Mykeelo McMurray
NPC MENS PHYSIQUE
Posted: 5/14/17
Special Note: Mykeelo earned his IFBB Pro Card at the NPC North American Championships this past August after this feature was published. Congrats Mykeelo!
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Entering his first show just testing the waters, and next thing you know... everyone knows who Mykeelo McMurry is! Mykeelo decided with the help of his coach, IFBB Pro Neal Blassingame to enter into the NPC Cascadian Classic in Bend, Oregon. Once he walked out onto the stage... not only did he win his class, but he also won a very competitive Overall title. In his very first show! Fast forward one year later and Mykeelo also entered the largest NPC Regional show, the NPC Emerald Cup and also won his class.
We are excited to see what Mykeelo does next, chances are it will be on a National level show competing to win his very own IFBB Pro card and join the ranks of his coach and many other great IFBB Pros in Oregon.
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1. When and why did you decide to start competing?
I began competing in 2016. My first competition was Cascadian Classic. Reflecting over my life, I can identify many factors that collectively contributed to my decision to compete. One outstanding memory is a photo of my uncle, who was once a Navy Seal. He was extremely conditioned and had a physique like no other. As a child I would study the photo and work out.
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2. What makes you want to go farther in the sport?
I desire to go further in this sport for several reasons, one of which is because some would consider me to be competitive. One thing I love about the sport of bodybuilding is that although I maybe competing against other competitors on stage, I am ultimately competing with myself. Every day I strive to out train who I was yesterday. I honestly enjoy the many challenges associated with the sport. It truly challenges my will power and discipline.
3. What type of training do you implement during contest prep and the in the off-season?
Training during contest Prep is comprised of multiple training styles. I usually alternate between the following:
Free weights, Cables, and Smith Machines: low repetitions with heavyweight and
increased sets, and high repetitions with lighter weights and an increased amount of sets.
Stair stepper, Treadmill, and HIIT: up to an hour and fifteen minutes per day, at 7
days per week.
Training during my off season:
Free weights, Cables, and Smith Machines: 10 to 12 repetitions with comfortable
amount of weight, and 5-6 sets.
Stair stepper Treadmill, and HIIT: 15 minutes per day, at 3 days per week
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 lean ground turkey, jasmine rice, and asparagus drizzled with yellow mustard. I also like to substitute the ground turkey for shrimp, tilapia, or
swai. On the other hand, my favorite cheat meal is a burger, fries, Sprite, and a few chocolate chip cookies.
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?
Honestly there are so many individuals who have helped me to grow into the person that I am today. Unfortunately there are too many people to name. Those people know exactly who they are, and I thank them all regardless of their role. However I would like to acknowledge my wife Anorvia Hardy-McMurry, who has been and will always be by my side, and with the help of my children they keep me grounded. Relationships and situations have influenced and encouraged me to believe not only in myself, but also to put my trust in God.
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When it comes to the sport, there is a smaller circle of influential people who I am blessed to have in my life. My wife, my coach Neal Blassingame, my mentor Curtis Montgomery, one of my closest friends Cedric Berry. I wouldn’t be where I’m at in this sport without them.
6. Who or what inspires you to strive for more in the sport?
I draw inspiration many ways. Sometimes it’s a situation, sometimes it's people or a certain environment. I inspire myself as well, I’m doing things, accomplishing things, over coming things that I never knew I had the strength or the discipline to do. Knowing that I have the opportunity to become Pro
drives me. Knowing that I have the ability to influence other people in a positive way also inspires me to keep going.
7. What is next for you as a competitor?
I’ll be sitting down with my coach so we can discuss our next move, but I’m thinking a National level show is in the near future.
8. What is your favorite memory good or bad while prepping or competing?
My good memory was winning my class and Overall at my first competition at the Cascadian Classic in Bend, Oregon. How proud my kids and wife looked, my coach smiling, my mother crying tears of joy, my brother going crazy with happiness. Knowing that my hard work brought people happiness and motivation is an amazing feeling.
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9. Any website you would like to plug, Facebook, Twitter, personal site, etc...
Visit my pages at Instagram, Facebook as well as NW Physiques and #NOXCUSES
10. Anything you would like to say to all the visitors to NPC Oregon?
We appreciate your support. If you're thinking about competing or just wanting a lifestyle change through Fitness, you can do it! Never give up, work hard, be consistent, stay disciplined and focused. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it!