Ross Austen


by Gilles Crofta


Stunning Ross Austen is a 24 year old fitness model from Bedford, England UK, but is originally from Zimbabwe.



Simon Barnes
Fresh from the press! Some shots from Ross' latest shoot with the great Simon Barnes at Hotsnapz!



Gilles Crofta












With his awesome physique and great frame, he stands 6’3” tall and weighs 209lbs, and great looks, this fairly new model has all the ingredients to go all the way to the top.















Ross used to play lots of sports and in particular rugby but had to stop due to injury. He is totally dedicated to his fitness training and healthy living and is a highly motivated person. The results speak for themselves!


We are thrilled and proud to feature Ross at Stunning Men and grateful to him for accepting our offer and for doing the interview.


Joseph Wilson









Check out Ross’ Facebook fanpage and his ModelMayhem profile for more about this sensational guy!


Vital statistics:
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 209lbs
Chest: 44"
Waist: 34"
Eye colour: blue
Hair colour: brown


Make sure to check Ross' ModelMayhem profile
and don't forget to visit and 'like' his facebook page!
You can also follow him on twitter.



Here is Ross' interview in full

Ross, a warm welcome to Stunning Men and many thanks for taking the time to do the interview.
Could we start off with talking a little about yourself and your background? You live in Bedford, UK but you were born in Zimbabwe, is that right?
Born and raised in the beautiful country that is Zimbabwe. Lived there for 14 years and then moved to Malawi for a further 2 years. I came over the to UK in 2003 with my  mother and brother where I finished off my schooling and attended university. I studied Sports and Exercise science at the University of Bedfordshire. Graduating in 2010. Not long after that I started working as a scientist at HFL Sport Science and been there for almost 2 years now. I now reside in Cambridgeshire due to work.

You have a stunning physique. How do you maintain it and keep healthy? Do you do any sport?
Thank you very much. Hitting the gym hard and eating clean is how I manage to maintain and strive to improve on what I have already laid down. I used to be very sporty playing all I could get my hands on. However recently I had to give up rugby due to reoccurring injuries, two sub locations of my left shoulder in a season and a torn ligament in the opposite shoulder in the season before that. This still haunts me to this day.

What are your top three favourite exercises and why?
Compound movements such as squats, bench press, deadlifts. As these exercises are multi-joint movements that work several muscles or muscle groups at one time, maximising your benefits.

What’s the best form of cardio for you?
I do not do much cardio believe it or not. I train at a high intensity in the gym with short rest periods this allows me to keep cardio low. However if I have a planned shoot I will integrate high intensity interval training into my routine.

What’s your gym/training routine like?
Currently I work on a 5 day split.
Chest, legs, shoulders, back and arms.
Using the 12 rep range incorporating drop sets and supersetting to keep in the intensity high.

How do you keep motivated?
My motivation comes from within. I have a burning desire to be successful in everything I try. However I also watch videos. Other athletes with similar ambitions keep me in check as well.

How do you fit bodybuilding and fitness into your life? Is it a difficult thing to achieve?
Bodybuilding and fitness is a lifestyle I have chosen to take. It is part of my daily routine I go to work and then hit the gym for an hour after work 5 days a week.

How do you approach a challenge?
I love a challenge. I will approach it pragmatically and work hard to accomplish it.

What do you eat in a normal day?
Here is an example of my daily diet

Breakfast (06:30) - 100g oats (soaked in water overnight) Tbsp of peanut butter and scoop of whey added, 1 full egg and 3 egg whites scrambled, 1 x fish oil, 1 x opti-men and a cup of green tea.
0800: Cup of black coffee and litre of water.
Snack (08:30- 09:00) – Chicken breast and vegetables, cup of green tea. 
Lunch (12:00) – Fillet of mackeral and vegetables, cup of green tea, 1 x opti-men and 1 x fish oil
Snack (14:00) – Pork loin chop and vegetables, green tea
Pre gym (15:45) – Scoop of whey, 5g glutamine and 5 g creatine monohydrate. 3 x BCAA's
During the gym – Amino energy
post gym (18:00) – Scoop of whey and casien and dextrose added at 2:1 ratio to protein, 3 x BCAA's
Dinner (19:00) – Thai tuna and sweet potato fish cakes with a salad, 1 x fish oil, 1 x opti-men
Pre bed (21:30/22:00)– Casein shake, 2 tbsp of ground flax seed and 2 tbsps of optimum oil blend, 5 g glutamine

I try to drink at least 3 litres of water throughout the day.

Do you allow yourself a cheat day? If so, what is your guilty pleasure?
Every now and then I will eat a high calorific meal. Can't beat a large Domino’s Meator!

How did you get into modelling? Is it something you always wanted to do?
I set myself a goal of landing a fitness magazine cover and I knew in order to get recognition and practice I will have to get in front of the lens. I started off by joining ModelMayhem.com (http://www.modelmayhem.com/1984274) and the rest is history. I have landed my first cover with Fitnorama magazine through a competition just awaiting the date for the shoot. Really looking forward to this opportunity as this will hopefully be the beginning for me.

What do you enjoy the most about modelling?
It allows me to gain recognition for all the hard work I put in the weights room and I get to meet new people from similar and different backgrounds, which I thoroughly enjoy.

What advice would you give a new model or what’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
It’s a tough industry be prepared to get doors constantly closed in your face. As a result you have to be resilient and just keep on plugging and pushing until you get the break you are looking for.

What do you do in your free time, if you get any?
Yes I do not have much free time I must admit. I try do a variety of things … TFP shoots with new or existing photographers, spending time with my beautiful girlfriend, playing 7s rugby with my team 'Hellfish7s' (http://www.hellfishrugby7s.co.uk/) and catching up and hanging out with friends. 

Do you have any role models? People who inspire you?
There are a few guys doing some great things in the industry. Olly foster, Scott Baptie, Shaun Stafford, Luke Haslett, Phil Learney, James St Leger and a friend of mine current Mr International GB Stephen Box. If I could achieve a little bit of their success I would be extremely pleased.

Now a few quick fun questions if you are game? Do you think you are a good date?
I do think I am good date ... bit of a hopeless romantic really. I will always try and make it a special experience for the possibility of date number 2.

Are you a brief man or a boxer kinda guy?
I have a mixture of briefs and boxers. A few pairs of plain old boxers for day to day stuff but then I have a couple pairs of funky briefs.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I am bit of a adrenaline junkie. I have done a 300ft bungee jump but that wasn’t big enough I want to go bigger and better.

What do you listen to on your iPod?
If it sounds good and I like it you will find it on my iPod from R&B to rock. No particular genre.

What kind of movies do you like?
Shooter, Taken, Iron man, Hangover, Role models to name just a few.

What three words describe you best?
Friendly
Chilled
Determined 

One last question Ross, where do you see yourself and what would you like to be doing in 10 years time?
A couple of covers under my belt, in a managerial position at work and a nutritional qualification which will allow me to consult and help others achieve their dreams. Overall be happy with the life and paths I have chosen and looking forward to what the future holds.

Ross, it was great to do this interview with you! Thank you for your time and for being a good sport. All the best for the future!



Comments

Thanks for providing such useful information. I really appreciate your professional approach.
DJ said…
Thank you for your kind words. I try my best to provide accurate information with the help of the modles and photographers.