Articles Bios & Interviews Exclusive Interview with NPC Junior Nationals Light Heavyweight Champion Charles Griffith
Bodybuilding is a spor
t of evolution. It’s a sport about evolving our physiques and ideas in order for us to survive and prosper. At the 2014 NPC Junior Nationals, from the moment he set foot onstage, Light Heavyweight Champion Charles Griffith gave bodybuilding fans a glimpse about what the 212 division might eventually evolve into.
Griffith displayed an amazing combination of round muscle bellies, impressive symmetry, and a stunningly small waist on his way to capturing the crown in his class. I recently had a chance to catch up with the champ to discuss a little bit of life, bodybuilding, and what his future plans are – and you can read all the details right here, in this Rx Muscle exclusive interview.
Q.) Tell us a bit about how you first became interested in bodybuilding?
A.) I had been lifting since high school off and on, but throughout my 20s I was mostly off. I was partying a lot, and went from a functional drinker to a full blown alcoholic. In 2008 I was 28 and I looked at what I had become and was disgusted. I knew that I couldn't replace something with nothing and it made sense to start lifting because not only was it familiar to me, but I needed the gym terribly. At the time I started training again I was about 140 pounds. I quit drinking and smoking cigarettes cold turkey in September of 2008 and never looked back.
Q.) How had you been training before you began to seriously consider competing?
A.) I always trained the same way: strict form and intense. From the time I began training again; I ALWAYS kept a stopwatch running to monitor breaks. I just wanted to be more than what I was, and I wanted to see how far I could go.
Q.) The bodybuilding lifestyle can be incredibly stressful at times due to the amount of sacrifice that's required to be successful. Have you ever found it difficult at times to juggle the delicate balancing act between life and bodybuilding? How did you manage to get through that period?
A.) It is extremely difficult to try 
and juggle life and bodybuilding, but to be honest if you want to go as far as you possibly can, you have to decide and be comfortable with the fact that balance is taking a backseat to your goals. I believe that, at least for me, that single minded approach is the only way. There are NO other options for me right now, and that's okay. I really believe that's how I have come so far in such a short period of time.
Q.) Most recently we saw you present an incredible package – your best to date – at the 2014 NPC Junior Nationals where you won the Light Heavyweight class. Could you give us some insight into your strategy heading into the show?
A.) With this prep I did something totally different for me: I did not get on the scale the entire prep. I was just like most competitors for a time in that I was scale and number obsessed. Instead I let the mirror dictate which direction I should go, and it worked wonders for me.
Q.) One of the most impressive aspects of your physique onstage is that although you pack a tremendous amount of mass onto your frame, you still manage to maintain an incredibly small waist. In the current era of bodybuilding, where size rules over everything, is it difficult to not try and play the super-size me game in an effort to maintain your clean lines?
A.) Even when I was worried about my weight on stage, I always had a small waist. In fact, my waist has never been over 33 inches even at my heaviest (246 lbs.). So if I wanted to play the size game, I couldn't. From a fan's standpoint, I think it’s cool to see the Jon De La Rosa's with the tight waist, as well as the Jay Cutler-esque mass monsters. I’m a fan of both, and I think the fans get a chance to pick sides with the reemergence of the aesthetic look vs. the monster look. It’s a great time for bodybuilding right now!
Q.) Although you impressively to
ok home the win at Junior Nationals as a Light Heavyweight, previously we've seen you compete and win the Heavyweight class at other shows. What made you decide to come in as a Light Heavyweight for this contest?
A.) As I touched on previously, it was completely unintended. As a matter of fact, I was shocked when I weighed in at 194 because I looked so much bigger than I did as a heavyweight the previous year. That’s a perfect example as to why the scale is overrated.
Q.) Now that you've generated some momentum for yourself with this win, what's next for Charles Griffith?
A.) I'm looking to achieve pro-card status. After that point, my coach, Derek Perdue, and I have an off season plan to gain size and quality muscle and look forward to competing in the 212 division.
Q.) Is there anyone you'd like to thank?
A.) Yes! First off I want to say that this sport is an endeavor one cannot undergo on his own. For any of us to succeed as bodybuilders, we must have a strong support system. Mine begins with Sally Lewis. She has been here from the beginning when no one else saw my vision. She makes sure all my meals are prepared, keeps me sane, and NEVER lets me get away with half ass work. I'm originally from Gulfport, Mississippi, so although I live in Vegas now and train at some really nice gyms, I consider Wolfpack Athletics my home. They have been so supportive and that group of guys is awesome!
And my coach, Derek Perdue has been a real Godsend for me. He is one of the first people I met when I moved here, and he has believed in me when at times I found it hard to believe in myself. He’s a very selfless guy, and if it weren't for him, I probably would've moved back to Mississippi. Please check him out on Instagram @derekperdue8 and twitter @derekperdue8.
Q.) If someone would like to reach you for sponsorships or guest posing opportunities, what's the best way for them to reach you?
A.) Please reach out to my coach Derek Perdue at [email protected]. Thank you!
The evolution of Charles to this point has already been incredible. From suffering through bouts of alcoholism and depression to experiencing one of the highlights of his life as he heard the judges announce his name onstage as the winner, but that doesn’t mean that he’s done evolving. Bodybuilding, just like evolution, requires constant change in order to survive. Despite the fact that what he’s done thus far is nothing short of inspiring, Charles is already hard at work preparing to evolve himself in an effort to bring home his pro card. And judging by his track record thus far, I believe we can expect to see him do just that one day in the very near future as we continue to witness the evolution of his bodybuilding career play out right in front of us onstage.
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