Exclusive Interview: Matt Burzacott, Man on a Mission!
The 2013 USA Cham
pionships saw a number of competitors bring their all-time best to the stage, among those was 2nd place finisher in the Heavyweight Division, Matt Burzacott. After a devastating pec tear nearly ended his career just a few years earlier, Matt decided to rededicate himself to the sport and pursue his dream of becoming an IFBB Pro. Now, with Nationals just around the corner, Matt is ready to make one final push this contest season to bring home his IFBB Pro Card. Matt sat down to talk with me for this Rx Muscle exclusive interview.
Q.) I’d like to discuss your competitive history, but first let's take a look back at when you first began training. Like many bodybuilders, you were introduced to weight training through football. Did strength and muscle gains come easily to you early on?
A.) Yes, they came extremely easy. I can't remember any numbers to use as an example, as it was so long ago, but it seemed like all of my lifts increased every week for a long time. I can't imagine what would've happened if I knew about proper nutrition back then!
Q.) At what age did you first discover bodybuilding? What bodybuilders inspired you early on?
A.) I was thirteen when I first fell in love with bodybuilding. I started working out in my basement when I was 12 doing the basic movements, (except squats of course) and then one of my friends got a subscription to a couple different magazines. I remember when we used to just sit in his room and look through all of them. I couldn't believe that people could actually looked like that. My favorite bodybuilder of all time is Kevin Levrone. His physique inspired me the most at that time. I've probably watched his M3 DVD over a thousand times! 
Q.) Your first experience at the National level came back in 2004 when you took 4th place at the Teen Nationals, competing against future IFBB pro Jason Huh. Given the relatively short time you'd actually been training like a bodybuilder, at that point, did you believe you could potentially earn your pro card in the future?
A.) Oh, man, that show was a major blow to the ego and a big wakeup call. I did my first show a week before at the Missouri State Championships where I won the teenage and novice divisions. I thought I was going to walk right through Teen Nationals, and then I saw Jason getting ready to go out on stage and thought to myself, "Wow, I am going to get 2nd."
As it turned out I got 4th, and I was pretty devastated. I came back the next year when I was 19 and lost to Steve Kuclo by one point and was once again devastated. I still believed back then that I would be a pro one day. I just didn't know how hard it really was. I thought I could take a couple of years off, go to the Nationals, and beat everyone. Having success as a teenager gave me a false sense of how good I was. I had no idea how good the guys at the top of the amateur ranks were.
Q.) Let's jump ahead a few years and talk about the devastating pec tear that you suffered. Following that injury, did you believe your bodybuilding career was over? Could you tell us a bit about the severity of your injury?
A.) It was just a few da
ys after my 21st birthday and I had just moved to California to be with my girlfriend at the time. It was literally my first day there. I used to be obsessed with bench press, just like everyone is when they are young. It was my first time at this gym so, of course, being a dumb kid at the time, I wanted to show how strong I was, or thought I was, I should say.
It was my last set, and I was using 455 and going for 6 reps. My poor girlfriend was spotting me and I should have stopped at 5 reps. I tried to get one more rep, and dropped the bar quickly to get a little bounce off the chest, and at the bottom of the movement my pec felt like it exploded. I heard it rip, felt it rip, and knew immediately what happened. Immediately I thought I was done competing and I was absolutely crushed. I had to fly back home to Iowa for surgery.
I was very unlucky as I tore the tendon from the muscle belly so they had to reattach the tendon back into the muscle, which the surgeon said is very difficult. I had no idea what my pec looked like, and didn't get to see it for about 6 weeks after surgery. I didn't train at all for about four months after the surgery.
Q.) In 2010 you met Don Long, and you've credited him with helping to revitalize you and give you the confidence to take the stage again. Talk about your relationship with Don and what it's meant to you.
A.) Well, after I started training again and realized my pec didn't look horrific, I told myself I was going to compete again. I tore my pec in July of 2006 and I competed again at the NPC Europa show in August 2007. I won the heavyweight class and that was the first time I met Don. We chatted for a bit, but that was it. I went to the North Americans and the Nationals the next two years and got killed. I was way out of my league, and didn't belong at the national level at all.
I saw Don again at the Nationals in 2009 and I told him I wanted his help as I was about to give up and stop competing. Don always told me I had the genetics to succeed and that I could still be a pro, I just needed to put in the work. Hearing that from someone like him ensured me that I'm not wasting my time doing all of this and I started putting 100% into bodybuilding.
Q.) You came back to the stage in 2010 and managed to take 5th at Junior Nationals. We also saw you take the stage at the USA Championships where you ultimately finished up at the bottom of the class, taking 15th. Looking back, do you think that you were ready to make the jump to the USA's following a long layoff?
A.) Yes, I went to the Jr. Nationals in 2010 and took 5th, then I did the USA's and got 15th. To most people that doesn't sound too good, but that was a big year for me. I showed myself that I at least belong up there, and in time, can only improve from there. So looking back I would say obviously I wasn't ready still to compete at that level, but I am glad I did because it gave me a good idea of what I need to look like to be successful at that level.
Q.) Since that placing at the USA's you seem to have found a winning formula and it's been reflected in your placing, including this year's 2nd place finish in the Heavyweight Division at the USA Championships. What have you done differently since 2010 to make such steady improvements?
A.) Well, I said to myself after the 2010 USA's that I'
m not going back there until I feel like I can be competitive for the top spot. I made a good friend at the Junior Nationals in 2010, Tony Friedrich, who is also a top national level competitor. My problem was always getting into shape, and his specialty is coming in top condition every show he does.
After being friends for a few years we decided to have him handle my diet the last two shows and I believe it's been a combination of the right formula, and being able to have constant contact with him that has been the biggest difference. We just work well together and him being a friend first, I feel comfortable telling him if I think something I am doing is working or not working and we can make changes. It’s like working together instead of someone just making a plan and I follow it without any deviation no matter what.
Q.) You've previously mentioned that during the off-season you have a tendency to be a bit less strict with your diet and training. Do you think this may have hindered potential gains in the past? What is your plan for this off-season?
A.) Yes, absolutely it has hindered gains. It is the sole reason why I did not progress for a few years and that was time that I wasted. I want to make it clear that I am not a lazy person. I would guess that a lot of other bodybuilders have this problem, but I have suffered from sleep apnea for the last nine years or so. Up until recently I had done nothing to treat it, and I found it impossible to sleep with a CPAP machine. My life from age 19 to 28 revolved around sleeping. I was constantly tired.
I would fall asleep driving, at w
ork, watching TV, reading, basically all the time. There have been weekends where I have slept 24 straight hours. You can imagine how many meals and workouts I missed over a nine-year period living like that. I have started finally sleeping with my CPAP machine recently and I feel amazing. I am very excited for the future.
Q.) What improvements can we expect to see from you the next time you step onstage?
A.) I want to bring up my legs, especially my hamstrings. That is my main focus. I also want to improve my chest as much as possible. Since my injury, it's obviously been a challenge to bring my chest up, because training it safely is my main concern. I just want to be bigger everywhere, but with better condition, I feel like you can always improve conditioning.
Q.) When is the next time you plan to compete?
A.) I actually just decided to jump in the Nationals in November. I recently signed a supplement contract, I cannot mention the company name yet as they want to announce it first. I wasn't going to compete again until next year, but with this company behind me, I will be able to go and compete now.
Q.) Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you along the way?
A.) Yes, first of all, I’d like to thank my girlfriend, Jen. She is the first girlfriend I have had that is supportive of this lifestyle. Her positivity and support make a world of difference and makes contest prep a lot less stressful. Tony Friedrich, for helping me find the formula that works best for me, and for pushing me to bring my best. And my parents, of course, for always standing behind me in all my endeavors in life and supporting me no matter what.
Q.) What's the best way for someone to contact you for guest posing or sponsorships?
A.) I am in the process of building a website, but for now either Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/matt.burzacott – or my email [email protected]
There’s a very fine line between stubbornness and persistence. When we think of a stubborn person we often think of someone who refuses to heed anyone’s advice despite what the consequences of their actions may be. On the other hand, persistence is viewed as an admirable trait. We admire the persistent person who is able to overcome adversity and accomplish their goals even when faced with incredible circumstances. In order for Matt to overcome his pec tear, it required him to look deep inside himself and find the strength to continue being persistent in the relentless pursuit of his goal. And, if he continues to persist, he looks poised to fulfill his dream by winning his Pro Card when he steps on stage at Nationals.
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