His Body of Art | Rakeem O Gayle

How have the Arts impacted your life?
Art has impacted my life by giving me an appreciation of a mental to physical vision:  that can be created/ manifested through someone’s train of thought and application of that. It has also given me an appreciation for the differences we have as people that can be brought together through someone’s work.

What inspired you to become a body builder?
Bodybuilding to me is an art itself. I was inspired through many great physiques before me. I was also inspired by  the facts that one can continue there development well of athleticism well after there teen/ collegiate years of sports. Bodybuilding allows those to continue and constantly grow . Unlike some sport which have a time line or age requirement. Ultimately it is inspired me by showing me that you can be the best version of yourself and constantly build on top of that.

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What type of diet is required to body build?
As a bodybuilder diet can be quite rigorous. You could go many days with no carbs up to weeks. With long cardio sessions anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and a half a day and work up a constant appetite. To get the best physique possible you  have to have a strict diet  . There’s many times where you’re hungry. And you just have to endure until it’s time to eat again and usually when you’re trying to reach the pinnacle fitness goal you’ll pretty much be hungry all day. It’s your discipline dedication and the goal in mind that will keep you fueled. 
Things can be different though sometimes when you’re trying to grow and develop more muscle tissue. You could find yourself eating constantly and even force-feeding. This is when you’re in the phase that they refer to as bulking. Your meals typically consist of high carbs for example a cup of carbs or more per meal and 6-8 ounces of protein per meal. Eating that anywhere from 4 to 7 times a day. Sometimes even forcing the food down eating when you’re not hungry or still full.
Either way to achieve your goal . you’re typically doing one or the other of these two  diets to achieve your best look. 

Tell us about your workout routine.
Currently in my routine I’m training 2 to 3 times a day. Typically about 30 to 40 minutes of cardio in the morning fasted on an empty stomach. Then about 2-3 hours later I do a strength training exercise for about an hour.  At night I do another cardio for about 30 to 40 minutes cardio. It could be as simple as walking on the treadmill max incline at 3 miles for about an hour. Or doing the stairmaster on level eight and alternating doing intervals/ hiit training to burn of fat faster. 

What are your body building goals?
My bodybuilding goals are to earn an IFBB pro card. To become an international fitness model. Also to inspire many people to be their best and to enjoy their fitness process/journey.

What advice do you have for someone who seeks to be in this industry?
My advice is to make sure you have a strong “WHY”. I also advise that you get your own personal momentum going. As in start training and enjoying the process and fall in love with your own self development. Then seek out someone that is accomplished what you’re trying to do and receive mentorship from them. Also to create a plan of action and to set goals short and long-term and execute those. More than anything have fun and meet as much people as possible. along the way and create genuine relationships.