For my 3rd weighttraining-advice.co.uk interview I am thrilled to present Chris Porter, the reserve goal keeper of York City, who I am currently helping to train in the gym. Chris is well on his way to major success and it is so refreshing to see someone so utterly passionate and totally dedicated about what he does.

Chris is a winner in every sense of the word and a true athlete. If you want to see how to train properly and what it takes to succeed, then you should come and see Chris in action in the gym. He always gives his all, doesn't know when he's beaten and simply refuses to ever give up.

Very few professionals train like Chris does, and it is only a matter of time before Chris makes it to the very highest level.

I am extremely proud to have been able to play a very small part in Chris's success story.

SLIM: Now the Mr Safehands (Chris's nickname !), so gives us a bit of background about yourself.

CHRIS PORTER: As a kid I had trials and played for lots of clubs as a school boy. Manchester United was one of the biggest where I stayed about two years. Then when I left school I joined Sunderland on a YTS which was for two years after the two years I did two years as a Pro. Realising that as a young goalkeeper at a big Premier League club chances would be few and far in between, so as my contract was running out I went on loan to Darlington to be involved with the first team. When my contact was up I kind of done some travelling from club to club. Hartlepool, Southend I even had a spell in Iceland. On returning from there I rejoined Darlington and became very frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities, so after a year and a half and not many appearances I left for York.

S: As you grew up, how did you go about realising your dreams ? Where did it all start ?

CP: As a child I guess I had every child's dreams, saving a penalty in the FA Cup final at Wembley, playing for England, playing for the best team in the country, you know those sort of things. My heroes were definitely as a keeper, Peter Shilton and Bruce Grobbelaar. Now I like to watch David James.

When I was growing up there was only one thing that I wanted to do, anything else was meaningless to me. All I wanted to do was play football, before my homework, even before football practice. When you get a little bit older scouts start to come and watch and if you do well trials are the next thing, that's when its starts to get a little bit more serious.

S: How did you keep going and keep the inner self belief in yourself when people around you made you feel as if you were not good enough or that you had no chance and so were just wasting your time ?

CP: To be honest ALL my mates were, and still are so supportive of what I do, they come and watch all the time, and always show an interest trying to get the
latest buzz of what's going round. Anyone who tries or tried to take a pop at me or bring me down with negative comments I would push away. I'm a strong minded person so what I want to do will do and what anyone thinks, especially negative, I don't care it just makes me want to do it even more.

S: Who did you turn to in your darkest hour of need ?

CP: I have had a few of those who didn't believe in me. Every single time my dad and mum have ALWAYS been there for me. They pulled me through some really bad times when I had to make some really hard decisions and without that support I don't know where I'd be right now.

S: What's your daily attitude towards things ?

CP: I live a dream every day. I wake up and do a job which anybody would die to do, its something I well and truly love with a passion. There has never been a moment when I don't think that. People like that live in the, 'comfort zone' and will never better themselves whatever they do. Every day I go and work hard as I can and try to be better than what I was the day before, if I'm not my whole day could be ruined, sad Iknow.

S: So what's life like as a goalkeeper ?

CP: Superb! As Isay Im doing something that Im so passionate about and love doing, not many people can say that about their job. It is demanding though. As a keeper 'you got to be tough' physically, and even more so now, mentally, you get battered, kicked, fingers pop out, the lot. But this is what I love doing and will never complain about it.

S: How do you maintain success once you have it ? Any tips you can give with regards your training ?

CP: Success ? The thing which everybody strives for, no matter what you are trying to achieve. If you are successful all the plaudits that come your way are all deserved because you don't get success without hard work. Once you have tasted success it's important to want to taste it again and have the hunger to do it again and again. Every week I set myself goals to reach. I see these as a ladder on the way to my success, a team success. With regard to training for me the key is work hard, if I finish training and don't feel like I have done enough or haven't done what I want to do I stay and do it, or work harder to feel satisfied with what I have done.

S: Have you ever had the national anthem played for you ? What was it like ?

CP: I have yes. Albeit not in an international game. When I was 14 I played for Manchester United in a tournament in Ireland called the Milk Cup. We made the final and plated Celtiic. There was 9000 fans there and the place kicked off big time when our national anthem was played. I was buzzing, it was one of those moments in life which I will never forget. The other was my dad and mum being able to watch me make my league debut.

S: Can you finish by giving a few words that will help inspire the members on the site to achieve their own personal goals and to be the very best that they can ?

CP: All I can say is realise your dream. Everything is with in your grasp if you are will to give it your all and work hard! The harder you work to achieve your goal the more satisfying it will be when you do.

Well, its been nice Sim man. We must do this again sometime. Hope this is what you wanted. Latas, Safehands.

S: Cheers mate, fantastic. I know your words will inspire all who read them. Good luck for the future. All the best amigo. Ciao.