‘I’m doing something I love’
White wins men’s heavyweight bodybuilding title
Long hours in the gym and a strict regimen have paid off for Bras d’Or bodybuilder Chris White.
The 34-year-old won the men’s heavyweight competition at the Nova Scotia Amateur Bodybuilding Association’s provincial championship held in Halifax on April 8.
“I felt I had a good chance of winning, but you never know who you’re going to go up against,” said White, who trains at Moxham Fitness/NHR Nutrition in Sydney River. “Last November, we set out a plan to go to this show and win my weight class and go for my pro card next July.
“We had a plan set out, we followed it and I was successful.”
White had been a gym regular for 15 years, but started to get into the competitive side of bodybuilding in January of 2014. He said it became a lifestyle for him.
“I was at a crossroads in my life and decided to put my energy and effort into bodybuilding because I loved it,” he said. “I just continue to love it.”
White has the nickname “The Machine” and perhaps for good reason. Since Dec. 1 in preparation for provincials, he’d do cardio for an hour first thing in the morning before breakfast, followed by two hours in the gym before lunch, another two hours in the gym after lunch, another hour of cardio after his workout and another hour of cardio at night. If you’re taking score at home, that’s seven hours per day.
His diet consisted of egg whites and oatmeal for breakfast, followed by tilapia and green vegetables — seven times a day.
“Some people ask ‘don’t you get bored’ and I always laugh and say how can I get bored? I’m doing something I love,” he said. “They say are you going to church Sunday? I’m in church seven days a week, six hours a day. This is my church.”
The discipline White has shown he credits to the 11 years he spent in the navy. But he also gives credit to his girlfriend, Brittany Gwynn, his 11-year-old son, Jack, and his sponsors for their support.
He also praised his trainers, Barry Gwynn and Troy Ferguson, for the work they put in.
“They’ve been behind me since Day 1 and I couldn’t have done it without them, either,” said White. “They’re constant motivation, constantly pushing me to exhaustion every day in the gym.”
White plans to go pro in the future. He’ll have his chance at the national bodybuilding championships in July of 2018.
Also competing in White’s division was Kevin Boutilier of Glace Bay, who finished a mere one point behind in second place.
Other Cape Breton athletes include Ruth Johnson of Glace Bay, who won the women’s fitness open division. Mike Cochrane of Glace Bay placed second in the men’s masters division, as did Jordan Long of Sydney Mines in the men’s middleweight.
Becky MacIntyre took third place in the bikini ‘C’ division, while Kristen Hanna of Sydney placed fifth.
Savannah Silver of Sydney Mines placed fourth in the women’s bikini ‘A’ competition, while Michael MacAdam of Glace Bay placed sixth in the men’s physique ‘B’ category.