Interview With Ryan Doris
Bodybuilder of the Month - February 2010
Interviewed by: Angela Courduff
WP: Ryan Doris is a student at Northern Illinois University and he is working towards his B.A. in Business Administration. 2009 was his first experience competing as a natural bodybuilder as well as doing fitness modeling. Although he considers himself as a baby in the industry, he has the determination and will power to get his pro card.
“...my next goal is to snag my natural pro card. I do not want to go pro and just be another natural pro competitor. I want to, and I feel I can, do some damage in the pro ranks in my future.”
WP: Can you tell me about your first bodybuilding competition? How was your experience?
RD: Yes, definitely. My first show was the ABA Natural Illinois in April 2009. I placed 2nd in my novice class and 3rd in my open class. It was actually a fun experience. I did some guessing with a few things in my prep, but I feel I still came out ok. Above all, it was an awesome learning experience, as anyone’s first show should be. Later on in November, I competed in the OCB Midwest States which is an IFPA Pro Qualifier. This time around, I had my research down, a serious state of mind, and paid close attention to how my body responded from my last prep and I felt better prepared going in. When I decided to do the Midwest States, my goal was to win the novice overall. I saw it as my graduation from a beginner to a real bodybuilder. And I did. I won my class as well as the overall.
WP: That is truly amazing. You should be so proud of yourself! I am also amazed that you find time to train while going to school. How do you do it?
RD: To be totally honest, it’s pretty easy. I have an internship, I am President of my student organization, and I pound lots of iron! So, with those few things, in addition to my school work and classes, my life is well organized. Everything I have going on in my life I chose to pursue. To me, there is no excuse for not having the proper time management skills and dedication to be the best at what I decide to take on in my life. I am simply not an excuse maker. I am a doer, and I like getting things done. In this case, it’s my training. Actually, being single helps a bit because all the time in the day is committed to just me. I tip my hat to people who have families and full time jobs. That must be tough!
WP: I like your positive attitude. And training does have to be about ‘you’. Do you have your 2010 season plan yet? When’s your first show this year?
RD: Well, the biggest thing for me in 2010 is my newfound guidance. I will be training and dieting under the direction of Layne Norton, and I am beyond excited about it. I have always been a huge fan of Layne and admire his work ethic. To be a part of his team is beyond words for me. As far as competing goes, I am not sure. I started my journey with the goal in mind to just win the novice overall title as my rights of passage to becoming a real bodybuilder. Naturally, my next goal is to snag my natural pro card. I do not want to go pro and just be another natural pro competitor. I want to, and I feel I can, do some damage in the pro ranks in my future. With that said, I may not compete again until 2011. I want to use this year to get my physique to the point that I am the undeniable winner at my next contest.
WP: That is an exceptional goal. And, with the combination of Layne Norton’s tutelage and your work ethic, I believe it’s an attainable goal. What factors dictate the way you train?
RD: I have a real critical thought process. I would safely say that the way I train directly correlates with the way I think. For example, there are 52 weeks in the year which also means the average bodybuilder has 52 chest workouts, 52 leg workouts, and so on and so forth. I refuse to waste one of my 52 opportunities to make results in the year. I know it may sound a bit silly, but I am simply not big on wasting time or slowing down potential gains I could be making. I aim to be one of the top natural bodybuilders in the world by the time I am 30. I have to train harder and harder every time I train if I want to attain my goal.
WP: You are really a no-nonsense guy! Has your training changed over the years?
RD: Well, I didn’t start lifting until I was around 19 or 20. So, with two years in I haven’t made too many changes. I think it is much more important that new bodybuilders master and execute perfect form, mind muscle connection, feeling the proper muscle while lifting, and other lifting fundamentals. That’s what I feel has changed the most with me: Becoming a better, safer weight lifter who respects the iron. I have always been into the old school style of lifting weights, so not much has changed with my actually exercises. I keep it basic for the most part. Glutes-hamstring raises are about as risky as I get!
WP: I think a lot of people could benefit from brushing up on lifting fundamentals. Form and mind-muscle connection are so very important. So, what does your current lifting routine look like?
RD: I found that a power/hypertrophy split works best for me. Some weeks, I may go heavy in the powerlifting fashion on Mondays and Tuesdays. Monday will be heavy upper body and Tuesday heavy lower body. Thursday through Saturday is the hypertrophy days. The intensity is high, lots of drop sets, super sets, and sometimes giant sets.
WP: You’ve only been lifting for 2 years. Would you say that maintaining your physique is easy?
RD: My contest weight and off-season weight are only about 15 pounds apart. So, for the most part, I stay pretty lean year-round. I believe I am mostly a mesomorph. I maintain muscle and put on muscle fairly easily. I believe this is a plus for a natural bodybuilder.
WP: I would say it is! You’re going to come across a lot of jealous competitors who cannot boast they have it easy. How about diet? What do you normally eat off and on-season?
RD: Well, I stick to three main carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and brown rice. My main protein sources are lean meats, cottage cheese, and the only seafood I will eat is tilapia. Grapefruit and blueberries are the only fruits I ever eat. It just so happens that those are my favorite foods, so I stick to any combo of those in the off season as well. I don’t watch my macros too closely if I am not competing, but I simply keep it clean. And, delicious!
WP: Again, I have to say you are pretty lucky that you enjoy your diet food! What supplements do you take? Is there a difference between your on-season and off-season supplementation?
RD: I have always stuck to Scivation and AST products. So, from either company I use Glutamine, Arginine-alpha keto glutarate, BCAA’s, micronized creatine monohydrate, and, of course, whey protein. I keep my supplementation fairly simple. My amino acids are my main focus in my supplementation.
WP: Is there any part of dieting that you’ve found difficult?
RD: The repetition is definitely the toughest part. I usually eat the same thing for 4-5 meals of the day. With that monotonous cycle I sometimes I get the urge in between meals to break stride with some junk food.
WP: Hear that everyone? He is human! Who are some of your idols? Who do you admire most in the fitness industry?
RD: Above all, I would say Dave Goodin. Dave Goodin is one of the greatest natural bodybuilders of all time, and he recently earned his IFBB pro card as a natural bodybuilder! I also admire guys like Layne Norton, Doug Miller, Ulisses Williams Jr., Jim Cordova, Rodney Helaire, Clement Yearwood, Philip Ricardo Jr., Jon Harris and many others. And, of course, some of the pros who paved the way for natural bodybuilding like Jon Hansen and Dave Goodin.
WP: You mentioned you began fitness modeling last year, too. How do you like it?
RD: Yes, I have actually had the opportunity many times to work with your Creative Photographers of the Year, Open Aperture Media Group. I have had a handful of fantastic photo shoots with them and highly advise anyone to let them capture you at your greatest. As with bodybuilding, I am still new to fitness modeling. So, it is still something I am deciding if I should continue to pursue or not.
WP: Well, I’ve had the opportunity to view some of your photos, and you definitely appear to be a natural. You can view his model album on our site by Clicking here. Do you ever think about where you want to see yourself in 10 years?
RD: Thank you, Angela. With bodybuilding, hopefully I will be at my peak in 10 years. Also, I hope to be happy with a family, or starting a family.
WP: Do you have any pet peeves?
RD: Yes, complainers; plain and simple. I think people should spend more time enjoying the short 70 or 80 years they have on earth, as opposed to complaining all the time and being unappreciative.
WP: What do you consider to be important in life? Why?
RD: Having a good relationship with yourself. If you know what you want, and know what makes you happy in life you will be fine. Don’t live your entire life trying to prove something to others and constantly put others before you. Once you have your own intrinsic values and needs set, then you can spread that love and positivity to others.
WP: Do you think your thinking and actions towards life in general have changed over the years?
RD: Well, one thing most people don’t know, or wouldn’t assume about me, is that I practice Chan Buddhism which is generally known as 'Zen'. I think I have always practiced most of these ways, and my thinking has always been close to Zen my entire life. I have always been fairly assertive yet peaceful, universal to all ideas and beliefs, and compassionate. I don’t think I have changed too much over time. If anything, I’ve just matured a bit more. But, I’m still the same ol’ Ryan!
WP: Any shout outs?
RD: Yes, a thank you to anyone and everyone who has directly or indirectly lead me to the path I have taken in life. Most importantly, I’d like to thank my parents, brothers, and my closest friends. I love you all; you know who you are!
WP: Ryan, it has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you the best of luck in all your future bodybuilding endeavors!
RD: Thank you, it has been my honor. It was fun; I hope to do it again soon!
