JACKSON, NJ – Born & raised Jackson teenager, Anthony Mantello is working hard to become one of the youngest IFBB Professional Bodybuilders to date. Anthony, who is only 19-years-old, and a recent Class of 2020 Jackson Memorial High School Graduate was initially known to be a Jackson Travel Soccer, PDA & Memorial Varsity Soccer Athlete throughout his adolescent life. After frequent visits to the gym with his family at just 15-years-old; Anthony quickly transitioned his interests from soccer, to creating and working towards his dream of becoming a professional fitness athlete.
After following fitness role models, and IFBB Pros such as Chris Bumstead, Jeremy Buendia, and Steven Cao; Anthony and his father drove up to Columbus, Ohio to meet these influencers at the annual Arnold Strongman Classic Sports Festival in 2017. Anthony grew to love the fitness industry from attending the Arnold Classic, and appreciated having the opportunity to meet & greet with his fitness role models. After a few short motivational conversations with these pros, he learned more about the fitness industry and Anthony’s goal of becoming an influential teen-bodybuilder started turning into a reality.
In mid 2019, Anthony’s fitness journey was taken to a new level, as he started training with Fitness and Nutrition Coach, specializing in Competitive Bodybuilding, Kyle Wilkes. “Being an adolescent, I was very skeptical of taking Anthony on [as a client] due to the primary reason that I feel many individuals under the age of 20 are unable to follow a specific diet and training regimen. To my surprise, Anthony reminded me that sometimes you have to give someone a chance, regardless of any prior misconceptions that one might have.”
In November 2019, after 12 weeks of competitive training and dieting, Anthony competed in his very first bodybuilding competition at just 17-years-old. Anthony won 1st place in the NPC Eastern Championships Teen Physique, and even took the title for Overall in Men’s Physique, which is a shared category of all ages. Since placing his first show, Anthony has continued his journey to compete and has been consistent with training, in hopes to earn his pro-card and becoming one of the youngest professional bodybuilders to date. “Anthony works hard for every opportunity he has been awarded, and maximizes the potential of every experience,” said Wilkes.
As Anthony continues his journey in the fitness industry, he has also started building his own brand via Instagram and Youtube. Anthony’s content is focused on creating motivational fitness routines, as well as updating his followers on his physique for his upcoming NPC Atlantic States Champions Show on June 5th. Within two years, Anthony has grown a following of over 164K Instagram followers and over 144K Subscribers on his Youtube Channel. Through the strength of social media connections, and being a sponsored Athlete by Gorilla Mind, Gymshark, and YoungLA; Anthony has been able to gain even more of a following, as he posts vlog updates and collaborations with other noteworthy fitness influencers such as David Laid, and most recently his bodybuilding role model, 2X Mr. Olympia Chris Bumstead.
Most recently, Anthony has partnered with the very respected IFBB Bodybuilder, WR Powerlifter and Coach Greg Doucette on his newly released “POWER 13 Cookbook.” Anthony has two featured recipes in Greg’s cookbook, which has “ridiculously tasty recipes that build better eating habits, from athletes who have already built them,” explained Greg Doucette. (Use code “ANT15” for 15% off.
As Anthony continues his Road to Pro journey and pushes towards his dream of being one of the youngest IFBB Professional Bodybuilders to date, he continues to grow his brand and create a name for himself in the fitness industry. “Without a doubt, Anthony has taken the industry by storm and it has been such a privilege to watch him grow into a fantastic young man,” Kyle Wilkes. Anthony will be competing in both Men’s Physique and Men’s Classic Physique at the NPC Bev Francis Atlantic States Championships on June 5th in Teaneck, NJ. If Anthony places 1st, he will then move forward to competing in July at the NPC Universe in Charleston, NC in hopes to finally earn his IFBB Pro Card.
Check out Anthony Mantello’s social media pages to stay up-to-date with his Road to Pro series and more.