Julian Esquivel
IFBB PRO MENS PHYSIQUE
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Didn't take very long for Salem, Oregon's very own Julian Esquivel to attain his very own IFBB Pro Card. It didn't come to him without his hard work and discipline though! He trains heavy and stays focused no matter what show he is prepping for because he has found a new passion of the lifestyle.
Julian has done a couple shows in Oregon and did very, very well! Then he decided to test the waters at the National level and when he did, it paid off! He won his IFBB Pro Card at the 2021 NPC North American Championships.
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1. When and why did you decide to start competing?
I competed in my very first NPC show in 2017 at the Pacific Coast Championships! I decided to start competing after I had watched my girlfriend at the time compete in her first show the year prior. I got to watch her go through prep and it inspired me! She encouraged me to do a show along with some of my good gym buddies. They told me that I would do well because I had a good structure with potential to have a great physique.
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I didn’t truly see it at the start but having a competitive background playing soccer at very high levels helped me be up for the challenge!
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2. What makes you want to go farther in the sport?
I feel like I was able to earn my pro card relatively fast so for me this is all still very new and exciting! It was a very huge accomplishment for me and sometimes it still doesn’t seem real! With that being said, I feel like this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me both in life and in this sport! There is more work to do and more to prove for myself! I didn’t come this far to just come this far! So why not try to go farther and dream to be on the Olympia stage? As long as I’m healthy and still passionate about this sport I’m going to continue to strive for greatness!
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3. What type of training do you implement during contest prep and the in the off-season?
My training doesn’t change much from off season into a prep. I stick to what works for me and my body and I have been focusing on progressive overload. At first when my coach recommended this type of training it seemed like I wasn’t doing enough and honestly a bit boring. He told me to just stick with it for awhile and give it time. I’m glad I did because it really helped me grow and made me stronger. I lift as heavy as I can all throughout my prep! It’s very important for me mentally to continue to progress!
Although “peak week” can feel like death week, I have set personal records strength wise up until my last training session before the stage! It ultimately helped me obtain the necessary size that I had been lacking in previous preps to take me to the next level!
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 breakfast! It’s typically right after my fasted cardio so I’m super hungry! I enjoy it so much because it’s a time where I can cook a meal, sit down and think about how blessed and thankful I am to have a nice meal! 3 whole eggs, 10oz egg whites and 50-60 grams of oats! My favorite cheat meal on prep is burger and fries and my favorite cheat meal off season is tacos!
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?
There are too many people to name honestly but a few would be my soccer coaches, teachers, my friends and my family! I would be nothing or no where without the love and support I’ve had over the years and I am truly grateful!
6. Who or what inspires you to strive for more in the sport?
A big inspiration for me to do more in this sport is myself! There are Olympians, coaches and athletes that I look up to but when it comes down to it, this is a selfish sport. Seeing what I have accomplished and learning that I can get better each year inspires me! I love being able to look back at old pictures to see how far I have come and that’s what drives me!
I also just want to make my people proud! It’s not just about the sport and winning for me, it’s more about being a leader and empowering the next person to believe in themselves in whatever they want in life!
7. What is next for you as a competitor?
My next step is to make improvements on my physique! If everything goes well I will possibly shoot for my pro debut sometime next summer in 2022!
8. What is your favorite memory good or bad while prepping or competing?
My favorite memory while prepping or competing was actually this year when the NPC Oregon Open came to my hometown in Salem, Oregon. It was more memorable to be because of the amount of support I had at the show!
A lot of my friends and family were able to come see me onstage and that meant the world to me!
9. Any website you would like to plug, Facebook, Twitter, personal site, etc...
My personal and business account on Instagram @king.julian.ifbbpro and @nwffoods
10. Anything you would like to say to all the visitors to NPC Oregon?
Oregon has some very good athletes that compete in local shows! I can’t remember a single show over the years where I thought I had no competition.
If you are looking to compete in any NPC show I highly recommend that you hire a good coach and work your ass off because everyone brings their best! Have fun, enjoy the process and never stop learning!