DDT: Could you give us a little background info on who Kelechi Opara is?
Kelechi: I was born and raised in Detroit. I joined the Marines after college. In the Marines, I was involved in the longest amphibious assault in U.S. Military history. I’m sponsored by Optimum Nutrition and Bodybuilding.com. I created a revolutionary app called Nutritionist that has literally changed lives around the planet .
DDT: What got you started or inspired to get into the health and fitness lifestyle?
Kelechi: It was probably an amalgamation of different factors . I believe it was probably a combination of being tired of my uber skinny frame as well as my fascination with superheroes growing up thus wanting to look like them.
DDT: We have a ton of respect for the Marines that fight for our country. Can you please tell us how your experience being in the Marine Corps was and how it has molded you into the person you are today?
Kelechi: Looking back at it right now , it was a great experience. It taught me how to make due with very little which is what happens when you are one of the first on a foreign land with the seals (there’s nothing there but you and whatever you have on you) . To expound, when you are in the middle of nowhere in a hostile environment with nothing to workout with but sandbags and rusted poles you have to improvise. It taught me to value life.
DDT: There seems to be a ton of different diet dogma in the fitness industry. Are you more on the IIFYM, Paleo, Clean Eating, or Intermittent Fasting side?
Kelechi: I’m more on the flexible dieting where I stay on a set caloric limit set by my Nutritionist app and try to consume nutrient dense foods as much as I can understandably some of my foods are processed i.e. whey, casein but this isn’t a bad thing . I am not pigeon holed by any dieting philosophies. I don’t believe in paleo as its inaccurate . However I don’t knock it when people ask me should theyuse it . IIFYM is over hyped and abused as people use it to over indulge on processed foods . The common excuse being as long as they meet the minimum fiber requirement . I say its not just about macros, fibers and “aesthetics” . You have to pay attention to micronutrients as well if you want to perform at an optimum level . For instance, it is believed athletes i require more vitamin and minerals because of the excess muscle damage that occur during training. In regards to clean eating , it is tantamount to religion in that the definition of it varies depending on who you are talking to . One thing I do know , it is definitely not eating tilapia and asparagus everyday.
DDT: We can see how goal oriented you are, not everyone has that ability, it’s almost like a gift. What would you say is your biggest flaw? If you do have one.
Kelechi: My patience usually when I have an idea , I try to implement it as soon as possible of course this is a recipe for burning out too early.
DDT: Can you give us a breakdown of what your current training routine is like? (if you have videos that would be great) they are all on youtube or instagram
Kelechi: The following below is a generalization of my routine
Monday: Legs (Low Reps)
- Front Squats 5 x 5
- Leg press 3 x 10
- Walking lunges
- Calves seated 5 x 5
- Calves standing 4 x 8
Tuesday: Back & Shoulders (Low Reps)
- Weighted pull ups 5 x 5 (superset with)
- Standing Barbell military press 5 x 5
- Weighted chin ups 3 x 10 (superset with)
- L’s
- Weighted V bar pull ups 5 x 5 superset w/
- Face pulls 3 x 10
- Deadlifts 5 x 5
- Upright rows 3 x 10
- Dead hang leg raises 3 x 10
- Windshield wipers 3 x 10
Wednesday: Chest & Triceps
- Incline press 5 x 5
- Guillotine press 4 x 8
- Weighted dips 5 x 5
- Incline flyes 3 x 10
- Rope extensions 4 x 8 (superset with)
- Flat bench dumbbell extensions 5 x5
- Reverse close grip bench press 3 x 10
Thursday: Off Day
Friday: Legs (High Reps)
- Front Squats 3 x 12-15
- Leg press 3 x 12-15
- Walking lunges 3 x 12-15
- Calves seated 3 x 12-15
- Calves standing 3 x 12-15
Saturday: Back & Shoulders (High Reps)
- Weighted pull ups 4 x 12 (superset with)
- Standing Barbell military press 4 x 12
- Weighted chin ups 4 x 12 (superset with)
- L’s
- Weighted V bar pull ups 5 x 5 superset w/
- Face pulls 4 x 12
- Deadlifts 5 x 5
- Upright rows 4 x 12
- Dead hang leg raises 4 x 12
- Windshield wipers 4 x 12
Sunday: Off Day
DDT: At times life throws challenges at you to test your mental toughness and heart as a person. What has been your biggest challenge in life and how did you overcome it?
Kelechi: There have been many but the ones that stands out are probably my stint in Afghanistan and the death of my friend . At the time, I dealt with it by concentrating on the job at hand or in my work. Each situation will call for a different method to deal with it . The environment you are in also determines how you deal with it.
DDT: Can you tell us about what your “Nutritionist App” consists of and where our readers and followers can find it?
Kelechi: Nutritionist app is an autonomous app that provides a meal plan to its user based on their goal of Fat loss, muscle gain , rapid weight loss or maintenance. It adjusts the meal plan on its own based on the user’s weekly feedback . This means if the user isn’t losing fat it will know and adjust. If the user isn’t gaining muscle it will know and adjust. It also will realize if the user is losing weight too fast and adjust accordingly to protect the user’s metabolism. In effect, it acts as nutritionist in your pocket.
DDT: We gotta shake things up here and have some fun. What does Kelechi like to do for fun and don’t be shy now?
Kelechi: Hahaha It depends in the mood I’m in . It can be as benign as researching and reading. Or it could be a day out riding one of my motorcycles. It can also be a night out in town with some of my friends
DDT: Favorite pre and post workout meals?
Kelechi: I don’t have a particular pre or post workout meals I have as favorites. I just have a favorite meal which is Steak and sweet potato fries or potato
DDT: Thanks for taking the time to do this Kelechi, we really appreciate it. Where can our readers go if they want to start following you?
Kelechi: They can find me on Instagram at @kelechi_opara or facebook at www.facebook.com/askkelechiopara or on Twitter @KelechiOpera