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Classic Shawn
10 Questions With Shawn Ray
1. When you were competing, how did you answer questions like: How many calories a day did you eat? What size are your arms? How much weight can you left? Are you stronger than The Hulk? What protein should I eat?
Well, when you’re pro, these are the kinds of questions you’re not only expected to answer, but you look forward to educating people with once you have the platform to do so. Do you know that when I was a kid, I used to hold a hairbrush in my hand, pretending it was a microphone because I wanted to be a singer like Michael Jackson? As I got older and realized I couldn’t sing, naturally I put the hairbrush down and picked up some dumbbells. Lol. That’s when I started pretending to be a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. What would Arnold say to me? What would I like to hear as an amateur from a professional?
I learned early on that no question is a stupid question. They all have relevance and they’re all different depending on the person asking the question. I never pretended to have the right answer to any of those questions. I always reminded the athlete, the fan and the competitor that is asking these types of questions that they would get very different kinds of answers depending on who they were talking to. I personally never counted calories, nor did I measure my arms, nor was I testing my strength. I was an artist and sculptor. I built up my physique in the gym to then chisel it down and shape it to the desired look that I was comfortable with where measurements and weight didn’t factor into the scoring of my overall look. Numbers count for nothing! Judges don’t care what you eat, how strong you are nor how much you weigh.
2. So much noise around this year’s Olympia Weekend, it’s deafening. Can you tell me more about the pay-per-view and how I can watch it?
The Mr. Olympia pay-per-view can be viewed online at Olympiaproductions.com It will be a global broadcast and you can order it early. We have some amazing expert broadcasters who know the sport of bodybuilding and fitness inside and out to offer some colorful commentary!
3. It’s been a full year since the passing of some of our most celebrated athletes: Shawn Rhoden, George Peterson, John Meadows and more recently Cedric McMillan. What has the sport done for the athletes’ morale with respect to those untimely passings?
Untimely deaths have always been hard to wrap our heads around. It’s never fair, it’s unexpected, always a surprise and most of all it’s tragic. In the case of all of those athletes that have passed in recent years, the Federation as a group could not have prevented any of them. The circumstances of each situation and individual are always different. Life is hard enough and challenging enough to think that we can rely on a group of people to control our life expectancy or the destiny of one or more individuals with varying health related issues. I personally know our sport was much better with those individuals in it and I pray that no one’s name is added to this list anytime soon. I personally cannot speak for the Federation. I can only hope and pray the athletes are proactive in seeking better health healthcare and getting check-ups from the doctor on a regular basis.
4. This year’s Mr. Olympia lineup is going to host the biggest lineup in history regarding numbers of athletes. How do you think this will affect the quality of the show and the running time?
I can tell you prejudging will be very hard, not only for the judges because of the quality of the athletes, but also a bit hard on the athletes themselves because there’s gonna be some harsh realities of just how tough the Olympia competition is! As a promoter, I can’t help but think of the fans in the audience, watching the show, and how to keep their attention with such a large number of athletes. That said, since the question is directed at me and not the promoter of the Olympia, I would consider the following for the sake of my paying audience.
Prejudging is “cut round.” Prejudging is supposed to be designed to judge and eliminate so that we can get to the cream of the crop for the finals, which should play host to the top 15 in the world in each category. If the Olympia athlete doesn’t make it to the finals, naturally, they would be provided with a ticket to watch, support, learn and enjoy. That said, by the time the finals start an appropriate introduction of the top 15 finalists prior to the start of the contest would commence and then proceed to eliminate five more after their routines and bring back the top 10 for final placings.
No harm, no foul.
FYI, numbers are approximate numbers per division, give or take:
Pro Open: Men 35
Bikini: 80
Physique: 75
212: 35
Wellness: 38
Classic: 65
Woman’s Bodybuilding: 18
Fitness: 21
Figure: 38
Women’s Physique: 22
5. How did your show in Hawaii go as a promoter?
Thank you for asking. I spent all year putting together Hawaii’s biggest show of year from California and while I was on a world tour. My partner, FitDoc Productions and I knew last year that this year was going to be bigger and better now that we are post Covid restrictions. With the help of some great sponsors like GMU Sport, Mutant, Your Kratom, Q-Health Global, Bikini Lab Hawaii and others, we knocked it out of the park! Our pro Bikini champion from Brazil, Lucia Malavaze and pro Wellness Brazilian champion, Michelle Ibata, both are headed to the Ms. Olympia and pocketed a cool $3,000 each as they got to enjoy the ohana that Hawaii has to offer! We also had the best numbers of the year for an NPC show held in Hawaii for the fifth consecutive year!
6. I’ve been using Mutant All-In Pre-Workout and Flex Food MRP since you guys came out with these amazing products! How can I incorporate these into my contest prep?
Please read the instructions on any product that you put in your body and follow the guidelines to help not only improve your performance, but also help with your recovery. You have to remember that supplements are not hormones and they’re not drugs designed to do anything other than what’s claimed on the labels. Supplements are designed to “supplement” your caloric intake. As athletes, we’re typically deprived from quality nutrition and adequate calories for the expenditure related to the time in the gym, where we tear down our bodies. Use the supplements to complement your food intake to enhance your energy levels and nutrition needs.
7. Which female bodybuilder is your favorite of all time?
First and foremost I think the women don’t get the credit they deserve, never have, but yet they
are still elevating the bar of what’s possible! That said, eight-time Ms. Olympia Lenda Murray has always been my number one! Lenda’s combination of athleticism, symmetry, condition, roundness and femininity have made her one of bodybuilding’s most iconic females ever! She is the Women’s Bodybuilding standard that many women try to emulate, and she continues to give back to the sport with her expert commentary, contest promotions and athlete mentorship.
8. I know you’re a car buff. What was the coolest car you ever had?
Well, as a kid coming up I dreamed of one day owning a Ferrari, then as I grew up my taste changed, and I longed to one-day own a Lamborghini. Well, through the sweat of my brow and the help of a great bodybuilding career, I was able to own both! That said, at 50-plus years of age now, I no longer have either car, however I do have very fond memories of possessing both during my youth. Now my present-day reality is that my kids and grandkids come before my taste in cars these days.
9. What supplement advice would you give to the aging bodybuilder? Lots of the old-school guys out there still want to hit the iron and keep their muscle!
Old or new muscle gets built and maintained in the same way. You just need to be smarter. Hard work in the gym first, but adapted to your age and ability. A good essential amino acid (EAA) product like MUTANT GEAAR is amazing for delivering low calorie yet full-spectrum aminos. Good old creatine (I use MUTANT CreaKong) added, makes for a great one-two punch! Build and burn, baby. At any age.
10. How important is it to have a mentor or coach?
Basically, I think inspiration from other successful people is a good thing when you take on any new endeavor.I think you have to learn as much as you can from the more experienced and then make it your own if you’re afforded the opportunity. When I was introduced to bodybuilding, my mentor just happened to be two-time Mr. Universe and three-time Mr. World John Brown, who looked nothing like me yet recognized potential in my physique and hunger in my eyes! We trained off and on for my first year and introduction to the sport, however as I progressed in my career, he was always there as a counselor and advisor that I respected and admired. To this day, he is to me and my career I imagine what Arnold was to Franco.
Instagram @shawnrayifbbpro
Facebook @TheRealShawnRay
shawnray.fitness
Twitter @sugarshawnray
NEW MUTANT ALL-IN
Shawn Ray Signature
Full Dose Pre-Workout
“This one is a game-changer. Lift big. Get big. It’s that simple. I have my signature on this product for a reason. It’s the culmination of a lifetime of training, nutrition and hard work all wrapped into one amazing formula. From the weight rack to the Olympia stage, I have always been ALL-IN. Now it’s your turn.”-Shawn Ray
For more information, visit iammutant.com
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMSSUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFFVISIT OUR STORE
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
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Top
Classic Shawn
10 Questions With Shawn Ray
1. When you were competing, how did you answer questions like: How many calories a day did you eat? What size are your arms? How much weight can you left? Are you stronger than The Hulk? What protein should I eat?
Well, when you’re pro, these are the kinds of questions you’re not only expected to answer, but you look forward to educating people with once you have the platform to do so. Do you know that when I was a kid, I used to hold a hairbrush in my hand, pretending it was a microphone because I wanted to be a singer like Michael Jackson? As I got older and realized I couldn’t sing, naturally I put the hairbrush down and picked up some dumbbells. Lol. That’s when I started pretending to be a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. What would Arnold say to me? What would I like to hear as an amateur from a professional?
I learned early on that no question is a stupid question. They all have relevance and they’re all different depending on the person asking the question. I never pretended to have the right answer to any of those questions. I always reminded the athlete, the fan and the competitor that is asking these types of questions that they would get very different kinds of answers depending on who they were talking to. I personally never counted calories, nor did I measure my arms, nor was I testing my strength. I was an artist and sculptor. I built up my physique in the gym to then chisel it down and shape it to the desired look that I was comfortable with where measurements and weight didn’t factor into the scoring of my overall look. Numbers count for nothing! Judges don’t care what you eat, how strong you are nor how much you weigh.
2. So much noise around this year’s Olympia Weekend, it’s deafening. Can you tell me more about the pay-per-view and how I can watch it?
The Mr. Olympia pay-per-view can be viewed online at Olympiaproductions.com It will be a global broadcast and you can order it early. We have some amazing expert broadcasters who know the sport of bodybuilding and fitness inside and out to offer some colorful commentary!
3. It’s been a full year since the passing of some of our most celebrated athletes: Shawn Rhoden, George Peterson, John Meadows and more recently Cedric McMillan. What has the sport done for the athletes’ morale with respect to those untimely passings?
Untimely deaths have always been hard to wrap our heads around. It’s never fair, it’s unexpected, always a surprise and most of all it’s tragic. In the case of all of those athletes that have passed in recent years, the Federation as a group could not have prevented any of them. The circumstances of each situation and individual are always different. Life is hard enough and challenging enough to think that we can rely on a group of people to control our life expectancy or the destiny of one or more individuals with varying health related issues. I personally know our sport was much better with those individuals in it and I pray that no one’s name is added to this list anytime soon. I personally cannot speak for the Federation. I can only hope and pray the athletes are proactive in seeking better health healthcare and getting check-ups from the doctor on a regular basis.
4. This year’s Mr. Olympia lineup is going to host the biggest lineup in history regarding numbers of athletes. How do you think this will affect the quality of the show and the running time?
I can tell you prejudging will be very hard, not only for the judges because of the quality of the athletes, but also a bit hard on the athletes themselves because there’s gonna be some harsh realities of just how tough the Olympia competition is! As a promoter, I can’t help but think of the fans in the audience, watching the show, and how to keep their attention with such a large number of athletes. That said, since the question is directed at me and not the promoter of the Olympia, I would consider the following for the sake of my paying audience.
Prejudging is “cut round.” Prejudging is supposed to be designed to judge and eliminate so that we can get to the cream of the crop for the finals, which should play host to the top 15 in the world in each category. If the Olympia athlete doesn’t make it to the finals, naturally, they would be provided with a ticket to watch, support, learn and enjoy. That said, by the time the finals start an appropriate introduction of the top 15 finalists prior to the start of the contest would commence and then proceed to eliminate five more after their routines and bring back the top 10 for final placings.
No harm, no foul.
FYI, numbers are approximate numbers per division, give or take:
Pro Open: Men 35
Bikini: 80
Physique: 75
212: 35
Wellness: 38
Classic: 65
Woman’s Bodybuilding: 18
Fitness: 21
Figure: 38
Women’s Physique: 22
5. How did your show in Hawaii go as a promoter?
Thank you for asking. I spent all year putting together Hawaii’s biggest show of year from California and while I was on a world tour. My partner, FitDoc Productions and I knew last year that this year was going to be bigger and better now that we are post Covid restrictions. With the help of some great sponsors like GMU Sport, Mutant, Your Kratom, Q-Health Global, Bikini Lab Hawaii and others, we knocked it out of the park! Our pro Bikini champion from Brazil, Lucia Malavaze and pro Wellness Brazilian champion, Michelle Ibata, both are headed to the Ms. Olympia and pocketed a cool $3,000 each as they got to enjoy the ohana that Hawaii has to offer! We also had the best numbers of the year for an NPC show held in Hawaii for the fifth consecutive year!
6. I’ve been using Mutant All-In Pre-Workout and Flex Food MRP since you guys came out with these amazing products! How can I incorporate these into my contest prep?
Please read the instructions on any product that you put in your body and follow the guidelines to help not only improve your performance, but also help with your recovery. You have to remember that supplements are not hormones and they’re not drugs designed to do anything other than what’s claimed on the labels. Supplements are designed to “supplement” your caloric intake. As athletes, we’re typically deprived from quality nutrition and adequate calories for the expenditure related to the time in the gym, where we tear down our bodies. Use the supplements to complement your food intake to enhance your energy levels and nutrition needs.
7. Which female bodybuilder is your favorite of all time?
First and foremost I think the women don’t get the credit they deserve, never have, but yet they
are still elevating the bar of what’s possible! That said, eight-time Ms. Olympia Lenda Murray has always been my number one! Lenda’s combination of athleticism, symmetry, condition, roundness and femininity have made her one of bodybuilding’s most iconic females ever! She is the Women’s Bodybuilding standard that many women try to emulate, and she continues to give back to the sport with her expert commentary, contest promotions and athlete mentorship.
8. I know you’re a car buff. What was the coolest car you ever had?
Well, as a kid coming up I dreamed of one day owning a Ferrari, then as I grew up my taste changed, and I longed to one-day own a Lamborghini. Well, through the sweat of my brow and the help of a great bodybuilding career, I was able to own both! That said, at 50-plus years of age now, I no longer have either car, however I do have very fond memories of possessing both during my youth. Now my present-day reality is that my kids and grandkids come before my taste in cars these days.
9. What supplement advice would you give to the aging bodybuilder? Lots of the old-school guys out there still want to hit the iron and keep their muscle!
Old or new muscle gets built and maintained in the same way. You just need to be smarter. Hard work in the gym first, but adapted to your age and ability. A good essential amino acid (EAA) product like MUTANT GEAAR is amazing for delivering low calorie yet full-spectrum aminos. Good old creatine (I use MUTANT CreaKong) added, makes for a great one-two punch! Build and burn, baby. At any age.
10. How important is it to have a mentor or coach?
Basically, I think inspiration from other successful people is a good thing when you take on any new endeavor.I think you have to learn as much as you can from the more experienced and then make it your own if you’re afforded the opportunity. When I was introduced to bodybuilding, my mentor just happened to be two-time Mr. Universe and three-time Mr. World John Brown, who looked nothing like me yet recognized potential in my physique and hunger in my eyes! We trained off and on for my first year and introduction to the sport, however as I progressed in my career, he was always there as a counselor and advisor that I respected and admired. To this day, he is to me and my career I imagine what Arnold was to Franco.
Instagram @shawnrayifbbpro
Facebook @TheRealShawnRay
shawnray.fitness
Twitter @sugarshawnray
NEW MUTANT ALL-IN
Shawn Ray Signature
Full Dose Pre-Workout
“This one is a game-changer. Lift big. Get big. It’s that simple. I have my signature on this product for a reason. It’s the culmination of a lifetime of training, nutrition and hard work all wrapped into one amazing formula. From the weight rack to the Olympia stage, I have always been ALL-IN. Now it’s your turn.”-Shawn Ray
For more information, visit iammutant.com
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS
SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF
VISIT OUR STORE
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
Top
Click here to view the article.
10 Questions With Shawn Ray
1. When you were competing, how did you answer questions like: How many calories a day did you eat? What size are your arms? How much weight can you left? Are you stronger than The Hulk? What protein should I eat?
Well, when you’re pro, these are the kinds of questions you’re not only expected to answer, but you look forward to educating people with once you have the platform to do so. Do you know that when I was a kid, I used to hold a hairbrush in my hand, pretending it was a microphone because I wanted to be a singer like Michael Jackson? As I got older and realized I couldn’t sing, naturally I put the hairbrush down and picked up some dumbbells. Lol. That’s when I started pretending to be a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. What would Arnold say to me? What would I like to hear as an amateur from a professional?
I learned early on that no question is a stupid question. They all have relevance and they’re all different depending on the person asking the question. I never pretended to have the right answer to any of those questions. I always reminded the athlete, the fan and the competitor that is asking these types of questions that they would get very different kinds of answers depending on who they were talking to. I personally never counted calories, nor did I measure my arms, nor was I testing my strength. I was an artist and sculptor. I built up my physique in the gym to then chisel it down and shape it to the desired look that I was comfortable with where measurements and weight didn’t factor into the scoring of my overall look. Numbers count for nothing! Judges don’t care what you eat, how strong you are nor how much you weigh.
2. So much noise around this year’s Olympia Weekend, it’s deafening. Can you tell me more about the pay-per-view and how I can watch it?
The Mr. Olympia pay-per-view can be viewed online at Olympiaproductions.com It will be a global broadcast and you can order it early. We have some amazing expert broadcasters who know the sport of bodybuilding and fitness inside and out to offer some colorful commentary!
3. It’s been a full year since the passing of some of our most celebrated athletes: Shawn Rhoden, George Peterson, John Meadows and more recently Cedric McMillan. What has the sport done for the athletes’ morale with respect to those untimely passings?
Untimely deaths have always been hard to wrap our heads around. It’s never fair, it’s unexpected, always a surprise and most of all it’s tragic. In the case of all of those athletes that have passed in recent years, the Federation as a group could not have prevented any of them. The circumstances of each situation and individual are always different. Life is hard enough and challenging enough to think that we can rely on a group of people to control our life expectancy or the destiny of one or more individuals with varying health related issues. I personally know our sport was much better with those individuals in it and I pray that no one’s name is added to this list anytime soon. I personally cannot speak for the Federation. I can only hope and pray the athletes are proactive in seeking better health healthcare and getting check-ups from the doctor on a regular basis.
4. This year’s Mr. Olympia lineup is going to host the biggest lineup in history regarding numbers of athletes. How do you think this will affect the quality of the show and the running time?
I can tell you prejudging will be very hard, not only for the judges because of the quality of the athletes, but also a bit hard on the athletes themselves because there’s gonna be some harsh realities of just how tough the Olympia competition is! As a promoter, I can’t help but think of the fans in the audience, watching the show, and how to keep their attention with such a large number of athletes. That said, since the question is directed at me and not the promoter of the Olympia, I would consider the following for the sake of my paying audience.
Prejudging is “cut round.” Prejudging is supposed to be designed to judge and eliminate so that we can get to the cream of the crop for the finals, which should play host to the top 15 in the world in each category. If the Olympia athlete doesn’t make it to the finals, naturally, they would be provided with a ticket to watch, support, learn and enjoy. That said, by the time the finals start an appropriate introduction of the top 15 finalists prior to the start of the contest would commence and then proceed to eliminate five more after their routines and bring back the top 10 for final placings.
No harm, no foul.
FYI, numbers are approximate numbers per division, give or take:
Pro Open: Men 35
Bikini: 80
Physique: 75
212: 35
Wellness: 38
Classic: 65
Woman’s Bodybuilding: 18
Fitness: 21
Figure: 38
Women’s Physique: 22
5. How did your show in Hawaii go as a promoter?
Thank you for asking. I spent all year putting together Hawaii’s biggest show of year from California and while I was on a world tour. My partner, FitDoc Productions and I knew last year that this year was going to be bigger and better now that we are post Covid restrictions. With the help of some great sponsors like GMU Sport, Mutant, Your Kratom, Q-Health Global, Bikini Lab Hawaii and others, we knocked it out of the park! Our pro Bikini champion from Brazil, Lucia Malavaze and pro Wellness Brazilian champion, Michelle Ibata, both are headed to the Ms. Olympia and pocketed a cool $3,000 each as they got to enjoy the ohana that Hawaii has to offer! We also had the best numbers of the year for an NPC show held in Hawaii for the fifth consecutive year!
6. I’ve been using Mutant All-In Pre-Workout and Flex Food MRP since you guys came out with these amazing products! How can I incorporate these into my contest prep?
Please read the instructions on any product that you put in your body and follow the guidelines to help not only improve your performance, but also help with your recovery. You have to remember that supplements are not hormones and they’re not drugs designed to do anything other than what’s claimed on the labels. Supplements are designed to “supplement” your caloric intake. As athletes, we’re typically deprived from quality nutrition and adequate calories for the expenditure related to the time in the gym, where we tear down our bodies. Use the supplements to complement your food intake to enhance your energy levels and nutrition needs.
7. Which female bodybuilder is your favorite of all time?
First and foremost I think the women don’t get the credit they deserve, never have, but yet they
are still elevating the bar of what’s possible! That said, eight-time Ms. Olympia Lenda Murray has always been my number one! Lenda’s combination of athleticism, symmetry, condition, roundness and femininity have made her one of bodybuilding’s most iconic females ever! She is the Women’s Bodybuilding standard that many women try to emulate, and she continues to give back to the sport with her expert commentary, contest promotions and athlete mentorship.
8. I know you’re a car buff. What was the coolest car you ever had?
Well, as a kid coming up I dreamed of one day owning a Ferrari, then as I grew up my taste changed, and I longed to one-day own a Lamborghini. Well, through the sweat of my brow and the help of a great bodybuilding career, I was able to own both! That said, at 50-plus years of age now, I no longer have either car, however I do have very fond memories of possessing both during my youth. Now my present-day reality is that my kids and grandkids come before my taste in cars these days.
9. What supplement advice would you give to the aging bodybuilder? Lots of the old-school guys out there still want to hit the iron and keep their muscle!
Old or new muscle gets built and maintained in the same way. You just need to be smarter. Hard work in the gym first, but adapted to your age and ability. A good essential amino acid (EAA) product like MUTANT GEAAR is amazing for delivering low calorie yet full-spectrum aminos. Good old creatine (I use MUTANT CreaKong) added, makes for a great one-two punch! Build and burn, baby. At any age.
10. How important is it to have a mentor or coach?
Basically, I think inspiration from other successful people is a good thing when you take on any new endeavor.I think you have to learn as much as you can from the more experienced and then make it your own if you’re afforded the opportunity. When I was introduced to bodybuilding, my mentor just happened to be two-time Mr. Universe and three-time Mr. World John Brown, who looked nothing like me yet recognized potential in my physique and hunger in my eyes! We trained off and on for my first year and introduction to the sport, however as I progressed in my career, he was always there as a counselor and advisor that I respected and admired. To this day, he is to me and my career I imagine what Arnold was to Franco.
Instagram @shawnrayifbbpro
Facebook @TheRealShawnRay
shawnray.fitness
Twitter @sugarshawnray
NEW MUTANT ALL-IN
Shawn Ray Signature
Full Dose Pre-Workout
“This one is a game-changer. Lift big. Get big. It’s that simple. I have my signature on this product for a reason. It’s the culmination of a lifetime of training, nutrition and hard work all wrapped into one amazing formula. From the weight rack to the Olympia stage, I have always been ALL-IN. Now it’s your turn.”-Shawn Ray
For more information, visit iammutant.com
DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMSSUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY
GET OFFICIAL MD STUFFVISIT OUR STORE
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON:
FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM YOUTUBE
Top
Classic Shawn
10 Questions With Shawn Ray
1. When you were competing, how did you answer questions like: How many calories a day did you eat? What size are your arms? How much weight can you left? Are you stronger than The Hulk? What protein should I eat?
Well, when you’re pro, these are the kinds of questions you’re not only expected to answer, but you look forward to educating people with once you have the platform to do so. Do you know that when I was a kid, I used to hold a hairbrush in my hand, pretending it was a microphone because I wanted to be a singer like Michael Jackson? As I got older and realized I couldn’t sing, naturally I put the hairbrush down and picked up some dumbbells. Lol. That’s when I started pretending to be a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. What would Arnold say to me? What would I like to hear as an amateur from a professional?
I learned early on that no question is a stupid question. They all have relevance and they’re all different depending on the person asking the question. I never pretended to have the right answer to any of those questions. I always reminded the athlete, the fan and the competitor that is asking these types of questions that they would get very different kinds of answers depending on who they were talking to. I personally never counted calories, nor did I measure my arms, nor was I testing my strength. I was an artist and sculptor. I built up my physique in the gym to then chisel it down and shape it to the desired look that I was comfortable with where measurements and weight didn’t factor into the scoring of my overall look. Numbers count for nothing! Judges don’t care what you eat, how strong you are nor how much you weigh.
2. So much noise around this year’s Olympia Weekend, it’s deafening. Can you tell me more about the pay-per-view and how I can watch it?
The Mr. Olympia pay-per-view can be viewed online at Olympiaproductions.com It will be a global broadcast and you can order it early. We have some amazing expert broadcasters who know the sport of bodybuilding and fitness inside and out to offer some colorful commentary!
3. It’s been a full year since the passing of some of our most celebrated athletes: Shawn Rhoden, George Peterson, John Meadows and more recently Cedric McMillan. What has the sport done for the athletes’ morale with respect to those untimely passings?
Untimely deaths have always been hard to wrap our heads around. It’s never fair, it’s unexpected, always a surprise and most of all it’s tragic. In the case of all of those athletes that have passed in recent years, the Federation as a group could not have prevented any of them. The circumstances of each situation and individual are always different. Life is hard enough and challenging enough to think that we can rely on a group of people to control our life expectancy or the destiny of one or more individuals with varying health related issues. I personally know our sport was much better with those individuals in it and I pray that no one’s name is added to this list anytime soon. I personally cannot speak for the Federation. I can only hope and pray the athletes are proactive in seeking better health healthcare and getting check-ups from the doctor on a regular basis.
4. This year’s Mr. Olympia lineup is going to host the biggest lineup in history regarding numbers of athletes. How do you think this will affect the quality of the show and the running time?
I can tell you prejudging will be very hard, not only for the judges because of the quality of the athletes, but also a bit hard on the athletes themselves because there’s gonna be some harsh realities of just how tough the Olympia competition is! As a promoter, I can’t help but think of the fans in the audience, watching the show, and how to keep their attention with such a large number of athletes. That said, since the question is directed at me and not the promoter of the Olympia, I would consider the following for the sake of my paying audience.
Prejudging is “cut round.” Prejudging is supposed to be designed to judge and eliminate so that we can get to the cream of the crop for the finals, which should play host to the top 15 in the world in each category. If the Olympia athlete doesn’t make it to the finals, naturally, they would be provided with a ticket to watch, support, learn and enjoy. That said, by the time the finals start an appropriate introduction of the top 15 finalists prior to the start of the contest would commence and then proceed to eliminate five more after their routines and bring back the top 10 for final placings.
No harm, no foul.
FYI, numbers are approximate numbers per division, give or take:
Pro Open: Men 35
Bikini: 80
Physique: 75
212: 35
Wellness: 38
Classic: 65
Woman’s Bodybuilding: 18
Fitness: 21
Figure: 38
Women’s Physique: 22
5. How did your show in Hawaii go as a promoter?
Thank you for asking. I spent all year putting together Hawaii’s biggest show of year from California and while I was on a world tour. My partner, FitDoc Productions and I knew last year that this year was going to be bigger and better now that we are post Covid restrictions. With the help of some great sponsors like GMU Sport, Mutant, Your Kratom, Q-Health Global, Bikini Lab Hawaii and others, we knocked it out of the park! Our pro Bikini champion from Brazil, Lucia Malavaze and pro Wellness Brazilian champion, Michelle Ibata, both are headed to the Ms. Olympia and pocketed a cool $3,000 each as they got to enjoy the ohana that Hawaii has to offer! We also had the best numbers of the year for an NPC show held in Hawaii for the fifth consecutive year!
6. I’ve been using Mutant All-In Pre-Workout and Flex Food MRP since you guys came out with these amazing products! How can I incorporate these into my contest prep?
Please read the instructions on any product that you put in your body and follow the guidelines to help not only improve your performance, but also help with your recovery. You have to remember that supplements are not hormones and they’re not drugs designed to do anything other than what’s claimed on the labels. Supplements are designed to “supplement” your caloric intake. As athletes, we’re typically deprived from quality nutrition and adequate calories for the expenditure related to the time in the gym, where we tear down our bodies. Use the supplements to complement your food intake to enhance your energy levels and nutrition needs.
7. Which female bodybuilder is your favorite of all time?
First and foremost I think the women don’t get the credit they deserve, never have, but yet they
are still elevating the bar of what’s possible! That said, eight-time Ms. Olympia Lenda Murray has always been my number one! Lenda’s combination of athleticism, symmetry, condition, roundness and femininity have made her one of bodybuilding’s most iconic females ever! She is the Women’s Bodybuilding standard that many women try to emulate, and she continues to give back to the sport with her expert commentary, contest promotions and athlete mentorship.
8. I know you’re a car buff. What was the coolest car you ever had?
Well, as a kid coming up I dreamed of one day owning a Ferrari, then as I grew up my taste changed, and I longed to one-day own a Lamborghini. Well, through the sweat of my brow and the help of a great bodybuilding career, I was able to own both! That said, at 50-plus years of age now, I no longer have either car, however I do have very fond memories of possessing both during my youth. Now my present-day reality is that my kids and grandkids come before my taste in cars these days.
9. What supplement advice would you give to the aging bodybuilder? Lots of the old-school guys out there still want to hit the iron and keep their muscle!
Old or new muscle gets built and maintained in the same way. You just need to be smarter. Hard work in the gym first, but adapted to your age and ability. A good essential amino acid (EAA) product like MUTANT GEAAR is amazing for delivering low calorie yet full-spectrum aminos. Good old creatine (I use MUTANT CreaKong) added, makes for a great one-two punch! Build and burn, baby. At any age.
10. How important is it to have a mentor or coach?
Basically, I think inspiration from other successful people is a good thing when you take on any new endeavor.I think you have to learn as much as you can from the more experienced and then make it your own if you’re afforded the opportunity. When I was introduced to bodybuilding, my mentor just happened to be two-time Mr. Universe and three-time Mr. World John Brown, who looked nothing like me yet recognized potential in my physique and hunger in my eyes! We trained off and on for my first year and introduction to the sport, however as I progressed in my career, he was always there as a counselor and advisor that I respected and admired. To this day, he is to me and my career I imagine what Arnold was to Franco.
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