Y O U R C O V E R M O D E L S
I ’ m just a regular small town guy with big dreams . I grew up in Duchess AB , a small town outside of Brooks . I was very competitive while playing sports growing up , which eventually lead me to the gym . Wanting to be the best athlete I could , I trained hard in the gym starting in junior high . As I worked out I found myself fascinated by how the human body can adapt to exercise given the right physical stress . This eventually led me to take my B . Sc . majoring in Exercise Science at the University of Lethbridge . I became obsessed with learning the mechanisms behind the body ’ s ability to adapt to physically stress , applying that to my training to sculpt my body .
After University I started looking beyond exercise to a more holistic view of health . I didn ’ t want to just be fit , I wanted to take control of my physical and mental health . I soon after started Sophrosyne Wellness Consulting , to teach others how to manage their health through lifestyle coaching , diet and exercise . During this time I competed with NPAA winning the PRO show and was given the opportunity to travel to Washington DC to compete internationally in the IFPA Yorton Cup . Since then I have settled down in Calgary , and worked to grow my company by providing others with what they need to accomplish their goals .
NATHANIEL ERNST
Why do you compete with the NPAA ?
I compete with the NPAA because I am a natural athlete that was looking for a federation that supported natural and healthy ways of competing . As I continued with the NPAA , I became a member of a supportive community of other like-minded individuals . Through this platform , I have formed lasting friendships with other athletes at the shows and on social media through the hashtag # NPAA . The community that the NPAA has fostered , allows athletes to support each other through the process of contest prep , when training and dieting becomes difficult .
What did you enjoy most about your experience and how did competing complement your current lifestyle ?
Competing complimented my current lifestyle by offering something to work towards . Throughout my time competing , I ’ ve learned so much about myself both physically and mentally : from testing my mental discipline by training on a caloric restriction , to fighting the cravings and constantly being tempted by unhealthy foods . Competitions prompted something even more valuable , the ability to learn about myself . I have gained perspective of who I am as a person , and have seen what I am capable of when I commit to a goal .
What opportunities arose for you after competing ?
After my first competition , I had the opportunity to compete with the International Federation of Physique Athletes ( IFPA ) at the Yorton Cup in Washington DC . I was given the chance to travel while doing what I love , which for me was a dream come true . Competing also gave me the opportunity to grow my business ( Sophrosyne Wellness Consulting ) and establish myself as a leader in the fitness industry . This is due largely in part to the NPAA supporting and advertising their athletes , giving everyone equal opportunity to succeed .
Who do you hope to inspire or motivate ?
I hope to inspire everyone that leads a healthy lifestyle and wants to work towards the goal of stepping on stage . Whether you ’ ve lived a healthy lifestyle your whole life , or whether you ’ ve made the decision to change your life by taking control of yourself physically and mentally .
Photo Credit : Bombelkie Marcin and Dawid Witukiewicz
Sometimes we win and sometimes we don ’ t make first place - how do you cope and goal set after a show , what strategies do you have for making the process of competing positive and healthy ?
Competing was never about getting first place for me . I obviously wanted to do well and worked hard toward that , but my biggest concern was setting a goal for myself , both physically and mentally , and then crushing it . I ’ ve found over the years , that if I ’ m constantly comparing myself to others , I ’ ll never be happy with myself . That being said , I take a step back after every show and analyze my weaknesses and set goals based on that . My main focus is to continue to grow as an athlete and as a person . I believe as long as I focus on constant growth , competing will continue to be a healthy and positive experience .
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