Philip Ricardo Jr.

Philp Ricardo Jr. is a 37 year old Active Duty US Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, and he's been in the Marine Corps for 18 years.  He's been competing in Bodybuilding for 16 years and has never taken steroids or anabolic drugs.  He has competed in almost every Bodybuilding organization, and loves the sport.  He grew up in Brooklyn New York and played Pop Warner football all the way through High School.  He joined the Marine Corps in 1989 after his senior year in High School, and he's been living the crazy Marine Corps lifestyle ever since. 

Philip is engaged to his beautiful girlfriend MaryBeth. They have a gorgeous baby girl, Sanali Jade, who was born in 2007, prior to his string of Four Professional victories, which include the PNBA Natural Olympia, and the IFPA Yorton Cup National Championships.

He is currently sponsored by Horleys Sports Nutrition, and you can see interviews, bios, and a video of him on www.Horleys.com and www.biggerfitterfaster.com

Philip was kind enough to answer a few questions for this feature.

1.  Who are your favorite Natural Bodybuilders/Competitors?

I have a long list: Sean Sullivan (a legend, friend, and former Marine), Doug and Stephanie Miller (definitely the future of the sport), Rob Hope, Stan Mcquay, Kyoshi Moody (Great friend and to me the most underrated and arguably the best Natural competing today), Kareem Pettaway, Karl Marshall (another legend and awesome poser!), Skip LaCour, Mo Mendez, David Lovelace. I admire all physiques, natural or not, but I give props to all of the Natural Competitors out there who are staying true to the game and staying healthy.

2.  What was your best Bodybuilding Experience?

I have two: My first Pro show in 2003 (the INBA Natural Universe). I competed in the Amateur and Pro Division. In the Pros I faced off against 2 Great Pro Champions, David Whitaker (Natural Olympia Pro and Musclemania World Pro Champ) and Canadian Larry Vinette (WNSO Pro Champion). I won the Amateur Overall and was just happy to be on stage with David and Larry, but to my surprise I went on to upset the 2 of them and win My First Pro title. 2nd, The 2007 Yorton Cup! By far the greatest venue and crowd cheering for one of the greatest Natural Professional classes that included Doug Miller and Kareem Pettaway. The atmosphere was like the true SuperBowl of Natural Bodybuilding and I came in the best all-time shape of my life to become the first Yorton Cup Pro Champion.

3. What are your Future Plans?

As for upcoming competitions. I will take 2009 off due to military deployments. I will retire from the military in early 2010, and should be able to prepare for a shows throughout 2010. I will return to the Natural Professional stage with the first IFPA show available, and in the future, I may try to compete at the NPC Team Universe again, or even the Masters Nationals.

It's hard not to come away awestruck after seeing Philip  on stage. I've have had the pleasure of seeing him win two IFPA shows over the last few years. I was actually competing in both shows, and found myself more interested in watching him, then I was getting prepared for my own time on stage. They say  that pictures are worth a 1000 words..... let the pictures speak for themselves.

I want to add that he's one of the nicest, most humble bodybuilders I have gotten to know.