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Cover Story – IPL APEX VII Champ Steven Kendrick Is At The Top Of Pro Men’s Masters Bodybuilding

“…Being recognized for the countless hours and years that I’ve put into training and dieting have paid off. It is an amazing feeling. It’s not one that I even have the words to express.”

In this NATURALMAG cover story we delve into the inspiring journey of Steven Kendrick, the reigning IPL APEX Champ in Pro Men’s Masters Bodybuilding. In this exclusive interview with Ben Yosef, Kendrick reflects on the whirlwind 2023 IPL season, discussing the challenges of balancing intense training sessions, a rigorous diet, and a “honey-do list” of household projects. Despite a recent injury, breaking ribs while working on a storage building, He reveals his determination to return to the stage this spring and push through the obstacles.
     This interview explores Steven Kendrick’s experience facing off against formidable competitors, including his victorious Pro Debut against Rob Tenerowicz and his ventures into Open Bodybuilding and the Men’s Athletic divisions. As Steven gears up for the upcoming Arizona Championship, he shares insights into his training, motivation, and the competitive spirit that drives him. With a commitment to inspire the next generation of bodybuilders, Kendrick discusses the impact of social media on the sport and emphasizes the IPL’s mission to provide a drug-free alternative.

"…I WOULD SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN INTENSE. BETWEEN THE LONG TRAINING SESSIONS, DIETING AND THE TONS OF PROJECTS ON THE 'HONEY DO LIST.' IT WAS A REALLY BUSY YEAR FOR ME…"

BEN YOSEF: Okay, here we go! As usual, congratulations on all of your success during the 2023 IPL season. What a whirlwind of a year for you! How would you summarize your 2023 competition year?
STEVEN KENDRICK: Thanks, Ben! To summarize the competition year, I would say that it has been intense. Between the long training sessions, dieting and the tons of projects on the honey do list. It was a really busy year for me, but I was able to slow down some after APEX. Getting started with the diet again was difficult, but I’m ready to go hard in the paint.
BY: Congratulations on your wedding! I am very happy for two! The “honey do list”? 
SK: [laughs] Thank you! Maybe that’s not a phrase used over here. It means Sabrena had me doing a lot of projects around the house.
BY: Ha! OK, cool! I just saw your entry form for April! So, you are bringing it back to the stage this spring?
SK: As a matter of fact, I decided today that I was. I was having a hard time getting motivated. I fell while working on my storage building recently and broke some ribs. So it’s been a little disheartening. But I decided that I’m going to push through it and hit it hard. So, I’m going to bring it.
BY: Nice! And ohhh man! I had no idea. Are you ok? You can train with broken ribs?
SK: It sucks, but I I’m hyped now. So, no matter what, I’m pushing through. I will be adding cardio this time so I’m trying to come in extra hard and ripped.

“HE A IS A TRUE CHAMPION, SPORTSMAN AND GENTLEMAN…I HAD SOME CONFLICTING EMOTIONS WITH BEATING HIM, IN THAT HE IS JUST SUCH A NICE GUY...”

BY: Man, you are a Trooper! Just be careful in there! Your first class at APEX was Pro Masters Bodybuilding. This marked your Pro Debut after earning that Pro Card a few months prior. At APEX you would face off against Rob Tenerowicz, who is no slouch! How were you feeling leading up to the show, knowing this was your Pro Debut? Were you feeling any pressure with all the hype and promotion leading up to your faceoff with Rob? And what was it like actually being on stage, competing against him?
SK: I love the competition. There is no better feeling than facing off with the top competitors. The pressure is what makes me push harder. Every day the main focus was to win. and I knew I was going to have to bring a better package and display it. Leading up to the show I had several areas that I was focusing on. I was getting my body fat lower and really trying to maintain some size while trying to improve my weaker areas. And, as anyone one knows, trying to do that as a natural is extremely difficult.
     Leading up to the show my goals were getting into a good routine and staying on track with the diet and training, while working crazy hours in the OR and clinic. And, on top of that, maintaining a good relationship with my family and trying to control the mood swings that we all know can happen during this process. It was great being up there with Rob. He a is a true champion, sportsman and gentleman. Such a great guy.
     I had some conflicting emotions with beating him, in that he is just such a nice guy and his wife was super sweet. And his son being a Marine, which always has a place in my heart. But in the spirit of true competition, it was the best time. He will be missed at the Arizona Championship this spring. But I’m sure the upcoming competitors are going to be hungry, which will make me work harder. Can’t wait.
BEN: You came into APEX a Masters Bodybuilding Pro. Shortly after the show kicked off, you had earned your first Pro title. You would then reappear, this time on the Amateur stage aiming for the Pro Qualification in Open Bodybuilding…where you would snag yet another Pro Card. What made you want to take a shot at the Open? And what was it like earning that second Pro Card?

“GETTING THE OPEN PRO CARD IN BODYBUILDING WAS ANOTHER HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR ME. I CAN’T WAIT TO GO UP AGAINST THE BEST THAT BOTH CLASSES HAS TO OFFER.”

SK: Competing in my first show with the IPL and obtaining my Masters Pro Card caused me to go back and look at some pics of me when I first started competing. Looking at those photos from the past, I felt like I was in just as good of shape, which made me want to step back on stage and broaden my competition. Don’t get me wrong, Masters competitors are on top of their game, but I really just wanted to put myself up against all comers.
     Getting the Open Pro Card in Bodybuilding was another huge accomplishment for me. I can’t wait to go up against the best that both classes has to offer. I love the competition and putting myself up against the best is what it’s all about. You can train and diet every day, but you are alone, with no comparison. However, the greatest feeling is the day of the show when everyone starts to size each other up. Which for me is like hitting a big shot of pre workout. My heart begins to beat, and my excitement level goes through the roof, while maintaining a calm demeanor.
     But once you hit that stage next to someone and you are all presenting your hard work for judgment, there is no better exhilaration. This is my drug of choice. I thrive on the competition. This is when you figure out if all your hard work was enough, or if it’s time to go back and tweak your workouts, diet and your mind.
BEN: At APEX you hopped into a new division for the first time, Men’s Athletic. And you entered only Men’s Athletic Open, not Masters. What made you want to take a shot at that division? Why Only Open and not Masters? And what was it like earning your third IPL Pro Card?

"I WANTED TO CHALLENGE MYSELF TO DO SOMETHING I’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE. IT’S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPE OF POSING AND PACKAGE PRESENTATION."

SK: I decided to enter Men’s Athletic because I wanted to challenge myself to do something I’ve never done before. It’s a completely different type of posing and package presentation. It looks similar, visually, but requires reprogramming your muscle memory to make these changes. Which to someone in the audience may seem subtle in comparison to Bodybuilding. However, when you’re on stage and trying to compete under pressure, it is a struggle to not let muscle memory take over.
     For me, it took a lot of focus. I decided to do the Open class because, like in Bodybuilding, I wanted to be in the broadest class possible for competitors. Earning a third Pro Card is a great feeling, especially at 51. I feel that I have accomplished so much in the past few years of my life. Being on stage earning that third card and being recognized for the countless hours and years that I’ve put into training and dieting have paid off. It is an amazing feeling. It’s not one that I even have the words to express.
BEN: Well, you are an exciting competitor, and all these victories were very well deserved. At the time of this interview we are just under 9 weeks away from your return to the IPL stage. What can we expect to see from you at the Arizona Championship this spring? Also, there are some guys now coming up the ranks who are aiming for your crowns! [laughs] What is it like knowing that these guys are coming for you?

“ONCE I HEARD THAT MARC AND PATRICK WERE COMING AFTER ME, IT REALLY MOTIVATED ME. I ALWAYS TRAIN FOR THE UNKNOWN, BUT KNOWING THAT I HAVE SOME GUYS GUNNING FOR ME REJUVENATED ME.”

SK: Thank you, Ben. I’ve truly worked hard and put a lot of sweat and occasionally some blood into it. It’s been an honor competing in the IPL. Well, the great thing at this time is the injuries I sustained after my last show are all healed, so I have really been able to turn up my training sessions these past few weeks. 
     It was brutal pushing through those injuries, but I’m 100% now and I’m pushing real hard. My training sessions last anywhere from 2.5-3.5 hours almost everyday. I’ve developed all new programs for this show. Once I heard that Marc and Patrick were coming after me, it really motivated me. I always train for the unknown, but knowing that I have some guys gunning for me rejuvenated me. Needless to say, I’m super pumped for the show and can’t wait to go up against these guys. It’s going to be a great show.
     I live for the competition and I’m really looking forward to seeing the packages everyone brings. So, as always, I’m planning to bring an improved package, no matter how subtle they may be. I’m planning to bring new posing routines, with the hopes of presenting an even more aesthetically pleasing and entertaining show. As always, my goal is to inspire the next generation of Bodybuilders.

"...I WOULD HAVE BACKED OFF AND BABIED THESE INJURIES...BUT KNOWING THAT I HAVE SOME TALENT COMING AFTER ME AND TRYING TO TAKE ME DOWN, PUSHED ME AND WAS MY EVERY THOUGHT THROUGH EVERY REP EVERY SINGLE DAY.

     My biggest concern is the effect that social media is having on these young men and women. In that the constant use of performance enhancing drugs is so mainstream and is in their face. I recall not very long ago that this was something that wasn’t so openly talked about, much less bragged about. I want to show them there is another way to achieve the look they are chasing.
BEN: Awesome, man. I’m really happy to hear that you have recovered and are back up to speed! I want to do an interview for INSPIRE Magazine regarding your injury, the impact it had on you, and how you pushed through it. I think a story like that will have a great impact on people. And yes, we are all super excited about what’s going to go down here in a couple of months.
     You make a great point about social media and the prevalence of PEDs in our sport. That’s one of the main reasons why the IPL was created! As an alternative against the use of drugs in sports. We MUST show people that there is another way! I’m honored to have you as an ambassador for the sport and for this league! Any final thoughts for NATURALMAG?
SK: These injuries made me dig deep into my bag of training programs and I had to get quite creative at times. To be honest, under normal circumstances I would have backed off and babied these injuries if it wasn’t for the show coming up. But knowing that I have some talent coming after me and trying to take me down, pushed me and was my every thought through every rep, every single day. Needless to say, I can’t wait for April and to get on that stage with these men and showcase all of our hard work and sacrifice. NMI

About the interviewer:

Picture of Ben Yosef

Ben Yosef

Ben is the Publisher of NATURALMAG and the President & Founder of the International Physique League.

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