Content creator Will Tennyson documented his journey to becoming a professional natural bodybuilder. On May 9, 2025, Tennyson shared the final hours of prep and competitive debut highlights from the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) Canada show in Vancouver.
The experience was more than a chronicle of shredded abs and spray tans—it was a lesson on long-term vision and the prerequisites for success on stage.
Macros and Mind Games
Twenty-four hours before stepping on stage, Tennyson’s diet was tightly calibrated: 161 grams (g) of protein, 432g of carbs, and 75g of fat. Meals included sweet potatoes, chicken breast, rice cakes, almond butter, and the unlikely hero—maple syrup.
Fast-digesting carbs like sugar increase muscle fullness and vascularity before show day, also known as carb-loading. (1)(2) Sweet potatoes contain potassium, which helps fill out the muscles; salt enhances pumps.
“It’s crazy how tedious this stuff is,” Tennyson remarked. He weighed in at 177.2 pounds, placing him at heavyweight. A polygraph and urine test affirmed his compliance with WNBF’s banned substance list. While their accuracy is controversial, polygraph tests serve to deter the use of chemical enhancements.
From Tan to Triumph
Caked in a layer of tanning compound, Tennyson reflected on the backstage jitters during his pump-up session, expressing, “My nerves were kicking in like crazy.” Posing under bright lights worked to his advantage.
All you can see are the judges, and after 20 seconds, it felt like I was in my living room posing.
—Will Tennyson
Tennyson won the heavyweight division, qualifying him for the overall round against three others. Against all odds, Tennyson walked away with his natural pro card, stunned:
I was in such disbelief…I felt nothing. I didn’t know what to feel.
—Will Tennyson
Post-Show & Natural Genetic Limit
Post-show, Tennyson indulged in donuts and snacks, but only craved fruit and omelets the next day. This made him wary.
I am most nervous about my headspace…when that’s gone, what’s next?
—Will Tennyson
Post-competition blues are real, though Tennyson refuses to let them hinder him, asserting, “We never have a cap or natural limit…just keep pushing.”
Tennyson offered a reality check to other natural bodybuilders: “This does not take 2 years. This takes 10-plus years of hard work…discipline is everything.” Natural bodybuilding isn’t for the impatient. Lean, drug-free gains occur at a glacial pace compared to enhanced athletes.
[Related: How Much Muscle Did Jeff Nippard Gain In 14 Months Naturally?]
“Leave Your Name on It”
Tennyson’s mindset was instilled by his mother when he was young. “Whatever you do, big or small, be proud to put your name on it.” That ethos fuels his outlook. “Every little tiny thing… It’s like I’m putting my name on it.”
References
- Helms ER, Aragon AA, Fitschen PJ. Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014 May 12;11:20. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-11-20. PMID: 24864135; PMCID: PMC4033492.
- Chappell AJ, Simper T, Barker ME. Nutritional strategies of high level natural bodybuilders during competition preparation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018 Jan 15;15:4. doi: 10.1186/s12970-018-0209-z. PMID: 29371857; PMCID: PMC5769537.
Featured image: @willtenny on Instagram
