With a string of chart-topping hits and music industry awards, Cornell Haynes Jr, or as many would call him, Nelly, is one of the best-selling male artists in American music history.
“Self-confidence is a must. You cannot succeed in this business without self-confidence,” Nelly tells The Boombox. “Because if you don’t believe, sure nobody else will believe.”
If you take a look at Nelly’s long list of achievements throughout his 15-year career, there are plenty. From his nine-times platinum-selling album Country Grammar to the Grammy Awards for “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma,” with Kelly Rowland, just to name a few, Nelly’s signature midwest slang and delivery is unique and loved by many.
Not being satisfied with being set for life, what pushes him to do more?
“What drives me to continuously want to grow is understanding that there’s different levels of the game, period,” the 40-year-old states. “When I watch the Jay-Zs, the Dr. Dres, the Puffs and people constantly elevating the game… and doing the same thing that I’m doing in my genre… it makes [me] want it more.”
The St. Louis native and now 42-year-old is a father and an outspoken supporter of bone marrow transplants since his sister was diagnosed and ultimately died of leukemia in 2005. Health is even more important to Nelly now and it shows. He’s been sporting a fit, buffed physique lately and he shares how he did it.
“I’ve played sports all my life,” explains Nelly. “When I played football in high school, I had to…
… stay active and in shape. I am athletically built, but I started focusing on toning and weight-lifting at around 24 or 25.”
When asked about his recent bulking up, the platinum artist responded:
“I’ve always been lean. Putting on weight has always been my problem! My workouts are fairly consistent, schedule permitting. When I’m touring (like now), I might work out 2-3 times a week. When I am less busy, I work out about 5 days a week (Monday through Friday). Regardless if I’m in the gym or not, I’ll still do 1,000-1,500 sit-ups and push-ups a day; they’re easy and I don’t need a gym to do them. I also play basketball in my free time — it’s great cardio.”
“For my upper body, I like the military press machine. During crunches, I hold a 25-45 pound weight plate across my chest for added resistance. I also do calf raises and squats for my lower-body workout.”
“Specifically, this is what my workout looks like: Monday: triceps; Tuesday: back and shoulders; Wednesday: biceps/legs, Thursday: chest using a bench press machine; Friday: start over with triceps. The key is to keep moving around the exercises so I don’t get bored or used to one thing.”
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But Nelly isn’t all about fitness. The “Country Grammar” aficionado also cherishes fatherhood in his later years.
“Fatherhood has taught me to appreciate smaller, everyday pleasures, like just hanging out with them. I know they like my success, but there’s a bitter side to it, too, because I’m not there as much as they want me to be.”
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