1. Biography
• Name: Tyler Slaughter
• Age: 19
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight (Contest): 215 lbs.
• Weight (off-season): 250 lbs.
• Body Fat: Low
• Hometown: Galion, OH
• Gym: Fleets Fitness Center
• Profession: Amateur Bodybuilder / Student
2. What Got You Started In Bodybuilding?
When I was young, I was always fascinated by the amazing physiques of my comic book heroes and of the characters in some of my favorite cartoons. I always wanted to have a muscular body just like them. It took all the way to my freshman year of high school for me to actually get the job started. It was really chance that sparked my motivation to start.
I was rummaging around my dad’s old weight set in his basement when I found a bodybuilding magazine. I decided to flip through it. The picture that changed it all was of eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman doing a one-arm preacher curl. You could see every little detail in his muscle and his veins looked like hoses. I knew from that moment on, that I was meant to be a bodybuilder and I have been doing everything I possibly can to achieve that goal ever since.
3. What Keeps You Motivated To Train?
I won’t lie, there are times I feel discouraged…times where I want to just quit it all… eat junk and not care, but faith is what keeps me going. I believe everything happens for a reason and I am not doing all this for nothing. Motivation for me not only come from progress in the mirror and competing but also from inspiring and helping others in the sport as much as I can (whether it’s answering questions or just giving a spot).
4. What Workout Plan Has Worked Best For You?
I’m not very big on setting a concrete workout. I like to listen to my body and train more instinctively.
I do follow a certain split though. I train:
• Monday: Chest
• Tuesday: Back
• Wednesday: Legs
• Thursday: Delts
• Friday: Arms
• Saturday: Legs again
The only concrete thing about my training is intensity. I never rest longer than 90 seconds and I never go below six reps. I am a bodybuilder, not a powerlifter.
5. What Is Your Philosophy About Cardio?
Cardio is extremely important as a bodybuilder. It makes the difference between losing and winning. Condition is key and the only way to bring it is through cardio. I love the step mill. Pre-contest, I do cardio five to six times a week and in the off-season, four times a week. Staying lean all year-round makes dieting for show a lot easier.
6. What Is Your Philosophy About Weight Training?
I love weight training. To me, the key lays in the form and the contraction not the weight. When onstage, I’d rather look like I squat or bench 500 lbs. then actually do it. Bodybuilding is all about image, not weight. I believe in intensity and hard training.
7. Do You Prefer HIIT or Steady State Cardio?
I enjoy both. If I have the time, I will do low intensity cardio for an hour. If I’m in a rush, I will do HIIT for 30 minutes. In my opinion, they are both great for fat burning.
8. What Are Your Top 5 Favorite Exercises?
I love incline bench presses, Smith machine shoulder presses, squats, side laterals and deadlifts.
9. What is Your Philosophy About Nutrition?
Nutrition is the most important part of a bodybuilder’s life above the rest. Without a proper diet, you cannot grow or expect any results. I believe in clean eating year-round. I will enjoy cheat meals every now and then, but not every day. A bodybuilder needs to be the picture of fitness at all times.
10. What Nutrition Plan Has Worked Best For You?
This was my diet last week (it changes week to week based on how I look, especially since I am 12 weeks out from a show):
• Meal 1: 14 egg whites, ½ cup oatmeal
• Meal 2: 14 oz chicken breast, ½ cup brown rice
• Meal 3: 14 oz chicken breast, ½ cup Cream of Wheat
• Meal 4: 12 oz chicken breast and veggies
• Meal 5: 12 oz chicken breast and veggies
• Meal 6: 14 egg whites and veggies
• Meal 7: 10 oz chicken breast and veggies
11. What Is Your Favorite Cheat Meal?
Wow, there are so many. I love pizza, burritos, cake, flurries, burgers, chocolate, candy, cupcakes and basically anything else I am not allowed to eat. It’s all tasty!
12. What Is Your Favorite Health Food?
I love steak…rib eye is my favorite. I will usually eat a 20-25 oz steak whenever I get the chance.
13. What Supplements Have Given You The Greatest Gains?
Well since my money goes mainly to food, I don’t have money for supplements. I use whatever people give me.
14. What Does Your Pre And Post Workout Nutrition Consist Of?
Pre-workout: I will have a meal with high protein and slow carbs to fuel my workout, along with 10 g of BCAAs.
Post workout: I will have another 10 g of BCAAs and a high protein meal with high glycemic carbs to spike my insulin.
15. Which Tools Have Helped You Most With Your Nutrition and Training?
I actually just teamed up with renowned prep coach Fakhri Mubarak last week and we are going to bring an amazing package together to the Tricky Jackson Classic in October. I’ll hopefully walk away with an overall title.
16. Have Online Sources Helped You In Your Training?
I wouldn’t know half of what I do now if it weren’t for the internet. I am always researching new techniques, diets and things of that nature to take my physique to the next level.
17. Where Is The First Place You Turn When Looking For Training And
Nutrition Advice?
I now turn to my trainer and nutritionist Mr. Fakhri Mubarak. He is so knowledgeable and is going to take my physique to the next level.
18. Who Are your Favorite Bodybuilders?
I would have to say Fakhri Mubarak, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman, Phil Heath, Kevin Levrone and Marious Dohne. I also have to say my girlfriend Chelsy for putting up with my lifestyle and always supporting me no matter what.
19. What Obstacles Have You Overcome?
I was abused most of my early childhood and was constantly put down and told that I won’t amount to anything every single day. At school, I was ridiculed and picked on constantly and I never had many friends. It got very hard sometimes but I just pushed through. I also had surgery on both my Achilles tendons, which took me out of everything for around six months. Being in a wheelchair really makes you appreciate the ability to walk.
20. What Was The Biggest Mistake You Made When You First Started Bodybuilding?
I did what every kid does, overtrained. I would be at the gym four to five hours every night thinking that the more I trained, the more I would grow until someone finally helped me and pointed me into the right direction. The other mistake I made was with my nutrition. I took in horrible food, thinking the more calories the better. Wow, did I pay when I dieted for my first show…it was so difficult.
21. What Tips Would You Give To A Beginner?
I would tell them to take it slow, eat clean and eat big. Don’t try to put up tons of weight. Focus more on building muscle and keeping the body fat low. I would also tell them to always be humble and have fun with it. Take time off every now and then to keep you from getting burnt out.
22. What Are Your Future Fitness Goals?
I have an NPC show in October that I am prepping for. After that, I am going to go into off-season mode to bring up my lagging body parts. Then, I will compete again next season and qualify for nationals to hopefully become one of the youngest competitors to get their pro-card. It would be a dream come true!
23. Where Can We Find You On MuscleDog.com?
Check out my profile slaughter17 to see my stats, photos and more!
