fitness
Breakthroughs
Franklin was born in Nigeria and came to the
United States at the age of eight. He did not speak
English at all when he came to United Sates, which
made adjusting rather difficult. That also made him an
easy target for being bullied in elementary school. He
eventually overcame those struggles. That time was
one of the biggest struggles in his life. Franklin can relate that to his modeling career. When he decided that
he wanted to become a model, he was 30. “There were
many obstacles that I had to face; some of them being,
my weight, my confidence, my walk and even negativity
from people around me. Through all of that I managed
to overcome again. Instead of focusing my attention on
the negativity, I focused it on the way that what I was
doing could impact my modeling career and myself
positively. I have been modeling in the modeling business for a little over a year.”
In those span of years, who was your inspiration in modeling/fitness business? “During my journey of becoming a male model, I tried reaching out to
David Gandy so many times on Facebook and on Jan
17th 2014 David responded to one of my message by
saying “people always laughed at what i said i wanted
to achieve”. This few words meant so much to me because people did laugh at my goals and dreams. I truly
do not think he actually know the impact those few
words made in my life.”
When you were growing up, what was your
goal or dream? “I was a great soccer player and I
thought I would become a professional soccer player. I
was pretty good. My nickname was the ANIMAL.”
What was/were the experience/s when you first
start your first ever modeling gig and fitness business?
“My first modeling gig was so scary. From being very
shy to now being in front of hundreds of people. That
experience was one of the real reasons that I started
walking miles. I noticed that when I got on the runway
I became very nervous to the point that my legs would
shake. That experienced helped me to improve my
walk. After that first show I started walking instead of
running. Plus I lost enough weight that I didn’t need to
run it anymore. I cat walked 8 miles almost everyday.
This gave me so much confidence that I was able to
audition for other runway shows and get picked.”
How do you manage your time with you busy
schedule? “I manage my schedule by putting all of my
appointments on a calendar. I try my best to follow my
calendar as strictly as possible. This helps me to stay
on track and allows me not to forget any of my planned
engagements.”
How do you maintain your physical physique?
“I maintain my physique by walking a lot of miles. I
try not to lift very heavy weights because I don’t want
to get too buff. I want more of a swimmers body than a
weight lifters body.” How many times do you workout
in a week? “I workout about 4 times a week just to
maintain my shape.”
Do you have any favorite workout? “My favorite workout is walking. I enjoy it. I am at a peace
when I have my headphones in while walking, it allows
to think and daydream.” Is there any work out routine
that you find is very challenging? “I find yoga very
challenging and very interesting.”
What types of food do you eat? “I eat a little
bet of everything. I try my best not to over indulge on
any type of food.” Do you have any meal plans or your
own customized meal plans at all? “I do not have any
meal plan but I try to keep away from some unnecessary calories. I rarely drink sofa, juice or put creamer
or sugar in my coffee.”
Since when did you start to realize that being
fit and healthy is a must these days? “When I turned
30 I realized that being fit and healthy was a must for
me to achieve my goal. Being fit and healthy will boost
self-confidence.”
Was there someone who influenced you? “No
one influenced me to get fit. I truly believe that for one
to get fit and healthy it must come within. You must
want to be fit and healthy and you must have a goal
and a plan. Most people want to lose weight and get
a little healthier but they are not ready to put in the
w ork. If you want to lose weight do not make excuses.
No it’s too cold outside, no it’s raining, and no I am
tired. If you want it bad enough, no excused will deter
you from achieving it.”
What food or drinks you can’t resist and why?
“I love pounded yam and egusi soup. Pounded yam
and egusi soup is a Nigerian dish and I can’t resist it.
I truly can’t tell you why I can’t resist it but if I was to
guess why it might be because it tastes so good. My
mouth is starting to water just by writing and thinking
about it.”
Name your fitspiration icons or models you
look up to. “I look up to male model David Gandy
because he is one of the best in male modeling world.
The gift of being able to display different emotions
through the eyes is a skill that a lot of male models
do not have. When I look at picture I usually look at
the eyes and I want to feel something. I don’t care if
it is sadness or happiness. Mr. Gandy perfected the
art of modeling so well that if you look at his picture
he always displays an emotion through his eyes. I am
always working to perfect that skill.”
Tell us 5 characteristics that fans don’t know
about you. “I am very humble. I am encouraging,
respectful, optimistic and understanding. Do you have
any pet peeves in workout or gym etiquettes? “I really
can’t stand when someone ask to workout with me and
complain the whole time.”
What are your final messages to your fans
that constantly follow you or at least look up to you?
“Please know who you are as a person because if
you know who you are then no one can change you
into someone that you are not. Always believe in your
abilities and if you are insecure about your abilities
work hard to improve them and try your best to perfect
them. I like to think of myself as abnormal because to
me being normal is being basic. A person’s abnormality makes them very unique. I live strongly by these 4
words. DREAM+PASSION+DRIVE=SUCCESS. Always dream big and never let anyone who didn’t have
your vision deter you from achieve greatness. Stay positive minded and always try your best to inspire others
through your passion, drive and success. No one can
be you but you, when you try to be like someone else
you will lose who you are.”
Wave your magic wand, where do you see
yourself in 10 years? “In ten years I see myself being
well known all over the world not only for my looks
but for the passion I have to inspire others. I see myself
writing an inspirational book. I see myself as a husband and a father of 3 or 4 lovely and happy kids. In
10 years I will be the most inspirational and successful
Nigerian born male model.”
Do you have your final fitness and workout
messages or reminders? “Know what your goals are
and work hard to achieve it and no more excuses. If
you really want it please go and get it because no one
is going to give you that perfect body you crave but
you.”