When someone states that they were born with the desire to be a bodybuilder, who are we to doubt him? “I have been competing since 1994 and have been really dedicated to competition since 2001, which is why I guess I’m still at it at the age of 37,” Mackenzie said with a smile.

A streak of five first place finishes for Mackenzie began at the 1997 NBI Mr. America. He then won the 2002 NPC Physique middleweight division. In 2004, he once again was the top middleweight at the NPC Bodybuilding Extravaganza and NPC South Jersey. A year later, Mackenzie moved up to the light heavyweight ranks and placed first at the NPC Mid Atlantic Natural.

“I personally chose to compete naturally, but that is my choice and is not a putdown to my fellow competitors who choose a different path,” Mackenzie said. “I also do not let my natural status limit me. I have competed in several natural organizations but I also fight my way through NPC shows and have had some success there.”

Mackenzie gained some valuable experience by stepping on stage at the 2007 NPC Arnold Classic Amateur, where he placed seventh amongst the middleweights. The following year, he won the light heavyweight and masters overall at the USBF Natural Jersey Shore.

2009 was a ‘very good year’ for Mackenzie, as he won the overall at the FAME Atlantic City, first place (middleweight) at the NPC Atlantic City and finished fifth as a middleweight at the NPC Team Universe.

“One thing that I feel keeps me going is that I have respect for bodybuilding as a sport,” Mackenzie said. “I follow the various organizations and one thing that I have learned is that most good competitors cross paths. I enjoy seeing guys that I have competed with do well and I enjoy seeing our sport grow.”

Mackenzie is also active in his home state’s local NPC organization and acts as a judge for others. He is currently training for a power lifting meet to be held on February 28 where he will compete in the “raw” category, meaning he will not be wearing any wraps or bench shirt.

He has a lot of inspiration from his wife Jen and their three children who, as Mackenzie likes to say, “provide balance to my life and put a smile on my face every day.” He also considers himself lucky to have IFBB pro bodybuilder Tim Martin as a training partner. Martin is also a natural for life bodybuilder.

Even as he works his way towards his pro card, Mackenzie’s physique can be seen in nutritional ads. He works for BPi Sports in their sales department and doubles as their model in placements for their products such as 1MR Pre-Workout, Rx6 Fat Burner and M80 Test Booster/Muscle Builder.

So the next time you have a conversation about the Garden State, keep Chris Mackenzie’s name in mind.

Take your pick from defending champion Dexter Jackson, his predecessor Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Victor Martinez, Kai Greene and Dennis Wolf. Just for shits and giggles, let’s add Branch Warren, Toney Freeman and Silvio Samuel. And let’s not forget the fact that Ronnie Coleman is still undecided if he is going to make a comeback or not.

From a strategic standpoint, the ‘bigger is better’ mantra looks to be en vogue with the recent guest posing appearances by Heath, Cutler, Jackson and Coleman. While Cutler and Coleman have always possessed the ‘freaky’ physique, Heath and Jackson’s look was of the more aesthetic kind. Both appear to have added a good amount of weight and depending on their diet, may come into the Orleans Arena looking much different than they have in the past.

Greene, who won the 2009 Arnold Classic, is not as big as some of his fellow competitors but is wide in the right places to give him the appearance of being much larger. Martinez may be the favorite going in if he has made the slight improvements needed since March, when he finished as the runner-up in Ohio. Recovering from his injury has taken him a little longer than expected.

Warren may be a huge fan favorite and deserved his third place award at the Arnold, but he may have to be content with a good placing in the two most prestigious contests in the world. Freeman is in the same boat, and Samuel may have competed too many times in the calendar year to stay in top condition in September.

That leaves Wolf, who was lucky to finish as high as he did last year. Fourth place is nothing to be ashamed of but he even admitted that his timing was way off and he made mistakes in his diet preparation at the end. He then had to sit out the Arnold due to hernia surgery and has stated that he is fully recovered and ready to go.

Because he has the size and height advantage of the majority of the line-up, Wolf needs to work with what he has and not try to bulk up too much. If he can get a little more symmetrical and get his arms to catch up to his massive delts, he has to be considered a top dog going in.