Despite spending his time training others, Owensboro Catholic graduate Cory Young has done plenty of training himself as he’s coming off a victory and is preparing for the NPC Junior USA Bodybuilding Championships in Charleston, South Carolina.
Young placed first at the NPC Indiana State Championships/Battle of the States last weekend in Classic Physique Class B, which was the icing on the cake as he had already qualified for South Carolina.
The former Ace said it was something else he could compete in when he finished his football career at Aurora University.
“It was something new to compete in,” he said. “I always liked to work out and train anyways. It was something I was already doing.”
Growing up, Young said he enjoyed being in the gym and lifting weights, and he said being in competitions was a natural progression.
“It gives me something to work toward,” he said. “Otherwise it gets monotonous. I like to have goals to work for.”
But, Young admitted his days do become somewhat monotonous when he’s training as he said he’ll typically eat six meals a day.
“Eat, train, eat, do cardio, I eat again,” he said. “Go to work, eat, sleep, repeat.”
If Young grabs a win in Charleston, then he’ll be able go pro, something he’s worked for for a while.
The difference between being an amateur and professional bodybuilder? The money.
Another difference is that there are no classes in professional bodybuilding, so everyone is on the same playing field.
“It’s open so you compete against the big guys and the little guys,” he said.
Young said it would be a big boost to get to turn professional after the event.
He said the prejudging portion of the day is at noon Thursday, then if he gets into the top five, he gets 60 seconds of stage time during the evening portion.
Young said he doesn’t worry about about the evening part of the competition.
“I don’t put a whole lot of thought in it until it matters because the prejudging is what truly matters,” he said. “The night show is always in the back of my mind. If I’m in the first call outs then I’m going to be top five, then I’ll worry about it.”
Despite having high hopes for his career, Young said as of now, he has no major goals after this weekend.
“One thing at a time,” he said. “I’m just worried about the pro card right now.”
