Brewer ready to take on all comers at Junior Nationals
by Allan Donnelly
June 19, 2008
FLEXONLINE.COM
It is a rare occurance when perhaps the most talked-about bodybuilder in the amateur ranks is one who has yet to step on stage at a national-level show. But, heading into this weekend’s NPC Junior Nationals, that’s exactly the situation. Aside from Peter Putnam and Brandon Curry, there may be no more recognizable name than Trey Brewer, the 22-year-old super heavyweight who, despite having only three bodybuilding contests under his belt, is one of the marquee athletes for supplement giant BSN.
This weekend, Brewer will attempt to take his biggest step yet at the NPC Junior Nationals in Chicago, Illinois. Flexonline recently sat down with Brewer to get his take on the Junior Nationals, hype, and the possibility of earning a pro card at the upcoming USAs in July.
WHAT: NPC Junior Nationals WHERE: Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois WHEN:Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21
FLEX: You last competed in December 2006, winning the overall at the NPC Excalibur. What did you weight at that contest and what do you anticipate weighing this weekend at the Junior Nationals? Brewer: When I did the Excalibur I think I was like 240, 245, around there. This time … man, I don’t know. Probably around 255 260.
FLEX: What improvements have you made since the Excalibur? Brewer: I think my biggest thing was just improving my proportions, bringing up my upper body to match my legs. I think I’ve done that this year, which you’ll see. A lot more splits in my legs. My legs are big, but I wanted more splits, more hamstring development. More detail and thickness in the upper back. That’s really about it.
FLEX: : You’ve had a lot thrown at you at a young age. Do you feel any pressure to live up to the so-called hype that has been building up over the last year? Brewer: I don’t think there’s any pressure. I have been blessed and thank God for that. The thing is, I keep telling people – they keep asking me about pressure, pressure, pressure people forget I’m only 22. So there is no pressure because I got time on my hands. I’m always improving and I can always make improvements because I’m still young. But I don’t feel any pressure. I always want to compete and do good so I put pressure on myself to be better, but I don’t pay much attention to the hype.
FLEX: Are you looking at the Junior Nationals as a must-win situation? Brewer: It’s always a must win, every show I always go in to win. So I’m going into it just like any other show. I want to come out on top. It’s definitely going to give me momentum for the USAs, where I’ll hopefully turn pro. But yeah, it’s always a must win situation no matter what.
FLEX: There aren’t many names entering this show aside from yourself. Is there anybody you’re looking at as a threat? Brewer: To tell you the truth, I haven’t even heard or seen anybody either. So not that I know of.
FLEX: So in your mind this is your show to lose? Brewer: Yeah.
FLEX: You’ve been presented with opportunities to meet with some of the best in the business guys like Ronnie Coleman over the last year, opportunities that don’t usually come to guys your age. What have you taken from those experiences? Brewer: I have been able to talk to Ronnie, he’s been real cool and especially Jay and Phil Heath. Both have given me a lot of advice and I just kind of watch their techniques just off their videos and stuff like with Phil getting ready for the Arnold. Phil has also given me a lot of mental advice, like not to worry about other things, just worry about yourself and keep doing your thing. All those guys been real cool. It’s been really motivation to me.
(Brewer with Ronnie Coleman in 2007 at Coleman’s home in Arlington, Texas)
FLEX: Have you tried to pattern yourself after any one of these guys in particular? Brewer: I look up to all of them, because I know how tough it is to be in this sport, especially be a pro. So I have respect for all those guys. All of the top guys that I talk to have been real cool , especially when I guest posed at Jim Manions show [the Pittsburgh Pro Figure] just being backstage and being on stage with those guys was just unbelievable. Being on same stage as Jay and Ronnie, Phil, Dexter and Victor all those guys and I’m still an amateur. That was a big thing for me.
FLEX: Ok, prediction time. What happens at the Junior Nationals this weekend? Brewer: I win.
FLEX: What happens in Las Vegas six weeks from now at the USAs? Brewer: I win.
FLEX: Give me three reasons why you win the USAs in July. Brewer: The changes I made as far as proportion and balance. Being a bigger guy, being a super heavyweight, I still got a little waist so it makes my overall balance and proportion better. And I’ll be in better condition.
(Brewer with Brandon Curry at the 2007 Olympia Expo)
