Overview
This interview with athlete Andrey Smaev covers his sports journey, competition history, training philosophy, experiences with pharmacology, views on media attention, financial realities, and personal reflections on balancing family, career, and fitness.
Early Sports Background
- Andrey began with basketball in childhood but shifted focus to strength sports after meeting a peer, Sasha.
- Health issues in adolescence (rapid growth, tachycardia) limited some activities but led to regular training on horizontal bars at home.
- Progress in physical strength became apparent after sustained self-training during summer breaks.
- His first exposure to weightlifting and powerlifting came through a school physical education teacher.
Competition and Athletic Achievements
- Competed in powerlifting, streetlifting, kettlebells, and armlifting; earned titles including Candidate Master of Sports and “elite” status in certain disciplines.
- Lost interest in formal competitions over time; now focuses on personal progress and supporting peers.
- No current plans for future competition unless internally motivated.
Attitudes Towards Bodybuilding and Training
- Appreciates bodybuilding and has compared himself to top athletes, but does not pursue competition due to the high level required and personal goals.
- Training is individualized; stresses that results are due to consistency, not genetics or extreme pharmacology.
- Recognizes the growing demands and changing standards in modern bodybuilding.
Pharmacology Use and Advice
- Began using basic oral steroids at 18 mainly for recovery from intense training, progressing to injectables in early 20s.
- Doses are moderate; emphasizes that high doses are not always beneficial and can be harmful.
- Consumes information from foreign athletes and experts; does not have a coach.
- Cautions against early or casual use of pharmacology, especially for those not committed to long-term athletic development.
- Advises to consider financial costs, long-term consequences, and personal readiness before starting pharmacological regimens.
Work, Finances, and Life Balance
- Works as a factory mechanic for stability; online income is supplementary and unstable.
- Prefers living in a smaller city for quality of life, nature, and convenience, despite occasional consideration of relocating for opportunities.
- Aims to provide financial security and property for his family’s future.
Media and Public Attention
- Became more recognized after appearing in online sports videos; initial reluctance to participate in media.
- Experiences both positive support and negativity ("hate") online; mostly indifferent to negative comments.
- Refuses collaborations with entities he perceives as unethical (e.g., gambling or misleading advertising).
- Does not create generalized training programs, preferring individualized approaches for each athlete.
Sponsorship, Earnings, and Advertising
- Sponsors provide sports nutrition and pharmacology; still covers many expenses personally.
- Online income fluctuates and is not fully relied upon.
- Avoids promoting or advertising gambling, scams, or template programs.
Family, Fatherhood, and Personal Values
- Strives to balance training and work with time spent with his wife and child.
- Values shared family experiences and aims to support his child's growth and future opportunities.
- Holds a neutral or negative view of alcohol and smoking; never used them personally.
Reflections on Motivation and Future Plans
- Current focus is on sustaining athletic progress, muscle mass, and endurance, primarily training at home.
- Plans to continue supporting his family financially and leave assets for his child's security.
- Seeks a stable, healthy life for himself and his family and is realistic about aging and athletic limits.
Decisions
- Declined collaboration with media outlets promoting gambling and unethical content.
- Chose not to pursue further competitive bodybuilding or powerlifting unless internal motivation returns.
Action Items
- TBD – Andrey: Continue training and supporting peers, reassessing competition and media involvement as desired.
- TBD – Host/Channel Team: Release upcoming analyses with Andrey Smaev and seek audience engagement for future guests.
Recommendations / Advice
- Start pharmacology only if fully committed and aware of long-term consequences; delay use if possible until natural potential is maximized.
- Seek individualized training and supplementation plans; avoid one-size-fits-all programs.
- Carefully weigh financial, health, and personal factors before making major life or career changes.