Brandon Crawford was searching for purpose in his life in 2007 after leaving the Marines Corps and multiple deployments to the Middle East when he was introduced to bodybuilding.
“Weightlifting was always a huge part of my life, and one day I met Kurt Weidner who was a professional bodybuilder and coach. After talking with him, he coached me through my first few seasons of bodybuilding and later became my workout partner and friend,” Crawford said.
Since then, the Christiansburg native has competed in five shows and is preparing for the Max Muscle Classic in Woodbridge at the end of April.
His accomplishments include: OCB Natural Kentucky (Louisville, KY), first place in men’s 2015 open and winner overall; OCB No Gear Classic (Greensboro, NC), first place in men’s novice and overall winner, fourth place in 2015 men’s open; OCB Atlantic Super Show (Richmond), fourth place in 2015 men’s open; OCB Atlantic Super Show (Richmond), sixth place in 2014 men’s open; and ANBF Virginia Natural Pro/Am (Roanoke), 2nd place in 2014 men’s open. He is also slated to compete n the Jay Cutler Classic in Richmond on August 11.
At this point in the competition timetable, Crawford is training every day. His workouts are usually two hours a day, and he has decreased his weight from 220 pounds to 190, and with three weeks left before the first show, his body fat is at three percent.
Nutrition plays a major role in Crawford’s preparation. He calls it the number one factor.
“There is no way you can get down to the body fat percentage needed unless you are on top of your nutrition. Body builders lose friends because their lifestyle literally changes. You can’t go out, you can’t eat what you want, you pack your meals wherever you go, you have to eat every three hours,” he said.
The hardest part is by far the eating, according to Crawford.
“You have to just get used to going without what you crave. Motivation comes and goes. Discipline is what matters. You have to be on top of your meals, you have to get so much cardio, keep track of water, keep track of sleep, make sure your carbs, fats and proteins right. Another greatly important thing is the posing. Posing is a workout all in itself. If you can’t hit a pose and hold it for a long time, you’re not going to do well.”
His time in the military has helped with structure and discipline, two things a competitive body builder could not do without.
During those early years when he met Weidner, Crawford decided to gain his certification to be a personal trainer. So, now he gives advice to others that might want to get into the sport of bodybuilding or just to become healthier in their own life.
He now trains clients at the Weight Club in Blacksburg and at the Christiansburg Recreation Center. His advice to those interested in the sport of bodybuilding is to develop a few solid years of hardcore training. Then, if you’re still interested, seek out a coach.
“There is no way you could go through prep for a show without an experienced coach. The weight club has phenomenal coaches, especially one professional bodybuilder, Vaughan Twigger. So, if you are interested, seek one out, talk with them and decided if it is something you still want to do because it will be one of the most challenging things you’ve ever done in your life,” Crawford said.
To those wanting to follow in his footsteps, he says lift heavy weights and eat a lot, and he means a lot to increase your calorie intake. Then once you’ve picked out a show, most competition preps range from 18-22 weeks.
“During that time, you are slowly dieting down, getting as lean as possible. Along the way, eliminating carbohydrates and fats. This is another thing that should absolutely be done by a coach who knows what they are doing,” Crawford said.
He has an ACE certification as a personal trainer and is a certified functional training specialist.
In the coming year, he plans to get certified in Olympic weight lifting, strength and conditioning, and diet and nutrition.
He loves his job because he can push people and challenge them and achieve goals they never thought they could.
“It has been such an inspiring and amazing experience, I feel like I’m living the dream,” he concluded.
His dream also includes a chance at being the best onstage in front of a room full of spectators in the next body building competition.
