Gentlemen,
Someone just sent me a copy of the above entitled post with all the comments. Perhaps now is a good time to just set the record straight on a number of points.
1) To Peter Nice who started the thread, I must inform you that Doran Yates has not "put out a hit" on me. The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.
2) To QuakerOats whose loyalty to Dorian I very much respect. I recounted the story of Dorian and I having a huge disagreement at the NYC diner just to provide some insight which you won't find in the politically driven BB mags. I started that story by stating that I was not proud of the fact that I let my emotions get the better of me. Despite that, I received from you and others much doubt as to the veracity of the story. Well, as "Relentless" correctly points out, you weren't there so how can you so confidently claim it isn't true? Additionally, I gave the names of at least 4 other people who witnessed the entire event. Anyone can confirm with those people as to the story taking place. Challenging Yates to a fight isn't the highlight of my life. Not that my personal life is relevant but I do own a Shotokan Karate/Kickbozxing school and train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I have competed in martial arts tournaments for the past 19 years. My training is not something I use to bully others or make challenges based solely on ego or male bravado. It was childish to get so upset with Dorian and ask him outside. Nevertheless, we are all flawed and make mistakes. I just thought I would relay a story to BB fans.
3) I am not of Native American background. The jump from someone having long hair to that ethnicity doesn't apply here. If it did, I would've had a better chance at attending a better university when I was younger.
4) To "Pollux" who said I was a "phoney," I don't know to what you are referring. I never claimed to be anything but a lucky fan with the privilege of training with a pro BB. I thought therefore, I could share some behind the scenes stories and get some feedback from fans. The fans have always treated Craig so well that I thought this might be a great way to reach more people. Craig is always being asked questions about training, diet and supplements and I thought this venue would help answer those questions to more people. I am no bodybuilder. I am just a fan who trains as a hobby and thought this would be a great place to learn what others know about a sport that is so terribly represented in the media and within our own magazines.
5) To "bodybuilder" who said that I thought I "should get special treatment here jsut because he's Craig Richardson's training partner," I disagree. I thought it would be interesting to the fans to receive real pictures throughout a pro's off-season and as he approaches a show. I thought some people might like to see the photos and learn of the dieting successes and failures. I never asked for any "special treatment." I was just surprised by how many comments were flat out insulting for no reason nor had anything to do with bodybuilding. I didn't understand why people would enter a bodybuilding site only to scoff at truthful information and then prefer to hurl unwarranted hostilities.
6) To "Solida" who wrote that I was "outed for being a schmoe, some of the pics he psoted were kind of iffy," well no one "outed" me. I just didn't feel that there was much interest in what I had to offer so I stopped. No big deal. As far as the pictures, one was of the new Mr. O just an hour after he won. Who in this sport doesn't find that kool? Whether you think he deserved it or not, he won. He trains harder than most, diets harder than all of us and won the title. We all certainly respect that. The other photos were from backstage at a pro show. I thought the fans would like to see some of that stuff without the magazine editing and politics involved.
I think GetBig is a fun site to come to. I would be less than honest if I said I wasn't disappointed in the fact that too many people just wish to focus on matters completely unrelated to bb. I didn't come here asking for special treatment. I welcomed criticism and comments when I thought it would relate to bb, not to racism and homosexuality. I thought I had something of interest to share. I never said Craig had the best physique or should win the Mr. O. I came here based upon how nicely Craig is treated by the fans. No big deal.
Now that the record is straight you can go nuts replying if you like.
