Interview with Masters Heavyweight Bodybuilder: Jason ‘Sherbs’ Sherban

I met Jason on Facebook and follow him daily. He has an impressive physique, but doesn’t take himself too seriously. Jason inspires me and always has something positive to say. We could all take a lesson from him; get to know him a little better.

• Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
• Current location: Edmonton, Alberta
• Height: 6’2″
• Off Season Weight: 255 lbs
• Stage Weight: 230
• Age: 44
• Favorite Lift: Side Lateral Raise
• Nickname: Sherbs

Social Media

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.sherban?fref=ts
• Instagram: http://websta.me/n/bigsherbs?lang=en
• Gmail: [email protected]

For those unfamiliar, can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got involved in the fitness community?

Like any high school kid, weightlifting and body building always peeked my interest, but I never looked upon it as a ‘real sport.’ I have always been active, but I spent most of my life overweight, and I was extremely self-conscious of my chunky appearance. I mainly played hockey with some soccer for conditioning in the off season. It wasn’t until many years later that I was bit by the bodybuilding ‘bug.’

Years later, after overcoming a failed marriage, three battles with cancer, two heart attacks, the first one at the age of 30, and a life changing stint in an addiction rehab facility, I came to the realization that my dreams in life were only dead if I let them be! Looking back, if I would have taken a different path, I never would have met my wife Tanya, who has turned out to be the ‘greatest’ thing that has ever happened to me. So, at the age of 44 I got serious; I got a coach and most importantly, I had the backing of my best friend and wife. Tanya has been the driving force behind making my dreams come true.

Anything is possible if you have the drive and a good support system.

What is your current occupation?

I have been a Partsman with Chrysler since 1990.

Currently do you have any sponsors?

I am currently sponsored by Olympia Supplements in Leduc, Alberta. They approached me in January and told me they would be honored to sponsor me. We have become extremely good friends, and our relationship continues to blossom.

What are your short and long term goals with your physique and in the fitness industry?

I am continuing to make improvements on my physique, and I would like to place in a regional competition. Long term, I would simply like to compete at a national level and represent where I came from. Hopefully along the way, I can encourage and inspire others to take up a healthy lifestyle.

Where do you get your sense of humor and the passion to motivate others from?

Growing up I was influenced by SCTV, SNL, and people like John Candy, Eugene Levy, Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray. My passion to motivate others is simply a by-product of creating a way to deal with life’s many hurdles and speed bumps.

Who is your favorite body builder and why?

The newly crowned IFBB Pro Paulo Almeida is simply incredible, and I’m very excited to follow his career. As far as my favorite person that has had the most profound inspiration on my bodybuilding beginnings, it was a gentleman by the name of Ron Partlow. Ron is a true ambassador for the sport and recently obtained his IFBB Pro card, along with Paulo, at this year’s CBBF Nationals in Edmonton.

Ron is a loving, family man, with an unwavering work ethic that inspires me to work harder to achieve my own goals. Ron simply goes about his business letting his results to do the talking on stage. He has a ‘take no prisoners,’ kind of attitude in the gym which I admire that simply produces results. He constantly goes out of his way to help and encourage others and does whatever he can to promote our sport in a positive light.

What is your secret to your incredible calf development?

I spent the majority of my life being overweight which contributed to my overdeveloped and powerful calves. I personally only train them once every couple of weeks. So I guess my secret was having a big waistline for a long time. When I do train them, it’s usually with relatively low weight and with high reps.

I always make sure to get a full stretch and focus on getting an ‘incredible squeeze’ with each and every rep.

What does your current training look like?

I train 5 days on and 2 days off. I start off with 2 warm up sets with a minimum of 15 reps each set. For all exercises, I do 4 working sets in the 8-12 rep range. For every exercise and each rep, I really focus on the ‘squeeze.’

Jason’s Training Schedule

Day 1: Arms

• EZ-Bar Curls 4 x 8-12

• Preacher Curl 4 x 8-12

• Seated Hammer Curl 4 x 8-12

• High Cable Curl 4 x 8-12

• Cable Pressdown 4 x 8-12

• Skull Crushers 4 x 8-12

• Seated Overhead Extension 4 x 8-12

• Close Grip Bench Press 4 x 8-12

Day 2: Hams/Glutes/Abs

• Seated Leg Curl 4 x 8-12

• Lying Leg Curl 4 x 8-12

• Deadlifts 4 x 8-12

• Walking Lunges 4 x 8-12

• Single Leg Press 4 x 8-12

• Bulgarian Split Squats 4 x 8-12

• Cable Glute Kickbacks 4 x 8-12

• Decline Crunch 4 x 8-12

• Incline Crunch 4 x 8-12

Day 3: Shoulders/Traps

• Seated Military Press 4 x 8-12

• Pull-Press 4 x 8-12

• Barbell Front Raise 4 x 8-12

• Seated Side Raise 4 x 8-12

• Bent-Over Rear Delt Flys 4 x 8-12

• Seated Dumbbell Press 4 x 8-12

• Reverse Cable Crossover 4 x 8-12

• Dumbbell Shrugs 4 x 8-12

Day 4: Back/Calves

• Reclined Lat Pulldown 4 x 8-12

• Underhand Pulldown 4 x 8-12

• Lat Pulldown 4 x 8-12

• Bent-Over Barbell Row 4 x 8-12

• One-Arm Dumbbell Row 4 x 8-12

• Wide Pull Ups 4 x 8-12

• Back Extensions 4 x 8-12

• Standing Calf Raise 4 x 8-12

• Seated Calf Raise 4 x 8-12

Day 5: Quads/Chest

• Leg Extensions 4 x 8-12

• Leg Press 4 x 8-12

• Squats 4 x 8-12

• Hack Squats 4 x 8-12

• Flat Bench Press 4 x 8-12

• Incline Bench Press 4 x 8-12

• Incline Dumbbell Flys 4 x 8-12

• Cable Crossovers 4 x 8-12

• Decline Dumbbell Press 4 x 8-12

Day 6: Cardio/Rest

• Treadmill HITT 20 Minutes

• Steady State Treadmill 30 Minutes

Day 7: Cardio/Rest

• Repeat Day 6

Who do you get told you look most like?

I personally don’t see it, but people say I resemble Branch Warren. If that’s the case, I am humbled. Branch is a guy who has beaten genetic odds and rewritten the body building rules to suit him. I would be proud to be associated with his talent, dedication and hard work.

I could only hope someone would describe my training that way.

What is your favorite cheat meal?

I enjoy an indulgence once in a while, but to me, a great cheat meal is an evening at home enjoying Tanya’s home cooking! I love delicious Ukrainian food that sticks to my ribs, piled high and covered in cream, butter and garlic. Eating like that makes for one heck of a great leg day or I can go back in the fields and work for hours.

Jason’s Daily Diet

• Meal 1: 5 Whole Eggs and 6 Egg Whites

• Meal 2: 50 Grams Whey Isolate and 1 ½ Tablespoons Peanut Butter

• Meal 3: 7 Ounces Chicken, Turkey, Tuna, Tilapia or Cod and 1/3 Cup Almonds, Cashews or Walnuts

• Meal 4: Pre Workout 50 Grams Whey Isolate, ½ Cup Oats and 1 ½ Tablespoons Peanut Butter

• Meal 5: Post Workout 60 Grams Cyclic Dextrin and 60 Grams Whey Isolate

• Meal 6: 7 Ounces Salmon, Filet Mignon or Top Cut Round, 1 Cup Green Vegetables and 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil and Vinegar

What are your hobbies and interests outside of the gym?

Tanya and I are very much homebodies. We spend the majority of our spare time puttering outside on our acreage and spending time with our two horses, two mini donkeys, four cats and one dog. When it’s possible we love to travel. We try to spend a couple weeks each year in our favorite place, Hawaii, and we visit my parents in Phoenix. One of my favorite hobbies while travelling is checking out the local gym facilities. You haven’t lived until you are lifting weights on a beach in Belize!

When time permits we both volunteer for the Alberta Bodybuilding Association, A.B.B.A.

What is your philosophy?

I have come to the realization that it’s not the prize that is the reward, but the enjoyment of the journey that makes every aspect of life worthwhile. If I can accomplish my goals and help others along the way, then my mission is accomplished. That being said, I’ve now been in the game for just over a year, and my drive does nothing, but increase every day!

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