Ethan Quant finished first in the men's physique division at the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF) Nationals in Grand Bahama this summer, and is now looking to make a splash at the 42nd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships in St. Martin.
Quant will be leaving at the end of the month for the championships that run October 2-4.
The 33-year-old began his fitness journey in 2012, and has managed to completely transform his body.
"Two years ago, I was at my first bodybuilding show in Freeport. I was 292 pounds and I decided that I wanted to compete in the same show the next year. I didn't know how I was going to do it, but I was so impressed with the physiques that I said, 'that's what I want to look like'. And that's when I started training," said Quant.
Bodybuilding is a sport that requires patience and hours of dedication on a daily basis. The amount of discipline it takes to mold a competition-ready physique can easily discourage a person not willing to sacrifice for the body they want.
"I remember in March of 2013, with nationals just around the corner, I decided I was done with it. I was tired of eating all of this rabbit food and working out two to three hours per day and not getting any results, until I did a side by side comparison of my pictures from the previous months and saw changes that I couldn't really see in the mirror. After I saw how much my body had changed, I said to myself that I have to keep going," said Quant.
"I had to remember the goal, and that goal was to get on stage. I had a good support system and a great training partner. You try to do as much as you can on your own, but sometimes, even the smallest seed of doubt can grow, and you need that positive reinforcement from those people around you."
Prior to winning at this year's nationals, Quant finished second at the 2013 nationals. He currently holds the title of "Mr. Bahamas", which means a panel of qualified judges considered his physique to be the best in the country.
Though he has had local success, Quant stated that he has intensified his workouts to prepare for the championships.
"My training is similar to what I have been doing in the past, but we have turned it up a notch. My diet is a lot cleaner, because even at this level sometimes you feel like you can afford a slip up, but when you go to St. Martin that's the best in the region you'll be up against, and you can't underestimate what they're doing. They're coming in dry and lean, and I have to show the best in The Bahamas can go against the best in the world," he said.
"I'm training between five to six hours per day now and that's seven days per week. I'm eating eight meals each day and I probably go through about 50 pounds of meat per week, but when you're beating your body up you need to feed it. It does get expensive, but I believe the investment will pay off. I imagine that feeling of going to St. Martin and winning that gold and getting my pro card."
The BBFF will be sending a 20-member team to St. Martin, and though it is not a large team, Quant feels they will have a good showing at the championships.
"All of the overall winners from nationals are on the team and we are shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with. A lot of the other island states are bringing in huge numbers and that's because they have so many resources. I don't doubt that the federation would carry a 50-man team if they could, but it's the best quality team that we have carried in a while and everyone wants gold," he said.
Some of the other members of the team include Jimmy Norius, Bernard Davis, Charles Reckley, Teran Rolle, Kenny Mackey, Joey Rolle, Amy Sands, Naomi Fatale and Charnice Bain.
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