Natural Male Bodybuilder - Jose Raymond

Pro Card - No Way Jose

I was born December 29th, 1974 in Boston, Massachusetts. I am the youngest of 8. I won't go too deep with this, but my parents were having a really tough time so my siblings and I were all taken away by the state. Eventually, the Raymond family in Wakefield, Massachusetts, adopted my brother Tito and me.

Tito and I both excelled in sports, everything from soccer, football and wrestling to baseball, basketball and track. Our social worker suggested we burn off some stress by lifting weights. So, we started very young.

By the age of 12, I was already working out regularly and growing like a weed. Though I was only 5' 4", I was already a very muscular 150 pounds by the age of 13. By the time I was a sophomore in High School, I could already bench press 315 pounds. That same year, I was pulled out of my algebra class to be tested for steroids because my athletic director couldn't believe I could possible be natural. At that time in my life, I had never even heard of steroids. Being accused of taking steroids at such a young age is probably what prompted me to stay natural.

When I was 18 Years old, my brother Tito convinced me to compete with him in the New England Bodybuilding Championships. I won the teenage division in front of what seemed like a few thousand people and I have been hooked ever since.

Since 2001, I won Musclemania World and have been qualified for IFBB pro status 3 times, winning the Nationals twice and the Team Universe Overall. I have chosen not to accept my pro card because I don't feel I deserve to step on stage with the big boys yet. I still have a lot more to grow.

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