Trainer, Model, and Founder of ModuVated: Modu Seye Talks to TheRippedAthlete
How Did You Get Started with Fitness?
Like any African kid, I grew up playing soccer. Then I started getting into basketball and my dream always was to come to the States and play professionally. But my dream was hard to achieve because I was so skinny. I had to make a choice. If I want to jump to the next level I had to gain muscle so I started going to the gym. I joined a gym not knowing much about fitness, would watch people lifting weights and I started learning. As I kept getting into fitness and saw results I got very into it and ever since I never stopped. It became a lifestyle for me.
Even though I didn’t make it to the professional basketball, I never gave up and continued my passion for exercise working out every day until I could actually share that with other by becoming a professional trainer.
How Do You Stay Motivated?
More than anything I believe that anything is achievable if you´re willing to work hard for it. The body will give you what you put in it. Basically, if you work out hard you see results, if you don’t, nothing is there. It´s simple; keeping what you have achieved is the biggest motivation. Being a professional trainer also is a big part of it. I want to inspire my clients and lead by example so I have to be the first one to work hard.
What Workout Routine Has Worked Best for You?
I’m no longer a big fan of the gym but If I do I usually do Circuit/Split (2 body parts per day and doing abs between sets). I’m so into functional training. Almost all my training takes place on the beach using my own body and resistance bands.
I approach body transformation like building a house. If you have a good foundation you can design and build a steady and long lasting foundation; therefore, I spend significant time focusing on the core, balance, and stabilization exercises.
What Is Your Diet Like?
My diet is very simple. I keep it portions moderate. I am not strict. Every morning before working out I eat oatmeal and green tea and after I drink a protein shake. My lunch consists of salads, chicken or fish, vegetables and a glass of green juice. Later in the afternoon, I have a snack or another protein shake. At night, my meals are similar to lunch. I have never drunk alcohol in my life.
I don´t see this as a diet is more watching what you´re eating and that is the advice I give to everyone. If you stop eating certain things eventually you get tired of it then you stop. If instead, you watch what you eat, balance your food and control your portions, it becomes a habit that is easier to keep.
What Piece of Advice Could You Pass on To Our Readers?
More than anything that they see or incorporate fitness as part of their lives. Don’t see it as an obligation because than you will quit. Find something you enjoy, pick different workouts but always push yourselves so that you are always making progress. Also before you move to weights, make sure you focus on your body weight. If you don’t learn to control your own body then you won´t be able to control the weights. We all have a gym our body so use it first than anything else.
What Is Your Supplementation Like?
I´m not into supplements. I only take whey protein, Omega3, and a multivitamin. The rest is given by hard work. I have never taken any creatine or any other crazy supplement.
What Is Your Favorite Quote?
It´s not about where you´re from but whose you choose to become.
For me, this means that there is no excuse for not succeeding in life. After living in different countries, I see a lot of people blaming their failures to skin color, opportunities, etc but the truth is that if you work hard to get to the top, to stand out from the rest you will get there.
How Did You Come Up with Your ModuVated Concept?
When I decided to pursue fitness I wanted to not only do something I have a passion for but also work for myself. I told myself I’m going to work hard to better myself. My goal has always been to help people and I’ve always been very focused, goal-oriented person and I live a healthy lifestyle. I have never drunk alcohol or done drugs because growing up at a young age I would always tell myself that maybe I don’t have much to give my mom but I can help if I give her a peace of mind instead of giving her any more worry that maybe I am out there doing drugs or up to no good. So people tend to be inspired by my history. I always say I’m not trying to inspire anyone, I just live my life the way it should be. That’s the message I’m trying to convey to people. By being yourself to get better every day and set your own tone you can help inspire other people. I want people out there to believe in themselves.
My message is “Inspiring one another, each in our own unique way, will make the earth a better place in which to live.” Not to compare yourself to people who are below you but people who are above you or that you admire, or inspire you.
What’s In The Future For ModuVated?
To be a lifestyle to inspire or inspired by…..It’s more than just fitness, a clothing line, being involved in the community and soon to be a supplement line and social network. We are trying to brand ourselves differently. We want to lead people by example with patience and a good perspective, necessary to teach and lead without controlling or managing people who look up at to us. I believe we are all talented in different and unique ways and we should be able to work together and inspire each other to progress to higher levels in our lives.
Websites:
www.moduvated.com
www.moduvated5k.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/moduseye
