WEDFGH
Sergio Oliva Jr. is on a mission to become one of the greatest bodybuilders in the world. And he has teamed up with Labrada Nutrition to help him reach his lofty goal. Sergio Oliva Jr. has quite the bodybuilding legacy behind him. His legendary Cuban-born father is three-time Mr. Olympia Sergio Oliva who was one of three men, and the last, to beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in a bodybuilding contest. His mother, Arleen Garrett, is a former three-time world female bodybuilding champion and Ms. America who had a remarkable ten year career herself.
His pedigree doesn’t intimidate the Chicago-based super-heavyweight, but it makes him more determined to leave his own mark on the sport of bodybuilding.
“I was 20 years old when I started training in 2004. I ran track and played water polo in high school. What may surprise people is that my dad, Sergio Sr., was actually against me bodybuilding when I started. Not only did he not want me to compete but he didn’t even want me working out, lifting weights, none of it. He felt I should focus on other things instead. I was pretty set that this was what I wanted to do with my life though, so I did it anyway. When I first started lifting, I weighed 140 pounds. Three months later I had put on 30 pounds of muscle. The following year, I competed. When I set my mind to doing something, I’m going to find a way to do it so there’s no stopping me.”
Sergio Jr. has won four titles thus far, including the NPC Northwest Florida, NPC Panhandle Showdown, NPC Midwest Iron Man, and NPC Southern USA. He recently placed third in the Super-Heavyweight class at the 2014 NPC Junior Nationals.
The 29 year old put on 25lbs of muscle over the last two years, transforming his physique while climbing through the light-heavyweight and heavyweight classes at his competitions. He now competes as a Super-Heavy packing a heavily muscled 250lbs on his six-foot frame. Sergio Jr. sports the same trademark Oliva arms and legs that made his father famous.
“I feel another strength is my mind and my drive. I never settle. Nothing is ever good enough for me. I also don’t rely on the fact that my name is Sergio Oliva and I have this bodybuilding heritage behind me. If anything, I work as if it’s held against me and I have to work harder to make my own mark on the sport. That not only helps me improve as a bodybuilder but also in all aspects of my life, and will help me better represent Labrada Nutrition.”
Sergio's Bio
Sergio Oliva Jr. has quite the bodybuilding family legacy behind him. His legendary Cuban-born father is three time IFBB Mr. Olympia Sergio Oliva, who was one of three men (and the last) to beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in a bodybuilding contest. His mother, Arleen Garrett, is a former three time world female bodybuilding champion and Ms. America who had a remarkable ten year career herself. This doesn’t intimidate the Chicago-based super-heavyweight, but it does make him more determined to leave his own mark on the sport of bodybuilding. In this interview, we learn more about the newest member of Team Labrada-- not only about his past and where he’s been, but about his future and where he knows he will be.
- TL: Sergio, please tell us a little about yourself.
SO: Well, I’m 29 years old, and was born in Chicago, where I still live today. I spent some time in Miramar Beach, Florida as well before coming back home. I currently work as a personal trainer in the Chicago area. I’m not really used to talking about myself-- I just like to keep my head down and let my work and physique do my talking. - TL: When did you start training and how involved was your dad in helping you along the way?
SO: I was 20 years old when I started training in 2004. I ran track and played water polo in high school. What may surprise people is that my dad, Sergio Oliva Sr., was actually against me training with weights when I started, so he wasn’t involved much at all. - TL: So he actually didn’t want you to get into bodybuilding?
SO: Not only did he not want me to compete, but he didn’t even want me to start working out, lifting weights, none of it. He felt I should focus on other things instead. I was pretty set that this was what I wanted to do with my life though, so I did it anyway. When I first started lifting I weighed 140 pounds. Three months later I had put on 30 pounds of muscle. The following year, I competed. When I set my mind to doing something, I’m going to find a way to do it so there was no stopping me. - TL: How supportive was your mom, Arleen Garrett, when you decided you wanted to pursue bodybuilding?
SO: My mom was actually completely supportive of this and wanted to help as much as she could. She competed for ten years and knows the sport as well as anyone, so she was a great guide and mentor for me. - TL: So when did you go from the gym to the stage?
SO: My first competition was the 2006 NPC Southern States. I competed as a middleweight, weighing in at 176 pounds. I finished second in that show. Every year that I’ve competed since, I’ve gone up a weight class. So I’ve competed as a light-heavyweight and then as a heavyweight after that. I took last year off and I’ll be going into the Junior Nationals this year on June 14th as a super-heavyweight which is the heaviest class. This will be something new for me as I’ve never competed in this weight class before. (Editor’s note: Sergio came in third place in the Super-Heavyweight class at the 2014 NPC Jr. Nationals. - TL: So how many shows have you won so far?
SO: I’ve won four competitions as an amateur. My first win was the NPC Northwest Florida, then I won the NPC Panhandle Showdown, the NPC Midwest Iron Man, and the NPC Southern USA’s. I’m working on my goal of eventually getting my pro card. - TL: You said you’ll be a super-heavyweight this year. There is no weight limit in that division. Are you concerned about being outsized?
SO: Not really. I know there will be some big boys there, but my focus is on being as conditioned as possible instead of trying to get bigger for the sake of being bigger. I believe quality is more important than quantity. The biggest guy doesn’t always win, and I’ll be around 260 pounds when I step onstage, so I won’t be the smallest guy either. - TL: Looking at your physique, what do you think are your strengths and what do you feel needs improving?
SO: My legs are definitely my best body part. I think my upper body needs to catch up so that’s something I’ve focused on improving. I feel my posing is also a strength. I don’t just go up there and hit shots and walk off. You can see a lot of the history of bodybuilding when I’m onstage because I’ve added bits and pieces of the posing of many legendary bodybuilders into what I do. Guys like my dad, Frank Zane, and I’ve actually studied a lot of Lee Labrada’s posing routines and added a lot into what I do onstage. I also feel my conditioning is pretty good but I think it can be even better. - TL: I think though that if you were going to have a problem like that, I’d rather have bigger legs than a bigger upper body. You agree with that?
SO: I do. I also feel another strength is my mind and my drive. I never settle. Nothing is ever good enough for me. I also don’t rely on the fact that my name is Sergio Oliva and I have this bodybuilding heritage behind me. If anything, I work as if it’s held against me and I have to work harder to make my own impact or mark on the sport. So that not only helps me improve as a bodybuilder but I feel it will help me in all aspects of my life and as a sponsored athlete. - TL: That is a great segue into my next question. How does it feel to be a part of Labrada Nutrition?
SO: It’s awesome. It’s crazy that it’s worked out like this because I’m such a fan of his and have used his products a lot over the years. I actually remember using the Super Charge that had the label with the picture of Lee doing dumbbell presses. I also remember the Lean Body products being lined up on the shelf of the gym trained at. He and his son Hunter are both great guys as well. - TL: So why Labrada Nutrition? I imagine you could’ve been sponsored and joined any company you wanted. What was it about Labrada that made it feel like it was a good fit for you?
SO: Well I’ve been involved with another company in the past and I didn’t know a lot about their products because they didn’t train me in them, yet I was expected to promote them and they wanted to feature me in ads for them. They would just send me the bottle so they could legally say they had sent them to my address. I decided that I didn’t want to be a part of a company that operates like that. - TL: That makes sense on your part. So you felt comfortable with Labrada since you’ve taken their products in the past yourself, right?
SO: I did and still do. I’m a longtime Labrada customer so I know that the products work and more importantly I also know how they work. I have no problem talking to people about the quality of the Labrada line as well as recommending the supplements to help them. The Labrada products taste great also. Great tasting plus great quality is a win-win. And think about this…How many times have you heard negative comments or seen bad publicity surrounding various supplement companies? I’ve never…NEVER…heard a bad word said about Lee or Labrada Nutrition and this is a company that’s been around for almost 20 years. That’s saying something. - TL: Take us behind the scenes for a minute. Many of us aren’t aware of what it’s like to be a part of the industry and getting involved with a top company like Labrada, so how did this relationship get going?
SO: Well as I said before, I was a huge fan of Lee and I met him several years ago at an Olympia but I didn’t get to really talk to him until I saw him and his son, Hunter, at the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio this year. They were both awesome guys to talk to as you probably know. - TL: I do and I also believe Hunter has a great future as well.
SO: No doubt he does. Hunter is a great bodybuilder in his own right. After the Arnold, Lee actually reached out to me on Facebook. I hadn’t seen the message immediately so I didn’t know he was trying to contact me. Then he called me. Think about that. Lee Labrada took the time to look up my number and called me. As a fan, I was shocked to receive a voice mail from him. - TL: As I imagine anyone would be.
SO: Exactly. Now this shows how awesome of a guy he is… I’m going to know who he is but when he called, he announced himself as “Lee Labrada, Hunter’s Dad”. That shows you how humble he is. Who wouldn’t want to work for a guy like that? So after we talked, Lee flew me down to Labrada headquarters in Houston, we spent a day together, and here we are. - TL: Ok, you said you know and like the products so I’m putting you on the spot. What are your favorite Labrada products?
SO: Well I’ve already mentioned Lean Body and I also like Power Carb. Normally I would say that I take Super Charge pre-workout, but I was able to try this new concentrate preworkout that they’ve been developing and I love it so I’m going to start taking that as soon as I can get my hands on more of it. (Editor’s note: Labrada’s new Pre-Workout Performance Enhancing powder PE-1™ is now available.) - TL: I’m going to have to get in touch with Lee after this is over because now I’m wanting to try this for myself. SO: I stole some of Hunter’s and that is how I got to try it. (laughs) I also like the Coffee Bean Extract. I recommend those to my clients a lot and they like them too.
- TL: Nice. So we discussed the company. Now let’s talk about the athlete. From your perspective, why is this a good fit?
SO: So many athletes out there are with companies for money, exposure, or both. I’m going pro no matter what and I want to be a part of a company – a great company - that was there with me from the very beginning. I didn’t want to join a company just for the sake of having a sponsor. I also know Labrada’s supplement line pretty well so as a representative of the company, I’m confident that I’m able to explain the supplements with detail and knowledge. Also, as a personal trainer, I can help customers and fans of Labrada meet their goals. I feel that’s important. I also know how big of an opportunity this is because I’m the first male bodybuilder that Lee has ever signed. Lee hasn’t had the need to sponsor any other bodybuilders because he is already a famous bodybuilder himself. He is a former IFBB Mr. Universe, Mr. Olympia contender and IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Hall of Famer. So for him to work with me is a huge opportunity and I want to take full advantage of that. - TL: So as far as you’re concerned, this isn’t a temporary deal?
SO: No. I’m committed to being a part of Labrada Nutrition and want them to be the only supplement company that I ever represent. At the end of the day, when athletes jump from company to company it makes them look bad because they appear like they’re only doing it for the money, and their word about the products can’t be taken seriously. I wanted to be a part of a top company that I felt would be supportive of me over the long term. I have found that company. In my opinion, there is no better company to be a part of than Labrada Nutrition.
Quick Facts About Sergio
- What is your motivation to compete?: Obviously to be the first child of a Mr Olympia to step onto the Olympia stage, but that's long term. My current motivation is so that I can continue to rise in the ranks and compete against great competitors while perfecting my physique.
- What goals do you have outside of bodybuilding?: Bodybuilding is my life.
- Favorite body parts to train?: Legs and back
- Favorite Exercises?: Squats,deadlifts, T-Bar Row
- Favorite cheat food?: Chicago pizza, lasagna, French fries
- Favorite tv shows?: Lost, it's always sunny in Philadelphia, Game of Thrones, Survivor, MTV's The challenge
- Favorite Movies?: All comic book movies, Grandma's Boy, Memento, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Wolf of Wallstreet, Bigger Stronger Faster and all of Arnold's movies (of course!)
- Favorite Actors or actresses?: Arnold (of course!), Leonardo Dicaprio, Edward Norton, Jennifer Lawrence
- Favorite Musicians?: Tool, Metallica, Eminem, Talking Heads, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, No Doubt
- Favorite Sports?: Football, track & field, Basketball , disc golf, and BaseKetball,(watch the movie)
- Favorite Sports Teams?: Chicago Bears, Cubs, Bulls, and Blackhawks.
- Favorite Music to train to?: Rock, Rap and electronic music.
- Favorite Hobbies?: Train, Eat, Sleep. Repeat
- Pets?: Khaleesi dog and Xena cat
- When did you start lifting?: In 2004 when I was 20 and 145 pound track and field athlete.
Sergio's Training
Training *(start with a machine version first to warm up with for every workout)
instagram sergio oliva jr:
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