Power Talk With Nick Stern AKA Natureboy
How did you get into physical training?
Nick Stern (Natureboy): I was 5’2” 122 lbs my freshman year in high school. I think that was motivation enough. I remember walking home from school every day and these two older kids would slap me around. My face would pivot from one open hand to the next. It was pretty degrading. So one day to avoid these guys I decided to take a different route to school, and it was then I discovered my first bodybuilding magazine. It was called “Muscle Builder,” a Weider publication with the first Mr. Olympia Larry Scott on the cover. I was hooked! I couldn’t wait for subsequent issues to come out. My dad and I built a gym in the garage. It was perfect—He was a welder and I was an innovator. I would work out religiously every day after school and read anything I could get my hands on pertaining to health and nutrition, particularly on building muscle mass. By senior year I was close to 200 lbs and 6 feet tall, with 18” arms and benching close to 400 lbs. Back in 1969 that was considered good. So graduating from the smallest and weakest guy to the strongest guy in high school both mentally and physically laid a solid foundation for future development. I’m a firm believer that through diligent efforts and a clear focused vision you can achieve great success in anything.
What are some of the common mistakes that people make with working out?
(Natureboy): Some of the most basic ones are bad form, over training, and not resting sufficiently. Although I think the most critical ones are lack of consistency, intensity, and having a set plan. Most people get complacent with their workouts. You should always aim at improving your exercise regimen by slowly increasing the difficulty of the program, as you become comfortable on any one level. I made my best gains by keeping a strict training diary. It allowed me to visualize my goals. If I did not accomplish those set goals it meant I was not exerting myself enough, or I was not eating or resting properly. This training philosophy works well until you reach your genetic potential. The “principle of adaptation” asserts that you will eventually hit a plateau where you fail to see any additional change. One way of overcoming this plateau is to modify your workouts every few weeks or months. You can change the type of exercise you do, the length, the amount of weight lifted or the number or reps. Lastly, diet and nutrition comprise of 85% of your health and fitness results. Eat as much raw nutrient dense foods as possible and make your post workout meal a fundamental part of your training routine. My advice; keep it simple, stay focused, consistent, and most importantly eat properly!
What led you to being one of the founders of SunWarrior Rice Protein? What about rice protein appealed to you out of all the options on the market?
(Natureboy): I met my partner Brent at the Raw Spirit Fest in Sedona, Arizona a couple years ago through our nutritionist friend David Wolfe. Brent had lost a significant amount of weight on a strictly raw food diet lacking in protein. We both agreed that there was a need for a good source of plant based protein that tasted good and had high protein content. I was only getting 40%-50% protein using hemp and spirulina. Hemp was grainy and spirulina didn’t taste all that great. Neither source allowed for a good tasting smoothie. Rice protein on the other hand was neutral and contained high protein content. Our unique process of bio-fermentation creates the first complete hypoallergenic plant based superfood protein made up of all 9 essential and non-essential amino acids in a perfectly balanced amino acid profile. It’s also high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It aids in the absorption of nutrients, assists in weight loss, helps maintain the diabetic affects of sugars, and has cholesterol lowering properties. To most people’s surprise, just one scoop of the Vanilla contains 70 calories, 4 grams of carbs, and 0 grams of sugar. I use two scoops in my shakes for a generous 30 grams of protein. Just one scoop is more potent and absorbable than twice the amount of other non-living animal proteins. SunWarrior is created with a low temperature natural enzyme process that does not use any chemicals or acid hydrolysis like most proteins, therefore creating the first raw, living plant based protein.
Do you follow a raw vegan diet? How did you get into that?
(Natureboy): I am 90% raw vegan. I would regard myself as a Superfoodtarian! My meals consist of mainly SunWarrior superfood smoothies made with additional superfoods like Maca, Goji Berries, Cacao, and MSM. I also eat and drink plenty of greens to detoxify and cleanse my body daily.
I was introduced to the world of bodybuilding in my late twenties where I competed, and consuming massive amounts of meat and dairy was the staple diet. When my competitive career ended in my early 30’s I still continued to train passionately. As I approached my 40’s, my body began feeling toxic, consumed with constant aches and pains, lacking motivation, strength and endurance. It was at this point that I decided to return to a vegetarian lifestyle. After only a short while, I noticed a significant difference. Somehow I was able to reverse my toxic acidic condition from the years of over consumption of meat and dairy, to a more alkaline sense of wellness. I felt young and vibrant again. I have to admit that I feel younger now at 57 than when I was in my forties. I’m constantly researching anti-rejuvenating superfood supplements.
Can you give us a sample of what you eat on a day to day basis?
(Natureboy): Meal #1 Pre-Workout
Green Smoothie
· 12 oz distilled water
· 2 tbsp Chlorella Powder
· 2 tbsp Spirulina Powder
· Kale
· Spinach
· Cilantro
· Parsley
· ½ Aloe Vera Leaf
Or Gladiator Smoothie
· 12 oz distilled water
· 2 scoops of SunWarior Protein
· 1 tbsp SunWarrior Activated Barley
· 1 tbsp Hemp or Flax Oil
· 1 tbsp Maca Powder
· 1 tbsp Raw Cacao Powder or Nibs
Workout Cocktail (to be taken while working out)
· 24 oz distilled water
· 20 grams of MSM
· 1 Lemon
· 1 Lime
· 1 tbsp Camu Berry Powder
· 1 tbsp Royal Jelly (optional)
· ½ Aloe Vera Leaf Gel
Meal #2 Post-Workout
SunWarrior Antioxidant Berry Blast
· 1 Whole Coconut (meat & milk)
· 2 scoops of SunWarrior Protein (Natural or Vanilla)
· 1 tbsp of SunWarrior Activated Barley
· 2 tbsp of Hemp Seeds
· 1 tbsp of Hemp Oil or Flax Oil
· 5 or 6 Raw Brazil Nuts, 5 or 6 Raw Walnuts, 1 tbsp of Chia Seeds
· 1 tbsp of Tocotrienols
· 1 tsp Camu Berry Powder
· 1 tbsp of Bee Pollen
All the following fruit has been frozen and placed into containers; 1 cup of organic frozen mixed berries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. 1/2 cup of frozen organic red grapes with seeds. 1 cup of frozen sliced mango and papaya. 1 packet of frozen Acai. Blend at high speed. This mixture comes out like ice cream I then sprinkle with Goji Berries and Cacao Nibs and eat with a spoon. (Eating your smoothies allow for better absorption)
I often substitute a SunWarrior Protein smoothie for the following meals..
Meal #3 Lunch
Bowl of organic raw oatmeal with raw seeds and nuts, sprinkle with cinnamon, and topped with goji berries, then soaked in 6 to 8 oz of organic apple juice
Meal #4 Mid Afternoon
SunWarrior Ormus SuperGreens (ingredients: probiotic cultered greens, alfalfa, barley, wheat, oat grass, peppermint, spinach, parsley, stevia and yucca)
Special Note: This is a new product we will be launching within the next 30 days cultivated from the highest quality volcanic mineral rich soil using a low temperature process.
Meal #5 Dinner
Salad with a large selection of raw vegetables, greens, sprouts, and nuts. Dressing is made of raw apple cider vinegar, cold pressed virgin olive oil, fresh pressed garlic, herbs, and half a squeezed lemon, and sea salt to taste.
Meal #6 Before Bed
2 scoops SunWarrior Protein
8 oz. of water
1 Tab. Hemp or Flax Seed Oil
My diet is about 90% raw with occasional cooked vegetarian meals when my body craves it.
What do your workouts look like now?
(Natureboy): I train 4 days a week in the gym, two days beach walk with sprints, and take Sunday off. I’ve been doing this for the last 3 months. It incorporates a lot of super sets going at a fast pace (30 second max rest between sets) with heavy weight. This workout routine lowers my body fat and keeps my muscle size without having to do a lot of cardio.
Monday: Chest & Back
Superset 1
Bench Press 5x15/10/8/6/4
Wide Grip Chins or Pull Downs 5x10
Superset 2
Dumbbell Incline Presses 4x12/10/8/6
Dumbbell Row 4x12/10/8/6
Superset 3
Dumbbell Flyes 4x12/10/8/6
Seated Cable Rows 4x10
Superset 4 (Final Pump)
Cable flyes, dumbbell pullover (high rep burn and stretching upper torso)
Tuesday: Core, Thighs, & Calves
Core
Rope Crunch with Weight 3x20
Ball Crunch 3x20
Cable Torso Twist 3x20
Hanging Leg Raise 3x20
Thighs
Squats 5x15/12/10/8/6
Leg Press 4x15/12/10/8
Thigh Extension 4x20/15/12/10
Hamstrings
Super set
Thigh Curl 4x/12/10/8/6
Stiff Leg Deadlift 4x/12/10/8/6
Calves
Superset
Standing Calf Raise 5x20/15/12/10/10
Seated Calf Raise 5x20/15/12/10/10
Wednesday: Beach Walk with Sprints
Walking barefoot on the beach for 1 mile, then on the return route do light 40 yard sprints, walk to recover, and then repeat.
Thursday: Biceps & Triceps
Superset 1
Barbell Curls 4x12/10/8/6
Lying Close Grip Bench Press 4x12/10/8/6
Superset 2
1 Arm Machine Bicep Curl 3/12/10/8
Tricep Cable Pressdowns 3/12/10/8
Superset 3
Preacher Curls 3x12/10/8
Dips 3xmax
Superset 4
Dumbbell Hammer Curls 3x12/10/8
Overhead Rope Cable Extension 3x12/10/8
Finish off with Wrist Curls 3x20
Friday: Deltoids & Traps
Deltoids
Superset 1
Dumbbell Press 3x12/10/8
Dumbbell Laterals 3x12/10/8
Superset 2
Behind the Neck Presses 3x12/10/8
Rear Dumbbell Laterals 3x12/10/8
Superset 3
Front Smith Machine Press 3x12/10/8
Front Dumbbell Raise 3x12/10/8
Traps
Superset 1
Smith Machine Shrug 3x12/10/8
Upright Row 3x12/10/8
Superset 2
Dumbbell Shrugs 3x12/10/8
Standing Calf Machine Shrugs (Using just Traps) 3x High Rep Burn
Saturday: Beach Walk with Sprints (same routine as Wednesday)
Sunday: Complete rest. I sleep as much as possible.
Next Phase:
I will be starting a new workout & diet routine next week to get in top form for my 57th birthday in October. It will incorporate a low carbohydrate and calorie restricted diet to facilitate maximum ketosis, followed with increased carbohydrate and calorie intake for supercompensation. The training will be high rep and intense cardio during the depletion phase, and then heavy low rep power movements after the loading phase. This cycling of diet and training will allow me to burn maximum body fat while putting on lean muscle tissue. I’ll give you an update and go into details in late October.
Thanks for the interview and for more information on Natureboy, go to: http://www.rawnatureboy.com/
SUN WARRIOR RICE PROTEIN
Finally a protein powder that is organic, tastes great, and will not cause nausea and have you running to the bathroom with the runs!
It is not often that I get excited about protein powder. Most protein powders taste terrible and are loaded with unhealthy chemical ingredients. Sure I have used a few protein powders that are decent but none that actually motivated me to want to sell them on my website until recently. Not too long ago the guys at Sunwarrior were nice enough to send me a few bottles of their rice protein to test drive. Honestly I was expecting another bland terrible tasting rice protein like all of the other options that are on the marketplace. To my pleasant surprise I was actually shocked with how delicious the vanilla and chocolate flavors are. Unlike most protein powders both the vanilla and chocolate flavors taste great in water. This is the true test of a protein powder as you can make just about any protein powder taste great by mixing it with tons of fruits in a blender. However, if it tastes great in just water then you know you have a winner.
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