Thad Phillips is one of those small-boned guys who looks relatively inconspicuous in street clothes. He looks fit, of course, but he doesn’t physically stand out in a crowd because of his size. However, when you put him on stage with the big boys in their posing briefs - pound for pound -he’s as good as it gets in natural bodybuilding.
Phillips, 37, developed the foundation for his remarkable physique at Mountain View High School , in Mesa, Arizona, where he participated in gymnastics, football, motocross, and snowboarding. He also won top honors as state champion in the pole vault – one of those unsung sports that develops strength, speed, agility, and more than a little of that lean, mean muscle so typical of track and field athletes.
Thad is the Fitness Center Program Director for theApollo Group in Phoenix under the management of Baysport, and trains at Gold’s Gym in Mesa. “After high school I loved lifting weights, and I was looking for something to compete in,” says Thad about how he became interested in bodybuilding. Like many novice bodybuilders, he wasn’t particular about which contests he entered in the beginning – he just wanted to compete – but he soon learned how much performance enhancing drugs have negatively influenced the sport. “I will never compete in an un-tested show again. Tested shows level the playing field!” he says emphatically.
Now a seasoned contest veteran of more than 15 years, Thad has a string of impressive showings under his belt including second place in the open lightweight class at both the 1995 and 2001 Arizona State Championships; second place in the open lightweight class at the INBF Best of the West in 2004; and second place in the open lightweight class at the INBF Texas Shredder in 2004, among others. To top things off, he captured first place in the open lightweight class at the 2008 INBF Best of the West AND took first place overall to earn his WNBF pro card! He finished 7th among the lightweights at the 2008 WNBF International.
Thad is a staunch believer that behind every good man is a good woman, but he has improved his odds with the avid support of three beautiful women in his life - his wife Cindy and daughters Kayla (10) and Arielle (7). His dog Sparky and his cat Jovi are probably somewhere in the cheering section too. With that kind of backing, he can’t lose regardless of the outcome.
Thad is now preparing for the shootout at the WNBF Pro Natural Nationals on July 10 in San Diego in conjunction with the amateur INBF Southern California Classic which will also include fitbody and figure competition.
Thad’s advice to aspiring wannabes in natural bodybuiding? “Just be the best you can be and do it for yourself,” he says unabashedly. “It can be the most rewarding feeling in your life!”
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