When I was twenty I started working out on a regular basis. I
constantly changed gyms, trying to get more experience by watching other athletes
doing their workouts. Reading fitness publications was very helpful to. But to
figure out what kind of training and what kind of nutrition worked best
for me, I changed my training and nutrition every month. That was two years
before winning 2nd place in the 'IFBB Austrian Novice' (a national body
building competition).
A number of people told me that I would never have a chance to do well
in competition without using steroids and hormones. I said that I did not
believe it and that this was not the way to achieve my goal. So I
tried even harder to figure out which training and food combination programs
were the most effective for me. I like to give advice and tips but people
have to figure what works the best for them.
A year after this competition, the first 'Mr. Vienna Model and Talent
Contest' in the history of Vienna, Austria's capital, was held.
I heard about the contest a few weeks before the event, but I knew that I was much too muscular to compete and needed to lose weight. On the day of the event, I
was in shape like a swimmer; I had a clear picture in my mind of how to
present myself. I won the contest and a free photo session, which gave me the
chance to launch my modeling career. In the same year I signed up with one of
Vienna's top modeling agencies. I did runway, fashion print and
commercial print. I was on the covers of newspapers, health and Business magazines and appeared in several television commercials and spots that ran in movie theaters.
In 1998 I came to Los Angeles on vacation. While I was working out at
Gold's Gym in Venice, I met really interesting people who told me that I had the look
for the entertainment and fitness industry and that I should stay and give
it a shot. In the first three weeks, I was offered a spokesmodel job for an
exercise equipment company (at that time, I could hardly speak
English), so I decided to give it a try and relocated to California that same year.
In 1999 I found myself almost kicked out of my apartment. My rent was
five months overdue. I was eating two to three cans of tuna a day. I dreamed
of going back to Austria, but something was holding me back. It was the
childhood dream of mine.
My break came in 2000. I spent six weeks in the Caribbean shooting
a movie an upcoming comedy called "Jungle Juice" directed by Tony Vitale.
I was also blessed with a small featured role in Joel
Schumacher's new film, "Phone Booth". In addition to that I played the lead in four
European commercials and a spec spot with student academy award winning director
Steve Ayromlooi.
At this time I was still modeling for designer fashion and had even
more exposure in fitness magazines.
After winning the 'Forever Natural Universe 2000' and the 'Weider Model
Quest' contests, I now want to increase my work in the health & fitness
industry. I am currently writing songs and my first screenplay(wish me
luck, thanks!).
