Global Gossip

I was talking with IFBB Pro’s Silvio and Aiman Faour the other day about guest posing and training in the Middle East.  They suggested that I might want to call their friend Sami Al Haddad who was going to compete Nov at the IFBB world show in Qatar. Sami or “Blacksmith ” was born on 24 June 1973, in Muharraq, Bahrain. Today he lives in Manama, Bahrain, which is the capital and trains at Ghassan gym. I contacted Sami and even though he was tired with one week out from his show he still was very friendly.  This guy will do some serious damage on the Pro level with his great shape and sharp condition.

He started training in 1991 when he was 18 years old and started competing in 1992.  He has competed in the following contest.

CONTESTS WON:

Mr. Bahrain 1992-99
Mr. U.A.E 1996
Mr. Kuwait 1997-98
Mr. Asia 1993-94 (junior)( best poser)
Mr. Asia 1998
Mr. Qatar and Arab Gulf (Overall) 2002
Mr. Arab Gulf, heavweight and overall (2004)
Mr. MuscleMania World Champion, Pro Division (2007)
PDI Battle of the Giants, Norway (2007)
UPBF Battle of the Giants, Norway (2008)
IFBB Mr. Asia, IndiaNorway (2009)
OTHER PLACINGS:

Mr. Arab 98 (2nd place)
Mr. Middle East 97 (2nd place)
Mr. Asia 1997 (2nd place, 85 kg class)
Asian Games 2002 (2nd place, 85 kg class)
Mr. Asia 2003 (3rd place, 85 kg class)
PDI New York Night of the Champions 2006 (3rd place, Pro Division)
PDI London Night of the Champions 2006 (2nd place, Pro Division)
PDI France Night of the Champions, 2007 (2nd place)  
  
A very impressive list I think. Sami told he he follows a low carb diet and will stay on it for 10 to 12 weeks leading up to his contest.  At 5′7 he starts his diet at 231 pounds and steps on stage around 212 pounds. Good luck with your show Sami!

Chris Mordetzky returned to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on July 27, 2009 as "The Masterpiece".  Chris had been wrestling outide of the WWE before his comeback.  If you have ran into Chris at Golds Venice then Im sure you’ll agree he is a very friendly guy but when it comes to his training he’s all business.

I have known Chris for over 10 years and he told me before he ever started to lift at Golds that one day he was going to be a famous wrestler, now look at him.  This kid, back then had a dream and he didn’t let anything stand in his way.  Even as a pro wrestler he had many challenges to face from past injuries, suspension and then a peck tear.  These things just fueled his drive to be back on top.  But what is most impressive to me is how down top earth Chris has remained.  We just talked by phone and I wanted to know how is comeback was going but Chris was more concern with how I was doing since getting out of the hospital.  Keep your eye on this man as he will set a big impression upon the people that his life touches.

I have been very blessed in that about 4 or 5 years ago I became friends with Julien Greaux.  In 2002 Julien moved from St. Barts where he was born to the United States with only $400 in his pocket.  Julien said at the airport in Los Angeles he threw away his return ticket they way he couldn’t give and return home if things got rough.  Be assure he says that in the begining it was very hard.  But this guy is no quitter!  Julien, who has done martial arts since the age of 9 keep focused on his training and goals.  Since then he has appeared on more than 20 magazine covers, he’s a BSN athlete and recently Julien signed a big movie deal and is set to play the lead in a Martial Arts action trilogy entitled “Wings Of The Dragon”,  Filming of the movie will start soon.

Julien is always a positive person to be around and goes the extra mile for his friends.  When I was in the hospital Julien made sure he visited seeing if I needed extra food or supplements.  After I was released he took time out of his busy scheduel to help me design a rehab routine for myself.

Check your local magazine store as you’ll soon see Julien on the covers of both “Status Fitness” and “Maximum Fitness”

Well, if your serving in the Armed Forces this isn’t a time you’ll get to relax and get some sun but instead you’ll get to work 12 hours per day and room with 5000 other service members.  My nephew, who is a medic sent me a few pictures from his ship the USS Nimitz an aircraft carrier where they will spend the next 8 months at sea.  Shane said everyone trains during the free time and the ship holds different contest.  The last contest was a  mini-duathalon (9 mile run/20 mile bike ride). Shane who didn’t train for the endurance event got 2nd place but
was beat by a 23 year old officer who was a track star at the naval academy.  Shane keep up the hard training and thank you and everyone aboard the USS Nimitz.

Back in 2007 I was training at Golds Venice for my first return contest after a long layoff when I was lucky enough to meet this gentle giant from Chile.  His nickname “Toro” did him justice with his massive size and kick ass training style.  But from spending time at Golds and Max Muscle I got to know Christian Lobarede.  Christian outside of the gym was very laid back and relaxed as if never stressed, although like everyone he had his share of problems.  He was training at Golds in effort to improve his condition and mass as a pro bodybuilder.  Christian was always willing to take his time to help explain and teach me things.  I didn’t find out until later but on the day of my show Christian was there sitting in the hot sun to chear me on, however later in the day he had to go to th ER as he wasn’t feeling well.  Thinking it was pneumonia the Doctors admitted him but he was later released after a few days.  A few weeks passed but Christian starting getting worst and was placed back into the hospital but this time it would end his bodybuilding career on stage.  With his illness he returned back to Chile where he lived and worked.  He had to change his diet to a very low protein diet but as they say when one door closes another will open, and it did.  Christian went on to open 4 nutrition stores and last year he promoted 5 contest in Chile bringing guest posers like Jay Cutler, Ronnie Coleman…  This year he held one show in May and the next one is Nov 2009.  But the biggest reward Christian got was when he met Meryano Vy who is a Bikini and Fitness Model.  She was guest posing at a contest when they met and have been together since.  Christian got out of the hospital in California Sept 18, 2007 and he was married two years later on the same date in Easter Island.  He told me he thought that he couldn’t live without bodybuilding but his wife has made him see how good and what life can be like with the one you love.  Congratulations on your new begining together.

If you look at any of the to bodybuilding magazines then I’m sure you’ll know Binais.  This guy is full of talent and surprises.  I was lucky enough to be at a contest with Ifbb Pro Armin Scholtz and saw my friend Johnny DeBeer with Binais.  We all went out to eat after the contest and Binais was just one joke after another.  I would later see him many times when I was doing a shoot at Milos gym The Koloseum in Fullerton Ca. or Golds Venice.  I’ve always felt connected to Binais as we can talk about training and diet or business or even spirtural things.  He’s not just a musclehead.  One day Binais and I were joking about all of our friends getting married except for we were the last two left.  To my surprise I found out yesterday that he’s now engaged.  It seems he found the right girl, who from what my friends tell me he adores.  Her name is Cat and besides being beautiful and a fitness model she is a surgeon.  What more can a guy ask for.  Binais has been staying busy opening his new supplement business along with bringing GASP clothing to California.  Binais has went from being born in Montenegro and getting his blackbelt in Judo at age 16.   At which that time his family moved to Sweden and Binais started weight training.  When he relocated to America he went on to compete in Bodybuilding before going full time into Fitness Modeling and acting.  I don’t think anything can hold this couple back!

My good friend from Hawaii Shavis Higa has had a impressive career as an amateur bodybuilder.  From winning shows in Hawaii to taking 1st place in three different weight classes within 3 years in a row at the USA.  Shavis always come in thick and hard for each contest and when I ask him if he had any secrets he said " I just keep everything the same the last week, why should I change what got me to that point."

In the past year Shavis wife who is an RN took her first step on stage and did very well in her first contest.  I can only guess how their kids would do in the sport!  In the past Shavis has stuck with only doing the USA wanting to win each weight class he entered and now with his backing from Gaspari Nutrition he will do the 2009 Nationals next month, along with a guest posing spot in Hawaii.  He just might walk away this time with that Pro card!

The man behind bringing Vitargo to the Us is none other than Anthony L. Almada (M.Sc.), who is a scientist and a sports supplements pioneer. He performed his undergraduate training (B.S.) in physiology and nutritional biochemistry at the University of California, Irvine and California State University, Long Beach. He then performed his graduate (M.Sc.) research at the University of California, Berkeley, exploring the impact of exercise upon tissue antioxidant status and kinetics, including vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q and glutathione. In 1992 Anthony co-founded Experimental and Applied Sciences (EAS).  Later, Anthony co-founded a medical food company and, working with university researchers, developed a clinically validated product to prevent HIV wasting.  He has collaborated on over 50 university clinical trials, ranging from AIDS/HIV and ALS to zinc metabolism in osteoarthritis.

I was first introduced in 2007 to Vitargo by Mr. O Jay Cutler and CEO of John Scotts Nitro supplements.  I was in love with the product and wrote to Anthony about a sponshorship as I was getting back on stage at the Masters Nationals.  At first Genr8 said no but upon writing Anthony and sending pictures he invited me to meet with him and the inventory of the product from Sweden.  Would my world change from that night as not only did they accept me as Ambassador for Vitargo but I would later become good friends to my mentor Anthony.  If you ever have a chance to speak with Anthony you will see this guy is so full of knowledge it’s scary.

Moving forward to this year at the Arnold Classic there were two bodybuilders working the booth, Ernie "Mongo" Chang of Hawaii and myself.  However, since that time Genr8 has exploded into so many other sports from Kettlebell contest, Cycling, Armed Forces training along with many more.  At the Mr. O for 2009 Genr8 introduced two other Pro bodybuilders on their team.  Shawn Ray who everyone knows is now the Chief Consultant/Strategist, Physique Sports for the company.  Also Shawn Rhoden was a sponshor athlete of Genr8 that used only Vitargo as his carb source while on his diet that took him to 1st place overall at the 2009 North America bodybuilding contest.

So if your looking to for that extra edge in your training give Vitargo a try!

Just a few weeks ago Hermosa Beach held the Fitness California Model contest which was a huge turn out. The next show is always held in Nov in Las Vegas which is the biggest show of the year.  Many people are starting to get to know Johnny DeBeer of Holland who now is living in La.  Johnny and I became good friends a few years back in Asia while Johnny was focusing on his Muay Thai training.  Johnny came to visit me in La and the rest is history.  Since moving to the US he has started to make a name for himself doing both fitness model work along with acting.  When we last spoke he had just returned from filming the Tara Banks show, along with a trip to visit family in Holland.  Not being able to train or diet much Johnny still made the last minute decision to compete at the Fitness show in Hermosa.  In the model division standing over 6″ feet and about 235lb he came away with 3rd place.  Watch out if he has the time to put 100% effort into a show.  We hope to see you in Vegas Johnny.

Since I just got out of the hospital I wasn’t able to make it this year to the Mr.O but a few days later I spoke with my sis( not by blood but also from Hawaii ) Brandie Learner who many of you know from Muscle and Fitness.  If you don’t know her then I’m sure you know her husband Brandon Curry who turned pro over a year ago by taking the overall at the USA.  Brandon is from Tenn and Brandie from Hawii but when they married they moved to Oceanside Ca.  Since the couple are expecting their first child together they felt it would be beter to raise the baby with family and away from California.  Facing this decision they moved back to Tenn close to family and another Ifbb Pro Fle James Lewis.

If you were into bodybuilding in the late 80’s and 90’s then you’ll remember Pro bodybuilder Porter Cottrell.  Porter is from Louisville,Ky and was a firefighter for over 20 years and just retired this Feb 2008.  I stayed with Porter while training for my first teenage contest while he was getting ready for the Mr. Louisville contest.  While I moved away from Ky Porter kept training and went on to turning Pro.  He is one of the most down to earth and humble person that I’ve ever met.  I remember when he first started training his legs, how skinny they were and he had trouble squatting 135 lb.  As a pro he would have one of the best set of legs in the sport and he was always in condition.  I have never trained with someone who was every work out 100% intense and always pushed you.  I never saw him slack off in a workout and it showed with is body.
Now 20 years later I’m visiting Ky and met with Porter who is still in great shape but just not as massive.  After he gave up the stage he married and had children and along with the fire department he opened a fitness company named Team Cottrell( portercottrell.net ) where he works with many exclusive people along with athletes.  We wish you the best Porter and thanks for your support and friendship over the years.

Over this past weekend the  Fitness California Model contest was held in Hermosa Beach.  My good friend  Dave Reinprecht who moved to Cali from Austria several years ago did well considering what he went thru.

Dave is always busy with his business as a club and party promoter, where his promotions are always packed.  To add to things, Dave and a few business partners of his came up with the ideal and filmed a new reality show called “Superbodies” which was filmed some at Golds in Venice.  I spoke to day the week before his contest and he seemed to be on track but then the day before the show Dave spent his day at the hospital with a severe eye infection.  Even with all this going on he still competed and got 5th placed.  He’s now looking at doing the Fitness America in Nov at Las Vegas.  Good luck Dave, not that you need it.

Infinite Labs signs Controversial Bodybuilder, Lee Priest as their new Juggernaut!

Infinite Labs the creators of Juggernaut, is making a splash in the Sports Nutrition Industry, by revamping the company from the ground up.

The first order of business is the new ownership. On September 4th, 2009, April Jacobs, became President by raising funds for this up and coming company. “I helped launch Infinite Labs almost two years ago, so I feel very connected to it”, Claimed Mrs. Jacobs, who is now the only woman to own and operate a Hardcore Sports Nutrition Company.

Infinite Labs widely known for their stand alone packaging of bright Yellow and Blue have been making their way up the ranks, since their launch at the Arnold Fitness Expo in 2008.  Mrs. Jacobs states firmly, “There is no reason Infinite Labs cannot become the next big company, especially with the changes going in affect”.  She wasted no time implementing, what she and her team   feels will propel them to the level they are seeking. One of the most exciting decisions is the signing of a Controversial Bodybuilder, Lee Priest.  Lee who currently resides in Australia, is well known, for his symmetrical physique, and detail to conditioning.

Some would say that his ban from the IFBB in 2006   brought him a lot of negative attention. When asked about the decision to make him a part of the Infinite Team, Mrs. Jacobs simply replied, “Why not?” “I have never been afraid of a challenge. Lee is an incredible athlete, who has a strong fan base. He was deemed an underdog in the past, just as I am currently. It is a perfect fit”.

Lee is known for his widely public views on improving the conditions for athletes in the Industry, as well as his extremely, ‘tell it like it is’ approach.  Since the controversy, Lee has been allowed back in the IFBB, and plans on making  his big come back in 2010.

Adding Lee to their team is only one of many new and exciting changes with this unique company. We are told this is just a piece of  the plan  to rise to the top, with the opening of their new offices in Orlando Florida, overhauling their website,   hiring  an incredible sales force,  as well as  preparing the launch of 6 new products.  Mrs. Jacobs proudly states “I consider this the Infinite Dream Team. We feel we bring something refreshing to the Sports Nutrition Industry, a Hardcore Company, with a touch of Class”.