This week’s member spotlight features the self-described “most beautiful asshole on Fitocracy.” We can only speak to his beauty, which he has in spades! He’s currently helping to raise funds for Walk4Hearing, a scholarship program for kids born without hearing. Also be sure to check out his sister’s spotlight. If you’d like to nominate anyone for the Fitocracy Member Spotlight, contact users lexyloowho and JenYxvx, and you can always email us at fitocracymemberspotlight@gmail.com.



Username and level

ShiningBlue, formerly known as DeafDesires, DeafAsianQT, Rilakkuma, level 28



How did you get started in fitness and training Do you have any pics to share ?

This isn’t the story of a obese guy that lost significant amounts of weight à la Vainglory, or a super skinny guy that got jack3d Machete style. No, this is the story of an ordinary person, just like many out there, perhaps just like you, that simply wants to become more than he currently is. To create a better version of himself, as close to the ideal version of himself that he can be.



I have always had some level of interest and participated in fitness through out my life. I’ve had some minor forays into Little League and AYSO soccer, but always maintained a good amount of interest in martial arts, boxing, and other martial sports. In high school I played tennis on the school team and was in weight training class (really just for sitting around and hanging out and seeing who could bench press more) class for 2 years.



Throughout the proceeding years I lifted on and off, mostly off, with a bro workout that was made using Arnold’s Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding.



Like Frank Yang, exercise has a particular effect in keeping my eccentricities inside of my head, channeling my not so socially acceptable thoughts and depressive tendencies towards a more mainstream and productive activity. Lifting has been great for helping me keep my mental state as healthy, positive, and stable as possible.



I’ve been lifting non-stop since September 2011 now. When I started lifting at that time, I was about 160 at 21-23% body fat.





My sis (VictoriaLean) and I on 12/31/2011, I was about 175 here. Still about 21-23% body fat.



Progress pictures, about 1/23/2012, about 180 in here. 22-24% bodyfat.





My completion pics for BTFC r3, I was about 152 here. I did a cut for about 2 months. Far less body fat at the end. 14-16%? Taken on 4/18/2012.







Most current, about 156-







How did you find the site? How has it changed your work outs?

Last May, my World of Warcraft guildmaster, Criss (also Criss on Fitocracy), made an account and asked if anyone else wanted an invite to this cool new site named Fitocracy. “You get points and level up!” was how she described it excitedly. I made an account and quickly disappeared a few days later.



In September, I started lifting again as mental therapy and because I was tired of not having the body and strength I wanted. Ever since then, I’ve been working out since mid-September, and this site has helped motivate me in being consistent. I have missed one workout and postponed two workouts since then.



Fitocracy has also given me a wealth of information and perspectives that have greatly helped me in deepening my knowledge of lifting.



Do you have any long term goals or direction you plan to take your training?

My short-term goals is to hit 135 Overhead Press, 225 Bench, 250 Squat, and 315 Deadlift.



The general direction I’m doing is mostly strength and a very small amount of aesthetics. As time progresses my goals will shift more and more to aesthetics.



I want to be able to OHP/bench/squat/deadlift 155/245/315/405 for the long-term, and have an aesthetic body suitable for modeling.



I also want to be able to do a 20 minute 5k, and be able to do some half-decent weights in Olympic lifting.



My aesthetics goal is to build a body suitable for being an amateur model.



What are things you’ve learned through trial and error? What areas do you hope to learn more about?



I learned a lot about my body’s capacities and how it will react to certain levels of nutrition, sleep, and exercise over the last several months through trial and error. A round of Smolov jr. helped me learn how my body would react to high nutrition intake an high volume training.



A recent cut gave me experience on how my body handles different amounts of calories, as well as giving me a better idea of how much I’m actually eating. I tracked a good amount using this spreadsheet for myself.



As I continue to learn more about my body through tracking how my body reacts to certain amounts of food, sleep, and variations of exercise, I’ll be able to become fine-tune variations and become more efficient. Very scientific-methody.



Currently, where would you say your weakness lies? Where do you excel?

My strengths is my motivation, a clear plan, and an absolute desire to achieve what I want. I have a very strong and stubborn will, and I have a very great ability to become obsessed with something, and devote a lot of mental energy towards obtaining and analyzing information to become as proficient and knowledgeable as possible. Previously this was WoW, and I was good at it, now it’s lifting. (WoW- many top 100 world DPS parses in whatever current raiding tier happened to be current at a specific time, am a Tankspot Author)



Biologically, I have a strong ability to cut, very good flexibility, and I don’t have any injuries to impede progress. I can also eat whatever and not gain very much weight at all.



My weakness is my slight dislike of food, mediocre muscle building/natural strength genetics, and poor body proportions (short arms and long torso). Aesthetically I have a pretty small ribcage, and thin shoulders (as in, from the side they’re thin).



What motivates you?

Certain people motivate me. Mentally and physically, Frank Yang is my inspiration. Aesthetically, I admire Zyzz the most.



What really motivates me is myself. I was born profoundly deaf, and use cochlear implants to hear. The process of growing up deaf, and having hearing much more limited than the typical, has given me a lot of experience in knowing what it is to be limited, to what it is like to not be as good as others. Something that cannot simply be overcome.



As a result, I don’t want to be limited in other areas of my life, I want to be as successful as I can be. I don’t want to be limited, held back in that way in any other area of my life. So, I will be as successful in the fitness and aesthetic arena as I can be.



I want to be as close to perfect as possible.



Are you using any supplements or special dietary changes to achieve your goals?

I am currently bulking by eating like a fat pig. Lots of milk, meat, food, meat, french fries, meat, and food.



For supplements, I’m taking whey protein, BCAA’s for fasted workouts, creatine, a multivitamin, vitamin D, fish oil, Tribulus Terrestris, and D-Aspartic Acid. Occasionally I drink coffee (straight black) for the caffeine before working out. I used to take Jack3d but it messed with my mental focus. I’ll continue buying and trying more supplements.



If you could give advice to someone starting off, what would you tell them?

Don’t give into your fears and insecurities, take one step at a time, gather and analyze as much information as you can to help you create a sensible plan to reach your goals. Be consistent, stick with it, don’t give up.



What’s your ‘secret weapon’, the thing that pushes you or you feel gives you an edge?

Being a qt. A strong Asian peace sign. Being able to turn off my hearing to ignore gym music.



What has the overall impact of Fitocracy been in your life?

The community has been awesome for support, motivation, knowledge, and fun. (:



One thing I want people to take away from my story is…

Don’t ever limit yourself, or feel you can’t reach your goals. Set your goals high, then go as hard as you can to reach it.