New IPL Men’s Athletic Pro, Johnny Mattern
Introducing Johnny Mattern, the newest sensation in the IPL Men’s Athletic division! Amidst a whirlwind year of personal milestones and career achievements, Johnny reflects on 2024 as one of his best years yet. From becoming a Knight of Columbus and engaging in extensive church volunteer work to preparing for his first-ever physique competition with just two months of intense training, Johnny has embraced every challenge with passion and determination. Balancing his burgeoning career as a personal trainer with impending fatherhood and returning to school for his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Administration, Johnny’s journey epitomizes dedication and resilience. Join us as we delve into his inspiring story of transformation, triumph, and newfound aspirations in the world of Physique Competition and beyond.
INTERVIEW & PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN YOSEF
"EVEN THOUGH I WISHED I HAD MORE TIME TO PREPARE FOR IPL (ONLY HAD 2 MONTHS OF PREPARATION), I ENDED UP DOING VERY WELL IN MY OPINION!" [LAUGHS]
BEN YOSEF: Okay, here we go brother! Welcome back to the mags! What a whirlwind of a year for you so far in health, fitness, and competition! How would you summarize all that has happened so far in 2024?
JOHNNY MATTERN: 2024 for me has been one of my best years. I became a Knight of Columbus for my church. I do volunteer work for church, usually doing a lot of the heavy lifting jobs. I competed for the very first time on a stage. Even though I wished I had more time to prepare for IPL (only had 2 months of preparation), I ended up doing very well in my opinion! [laughs] After the results of the April 2024 IPL competition, I had new clients at the gym where I’m employed sign up for personal training and group training.
I also have been busy going to many doctor appointments with my pregnant wife. We are expecting our first child this September. I am also happy to say that I just enrolled back into school for my Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Administration. After 10+ years of leaving school, I was able to enroll back into the program and will complete my education by summer of next year. I love how supportive my wife and my family members are.
BEN: Wow, my man! You have way more going on than I knew about! Congratulations on everything! Especially your first child on the way! How exciting! And very cool that you have seen growth in your Personal Training and group training business since competing! YES, I would say you did very well for yourself at that show! Of course I could Google this but what is a Kight of Columbus? And what are your future plans within criminal justice administration?
"WE DO VOLUNTEER WORK FOR THE CHURCH LIKE USHERING WEEKEND MASS, WORK FOR CHURCH FESTIVITIES AND HOLIDAY EVENTS, FUNDRAISING, AND CHURCH RENOVATIONS."
JOHNNY: The Knights of Columbus are men in the Catholic faith that form a fraternity for their parish. We do volunteer work for the church like ushering weekend Mass, work for church festivities and holiday events, fundraising, and church renovations. Being involved with the Knights also provides additional life insurance for myself and my family. Also, short term disability benefits. We hold monthly meetings to report all the activities from the previous month and what to expect for the weeks to come. We do pay a yearly due for being a part of the group and there’s a monthly premium for the insurance.
For my plans with my education, I am enrolled with University of Phoenix online in Criminal Justice Administration. I’m using my GI Bill benefits to pay for my tuition and earn additional income while enrolled as a full-time student. I’m planning for a career in the justice system, either as a court clerk, paralegal, or a victim advocate. The long-term goal would be to be a courthouse administrator.
BEN: Very cool and interesting! How does competing fit into your life? And what got you interested in taking your physique to the stage?
JOHNNY: To be honest, my employer suggested I should try to enter a competition when one of our clients asked me to train him for a physique competition. He was actually in the last IPL competition back in April.
BEN: Nice! So, it was that simple? You were just like, “Hey, I guess I will prep for the show too.”?
"I DIDN’T WANT TO JUST HAVE A POSTER OF THEM ON MY WALL, BUT I WANTED TO SAY THAT I ACTUALLY PARTICIPATED IN A COMPETITION."
JOHNNY: Since becoming a personal trainer, I told myself I wanted to try to get on stage at least once in my life. And watching many videos of some of the greatest bodybuilders was motivation for me. I didn’t want to just have a poster of them on my wall, but I wanted to say that I actually participated in a competition. At first it was kind of like checking something off my bucket list, but now it has become more like a new drive and ambition.
BEN: Love it. Throughout your journey you actually lost 80 pounds and transformed your health, fitness, and lifestyle. A story which earned you a Top Transformation Award at the Arizona Championship as well as landed you on the front cover of INSPIRE Magazine. Congratulations again! At what point during your transformation was the decision to compete made? Had you already made the transformation then decided or was this something that was part of your transformation process…helping to fuel your goals?
JOHNNY: I got to 160-165 and kind of held that weight for some time. I wasn’t challenging myself in the gym or on my nutrition until the beginning of 2024. I would say like February. I then began training and dieting really hard. I did the old school version of tracking my calories by handwriting everything I consumed and tracked how many calories I was burning from two, sometimes three training sessions a day.
I got down to 152 and started to see leanness I’ve never seen on me before, including after getting out of Marine Corps basic training. I will say that competing and getting on stage was one of the most rewarding moments in my life. And again I just want to say thank you for the opportunities you have given me and welcoming me into the IPL community.
BEN: Great story and very inspirational! And you are very welcome! It has been great learning more about you and having you on the IPL stage. Speaking of inspirational, what was it like seeing yourself on the cover of INSPIRE Magazine?
“…ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCES I’VE HAD IN MY LIFE. THE HOURS OF HARD WORK I PUT IN WAS BEING RECOGNIZED AT A NEW LEVEL…”
JOHNNY: Seeing myself on the magazine cover was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my life. The hours of hard work I put in was being recognized at a new level that only a handful of people can say they have accomplished.
BEN: In addition to the Inspiration & Transformation division, you also entered Men’s Athletic. And that was the only additional division you entered. Out of the divisions the IPL offers for men, why was this your choice? In Athletic, you entered the Novice and Open classes. In Novice you placed 2nd, and of course in the Open you won 1st place and earned your Pro Card. How were you feeling after that 2nd place finish in Novice? And what was it like being announced 1st place and earning that Pro Card in the Open?
"…1ST PLACE AND EARNING THE PRO CARD IN OPEN WAS ONE OF THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENTS OF MY LIFE. I’VE NEVER GOTTEN A 1ST PLACE WIN IN ANYTHING I’VE EVER COMPETED IN SINCE I WAS A KID…"
I didn’t mind placing 2nd in Novice. I had an awesome time being on stage. But now that I have experience in the Athletic division I know where I need to improve. Getting announced 1st place and earning the Pro Card in Open was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life. I’ve never gotten a 1st place win in anything I’ve ever competed in since I was a kid, so that was a definite huge boost to my confidence.
BEN: Love it! And well deserved! You recently earned your IPL Judging Certification to become an Official IPL Judge. What was it like for you going through that process and how are you feeling about that achievement?
JOHNNY: Going through the process after watching videos of prior competitions and studying the guidelines for what is being critiqued was a great learning experience. Using knowledge I’ve learned from all the IPL resources, courses from NASM, as well as fellow trainers and nutrition coaches, I feel I can confidently confirm someone’s natural physical aesthetics for their bodies frame.
BEN: Awesome, brother. Congratulations again! Johnny, it’s been awesome getting to know you and welcoming you into the IPL Family. Thank you for taking the time to do this interview for ATHLETIC Magazine. I look forward to seeing you on the judges’ panel next month in Scottsdale! It’s going to be an awesome weekend! Any final thoughts for ATHLETIC Magazine?
JOHNNY: Thank you, Ben! I’ll see you in Scottsdale and I hope here in the near future I can bring others into the IPL organization. ATHLETIC
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