GJ Spotlight – Meet Mike and Na’Dean
The fitness world’s version of Martin and Gina!! (inside joke!)
This is a small world! I have had the pleasure to know both of them individually, as well as witness them come together and build an awesome relationship and partnership. Their personalities compliment each other and the way they support one another is something to aspire to.
Both of them have done extremely well as physique competitors, as they have either won the overall or placed in the top of their perspective classes in all past competitions.
Mike has developed a wealth of knowledge in training, nutrition, contest prep, etc.. He is a training and nutrition coach. Mike also co-hosts a podcast called the “Free Game Social Club”.
Na’Dean has been a fitness enthusiasts for a few years. I can honestly say I have NEVER seen her not smiling, even when in the midst of training! You can absolutely tell, Na’Dean loves the fitness lifestyle.
Although she is still relatively new to the competing, Na’Dean is quickly making a name for herself in the Wellness division!
What’s up guys!! Can you tell the community a little about yourselves?
Mike: hi, I’m Mike.. I’m 35 years old, from Houston, Texas; now in Va. I love working out, Movies, drug documentaries, hanging around my best friend and fiancé Na’Dean, bodybuilding and helping others in any way.. whether that be advice for life, nutrition, business, exercising, etc.
Na’Dean: I am Na’Dean, Mike’s Fiancée. I am a child of the most high God. I am a fitness enthusiast who just so happens to compete as a hobby, and I love connecting with people.
Mike, I hear you are an all-star in the insurance game too?!
After experiencing my tragic loss of my son and late wife to a car accident it made me want to help others be properly prepared in that time of need when the Lord calls. But yea I’m getting my feet wet as I’ve been a licensed insurance agent for roughly 11 months now. I love it a lot and gives me the opportunity to help families make sure they have the proper protection in place. Shoutout to Family First Life!!!
How long have you guys been in the fitness/ competitive physique world?
Mike: I have been in the fitness and competitive world consistently for the last 6 years.
Na’Dean: I’ve been in the fitness world, I want to say since about 2009. That’s when I started hitting the gym, learning the ins and outs and being consistent with it. I’ve been competing since 2019.
What’s it like training with each other?
Mike: It’s awesome!! Having someone that understands your love and passion for the sport as well as lifting and also displays that same passion. It is so amazing!! It helps us to push each other while also bringing us closer as a couple.
Na’Dean: I absolutely love training with Mike. It’s amazing because he pushes me and teaches me different training methods that I’ve either never done before, or haven’t done in a while. Honestly, it is one of my favorite things to do. He’s always in his element when he is training, so I love being able to be a part of what makes him happy!!
Can you give a quick breakdown of your training regimen?
Mike: For me training is therapy so I take it super serious! Not much of a talker when training but I will give my occasional head nod/ fist bump to remain cordial. I’m constantly moving to keep my HR and intensity where it needs to be. But I’ve always stuck to the good ol’ PUSH PULL LEGS training split. That’s always worked best for me. Training 6 days a week allows to hit each muscle group twice a week. When I am taxed, i train legs once. Rest day is always Sunday aka refeed and relax day lol.
Na’Dean: With me being a wellness competitor, the focus is on growing and building the legs and glutes with less emphasis on upper body.
Favorite trait/ bodypart about him/her?
Mike: Man!! My favorite trait about Na’Dean…..man there are so many to be honest but she is dedicated, hard working, kind, selfless and has just an all around great spirit about her that is very contagious and beautiful( Lawd Jesus). BUT my favorite body part….DAT ASS aka da cakes and that lil waist lol
Na’Dean: This is tough because I just love his entire physique!! I’m torn between his arms and his legs. As far as traits, I love that he’s such a selfless individual. I’ve never met anyone with a heart as open and kind as his.
Both of you have an impressive set of wheels… whose leg training days are worse?
Na’Dean: Thank you! Gotta go with Mike’s leg training day’s. They’re brutal.
Mike: Yea, I will have to say my leg day is the worse. but Na’Dean actually does a great job keeping up and not complaining one bit. She does better than most men that have trained legs with me and that’s being 100!
Since both of you are competitors, describe what your experience has been with each other during competition prep? Good bad or indifferent…
Mike: Prep with Na’Dean was really great to be honest! I think we completely had a great understanding of what we both signed up for so there were never any moments of anger, being hangry at one another, or taking out our frustrations on each other when food got low etc. It was a cool experience because we really worked together as a team to help solve issues such as, helping each other prep and cook specific foods, weighing it out, etc. Thankfully and in all honesty I can say that the experience helped make us better as a couple and reminded me that if we work as a team we can achieve anything, and even when calories were low and cardio was doubled we still made time to kill it in the bedroom too so win win for me lol..
Na’Dean: In my opinion, it has been amazing! I honestly cannot picture us not prepping together. It just works. We are able to go through the experience together. The highs, the lows, the low moods (we don’t do mood swings in our crib).
Who is the better cook? “Normal” food and comp prep (yea there is a difference!)
Mike: Both of us! LOL
Na’Dean: Mmmm…. Good one. Well since you asked who is “better” at it, Mike is the better cook for sure when it comes to prep food. He’s also very good at regular food but I like to think I’m better at it lol.
Any plans for competing in 2022? If so what show(s)
Mike: Yes, our wedding! THE biggest competition of them all lol
Na’Dean: Sadly, no shows for 2022. We are only prepping for our wedding in August of 2022. Maybe you’ll catch us in a stage in 2023… who knows.
What about the other motivates you?
Mike: Just her as an individual, I always prayed that God blessed me with a woman that doesn’t need me but wants me if that makes sense. but together we are better! So her independence, her dedication and willingness not to give up when times get hard and seeing her have the drive to want to be a better version of herself in and out the gym is what makes me want to step it up on another level!
Na’Dean: His selflessness motivates me to be more selfless. He is also very determined and goal oriented which pushes me to be the same.
Best piece of advice you can give to couples that either want to begin the fitness lifestyle together.. or already living it and how to navigate it together…
Mike: Best advice is to support, Support, SUPPORT your significant other/spouse!!!
Work together as a team and consistently communicate about goals so you both can understand each others why. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, so you have to work to compliment one another and push each other to be better! To my men that complain about their lady not being into the gym…. help them, invite them to workout with you. if they don’t come with you… then start small, ask them to go on walks with you then work your way up. Change the scenery in the kitchen also! Start providing healthier options to cook, or better yet, YOU cook healthier meals for the both of you!
As men, we have to lead by example! If she sees you making positive changes, she will likely join and if not.. remain focused on her while you continue to make those healthier choices. Trust me it will improve the relationship, etc.
Na’Dean: Write your goals down collectively, and make sure that every day each of you are doing what it takes to accomplish it. A goal without a plan and a call to action is just a thought. Stick by each other and understand that the other is your equal. You are in it together. Hold each other accountable and always encourage one another to be, and do better than yesterday.
Thank you to Mike and Na’Dean for taking the time to share about their love for the sport, the fitness culture, and each other. You can follow them on their journey in the Gym Junkiez community, or you can follow their IG Pages… Mike0225 and MsNadean
