David Johnston
NPC BODYBUILDER
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One of the young guns stepping onstage throughout the Pacific Northwest.. David Johnston. David has been putting in his work both inside and outside the gym and it shows every time he steps onstage. David this year entered the 2014 Emerald Cup at the heaviest competition weight to date for him and walked away with a 1st place in a very tough and competitive Light-Heavyweight class with some real veteran competitors. It is going to be exciting watching this kid keep moving forward.
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1. When and why did you decide to start competing?
Back in my high school days I was the husky kid in school. After relentless teasing all through my school years, I decided it was time for a change; I decided to get a gym membership. About a year after doing my own thing in the gym and losing around 50lbs on my own, the owner of my gym, Nathan Boyd, approached me with an idea. He said he saw a lot of potential in my physique and suggested that I start to train for a bodybuilding show. I had always admired bodybuilding, and as a former “fat kid” one thing I had always wanted was a six pack. So with that dream and Nathan supporting my journey, I began my first prep. I did my first show in 2008, the Vancouver Naturals. I placed 4th and was hooked. The rest is history.
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2. What makes you want to go farther in the sport?
To show people you can change your body and that you’re not stuck with what you have. With will and determination you can take your body to a whole new level.
3. What type of training do you implement during contest prep and the in the off-season?
My training never changes from on to off season. I always do heavy compound movements, I love to lift heavy weight. I use intensity techniques such as forced reps, rest pause, and drop sets. The only thing that changes during show prep is an increase in cardio.
4. What is your favorite type of dieting meals and what is your favorite type of cheat meal?
My favorite dieting meal would have to be my oatmeal egg mixture. I mix my egg whites in with my oatmeal, cocoa, stevia and PB2, then microwave. It’s an oatmeal and egg mush of heaven! Another dieting favorite is my post workout meal which consists of a shake and a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. My favorite cheat meal would have to be…. everything haha. I am a former fatty and love food… BUT the first thing I eat after my shows are usually Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups
5. Who are some of the people that have helped you along the way to get where you are now in life or in the sport?
First and foremost, my wife, Shereena Johnston. She has been there supporting me since the very beginning. She has always been my backbone and biggest supporter. She does everything for me: preps all my meals, signs me up for all of my shows, orders my posing trunks, orders my tanning products, books hotels… literally everything short of doing my training and cardio. I also have to thank my training partner of almost four years, Bruce Lester. He has been the best training partner I have ever had and has given me the best place to train; his private training studio, Hardcore Training Studio in Aloha, OR. He is also very well versed in the sport, so he is my second set of eyes. Another influential person would be, Matt Porter. Matt was my coach from 2011-2013 and I learned a lot from him. He is not only a walking bodybuilding encyclopedia, he is also one of the nicest and most genuine guys I have ever met. Nathan Boyd, from The Gym in Forest Grove, for getting me started and teaching me the fundamentals. Turk Fickling, for being my posing coach. My parents, Bruce and Dianna Johnston, for blessing me with my genetics and drive, and supporting me at all my shows. I’d also like to give a shout out to Julian Smith, Garrett Ussery, and Michael Etienne for being awesome friends and occasional workout partners.
6. Who or what inspires you to strive for more in the sport?
The win. I am a very competitive person and always strive and push myself to be the best I can be. Competitive bodybuilding is the most intense thing, both mentally and physically, you can put yourself through. So after months of hard work and discipline, the rush of a win feels amazing. There is always room to grow in the sport, so it never gets old.
7. What is next for you as a competitor?
As I write this I am currently two weeks out from the 2014 Oregon Ironman. After that I plan to take a good off season and then make my first run at next year’s USA’s.
8. What is your favorite memory good or bad while prepping or competing?
My favorite memory so far was just last week; hearing my name announced as the winner of the light-heavy class at the 2014 Emerald Cup. Worst memories are “dieting brain” moments. SO many of those, you’ll just have to ask me in person about them haha.
9. Any website you would like to plug, Facebook, Twitter, personal site, etc...
I’m on Facebook, and also on Instagram.
10. Anything you would like to say to all the visitors to NPC Oregon?
I want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting all the athletes at all the shows. Without all of you we wouldn’t be able to do this.