James “Gymbo The Natural” Collins has methodically carved out a reputation of bodybuilding excellence over the past decade based on a lifetime of natural training. Now, the big guy from Cincinnati, Ohio, has his sights set on the upcoming 2010 WNBF California Natural Nationals on July 10 in San Diego.
Collins,30, has won a string of impressive titles including the 2001 Natural Northern USA Jr. (overall champion), the 2003 Columbus State Championship (lightheavyweight), the 2005 Kentucky Bluegrass (overall champion), and the recent 2010 INBF Natural Buckeye Classic (heavyweight and overall) that earned him his WNBF pro card.
His motive for competing in natural competition is simple. “I want to see what I can do with what the Lord gave me. Naturally,” he says unashamedly.
A graduate of Cincinnati’s Elder High School , the now 5’10” 230 lbs. Collins played football, was selected to the Ohio State High School All-Star Team, and was honored to play in the “Down Under Bowl” in Australia. He also won Defensive Player of the Year together with the Mr. Z.I.P. Award (Zeal, Inspiration, and Perseverance). He later attended Cincinnati State Community College earning a degree in Health and Fitness Technology, with an emphasis on personal training, nutrition, and aquatics instruction.
“My first experience with weight training began when I was only 14,” recalls Jim, “when I started lifting over summer break to play football at Elder. Back then I was scrawny, weighing a mere 125 lbs. Over the next few years, I was able to put on healthy muscle mass, and weighed 185 lbs by the time I was 18. I was amazed at how much my body was able to change and progress, and I liked the results I received from lifting weights. My interest in nutrition was sparked by studying anatomy in college. When I decided to become seriously involved in the sport of bodybuilding, I had no idea it would become my way of life.”
In addition to his success in bodybuilding, Jim has proven to be an astute businessman over the years. In 2003 he opened his own gym –Gymbo’s Personal Training and Fitness Center – followed by the successful acquisition of Fit Body Gourmet, Food for Fitness, a healthy, premade frozen food line, featuring flavorful, high protein buffalo meat, which is leaner than chicken. “We offer a large variety, such as buffalo meatloaf, buffalo flank steak, buffalo burger, and even our most popular buffalada!” he explains enthusiastically. “W e cater to gyms and businesses in the Tri-State area, and offer delivery as well,” he continues.
In 2008, Jim and Ken Newman partnered with Vineyard Westside Church to jumpstart a non-profit organization, “Better Days Ahead,” to give a “day of normalcy” to men who are trying to put their lives back together. “These men are enrolled in an intense 6-month Men’s Recovery program operated by the Drop Inn Center in downtown Cincinnati. They are encouraged to find jobs and eventually go back to the families they left behind. The success rate of this awesome program is 85%,” he says with pride.
At the same time, readers will be excited to learn about Jim’s new bodybuilding and modeling website, JimTheNaturalCollins.com, which will be unveiled soon. The new site will be a member site providing nutritional and training guidance with information about his own personal bodybuilding lifestyle.
In the meantime, “Gymbo” is training hard for his professional debut at the WNBF Natural Nationals coming off his big victory in Columbus in April. Look out, California - the big guy’s got just one thing on his mind, and it starts with a W!
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