Dante Jones – Male Fitness Model Statistics
Name: Dante Jones
Date of Birth: September 7th, 1980
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 183 pounds
Hair Color:Black
Eye Color: Brown
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Dante Jones – Male Fitness Model Interview
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. I’m a high school graduate currently finishing my BS in Gerontology. I’m also pursuing my personal training and nutrition certification. I’ve always loved to exercise and play sports. In high school I ran indoor track, outdoor track, cross-country and played La Cross. I joined the military at 17 years old and continued my fitness journey as I’ve encountered multiple physical and mental challenges throughout my military career and deployments around the world.
How and why did you get started in fitness?
Over the past few years I’ve become more active into weight training than I ever have in my life which includes making my own diet plans and workout schedules. One of my good friends (now a teammate) approached me less than a year ago about bodybuilding, which I never really gave any serious thought to. I just love going to the gym to stay fit, but then as I began to think about it more and more and research the sport. I came to realize that maybe this was something I should try. In June of this year, upon returning from a deployment , I joined my CIII Family with my outstanding coach Julia Miller and her Staff to start my first 10-week show preparation.
What is the best thing about being fit and living a healthy lifestyle?
Since I began eating clean and really hitting the gym hard I’ve noticed a lot of changes. Everything from sleeping better to feeling better (more energy), to better gains in muscle.
Tell us about your biggest fitness influence?
My biggest influence has just been to be healthy really. I read fitness magazines but being healthy has its own rewards.
What is your greatest achievement so far?
I would definitely say my greatest fitness achievements thus far have been competing in and sweeping two NPC National Qualifying shows. I started out to just join my team and do one show but now I’m looking at going pro this upcoming season. Gotta love it!
What is your favorite body part on yourself and on the opposite sex?
I would have to say my back. I work hard in the gym to build it up. On the opposite sex, I would definitely say legs and glutes.
What kind of cardio do you like best and why?
For cardio, I like walking whenever possible.
What type of nutritional supplements do you use?
I use creatine, BCAAs, protein and glutamine.
What do you think of the latest fitness trends like P90X, Insanity and CrossFit?
I think fitness is one of those things that has to fit you if you’re going to be committed to it, so I respect all forms of fitness even the ones I don’t do.
What type of food or supplements do you consume pre-workout and post-workout?
For pre-workout I like to eat some carbs. My favorite is some fruit like an apple with peanut butter. After a workout, I immediately eat frosted flakes (they’re great) and a protein shake.
How do you deal with cravings for junk foods, sweets and salty food?
This becomes really hard during the final 4 weeks before a show but I handle it by keeping fruit in the house and trail mix to eat. Watermelon is my favorite to eat when cravings hit.
What are the contents of your refrigerator?
I keep lots of chicken breast, fish, egg whites, fruit, yogurt, and vegetables.
What are your top 3 favorite exercises and why?
The Iso high row, the low row, and triceps pulldowns. These are all great exercises.
What tips do you recommend for eating out at restaurants to stay on a clean diet?
Plan ahead whenever you can about where you eat and when possible try to combine different things on the menu to make your meal healthy even if it’s not originally offered with the meal. I’ve found that most restaurants will work with you and accommodate your needs.
What does your gym playlist look like and what’s your favorite song to listen to when training?
I love to listen to rap! The better the beat , the harder I push myself. My warm-up song is always a slow one then I change to my hardcore playlist. My favorite song is by Drake and it’s called “Back to Back”.
What is the most challenging thing you deal with about consistently staying in top shape?
The diet is always the hardest thing about being a bodybuilder. You can never stray too far from your diet plan for too long.
Please describe your normal diet. What do you eat in a typical day to stay in shape?
- Meal #1: 6 egg whites with 1/4 cup cheese and a whole wheat bagel.
- Meal #2: 5 ounces of lean meat, 1 cup of jasmine rice and 1/2 cup of vegetables.
- Meal #3: 5 ounces of tuna, 8 wheat crackers and a piece of fruit.
- Meal #4: 5 ounces of lean meat, 1 cup of vegetables and 1/2 cup of rice.
- Meal #5: 5 ounces of lean meat and 1/4 cup of almonds.
If you could share only one bodybuilding tip that has really helped you succeed, what would it be?
Keep your determination and focus no matter what happens or how hard the road gets. Those two factors have always kept me on course.
How does your family, friends and significant other react to and deal with your strict fitness lifestyle?
I’m lucky to have my family and friends support me in all my fitness ventures.
What are your top 5 tips for losing body fat and getting shredded?
- Cardio
- Proper diet
- Workout hard
- Supersets
- Stay focused
What are your top 5 tips for building muscle and packing on size?
- Eat clean
- Lift often
- Whey protein
- Muscle isolation
- Push your limits
What is your workout routine like?
- Monday: Dumbbell military press, lateral raise, front raise, barbell military press behind the head and upright rows (4 sets of 8-10 reps).
- Tuesday: Standing curls with straight bar, standing bicep cable curls with rope, alternating dumbbell curls, tricep pulldowns and skull crushers (4 sets of 8-10 reps).
- Wednesday: regular squats, leg extensions, leg press, straight leg deadlifts and alternating lunges (4 sets of 12-15 reps).
- Thursday: Lateral pulldowns (front and back) superset, wide arm pull-ups, face pulls, bent over rows, low row cable machine (5 sets of 15 reps).
- Friday: Rest day
- Saturday: Barbell flat bench, incline dumbbell press, dumbbell flys, cable crossovers, medicine ball push-ups (4 sets of 12 reps).
- Sunday: Rest day
What is your favorite healthy food and your favorite cheat food?
Grilled chicken breast for healthy food and my favorite cheat meal is a good cheeseburger.
How do you stay motivated?
Even for the most dedicated athlete, sometimes motivation can be a challenge but then I think about my goals and put on my gym clothes. Once I’m in my clothes my entire mindset changes and I know it’s time to go to work!
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully becoming an IFBB pro this upcoming year and someday competing in and winning Mr. Olympia!
3 Comments
Your workout schedule looks very convincing. I have copied it and will paste it in the gym to follow. Thanks!
No problem. Working out is the fun part but your diet is the most important. Clean eating equals quality gains and results. Good luck!
That’s my Boo! 851!