Center Stage Magazine August-September | Page 194

fitness Breakthroughs Sonny Crozier recently started out in modeling last 8-12 months. He left school at a young age just after GCSE’s as he was getting a hard time there from his fellow pupils. He has been a full time body builder ever since, and he never liked his job. That’s why, he was so motivated to change his life for the better and make a journey into the fitness industry. The last four years, Sony has been training on and off until the last year or two. He met his friend Natasha Murray; who was his best friend. She coaches him and helps push him to his limits every day. She always keeps him motivated and got inspired by her hard work. Sonny would love to follow those footsteps and make a path of his own one day. When you were growing up, what was your goal or perhaps your dream? “While I was growing up, I never really had any real friends. Honestly, I plodded through school and never really knew what i wanted to do. It’s only the last couple of years I have met some amazing people and decided that I want to start up my own business and work for myself. I love to do the things that I really love. After all, when you love your job, you will never work a day in your life.” What was the experience when you start your first ever modeling gig and fitness business? “My first modeling experience was recent and for the ‘official help for heroes’ charity calendar of 2015’ that’s coming out soon! I also started my nutritional advice business about a year ago, helping people out with diet plans to get them in the best shape they can be.” How do you manage your time with your busy schedule? “I find it very tough to manage my time, I get up for work at half 6am, carry out a physical job until 4pm.. then I go to the gym from work for 1.5 hours, get home and spend a couple hours doing work for the nutrition business before I have to shower and prepare my meals for the next day.” How do you maintain your physical physique? “It’s very hard to balance the amount or macro nutrients. I need to maintain my physique while working so hard and not losing size but also staying cut for modeling purposes. My meals are worked out so I never go hungry as I don’t believe in starvation to lose fat, just eating well. Also strict workout plans are keys to success!” How many times do you work out in a week? Do you have a favorite workout? “I try to train 4-5 times a week, depends on how hard the days have been physically. If I had endless energy and time, I would gladly train 7 days twice a day. Without a doubt, my favorite workout has to be back and shoulders... a big v-cut back and broad shoulders are the difference in looking like a man and a boy in my opinion.” Is there any workout routine that you find very challenging? “Yes! I’m 6’4. I have very long arms and legs, so I find it hard. I have to push or pull a lot further than your average guy and they take a long time to build for me personally.” What types of food do you eat? Do you have any meal plans or your own customized meal plan at all? Can you share with us? “I eat all types but as cleanly as I can, and try to stay away from sugar etc. I don’t like to have it too complicated or weigh it out as it’s too time consuming... But it works for me and that’s all that matters in the long run... Here is a copy of my diet plan, I maintain this 6 days a week and have a cheat day every Sunday as it shocks the metabolism” Breakfast: 100g porridge, handful of raisins, 1 scoop protein, pinch of cinnamon 4 large whole, 2 egg whites scramble Snack: 300g 0% Fage yoghurt or cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon organic peanut butter. 1 portion of fruit of your choice. Lunch: Wholegrain sandwich, wholegrain pita or 2 cups of wholegrain pasta + 2 chicken breasts or Turkey, salad, tomatoes, peppers etc, tablespoon of fat free mayonnaise or fat free sauce for pasta. Pre workout: 2 scoops protein, 1 apple, orange or banana Post workout: 2 scoops protein, 70g raisins or any other nutritional equivalent sugar source (Dates, gummy bears, powerade etc.) Dinner: Choice of 2 salmon filets / 1 large steak / 2 lean steak burgers. + 1 choice of Large sweet potato, 2 cups wholegrain pasta, 2 wholegrain burger buns + Large selection of mixed vegetables or salad. Before bed: 300g cottage cheese or 1 scoop casein protein, 1 tablespoon organic peanut butter. Since when did you realize that being fit and healthy is a must these days? Was there someone who influenced you? “I don’t think of it as a must, if I did I would probably think of it as a task and not enjoy or do as well at it; i simply do it because i love it and find the feeling of being fit and healthy enjoyable. The gym is an escape from all my stresses and a place where i can ease my mind from everyday life... Think of it as my church in a way!” What food and drink you can’t resist and why? “I can never resist a dominos and a glass of wine... who can’t? We are only human!!! I try to make it my cheat day Sunday that I allow myself these sinful food and drinks, gives me something to look forward to during the week.” Name your fitspiration icons and models you look up to? “I look up to my friend Natasha Murray, another friend I met at TF E competition whilst working on the NGM stall, he’s name is James Ferguson... he has won a couple of competitions including the WABBA worlds in Athens as first place fitness model. I am pleased to say I will be competing alongside him on stage at TFE on November the 9th and spending a week modeling in Marbella with a few other models and friends on September the 5th so would be a great inspiration for me.” Tell us 5 characteristics of you that fans don’t know? “Well, I have a very erratic nature and can never settle down. Always agitated and bottle up things on my mind. I get stressed easily and get myself worked up and frustrated. I have learnt ways of dealing with all this which help keep me calm (gym for example). But I am also a very kind hearted individual that most of the time puts others first. I love to laugh act stupid with my friends, it’s what life is all about!” Do you have any pet peeves in workout or gym etiquettes? “Oh god, yeah... don’t get me started! People with bad form are one thing... may swell not train. Another classic is when people leave bucket loads of sweat all over the machines or benches without cleaning up. Or overly load grunting and groaning from guys that are lifting too heavy, it’s not masculine... it just makes you sound a complete idiot!” What is your message to your fans that constantly follow you and look up to you? “My message is... keep on doing what you’re doing! if you have a dream, make it work.. Don’t ever lose faith in something you love because only then will it edge its way out of reach! Believe in yourself and you’ll go a long way!” Wave your magic wand, where do you see yourself in 10 years? “Wooosh.... I see myself a qualified PT having a few people working for me and my company. I also see the nutrition business growing whilst I do what I love and carry out my modeling on the side. A couple different clothing lines I could throw in there for good measure but that’s still top secret!!! Currently designing my website as we speak and all will be revealed in due course.” What are your final fitness messages or reminders? “Don’t forget your meal prep, and stay consistent whether it is dieting or training or both! Fail to prepare.... prepare to fail!!!”