Bio

Hey guys.  I just wanted to take a minute to share with you all a little bit about myself and my journey in fitness. 

My name is Corey Smith.  I am a 27 year old fitness model and competitor.  I currently live in Atlanta, Ga where I have resided for most of my life.  I first got into weight lifting the summer that I was going into my freshman year in high school.  Although I was never the "little guy" and will never lead on to some miracle 60lb muscle gain I, like most guys, wanted to be bigger and stronger for both sports and the aesthetic value that would, in my mind, help me land more girls.  One of my father's friends gave me an old Weider universal machine along with a bench press rack and some dumbbells and plates.  From there my journey began. 

From the ages of 14 to 19 I managed to obtain a decent amount of knowledge in nutrition and training and was able to go from a rather soft 165 to 185lbs at around 7% bodyfat. When I turned 20 years old I began training at an mma gym and became hooked on the sport.  For the next 4-5 years I fought and competed at 165lbs in both mma boughts and grappling tournaments. 

Towards the end of this period I began to realize that with a full time job, a mortgage, etc., the sport was passing me quickly due to the fact that I did not have the physical time of 6-7 hrs per day to train like the rest of the guys in order to stay competitive.  Through this time I had maintained a great physique and my conditioning was very good.  I was now questioning what it would be that I could do to fill my competitive void of bowing out of mma. I loved competing; I loved training; My knowledge base was there; and, though a little undersized at 6'1" 185 lbs, my physique was well established.  Why not become a fitness model and physique competitor?

Fast forward three years later and here I am on this amazing journey.  I found that the discipline that I was taught from being an MMA fighter has paid huge dividends in my current training.  I have all the respect in the world for fitness models, competitors, bodybuilders, etc. but I'll be honest, it doesn't even come close to the intensity of MMA training.  It is with that intensity and focus that I try and keep a competitive advantage over everybody else.  No days off; no sets off; hell, no rep off.  I remember the old cliche type saying that my tai coach used to say every time he would see myself or someone starting to slow down during training; "Don't even for a second think that what you are experiencing is unique. Everyone, no matter what level of shape or conditioning gets tired at some point.  It is at that point that anyone can quit.  Don't be the guy who is too mentally weak to push on." unless I am risking injury to myself I am going for that last rep.  I am not a big believer in over training.  I think that if your macros are in check and your body is getting what it needs, it is close to impossible to over train.  I do not believe in a "cutting" or "bulking" training routine.  I think that the difference in those two phases lies within diet and cardio adjustments.  The only time that I really adjust my approach to training is when I am 7-8 days out from a photo shoot or show(Ill have an article later on specifically covering this).

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and check out this article.  Hopefully you know a little bit more about myself now.  Please be sure to check out www.sweatcollection.com for all of your gym and training apparel.  enter promo code sweatmancoreysmith and receive 10% off all purchases.-Thanks guys