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Jaco De Bruyn

From modelling as a teenager to competing as a bodybuilder, Jaco De Bruyn has developed an awesome physique since he started his journey in South Africa.

Blessed with good looks, Jaco had always kept in shape growing up, and naturally found himself in the modelling industry. After finding great success, he chose to follow the path of bodybuilding and sculpt his dream body.

By the age of 32, in 2016, he had won numerous shows and become an international fitness icon. This is his story:

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“Don’t Give Up. The Beginning is always the hardest”

Athlete Statistics

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“One who refuses to seek the advice of others will eventually be led to a path of ruin”

Accomplishments

• 2009 Mr. Pretoria Contest, 1st
• 2009 Mr. South Africa, 2nd and Fitness Model of the Year
• 2010 Mr. World Sports, Top 8
  
• 2010 Heat Magazine Manwatch, 1st
  
• 2010 Heat Magazine Hot 100 Sexiest Celebrities Worldwide 6th Place
• 2010 Heat Magazine Hot 100 Sexiest Celebrities South Africa 2nd Place
• 2011 Mr. Physique Bodybeatiful South Africa, 1st
  
• 2011 Mr. Physique, Fitness, 3rd
  
• 2012 Mr. Physique, Fitness, 2nd
  
• 2012 WBFF PRO Status
• 2012 Mr.Physique, Bodybuilding, 1st
  
• 2013 WBFF World Championships, 3rd place
• 2014 WBFF World Championships, 4th

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“Survival can be summed up in three words – never give up. That’s the heart of it really. Just keep trying”

Biography

Start of the Journey

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Jaco De Bruyn was very active growing up, and even as a child, he kept himself lean in the gym. As a naturally aesthetic teenager, he ended up modelling and almost immediately found success.

However, at the age of 23, in 2012, Jaco found himself at a crossroad – after years of looking up to the likes of Flex Lewis and Arnold Schwarzenegger, his passion for bodybuilding had blossomed and his desire to compete developed. He decided to make the big step into the fitness industry, entering his first show in 2009; the Mr. Pretoria show.

Life as a Competitive Bodybuilder

Jaco walked away from his first competition as Mr. Pretoria 2009 after placing 1st. With his first taste of the stage, it wasn’t long until he was hungry for more.

A few weeks later, he placed 2nd in the Mr. South Africa contest, but he was awarded the Fitness Model of the year in the same show. After a successful start to his competitive career, Jaco took the rest of the year away from the limelight to develop his physique further.

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Jaco’s transformation from 2009 – 2014

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More Success and Heat Magazine

Jaco came back stronger in 2010, beginning the year by representing his country, South Africa, in the Mr. World Championships. He was up against the strongest fitness models in the world, but he managed to place in the top 8 – an impressive achievement for a man who only began competing 6 months beforehand.

Jaco had gained more recognition after bursting onto the international scene, and he was quickly noticed by Heat Magazine. The UK-based company jumped on the future WBFF Pro’s bandwagon, and named him as the winner of their Man Watch contest. He was also place on their “Hot 100 Sexiest Celebrities Worldwide” and “Hot 100 Sexiest Celebrities South Africa” lists.

He was well on the way to becoming an icon in the industry.

Becoming a Professional Bodybuilder

In 2012, Jaco reached a massive milestone in his journey. He had earned what every bodybuilder aspires to obtain – a Pro Card. But he didn’t stop there.

In 2013, the South African athlete appeared in his first competition as a professional, placing a very respectable 3rd in the WBFF World Championships. A year later, he returned to the same show – unfortunately, he was unable to win, placing 4th.

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“Everything in life starts with a dream or a vision, the after that the works needs to be done!”

Training

Jaco’s been known to train one body part per day, but usually, he enjoys training multiple per session. However, he switches up his routine every 8 weeks so that he keeps his body guessing, encouraging growth.

He works out using heavy weights, lifting for 4 sets to failure every time.

Workout Plan

Jaco’s workout plan would look something like this:

Monday – Chest/Calves

• Flat Bench 4×10
• Incline Bench 4×10
• Incline Fly’s 4×10
• Cable Fly’s 4×10
• Seated Calve Raises 4×30 (superset)
• Standing Calve Raises 4×30

Tuesday – Bicep/Triceps

• Standing Dumbbell Curls 4×10
• Seated Incline Dumbbell Curls 4×10
• Hammer Curls 4×10
• Preacher Curls 4×10
• Cable Pushdowns 4×10
• Cable Rope Pushdowns 4×10
• Incline Skull Crushers 4×10
• Dips 4×10

Wednesday – Shoulders/Abs

• Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press 4×10
• Seated Lateral Side Raises 4×10
• Standing Barbell Lateral Raises 4×10
• Military Presses 4×10
• Cable Crunches 4×15
• Sit-ups 4×20
• Leg Raises 4×20

Thursday – Quads/Calves

• Leg Extensions 7×30 (low weight)
• Squads 4×10 (heavy)
• Leg Press 4×10 (heavy)
• Seated Calve Raises 4×30 (superset)
• Standing Calve Raises 4×30

Friday – Chest /Abs

• Flat Bench 4×10
• Incline Bench 4×10
• Incline Fly’s 4×10
• Cable Fly’s 4×10
• Cable Crunches 4×15
• Sit-ups 4×20
• Leg Raises 4×20

Saturday – Back/Hamstrings

• Lat Pulldowns Wide Grip 4×10
• Lat Pulldowns Close Grip 4×10
• Low Row 4×10
• Deadlifts 4×10
• Lying Leg Curls 4×10 (superset)
• Standing Leg Curls 4×10
• Stiff Legged Deadlift 4×10 (superset)
• Hamstring Curls 4×10

Sunday – Rest Day

• Recovery

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“Gratitude means to recognize the good in your life, be thankful for whatever you have.”

Nutrition

Jaco is a big believer that diet plays a key role when developing your physique and eats clean all-year-round. He aims to fit in 7 meals per day, supplemented with 4 protein shakes throughout.

Diet Plan:

• Meal 1: Protein Shake, Oats, and 8 Egg Whites
• Meal 2: (Postworkout) Protein Shake
• Meal 3: Rice Cakes with Cottage Cheese and Tuna
• Meal 4: Chicken/Fish or Ostrich with Broccoli/Green Beans and Brown Rice
• Meal 5: Protein Shake, Nuts, Banana or Rice Cakes
• Meal 6: Rice Cakes with Cottage Cheese and Tuna
• Meal 7: Chicken/Fish or Steak with 2 green Vegetables, Brown Rice/Sweet Potato and Protein Shake

Supplement Stack:

• Isolated whey
• L-glutamine
• BCAA
• Casein (Slow Release Protein)
• Multivitamin
• Creatine

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“Train your mind to see the good in everything. Positivity is a choice. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.”

Idols and Influences

Jaco’s motivation has always come from his love for fitness, always trying to better himself in every competition. However, he names Flex Lewis, Louis Bessinger & Arnold Schwarzenegger as his idols in the industry.

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“We are surrounded by infinite amounts of opportunities to inspire other people and bring total joy into our lives at the same time.”

What we can learn from Jaco De Bruyn

Jaco De Bruyn has taught us that following your passion is always the key to being successful. He is constantly motivated because he is doing what he loves, never taking a break from trying to become the best in the industry.