Articles Bios & Interviews From Surviving to Thriving: Ben White and Nicole Ball's Bodybuilding Journey!
How can I begin to describe Kevin Ofurum. Well, first of all, we haven't met in person yet, but I feel like I know him already. He doesn't take anything for granted and he's very serious about taking his physique to the next level. He obviously cares about the fans or he wouldn't have spoken to me or contributed to Muscle In The Morning.
He's a blue collar bodybuilder with a big heart, a keen business sense, and a drive that will see him to realizing all his dreams. Some guys get spoiled – even as amateurs – they expect big bonuses from their sponsors just for placing and they only to talk fans if they have greenbacks in their hands. Those are the guys killing the sport. If we just had more Kevin Ofurums, we'd be in even better shape than we are today! Thank you to Kevin for taking the time.
Christian Duque: I'd like to welcome you to RxMuscle.com, Kevin. It's both an honor and a privilege to speak with you. Please tell our readers a little about yourself.
Kevin Ofurum: My name is K
evin Ofurum. I am 39. I compete in the 212 Men’s Bodybuilding division in the IFBB. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Nigerian parents. I am the second of four children, all girls. We moved to Nigeria when I was 6 years old and we moved back to the states (Dallas, Texas) when I was 13. I have been in Dallas ever since, so this is home.
CD: Everyone seems to have a story of how they got into weight training and bodybuilding. Who or what inspired you to get into the gym and make it your second home? And why did you decide to compete?
KO: I first stepped into a commercial gym (other than high school gyms and a PE weightlifting class in college) in Januar 1999, when I was 24. I had just returned from visiting my family in Baltimore where over the Christmas holiday my mom teased me about looking bigger, as if I had been working out. It put a bug in my mind and as soon as I returned home I joined a gym. And to look good for the ladies. A few months into the whole gym experience, I was approached by someone who thought I could bodybuild. I laughed at the idea at first, but he assured me he'll show me what to do. My first NPC show was The Southwest Natural here in the Dallas area. I won out of 17 guys. I caught the bug then.
CD: In some of our earlier conversations, you had mentioned being half of "Them Texas Boys," alongside Cory Mathews. What's the partnership all about? How did it come about and what goals have you set for yourselves?
KO: Them Texas Boys came about in a casual phone conversation between Cory and myself after I joined the Ronnie Coleman Signature Series team. Cory and I thought to ourselves as being the new generation Johnnie and Branch. And, Cory said, "Yeah, them Texas boys." I liked the ring of that right away and I started using it in all of my social media posts and tags. #themtexasboys #ttb. It's picking up, especially recently with the launch of merchandise (tank tops) by RCSS with "Them Texas(state map) Boys” on it. Our goal is to brand this concept and take it as far as we can. Be known within the industry and worldwide as "ThemTexasBoys". However, anyone can embrace the term. Eventually, with the help of RCSS, it can go nationwide, for instance "ThemNYBoys, ThemCaliBoys."
CD: You looked very impressive during the recent Dallas Europa and you'd said that it was personal for you because of the fact it was your hometown and some of your friends had never seen you on stage. How important was it for you to do this show? And what were some of the reactions or comments you received as a result?
KO: I was very important for me to do the show for a few reasons. First, I like to compete. I am a competitor. It was a hometown show that required no travel, room or board. Honestly, it was a no-brainer. Secondly, as I stated before, most people that know me have never seen me live on stage competing. Additionally, instead of pictures, they actually had a chance to see a live performance. The overall comments and reactions were very positive, even though the outcome was not what I expected. I personally think that I was at my all-time best. So, there is still work to do!
CD: Usually competitors at the amateur (NPC) level will talk to the judges after a show or via email for feedback. Do you ever do this and, if so, do you ever try to implement their suggestions in the off-season?
KO: I have as an amateur and after my pro debut in Phoenix. I do try to implement their suggestions. I did not get any judges feedback on my most recent competition because I already know their concerns. I plan to make the necessary changes.
CD: Let's talk about your training. Would you say you’re a meat and potatoes lifer, doing basic, old school exercises or do you have your finger on the fitness industry pulse, trying new and innovative methodologies for stimulating the muscle?
KO: Overall, I am a "meat and potatoes" basic old school guy. However, I do try new and innovative methodologies once in a while.
CD: A big question that's been making the rounds is that of card
io. Some guys don't do any and other guys rely on it almost exclusively to get ripped. What's your take on this type of exercise insofar as contest prep goes?
KO: I wish I could get ready for a contest without cardio. I hardly believe any competitor out there doesn't do some sort of cardio. I do not rely on it exclusively to get ripped. I think a good diet/cardio combo does the trick… some sweat and hard work.
CD: Given your much improved look at the Dallas Europa, where do you go from here? What future shows will you be competing in and what goals (short and long-term) would you like to realize?
KO: Thank you for the compliment. I agree that I probably brought my best physique to date to the Dallas Europa. My short term goal is to improve upon my weaker body part. My upper body over-dominates my lower half. So I plan to work on that for a while and get back on stage soon. My long term goal is to compete at the Olympia in 2015. Let's see how that works out.
CD: I'd like to do a word association, please answer with whatever comes to mind, 10-word limit.
KO: Flex Lewis: Down to earth. Easy going. Friendly.
Kevin English: Never met in person but from what I've seen, seems cocky.
David Henry: Seems to always be intense.
Jose Raymond: C
ool and collected.
Guy Cisternino: Methodical.
Derik Farnsworth: Funny little pitbull. I always have good talks with Derik.
Cory Mathews: If you don't know Cory, you will think he's arrogant but he's actually a really nice guy.
CD: I'd like to thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us. At this time, please thank all those that have helped you along the way. Also, please let your fans know where they can go to keep up to date with you (website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.).
KO: I'd like to thank Royce Scobey for introducing me to this sport.
- Jeff Dwelle for showing me how to initially lift.
- Dror Erez for instilling in me the belief that I could become a pro.
- Don Long for guiding me to my pro card.
- Ronnie Coleman and Ronnie Coleman Signature Series for their continued support.
- GASP/Michael Johansson for their continued support.
- Rx Muscle and Dave Palumbo for always recognizing me as an amateur and as a pro.
Last but not least my girlfriend Ericka for her continued support through prep, workouts and all the good stuff that we do.
I can be reached via the following social media channels:
Facebook: IFBB Pro Kevin Ofurum
Instagram: IFBBPROKEVINOFURUM
Twitter: KevinOfurumIFBBPro
YouTube channel: Ifbb Pro Kevin Ofurum
Email: [email protected] for online training/contest prep inquiries, guest posing, and appearances.
Thank you, Christian.
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