Morgan Stevens | Stay Clean and Get Lean
What got you into fitness and working out?
I started training when I joined the military in order to get fit for those purposes. Through addiction I learned that training is the only thing that keeps me sober. My motivation for lifting comes from both the military and wanting to stay clean.
How do you find time to balance work, the gym, meal prep, etc?
I have a hard time with that especially when I'm away on deployment because I can't bring my own food. For the most part, I eat as clean as I can. I try to eliminate sugar and carbs and eat a lot of protein, vegetables, eggs and tuna.
What has been the highlight of your fitness journey, and what are your short and long term goals?
The highlight of my journey is just anytime I set a goal for myself and I meet it. A bigger squat, or a bigger deadlift or getting lean for example. Those are my goals, I haven't had any accomplishments per se. The highlight of my journey would be now that I'm clean for 65 days, I'm training again and my muscles are coming back. I've never been happier and fitness gave me that. My short term goals are to stay clean and get lean. My long term goals are to compete and help other people find fitness because I think it could help other people.
How has fitness changed your life?
I could've died but I'm here in recovery, and without fitness I would be devastated. I have my life back.
What is your favorite muscle to work out and why? Where do your think your weaknesses lie?
Legs! I loved working legs. They have always been my strongest because I used to do gymnastics and ballet. Even when I relapsed in February and went back to the gym I thought I couldn't do it, my legs were still super strong. They are my hardest workout, and make me feel the best when I'm done. My weakness would be my core. I don't like working my core very much.
What defines health and healthy to you?
Health and healthy to me is mental and physical. Mental health is so important. I suffer from PTSD and addictions. If my mind is not healthy, my body is not healthy. If my body is not healthy, my mind is not healthy. Health is all about how you feel, not about how you look. It is easy to get caught up in that especially with my training. I want to remember and I want other people to remember that 'Yes, you look good on the outside when you feel good on the inside. But you need to take care of your insides.' If your insides aren't healthy it's not worth it. If you're overweight it doesn't mean you're not healthy. If you're skinny it doesn't mean you're healthy.
What advice would you give to someone just starting to get into the gym?
Ask questions! Everyone wants to help. I found when I started training I didn't know what I was doing. People will want to help you, a lot of people are passionate about helping people in the gym. I help people in recovery who want to get better and feel better. That's my passion and other people share that passion. Don't be afraid to look stupid, I look stupid in the gym everyday. If people are laughing at you, they have their own issues. Keep coming back!
Most women shy away from working upper body because they don’t want to bulk. What advice would you give these women?
That's ridiculous. I mean it all depends on what you want to do and how you feel, but why wouldn't you want to work upper body?