Who is Michael Anderson?
To succeed as a Men’s Physique Pro bodybuilder later in life, Michael Anderson, commonly known as “PhysiquePhan,” made the most of his high school sports career.
Short Career of Michael Anderson
In his adolescent years, Michael Anderson established himself as a tough runner, and by the time he received his college degree, he had developed an outstanding physique.
But when he was in his mid-20s, things started to go south in his life. He became addicted to alcohol, which had long-lasting severe effects on his health.
But eventually, Michael saw that he had to make a change. He then resolved to make it to the bodybuilding scene.
When he attended the 2011 Natural Northern USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championship at the age of 33, he entered his first competition and placed fifth. He was hooked right then and there.
Michael became aware of his potential in the bodybuilding scene as a result of his strong performance in his first competition.
As a result, Michael constantly set himself new objectives to become the finest version of himself, reaching his pinnacle in 2012 when he received his IFBB Pro Card.
Here is his account:
Body Measurements of Michael Anderson
| Full Name: | Michael Anderson |
| HEIGHT: | 6’2″ (188cm) |
| WEIGHT: | 185 – 195lbs (83.9 – 88.5kg) |
| NATIONALITY: | American |
| PROFESSION: | IFBB Men’s Physique Pro Bodybuilder, Personal Trainer, Sponsored Athlete |
| ERA: | 2010 |
Accomplishments
Career Accomplishments
- Pro Bodybuilder Men’s Physique IFBB
- Individual Trainer
- Featured Athlete
Competition Outcomes
2015
- Kentucky Muscle Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 6th place
- Dayana Cadeau Classic (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 9th place
- Fort Lauderdale Cup (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 4th place
- Mr. Olympia (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 16th place
- Pittsburgh Pro Masters Championships (IFBB): Men’s Physique Over 40 – 1st place, Over 35 – 2nd place
- Universe Championships (NPC): Men’s Physique – Masters Over 35 Class B – 1st place, Class C – 10th place, Masters Over 40 Class A – 1st place
- Puerto Rico Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 8th place, Men’s Physique Masters – 2nd place
- Pittsburgh Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 6th place
- Arnold Sports Festival: Men’s Physique – 8th place
2014
- Mr. Olympia (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 8th place
- Pittsburgh Pro (IFBB: Men’s Physique Masters Over 40 – 1st place, Masters Over 35 – 1st place
- Teen Collegiate & Masters National Championships: Men’s Physique Over 40 Class C
- Mile High Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 1st place
- Europa Super Show (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 2nd place
- Pittsburgh Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 3rd place
- Europa Show of Champions (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 2nd place
2013
- Kentucky Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 3rd place
- Fort Lauderdale Cup (IFBB): 2nd place
- Mr. Olympia (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 7th place
- Powerhouse Classic (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 2nd place
- Pittsburgh Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 3rd place
- Europa Show of Champions (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 1st place
- Pro Grand Prix (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 7th place
2012
- Houston Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 5th place
- Valenti Gold Cup (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 2nd place
- Masters Nationals (NPC): Overall Champion (Earned Pro Card)
- Ron Love Classic: Masters Champion, Open Champion
- GNC Indiana Classic Overall Champion
- Grand Rapids (NPC): Masters Champion, Open, 2nd Place
- Mike Francois Classic (NPC): Overall Champion
- Pittsburgh Championships (NPC): 2nd place
- Natural Indiana (NPC): 2nd place
- Natural Eastern USA Bodybuilding, Figure Bikini & Physique Championship – 2nd place
- Named First-Ever NPC Men’s Physique Athlete of the Month March 2012
- Natural Ohio Drug Tested Bodybuilding & Figure Championship – Overall Champion
- NPC Cincinnati: Natural Overall Champion
2011
- NPC Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix – Wheeling WV Overall Champion
- Cincinnati NPC Monster Mash Overall Champion
- Pittsburgh NPC Natural Pennsylvania – 3rd place
- Lakewood, Ohio Natural Northern USA Drug Tested, Bodybuilding and Figure Championship – 5th place
Biography
Childhood Sports
Michael Anderson had a passion for sports at a young age. He was raised in Ohio after moving from South Jersey, where he was born, because of his older brother, who inspired him to start running track during his high school years.
Michael put in a lot of work during this time to better himself as an athlete and to increase his performance on the running track. Michael understood the significance of ongoing self-progression in a competitive atmosphere as a result.
Michael was mentored by some of the top fitness professionals throughout his time in college, which helped him swiftly lay the groundwork for developing a fantastic physique.
Michael lacked a solid understanding of fitness as a whole, more specifically, lean muscle mass diet and training.
His physique never developed to its full potential because of this until much later in his life. Here is Michael discussing his college-related fitness training:
I mistakenly believed that lifting was lifting. When I was in college, I had some of the top trainers in the business, but I never paid attention to why they had me doing the things I was doing.
So, left to my own devices, I simply tried to repeat what I had always done before, unaware that a particular type of training produced a particular outcome.
A Challenging Journey
Despite a good start to his athletic career, Michael’s life began to slide badly in his thirties.
Michael became addicted to alcohol during this time, which had a detrimental effect on his life for several years. His health, therefore, started to deteriorate.
But all of that started to change one day. Michael realized that he had to confront his demons if he didn’t want to permanently alter the course of his life. He then checked himself into a treatment facility to put his worst times behind him.
Michael was aware of the difficult road ahead in his battle against alcoholism. Despite this, he remained committed to improving his situation.
On January 23, 2006, Michael succeeded in his effort to live a positive life by keeping devoted to it. He has remained sober ever since.
This, according to Michael, was the main factor in his success in later life. He says:
I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to report that I haven’t used alcohol since January 23, 2006. This is the reason I even have the opportunity to do what I do now.
How To Compete In Men’s Physique
Following his recovery from his alcoholism, Michael looked for a fresh challenge in his life. At this point, he started paying more attention to his food and exercise regimen.
Michael achieved rapid progress by working out frequently after rediscovering his enthusiasm for intensive exercise. He began to develop the chiseled and powerful figure for which he is now renowned as a result.
Michael, nevertheless, decided to advance the situation one day. At this moment, his goal was to constantly improve his physique to compete in bodybuilding.
Michael, on the other hand, was not a fan of traditional bodybuilding. Michael didn’t decide to pursue a career as a competitive bodybuilder until the men’s physique division was introduced.
Stage Competition
At the age of 33, Michael began competing and made his stage debut at the 2011 Natural Northern USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championship.
He placed fifth overall and was quite happy with his performance considering it was his first time competing.
Michael won his first ever contest, the Cincinnati NPC Monster Mash, later in 2011. Michael was aware of his potential in the bodybuilding scene after taking first place overall. He was resolved to continue developing his physique after that.
Moving on to 2012, Michael won the NPC Masters Nationals and received his IFBB Pro Card. He was eager to establish himself on the professional IFBB stage as a result of this.
Michael has established himself in his profession as a competitor ever since he received his Pro Card.
His dedication has allowed him to place in the top 10 in several contests, including the 2013 Europa Show of Champions and the 2014 IFBB Mile High Pro, where he took first place.
Supporting Others
Michael has accomplished tremendous things in his career as a fitness professional after overcoming adversity, including earning his Pro Card and landing a sponsorship.
Michael has devoted his life to assisting others in achieving their fitness goals as a result of his success as a Men’s Physique Pro competitor, which was made possible by his training career.
Training
Michael has always had a passion for rigorous training, even when he was a senior in high school. Despite veering off course in his twenties, Michael continued on his path to developing a fantastic physique.
He works out regularly five to six days a week, each day focusing on a different muscle area. Michael can continuously add lean muscle mass as a result.
Michael explained his training strategies as follows:
I firmly believe in split training. Every muscle has its day. Legs, back, shoulders, chest, biceps, and triceps. 3 sets of 8–10 exercises, 24–30 set volume.
That remains constant regardless of the season. I don’t see any need to change it because it has brought me this far.
Nutrition
Michael avoids dieting phases like “bulking” and “cutting,” keeping his dietary preferences straightforward. He can maintain a lean physique year-round as a result.
In contrast, Michael loosens up on his diet during the off-season for bodybuilding and increases his calorie intake somewhat to maintain his lean physique while adding muscle mass.
Michael frequently chooses the following foods:
Diet Staples From Michael
- Ground Turkey
- Tilapia
- Yams
- Rice
- Mixed Vegetables
Influences And Idols
The strongest motivators in Michael’s professional bodybuilding career have been his fellow Men’s Physique competitors.
The two bodybuilders that Michael most admires are Anton Antipov and Sadik Hadzovic, who inspire him to constantly give his all on the bodybuilding stage. In Michael’s own words:
“You have to surround yourself with the best if you want to be the best,” the saying goes.
Michael Anderson, however, understood that the secret to success is perseverance.
Since he discovered how to stick to a regular and gradual exercise schedule, he has rapidly advanced in his quest to develop a fantastic physique. Michael said the following about consistency and how it relates to reaching fitness objectives:
“The significance of my goals is closely associated with my level of consistency. After I set a goal for myself, I create a strategy to achieve it.
I therefore simply remind myself of my ultimate goals and what needs to be done to achieve them when training becomes challenging.
What Michael Anderson Can Teach Us?
Men’s Physique Pro bodybuilder Michael Anderson achieved success, but it required him to overcome alcoholism to get there.
He became successful in his fitness business and began to inspire many people all around the world, especially his clients, via his sheer hard work and dedication to conquer challenging elements of his life.
Since overcoming his alcoholism, Michael has maintained his sobriety and achieved success on the bodybuilding stage.
He did this to demonstrate to himself and others that anything is possible if you are persistent in working toward your life’s objectives.