Exclusive Interview: Davide Brentegani on bodybuilding, sacrifice, and fatherhood
In the world of fitness and bodybuilding, few journeys are as unique and inspiring as that of Davide Brentegani. Once a police officer in Italy, Brentegani has since transformed his life into a full-time pursuit of bodybuilding excellence, carving out a reputation both on stage and as a mentor to younger athletes. In this exclusive Men’s Active interview, he opens up about his career, challenges, and what it means to balance discipline with family life.
For readers who don’t know you yet — how would you describe yourself and your journey into bodybuilding?
Davide Brentegani: I’m Italian and I live in Northern Italy. I first stepped on stage about four years ago; before that, competing wasn’t something that really interested me. Today, at 32 years old, I see myself as someone very determined to reach goals, especially on an aesthetic level. At the same time, I dedicate myself to helping many young men and women take the same path, sharing my passion and experience with them.
When did your passion for fitness first begin, and what pushed you to start bodybuilding seriously?
I started boxing when I was 14, and at 16, after seeing the effects of lifting weights, I immediately signed up for a gym. That’s where the passion was born, and it never left me. Over the years, thanks to the results and the experience I gained, I chose to compete on stage to give even more value to my journey. From that moment, I began training and thinking with the mentality of a professional.
What were the biggest challenges in balancing your career as a policeman with training at a high level?
In the Italian police force, an officer has to deal with many shifts, often at night. Balancing that rhythm with bodybuilding is extremely difficult. In Italy, this sport isn’t always well-regarded, and there isn’t much support, financially or otherwise. I realized my dedication wasn’t valued. The hardest part was those nights spent patrolling the city after grueling workouts, without proper recovery.
At what point did you decide to leave the police force and dedicate yourself fully to bodybuilding?
After almost ten years, I decided to leave the police. All the effort I put into my appearance and physical presence wasn’t recognized. Whether you were an athlete or ate fast food every day, you were just another number. Knowing how difficult it was to manage both, I chose to dedicate myself fully to bodybuilding and my personal growth.
Looking back, what was the toughest sacrifice you had to make on this journey?
The toughest part was maintaining my discipline despite exhausting work, little sleep, and constant stress. In bodybuilding, without recovery, you can’t progress. I prepared meals, worked night shifts, handled endless overtime, and still trained almost daily. No matter how tired I was, bodybuilding always came first. And without support from colleagues or superiors—sometimes even facing obstacles from them—it was a constant uphill battle..
How has becoming a father changed the way you view fitness, discipline, and competition?
Being a father is one of the biggest challenges in life if you want to do it well. You have to put many things aside, including yourself. Competing is much harder to manage now, and I prefer to wait until my daughter grows up before thinking about returning to the stage. My discipline, however, hasn’t changed: I don’t skip workouts, and my diet is consistent. The real change is in my focus—right now, that focus is on my family.
Even without stepping on stage right now, how do you keep yourself motivated to maintain a stage-ready physique?
Motivation definitely fluctuates when you don’t have a competition coming up. But I’ve been training for 16 years—how could I quit now? My goal has always been to improve daily and give my best, with or without a contest ahead. Physically, I’m almost ready to compete again, precisely because I never stopped training and eating with discipline. I don’t give myself excuses.
What’s the proudest moment of your career so far — on or off stage?
On stage, without doubt, the international IFBB PRO LEAGUE competitions—like placing third out of 13 strong athletes in Estoril, Portugal, and second in London out of 8 athletes. Out of the 10 competitions I’ve done in four years, those gave me the most visibility and satisfaction. Off stage, it’s the birth of my daughter. Having a beautiful family I love deeply is my greatest source of strength and motivation every day.
For young athletes in Italy and beyond, what’s your one piece of advice to stay consistent through life changes?
Never give up, no matter what happens. When you truly feel that deep desire to achieve your goals, you’ll always find the strength to overcome obstacles. The key is to stay focused on yourself, look in the mirror, and realize the only real opponent is you. And above all, keep the promises you make to yourself. That awareness gives you incredible strength and helps you stay consistent, even in the toughest times.
🔥 Davide Brentegani’s story is a reminder that bodybuilding is not just about physical transformation—it’s about discipline, sacrifice, and the power of staying true to your goals, no matter the circumstances
