I figure it would be a good start to kinda let you guys know what things look like today, and also progress from what it used to be like!
When I was 11, I started playing peewee football. Pretty much my whole entire life revolved around that, all the way up until when I just completely stopped having anything to do with the sport.
I played peewee football, went up to U16, played U19, and some Senior football. I was fortunate enough to lead my club team NS Bulls to a Swedish Championship title, as a captain, and I was also fortunate enough to get the opportunity to play Inside Linebacker for the Jr. Nationalteam during the European championship that took place in my home town, Stockholm.
After that, I decided that its time for me to really see how far I can go, and got accepted at Robert Morris University (Div 1AA), where they had me play FB. After 2.5years at RMU, my finances starting to fail me and because I was offered an academic scholarship at Point Park University, down town Pittsburgh, I decided to complete and finish my Bachelors degree in Business Management over there, and quit football.
While at PPU, I tried a few different things, such as powerlifting, and MM (BJJ and Muay Thai), which both I loved! But for different reasons I couldnt continue participating in.
In January 2013, I was laying in bed and was just thinking out loud, saying "I spend so much time in the gym, I should do a BB competition". My, now, wife, Katie.. Said I know a guy who trains people to compete! His name is Greg, and here is his email!
So before I knew it, I was preparing for my first show. 17weeks out from Pittsburgh Pro 2013, and I was at this point 7.25%Body fat (thats actually pretty good!), so I put my life in Greggs hands and he gave me everything I needed. Everything was going smooth, until last week of the prep. Instead of the water load drying me out, I retained all the water that I drank. Instead of weighing in at 165lbs, 2days before weighins I was up at 183! So now I had to struggle to even make the weightclass ABOVE what I was suppose to compete at. At this point I wanted to give up. I didnt want to get on stage not looking my best! up until the night before the show it was up in the air if I was gonna do it or not; I finally decided that I put my heart and soul into these 17weeks and the least I can do is to finish what I started. I got on stage on May 4th, embarrased of my failure, but proud that I was still up there. I ended up getting 4th place, and a trophy in my first competition.
The day after the show, I took off from all kind of physical activity. My wife, Kate, my sister Michaela and her fianc'e Patrik (who both where here to visit from Sweden, and my sister also competed in bikini with me at the Pittsburgh Pro where she placed very good for only prepping 2weeks haha!), decided to have a "cheat day" and just eat and do whatever we wanted.. it was much appreciated!
But the very next day, I told myself that this wasn't good enough. I can't let people think that this was the best I could do. Me and Gregg discussed what we need to work on and got right back to work. a 9month long offseason/bulk, where the main priority was to build more shoulders, get more definition on my legs, and work on my calfs.
In January 2014 we slowly started the prep for the 2014 Pittsburgh Pro, which where to take place on the Saturday of May 3rd.
I was at this point 196lbs, and felt good with what we had accomplished during the offseason. The prep this time was harder, because I was up to 9-10% BF, so there was alot more to cut. And what we also knew at this point is that I'm very carb sensitive, so we tried a carb cycle style of cutting. Because of how sensitive my body is to carbs and the smallest adjustments in my diet, Greg found it best to not have cheatmeals because it would throw us off and we wouldnt really know what adjustments caused what reaction.. So from week 14 up until the show, I was only allowed a HALF cheat meal (friday of week 7)! Last year during my prepp I was allowed a full cheatmeal every week all the way up to week 5, so it was definitaly a lot stricter this time around. But that was fine with me, because I was 110% focused and determined to win.
The last week came along, and we werent sure if we should do the waterload or not this time. Greg made a decision that we go ahead and try, becauseat this point my conditioning were MUCH better than it was the year before, and we just said we need to monitor my body really closely the next few days.
Well the last week went by great, and on the Friday before the show I had weigh ins. We nailed it, I came in perfect for my weight class. I was 165, and after that it was time to Carb load to fill out. after that, every2 hours I ate 6oz of steak and 6oz of sweet potatoe (Yes, I even set my alarm at night and woke up to eat). And then it was here. The day that I had worked for an entire year for. This is my time to shine and I cant wait to get on stage.
Prejudging goes fine, and Imtold that at this point im 1st, or worse case 2nd. So the decision will be made after the Finals. Its a long day at the show; my class did prejudging at around 0930, and Finals werent until arpund 2030!
Well, I did my 60 second routine, and I was really nervous because I knew Ill either be the happiest guy alive, or Ill be very dissapointed. they called for the 4th place winner, the 3rd place winner... and then there was only 2 guys left.. and we knew that whoever wasnt called next would get the 1st place trophy.. I couldnt wait to get it over with, but at the same time I wanted it to slow down because it could go either way.
They called my name. I got 2nd. I got a really cool trophy! And I qualified for National level shows! but it was still a blow in the gut. I can do better. I WILL do better.
I will be the best.
Today, 17 days after the show, I weighed in at 192. thats 27lbs since the show. For every time I fail or every time I dont win, I only get more and more determined and more focused. At this point Greg is not sure what the best alternative for me is. We are improving my flaws, and working hard to perfect my physique. But will we have time to get ready for a National show this year. Well, considering I am only 4lbs lighter than I was at my heaviest last offseason, and my conditioning as WAY better.. I'd like to say yes. And I'd like to way that the only limits you have is your mind. I take every day, every meal, every cardio session, every gym session.. I take it as an opportunity to get better, and I'm not wasting anything.
I'd just like to thank everyone reading and following this blog. Stay with me, because I promise you there is a lot more to come. I am just getting warmed up.
///Conny "The Conquerer" Molander
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