Armand Peri Archives - Model & Mode

Bodybuilding expert and serial entrepreneur Armand Peri is no stranger to hard work and overcoming adversity. He was once a seventeen-year-old scrawny kid who used to be bullied a lot but he made a definitive decision to do something about it. He decided to get into weights so that no one would mess around with him anymore and two years later, he was rewarded for all his hard work with a first-place title in the teenage division of “Mr. New Jersey” which then led to winning the heavyweight division in the same competition two years later.

Armand Peri was originally born as the son of Portuguese parents who emigrated to the U.S.; they settled in New Jersey when he was just 12 years of age. He began competitive bodybuilding in the ’90s and all of his hard work eventually paid off as he started winning one bodybuilding competition after another. Besides coming first in the teenage division of “Mr. New Jersey,” he also placed first in other bodybuilding competitions such as the Junior Bodybuilding New Jersey State Championships as well as the NPC Suburban among others.

Fast forward to today and Armand is now a successful entrepreneur, investor, artist, author, and motivational speaker. His fitness goals are quite different now since he’s older and he doesn’t compete in bodybuilding competitions anymore, however, he still works out though just to stay fit and healthy. In his book “Unparalleled Success”, which was published in 2019, he shares his recipe for success. He’s also frequently engaged as a motivational speaker. His genuine desire to help others to achieve true success, while keeping the focus on their professional and personal well-being, is what inspires others to find their own path to victory. Armand also happens to be a mentor to several high-profile personalities such as New York-based fashion model, actor, and former boxing heavyweight champion Rudy Bundini who has modeled for several high profile brands such as Dolce Gabbana, Nike, Armani, Versace, Calvin Klein, Roger Dubuis, Philipp Plein, and Hennessy among others. He also happens to be one of the world’s top male models who was recently featured on Forbes.

Model & Mode magazine recently caught up with Armand to discuss his journey in the world of modeling and bodybuilding and here’s what went down:

How did you develop an interest in fitness and what drove you to pursue that passion onto social media?

I developed an interest in fitness when I was a scrawny teenager wanting to improve my physical appearance; I began weight training at the age of 17 years old.

How do you balance maintaining a fit body while being busy with being an entrepreneur?

By making my workouts a priority in my life, I always make time for it!

We also note that you were a former bodybuilding champion, when you were competing, what was your diet like?

I began competitive bodybuilding in the ’90s and the following is a list of my bodybuilding achievements: First place at the Junior Bodybuilding New Jersey State Championships, first place at the Mr. New Jersey competition, NPC Suburban Overall Winner (first place), third place at the NPC Jr. Nationals, fourth place at the NPC Jr. USA Championships and sixth place at the NPC USA Championships. My diet back then was low fat, moderate carbohydrates, and one gram of protein per pound of body weight.

Being now that you’re older, has much changed in terms of your fitness training and diet? If so, what has changed?

Since my fitness goals are different now, I work out just to stay fit and healthy.

Do you have a moment in your career when you felt it was the pinnacle for you?

I’m still climbing up in my career so every day is a new pinnacle.

Do you have any “secrets” to bodybuilding success that you would like to share with everyone?

The secret to bodybuilding success is to just be consistent and stay the course, never give up!

What’s your view on the sport of bodybuilding right now? What do you feel has changed since the days when you were competing?

I believe the sport of bodybuilding has changed in the direction of becoming more of a freak show! I prefer the aesthetics of a physique like “Frank Zane’s” over the big monsters of present-day bodybuilding.

Are there any people you would like to thank for helping you get to where you are today? Is there anyone in particular who inspired you?

Yes, I would like to thank my wife Fran Peri who always supported and believed in me.

We further note that you’re a mentor to some of the top male models in the world, which models are you mentoring at the moment and how do you juggle being a mentor with being a successful entrepreneur?

I mentor Rudy Bundini (@rudybundini) who is a New York-based fashion model, actor, and former boxing heavyweight champion. He was recognised as the male model of the year by IMTA. Rudy has so far modeled for high profile brands such as Dolce Gabbana, Nike, Armani, Versace, Calvin Klein, Roger Dubuis, Philipp Plein, and Hennessy and has appeared in numerous runways, campaigns, magazine covers, and billboards. He is also currently one of the world’s top male models who was just featured on Forbes.

What are some of the difficulties of being in the industry?

You have to get used to being rejected without losing faith, just remember that someone will eventually say yes because it’s just a number’s game!

If someone is going to make your life into a movie, who would play you?

Maybe Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (laughs)!