It took Dr. Bob Porzio a long time to decide to become a competitive bodybuilder. In fact, he didn’t start until he was almost 38 years old, but once he made up his mind, there was no turning back. Now, 7 years later, after winning several major titles – including both his WNBF and IFPA pro cards - he will be competing in his first pro show - IPFA Pro USA since taking three years off from competition.
“Like many,” he recalls. “I remember watching Arnold in the Mr. Olympia contests on Wide World of Sports in the 70's with my dad and thinking, ‘Wow, I want to do that.’ I was kind of a scrawny kid. Then came the Sears, plastic-coated cement weight set for my 14th birthday (a hand-me down from my cousin, so none of the weights matched) and later a membership to Nautilus Fitness. I used to jog 3 miles to get there, train, then try and jog home since I was too young to drive.
“I had no idea what I was doing,” he continues. “I was so shy I didn't want to ask anyone, yet the results came as they tend to do at that age. I really got hooked after I found an Iron Man Magazine in a restaurant I worked at. Shawn Ray (with hair!) was on the cover. Still pretty naive, I thought I could get like that by training and eating a ton of food. Nonetheless, at that point training became a lifestyle for me.”
“I just never thought I was ready or good enough,” says Bob. “I was a resident in an Emergency Medicine program in Michigan and talked with one of the personal trainers at the Gold's Gym where I trained. I mentioned competing to him, and he gave me some advice and really encouraged me. I decided to do an INBA show since I'd always been a lifetime Natural. The show was coming to the area just about 2 weeks shy of my 38th birthday, and I ended up winning the novice overall and thinking I'd gotten it out of my system. However, a few years later back in California, I got the competition bug again.” Even the good doctor couldn’t cure that itch!
Bob,44, grew up in Long Beach and graduated from La Quinta High School in Winchester, Calfornia, where he “played baseball briefly,” but was, otherwise not involved in sports. “I wasn’t much into high school either,” he admits. “I was pretty much a slacker and just made it through. Did a lot of things I shouldn't have, though! “
After taking 6 years off after high school to work, Bob met his wife Laura while they were both working in the same restaurant. “She was working her way through college and I was trying to figure out what to do with my life,” he admits unabashedly. “Without her, I'd either still be doing time in that same restaurant or time elsewhere.”
Bob subsequently enrolled at California State University, Long Beach, majoring in Creative Writing with minors in Chemistry and Classics. He then proceeded to medical school at Western University of Health Sciences where he earned a Doctorate in Medicine and a Masters in Health Professions Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He was also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and earned the Distinguished Student Award in the College of Liberal Arts as well as the William Shadden Award for Poetry.
Now a physician, Bob is residency-trained and board-certified in Emergency Medicine. He is a full partner in CEP-America and works in the Emergency Departments of Mercy Medical Center in Redding and St. Elizabeth Community Hospital. He is also Fellowship-trained and board-certified in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine and opened his own private practice – Young For Life Medical Age Management – last year.
Bob and Laura are now living in the small community of Palo Cedro (pop 1,247) 8 miles east of Redding, California, (north of Sacramento) where they are raising their two daughters – Kira (9) and Sophie (7). Their two dogs – Ozzie, a Border Collie, and Cleo, a Yellow Lab – are also an integral part of the family, and along the way, the family has been adopted by two stray cats, Rascal and Alley, who made themselves at home without even asking.
Bodybuilding has become part of the Porzio family too. “Everyone has been incredibly supportive,” says Bob appreciatively. “My wife has been with me the entire way, and my kids have basically grown up with it. Not only do they accept and support it, but they put up with the crazy diet and my grumpiness that can sometimes go along with it!” he laughs.
Bob and Laura train at Redding Fitness and, yes, Laura competes, too, albeit in the figure category of natural bodybuilding. She will be competing in the corresponding amateur event this Saturday – the NANBF California Natural Muscle Mayhem Bodybuilding & Figure Championships.
Bob has won a number of major contests since his eleventh-hour debut in the sport 7 years ago including the INBF Capital Cities (twice), and most recently, the 2010 Mr. Reno and Mr. Millenium titles. But his proudest moments were “having my dad see me win a Masters and Overall title at the same show--the first and only time he's seen me compete (after all, it's his fault this all started!) and winning the INBF Capital Cities Overall title and my first Pro card in front of my wife and kids.”
“I've always been a drug-free, natural bodybuilder,” says Bob with conviction, “so it's important for me to support that. Plus, there is a difference between ‘natural’ and ‘enhanced.’ I believe in a level playing field. If people want to take substances that would bar them from entering a natural show, fine; then do an untested show.”
That’s why it’s called “natural” bodybuilding. It takes athletes like Bob and Laura Porzio with the principles to keep it that way.
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