Q. How long have you been bodybuilding and why did you first get into it?

A. I have been training since the age of 12. I was a very skinny and undernourished kid, and I suffered from malnutrition at one stage. I am a very skinny person naturally. My joints are ridiculously small. My wrists, for example, are six inches and my knee joints are 14 inches. I was actually tested for joint size in relation to my muscles and the doctors said my joints were the size of an average 13-year-old’s. I have broken my arms a total of five Arial, my nose four Arial, my collarbone once, dislocated my shoulder while pressing 400 pounds as well as having broken my wrists and hands several Arial, so as you can see I have fought for every pound of muscle I have. I dreamt of having big legs for so long. I was knock-kneed and pigeon-toed, my legs were so skinny. Being totally honest, I started working out with weights because I was not happy with the way that I looked. I was a really good athlete when I was younger, representing at the state/national level in six sports. But I was so little compared to everyone else, and I hated being the smallest; it affected my confidence a great deal back then in reflection. Being big was the first real goal that I ever set myself, and I never stop until I realize my dreams.

Q. You have competed in both the IFBB and NABBA. How have you managed to do both and avoid the politics involved with two competing organizations? I have nothing against either organization and I have friends who are officials in both IFBB and NABBA, but I always thought that these organizations were kind of strict about letting bodybuilders only compete in their own shows.

A. I competed with the IFBB at first and went as far as I could go at the time. I had a choice of turning professional or I could continue winning the titles I had already won such as the Mr. Australasia. I am a realist and realize that I am not yet ready to compete against the best the IFBB has to offer, I have never finished worse than second in any show, international or otherwise. Competing with NABBA has opened many doors for me and has allowed me to continue to improve against a very high level of competition. I will turn professional in 2004 at the pro Ironman, as by that stage I will be at a level where I feel that I can compete against the best in the world and more than hold my own. To answer your question, yes, it does make things a little tougher. I lost the Worlds in ’99 after being ahead on the score card, but was put back into second as I was penalized for using Synthol, and I was not the only one that used it, but I was the only one penalized for it. The following year 2000, a good mate of mine beat Garry Guinn from America by one point, so
yes, I do think it has affected me. But I also understand the value of loyalty as well. I have no regrets as I have learned some valuable lessons because of these events, and in the end it will all come together.

Q. What is your training regimen like?

A. Training-wise I do a lot less than what most of the pros do, I split my body up into three workouts which are performed in a one-day on/one-day off schedule. I split my body up as follows, which is refereed to as a push-pull system.

Day 1 Chest, shoulders & triceps,
Day 2 Back, traps, rear delts & biceps
Day 3 is legs. I do calves and abs every third workout.

So it would look something like this:

Monday day 1; Tuesday rest; Wednesday Day 2; Thursday, rest; Friday Day 3. Saturday, rest. I would then start the whole cycle again on Sunday

I basically train every second day. I find that training this way really makes A huge difference as it allows my body a lot of time to recover from the heavy and intense training. I think the biggest mistake most people make in their training is not resting enough, I know this as I have been one of these people for years. But I like to change and try new things, as that is the only way to continually improve. I have trained 6 days a week with these being split workouts in the evening & morning. I did this for a 6 months and all I did was get tired & over-trained. Training every second day is the best method I have found so far. One thing to remember: More is not always better.

Q. Tell us about nutrition. What's a typical daily meal plan for you?

A. I eat clean all year round. I eat approximately 8 meals a day with each meal containing 60g of protein and I then rotate carb days from high to low every second day, this keeps the metabolism burning calories. I enjoy eating healthy food as I went without it for so long when I was living on the street, so I really appreciate and enjoy my food. When I want to increase my weight I will gradually increase my carbs, and when it comes time to get ready for a show, I will keep my protein high or even increase it 20% & play with carbs in an up-and-down fashion. Simple and effective.

Q. What nutritional supplements do you use?

A. I am the international spokesman for Kaizen nutrition; they have over 80 products in their line, so at one stage or another I have pretty much tried them all. The main products I use are whey protein, glutamine and creatine; these are the big three supplements, in my opinion. I have developed my own fat-burning product, which is a combination of the best ones I have used throughout the years combined the best of everything into one of the most effective powerful burners on the market, I will actually be releasing it soon. I have already got it approved by a doctor ,and it will also be distributed by Protech distributing throughout America. I also use a new product called ZMApm, which is great, and of course the Kaizen pro hormone
Anabolic,which is by far and away the best-selling pro hormone on the market.

Q. Do you want to talk about anabolics at all?

A. I am always honest; for legal reason I, of course, do not use steroids, but my friend who looks exactly like me does? He has never been a big user, mainly because he couldn't afford it. He has never used GH. But all that is about to change as he is now doing really well financially. He has never used more than 1000mg of testosterone a week.

When my mate talks about this subject with the other pros, they laugh at the amount that he uses. I would like to say this about the subject. I have seen some guys abuse continuously for 5 years, I mean the top guys and they are perfectly healthy. I am not condoning its use; it is part of the sport and each year it is becoming a bigger factor. I hate Synthol, I have used it, and I actually won the ’99 Nabba Worlds, but was told I was put back into second because I used it. I paid a pretty heavy price, but I accepted it, as it was true. But at this year’s Worlds, some of the guys were just full of Synthol. They looked stupid—that's not bodybuilding, sticking some shit in your arms because you have not got the balls to get your ass in the gym and train. Synthol and implants are the same thing.

The worst part is the judges let these guys place really well regardless. So everyone else has to play the same game if they want to be successful. On one hand the officials say how bad it is, then they do nothing to police it. Every one is looking for an edge in this sport. I do not think much of the jokes that use the Synthol. I feel that I can comment on it, as I have been one of the jokes to use it and pay the price. Synthol has nothing to do with building muscle; the reason we all love this sport so much is because it takes so much passion, hunger and discipline to raise to the top. Synthol has no part in true bodybuilding. Sitting in front of the TV set with a protein shake in one hand and a syringe full of Synthol in the other is not picture of how I want people to view me, but Synthol is making it look that way. The only way that it will leave the Sport if the people who use it are consistently sent the message that it is not okay to use it by placing them badly or even disqualified.

Q. Tell us a bit about your Web site.

A. I released http://www.fitnetusa.com at the beginning of 2001. It is a fully automated online bodybuilding, health and fitness store selling a huge range of supplements, clothing, equipment, books & a whole lot more at 20 % off the regular price. It also has heaps of free info on nutrition; training, supplements & a really popular newsletter called The Inside Look. I also have my personal section with everything you ever wanted to know about me, and more than likely some things that you don't want to know. I really enjoy owning the Web site. I have actually released a second one and have a few more lined up down the track in different fields. One of my favorite things is prepping people for shows. My last four guys have placed second at the Sacramento Masters 2000, 1st place Ironman masters 2000, and I recently trained the winner of the middleweights at the Arizona, and recently I had the second place finisher in the L.A masters. The NPC is the toughest down here, and all my boys kicked some serious ass, that in it self is a real reward.

Q. What sorts of things do you enjoy doing when you're not training?

A. I really enjoy business things to be honest, I was unable to read or write until I was 13, so I find learning & achieving things a lot of fun as I never had the opportunity when I was young. I am pretty quite in all honesty, I spend all my time with my girlfriend Kiyoko, Don't get me wrong I can party with best
of them & have on several occasions, Craig Titus always gets me into trouble and no man on earth can ever party like the real deal Chris Cormier. I love walking down the Venice Boardwalk near muscle beach with Kiyoko on a Sunday as I dreamt about that for so long when I was in Australia. I am in a great relationship and that has really changed me in a positive way. I still get into trouble every now & then but on the whole I am a good boy these days.

Q. You live in California but you're from Australia. What is the bodybuilding scene like in Oz? How is it different from bodybuilding in the U.S.?

A. We have a lot of good bodybuilders back home, but the only way you are going to make it anywhere in this business is to come to the States as this is where the opportunities are. In Australia once you win the nationals there is nothing left to do other than compete as a professional, but as I found out when I first arrived here, being one of the best in Australia is a long way from being a successful pro over here. The standard is so much higher and there are so many people that all come here from all over the world wanting the same thing you do. So if you do make the move you have to be prepared to pay your dues and put the time into getting your name out there.

I love Australia and it will always be my home, but the higher you climb as an athlete back home, the more people hang shit on you and talk behind your back. I am a very upfront person and if I have a problem with you, believe me you will know it, but there a few jealous people back home that are all pissed that they went no where with their career and I did. To those people, and you know who you are, you can kiss my ass. Ha, ha, now I feel better. The way I was brought up was to never take shit from anyone, and that hasn't changed one bit. The reason all these bitches talk behind my back is just that they are all bitches.

As you can see I do get a little emotional at Arial, ha, ha. But in saying that there are also a lot of people that have really stuck by me and to all those people, namely my boy Steve Hunter, and my girl back home, Ali G, thanks for all your love and support. It has always been with me wherever I go and I thank you for that. I have so much to be thankful for, but when it comes to friends I have been very blessed.

Q. What are your future goals in bodybuilding?

A. I will turn pro and compete in the 2004 Pro Ironman and place in the top three. I will win a pro show and finish in the top six at the Mr. Olympia by the time I retire in 2006. I have no desire to be Mr. Olympia, I am not willing to do what is necessary to be a Mr. Olympia. The amount of sacrifice and discipline required is not something I wish to do. There are so many things in this world that I want to experience and to be a Mr. Olympia is one of the biggest commitments you could ever make.

I have nothing but admiration for the men that have held that title. They are a rare breed of man.