Once you see an image of Philip Ricardo Jr., or for those who see him in individual, you’re not solely taking a look at a longtime bodybuilder, you’re taking a look at a retired United States Marine. There have been some individuals who noticed him and should have questioned whether or not he’s nonetheless energetic. That’s due to the form he has stored himself in for the stage and life.
“I take delight that I used to be within the Marines. So, I don’t need anyone asking ‘you have been within the Marines?’ I would like them to nonetheless see that Marine in me.”
Ricardo grew up in Brooklyn, New York, however he would finally transfer to Chicago, Illinois. All through his childhood, he admired bodybuilders and he was an enormous fan of Lou Ferrigno as the Incredible Hulk.
“I at all times cherished watching Bruce Banner remodel into the Unbelievable Hulk,” he stated. “I used to be in awe of Lou Ferrigno. I used to be in awe of him competing in opposition to Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
He additionally performed soccer with excessive hopes of creating it to a school staff. Sadly, that didn’t occur for him. After talking together with his father, they got here to the choice that joining the US Armed Forces can be in his finest curiosity.
“A Marine Corps recruiter got here to our home. We talked, and we got here to the conclusion that becoming a member of can be the perfect route for me to go,” he recalled. “For me being a bodily energetic man, I believe that was the perfect problem for me.”
On December 28, 1989 the 18-year-old Ricardo reported to his first day of boot camp, and that might be the beginning of a 21-year profession as a Marine. Although he felt like he was disciplined and structured at a young age, the primary technology service member credited his time in service for serving to him develop and evolve much more due to how he needed to rise to challenges comparable to working 25-mile rucks and dealing numerous jobs all through his time in service. He can be stationed in Japan at one level, and it could be there that he would make his means onto a bodybuilding state for the primary time.
“On the bottom I used to be at, they’d a contest that they known as a Friendship Day competitors. Friendship Day was when the Japanese nationals would come on base and see among the gear and issues that have been there. On the similar time, they’d host this bodybuilding present.”
Ricardo had already been coaching laborious whereas he was there. So, he would enter that present after a present put his title in it, and he gained the middleweight class. He stated he misplaced the general to somebody who was shredded and had extra stage presence. Nonetheless, Ricardo received bit by the bodybuilding bug.
“It was good to get a person trophy for what I did,” he shared.
As for Ricardo’s navy profession, he went over 17 years with out being deployed abroad, however finally Ricardo can be despatched to Iraq in 2007, It was by alternative, although, as a result of he truly went instead of a co-worker who was an anticipating father.
“I truly volunteered to take his spot and go over there,” he defined. “For me, that was an enormous deal as a result of I had my circle of relatives clearly. I simply felt like I had to do this and volunteer so he may very well be there for his household.”
Ricardo labored as a Particular Operations chief on that mission, and he can be part of two deployments earlier than his profession resulted in 2011. Whereas he was now not on energetic obligation, he continued to compete in bodybuilding competitions, and he would finally get solid to be part of a film, “Generation Iron: Natty 4 Life.” Now, like Ferrigno who was in Pumping Iron, Ricardo was part of a bodybuilding film.
“I grew up with Pumping Iron. Each single film that had something to do with bodybuilding, I used to be watching it,” he defined. Technology Iron: Natty 4 Life featured former M&F cover model Mike O’Hearn and chronicled a number of bodybuilders all through their prep for contests. For Ricardo, it was a spotlight in a profession that has spanned a number of years.
“I by no means thought in one million years that I might’ve had the profession I’ve had, and it took till later in my profession to have it. However God works in mysterious methods.”
Apart from coaching himself, Ricardo additionally works as a private coach. He sees himself as an advocate for health not solely to his shoppers, but in addition to different veterans. He needs to be an instance to indicate others that they should focus on self-improvement for themselves in addition to their households and buddies.
“If it weren’t for bodybuilding, I might in all probability have extra well being points,” stated Ricardo. “This life-style has actually helped me with my well being, which I take severely as a result of I’ve household and youngsters. The very last thing I would like is to go away them early. I believe those who served ought to take that very same type of mindset.”
Ricardo hopes that his story may very well be a optimistic instance for the technology developing as effectively. Youngsters popping out of highschool have many choices, however there’s additionally numerous points they face that different generations could not have. Ricardo feels {that a} profession in service can be helpful for younger adults now and effectively into the longer term. Apart from dedication to their homeland, it could be of their private finest pursuits.
“The Marine Corps actually modified my life. I received to go in and study a commerce that lots of people simply don’t get. I’ve buddies in each New York and Chicago, and so they’re in the identical conditions, simply older now. They could not have first rate jobs, however they aren’t as worldly or achieved as you would be within the navy. The navy will educate you a lot extra that nothing else on the market can.”
Observe Philip Ricardo Jr. on Fb and on Instagram @ricardos_legend.
