Gallagher—all muscle and without steroids!

More photos below.  Read on!

My Bodybuilding Story

There I was - 10 years old in the basement of my house, looking up at my dad, the one person I wanted to be like the most.  And my father was doing something I'm sure many of our fathers have done at one point - he was lifting weights.  I was immediately entranced and quickly learned as much information from my father as I could.  When I could not talk to my father about bodybuilding, I read about it.  I read Arnold Schwarzenegger's Education of a Bodybuilder three times in a row that year and I could not wait to look like that.  I just knew one day I would, and I just knew nothing would stop me from getting there!

Starting in Bodybuilding - the beginning

Before I knew it, seven years had gone by and I really didn't look much like Arnold.  As a matter of fact, I looked like a tall, slender volleyball player (one of my favorite sports), but nothing like a bodybuilder.  Through further reading and exploring, I realized I was cursed with the build of an ectomorph.  At 6'1, and 170 pounds, I knew something needed to change dramatically to build some serious muscle.  Sadly, I learned about steroids - as most high school kids do these days - but I immediately rejected that idea.  I wanted muscles, but not at the point where I might have to sacrifice my liver or kidneys to get there; or worse - my life.

So, I decided to train like a bodybuilder - I used Arnold's new Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, and was absolutely convinced it would take me to big muscles.  If Arnold used to train that way, why couldn't I?  Unfortunately, after three months of overtraining, I realized that I was much different than Arnold, as he, unlike me, took a boatload of steroids and had the genetics of a muscle building mutant.  I felt horrible, made no physical progress whatsoever, and felt my dreams of massive muscles slipping away with each new program I tried.  I went from Arnold's training, to old-time power lifting routines, to static strength training, to Vince Gironda training, to my own training (which failed, big surprise right?), with nothing providing desired results.  This experimentation nonsense lasted an entire year until I stumbled upon a web site that offered newfound hope.

Finding MuscleNOW - the true Bodybuilder's handbook

For some reason, I had a positive feeling about MuscleNOW, despite my past failures.  The website seemed basic, informative, and even somewhat cheesy - but what finally changed my mind about the program was Francesco Castano's (MuscleNOW author) personal, lifetime, unlimited support that he included with his book.  I was 17 and saving money from my summer job, so I figured since he offered a 3 month unconditional money back policy, I might as well go for it.  I never looked back from there...

My MuscleNOW experience - turning into a Bodybuilder

The book arrived one week later and I was on my way.  With my excitement and enthusiasm, I read the program in one night and started immediately the next day.  In 6 months time I completely transformed my physique, building from a slender 170 pounds to a thick 220, with my chest expanding 4 inches and my arms increasing from 14" to 16.5".  I finally had the size growth I was so desperately seeking, and since my results were proof of the program's effectiveness, I wrote a testimonial for Mr. Castano, which he added to his web site, as I wanted to tell others about this life-changing bodybuilding program.  It's this MuscleNOW program that got my wheels rolling;  it's the program I turned to for answers; it's the program I train with when I want GROWTH.  You can read more about my MuscleNOW testimonial on Francesco Castano's website.  

My Bodybuilding experience - turning into a smart trainer

I give MuscleNOW much of the credit when it comes to analyzing my bodybuilding success.  I have not entered a bodybuilding competition, as I simply consider myself a knowledgeable, recreational bodybuilder.  This being said, I could never consider myself truly wise if I rely on one program alone, without expanding my horizons, testing other methods to see if I can achieve results at an advanced stage.  Any experienced, successful bodybuilder will tell you that there is no one set of rules that work forever.  This is why I set out on my own and sought to expand what MuscleNOW had built, for I knew I could always fall back on MuscleNOW.  My journey led me to experimenting with many different routines and diets, in hopes of even more progress.  I tried the ABCDE diet that Bill Phillips was pushing for a while (2 weeks food gorging followed by 2 weeks starving) and guess what happened, it made me fat!  Really, it did (looking back on it now, it's just common sense, but it sounded interesting at the time).  I also tried the Atkins diet, which nearly killed me, LITERALLY (I almost died).  Three weeks after starting the Atkins diet, I checked myself into a hospital due to pain in my left leg, and found out I had a blood clot that broke off into my lungs (deep vein thrombosis), and this required 10 hours of surgery and 10 days of hospital time to rectify.  On the other hand, I've experienced no training injuries (thank God for that).  The point I am trying to make is that I've had my share of setbacks after MuscleNOW, so I now consider myself educated in what works, and what doesn't.  I may only be 22, but I've experienced a great deal in my bodybuilding adventure, both success and failure.

Some of the routines I have tried AFTER MuscleNOW:  EDT training, personal consultation with a certain famous nutritionist, Max-OT training, Westside Barbell training, five different Vince Gironda routines, and many, many other plans that I devised myself, using the knowledge I gained from MuscleNOW and other routines.  Some have worked, some have not.  Some were great, some we so-so.  I wholeheartedly recommend looking into Max-OT and Vince Gironda's routines, and also Westside Barbell training (for those into powerlifting). 

Let's face it, you can get some amazing programs on the internet without paying a dime, and this is what I was searching for when starting my bodybuilding journey.  HOWEVER, the problem is you have no idea what to look for, who to listen to, what is true or false, and whether or not you're being scammed (if you purchase a routine).  Not to mention, you're wasting time, money, and risking possible injury (like a blood clot at the age of 19), so I am thankful that, at age 17, I decided to take the path that required handing over a small amount of money (luckily to a true and tried system), but receiving so much more in return.  I gained knowledge, guidance, personal training, and CONFIDENCE.  I felt invincible on MuscleNOW, and when I train with this system today I still feel the same way.  Some programs do that for you, other's fall flat on their face.

Where I am now as a Bodybuilder

I know my body in and out.  I know what techniques to use for strength, for fat loss, for muscle growth, and how to incorporate this crazy passion for bodybuilding into a diverse lifestyle.  I am currently in the process of attaining my Masters degree in Exercise Physiology as a 22 years old college student.  Bodybuilding, God and school make up my life (along with golf, which for some reason is harder to master than bodybuilding -- I swear Tiger Woods is not human, he has to be a cyborg or something -- sorry, back to my story!).

Currently, I am 6'1, 225 pounds, 34" waist, 18" arms, 47" chest, and 10% body fat.  Huge?  Maybe not.  Drug-free, confident, strong, and feelin' great?  Heck yes!

How do I train now?  I cycle between the many effective programs.  My current high is powerlifting - yes, I like to lift HEAVY weights.  I like to look big and back it up with some solid strength.  The real magic begins when you cycle your training between MuscleNOW and a strength based routine like Westside barbell, or even Max-OT.  MuscleNOW alone does wonders, but the key to excel in this game is constant change, a cycle of growth (MuscleNOW) and strength (Westside Barbell, Max-OT, etc).

I plan on continuing my bodybuilding journey, incorporating this lifestyle into my professional career when I graduate college, which shouldn't be too difficult since I am majoring in a subject that is very close to bodybuilding.  I wrote a note to my dean a while back requesting that my University create a bodybuilding major - I never heard back from him.  Wonder why?

Wrappin' it up already!!!

I hope you learn from my story, as I made this website to help others achieve success in muscle building.  I really do like to help people, and advising others in fitness is a dream of mine that one day will become a reality.  There are great bodybuilding programs on the internet, as I have listed here for you, so please check them all out.  MuscleNOW is the ultimate no-BS approach to bodybuilding that so many of you beginners (and even ignorant advanced lifters) NEED in order to kick start your growth, as you must have all of the fundamentals (protein/carb ratios, calories, types of foods, reps, sets, rest periods, exercise form, etc), and his program covers all of the essential mass building techniques that helped me to achieve my physique.  He even enhanced the money back guarantee since way back when I ordered, as not only is he currently offering a 3 month money back policy, but if you decide to return the course, Francesco will pay you $20 extra, just for trying his program (his confidence is justified!), and you also receive unlimited email personal training from the MuscleNOW author himself (Francesco Castano).  He has added many benefits since the time I ordered, such as free body fat calipers, a Member's Only Area (I post there regularly, since I love talking about bodybuilding, and receive support/encouragement from others who purchased his program), and free program updates.  As a matter of fact, if you want to email the MuscleNOW author, I bet he will respond within a couple days:  TransformYourBody@musclenow.com.  Tell him Gallagher sent you (my last name) and he'll know to reply quickly (he spends time answering emails from those who purchase his program).  Good luck in your training, go with your gut, and God bless!

Also, if you want to ask me questions about bodybuilding, MuscleNOW, or whatever, just drop me an email:  mpgallaman@yahoo.com

I love to talk bodybuilding in general, so feel free to email me anytime!

Matt Gallagher

 

PS - A Word On Supplements

I am against the use of any dangerous supplements as they could be harmful to your health.  It's part of the reason I will not use steroids as well - I want to be as natural as possible.  There is, however, one supplement that I do take that I do believe will speed your training recovery and just help you live a healthier life.  This vitamin drink, called VEMMA, has superior forms of antioxidants which promote cellular longevity and provides them the ultimate nutritional foundation.  The power and uniqueness of this supplement is the fruit called Mangosteen - which can only be found in Southeast Asia - and it has been used for hundreds of years by natives of the area.  This fruit contains such an abundant amount of phytonutrients that other fruits or vegetables cannot compare.  We all want to avoid sickness, disease, even cancers - and the properties of VEMMA do just that.  Best of all, you can make some money for yourself if choose to do so.  It's all explained in the website linked below.  Check it out:

www.myvemma.com/mattgallagher

Good luck in your health, fitness, and training goals!

GrowingBig.com

Yeah, that’s me before MuscleNOW.  Some muscle, but, I wanted more!

My training results through persistance, healthy eating, and great programs like MuscleNOW and Westside Barbell.

LINKS:

MuscleNOW                www.MuscleNOW.com

MAX OT                      www.ast-ss.com/max-ot/max-ot_intro.asp

Vince Gironda            www.vincegironda.com

Westside Barbell        www.westside-barbell.com