New York, NY, May 14, 2009---It’s a cloudy, cool day on the streets of New York City. The sidewalks are busy with people and honks of taxis and cars dominate the noise. The whistling of police officers guiding traffic is playing like the soprano saxophone in the orchestra of jazz.
Just outside of Madison Square Garden a man with bright, piercing, green eyes, on a massive muscular frame, his physique embellished with every possible muscle for display, veins pop from his arms, neck, and hands like the Incredible Hulk waiting for his skin to turn green. His body is tan like caramel, his name is Michael Kefalianos.
Kefalianos is a professional bodybuilder originally from Greece and at 5 years-old moved to Sidney, Australia where he was raised and currently lives. In Sidney he is a husband, father of four, and a taxi cab driver.
“When I was a young boy 10 or 12 years-old I was in the gym and a man, David Balasas told me I had the body, the genetics to build muscle and ever since I wanted to.”
In March, Kefalianos went from the amateur stage of bodybuilding to posing with the big boys of the professional world of bodybuilding after the 2009 Australian Grand Prix. His inspiration for bodybuilding comes from his trainer and friend David Balasas.
“David has been the person that has most changed my life; he has been like a brother to me.” His wife standing nearby with curly, bouncy, red hair with a strong Australian accent interrupts him and says, “David is always there for Michael it is like the two are one.”
Kefalianos is in New York to compete for the New York Men’s Professional Bodybuilding Competition to be held in Tribeca Performing Arts May 16, 2009. Men and women from across the world come to compete.
“The top six split a winnings of $35,000 and some kind of ring,” said Kefalianos. “It is good exposure, to what I can do.”
The food he consumes is critical to his physique. His diet of cucumbers, fish, chicken, rice, and sweet potatoes is on a regimental schedule, for the intensive training required to mainta in his physique.
In preparation for the New York Men’s Professional bodybuilding competition, Kefalianos will eat a variation of fish, chicken, and 400 grams of rice.
“I will eat fish, potatoes, and 400 grams of rice six times a day every three hours. The portions are not big. The day of the competition I will eat nothing.”
After Kefalianos display of near body perfection in the Australian Grand Prix he landed a spot to compete with the worlds best in bodybuilding. The Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada is the elite bodybuilding completion in the world. The Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend an International bodybuilding competition is held annually by the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB).
Becoming a professional bodybuilder changed the life of Kefalianos forever. He was window shopping through the trinket stores rummaging through ‘I love New York’ T-shirts, key chains, pictures, and mini Statue of Liberty statues. His tight white t-shirt was like a display of the muscular system his deltoids, triceps, and biceps looked swollen and with one move they might burst. On the back of his tight white t-shirt was the website bodybuilders.com confirming everyone’s thought, is that guy a bodybuilder?
“I officially became pro in March. Right after becoming pro I was invited to compete in Mr. Olypmia, in Las Vegas in September,” said Kefalianos.
His wife standing nearby with thick, curly, bouncy red hair had no muscles and no definition, her frame was total opposite of her husbands. Working out seemed to be low on her priority list but the marketing of her husband’s craft was top priority. When approached she handed out a picture with him in a speedo flexing, tan, glistening, and with a smile. She was patient and stood by him. She was proud of the fact that her husband landed a spot in the Mr. Olympia competition.
Mr. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding portion of Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend.
“Mr. Olympia is a big deal, and I would love to win,” said Kefalianos.
His eyes were full of passion, determination, and drive. His handshake was strong and his smile sincere. A true competitor, of massive measures. He walks the streets of New York City like Bruce Banner before turning into the Incredible Hulk.
Just outside of Madison Square Garden a man with bright, piercing, green eyes, on a massive muscular frame, his physique embellished with every possible muscle for display, veins pop from his arms, neck, and hands like the Incredible Hulk waiting for his skin to turn green. His body is tan like caramel, his name is Michael Kefalianos.
Kefalianos is a professional bodybuilder originally from Greece and at 5 years-old moved to Sidney, Australia where he was raised and currently lives. In Sidney he is a husband, father of four, and a taxi cab driver.
“When I was a young boy 10 or 12 years-old I was in the gym and a man, David Balasas told me I had the body, the genetics to build muscle and ever since I wanted to.”
In March, Kefalianos went from the amateur stage of bodybuilding to posing with the big boys of the professional world of bodybuilding after the 2009 Australian Grand Prix. His inspiration for bodybuilding comes from his trainer and friend David Balasas.
“David has been the person that has most changed my life; he has been like a brother to me.” His wife standing nearby with curly, bouncy, red hair with a strong Australian accent interrupts him and says, “David is always there for Michael it is like the two are one.”
Kefalianos is in New York to compete for the New York Men’s Professional Bodybuilding Competition to be held in Tribeca Performing Arts May 16, 2009. Men and women from across the world come to compete.
“The top six split a winnings of $35,000 and some kind of ring,” said Kefalianos. “It is good exposure, to what I can do.”
The food he consumes is critical to his physique. His diet of cucumbers, fish, chicken, rice, and sweet potatoes is on a regimental schedule, for the intensive training required to mainta in his physique.
In preparation for the New York Men’s Professional bodybuilding competition, Kefalianos will eat a variation of fish, chicken, and 400 grams of rice.
“I will eat fish, potatoes, and 400 grams of rice six times a day every three hours. The portions are not big. The day of the competition I will eat nothing.”
After Kefalianos display of near body perfection in the Australian Grand Prix he landed a spot to compete with the worlds best in bodybuilding. The Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada is the elite bodybuilding completion in the world. The Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend an International bodybuilding competition is held annually by the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB).
Becoming a professional bodybuilder changed the life of Kefalianos forever. He was window shopping through the trinket stores rummaging through ‘I love New York’ T-shirts, key chains, pictures, and mini Statue of Liberty statues. His tight white t-shirt was like a display of the muscular system his deltoids, triceps, and biceps looked swollen and with one move they might burst. On the back of his tight white t-shirt was the website bodybuilders.com confirming everyone’s thought, is that guy a bodybuilder?
“I officially became pro in March. Right after becoming pro I was invited to compete in Mr. Olypmia, in Las Vegas in September,” said Kefalianos.
His wife standing nearby with thick, curly, bouncy red hair had no muscles and no definition, her frame was total opposite of her husbands. Working out seemed to be low on her priority list but the marketing of her husband’s craft was top priority. When approached she handed out a picture with him in a speedo flexing, tan, glistening, and with a smile. She was patient and stood by him. She was proud of the fact that her husband landed a spot in the Mr. Olympia competition.
Mr. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding portion of Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend.
“Mr. Olympia is a big deal, and I would love to win,” said Kefalianos.
His eyes were full of passion, determination, and drive. His handshake was strong and his smile sincere. A true competitor, of massive measures. He walks the streets of New York City like Bruce Banner before turning into the Incredible Hulk.
