WD: What an inspiration. I feel like more people would benefit from adopting your method. In the bodybuilding world, is there someone you idolize?
PB: I admire the competitive physiques of both male and female athletes. From the development of William Bonac to the flow of Shawn Rhoden, from the conditioning of Flex Lewis to the underdog story of the Iranian bodybuilder Hadi Choopan, I take inspiration from each of them. I idolize the work ethic of British athletes like Luke Sandoe, Nathan DeAsha, James Hollingshead to Sasan Heirati. From Breon Ansley to Candice Lewis, from Ben Pakulski to Mamdouh Elssbiay & Oksana Grishina, I idolize them all for a unique reason.
WD: What has been the most memorable part of your life as a natural competitive bodybuilder so far?
PB: Oh now that’s a tough question! I vividly remember my posing routine from my 2nd 2013 show. I had cut and edited Hans Zimmer’s “Arcade” Man of Steel track for my posing routine. The show, at the time put on by Musclemania, was held in central London with a packed house of nearly 400 people. It was just something else! I’ve never been in front of so many people in my life to provide a speech, let alone to showcase my physique. While going through my routine, I remember the entire auditorium fell silent, however, every note that was played from Hans Zimmer’s work hit an emotional chord. To captivate an audience emotionally with choreography that shows pain, triumph, love, and strength was such a joy. When the heavy instruments/sounds blew into life as I hit certain shots that really enhanced my physique and the spectacle, the audience went wild! To hear so many people cheer your name because of the quality of the presentation, the choreography in conjunction with music, the physique, the entire experience felt insanely surreal. I’ll never forget that feeling.
WD: What is your muse? What inspires you to do what you do?
PB: My freedom of expression is my muse. At the end of the day, I do what I love passionately because it not only makes me happy, but I can also express my hard work in a competitive manner. Most of all, I’m doing it all with a mindset to see myself positively grow beyond the physical. If I can help anyone in their own journey as I progress in mine, I’ll be happy to learn that they can smile more because they’re healthier & stronger.
WD: And Finally, if you had a message you would like to send out into the world, what would it be?
PB: Do what you love passionately because it makes you happy and pushes you to be better. There are two passages by poet Charles Bukowski that comes to mind:
“Your life is your life, don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission. Be on the watch, there are ways out. There is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but it beats the darkness. Be on the watch. The gods will offer you chances. Know them. Take them. You can’t beat death but you can beat death in life, sometimes. and the more often you learn to do it, the more light there will be. Your life is your life. Know it while you have it. You are marvelous; the gods wait to delight in you.”
“If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is.”