Ian's journal -- Come in for the pancakes, and stay for the gainzz! -- @ http://forums.rxmuscle.com/showthrea...for-the-gainzz!

Q: What’s the craziest workout program you’ve followed?

A: Probably one that Greg Plitt did. A few years ago when I first started getting more serious about training I found his site and tried some of his workouts. Looking back, it was just too much and all over the place, and I was not seeing any results from it.

Q: What has been the most effective workout you’ve followed?

A: When I was working with Austin as my coach last year.

Q: What supplement company or brand does it right?

A: I have been using Cellucor for my protein for a few years now. Beyond protein though I really like True Nutrition for carbs, and beyond even that I think IML has a great line of effective products.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: I do not have just one. But right now I am loving Arrow, The Flash, Supernatural, and Luther.

Q: Pick three things you couldn't live without?

A: My fiancée, friends, and pancakes.

Q: Are pancakes your favorite food?

A: My favorite food is not actually pancakes. My favorite food is brown n’ serve dinner rolls that you get at Thanksgiving.

But really, all food is my favorite… when it fits my macros. lol


Ian and Vanessa

Q: I’m ever the romantic, Ian. How did you and Vanessa meet?

A: Vanessa and I first met in 7th grade science class, believe it or not. lol But we NEVER had any feeling for each other. We were both always in a relationship so we never had time to actually connect. We did spend all of middle and high school together in marching band, had a small group of friends we hung out with and everything.

It was not until two years ago we met up after a few years of not seeing each other to just have some lunch and catch up, did we just click and from that day on we have never been happier.

Q: Do you have brothers and sisters? If so, do any of them hit the weights?

A: I have two sisters… and they do the exact opposite of weight training.

Q: How did you learn about Rx Muscle Forums?

A: Browsing around just looking for different forums one day and Rx came up. I started checking out the site and reading people's journals, which also inspired me to start my own.

Q: What’s your favorite part of Rx Muscle Forums?

A: The small little community we have here.

ian-dips.jpg
Ian a.k.a. lksurf2

rich curls and lp.jpg
L-R: RichDC2 and RichDC2 (with Lastson and lksurf2 in the mirror)

hoss-curls.jpg
Hoss06

Q: What would you do to improve the site and the forums in particular?

A: I really don't know, I can tell you I wish Rx had more reach like BB.com or MD seem to have with people. But I would probably hate having to see all the types of assholes on BB.com over here.

Q: Do you have a favorite movie?

A: More like saga. The Star Wars films.

Q: Have you seen the new Star Wars trailer and are you looking forward to what J.J. Abrams has in store?

A: Hell, yes, I'm looking forward to the new Star Wars!! I'm a fan through and through and even if people talk shit about it, I always jump back to being a kid again and loving every minute of it.

Q: What’s your occupation?

A: Currently a Trader Joe's "merchant" (lower assistant manager).

Q: What currently drives you nuts?

A: My 16-year-old brat of a sister.

Q: What motivates you?

A: Not being satisfied... as much as I also hate it, it is what motivates me to push myself beyond what I thought possible.

Q: Following Arnold’s maxim, “Stay Hungry,” right?

A: Stay hungry is pretty much spot on.



Thank you for participating on the forums as April's Member of the Month, Ian. Wishing you continued success in and out of the gym!

[Hoss06]

Ahhhh yaaaaaa! Great job!

[PeterCas]

MOTM should include pics, Curt!

I liked this comment:

"A: Not being satisfied... as much as I also hate it, it is what motivates me to push myself beyond what I thought possible"

I feel the same way.

[Sunnyday]

Congrats on MOTM! Well deserved!

Great interview, Curt!

[Ibarramedia]

Congratulations!

[lksurf2]

Thank you everyone!!

[Mac]

Congratulations Ian.

[The Solution]

Good pick. Ian is the man

[Curt James]

Q: Do you have a favorite movie?

A: More like saga. The Star Wars films.

Q: Have you seen the new Star Wars trailer and are you looking forward to what J.J. Abrams has in store?

A: Hell, yes, I'm looking forward to the new Star Wars!! I'm a fan through and through and even if people talk shit about it, I always jump back to being a kid again and loving every minute of it.

[PeterCas]

MOTM should include pics, Curt!

I liked this comment:

"A: Not being satisfied... as much as I also hate it, it is what motivates me to push myself beyond what I thought possible"

I feel the same way.

Quoting myself because I just realized there are pics here that I'm not able to see! Gotta love the Chinese and their censorship of the internet!

Will check out the pics later tonight when I'm off the mainland.

[Curt James]

Quoting myself because I just realized there are pics here that I'm not able to see! Gotta love the Chinese and their censorship of the internet!

Will check out the pics later tonight when I'm off the mainland.

I was curious about that.

[warthog]

Never seen that before . Not the triceps , the machine.

[Sandpig]

Never seen that before . Not the triceps , the machine.

Looks like a dip machine by HS.

Another great MOTM selection.
Congrats, Ian.

[lksurf2]

^^bingo


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[Granite-Dawg]

Congrats Ian!!!