Vital Stats
Name: David Žalec
Email: david.zalec@gmail.com
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Why I decided to transform
I was fat and got bullied by a schoolmate at age 10. I remember talking to a friend that day and said, "When we're 18 years old, we will be the strongest and best looking around here."
The guy who bullied me later became my best friend and I thank him constantly for making jokes about me because it made me the person I am today. He always says that I'm his idol because of my discipline and hard work. His parents own the best restaurant with horse meat in Slovenia and are my sponsors. The meat is expensive and they supply it to me so I can make solid progress.
I craved an athletic, aesthetic body since childhood. I started seriously working out at age 15 with my brother doing mixed martial arts, Brazilian jujitsu, Muay Thai, and boxing. My brother was injured while slamming a guy onto the floor and was told by doctors to start lifting with controlled movements. The results my brother got in few months amazed me and got my attention. I stopped MMA, joined him, and started doing bodybuilding and powerlifting.
After three years of hard work and dedication, people now look at me from a different perspective. I've evolved physically and mentally. The way I speak, think, walk, breath, and look people in the eyes changed. They see that I've grown and am different. My confidence grew.
Before
After
AGE 17 / HEIGHT 6'0" / BODY FAT 25%
AGE 20 / HEIGHT 6'1" / BODY FAT 7%
Post To Fitboard How I accomplished my goals
I haven't reached my goals yet. I used to set goals and hoped for six-pack abs, but after I accomplished that it just kept growing and became a lifestyle. Sticking to proper nutrition makes me more healthy and full of energy. I don't see the point in stopping because I love everything about bodybuilding.
Winston Churchill once said, "If you are going through hell, keep going." Another guy said, "Winners never quit and quitters never win." When I look into the past and relive all the hard times I went through, I saw myself lifting weights and it made me stronger.
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Supplements that helped me through the journey
Dymatize ISO-100
Dymatize Creatine
Diet plan that guided my transformation
Eggs 3
Cereal 50 g
Whole Wheat Toast 2 slices
Cottage Cheese 200 g
Chocolate Pudding 125 g
Brown Rice 144 g
Red Kidney Beans 100 g
Turkey Breasts 200 g
Dymatize ISO-100 2 servings
Seasoned Mixed Vegetables 400 g
Tuna 100 g
Dymatize ISO-100 2 servings
Training regimen that kept me on track
Barbell Deadlift
5 sets of 5 reps
Glute Ham Raise
3 sets of 6 reps
Front Leg Raises
3 sets of 6 reps
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip
5 sets of 5 reps
Flat Bench Cable Flyes
5 sets of 6-8 reps
Bent Over Barbell Row
5 sets of 5 reps
Seated Cable Rows
4 sets of 6-8 reps
Front Barbell Squat
5 sets of 5 reps
One Leg Barbell Squat
5 sets of 8 reps
Standing Calf Raises
4 sets of 8 reps
Leg Extensions
3 sets of 8 reps
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
5 sets of 5 reps
Side Lateral Raise
4 sets of 8 reps
Wide-grip Pullups
5 sets of 5 reps
Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown
4 sets of 6-8 reps
What aspect challenged me the most
The hardest part was educating myself in the beginning and building confidence to listen to myself and block out outside noise.
"Stop bluffing and making excuses. Start living your dreams on your terms. You're stronger than you think."
My future fitness plans
I just finished my personal training certification and am close to opening a gym where I will train and educate other people. I plan to prepare my friends and I for natural bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions.
Suggestions for aspiring transformers
Stop bluffing and making excuses. Start living your dreams on your terms. You're stronger than you think.
How Bodybuilding.com helped me reach my goals
I love Bodybuilding.com because I can track my lifting and body stats to achieve my goals. I also love the articles and Layne Norton's Peak Week, which helped me during contest prep.
David's Top 5 Gym Tracks
"Rolling" by Limp Bizkit
"A Light That Never Comes" by Linkin Park (Feat. Steve Aoki)
"Hungry" by Rob Bailey And The Hustle Standard
"Try 'N Hold Me Back" by Rob Bailey And The Hustle Standard
"300 Violin Orchestra" by Jorge Quintero
About The Author
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