Interview with WBFF Pro, cover model and actor, Dan Ventura

Dan Ventura - Facebook | Instagram | danielventurafitness.com

I became a fashion model in 1995 just after I left college. I was pretty skinny back then but still went to the gym. In 2004 I was lucky enough to get chosen for the front cover of Men's Health magazine and became the first ever British fashion model to appear on the cover. After this, I started getting a lot of fitness modelling work and other covers so decided I needed to get serious into fitness and studied to become a Level 3 Personal Trainer.

My first love is and always will be acting. It was the only class at school I excelled at and really enjoyed.

Competing in the WBFF is a magical and addictive experience, from the start of the prep to the second before stage you have to be completely dedicated to the cause otherwise you don't stand a chance. Because you'll be competing against guys and girls who've given it 100%.

Learning the best way to get lean. The body is a temperamental thing and if you have an imbalance of hormones or stress your body won't burn fat. My struggle has always been staying lean. Building and retaining muscle is never a problem it's just revealing it I found the hardest. I'm pleased to say after years of trial and error I've cracked it.

"If it ain't hurting, it ain't working" is something I regularly say to my clients and it's true. If you stop your reps at the point of pain you're denying yourself muscle growth.

OMG! Useless. I did 10 burpees in a circuit class and it made me want to throw up! Now I do burpees for fun!

There are loads of people, but right now Justin Gonzales World champion WBFF fitness model. I think he has perfect symmetry and definition. Plus he's my fellow competitor as I'll be battling against him on stage on August 26th in this year's world championship.

Consistency is key. Find a decent training and diet plan. You can download mine of my website danielventurafitness.com and stick to it like glue.

Testosterone is a mans best friend in this game and oestrogen is our nemesis. Avoid ANYTHING that boosts or mimics the female hormone and eat and train to boost the manlier version!

My recent TV ad for money supermarket as He-Man. Which airs September 2nd. I had to learn how to dance and although I found it hard and frustrating I managed to pull it off and it looked wicked.

I'm lucky enough to not get nervous anymore. I'm so used to the stage because of walking on hundreds of catwalk shows in my modelling career it's given me the confidence I need for any other stage. It's become second nature and it's just like walking down the street.

Cliche time! Chest of course! I'm a geezer init! Ha ha! I love isometrics, slow eccentrics and high reps.

• Monday - Chest & Biceps
• Tuesday - Quads & Calves
• Wednesday - Back & Triceps
• Thursday - Hamstrings & Glutes
• Friday - Shoulders
• Saturday - Abs

Always House music. I love it!

I always use a ketogenic diet for stripping back. I have an endomorph tendency and I've found this is the best approach for me and anyone similar

I love the Stairmaster. I do an hour in the morning. Every time you step up it's the equivalent of performing a pistol squat. Imagine doing 1000 pistol squats and how many calories you'd burn. Plus when you do squats of any kind your body releases testosterone and human growth hormone naturally in the body. This helps on your quest for gains and fat loss!

Yes, of course, these are essential in my routine. I only use Sci-Mx products and mix them in my awesome PROMiXX Vortex Mixer!

• 17-T Somatocri-MX
• ZMA
• BCAAs
• Glutamine
• Explode Hardcore
• Rippedcore
• Shred-EX

Lots of things are coming up which I can't share right now but if you watch telly you'll soon find out. Plus I've re-designed my website to help more people in the world by offering downloadable training and diet plans. So check out danielventurafitness.com for more help.