Godfrey Onyac- LA Muscle Interview

Godfrey Onyac, a bodybuilder from West London, has just returned to the UK after competing and winning the heavyweight title at the INBF Championships- an international competition for natural bodybuilders that took place in Barbados on 20th June 2009.

In 2008 Godfrey competed in the INBF in New York, USA where he placed 2nd in the Heavyweights category so it’s needless to say that he was over the moon with his result this year!

Godfrey, congratulations, you have just won a heavyweight international title! How are you feeling?

Thank you very much, I’m ecstatic!!! Winning my professional status with the WNBF was a goal I’ve had in mind for a while. I remember telling Karen about it when I first met her in 2004 and how wonderful it would be if I could manage it by the time I was 30 years of age - now that it’s happened I’m over the moon!!!

Other than winning, what were some of the other highlights of the INBF Championships? Barbados must have been nice?

The whole trip to Barbados was fantastic, the way we were looked after, the country, the people, the way the competition was organised, the food, the beach - everything about it from the moment we landed. I couldn’t have dreamt the whole experience any better!!

How did you feel on stage?

Nervous at first for the pre judging, once I relaxed I loved it and wanted more! When my name was called out as the heavyweight winner I felt great satisfaction. As I came 2nd in the last INBF show I entered 1st place was my target. Then when my name was called out as the overall winner I was massively overwhelmed with emotions and tears…tears of joy, I will never forget!!! It took me a lot of hard work, overcoming obstacles and making sacrifices to get there and I must say it was sweet!

Who has supported you all the way?

Coming from a sporting family is a bonus as they have always supported me. Also support at home is essential -
having Karen there is a blessing. Most of my friends understand that when a competition is looming I can’t socialise with them, but whenever we meet it’s always a blast!Support and encouragement from people I respect is inspirational, but also their critique of me, constructive criticism is necessary. There is great support from bodybuilding forums and I very much appreciate it.My neighbours have been very supportive since we came back; it takes me ages to walk down the street now as I’m stopping to chat to so many people. I have to leave the house earlier to get anywhere on time!!!

Your Pro Card means you can’t compete in the UK anymore, how do you feel about that?

WNBF ruling states so, however, you never know what the future holds. Perhaps one day it might be possible to do a Pro show over here, things change all the time. I would like to compete in the UK again if the opportunity arises so that my family & friends can see me on stage as a Pro.

How will you keep your focus for the Worlds this year?

I’ve been invited for a few photo shoots so I plan to prepare for them as if they were competitions to keep me on track.
How are you going to train for that competition?At the moment I am looking better than I did on stage in Barbados although I need to improve further. I want to achieve a grainier look so want to get the cardio out of the way early so the last 10 weeks or so is just weight training, circuits and posing every day.

What will you be doing next year?

Next year I want to go to three shows…The WNBF Barbados Classic, the WNBF Mid America- Run by Sean McCauley. Sean organises one of the biggest American shows with the INBF / WNBF, it would be a great one to do. I met Sean in Barbados, we competed against each other. He invited me to go out this August but unfortunately due to the current economic climate, finances are limited. I’d also like to compete in the WNBF Worlds.

What are your ultimate future goals?

To win my first Pro show, to annually compete in as many WNBF Pro shows as possible.To appear on the front cover of a natural bodybuilding magazine. To have a major role in a film or TV programme. To be a true professional, ambassador and role model for Natural Bodybuilding here and abroad.My ultimate goal is to be the WBNF World Champion one day.

What are your achievements so far?

BNBF Central Novice 2005, Heavyweight, 3rd
NPA South East, Novice 2005, Heavyweight, 1st
NPA British Championships 2005, Novice, 1st
NPA South East 2008, Heavyweight 2008, 2nd
EPF UK Open 2008, Heavyweight, 3rd
INBF World Championships 2008, Heavyweight, 2nd
INBF Universe 2009, Barbados Classic, Heavyweight, 1st and Overall Champion

What is it you love about bodybuilding?

I love the battle on stage and in the gym to be able to get on stage. Seeing how far I can push myself each time, the pump, the pain & the music I sing (cry & moan mixed)… making my own music for the rest of the gym to hear! (It’s a joke at my local gym!) The shows are like exams, showing what I have learnt in the gym and being judged on the results.Also having the opportunity to make friends with like minded people is a bonus.

What improvements did you make to get 2nd place at the INBF Worlds?

I changed my training program to include more cardio. I did hill sprints in a local park, more body weight work including press ups, pull-ups, squats, walking lunges and cardio in the gym. I kept my weights work outs very similar just adding more cardio and more variation to my cardio workouts.

What is the toughest part of bodybuilding for you?

It would have to be the lack of funds when you are starting out. Many sports have funding such as the lottery or local councils putting money into them, but there is nothing for bodybuilding. Supplement companies do get involved but this doesn’t happen unless you are extremely lucky!
Has bodybuilding changed the way you lead you life?Yes, I have become more organised, disciplined, healthier and fitter. As a person I have learnt much more about my strengths and weakness and have become more knowledgeable about my body (and still learning), all of which has made me a better person. Bodybuilding has also taught me the true meaning of sportsmanship!!

Do you keep a training diary?

Yes, to write down every work out and everything I eat and drink. I also weigh myself weekly and note it. When I’m preparing for a show I’ll plan foods and workouts ahead of time so I don’t need to think about it. For the last show I used a lot of information from Paul Amos’ journal, it helped me a lot so thanks Paul.

What do you do to relax?

I enjoy spending time in the sauna, steam room, in the pool or having a massage, also listening to music and watching films.

What are you now working towards for the next time you step on stage with regards to your posing routine?

I want to honestly express myself to the audience so that they enjoy the routine as an act (performance). I want to portray the emotion in whatever song I use, I also want my personality to shine on stage - I want the audience to feel me!The routine I did at the UKFBB Stars of Tomorrow show in 2005 was a good performance, however, I didn’t hit the poses as well as I should have, though the audience did enjoy the performance (I could hear them!) Since I’m now a lot better at posing, it’s time for me to merge those two things together.

Favourite sports apart from Bodybuilding?

Football, Boxing and Athletics

Tell me a few things, nothing to do with bodybuilding, about you...

I love Arsenal; I am a lifetime supporter of Arsenal (A Gooner)I enjoy politicsI love black & white films. I was afraid of flying until November last year, now I love seeing the world!I can’t swim (I’m learning).

Shopping for new clothes

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank God, my family, Karen Mason (WNBF Pro), LA Muscle, Dave Beattie and Ossie at Genesis Gym, the NPA, INBF and the WNBF.
I have been inspired by many and hope to inspire many! I’m also re-vamping and re-launching my website http://www.godfreyonyac.com/ with some updated photos, videos, training programs and much more.