World Physique

Interview by: Tammy Renee'

WP: Ryan Sullivan is our first ever, "Personal Trainer of the Month" in our new series, "Promoting Greatness". This is where clients write in and nominate you for this title. Ryan's clients really think highly of him and actually awarded him with this title. So, Ryan, it's such a pleasure interviewing you today. Congratulations! Please tell our readers a little about yourself.

RS: Thank you, Tammy. I am honored. My name is Ryan Sullivan. I am 26 years old and I am from North Babylon, New York. I am the creator and owner of Sci-Unison Fitness Inc. I am a very hard worker and take pride in what I do. Growing both physically and mentally are goals that I try to achieve each and everyday.

WP: How long have you been in the fitness industry?

RS: I have been involved in the fitness industry for roughly 10 years now. I created Sci-Unison Fitness in mid 2007.

WP: What made you decide to get into the fitness industry?

RS: I was a little on the heavy side throughout middle school and high school, so naturally I was searching for ways to improve my physique. I had always trained hard but I was very misguided in the nutrition department. It took me a few years to grasp the dieting concept. Once I began to see results, I had a constant drive to push my body to the next level and learn as much as I can. This drive is still in effect to this day. There will always be room for growing and progress.

WP: I adore stories like yours. It takes a lot of determination to turn your life and physique around. To be able to hold this title, you must have experience. What is your educational background? What are your certifications?

RS: I actually went to school to be a middle-high school teacher. I am certified in the area of social studies. Although I am not currently pursuing a full time position in the education field, I strongly feel that the training I received has helped me with my personal training clients and my business as a whole. As a teacher, your primary objectives are to take rather complex issues and simplify them for your students, as well as, relate them to everyday life. This is exactly what I do.

My certifications are:
AFTA
NASM
Expert Rating

WP: Wow! That's outstanding! How long have you been a personal trainer?

RS: I have technically been a personal trainer for about 3 years. This was when I finally decided to get certified. I feel as if I have been diligently acting as a personal trainer for about 6 or so years.

WP: What do you feel sets you apart from all other personal trainers out there?

RS: My teaching skills, my relentless work ethic to improve the Sci-Unison experience, and the methods in which I integrate technology into my fitness and diet programs.

WP: I love your confidence. Where do you train your clients? Do you train them in a gym, at home, or where?

RS: I train them all over; if they are local that is. I am looking to get into the home training in the months to come. I feel this would be a great addition to my repertoire.

Majority of my training takes place at World Gym in Babylon. Great facility, if you are local and want a week free pass, let me know.

WP: I know other people that actually train there! They have told me it is a great facility with a great staff. How much time per day do you typically spend with a client?

RS: Hard question to answer. If I am training a client in the gym it is typically 45 mins – 1 hour. However, my clients and I keep in contact outside of the gym as well. So if they have any questions, I try to spend as much time as possible with them. This can be face to face, over the phone, or over the comp. Whatever it takes.

WP: How many days do you suggest your clients to work out in a week?

RS: Depends on age, sex, body type, goals, schedule and lifestyle. I custom tailor my programs to address all these variables. So how much time in a week? As much as the client can devote while not crossing into the area of over training.

WP: What helps you get up each morning?

RS: My 2 dogs crying to go outside. Ha-ha. What keeps me up after this is serving my clients. Whether it be answering questions they may have, or adding new exercise demos to my website; I always have something new and productive on my “to do” list. Those who know me know about this list. I try and add to it each and everyday.

WP: Ha-ha! I like that answer! What motivates you?

RS: Progression. Progression of the mind and body. Progression of my clients, and progression of Sci-Unison Fitness.

WP: What forms of exercise do you find to be the most effective for the following:

To gain mass?

RS: Compound free weight exercises. I feel that there is always room for machines and cables regardless of the goal, but more emphasis should be placed on free weights. My favorites on the incline dumbbell press, wide grip upright rows, one arm dumbbell rows, squats, incline dumbbell curls, and dips.

WP: To lose weight?

RS: Same as the answer prior, but some added machine and cable orientated exercises.

WP: Very impressive answers so far! What do you say about getting cut?

RS: When entering a cutting phase, I never abandon free weights. Being a hard gainer, I have to fight as hard as possible to hold my muscle mass. I do however; start to use a little more cable exercises with a slower rep tempo. The getting cut part mostly comes from the diet and cardio.

WP: Last but not least, before competition?

RS: Getting shredded for a competition comes mostly down to the diet, cardio and the posing. The training of course has to be hard and intense, that’s a given. What separates first place and second place (in the absence of a huge genetic disparity) is the diet and commitment to posing. The art of highlighting your strong points while hiding your weak points is no easy art to perfect.

WP: You really know your stuff! Do you also compete? If so, what titles have you won. Talking about competing. What competitions have you entered and what place did you take?

RS: I have competed twice. My first contest was the 2006 INBF Long Island Experience. I took second place in the heavyweight novice class.

My second contest was the 2007 INBF Hercules. I took first place in the heavyweight novice class.

I have decided to take off from competing for a while. I am trying to focus on my clients who enter the competitions at this point in time.

WP: How does your routine and life changes when you go from pre-contest to off season?

RS: When I prepare to compete, I have no life. Ha-ha. Just kidding. Life does become a little more challenging. The food becomes very dull and bland; meal timing is absolutely essential; fatigue becomes your number one foe. But when all is said and done, it is 100% worth the struggle. The journey from start to finish teaches you so much about yourself, both mentally and physically. It is a great experience.

WP: I've actually heard a lot of competitors say the same thing. It takes all they have to compete. What do you like and dislike about competing?

Likes:

RS: The transformation that takes place from week to week.

Being absolutely shredded.

Taking a lot of pictures.

The enormous IHOP breakfast the morning after the show.

WP: You have me smiling on that last answer! IHOP! I guess I would name that as one of my likes, too! Okay, now for your dislikes.

RS: The bronzing agent spells and takes a week to get rid of.

The loss in strength that inevitably comes with extreme dieting.

The feeling of fatigue that sets in at the very end of the diet.

WP: What would you change about the judges in the competitions?

RS: Nothing really. To be honest, I really don’t pay much attention to them. If they give me tips or pointers I, of course, listen. But, I approach a competition thinking of ME and ME only. I am not up there competing against anyone but myself. The goal of each show is to beat the last version of yourself. If the judges like what they see, that’s great; if they like someone better, that’s fine too. I am not there for them, I am there for me. This is the mindset that I try to instill with all my clients who compete. Naturally, you want to place as good as possible, but the competition is ultimately with yourself.

WP: That is so true! What federation do you compete in?

RS: INBF. Awesome federation. Run extremely well with a great group of guys. Take a look at their website: www.inbf.net.

WP: Are you aiming for a pro card? If so, tell me what you are planning to reach your goal.

RS: Not any time soon. I want to get a pro card for my clients, Cody Wyer, in the coming year. He def has what it takes to be a pro. He takes whatever I dish out to him. Not to mention, he is probably the best poser that I have ever seen.

WP: From your past contests, what have you learned you need to correct or work on for the physique you are aiming for?

RS: I need more muscle mass. It is hard to be a dominant competitor in the world of bodybuilding at my height. I am 6’2 and have genetics (in terms of muscle building potential) that are slightly above average; if even. I feel that I still need time to fill out my frame. Hopefully the day will come where my body catches up with my mind and knowledge.

WP: You know you don't have to compete to be a great trainer. Sounds like you have more concern of your clients and that is what makes a great trainer. What are your strengths and weaknesses in this industry?

RS: My strength in this industry are: knowledge. Over the years I have become very knowledgeable about the training and nutrition practices required to step on stage.

My weakness are: my height and muscle building potential relative to my height.

WP: What problems have you had as far as staying motivated and disciplined to stick with your workouts?

RS: I never have a problem with the workouts. It is the cardio that really gets to me. It is so boring yet it is required to be healthy and shredded. I have to hop from machine to machine in order to get through a session.

WP: I hop from machine to machine, too, so I can understand where you're coming from. We have to create a challenge for ourselves. What problems did you have to overcome in order to stay on track with your fitness program?

RS: Life’s little curve balls. Things that I can’t control.

WP: What keeps fitness interesting to you?

RS: I try and learn something new everyday. I experiment with new training splits, exercises and techniques. It keeps my body guessing, and keeps me from getting bored.

WP: Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. It’s just between us, no one else will know. Ha-ha.

RS: I am a super, super, super nerd. Ha-ha. I consider reading or building a new computers “fun time”.

WP: Ha-ha! Haven't you heard? The times are changing. Nerds are the 'in' crowd now. With all the technology out there, women love the smart men now! You are not just a pretty face and body. You're also smart. How have you changed over the years?

RS: Over the years, I have matured and become very responsible. I have also learned that being close minded will get you no where in life.

WP: Any shout outs?

RS: Of course. I would like to thank my Mother and Grandmother for everything they have done for me. My wonderful girlfriend for her unconditional support and love. My close friend Marcus for sparking the interest in weightlifting back in the 9th grade. My current training partner and close friend Brian. My best friend Joe Cunningham, may he rest in peace. And my other close friends John, Javier, Jay and Leroy.

WP: Explain your workouts to me.

RS: Intense. Sometimes on the border of insane. Enough said?

WP: Enough said! What is your diet?

RS: High quality assorted protein sources. Chicken, Tuna, Turkey, egg whites, whey, salmon, sirloin, mahi mahi, ahi tuna steaks

Yams and oats are my primary starchy carbs.Apples, oranges and bananas are my primary fruits. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus are my primary green vegetables.

WP: Who had the most impact on you in your life thus far?

RS: My best friend, Joe Cunningham. He was the greatest person anyone could imagine. When he was alive he would bring laughter to even the worst of days. Now that he is gone, he has almost become immortalized by those who knew him. Hands down he has had the greatest impact on my life. I love and miss you big guy.

WP: What were you like in high school?

RS: Scholar athlete. I worked very hard to get A’s in high school. Sometimes it was hard to do with either basketball or football season, but I always managed. I would have considered myself as popular. I was friends with many different types of people. I feel as if my high school experience has worked to my advantage. The diversity has definitely helped me to relate and communicate with all types of people.

WP: Please describe a typical day for you. What is your daily routine like?

RS: Wake up and feed my two monster dogs. Khomeini; the black Lab and Jade the blue Pit-bull. Then, I eat breakfast and start sorting through emails from the night before. Once all those are done, I begin working on client training charts and workout plans. Eat again, and then I head to the gym to train some clients. Eat again. Then, I train myself. Eat again. When I come home, I usually do some work to the website while watching some TV. I feed my dogs, check my email and eat again. If things aren’t busy I like to sit on the couch and spend some time with my girlfriend. Then at about 10:30 – 11:00 at night I head back to the gym to take exercise demo videos for my website (www.sci-unisonfitness.com). I, then, come home, eat again, and get ready for bed.

WP: Sounds like a busy day. What are your hobbies outside of fitness?

RS: I enjoy going to the gun range, reading, playing with my dogs, building computers, spending time with my girlfriend and my close friends.

WP: What type of music do you listen to?

RS: Anything that gets me amped up for the next set.

WP: Tell me about your family.

RS: My mother is the greatest mother you can imagine. She has done so much for me over the years. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for her. My grandmother is great too; also super funny. My girlfriend should be up for the award “World’s Greatest Girlfriend”. She truly is one of a kind and I love her with all my heart. Her love and support have gotten me through some of the roughest times. By the way she is absolutely gorgeous.

WP: Sounds like you have a lot of love in your life. What supplements do you take and why?

RS: Whey protein – A must for post workout nutrition.
Creatine monohydrate – Helps with muscle size and strength.
Multivitamin – Keeps everything running right.
L-glutamine – Helps with recovery ability.
Dextrose / Maltodextrin mix - Great for post weight training.

There are a few others, but those secrets are for my clients.

WP: What are your future projects?

RS: I am working on a cookbook. Should be finished very soon and will be available in the members section of my website. It is going to be great. I will disprove that myth that eating healthy is boring and repetitive.

WP: A cookbook? So many athletes are looking for a great cookbook. That should be a top seller! What accomplishments have you achieved thus far in your life that you are proud of?

RS: The creation and current success of Sci-Unison Fitness is what makes me proud. I have built the business from the ground up. Watching it grow and succeed is a truly amazing feeling. I appreciate everyone’s support.

WP: How would you like to improve, if any?

RS: I am trying to develop even more features to offer my clients with their programs. I am striving to improve the experience that my clients have with Sci-Unison Fitness.

WP: Anything you would like to mention before we close?

RS: Effort + Consistency = Results

Don’t’ Be Soft !

WP: It's been a pleasure interviewing you and congratulations on winning our first, "Personal Trainer of the Month". I really feel you deserve this title and I am so honored!