Richard Kalka

My name’s Richard Kalka and I’m writing my story in the hope that it may inspire others to achieve their goals.

In 2004, I underwent open-heart surgery as a result of a heart attack. My sternum was cut from top to bottom and I had steel rods embedded in my stomach.

Before I progress any further, let me describe my life style pre-heart attack.

I had never been over-weight – on the contrary, my body type is lean and athletic. However, my blood pressure was seriously high due to smoking 30+ cigarettes a day and my cholesterol was high due to sugary, fatty foods and limited exercise. Stress also played a major role in my life as I was in a position where I was on call 24/7, resulting in broken sleep.

After the operation, and in rehab, I was told I was lucky to be still alive and was strongly advised to change my life-style. I looked and felt like a frail old man. So in January 2005, I joined the Les Mills gym. I was provided with a basic weight training and cardio program.

Within a couple of months working out with the basic gym programs, I realised I wasn’t really progressing. One afternoon I was sitting in a café, pondering whether I should suspend my membership. Thankfully, I made the choice to ring the gym and speak to the manager of the day and told him I wanted a Personal Trainer. I’m so glad I made that phone call!

A few days later I was sitting on the couch in the gym reception, when Kat approached me and introduced herself. I remember wondering what experience she had and how she’d be able to motivate me to achieve my goals.

My fears were quickly dispelled. Kat asked me all about myself; my current medical condition, my past and my goals and then wrote me a training and eating plan. She took me step by step through the process of changing my whole life. From that day on, I had huge confidence in her ability as a truly professional trainer, motivator and coach.

Kat bought me a folder and filled it with training programs and suggested I put on the front page a picture of someone I could aspire to. I chose Carlos Spencer as I envied his upper body. To this day, I always have a picture of my current role models. My latest – Stalone and Arnie.

I had a log in which I wrote down my meals and training sessions. I trained with Kat two or three times every week and after each training session Kat would check my log. She’d also change my training programs on a regular basis to shock my body and keep improving. She’d send me motivating quotes, which I put on the walls of my apartment.

After successfully completing two Body for Life Challenges, I was further inspired by Kat as she prepared for her first bodybuilding competition in 2006. I felt so motivated by her mental discipline and strength and wondered whether I had what it took to get on stage. In February 2007, I spoke to Kat about competing in my first Body Building competition. I felt anxious about the challenge before me, but we set our sights on a competition in August.

In order to remain focused, I had to train every day and resist constant temptation around me – at family functions (i.e. no alcohol) and at work, where I’m surrounded by colleagues eating takeaways. I often had self-doubt as to whether I was up to this challenge, but I would tell Kat of how I was feeling and she understood and often had encouraging words to help me along. I gradually started to feel more like a bodybuilder!

The process leading up to competition day can be very daunting, however Kat drip-fed me the process so it was not too overwhelming. Her support was invaluable.

When the day finally came, I went on stage extremely nervous – but it was such a buzz, I was on a high for days after! I placed third in my division and was stoked – I will never forget that day, it was such a high!

I have competed in a further four competitions since then. Training hard and eating right is tough, but as Kat says – if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

Before I began this new lifestyle, I used to stress out a lot Nowadays I don’t sweat the small stuff. Frankly, I don’t have the heartbeats left to worry about things that don’t matter!

I’ve been training with Kat every week since 2005. In that time, I’ve never cancelled once. I even continued as her client when she went to the U.K for 2 years having weekly skype sessions to plan my training and keep me on track.

I’m totally committed and addicted to training now, it’s a huge part of my life. I’m into my sixties now, but that’s no excuse. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing! And besides, it keeps me feeling young.

I would recommend this lifestyle to anyone – it’s totally rewarding!