by Matt Weik
An interview with IFBB Pro Bodybuilder, Brian Yersky
It’s not often that you can say you fell in love twice as a teenager and that both loves of your life stay by your side throughout your life. The tale of a boy’s love for weights and his Jr. High sweetheart has built IFBB Pro Brian Yersky into the man he is today. Working his way through the ranks in the NPC didn’t come without obstacles, but Brian was on a mission to overcome them and persevere. When you have the drive and support team that Brian had, you simply knew great things were on the horizon for this rising star. The interview below lays out the hardships that Brian worked through, the triumphs of victory, the heartache of sickness, the love that never wavered, and the world of fatherhood with little munchkins running around.
Question:
Let’s go back a few years to when you won the 2012 NPC National Overall and got your IFBB pro card. What was that moment like for you?
Answer:
Surreal! That is the moment that everyone trains for, whether you are a top national competitor or just getting started. It’s like the kid in the backyard playing football and dreaming of scoring the winning Super Bowl touchdown, making the buzzer beater in game 7 of the finals, or hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the 9th to win the World Series. Regardless of how farfetched it is from reality; it’s crossed everyone’s mind! I remember my first trip out to Gold’s Venice in ’06 and seeing all the USA and National Champs on the wall and thought, my picture is going to be up there one day! I knew we were getting closer through the years as I had four consecutive top 5’s national showings with a pair of 3rd’s, although nothing is guaranteed. Prior to stepping on stage a few days out from the ’12 Nationals, I told Chad Nicholls that at prejudging I was going to be in that 1st callout and that they were going to dismiss me and only me as this would be a clear sign I was at least the class winner. To my amazement, that is exactly how it played out, which is rare! I remember stepping off stage as everyone was still being compared knowing we had just accomplished what was naively set out to do seven years early when I stepped stage for the first time. The almost certain knowledge that I had won the class was exciting but we had come to win the whole show which wouldn’t be determined for another 24 hours. We proceeded to in fact win the class and ultimately the overall beating out an excellent group of guys! The ‘icing on top’ was that during the trophy presentation my 10-month old daughter joined me on stage and brought the house down. As completely awesome as that was, it was bitter sweet. Unfortunately, my folks were unable to be there and they had been to EVERY show I had ever competed in including traveling around the country with my wife and me simply for photo shoots, etc. My dad had been diagnosed with cancer 2 yrs prior and although his health was fading and he was awaiting a transplant, they were on the way to the airport to head to ATL when the symptoms had become too much and they decided to head home, get treatment, and wait for the news. They were proudly waiting at the house upon our arrival home and I am proud to say he received the transplant 6 months later and is doing amazing, as you would never know he had gone through that whole ordeal. Wow!
Question:
How has being an IFBB Pro Bodybuilder changed your mindset and training?
Answer:
To be honest there isn’t any aspect of my mindset and training that hasn’t changed. I’ve had to step up my training intensity, practice posing at higher levels, and take all I do back to the old school ways. The mindset is to keep myself focused, to remind myself daily that I am a professional, and this is what I do.
Question:
After getting your IFBB pro card in 2012, you’ve seemed to be behind the scenes. Where did you go and what have you been up to?
Answer:
After the 2012 win, I felt I needed to improve my physique prior to making my pro debut, which in hindsight might not have been the best idea. Although, the time away from the competitive stage allowed me to focus on raising that baby girl with the utmost attention while adding a son to the mix. So I’d say it all was a very wise and strategic plan! Now with the family priorities established, I am 100% focused on climbing through the pro ranks just as I did as an amateur.
Question:
You’ve put on some serious size in the past couple of years since getting your IFBB status. What do your workouts and nutrition look like these days and what trainer/nutritionist are you working with?
Answer:
For nutrition, I am still with the man himself, Chad Nicholls. As for workouts, I am now working with Eric “Big E” of Roc-en Pro, and his practices are best described as advanced old school. We went backwards at first to build a strong mind to muscle connection and to strengthen areas that were not at their best. Once he felt we had a solid base, we started really going to work and to put it simply, as heavy and as intense as we can go for a “fuck ton” of reps all with purpose and reason. Eric would build a lot of workouts around what Chad was sending for nutrition and if needed, they would converse to find the best avenue possible. My team has really come together and I couldn’t be happier with the direction its going.
Question:
When will we see you on stage again?
Answer:
We are currently in contest prep for the New York Pro which will then be followed up with possibly the California Pro, Toronto Supershow, and/or Chicago Pro depending on how everything plays out. The ideal short term goal is to receive an invite for the 2017 Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH!
Question:
What pieces of your physique have you felt really got better after spending a couple years trying to bring them up and to keep progressing your physique?
Answer:
Ultimately we have transformed my entire physique, by adding muscle to the areas that were lagging and refining the areas that were dominate to present a complete, balanced package.
Question:
What’s a normal day look like in the life of Brian Yersky?
Answer:
Oh time for the excitement… I am such a creature of habit; everyday is the same within 10 minutes of each other. Our day begins at 5:15am and includes cardio and just quiet time to accomplish preparation for the day. The wifey heads out and I get the kids up and about at 8am as Ava has school at 9am a few days a week. I proceed to drop Drake off at my grandmother’s, who believe it or not is 84 years young. I get to the gym at 10am and am ready to rock and roll by 10:30am. The training sessions are typically 2 hours which includes stretching, intra-set flexing, and full posing prior to calling it a day. I pick the kids up on the way back home where I meet Jordan for lunch, meal 3, and then she heads back to the office. Drake gets put down for a nap at 2pm which allows for a little down time with Ava. By 5pm, we are all starring at the clock hoping Jordan’s walking through the door at any minute! After that it’s just family time till the little ones start bath time at 8:30pm and hopefully sleeping by 9:30pm. We relax for a minute, eat the last meal at 10pm and lights out. Then the next day… Repeat!
Question:
Let’s change topics just a little and get personal. You have some super cute kids running around the Yersky compound. How has fatherhood changed your life?
Answer:
It’s taught me how to appreciate the little things in life, the simple things that make my kids’ faces light up. To enjoy every day and to be grateful that we all are healthy! It has also reminded me, by teaching them, of how you’re truly supposed to live. Although hard in this day and age, but to put others before yourself, be polite and courteous, and to have fun!
Question:
Outside of bodybuilding you’re a country boy at heart. Can you tell us a little bit about that side of you?
Answer:
I just love to be outside enjoying the outdoors. I’m an avid archer as well as hunter in general. I spent my entire childhood on a boat fishing which I still love but do not get enough of. We also can’t get enough camping in, or of the peace and quiet that exists in nature. I enjoy the ability to pass on these traditions to my kids, as Ava has joined me in the blind at the end of this past deer season and is bugging me for when turkey season starts. Drake loves going out on the ATV’s with me to check the stands and general activity in the woods. It’s always a good time just sitting on the patio around a fire accompanied by my two Labradors watching the kids play, riding power wheels, and just being inquisitive all with my Jr. High sweetheart by my side.
Question:
Is there anyone you would like to thank before we close up this interview?
Answer:
Most importantly my wife, Jordan, as this isn’t one of the easiest professions to accept but as I stated earlier, she’s been by my side since 7th grade and has the driving force in all my success! My entire family for truly being supportive. Mike Davies, for turning my hobby of weight lifting into a competitive journey as he introduced me into competing as well as trained me during those early years of my career. Most recently, Chad Nicholls for showing interest in me in the Fall of 2010 and continuing to pass his knowledge onto me. Big E for taking control of my training a little over 2 years ago and breaking my stubborn self out of my old ways thus prompting these changes in my physique. And last but not least, my amazing NPC/IFBB family and sponsors that I have acquired over the years, Teresa Hartle, Pam Betz, Gary Udit, Ricky Bayardi, Andy Bartolovich, J.M Manion, Mr. Jim Manion, Pro-Tan, Monsta Clothing, Cardillo Weightbelts, P-28 Protein Bread, Isolator Fitness, CJ’s Elite Wear, Phoenix Kineticream, Steel Clothing, Maxx Fuel Meals, and Roc-en Pro. As well as a big thank you to Matt Weik for showcasing me in this interview!
