Crossing the Mental Minefield…The Path to a Golden Lifestyle: Interview w/ AT-14 Winner Ream Kidane [Reamerton]

Here’s your latest essay interview with 8th place winner  Ream Kidane from the 14th Adonis Golden Ratio Transformation Contest.

Ream Kidane 8th Place – Front Before/After Photos

Ream’s Transformation Interview:

1- What workout or nutrition routine did you do before Adonis Golden Ratio (AGR) System? What kind of results did you get?

AGR was the first workout program that I have applied consistently.   Before AGR, I would more or less follow whatever the newest program from Men’s Health magazine or something similar.  Growing up, I played soccer and basketball and later took up running, but never had a consistent training program that I followed.  As a result, my results were mediocre and I easily fell back into old habits.  I finally made the decision that I didn’t just want to be healthy, I wanted to look damn good too! I haven’t looked back since.

2- How did you find out about AGR?

Honestly, I have read about and come across so many different programs over the years that I don’t remember how I first found out about AGR, but it was the only one that stuck.

Ream Kidane AT-14 8th Place – Side Before/After Photos

3- What was most appealing to you about AGR?

The most appealing thing about AGR is the simplicity.  With my limited experience with weight lifting, it was easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of information that is available.  AGR made it simple (but not easy) to learn the basics and develop a solid framework for steady progress.

4- Were the any concepts or approaches you were skeptical about?

 5- When did you decide to jump on board full fledge with AGR?

Although I had the AGR program for years, I did not jump in fully until the beginning of the AT14.  It was the motivation and the accountability through the coaching program with Jason Haynes that allowed me to push through the resistance and the doubt of the first few weeks.  Having someone whose been through the process to answer my questions and provide guidance was critical in the periods where I was having a lot self doubt.

Ream Kidane AT-14 8th Place – Back Before/After Photos

6- When did you first decide to enter an Adonis Transformation (AT) contest?

I had actually entered the contest once before AT14 and dropped it after a few weeks.  I decided after multiple attempts at starting the program that I needed to prioritize my workout routine over anything else that came up.  It meant sacrificing many of things that I enjoyed but were not actually helping me to achieve my goals.  I needed to fully commit and only after doing that would I be able to evaluate how effective it would be for me.

7- What was your experience going through the AT contest? Challenges that came up? Things you didn’t expect?

In retrospect, going through the contest was difficult, but not as difficult as I imagined it would be before I started.  Some of the biggest challenges for me were psychological.    I never considered myself a “gym” guy and often felt uncomfortable even being at the gym at all, among guys that looked like they had been training their entire adult life. It took a while for me to learn to not pay attention to what other people were doing, but on my own workout and my own progress.

 The biggest challenges came when I didn’t have access to all things that I would normally have (my gym, my kitchen, convenient access to grocery stores) when I was out of the country for several weeks.   I was only about a month into the contest when I left for my trip, but in that short amount of time, I had learned enough to be able to approximate my nutrition needs and my workouts.  I jumped right back in when I returned, because I knew exactly what I needed to do.  I had internalized the most important parts of my routine.

Ream Kidane – AT14 8th Place – Transformation Image

8- How did people react to your transformation? Positives and negatives (if any).

Most reactions to my transformation were positive.  One of the most common reactions to my transformation was “you’re getting too skinny” or “you shouldn’t lose any more weight!”  I found over time that it became easier to ignore.  I learned not to react or explain or justify any of it.  I would just say “yes, I’ve been working out and eating well and I’ve never felt better”.  I got to a point at the end of the contest that other people’s reactions, positive or negative, didn’t really matter to me anymore.  Although it certainly felt good to place in the contest.  I’m at a point now where the only feedback I need is the measuring tape.

9- How do you react to the “Brand New” you? Have you noticed changes in your outlook and attitude in general.

The difference in my outlook and attitude cannot be understated. I have more energy and confidence. I sleep better than I have my entire life.  I am more optimistic about almost every part of my life in general.  The most important thing that I’ve gained through this process has been the level of self trust that comes with following the program through to the end.  I’ve learned to trust the process and not get hung up on individual days or weeks where it seems that I am not making progress.  I’ve also come to understand what it means when others have said that this is not just a workout plan or a diet, but a lifestyle.

Editor’s Note:

Hey Ream,

Happy to hear that your transformation was supported through the Adonis Golden Ratio Coaching Program.  We pride ourselves on the ability to help others cross that “mental minefield” during the transformation period in order to reach not only a brand new body, but a new lifestyle.

I really enjoyed the part in your interview when you mentioned overcoming the mental barriers and ignoring the negative comments from others who did not understand the transformation process.  My favorite quote was when you said, “The only feedback I need is the measuring tape.”

That spoke volumes on so many different levels!  Congratulation again Ream, we look forward to hearing more from you as you continue your pursuit to Golden.

your brother in Iron,