Hazel Adames: Hi Micky, congratulations again for your recent successes. You won your class and qualified at Leamington Spa for the UKBFF British Finals, which you went on to win the under 80kg class and your last show of the season is on the EPF on Sunday! You're busy with preparation for your last competition and your own personal training business Fitness 121 as well as with your clients for Healthy Action so thanks for agreeing to take part in this interview for us!
How old were you when you started training and how old are you now?
Micky McKay: Thank you Hazel for your kind words! I am 45years old and have been training since the age of 14! So a long time.
HA: What made you decide to start working out?
MM: My brother was a keen bodybuilder in his younger days and after messing about with his weights, I 'got the bug'!!
HA: Where abouts are you from and where do you train?
MM: I'm from Corby in Northants and train now and again at Bodyshapers in Kettering but more often than not I train from my own gym; Fitness121.
HA: At what point did you realise you wanted to start competitive bodybuilding?
MM: I competed in my younger days, nothing major just a few local shows then decided to compete again 3 years ago. It is now completely different to what it was years ago; bodybuilding as you know is so much more advanced now.
HA: Do you find also the standard of competitor higher now than when you competed at a younger age?
MM: Oh definitely! I was really shocked by the standard. It's like night and day!!
HA: We know you're currently dieting but how tall and heavy are you on and off-season?
MM: 5ft 6inch 14st 7lbs
HA: What's your marital status and does your partner support you in your training?
MM: I live with my girlfriend Julie and have brought up my step daughter Emma from a very early age from a previous relationship, she is now 16. They both support me on competition day but hate my diet and mood swings!!
HA: Do you use any bodybuilding supplements?
MM: I use creatine, L-glutamine and whey protein.
HA: How do you alter your nutrition when you have a competition coming up, and for how long?
MM: I generally clean up my diet for two weeks then diet for 12 weeks, cutting carbs and cycling carbs the nearer the competition comes, keeping good fats high as carbs come down. Protein every 3 hours, mainly chicken.
HA: How often do you train and do you have a training schedule?
MM: I train 5days per week;
Mon-Hams/delts
Tues-Back
Wed-Chest
Thurs-Quads/calves
Fri- Bicep/tricep
I generally follow this for 6-8 weeks then change
HA: How does this schedule change prior to a competition?
MM: It doesn't change that dramatically the weights will be lighter just more cardio a.m. and after my weights. I will however drop some of my compound movements nearer the show.
HA: Please can you give us a rundown of you competition career?
MM: My results are-
2005
NABBA Masters Mr. England-2ND
North staffs-1st
Mr.Universe-unplaced
2006
NABBA Midlands-1st
NABBA-Mr.Britain-unplaced
2007
Pendle Valley-2nd
Sci-Mentor-2nd
NABBA Midlands-2nd
Mr.Britain-unplaced
2008
EPF-Seniors-2nd
UKBFF- Intermediate Under-80kg Qualifier-1st
UKBFF-Intermediate Under 80kg British Championship-1st
EPF UK Open – Under 75kg – 1st
- Overall – 2nd
HA: You had a long break from competing, what made you want to start again?
MM:I changed my career to personal training this gave me more time to focus on my body-building career.
HA: You are approaching your third consecutive show, do you find your condition improves with each show, or does it get harder to maintain?
MM: I have found it harder because the breaks between show's have been longer than I am usually used to.
HA: Do you have any useful tips to share with MuscleTalk members which you can draw from your experience?
MM: Find out what work's for you, don't just copy other people, keep your form strict and nutrition is a massive key nowadays.
HA: Micky, as you're a regular on forums, especially MT, do you feel that people's knowledge of nutrition and training has improved since bodybuilding and strength forums have become so popular?
MM: Yes, I do even though I have a Diploma in P.T. I still find the forums a great way to learn and pick up useful information.
HA: Many thanks for taking the time to be interviewed and on behalf of all the MuscleTalk members, I'd like to wish you all the best in your future career. See you on MT!!
Thank-you very much Hazel and thank you for having me, it's been a pleasure.