IAN CHRISTOPHER can consider himself one of the best Masters bodybuilders in the country right now. This season he has secured two pro cards, six first places and two overall titles. Frontdouble.com caught up with the man behind the muscle:
1: What first drew you to bodybuilding?
Honestly, I began training to try and get attention from girls when I was younger (typical lad thing to do). But seeing my body change was addictive. When I attended my first bodybuilding show (UKBFF in Port Talbot) I was hooked. Hearing the crowd shouting and seeing the pose down (which was far more physical back then), I knew i wanted to compete one day.
2: What’s your ‘why’? What keeps you pushing through hard preps and off-seasons?
My 'why' normally is not to let myself or others in my circle down. But this season there have been a few additional reasons. Mainly my last outing in 2022 didn't really go according to plan. I placed second three times (something I didn't like after placing first in all my other previous regional shows). I felt I could have done more and that I competed for the wrong reasons. Like thinking more about friends and family seeing me win again, rather than treating the prep itself as the main focus. Also a previous coach said to me when I was forced to leave him due to financial reasons: "Those that stay with me progress, those that don't won't." That stuck with me every day, driving me to give him the big 'f*ck you'. What's comical now looking back is that this season I actually beat one of his athletes. So the feeling after was twice as nice for that reason alone.
3: How would you describe your relationship with your body today?
I'm far more consistent now and dedicated to the sport. Previously I would binge and go out on the p*ss drinking during the off-season and try and play catch-up. Now I live like a bodybuilder day in, day out and treat my body in the best way I can. As I own and operate a coaching business also, my body in terms of appearance and functionality is a key element to this, so I try and prioritise it. Regular physio, good food, limited alcohol, etc. Without it I would not be able to do what I love.
4: Was there a turning point where you started to see yourself as an athlete, not just a gym-goer?
I'd always played team sports but found that you were always reliant on others, or they were reliant on you. So you could be the best player and still lose, or the worst player causing others to lose. And I didn't like it. The first prep I did taught me a lot about myself. How to push past limits, how I was happy being on my own focusing on myself and my goals. Winning my first show and the feeling on stage will not be rivalled. I realised that bodybuilding, in terms of competing, was something I was pretty good at because I was willing to commit everything, sometimes more than most.
5: What’s something people often misunderstand about you — or about bodybuilding in general?
That I'm cool with having a 'boring' life – I prefer it. I often get asked, don't you wish you could just go out more, or come out on this night out, etc. I'm someone now who likes routine and structure. I don't think I could live without it now and I choose to do this, it's not forced upon me. Bodybuilding makes me a more organised, focused and driven person. And I like that, as I'm someone who always chases 'more'.
6: How do you mentally handle show day nerves or physique comparisons?
When approaching a show now I tend to stay off social media and just focus on myself. I used to be awful for comparing myself to others. And what I realised recently is, everyone can look good and big and lean in a photo with decent lighting or after a pump. But it's when you're stood next to other bodybuilders on stage that the true comparisons can be made. A younger me thrived off the challenge of going against others. The more calm and relaxed me still uses it as motivation when training. But I'm a lot calmer now IF I know I've done everything I can for the show. As for show day, I try and keep myself to myself and do as little as possible until it's time to walk out on stage.
7: What does your ideal off-season look like, mentally and physically?
Life for me is busy, so I have to have structure and be organised to fit everything in, what with my main job, plus the coaching business, as well other things that need to be done as part of my personal life, including training. So off-season is similar to prep on the whole now. But ideally with more time and energy to spend with family and friends enjoying life, being happy and be present. Things like the diet and training don't change, except there's more food. And training perhaps includes a little less output (ie cardio).
8: What sacrifices have you had to make to chase this goal?
Countless. But personally I wouldn't call them sacrifices, as for me this season was more than I could ever have imagined, so everything was worth it. The early morning alarms, late nights, missing social events, limited energy to do things I wanted to, being unable to spend time with people close to me, etc. Most people would feel time was wasted. But me, I have no regrets and I'm content with every decision made.
9: If you weren’t bodybuilding, where do you think your focus would be?
Oooooh tough one, as bodybuilding and training has been a big part of my life for so long. Something to do with physical activity and fitness, as without this I am not a happy person to be around, ha! Possibly a different type of business owner of some sort. My extra time and effort would need to be invested somewhere. I can't just chill and sit still for some reason.
10: Is there a quote, book, or philosophy you live by – inside or outside of bodybuilding?
Not really, other than 'you get out what you put in'. And I'll always try and focus on the fact other people/competitors are pushing just as hard, if not harder, to reach their goals. So I need to try and do that little bit more, each and every day, if possible.
11: What’s the hardest thing you've ever overcome – in life or in sport?
There's been a few but I would say finding out both of my parents have a form of cancer was probably the hardest and took the longest for me to deal with. I buried my head in the sand and didn't want to talk about it for months.
12: How do you unwind or reset when you’re not training or dieting?
To be honest I don't get much downtime what with the coaching. I've recently requested to drop to a four-day week in my main career to get some time back for myself. But I'm someone who always sees the opportunity to do more. So I have no doubt that free time will be taken up by something else. When I do get any downtime, my girlfriend and I like to go out for food and try different places and really just chill in front of the TV. We don't get the chance often. I can't remember the last time we settled down and watched a film from start to finish without doing something during it, other than when I'm hung over – and that's extremely rare nowadays.
13: How has bodybuilding changed your view of confidence, discipline, or self-worth?
It's made me a better person 100 per cent. It teaches you so much about yourself as a person, what true dedication and focus is, long-term vision and objective setting, what you will and won't put up from others. Not to mention how to be a more organised and time-efficient person. It can show you what you really believe to be important in life, regardless of what others believe or think.
14: What is your current training split and why?
Currently training a five-day split, Pull/Delts, Legs, Push, Chest/Arms, Posterior/Delts. And this would be based on trying to bring up areas of development that were flagged by judges this year.
15: Do you feel pressure to always look a certain way outside of prep?
Yes, now I do and this was one of the reasons I started coaching, to make myself accountable (and not turn into the Marshmallow Man every off-season). Clients would be looking at me to set the example. Once you've been in show shape, there's an expectation you can stay in this shape and it can play tricks on the mind. I'm more relaxed about things now the older I am. But before it used to really f*ck with my head when I could see condition slipping.
16: Have your relationships (friends, family, dating) changed because of your lifestyle?
Most certainly – my circle has got smaller. I don't go out as much now, or to as many social events. I just don't have the time (or desire if honest). One, to go, but two, to waste the following day if tired or feeling a little worse for wear. And as such 'acquaintances' then disappear. But I'm cool with that. Bodybuilding has taught me to be independent. And I'm happy spending my time with a select few or even by myself.
17: Can you give us one of your favourite prep meals and one of your favourite off-season meals?
Ha! I'm not much of a chef so this going to be boring. My girlfriend does the cooking side of things, unless its something easy to prep and then it's down to me. But oats, flavoured whey (salted caramel for me in the morning, or mint choc in the afternoon), peanut butter and honey hits the spot every time. More recently and when in prep, the old Ninja creamie is a bit of a life saver too.
18: What’s next for you – as an athlete, as a person, or both?
In terms of bodybuilding, an off-season to bring up weaker areas to be even more competitive when I return. I have seven years in the Over 40s class and came third in the PCA Universe this year. So I have time. And I'm likely to need it to be just as, if not more, competitive in future. As an individual, I'm treating loved ones to a few holidays, planning events and just basically giving back a little. I'm still looking to grow the business and help more clients than ever before.
19: Who inspires you and why? Could be in bodybuilding or beyond.
In terms of bodybuilding, Dorian Yates was always the one I looked up to. Nothing fancy and no ego, just hard work, grit and determination. He kept himself out of the limelight not to get distracted as he had a job to do. While others were living the high life, he used this as fuel to come back each year bigger and better. In terms of real life, my parents. Both have managed to give me what I have needed and wanted through life. And they worked extremely hard to do so, giving up their own needs for mine. I haven't always shown that appreciation either. But the older I have become the more I try to emulate it and give something back.
20: If you could send one message to your younger self, what would it be?
Focus on the things that matter. I wasted too much time in my younger years on things that had no relevance, on people that didn't really care for you. I wasted money on things that didn't matter and weren't important. If I could have looked into the future, there'd have been a number of things that I would have changed. But I suppose all those experiences brought me to where I am today – happy and content with my life.
*ALL PICTURES BY ANTHONY CHIA-BRADLEY
