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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Guy Grundy on November 23, 2005, 10:55:53 AM
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Hey Guys,
This is a review that was provided by Michael J. Emery on Riasing the Bar. Mike is well known in the industry for his comprehensive reviews.
I have known Dave for 3 years now and he is one of the good guys in the sport and a major character to say the least. This is a kuct see for all bodybuilding fans.
Raising the Bar: The Inside Story of a Life in Bodybuilding
Producer: Mike Pulcinella Video Productions
Date: 2005
Length: 1:47
Script, editing and photography: Mike Pulcinella
Editorial assistant: Stephanie Traynor
Availability: http://www.fitnetusa.com/david_pulcinella_rtb_dvd.htm
This is the best narrative film about bodybuilding I've been privileged to see. Hard to believe it's the first film Mike Pulcinella has made, and he did it on a palm-sized camcorder. A natural filmmaker, Mike has the perfect subject in his brother Dave's competition prep for a NPC national qualifier in Delaware. Mike had complete access for five months while Dave, his partner Jennifer Emig (an outstanding figure competitor), and others came down to the wire for the Delaware state show and the East Coast Classic, held together on July 17, 2004. But the film deals with more than contest prep. It uses the Delaware show as a focus to capture what brought Dave to this point in his life, showing his relationships with family members and friends, rivals and competitors, and especially his relationship to the older brother making this film. While Mike isn't often onscreen, his voice-over narration keeps us aware that this is a personal project on a personal issue. Thus the film avoids the packaged slickness of other documentaries on bodybuilding, including the most famous: Pumping Iron, the 1977 film by George Butler and Robert Fiore.
The film has a roughly chronological development, starting twenty weeks out from the NPC event and counting the weeks and months down as Dave and Jenn's training, diet, physical and mental stamina are put to the test. Early on, we get a capsule history of Dave's childhood decision to start working out, because he was being continually beaten up by goons in a southwest Philadelphia neighborhood. He was lucky his father knew how to train and had the equipment at home. By age 16 Dave was no longer losing to Mike's good-natured attempts to wrestle him down; in fact, Dave already had a 42-inch chest. By age 18, Dave competed in his first show (the 1982 Teen Delaware County), which he won the following year. While working as a pianist in clubs and hotels, he competed until 1996, when he officially "retired" after taking his class at the NABBA Nationals. For the next seven years Dave developed Nutrifit Weight Management Systems, offering personal training and nutrition counseling from a "cramped office" (as the film puts it) at the back of a gym in Bear, Delaware (Body Visions Fitness Centre). He is 39 years old when the film starts. Jenn Emig, who has the makings of an IFBB figure pro, is 24. Their highs and lows, while aiming for the same competition, create the rhythm and flow of the film.
Dave is not a follower. Self-possessed and educated, he has a philosophy of bodybuilding that would mystify most outsiders to the iron game. What strikes me, though, is that Dave's goals also mystify the bodybuilders he knows. Few support Dave's quest for a second Delaware/East Coast Classic win, since he'd won both shows in 2003. He qualified for national shows; what else does he want? Dave says he intends to bring the best competitors in the area "out of the woodwork," to make people stop saying, "It's only the Delaware." An NPC judge calls Dave's decision to compete "trophy collecting," and as it turns out, the NPC bans him from competing (although it doesn't bother to tell him till he shows up after a torturous contest prep). No matter; Dave makes a place for himself, sweeping others along with him. Motivated by a fear of losing and a will brooking no opposition -- from injuries, family members, or NPC rules -- Dave beats the odds at a show held in the exhibition hall of a Wilmington gambling facility. If all this sounds a bit like Rocky, Mike avoids that film's clichés by offering a fly-on-the-wall view of everyone involved.
The film mixes a cinéma-vérité style -- the camera is so constant that the people filmed basically forget it's there -- with direct interviews making it appear the person is speaking directly to you. Some rapidly edited montages create background, such as the short review of Dave's scrapbooks that fills in his childhood and bodybuilding career. All this sets the stage for Dave's return to competition after a seven-year retirement no one expected him to end. His mother offers no encouragement, expressing concern about possible lifelong injuries and a diet restricted to six or seven "foods that work," as Dave puts it. His father partly blames himself for getting him involved in the iron game ("I didn't think he was going to carry it this far," he says). In fairness, his father shows up the day of competition to cheer him on. While Jenn is doing the Delaware to compete at the same time Dave does, the strain of training and dieting (where the competitor must face waning energy and depression for weeks on end) keeps them frustrated with each other. Only one thing makes Dave succeed: his sense of humor. Turning everything that comes his way into a joke, Dave keeps the pressure at bay. After facing the fact that his last six months of torture may have been a waste of time, Dave has his humor back as soon as he gets permission to compete. Bouncing back when the chips are down -- this theme runs throughout the film.
Bodybuilders are known for their obsessive pursuit of physical perfection. As Dave says, "I eat the way I do, I train the way I do, to look a certain way. That to me is bodybuilding." Still, it takes as much obsession to pull a film like this together. Mike ends Raising the Bar with "A special thanks to everyone who allowed me to poke my camera into their lives for 5 months." Mike pokes a camera into his own life as well. What happens to us as we age? What of our past is worth clinging to when others have traded their former aspirations for a suburban routine? By taking a brother seriously when others around him do not, Mike shows us the truth of a great man's life. In doing so he has made a brilliant, memorable film.
Michael J. Emery
November 2005
You can view the actual DVD at http://www.fitnetusa.com/david_pulcinella_rtb_dvd.htm
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I have the DVD it looked pretty good. but when i received it i was pretty excited but fell asleep bevcuase i was tired from work all that day. i will sit this weekend and check it out in full.
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I have the DVD it looked pretty good. but when i received it i was pretty excited but fell asleep bevcuase i was tired from work all that day. i will sit this weekend and check it out in full.
Hey mate!
Let us know your thoughts, all the feed back we have had from customers and people that have viewed it mentioned ho great it is. have a Great Thanks Giving!
Guy
www.grundydvd.com
www.fitnetusa.com
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hey, guy. let me know how the dvd does over the holidays, mate. should be good!...sandals.
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hey, guy. let me know how the dvd does over the holidays, mate. should be good!...sandals.
Hey Sandals,
We actualy sold 4 over the Thanks Giving Break. The reviews seem to be really beneficial, plus it is one of the best Bodbybuilding DVD's I have seen. Take care Buddy
Guy
www.grundydvd.com
www.fitnetusa.com
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Thats good 4 sold. I'm a realtor maybe we can hook up and you can buy a house from me with all that money. With sales like that any bank would borrow you the money to buy any house. Don't spend all that money in one place
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Hah a realtor making fun of someone running a (presumably) profitable bodybuilding store
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Thats good 4 sold. I'm a realtor maybe we can hook up and you can buy a house from me with all that money. With sales like that any bank would borrow you the money to buy any house. Don't spend all that money in one place
lend, not borrow.
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Thats good 4 sold. I'm a realtor maybe we can hook up and you can buy a house from me with all that money. With sales like that any bank would borrow you the money to buy any house. Don't spend all that money in one place
You must be a real good realor? The banks lend people money Son! they do not BORROW people money. You just owned your self. Thanks for playing!
Guy
www.grundydvd.com
www.fitnetusa.com
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hey, no worries. guess what? 4 copies... is 4 more than YOUR dvd has sold! oh, thats right, you dont have one, do you. well, do somrthing noteworthy with your life and maybe someone will want to film it. in the meantime, shhhhhhh.
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by the way, maybe a friend of yours can "borrow" you his copy of raising the bar. you might learn something.
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Hey dude, chill out.
He's a realtor, he's changing the world
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Hey Guy, this is Mike, Dave's brother, the co-creator of Raising The Bar. (I consider it a collaboration between Dave and me. If I didn't have such a good subject in front of my camera I would have had no movie at all.)
I want to thank you for all your help in promoting Raising The Bar, man. I never expected that it would be as popular as it is. And thanks to Mike Emery for a stunning, intelligent review! When my name is mentioned in the same paragraph as the great Pumping Iron I am truly flattered. What a thrill this has been!
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I'm gonna pick it up at Guy's website. ;)
Sounds likes a good flick.
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I bought the DVD from Guy's site. It is very good! A lot of helpful information and great video footage!
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hey guys. for anyone who has seen the dvd and might be interested, i just got my new site up and running.
www.davepulcinella.com
thanks for the positive feedback
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what's that stuff you're eating in that big bowl, Dave?
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sarcasm! youve seen the movie and havent made fun of it yet!!!?? whats wrong with you!? lol! just kidding,bro.
that, my friend, is a big ass bowl of oatmeal! 1 1/2 cups dry..which cooks up to about........ A BIG ASS BOWL!
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sarcasm! youve seen the movie and havent made fun of it yet!!!?? whats wrong with you!? lol! just kidding,bro.
that, my friend, is a big ass bowl of oatmeal! 1 1/2 cups dry..which cooks up to about........ A BIG ASS BOWL!
hahahaha, i eat a cup dry with my egg whites in the morning and that seems a lot, 1 and a half must be ALOT, haha, it lookes kind of watery though, is your brother the strongman?
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i make it watery on purpose. i drink it, basically. i dont eat it. i classify oatmeal as a beverage, not a food. thats the only way i get it all down,bro. just pour it in!!
my cousin steve is the strongman. competed in the worlds strongest man comp a few years back.
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i make it watery on purpose. i drink it, basically. i dont eat it. i classify oatmeal as a beverage, not a food. thats the only way i get it all down,bro. just pour it in!!
my cousin steve is the strongman. competed in the worlds strongest man comp a few years back.
i eat mine solid when i'm too full i chase it with water and swallow it like a big pill. don't you guys run Iron Sport gym, i saw a profile in Milo.
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ha! yeah, i swallow my tuna like a pill. the only way to get 8 cans a day down my throat. you sound pretty serious about your diet as well.
my cousins steve and joe pulcinella run iron sport gym. its a really different gym with cutsom made strength equipment and those huge cement balls that they lift in strength competitions. they have an area outback where they can perform the "farmers walk" and a huge truck tire that they flip. they have a site if you wanna check it out..
www.ironsport.com
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Dave's video is not like others, it has a different approach. More personal and humorous, but at the same time very serious and informative...Guy's site is a good place to purchase it. Wishing Dave the best in his next contest, and no disrespect, his girl is a hottie!
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Thanks much BigAnt. Your feedback means a lot to me! So glad you liked it.
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....here's something I NEVER ask...at least here!
Regarding egg whites, I tried to cook em and eat em during my prep last spring, but after the one gagging time and 20 minutes it took to choke it down I said screw it, and drank them after that.
It's the homogenized in a carton style....consistency of milk, bit weird on the teeth, but efficient. Not a great breakfast to wake up to, but it worked.
What's the opinion on this, do you risk anything in terms of safety?...it's just so much easier in my mind..no smell, no choking down lumpy whites....no dishes!
What do you think?
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Hey Guy, this is Mike, Dave's brother, the co-creator of Raising The Bar. (I consider it a collaboration between Dave and me. If I didn't have such a good subject in front of my camera I would have had no movie at all.)
I want to thank you for all your help in promoting Raising The Bar, man. I never expected that it would be as popular as it is. And thanks to Mike Emery for a stunning, intelligent review! When my name is mentioned in the same paragraph as the great Pumping Iron I am truly flattered. What a thrill this has been!
Hey Mike,
How are you Mate? It is my pleasure, it is a Great DVD and Dave is a very cool Cat! I am very happy for all your success.
Guy
www.grundydvd.com
www.fitnetusa.com
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well, my thoughts on doing the eggwhites or whole eggs raw is this: its been shown that raw eggs, for some reason, tend to break down the body's stores of biotin, an important b vitamin. deficiency in biotin can lead to health issues over time. at least this is what i researched long, long ago when trying to decide if i should "rocky" my breakfast.
the fact that your egg whites are pasteurized is good, but does not totally make them safe in terms of bacteria formation, so i think you run the risk of poisoning yourself that way, too. plus, i was always told never to swallow anything that has the consistency of snot!! lol! this, however, does not go for females...they can! lol!
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Dave,
What's up? Good luck with your video...you have my vote. It looks like I will be driving up North for Christmas. All of us "muscleheads" should plan a nite out somewhere, k? I'll drive.....plenty of room in da Hummer. I will pm you my number. ;)
Jade
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sweet deal, jade. let me know when youre back in town, sweetie. i can see us tearin' up the red room....have a good christmas......the pulcinator
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Dave, I HAVE to be there with my camcorder if you and Jade go to the Red Room! That's got "Raising The Bar 2" written all over it!! ;)
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damned paparazzi!!!!! lol!! sure. we'll let you know.
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Dave, I HAVE to be there with my camcorder if you and Jade go to the Red Room! That's got "Raising The Bar 2" written all over it!! ;)
FYI, I will be bringing my sista too!!! ;)
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I didn't find "Raising the Bar" at either Grundy site. I did find a surfer version of the movie on Netflix. Where do you find this movie - exact url please
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damn!! you two look smokin' hot! ill meet you guys anywhere!lol! kim, let me know, babe.
hey, efirkey..try this ...hope it helps,bro...see ya
http://www.fitnetusa.com/david_pulcinella_rtb_dvd.htm
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I didn't find "Raising the Bar" at either Grundy site. I did find a surfer version of the movie on Netflix. Where do you find this movie - exact url please
Here you go Mate! http://www.fitnetusa.com/david_pulcinella_rtb_dvd.htm
Guy
www.grundydvd.com
www.fitnetusa.com
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thanks, guy! now he can find it twice! lol!!!
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DVD sounds great!
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Ok I watched it...Ok i watched it twice...Ok I watched it three dam times why becuase to me it was pretty good. I have not been this Game as long as dave has but it great to see how the road is for the Local guys across this country. dave has been at this Iron game for quite sometime.
My thoughts on is this I like the approach and many diffrent angles. You had Dave the seasoned veterans who has made more mistakes and over come them than anyone else. then the other two the Cocky kid who won, one lil show and thinks he has all it takes to bust the roof wide open, then the Novice who has yet to compete on stage let alone the thrills and frills and the dedication it takes to stand on any stage.
For the novice BB i suggest this for the learning experience. and for the veterans if you like to see the mind game being played at the local level and seeing how winning your Local Mr O triumps and defeats are then this is a good buy. Good job dave. Love the dedication and strive you have. i would go in better details but i dont wont to ruine it for ya. Gret the Vid it is worth putting in your collection.
Peace
Gettinhuge
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FYI, I will be bringing my sista too!!! ;)
Wow! I just hope I can keep my camera steady!!!
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Ok I watched it...Ok i watched it twice...Ok I watched it three dam times
Thanks gettinhuge! Your post means a lot to me.
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Ok I watched it...Ok i watched it twice...Ok I watched it three dam times why becuase to me it was pretty good.
awesome!! so glad you liked it!..dave pulcinella
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Dave, you may be an inspiration to bodybuilders everywhere, but you're a lousy forum poster. Learn how to do a "quote", doofus!
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I'M A NEWBIE, OK!!!!!????
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Dave,
Your video rocks!!!! Just watched it. FYI, I am drivin' up to MD/DE on the 24th. Maybe you can call Jack, Skip, Big Al, etc. and set something up wherever. I am game.... ;)
Jade/Kim
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Hey Jade, How's the sis doing?
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Hey Jade, How's the sis doing?
Stilll with her guy (12+ years). She is definitely my best friend. :)
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Stilll with her guy (12+ years)
Nobody here wants to hear about that silly
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Nobody here wants to hear about that silly
Sorry Knny, but it's the truth. My sis is the bomb!!!
Dave P, it's on, Christmas weekend.... you name the place, k? ;)
Jade
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Sorry Knny, but it's the truth. My sis is the bomb!!!
Dave P, it's on, Christmas weekend.... you name the place, k? ;)
Jade
Still....all the same.....nobody wants to here about her long term relationship.
:-\
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Still....all the same.....nobody wants to here about her long term relationship.
:-\
Well, I guess that the best that I can do is give the readers of getbig some pics from the upcoming Christmas weekend. Hmmmm......the theme just may be "whatever happens, happens". ;)
Jade
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Well, I guess that the best that I can do is give the readers of getbig some pics from the upcoming Christmas weekend. Hmmmm......the theme just may be "whatever happens, happens". ;)
Jade
Interesting.....
very interesting
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hmm, ill say. that does sound interesting. hey, jade. youre on ,baby! im thinking the red room should be cool. ill tell my brother and see if he will be able to get his camera in there. .......the pulcinator.
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hmm, ill say. that does sound interesting. hey, jade. youre on ,baby! im thinking the red room should be cool. ill tell my brother and see if he will be able to get his camera in there. .......the pulcinator.
I will start my journey (from FL) on Friday & I will make MD/DE by Saturday am. Plz call Jack, Skip, Big Al, etc to set it up. The Red Room......can't wait!!! ;)
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damn! its a shame you cant get here by friday night. i think we would have a better shot of getting everyone to come out then. saturday night is christmas eve and they might have family obligations. dag, girl, just drive faster!!
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Just watched my copy of the dvd. Thought it was a great documentary. Really shows the behind the scenes work that it takes to bring it to the stage and bring it right. also shows great examples of the mental side of the sport.
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Just watched my copy of the dvd. Thought it was a great documentary. Really shows the behind the scenes work that it takes to bring it to the stage and bring it right. also shows great examples of the mental side of the sport.
I got it too. Very good documentary. 8)
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i have to say my favorite part of the dvd is how they show the beginner, the dude who won one show and thinks hes god ,and dave .and they follow all 3 to their different conclusions.
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i have to say my favorite part of the dvd is how they show the beginner, the dude who won one show and thinks hes god ,and dave .and they follow all 3 to their different conclusions.
Yeah. I thought it was good how it went into paragraphs for each competitor and told what happened to them after the show.
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STILL no one has heard from adam. ( the novice) lol! i think this whole think traumatized him!
competitive bodybuilding is certainly not for everyone.
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any chance of a sequal coming out to follow up on some of the people in the dvd? that would be interesting.
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working on that right right now. sould be awesome!!!
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...
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That was productive... ::)
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This was a shit thread even in 2005..
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isn't Dave Pulcinellla the guy that only eats 5 foods while he diets for contests...He claims they are the only foods that work for him...The foods are like Oats, Banana, sweet Potatoes & rice, chicken, steak..
I think that Dave is sitting with his family at the dinner table, while he's eating his diet food while every else is eating tasty food
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isn't Dave Pulcinellla the guy that only eats 5 foods while he diets for contests...He claims they are the only foods that work for him...The foods are like Oats, Banana, sweet Potatoes & rice, chicken, steak..
I think that Dave is sitting with his family at the dinner table, while he's eating his diet food while every else is eating tasty food
I think while everyone is at the bar drinking tasty beverages, you are trolling threads from 2005 on getbig.
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where can I download this movie?
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The film should have been titled 'A manlet that never was'
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dave is really good people, ive had the pleasure to work in the same gym as him when rtb 1 and 2 where filmed
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Bump of the year thus far
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Gatomjp, your vid series with kai is one of the best bodybuilding videos ever. For me the top three is pumping iron, blood n guts, and kai: overkill. Thanks for your work.
Also, i have onl seen the preview for the vid with your brother. It looks awesome.
Thanks. I appreciate the support of the people who "get it".
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dave is cool