Interviewed by Angela Courduff
WP:Let's begin with you telling us a little about yourself.

AH: Well, I'm a Daddy with muscles trying to keep in shape to keep up with my four kiddos and to chase my wife around. Hopefully I'll catch her soon! I am 42 years old, 6'0", 275 lbs. and have been working out for my whole life!

Michelle and I started training in 1982 together, and I was involved in competitive wrestling on the National and World level for many years during the 80's and early 90's. I continued in the sport of wrestling, coaching and teaching, and after 15 years of Public School teaching I took a leave of absence to get into Bodybuilding full time to give it one last shot!

I received my Pro card after winning Mr. Colorado and qualifying for the Masters Nationals. After 1 1/2 years, I won the Masters Nationals Super Heavyweight Class and Overall Title and received my IFBB Pro Card. Now I am training, competing and making appearances in the Pro circuit.

WP: What an amazing background you have! What was it that made you know that you without a doubt wanted to go into bodybuilding?

AH: When I was a boy growing up in Iowa, my brother George was a great influence for me both in school and athletics. He was always a great student and athlete and I wanted to be just like him. He was into weight training and so I wanted to do it too! When I was 16, I began lifting in my basement where our father allowed us to have a make-shift weight room in our family room! George had early physique building success and I loved how it looked and made me feel! I continued, and 26 years later…here I am!

WP: What titles have you won?

AH: Mr. Teenage Iowa, Mr. Chicago, Mr. Colorado- Drug Free, Mr. Colorado Open, Masters Nationals Super Heavyweight and Overall Titles

WP: What other competitions have you appeared in? What were your placings?

AH: The Europa IFBB Pro Super Show - 16th and The World Masters Championships Atlantic City -10th

WP: What are your best lifts?

AH: Bench Press: 615 lbs
Squat : 705 lbs
Curl: 225 lbs x 10
Decline Sit-ups: with 150 lb DB's x 15
*Can rip cans and keys apart in one swipe!

WP: Wow, that's impressive! Do you have any advice you would give people that wish to build more mass and more definition?

AH: Mass is a tough road. It requires time, effort, lots of good protein, and some carbs every 3 hours throughout the day, every day! Mass building is drudgery with day after day food prep and pushing yourself in the weight room and eating. Many just don't do or understand this. It's not an overnight transformation and requires your constant commitment.

Getting lean is about the same. However, you've got to include cardio with clean eating habits everyday and sometimes the two don't mesh well together. Upping cardio when you're not eating as many carbs and trying to lose fat is hard on mind and body, as well as on your daily routine working and raising a family. This combination is usually too much for most people and they cheat or give up.

My best advice is to have a goal in mind when trying to get lean or cut. Plan a vacation, a show, or an event to work towards- a class reunion or other special time. Plan your months out and work toward that final date and when you get to it, get pictures and enjoy the event. Afterwards, move away from the diet for a spell and take a break. This way, you will cheat less and have a goal in mind and not just stumble through day to day not knowing why you're busting your butt!

WP: That is great advice Andy! I'm sure your fans will really appreciate it. What do you eat in a normal day?

AH: Let me you give you a normal pre-contest day; one that would include everything I eat for 3 months prior to a show:

4-5 lbs. of fish, usually tilapia and tuna, lean ground turkey, and some eggs every few days (a dozen every other day)
3 cups of rice and a few sweet or baked potatoes
1 head of lettuce, 4-5 pickles
2 Gallons of diet or sugar free Kool Aid
1 Gallon of Diet Mountain Dew
12 sugar free popsicles

This is what I eat every day for aprox. 90 days. Whew!

WP: That is a lot of food! Do you allow yourself a cheat day?

AH: Early on, in the first month, I cheat with one MEAL ever 6th day. Only one meal though, NOT A CHEAT DAY! At 2 months I no longer cheat.

WP: Do you have anyone you can thank for helping you get where you are?

AH: Lots! First, my wife, Michelle. She has been my motivation, love, and cupcake who has always done everything for me! She has seen and been through a lot over the last 26 years with me and always stands by my side, through the good or bad. She is truly a special person, and I love and admire her more than anyone else in the world!

Also, my Mother and Father for their love and hard work. My Brother George, for his unparalleled integrity! Mike Knupp ('Big Mike'), my training partner, for his kind and gentle ways with my family and me! And Dave Palumbo, for being a man's man while coaching me to an IFBB Pro Card!

WP: Has your bodybuilding fame brought you any modeling offers?

AH: Ha! I'm not sure it's modeling, but I'm getting stuff here and there. You know, they show me with a funny face every once in a while in the Muscle Magazines! It's hard when you're an old skinny white guy and everyone else is half your age with nice teeth and skin!

 

WP: Where do you want to be in 5 years?

AH: Alive! Having fun with Michelle and the kids! Happy, healthy and eating Pop Tarts!

WP: Well, you certainly look great! How do you maintain the physique you have? What is the hardest thing for you to face when it comes to training?

AH: Thank you. A lot of old fashion HARD WORK! I wish I had an easier answer, but it is what it is-work! But, I will say I believe I am stronger and leaner now more than any other time in my life! It can be done, no matter your age and level-just quit with the crappy food and stop feeling sorry for yourself. You make your tomorrow, no one else does. It will not just appear one day UNLESS you work hard and get it done yourself!

WP: Tell me about your future projects. Do you have any in sight?

AH: The future for me is competing as much as I can in the next 5 years, traveling, meeting new friends and fans, having as much fun as we can as a family, and scoring with Michelle as much as possible! Hee Hee!

WP: That may have been a bit TMI, but thanks for your honesty! What gets you up in the morning?

AH: My kids-running and screaming!

WP: How do you approach a challenge?

AH: As if I am dealing with my kids-or some one else's children. Treat it with respect, kindness and be as calm as possible!

WP: That's a very interesting approach! With all you have going on in your life, how do you create balance?

AH: Vodka! Ha! Well, day to day, I guess. I don't let all the big things come down on me at once and stress about everything! I chip away at problems and issues a little everyday to get them done.

WP: What one piece of advice you can share on how to gain the most muscle the fastest?

AH: EAT CLEAN- ON AND OFF SEASON! DRINK lots of water and sugar free drinks.

WP: How long have you been married? What are your children's names?

AH: Sam, Daisy, Ruby and Lucy Love.

WP: Who had the most impact on you growing up?

AH: My Father! A man among many others who, for all who knew or met him - will never forget him. He was a true sole who would always make you feel good about your self and show you the way. My Father was a larger than life person who let love, kindness and smiles flow all around where ever he appeared. I think he caused people to believe in Santa Claus a little more, or again, after meeting or spending a day with my Father, George. I miss him and wish I could spend one more day with him just to see him, touch him, and watch him with my wife and children. We ALL loved him so.

WP: What is your current workout regimen?

AH: Wow, tough one to just write out! Generally, I spend 2 hours training in the morning, combining cardio and weight training-lots of old-school lifting with dumbbells and barbells. Squats, presses, curls, crunches, rows...maybe more specific in another interview!?

WP: Fair enough! Anything you would like to see change in the bodybuilding world?

AH: I think the bodybuilding world is a lot like junior high-many people talking about others, both good and bad, and if we listen to it all it can run our life! I choose to not really listen to all the gossip and live my own life, have fun with it, and deal with people who are doing the same! It's hard to grow when you're listening to someone cutting you down or trying to make you feel inadequate.

WP: That's some great advice to anyone in the sport! What is the funniest story that has happened to you during competitions or while working out?

AH: I had a girl run out of the hot tub in the locker room, naked, and chase me through the gym! A lot of things floppin' and bouncin'-it was quite a sight! She never caught me…looking back, I'm not sure why I didn't let her catch me! I think I was young, dumb, and scared to death!

WP: Well, I've never heard a story quite like that one before! What is your greatest achievement in bodybuilding?

AH: Being able to make guest appearances and posing with my children on stage. Of course, without my IFBB pro card none of this would have happened, so that too!

WP: What is the proudest moment of your life?

AH: The day I married my best friend and lovely wife, Michelle.

WP: What are your interests outside of bodybuilding?

AH: I love to cook, watch movies, raft, shoot trap, draw, travel, photography, and spend time with my family.

WP: You really have a lot of interests! How can someone reach you if they wish to? Do you have a website or email address?

AH: Andyhaman@msn.com or www.Andyhaman.com

WP: Any shout outs?

AH: Hell Yeah! Big Richie at the gym-thanks for all the good words and being silly! FLEX gym is the Best! Also, Mark Johnson-he should have been in the IFBB! They missed the boat on him! Sammy-you're the best! I love you! And Daisy, Ruby and Lucy-you girls are too silly!

WP: Is there anything else you would like to add? Now is the time!

AH: I think one thing people should know about me is that I'm just like everyone else. I want the same things, I want to have good time and laugh and relax. I'm not a crazed muscle-head who is looking for trouble or to prove something. I like to talk with everyone, and I am not out to intimidate and make anyone feel small or bad about themselves. I want people to walk away after talking to me and feel good about themselves and be happy they talked with and met me!

WP: You have been a pleasure to interview! Thank you for providing your insight, expertise, and advice about bodybuilding. Good luck in your future bodybuilding endeavors!