One on One with Cody Montgomery

We can all learn about consistency from Cody Montgomery. The Plano, Texas resident is a couple of days away from taking the stage at the NPC Teen Nationals and has the possibility of repeating as Teen National Champion, making him the first two time winner of the title. In the Q & A, Montgomery talks about his this past offseason, his prep and where he wants to go in bodybuilding.

Where are you from?

I was born in Anchorage, Alaska but my family moved to McKinney Texas a few years later. We’ve been here ever since

Whats your age?

I’m currently 18 years old

How long have you been bodybuilding?

I started bodybuilding when I was a freshman in High School. So about four years, give or take.

Was there a certain element of the sport that appealed to you in particular?

Like many others, I was always fascinated by the guys in the magazines and I always loved training. I slowly became more and more interested in the sport as I started training for football. Slowly lifting weights became more important to me and vital to my everyday habits than football. Eventually I decided to stop playing football and focus directly on seeing what I could do in bodybuilding.

Who do you look up to as an example in the sport?

Jay Cutler has always been a huge inspiration to me. I’ve looked up to him since the beginning but also Branch Warren and Ronnie Coleman since we all live in the same general area. I look up to others though. One person who has been along my side and helped me for many years is my trainer Jonathan Irizarry(2011 NPC Collegitate national Champion). He’s really be an big brother to me in the sport of bodybuilding and I’m truly grateful to have met him and be on the same team now(Irrizary is also a Evogen sponsored athletes).

How was this past prep for Teen Nationals different from last years prep?

It’s been night and day. My body has changed a lot over the last year with the added size. Prep is always a progression there will always be a new approach to each prep as no two are the same. The goal is to be bigger and better, so we’ll see in just a short while. The hard work going in and sacrifice is the same though!

How did you and Hany Rambod team up?

We hooked up after Teen Nationals last year. We met through mutual people and I signed with Evogen(Rambod’s supplement company) shortly after at the Dallas Europa show. I had already been using Evogen Nutrition products for the 2012 prep, so it seemed like the perfect fit. I’ve been extremely blessed to be apart of Team Evogen over the past year and to have Hany along side me. He constructed my entire offseason program and I’m excited to reveal a new package this year.

Where do you train at?

Metroflex in Plano, Texas. This place is the best hardcore gym around. Everyone there is a big family and everyone pushes each other to new levels. We have a lot of fun and I’m blessed to have such a good facility to train out of!

Describe a typical day for you that shows how you balance school with bodybuilding?

So a typical day during contest prep while in school is pretty much as

follows…

6:00 a.m.-Wake up

6:20 a.m.-Cardio

7:30 a.m.-Eat

8:00 a.m.-Arrive at school

9:30 a.m.- Eat in class

12:00 p.m.- Eat at lunch

2:30 p.m.-Get home from school, eat pre-workout meal

3:30 p.m.- Drink EVP, Glycoject and head to gym

4:00 p.m.- Train at Metroflex Plano

5:30 p.m.-Drink post workout shake(Glycoject, Cell Kem)

6:30 p.m.-Arrive home, eat

9:30/10:00 p.m.-Eat

As you can see my schedule during school is pretty full. I’m either stuffing my face, training, doing cardio or doing school work. Although now, I’ve graduated from high school this past month and I’ll have to adapt to college life.

How do you describe your training style and how did you arrive at what you do currently?

It’s changed a lot over the last few years. A few years ago, I just went off of feel. This past offseason Hany put me through different phases of FST-7 which i believe helped me get rounder, fuller and put on more size overall. Since starting prep and going back to training with Jonathan Irizarry, he’s had me adjust my training to that of John Meadows “Mountain Dog Training”. It’s been a big change but I believe switching up training from time to time only does your body good. I’ve been happy with my training through this prep.

What are some things you do nutrition wise that are different from last years prep?

I haven't had nearly as many cheat meals or “refeed” meals this year as last year. The diet is similar to last years, although being bigger means I have been eating more food overall. I also have been relying on Cell Kem and EVP a ton more this year. They help me stay full and round even when I’m low on carbs and fats are nil.

Since you won Teen Nationals last year and are looking to repeat as champion, has your life changed as a result of the exposure in Flex Magazine and a subsequent contract with Evogen Nutrition?

Quite a lot actually. Like I said previously, I have been so blessed and have a lot to thank the man upstairs for. Flex has been more than generous with the amount of exposure I have gotten and I have a bigger following now because of it. I also have an amazing team and Evogen Nutrition behind me now. It’s easy to represent a company when you love their products.

As a teen bodybuilder, you don’t fit into the mold of the average teenager. How do you remain disciplined with bodybuilding being so young?

I just try to stay focused and positive. I’m very driven and at the end of the day, you make your own decisions. No one else will do the work for you. It’s up to you.

What are your long and short term goals in bodybuilding?

I have been focusing on winning this show back to back since winning last year. Long term goals include helping the sport continue to grow and to turn pro. These goals are built one step at a time.

Your’e on track to make a little bit of history if you become the first two time Teen National Champ. How does that make you feel?

It’s still crazy to hear. I never thought i would happen once, but now we’re talking about twice. I just know I’m giving it everything I’ve got to come back improved with a different package. The rest is out of my control. It would be a true blessing though and I would be very happy to be the first two-time Teen National Champion.

Do you feel the teen ranks in bodybuilding are slowing down?

I think it’s as alive as ever. Teen Nationals are continuing to grow and get better and better teenagers.

Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Is there ever I want to start by thanking my sponsor Evogen Nutrition and Hany Rambod for believing in me enough to sign me onto the team. My coach and good friend, Jonathan Irizarry. My girlfriend, Samantha, who has been along side me for both preps. My family, friends and everyone else who supports me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. My local sponsor Lockout supplements, Bill Comstock, Joe Lobell and Andrew Vu for always having y back and helping me along the journey. See you guys in Pittsburgh!