Athletes

Justin Badurina

Instagram: @j_badz32

Anything worth having will not come easy, and requires consistent and constant effort. If it was easy, everyone would have it.

            For me, results have taken quite some time and I still want more. I started lifting and bodybuilding in 2016, after a snowboard accident put my hockey career to and end. Yes, I was very active and tried a few different things out. During my downtime from being injured, the only thing I missed was working out. As soon as I healed up, bodybuilding and my next journey in life began.

            I was never an easy gainer, and getting lean for shows never came easy to me either. I noticed I had to do a lot more than most of my peers to get results. Some people could look at the weights, and grow inches on their arms. I had to put myself through brutal training, and still do to this day to yield the results I desire. From 2016, to Summer of 2019 I had a goal of becoming an IFBB Pro in the Classic Physique division. I had competed in 5 shows, consistently getting better and grinding towards my goal.

            I had faced many challenges to get to where I am now. I come from a hard working family background, with not a lot of money. I always had to work full time, and most of this took place as I was studying for my Bachelors degree. Being in school full time and working full time takes up a lot of time, and limits your ability to do other things. I didn’t care, I had one goal in mind. Another life changing thing that happened to me in early 2019, was the loss of my father. One will never know the feeling until it happens to them, and this event put a huge spin on my life with the snap of fingers. While mourning my fathers loss, I was working two part time positions as well as finishing school, and starting prep for NPC Universe (A Pro Qualifier) in summer of 2019.

            In July 2019, I achieved my first goal in bodybuilding out of three. I turned pro and was welcomed into the IFBB. I will never forget this day, as it means something special to me after all I had faced leading up to it. The other two goals I have are winning an IFBB show qualifying me for the Olympia, and winning the Olympia. Big goals, which will require consistency and constant effort.

            I believe those two things have lead me to where I am today. You can be consistent, but lack effort. You can have effort, but lack consistency. If I wasn’t consistent during my four years of bodybuilding thus far, I would not be where I am today. Regardless of all that had happened, I made my goals a priority. Some people say when you have a goal, you should give it 100%, while other things in your life take the back seat. For me, I gave everything I have, to everything I had going on. If I wasn’t willing to put in effort, I wouldn’t have progressed either. I wanted and needed to get better. I wasn’t just willing to stay consistent and be comfortable, I wanted to go outside my comfort zone in all aspects to continually get better. My drive paired with staying consistent definitely helped and made me into the athlete and person I am today.

            Never stop grinding, no matter what your situation or goal. We are all going to face obstacles and challenges along the way. You owe it to yourself to be the best you can be. No one else will do the work for you, so you must stay consistent and put in that effort.

Joe Schretzenmaier

Instagram: @schredz_fitness

            Born and raised in Chester County Pennsylvania, I knew early on that I had a drive that few people have to be the best. At the age of 19, I became a Professional Natural Bodybuilder through the OCB federation in Classic Physique. My passion and love for the sport grows every day which has since lead me to wanting to help others as well. I worked my way up to general manager at a local nutrition shop where I am able to recommend new, cutting edge supplements as well as earned my NASM personal training and nutrition certifications (while also going to school for engineering at University of Delaware).

            I am truly blessed that I was able to become a part of the Centurion Labz family in 2019. Centurion Labz keeps me healthy, strong, and focused in and out of the gym with their state of the art formulas and quality ingredients. Even before I joined the team, I used the supplements religiously and recommended them to everyone who walked into my nutrition shop. As I mentioned earlier, I have a drive to be the best and that means putting only the best into my body. I only want the absolute best products for myself, my clients, and my followers and that is why I am a member of the Legion! 

Mike Varano

Instagram: @_mmmikeyv

            I’ve always lived a very active, competitive lifestyle. I played ice hockey for over twenty years and competed at various levels, including junior hockey and collegiate. Having always been one of the smaller, faster players on my teams I knew that I would have to be more physical once I reached the collegiate level; this is when I began hitting the gym and lifting weights more seriously. I immediately fell in love with lifting and the process of seeing my physique change as I continued to work harder. It was never easy for me to gain weight and put on muscle mass, but I never let that stop me from working hard.

            Once I finished college and stopped playing hockey, fitness and the gym filled that void. I spent a few years doing half-marathons and several Tough Mudder races, but I started becoming more and more interested in bodybuilding. Once the Classic Physique division was created I knew that’s where I wanted to compete. I competed in my first bodybuilding competition in 2016 and have done five shows in total, progressing in both my placements and the size and quality of my physique each time. This year I recently placed first in the Classic Physique Open Class A at the East Coast Classic Championships.  My goal for the upcoming year is to compete in my first national-level competition to become an IFBB Pro.

            Outside of bodybuilding I work for Rutgers University in the School of Nursing - Newark/New Brunswick in higher education administration. In my role as Associate Director of Student Engagement, I get to work with students over a multitude of channels such as leadership development, orientation and graduation, recruitment, and advisement. I have my Bachelors of Science in Marketing and Sports Management, and my M.B.A. in International Business, both from Seton Hall University.

Blaise Christmas

Instagram: b.xmas.fit

            What's up everyone! I'm Blaise Christmas, one of Centurion Labz newest athletes, I am a men's physique athlete chasing my dream to be an IFBB pro! Outside of the gym, I am in the process of becoming a registered nurse. I couldn't be more proud to be a part of a truly amazing company that makes you feel like family. My favorite stack is God of Rage with Blood Rush and Warpath, if you're a fellow stim lover this is the one for you! 

Kira Piccone

Instagram: kirapiccone