My name is Paul Hovan. I’m 22 years young, born and raised on the East Coast in Connecticut. A lot of people who meet me just think I have been this muscular and in great shape my entire life, which is far from the truth!

I played football in high school, and believe it or not, I was 250 pounds playing offensive and defensive line. I remember going to get McDonald’s and Burger King three to four times a week after football and basketball practice! I had no idea what I was doing to my body and didn’t know a thing about proper nutrition! Once my senior year of playing football was over, I realized I didn’t want to continue and pursue it at the college level. I discovered that my real passion was in the weight room. I decided that I didn’t need all of this extra weight on me anymore. I made the choice to get healthy and started working out religiously. I started researching scientific articles published on Pub Med about nutrition, the best training principles, cardiovascular training, and training splits to increase my knowledge on the subjects. I applied what I learned to myself. In 6 months, I lost 55 pounds (240 lbs. on December 15th, 2008 to 185 lbs. on June 15th, 2009). This was the event that catapulted me into competing. As I followed that 55 pound weight loss journey into the competing realm, I did my first competition a year later in June, 2010.

I founded my own business called HOV HUSTLE FITNESS (www.hovhustlefitness.com) where I train clients online and prepare nutritional plans and programs in 12 to 16 week intervals. We specialize in competition prep for bikini, figure, and bodybuilding competitors, but work with all walks of life! I received my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Central Connecticut State University. I am a NASM certified personal trainer and certified sports nutritionist. I’ll be going to graduate school next year to obtain my master’s degree in nutritional science. I love helping people find their full potential, which is why I started training clients online, all over the world.

I started getting into fitness modeling about 4 years ago and at this time; I also entered my first Natural Bodybuilding competition, which I am now an INBF Natural Bodybuilding competitor. After competing in my first two competitions as a teenager and placing well, I was noticed by a photographer in the audience by the name of Bill Terry. He saw the potential in me and I traveled to Long Island to do my first photo shoot. I guess you can say the rest is history from there. Bill told me that I had a natural ability in front of the camera along with a well-built physique for the young age of 18. I continued to stay dedicated to eating healthy, lifting with intensity, and never giving up, which has brought me to this very spot today.

I then traveled to John of BBpics.com’s house to meet with him and get some feedback about my physique. John is such a wonderful photographer and he tells it like it is, which one of the greatest things about him! I respect honesty.  John and I did about four photo shoots together in the span of a few months and they were all fantastic. We went to some amazing locations and John is such a professional and perfectionist at what he does, which is why we meshed well together because I am the same way when it comes to my physique and modeling. I highly recommend John to anyone looking to get some fantastic photographs and work done to develop new looks to their portfolio.

I’ve had to overcome many obstacles and challenges to achieve what I have, just like many of you; but the very important thing I did while encountering those challenges was keeping my faith strong and always staying positive. I guarantee that if I approached those painful, challenging times with a negative attitude, I certainly wouldn’t be in the position I am today.

I want to let you all know, where ever you are in your life is the result of the choices you have made every single day leading up to this present moment. If you’re not satisfied with where you are, it’s time to make some better choices. It’s no one’s fault that you look and feel the way you do; it’s your own. Take full responsibility and take back control of your life. I am not better than any of you. I don’t have more talent. I don’t have more gifts. I don’t have anything that makes me better; I simply make the most of everything I do have, and continue working hard to get even better. Never give up on your dreams or your goals. There will be many obstacles and challenges that come your way, but a very important trait of all successful people is that they don’t accept ‘no’ for an answer; they don’t give up, plain and simple. If you never give up on your goals, continue working hard every day, and make choices every day that are helping you get closer to those goals, you will absolutely achieve them. Believe in yourself. You can do it.