Hi! Tell us about yourself and your training
Hi my name is Bijou Matumona, I’m from Germany and a former Backup Dancer. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Economic Science. I do some acting and modeling besides working for a marketing company.
In my free time, I’m doing some MMA, wrestling and fitness. I would call myself an all-rounder, not limited in bodybuilding or martial arts only.
My ideology is have some dedication, work for it and if necessary try something new to achieve your goals. At the end you should have the right mindset.
Describe a typical day of training
I like it heavy and combined with a short rest time.
My typical day of training starts at 6 a.m. with a cup of water. Getting in the mood and refreshing yourself, eating some oat meal and I am ready to start my workout at 8:30 a.m.
Before the workout, I drink 300ml Water with 3mg of Creatine. The right nutrition is very important in my diet. After that my workout starts with a warm up 10 minutes long to prevent injuries.
I don’t like warm ups at all but it’s necessary and training smart is better than training never again.
Now starts my Full-Body workout:
- Front Squads 5 sets 5 reps (+1warm up set with 12 reps)
- Bent Over Rows 5 sets 5 reps
- Flat Barbell Press 5 sets 5 reps
- Push Press 5 sets 5 reps
- Skull Crushers 5 sets 5 reps
- Lateral Raise 5 sets 5 reps
- Seated Calf Raise 5 sets 5 reps (showing the calfs some love)
Here’s one example of my training. I like it heavy and combined with a short rest time.
How do you keep going and push harder?
I’m dedicated and I don’t believe in short cuts.
I’m educating myself doing some research here and there. Reading some fitness-related stuff online or watching on YouTube some experts.
I recommend AtlethianX, great guy and great content. He knows what he’s talking about. How I push harder? Like I told you before, I’m dedicated and I don’t believe in short cuts, if you don’t do the work someone’s gonna do it while you’re watching and complaining.
Although I’ve never thought about that before to be honest but I would say “Life” in itself is my biggest challenge. I still have to learn a lot about the world and maybe about myself.
Every day in our lives can change in an instant and I’ve to develop through every single change, like I do in fitness or sports in general. At this point in time that’s it.
How are you doing today and what does the future look like?
I’m doing good! I’m focused and passionate about me and my life. Life to me is like a big workout routine, you’ll gain something if you’re willing to give it your all. No reward without no work. My future is now! Think that’s enough, I live my future, always having the right mindset.
I wouldn’t change anything! You know, I’m healthy, no injuries, nada. What should I change. I’m happy about that and I would do the same thing.
One thing I would change is to start earlier that’s all. Like I told you before, I started late with building up my body. The advice I would give my younger self is „ train early dude…get some gains!“ (laughs)
How do you recover, rest and handle injuries?
These are very good questions….Well, I was never injured…maybe a bit handicapped, that’s it. Nothing serious. I would say, because I train smart. I know some people think „ look at this guy, he’s nuts. He’s doing too much“ but reality is, I trained my body frequently the right manner, that I could grow naturally… with patience!
And the keyword here is PATIENCE. I take my time. Enough sleep, minimum six hours at best. There are times where I don’t need that much sleep. Four hours and I am ready to go, all day long without any sign of being tired. Five days a week of training is enough. Two days with no training brings you back on track.
How is your diet and what supplements do you use?
It depends on what my specific goals are. If i want to get buffed, my diet includes high Carbs, high Protein and and low fat. If i want to be more shredded, my diet changes to low carb, high protein, low fat . My only supplements are Whey Proteine, Zero Whey and Creatine. That’s it nothing spectacular. Try to eat as clean as possible and you’re good to go.
Usually I have for breakfast oatmeal, sometimes with eggs plus two slices of toast and water. I try to keep it simple. At lunch, I eat a lot of healthy soup in different variations, all includes vegetables and with some sides as fish and meat, most of the time chicken. At dinner time, it depends, but most of the time I eat something like rice and meat or fish again. I need a lot of meat.
I don’t drink coffee. Not my thing, prefer more tea, like green tea and I am straight edge, I don’t drink alcohol. I avoid junk food as much as possible.
My opinion to this topic is, that my body should feel like something special to me. I have to take responsibility and caring it the right way to stay healthy and young as long as possible. I can hold myself in check, I don’t have any craving issues.
What has inspired and motivated you?
I was always into Pro Wrestling. I watched these Big Guys like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Triple H and told myself „You know what, one I’ll be as cool and Big like The Rock and these other Pro Wrestlers“ I was very thin back then. 152 pounds, 5‘9 (18 years old maybe 17) later on with 25 years i was big 5‘11 209 pounds and now I have my personal right body type with 5‘11 and 195 pounds.
I really started out with training after I watched an episode of Dragon Ball Z with Vegeta in the Gravitation Chamber, doing some one handed handstand push ups. After that episode I did the same…two handed and without any practice. Maybe I was a natural…(laughs)
Advice for other people who want to improve themselves?
Set up a goal! Stick with it. Be patient and stay consistent! It’s all about the right mindset first and the effort second. Many people try to rush up things and everything has to work now the way you want it to. But that’s far away from the truth.
Most of the time in life you have to work for something…. Often harder than others. Shortcuts won’t bring you far, especially personality wise. I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs and I don’t smoke.
Never did it and I don’t gonna start it now or in the future, because the future is now and I set up a goal many years before. Being healthy and strong, the best way I can. Find your own way and your personal goal.
Are you taking on clients right now?
I am not an official licensed personal trainer, but always open giving some advice or help.
However, one of the best questions, maybe the best question ever from people I meet is: “Do you take something?“ My response to it is: “really?….really?!…..really!“ that’s stupid, answering these questions is in my opinion stupid if you don’t look like Hulk in real life with all the veins popping out like crazy and you’re buffed like again THE HULK ! (laughs)
Other questions are: How did you get so big arms? What do you eat? Can you train me? Let’s train together….something like that. My answers should be obvious after the interview. If you receive response like that means you do a lot right. So keep on moving.
Where can we learn more about you?
You can follow me on Instagram @bijoujacen
