Teen Bodybuilder Jayden Persad Achieves Rapid Success, Eyes Future in Fitness
SAN FERNANDO, Trinidad and Tobago – Seventeen-year-old Jayden Persad is quickly making a name for himself in the world of bodybuilding, earning multiple medals in recent competitions and setting his sights on a career in fitness. Despite being relatively new to the sport, Persad has already demonstrated significant dedication and potential, balancing rigorous training with academic pursuits.
Persad’s journey began with a focus on health, but quickly evolved into competitive bodybuilding. he recently medalled in the Men’s Physique Teenage and Men’s Physique Novice divisions at an unspecified competition, noting he was the sole competitor in the teenage category. “I got through that,” he said,laughing,recalling the experience of competing in minimal clothing. “My body was breaking down a little bit because I was dieting kind of strange. I had no idea what to do…But there were a little bit of cramps in my glutes and calves.”
In August, Persad further expanded his achievements at the NPC’s Island Cup Regional Championship, securing medals in Men’s Physique Teenage, Classic Physique Teenage, and classic Physique Open B. “before this, it was just to be healthy. Then I realised I could push to my full potential,” he explained.
The young athlete acknowledges he is still developing, stating, ”I’m still not where he wants to be,” but is pleased with his progress. He describes the most challenging aspect of bodybuilding as maintaining physique and mental stability during the off-season. “You have to be a little bit insane to push yourself to the position you have to be…to understand that a pain barrier is needed,and multiple pain barriers are needed if you are growing…”
Persad firmly denies using steroids or performance-enhancing drugs,stating,”I have nothing against people on those,but I don’t use that.” He is currently certified with the International sports Conditioning Association (ISCA) as a personal trainer and plans to open his own gym in the future. He views the certification as beneficial for both his entrepreneurial aspirations and his own athletic progress, allowing him to apply sports science and exercise physiology principles. “It shows me how I can be a better personal trainer…as it includes business, it helps me personally with my athleticism…so that’s the next step for me right now.”
Persad embraces a calculated approach to his training, acknowledging the uncertainties of his genetic potential. “I am young. I don’t know what my genetics told me. I don’t know what the next month will say. So I have to play the biggest gamble and train in a way that I assume my body is going to respond to it.”
