Quick Stats

Name: Oscar Moscat
Age: 28
Height: 5’6”
Competition weight: 165 lbs.
Current weight: 177 lbs.
Current city: Lawrence, MA, USA
Occupation: Online Personal Trainer and Diabetes Insulin Pump Specialist

How did you get started?

My training began with martial arts when I was about 5 years old.

I learned many disciplines including Tae Kwon Do, Kempo, and Kyokushin Karate, but I never developed a passion for it despite being skilled in combat sports.

In 2010 my best friend and current business partner, thought that I should give weight training a shot and although I was reluctant, my life changed after training for the first time.

I never realized how much I would love competing against myself on a daily basis.

What do you love about it and how do you stay motivated?

This is a question that I ask myself regularly. Most people when they look at me think that I live in the gym or that I love doing it. Truth be told, I don’t love the gym or lifting. I love the indiscernible feeling of looking at my limits and not knowing how or when I will exceed them.

It consumes me. The thought of being defeated drives me to push beyond a limit that rational human beings would think twice before attempting.

Training humbles me. It reminds me that all good things are earned through belief. Not just hard work. When I look at a squat rack loaded with poundage that I have never attempted, the first thought that crosses my mind is fear. It’s only natural, something deep down calls out to me. It’s like an animal that’s caged up waiting to be unleashed, whispering,

“Remember the days, hours, minutes you’ve put in. Remember the discipline. Remember that someone somewhere is working just as hard or harder.”

Then in an instant, belief starts building up. I convince myself mentally that I can do it before I ever step forward to lift.

Hard work is great and creates good habits. However, in my opinion hard work comes from a deep rooted belief in self. If you can “feed” the animal dormant inside you with belief, trust me, what seems like HARD work to others becomes a habit to you.

You no longer label your workouts as good or tough because in you there is no softness or slacking. The only level of work you know IS hard. Nothing less.

Have you ever experienced setbacks or days where you just want to quit and don’t see much progress? How do you deal with them?

Failures are successes hidden by our perception. There have been plenty of days where I feel like giving up. There have been days where I have given up.

I have suffered depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. I’ve been broke, alone, and left with a feeling of worthlessness.

I’ve found that the best way to deal with failure and giving up is to look within. Find the why behind the what.

What I mean is, find the reason why you do what you do. Not just in fitness, but in life. When I found my why, I was able to overcome any obstacle that came my way. My why, my reason for getting up in the morning and reminding myself that I am strong, intelligent, worthy, unique, special, and most of all POWERFUL is such an extremely simple reason….

I am alive.

We are blessed enough to have an opportunity to open our eyes once again and make a life worth living while others don’t. I realized that life isn’t meant to be lived day to day hoping that something different will happen, instead I made a decision to get up each morning and reach out for my goals, dreams, and aspirations.

Even if it is just one step forward per day, the direction of that step will always be forward.

What are your future plans?

I want people to see my vision of the individual and be fully aware and in control of their life. I genuinely believe that moulding one’s body to mirror the mental image we have of ourselves is life changing. Why? Because we realize that our reality starts with our perception.

What we believe tends to become our experiences in life.

My plans are to transition from an online training platform to an exclusive 1 on 1 experience. I am also in the process of launching my own apparel division of my company where each purchase will come with a free 12 week program to get folks motivated to change their lifestyle and look good doing it.

Do you follow a bulking period or do you manage to stay lean year round and gain size?

I normally stay lean year round. I don’t believe in training in periods (bulking/cutting) although I have done it in the past.

I know it’s possible to gain size and stay lean because I’ve done it. Drug free and with no nutritional advice. It’s possible.

It’s simple a matter of knowing your body, eating the right kinds of foods at the right time, and training smart.

Take us through an average day of yours:

• I wake up and immediately tend to my 5 month old daughter.
• Once she’s fed and ready to start her day, I make breakfast usually consisting of high amounts of protein and moderate complex carbs.
• My meals are consumed every 2 hours exactly. I find that every 2 hours works well for my body and allows my metabolism to work its magic.
• Once 5 pm hits I have my last meal for the next 4 hours.
• At 7 pm I hit the gym.
• At 9 pm I consume my post workout meal / last meal of the day.

Give us a brief description of your philosophy on your diet:

Diet to me has never been an issue. I believe that if you consume good quality foods and you know what you are trying to accomplish (gain muscle or lose fat) then you really don’t have to go crazy counting calories, macros, etc.

Simply get an estimate of how many calories you should be consuming to lose or gain weight and use the foods you have to meet that amount. Also, don’t go crazy trying to implement variety into your diet.

I eat because I’m hungry, not because I need to savour and love food.

I hate vegetables but I know their benefits so I consume them.

Basically what I’m saying is to consume the same foods as often as possible if they are working in helping you reach your goals.

3 best nutrition tips to lose fat?

1. Drink like the fish. At least 1 gallon of water per day.

2. Do not cut carbohydrates. Limit them, but don’t cut them out of your diet.

3. Burn more calories than you consume. Obvious right?

• Bonus: Always keep a bag of almonds or peanuts around you at all times. Make these are your only snacks. Not only are they high in unsaturated fats but they pack a hell of a protein punch!

What do you normally eat after training? Are there specific ideal foods to take in after training in your opinion?

Protein and simple carbohydrates.

I usually consume a bowl of cereal with skim milk and add on 25g of whey protein containing BCAA’s.

Give us a brief description of your philosophy on your training and on average how long do you workout for?

My philosophy on training is very straight forward. I believe that it a test of will and testament to your true potential. It’s a struggle between the person we are and who we are trying to become.

Normally, I train for about 45 minutes with 10-15 seconds of rest between exercises. On days that I want to really release some aggression, I train without rest between sets/exercises.

What are your three favourite exercises and why?

• Squats

They remind me that despite all the challenges and obstacles I may face in life weighing me down, I can always get back up…….forcefully.

• Deadlifts

By far the number one mass gaining exercise for me. There’s no better test of strength and no better feeling than being able to lift some heavy ass weight off the ground!

• Pull ups

I love pull ups because it’s the only exercise I can actually feel my entire back being stimulated. In addition, it helps my grip strength tremendously.

What are your top back training tips and exercises to developing a full and wide back?

Perform supersets.

I usually combine my pull ups with lat pull downs and the pump is surreal.

Also, make sure the eccentric motion of the exercise (negative phase) is slow and controlled. Muscles grow due to time under tension, not how fast you can perform 10 reps.

What is the most common question you get asked?

What are you taking?

My response :…………..(smile)

Unfortunately, most people are misled into thinking that every person who looks differently than everybody else is using anabolic steroids. I take pride in knowing that I worked for the body I have and did so without the help of any drugs. So I don’t even entertain the question.

People only see the sculpture, but they don’t bother asking about the 7 day workout schedule and the countless hours of cardio for 6+ years.

People don’t care about how you got to where you are, if they perceive a physique as impossible, they will write you off as someone who took shortcuts and keep it moving.

Best piece of advice that you ever received?

Do the best you can with what you have and success is inevitable.

Favorite Influential bodybuilders:

Oddly enough, I don’t have any. I appreciate the hard work guys put in to achieve the physiques they have, but I don’t get influenced by them. The mirror and the person looking back at me every morning is my influence.

I know where I am and where I want to be.

Fitness woman crush?

Definitely Massiel Arias AKA Manko Fit. She’s latina and she’s a hard worker.

Favorite Quote:

“If you want something bad, you can’t count the cost because when you count the cost and you see how much it costs, you might quit, you might give up. You don’t count the cost on this one. I’ll do as many push ups as it takes, as many reps as it takes, I’ll pay whatever the price is.” ~ Eric Thomas

What are some things you see guys/girls doing wrong in the gym that you would like to see less of?

• Lifting too fast
• Lifting with improper form
• TALKING ON THE PHONE!
• Lack of full range of motion
• Talking during rest periods
• Not taking their health seriously
• Reading while on the treadmill
• Laughing at others who are trying to better themselves
• Flirting

What competitions have you competed in and your placings?

I participated in the 2014 New England Championships for Men’s Physique. I placed 7^th but could’ve done much better if I dedicated more time to my preparation.

I was unemployed, having my first child, and dealing with some personal issues, but nonetheless, I competed and I’m glad I did.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to change their body and their lifestyle for the better?

Be realistic. It doesn’t happen overnight.

Have a plan of action and do not deviate from the plan no matter what.

I’ve had clients who lost 10+ pounds in 1 month by sticking to the plan and working hard. I’ve had clients quit in 5 days because they want things to be easy.

Be realistic and create a plan that you know you can stick to. Remember that any action is better than no action. Even if you walk 15 minutes a day, you’ll see results.

What is ‘SUCCESS’ to you?

It’s a state of mind.

All the people, whom I consider successful, had a successful state of mind first and then the circumstances and situations that created their success began to unfold. You have to first convince yourself that you can succeed and once that seed is planted in your mind, it will consume your consciousness to the point where you become the person you envision.

Where can people get hold of you?

• Website: apex-body.com
• Email: become.apex[at[gmail.com
• Instagram: the_apex_beast
• Facebook: apexbodyevolution