Greetings! My name is Philip Manuel Ricardo Jr., and I am a 35 year old active duty Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps stationed at United States Southern Command in Miami , Florida . I am a Musclemania Professional Bodybuilder and personal trainer at LA Fitness in Pembroke Pines as well. The year 2006 was a tremendous year for me in Bodybuilding as I finally realized my dream of becoming a Musclemania Pro by winning the overall Musclemania Superbody. I also placed 2 nd in my very first Musclemania Pro show, Musclemania Worlds, to a great competitor and friend David Whitaker.

I will be stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar , California in August 2007 where I will soon be sent to Iraq for duty. I have been competing for 14 years and have competed in many organizations and levels of competition and have always been a finalist in each show.

I want to give you some insight on how I have come to be the man I am . . . whether good or bad, inspirational or boring, or just another athlete in search of a dream. What I hope to portray to you is that I am a man who is willing to give as much as I have received, and that although I've accomplished so much more than I could ever have hoped in life, I am far from satisfied. I feel I will always have to prove myself because, despite my accomplishments in bodybuilding, I still feel that I am looked at as an average built athlete who is usually the underdog at most competitions. I do not possess a freaky physique, nor am I blessed with the model looks that all of the magazines and supplement companies are looking for. Because of that I am always looking for recognition and opportunities. My overall goal is to be someday thought of as one of the top natural bodybuilders to ever step on stage . . . athlete that always shows up in shape and ready to put on a show for the crowd and that never backs down from competition no matter what level of competition I will face.

I also want people to know that I am not perfect, and that I respect every competitor for just taking a chance to step on stage and to go through the grueling diets, cardio, and training that it takes to be a bodybuilder. I have seen the sport grow to great heights and the athletes getting better and better . . . teenagers are now displaying the muscle maturity of many of the Pro's competing today. I also know that on any given day that any competitor can beat one another…one mistake in preparation can mean the difference from first to last place.

As a US Marine, I realize that my situation is a lot better than most in this world, and for that I am thankful everyday to have what I have and to be blessed with what I have been given to help me succeed in all facets of life. I am thankful for my family, God, and for everything I have in life. I have been all around the world and I have seen many people who are less fortunate than I and who would love to be in my shoes. I feel no matter how badly things may be for me, on a certain day I can always make it through it. I like to surround myself with positive and happy people and things. The news is important to watch, especially being a military man, but I spend more time watching comedy to make me smile! If you are positive, positive things will happen to you, and I believe I have been blessed because of that outlook on life. I look forward to my future journeys in life I take each day one day at a time and enjoy each moment no matter what is going on.

My training this off-season has been successful, and I look forward to competing as much as possible before my Iraq tour. I am looking forward to seeing what new athletes will be competing. Every time I step on stage I see many athletes who I feel are the future of the sport or an athlete with a physique or body parts I wish I had. That is what drives me in this sport…knowing that there is always someone better and that I always can improve. Nothing will make me train harder!

I look forward to a successful 2007 and to meeting new friends and enjoying whatever life and God throws my way!

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