Emeka Okammor speaks to Supplement Judge

For this interview, Supplement Judge is very lucky and privileged to speak to Ronnie Coleman Signature Series‘ sponsored athlete Emeka Okammor. In this interview we see what it takes to become a professional athlete!

 

1. Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I’m originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I attended UCF (University of Central Florida) on a full athletic scholarship for football. Started as a freshman playing DT at 310lbs. My last 2yrs I played DE at 270lbs. I have a strong athletic background which has modeled my training and lifting in many ways.

I graduated from UCF in 2008 with a BA in interdisciplinary Studies w/IT minor. I decided to continue my education and received a MBA in Management Information Systems from my Alma mater in 2010.

I share the dream of turning pro in this sport with my wife, family, and close friends. All who have been extremely supportive in my career as a bodybuilder. I also enjoy the dream of simply reaching and filling my potential in this sport. The day I win that pro card is the day that I’ll step foot into my dream, the day that one of my prayers is answered. I pray to be great in this sport, but even if I fall short of that accomplishment, my heart yearns to be a fun, humble, personable, down to earth professional bodybuilder. I will continue to chase my dreams and submit every ounce of my effort to living my dream, keeping a positive attitude, and prayerfully I WILL SUCCEED!

2. How long have you been training for?

I have been bodybuilding for about 3 years now but I have been athletically training for the majority of my life. I played all sports possible as kid and begin to lift weights in the 9th grade.

3. How did you get started in training?

I started bodybuilding because I wanted a 6 pack! Playing football you see all the skill positions guys (WR, RB, CB, etc) with abs and cuts. I wanted that, so when I graduated I begin on my journey to get abs. I somehow found myself researching the likes of Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, etc.

One day I decided to go to a local bodybuilding show and I remember saying to myself “I can do that” so I begin to channel my competitive nature into building my body.

4. Who got you motivated to start training?

I admire big Ron the most. I use to look up to him for what he accomplished on the stage but since being sponsored by him I get to see him for more than the 8x Mr.O. Big Ron is completely down to earth. Very humble and will talk and joke with just about anyone. Hard to believe that he has accomplished all that he has on stage and is as approachable as he is. He answers emails and will even answer the calls into the warehouse. He is a tangible champion and shows no sign of arrogance.

I remember the first time I met him. I was nervous to introduce myself because he knew me from being his athlete but we had never met face to face. So after about 3 hours, lol. I finally introduced myself and he recognized me and begin to talk to me about competing and so fourth. There was a line of people waiting to get his autograph and my wife was in that line. So when she made it to the front I said “Hey Ron that’s my wife can we take a pic?” and he looked at me and said “We family! Why you had her waiting in line” lol.

As we are taking the pic, the back of my phone is stage photo of my self. Ron sees the pic and says “Is that you? Let me see that phone.” He told me I looked great and asked why I didn’t win that show. He left me with these words “You’ll get there” and I’ve been trying my hardest ever since.

5. What are your short and long term fitness goals?

My short term goal is to achieve pro status and get out of the amateur ranks.
My long term goal is to win an ASC

6. What workout routine has worked best for you?

I am a student of this sport and that has allowed me to keep an open mind while finding ways to improve on my physique. I had been researching the great Arnold and I read how he was a firm believer in working chest and back together. So I gave it a try, superset style working back as the antagonist muscle.

I found this style for chest and back greatly increased the mass and density of my entire upper body. I witnessed my upper body achieve a higher level of thickness and I feel that working chest and back together helped a lot.
 
Incline barbell
T-bar row

Bench press
Bent over barbell row

Decline press (Machine or Hammer Strength)
High row

Pec dec
Lat pulldowns

6. Could you outline your basic daily diet?

Well, it’s nothing elaborate since I am currently in prep.

Meal 1 = 50g carbs, 8oz protein
Meal 2 = 50g carbs, 8oz protein
Meal 3 = 8oz protein
Meal 4 = 8oz protein
Meal 5 = 8oz protein or 2 scoops Pro-Antium
Meal 6 = 8oz protein, 1oz almonds

This changes based on my weekly weigh-in and bodyfat check.

7. Do you use supplements? If so, what do you recommend?

I use Beta Stim and Stacked N.O. both products by RCSS.

BetaStim is a fat burner and is very important for me since I am in my prep and trying to get my body fat as low as humanly possible without losing muscle.

Stacked N.O. is also very important because it helps me achieve a great pump and awesome workout. And at this point, every workout has to be epic.

8. Do you have post/pre-workout meals? What’s your favorite?

Usually my meals are strictly based on time. So usually train between meals 5 and 6. Meal 5 is 8oz of protein (Chicken, steak, or fish) or if I’m rushing I’ll just grab 2 scoops of Pro-Antium. My last meal is usually after training, showering, and preparing for the next day and it is simply 8oz of protein and 10z of almonds for my fats.

9. How do you deal with things such as hunger and cravings?

I normally just wait them out. Those are temporary emotions and as long as you don’t give in, they will normally weaken.

10.  Do you have any cheat meals?

Not during my prep. Cheat meals are reserved for my off season program. That’s when I feed my cravings.

11.  What is your biggest motivation to get you back in the gym?

The thought of achieving my short term goal. There’s still work to do so whenever I think about what work is left, I get motivated to get it done.

12.  If you could go back in time, what would you change in your training?

I’m not sure. My training has been an evolution over time and lessons learned from trial and error. I may make some diet changes but not training.

13.  Any advice for beginners or anyone looking to get back into fitness?

Take it one day at a time. Too often we look to far ahead and lose focus on the day to day tasks that are required to get to the vision.

14.  What advice do you to anyone looking to lose weight in time for summer?

Don’t be a seasonal body. Achieve your desired look now and reveal it over the summer. Commit to the training, commit to the diet, and do it now because getting in shape is much more rewarding than just the physique you achieve.

15.  Anything else you’d like to add?

Thanks you for allowing me to share some of my thoughts and experiences and thanks to my Team Coleman family. Yeah Buddy!

And you can follow Emeka on Youtube, Facebook. and Instagram!