Team MuscleTalk are all top UK bodybuilders and strength athletes who are working with James Collier and MuscleTalk for their promotion. The aim is to promote the athletes as well as bodybuilding and strength sports as a whole in the UK. All athletes are available for guest posing spots, gym visits, nutrition and training seminars and photo shoots; for details please contact James Collier on james@muscletalk.co.uk or 01536 484631.
James Llewellin – IFBB Pro
James is one of the top UK names in bodybuilding, after gaining his IFBB Pro-card in 2008 following his overall win at the UKBFF British Finals.
James was born on the 18th May 1973 in Lincoln, and growing up he was always interested in competitive sports and represented Great Britain in Athletics as a junior. He came to bodybuilding at the fairly late at the age of 28 after years of sloppy eating and partying! Although he had trained very inconsistently from the age of 17, from 2001 he began to take a greater interest and decided it was time to get serious, so in 2003 entered and won his first show; from that moment he was hooked.
In his 5+ years of competing to date he has entered 16 shows, the highlights being his British Middleweight win in 2005, the Arnold Classic participation and 5th place in 2008 and culminating in the 2008 the overall title and the coveted IFBB Pro card.
As well as being a professional athlete he also has a very successful personal training and nutrition business, working with other top bodybuilders as well as athletics, strongman, power lifting and ironman.
He is sitting out the 2009 season but will be back with a huge BANG in 2010, hitting all of the pro under 202 shows. His preparation has already started for next year, so watch this space for regular updates here on MT. James is helping fellow Team MT member Daz Ball prepare for the 2009 British Finals.
Interview with James
Daz Ball – British Heavyweight Champion
Daz is one of the biggest guys on the UK circuit and is sponsored by MuscleTalk. He took the nation by storm in 2007 when he won the UKBFF Heavyweights, and narrowly missed the overall. In 2008 and 2009 he narrowly missed winning his class, but his goal remains firmly on winning both the Superheavyweight category and the overall and getting his IFBB Pro card. He then plans to rock the international scene and compete at top level.
Daz is very much a family man, living with his fiancée Becky, and kids Ellie (4) and Alfie (1). Never will you meet a more focused individual; he has what it takes to go far in bodybuilding. He has a very supportive family with his Mum, Dad, brothers, sisters, fiancée and children. Daz was previously a semi-professional footballer who hung up his boots in order to pursue bodybuilding. He still enjoys the odd kick around still, and also enjoys sparring.
Daz is a down to earth friendly guy, who owns and runs Daz Ball's Extreme Gym in Leicester. Read Daz Ball's Profile here, and he is running a journal which you can read here.
Terry Hollands – Professional Strongman
Terry Hollands is a well known celebrity. He holds a long string of top level titles including UK's Strongest Man, England's Strongest Man and four times World's Strongest Man finalist; he took the podium in 3rd place in 2007.
As a professional strongman, Terry competes across the world regularly, otherwise spends his time exercising in the gym, event training and with his fiancée Lauren; they live in Dartford, Kent. Prior to strongman Terry played rugby, but now cant risk injuries to doesn't play any more.
Terry is sponsored by MuscleTalk, and his goal is to win World's Strongest Man, and he's hoping to do this in 2010.
Click here for MT's interview with Terry
Louise Rogers – IFBB Pro
Louise, currently 27, started her training in 2002 and her competitive career only in 2008, but she has already achieved British Championship status after qualifying at the UKBFF South Britain in April 2008 and then going on to win the British title by a healthy 30 points. Then, at only her third time on stage, she placed fifth at the IFBB World Championships and was awarded her IFBB Pro Card.
Louise lives for her training and spends six days a week in the gym combining both cardio and a fairly heavy weight training regime, splitting her body up over the week and constantly changing her exercises to bring up lagging body parts.
Louise is a firm believer in that there is always something new to learn in this sport and has a massive amount of respect for her fellow competitors and mentors within the sport. She is grateful for all the support she has been given by her friends, family, fellow competitors and sponsors; Extreme Nutrition. She recently opened a gym Studio1 Fitness with her partner Mark.
Interview with Louise
Luke Nichols – British Champion
Luke is a British bodybuilding champion. He first competed in 1995 when, as a 22 year old, he won the Novice Mr Britain. In 2003 he one the overall NABBA Midlands and Mr Britain, and in 2004 he won the EFBB Light-heavyweight class at the British Finals. Luke has also competed in the Mr Universe, World and European shows never placing lower than fifth, and he took first place in Mr England in 2007. Luke feels his future lies with the UKFBB and has renewed hunger for the u100kg class. Having already qualified in late 2009, Luke is working with MuscleTalk to help him get another title: the UKBFF Heavyweight at the British Finals in 2010.
Luke is 36 year old father of three: Alex (12), Lucy (4) and baby Dixie, so he has plenty of cardio exercise running round after his children. Luke owns and runs Corpus Fitness, a sports supplement outlet, personal training and fit clubs from Flexibility Gym, Bedford. He is also a consultant for Flex Pex, who host workshops for bodybuilders and fitness trainers helping them prepare for competition; so he has no excuses for lack of stage presence. Luke has his partner Sianne to help in all aspects, work, training and tanning.
Interview with Luke
Carly Thornton – Top Bodyfitness Competitor
Carly has been training for around eight years starting from just cardio and onto progressing with weights. She first competed in 2008 and won the UKBFF South East, qualifying for the British Championships where she took second place. This year she competed in the IFBB Europeans and placed in the top 15.
Other than being a fitness model, Carly works full time as carer for disabled children and adults. She's a very dedicated person who seeks to inspire others to achieve their goals. With a funny but dippy personality you may have to repeat yourself, but she makes time for everyone and will try to help you whenever she can. Carly is sponsored by Myprotein and Udos Choice.
Interview with Carly
Micky McKay – British Champion
Micky has been training since he was about 14 years old and he's 45 now, so it's safe to say he's a very experienced trainer. Professionally he is a personal trainer and exercise consultant with his own personal training company www.fitness121.co.uk and has his own gym where he trains people. He also works for Healthy Action and is a moderator on MuscleTalk.
Aside from bodybuilding, Micky is very keen on most sports especially boxing and football. He lives with his girlfriend Julie and has a step-daughter Emma. Micky likes to relax by listening to music and reading.
Micky won two British titles in 2008, with the UKBFF and EPF. This year Micky is taking a break from the stage, but plans to return in 2010 and take the UKBFF u80kg class and make big waves in the national ranks.
Interview with Micky
Simon Cohen – IFBB Pro and Actor
Simon acquired his IFBB Pro status in 2001 after winning the British Finals, but since has been relatively quiet on the competitive scene. However, he has, as part of Team MT, big plans for 2010.
Simon was born on 6th June 1971 in Great Yarmouth, UK, and continues to live in that area today. He has a young son, Xander, and a wife, Carrie, who also competes in bodybuilding. Other than being a family man and professional bodybuilder, Simon runs a market stall.
Simon's contest highlights include NABBA Mr Britain 1997 and 1998, Mr Universe 1998 and 1999, Mr World 1998 and EFBB British heavyweight champ 2002 to earn pro card. He also competed against some of the big names on the international scene at the 2004 IFBB Night of the Champions.
Simon is currently has a big role in a Hollywood film Your Highness staring Natalie Portman, James Franco and Danny McBride due for release in 2011. He's sponsored by Muscleform supplements, Titanics liquid egg whites and MuscleTalk.
Click here for MT's interview with Simon
Team MuscleTalk Profile – Simon Cohen
Helder Barroso – Natural Bodybuilding Champion
Helder was born on 19th January 1981 in Porto, Portugal. He moved to the UK with his parents in 1996. Helder’s father was a professional footballer and originally Helder was set to follow in his footsetpes until he first started bodybuilding in 2005. In 2009, Helder competed at around 69kg, putting him in the lightweight class in tested federations, although he does also compete in the classic class in the UKBFF.
Helder has a seven year plan: to win the Natural British title by 30 years old and to then step up to another level and be on the under 202 Olympia stage by 35 years old. Well aware that his goal are tall, he is determined and will do everything in my power to achieve his ultimate goal.
Helder lives with his parents in Leicester and works as an account manager for an office supplies company. He trains at Daz Ball’s Xtreme Gym with fellow Team MTer Daz Ball.
Team MuscleTalk Profile – Helder Barroso
James Collier - Organiser of Team MT
James is co-owner of MuscleTalk and head consultant with the nutrition consultancy Healthy Action. James is a recreational bodybuilder himself, and although he competed three times in the 1990s, his passion lies in helping other bodybuilders, strength and fitness trainees reach their goals. James was also very instrumental in the organisation of the first Body Power Expo and will be involved with future events.
James has brought Team MuscleTalk together as he feels athletes in British Bodybuilding do not get the publicity they deserve. Furthermore, he feels that the sport of bodybuilding in the UK is too apathetic and needs a hard shove, so the public can appreciate bodybuilding in a more positive light. So James has moved into bodybuilding promotion and plans to use Team MT to help promote the sport. He will act as promoter and agent for the athletes in the team. If you're interested in having one or some of the athletes in Team MT do a seminar with James in your local area, please contact James on james@muscletalk.co.uk or 01536 484631.