Jacques Mercadal stayed for a long time in Seaside, California. He was born in Monterey, California in 198 to an African American couple. Jacques spent a quiet childhood, growing up under the stern discipline of his father, an executive manager for Pebble Beach Company. In high school, things began to change.In spite of, and perhaps partly due to, his father’s strict rules, Jacques fell in with a bad crowd at his high school. Rejecting the strictures of his father’s and the school’s rules, Jacques spent more of his time partying, drinking, smoking, instead of attending school. For two years, Jacques just goofed off and bummed around. For a while, it seemed that Jacques would end up as just another one of those party bums.Football and bodybuilding changed all that.In one of those seemingly ordinary decisions that turn out to be a turning point in one’s life, Jacques signed up for the Monterey High varsity football team in his junior year. A natural athlete, Jacques had excelled in football since his childhood days, and had developed into a keen football player by the age of 10. He had won “Running Back of the Year†trophies and earned a green belt in Tae-kwon-do by the time he entered high school. But for varsity football, he needed something more.Fully grown at 5’ 8†and weighing 170lbs, Jacques had to undergo weight-training in order to gain the muscle mass necessary to endure the rigors of varsity high school football. He loved his football, but in the discipline of bodybuilding and power lifting he found a new passion. He applied himself seriously to his football and weight training. His body responded quickly and his muscles became more developed. He was later voted team captain, and received the “Most Dedicated Player†award. His studies responded, too, and Jacques was able to maintain his GPA and stay on the varsity team.His beautifully developing physique garnered Jacques admiring comments at the gym where he trained, and he was frequently asked whether he was a serious bodybuilder and interested in competing in the sport. Jacques had never considered this, and said he knew little about serious bodybuilding. But, when challenged by close friends to enter a local bodybuilding contest, Jacques took the challenge and applied himself to the task. Under the tutelage of national and local competitors, Jacques made such rapid progress that he went on to win his weight class and emerged as overall champion at his first competition.Today, Jacques lives in Marina, California. He is in great demand as a personal trainer and works between forty to fifty hours a week. He also seriously pursues bodybuilding for competition. In November 2006, Jacques was a member of Team USA and competed in the WBFA/IFBA Team USA vs. Team Europe tourney. He garnered third place in the lightweight division. This achievement qualified him to compete for his pro card at the 2008 Mr. Universe.His physique, the handsome good looks, and the strict discipline he observes in his bodybuilding regimen, have made him a popular personal trainer and role model. Jacques currently is developing a career in modeling.
STUNTMAN SLIDESHOW (RIPPLY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT) !!!