Gooooooood Morning Viet-big.commmm!!!!

[John Romano]

I disagree.  If anything, fewer people would be doing drugs after reading MD, and the ones who are doing them are doing them responsibly.

I know you want to pretend that preaching abstinence works, but the facts show that the opposite is true.

Also, who cares about something being illegal?  You make it sound like legalities automatically equate to morality.  The only reason why drugs are illegal to begin with is because the corrupt government can't make any money off them.  Do you know why oxys and percs were invented?  So that the government could compete with coke and heroin dealers and put some of that drug money back in the system.  You know why the government spends far more money fighting pot than meth, despite meth being far, far worse as a public health hazard?  Because pot takes far, far more money out of the system.  "The government" (referring to specific corrupt individuals who have power) wants nothing more than money.  Every commercial you see is "Ask your doctor about [name of drug]."  These commercials are produced by PUSHERS who want us all to be addicted to drugs.  What is morally reprehensible is that these pushers are not obvious either, they are subtle and act under the guise of pretending to help us.  They are manipulative in order to get your money.  You don't need drugs for everything!

Lastly, somebody I know went to jail for dealing cocaine - in the time he went through the prison he saw pedophiles go IN AND OUT.  Why?  Because all they did was rape a little girl - they didn't take hundreds of thousands of dollars out of the system like he did.  It ALL comes down to the mighty dollar in government.  Stop pretending they want to help anybody.  The good politicians do, but their decisions are overshadowed by the corrupt ones who manage to accrue the most power.  The US system of "bail" is absolutely disgusting in my opinion.  People who fraud the government spend far more time in jail than murderers.

If you think the law equates to morality, I think you should revise your moral system.  If killing babies was required by law, would you judge John for speaking out against it?

"Lest we not deem anything moral merely because it is legal" - Plato

[John Romano]

Welcome aboard Romano.

Tell me why is it so hard to get your rag in Australia?

The last time I saw it on the stands it had Branch on the cover.

At this point, we sell the license to MD in other countries.  My Friend Gerry owns the rights to MD in Hungary, I own the rights to MD in Spanish, we also sold the license to Greece, Russia, England, and I think one other.  Those licensees have the right to print whatever they want under the MD name.  Our Spanish edition is 95% a direct translation.  If you guys in other countries are interested in publishing MD where you live, let me know.

[toolarge4u]

John,

How about doing a BIG feature on John Grimek, your magazines founder and some of the old guys for me?

A lot of people will buy that.  In fact, put Grimek on the cover and style it like the magazines of yesteryear just for one issue.

I would really enjoy reading about it.

TA if your being serious for once i think thats an awesome idea, i may actually buy a mag again.

[John Romano]

Is Mr. treadmill friends with Billy Smith, do you think he knows anyone who might be friends with him or could comment on the goings on at the Venice Golds back in 93 before the O

I was there and I was also using Billy's system - Intrafitt.  He uses a Skindex Caliper and uses the Pollock 4 site skin fold measurement.  That was the year Shelley Beattie took 3rd in the Ms O.  I was dieting with her for a photo shoot for MD.  I dieted down pretty low and Billy clipped me at a ridiculously low measurement - too low to print here    I subsequently went to USC and got dunked for a hydrostatic measurement and came up with 3.8% - MUCH higher than Billy's measurement.  Do not fault Flex Wheeler for what Billy told him.  It is merely the system Billy used.  If you go back and look at the measurements he claimed for his charges back then - Aaron Baker, Jimmy Quinn, Chris Dickerson, Shelley Beattie, Flex Wheeler, etc., they were all ridiculously low.

[John Romano]

Well hopefully this doesn't change the quality of publication in any way.  See, Wal-Mart controls whole industries, but no industry controls Wal-Mart and so they are constantly putting pressure on distributorships, creating economies of scale, and things like this.  Don't give in - although I'm sure there is a lot of money in it if you do.

Nope.  We got kicked out of Wallmart before and we have to we'll get kicked out again.

[nycbull]

I couldn't have said it better!!  Remember when I pissed you all off with my editorial dissing the boards?  Well, that is how you guys earned my respect.  My assistant has combed the boards for me - GetBig, Mayhem, and BB.com for a little over two years now.  Out of all the info she has gathered for me on the pulse of this hing we do, GetBig has BY FAR out paced the other boards.  Some say you guys are too brash or rude and crude, but I say, "if you can't stand the stink get the f**k out of the gym."  Bodybuilding - HARDCORE bodybuilding - is made up of bad-ass dudes, some with tattoos, scars, and facial hair, who speak in expletives and aren't afraid to tell someone they suck if that's the truth.  Keep it hardcore and keep it real. 

thanks John, I agree an open and honest public discourse about all subjects is the only way things change for the better in society including the bodybuilding world. The other boards, I agree... yawn....they will sustain the status quo. This board might be crude and hatefull but it is real and the discourse is real and that is going to make real change for the better for all bodybuilders...and get a few laughs while were doing it.

[njflex]

The guy is a magazine and bbing in the know legend.

[The True Adonis]

TA if your being serious for once i think thats an awesome idea, i may actually buy a mag again.

I am Serious.

I could make this Magazine fly off the shelves with my ideas.

People are tired of reading the same old bullshit.  The bullshit workout routines of pros and the stupid questions such as "What should I stack with my first cycle","what is the best supplement to take for massive gains","Do I need to do squats".


There is so much material to be had.  So much truth to be told and lies to be exposed.  So much, that it beguiles me as to why its all missing from MD and the rest of the magazines.

[John Romano]

I am Serious.

I could make this Magazine fly off the shelves with my ideas.

People are tired of reading the same old bullshit.  The bullshit workout routines of pros and the stupid questions such as "What should I stack with my first cycle","what is the best supplement to take for massive gains","Do I need to do squats".


There is so much material to be had.  So much truth to be told and lies to be exposed.  So much, that it beguiles me as to why its all missing from MD and the rest of the magazines.

So write the damn thing already so I can submit it!!

[John Romano]

How interesting. Romano comes on here, doesnt attack you guys, and some of you are having a meltdown already. Damn .... say what you want... but so far John has been respectful and honest here... and that is cool.  Kodus for keeping cool and already getting a 240 page thread in less than a day.

By the way, I am still typing away, damn, 7,000 words already on the interview. I am still laughing on the way you got kicked out of World's Gym here in California by Joe Gold...

The Black Rat lives...

If he had to wait for you to finish typing he'd die!! 
Seriously, Ron, Thanks for the invite!!

[John Romano]

Anyone placing bets on how many posts JR will have before he leaves in disgust trying to "argue" logic with the likes of TA, SUCKMYMUSCLE or daddywaddy?

20 to 1 odds he leaves before his 250th post.

Nahhh, Nothing bothers me like that.  As long as I feel like I'm more welcome than not I'll stay around.  I  like it here, vermin and all

[sarcasm]

hey John tell that story about how Lyle Alzado threw the skinny geek of the leg extension at Gold's Venice, that was a great story.

[The True Adonis]

So write the damn thing already so I can submit it!!

Working on it...I will have it done this weekend!

Cool?

Where do I submit?  PM me.

[Van_Bilderass]

Working on it...I will have it done this weekend!

Cool?

Where do I submit?  PM me.

If it's an anti supplement piece with brands mentioned it will never be printed. They will never print anything if Muscletech is blasted for example.

[shiftedShapes]

Working on it...I will have it done this weekend!

Cool?

Where do I submit?  PM me.

Hey Adonis can I suggest a piece?

Maybe you could do some investigative journalism and look into a certain BF reading that may or may not have been taken at Gold's between 10 and 20 year's ago.  Flex Wheeler was rumored to be involved.  Please though I beg you don't reveal me as a source.  I can't have people knowing that I'm looking into this.  It has to stay on the DL like Rodney St. Cloud.

[The True Adonis]

Hey Adonis can I suggest a piece?

Maybe you could do some investigative journalism and look into a certain BF reading that may or may not have been taken at Gold's between 10 and 20 year's ago.  Flex Wheeler was rumored to be involved.  Please though I beg you don't reveal me as a source.  I can't have people knowing that I'm looking into this.  It has to stay on the DL like Rodney St. Cloud.

hahhahahahahahahah

[Pazuzu]

Looks like I missed a few pages overnight -

Matt C - I used to like the Italian zombie flicks when I was in Jr High and High School "Zombie" and "Demons" were pretty intense. But I like everything from supernatural to slasher. Can't wait for "Texas Chainsaw Massacre - The Beginning" to come out next month!

Miss Karen - The older actor guy you saw was probably Brad Harris. He did some Hercules movies in the 1960's and had a great physique in his time, far ahead in terms of being super-lean. You didn't see an actor that lean again until Stallone in the later Rocky and Rambo movies. Brad also marketed those "Ab Originals" things you put your arms through and do hanging leg raises from.

John - I lived in Venice in the summer of 1988 but went back to Boston to go to Emerson for my last 3 years of school. I think I met you in early 1991 when I came back out to LA to do my last semester and started working for the ESPN American Muscle show. I still remember shooting one of your Muscle Meal segments in Tonya Knight's kitchen, another one in the Poteat brothers' beach house. Those guys had the life!

Shit, I had no idea Shelley was a lesbian when you met her. Curious, how did you manage to get her craving the man-meat?

[shiftedShapes]

1991 when I came back out to LA to do my last semester and started working for the ESPN American Muscle show.

Whoah were you involved in the 93 telecast of the Mr. Olympia when Jim Quinn discussed Flex Wheelers record low BF measurement at the Venice Golds?

[Pazuzu]

I was part of that TV crew, but Jim Q said that on his own - nobody prompted him to.

Best Olympia TV broadcast I was part of was in 95 or 96 (?) when Dennis Newman 'crashed' the posedown, running down the aisles in his posing trunks and hitting poses, while Dorian and the rest of the top 6 was on stage looking pissed off. It was crazy.

Dennis was making a statement about not being allowed to compete as a pro after having survived leukemia. I knew about it days before it happened.

[John Romano]

Hey Adonis can I suggest a piece?

Maybe you could do some investigative journalism and look into a certain BF reading that may or may not have been taken at Gold's between 10 and 20 year's ago.  Flex Wheeler was rumored to be involved.  Please though I beg you don't reveal me as a source.  I can't have people knowing that I'm looking into this.  It has to stay on the DL like Rodney St. Cloud.

Dude, did you read this?

I was there and I was also using Billy's system - Intrafitt.  He uses a Skindex Caliper and uses the Pollock 4 site skin fold measurement.  That was the year Shelley Beattie took 3rd in the Ms O.  I was dieting with her for a photo shoot for MD.  I dieted down pretty low and Billy clipped me at a ridiculously low measurement - too low to print here   I subsequently went to USC and got dunked for a hydrostatic measurement and came up with 3.8% - MUCH higher than Billy's measurement.  Do not fault Flex Wheeler for what Billy told him.  It is merely the system Billy used.  If you go back and look at the measurements he claimed for his charges back then - Aaron Baker, Jimmy Quinn, Chris Dickerson, Shelley Beattie, Flex Wheeler, etc., they were all ridiculously low.

[John Romano]

hey John tell that story about how Lyle Alzado threw the skinny geek of the leg extension at Gold's Venice, that was a great story.

That was funny!!

I was training with Lyle when he was trying to make a comeback - right before he got sick.  86 or 87 I think. We wanted to do leg extensions and the machine he wanted to use was occupies by this little pencil neck.  He was just sitting there between sets hogging up the machine.  So, Lyle walks up to him and asks how many sets he has left.  The guy says, "I'll be done when I'm done."  With that Lyle said, "you're done now," and grabbed a handful of his shirt and yanked him off the machine.  The guy landed in pile on the floor about three feet from where we were standing.  Turned out the guy was a lawyer!!  He built an assault case against Lyle and sued him.  They settled out of court for $35,000.00!!  Lyle was such a hot head.  A week or two before that he was late for training because some idiot had cut him off and he chased him down, dragged the guy out his car widow and bitch slapped him - at least that's what he told me.

[shiftedShapes]

Dude, did you read this?

I was there and I was also using Billy's system - Intrafitt.  He uses a Skindex Caliper and uses the Pollock 4 site skin fold measurement.  That was the year Shelley Beattie took 3rd in the Ms O.  I was dieting with her for a photo shoot for MD.  I dieted down pretty low and Billy clipped me at a ridiculously low measurement - too low to print here   I subsequently went to USC and got dunked for a hydrostatic measurement and came up with 3.8% - MUCH higher than Billy's measurement.  Do not fault Flex Wheeler for what Billy told him.  It is merely the system Billy used.  If you go back and look at the measurements he claimed for his charges back then - Aaron Baker, Jimmy Quinn, Chris Dickerson, Shelley Beattie, Flex Wheeler, etc., they were all ridiculously low.

wow where have you guys been all my life.  This is the kind of info I have been starving for.  When I say starving I mean 93 Flex Wheeler starving.  Those intense hunger pangs he felt as he was dieting in the weeks up to the Mr. Olympia contest of 1993.  Probably the way he felt as Billy Smith hopelessly pinched away at Flex in the Venice Golds, unable to squeeze even a nanometer of bodyfat of of Flex's 0.0% BF physique.

[doozejooze]

Hey John, I was at the 2003 Mr. Olympia and took some pictures with you and Greg Valentino. You asked me how old my kid was and said (I believe) you had a son of your own and that it was great to see the family out. You took like 5 pictures  with us to make sure they came out alright and even asked Victor Martinez to come over and take some. Anyway it was very cool and was a highlight. You also called Steve Blechman over and he gave me a M.D. for free. Very cool   D

[John Romano]

Hey John, I was at the 2003 Mr. Olympia and took some pictures with you and Greg Valentino. You asked me how old my kid was and said (I believe) you had a son of your own and that it was great to see the family out. You took like 5 pictures  with us to make sure they came out alright and even asked Victor Martinez to come over and take some. Anyway it was very cool and was a highlight. You also called Steve Blechman over and he gave me a M.D. for free. Very cool   D

Just spreading the good will, bro.  You come you pay you should have a good time, and all of us in this biz should see to it that you do.  I know, I know, My buddy Ferrigno......
Anyway, you are very welcome!!

[John Romano]

Looks like I missed a few pages overnight -

Matt C - I used to like the Italian zombie flicks when I was in Jr High and High School "Zombie" and "Demons" were pretty intense. But I like everything from supernatural to slasher. Can't wait for "Texas Chainsaw Massacre - The Beginning" to come out next month!

Miss Karen - The older actor guy you saw was probably Brad Harris. He did some Hercules movies in the 1960's and had a great physique in his time, far ahead in terms of being super-lean. You didn't see an actor that lean again until Stallone in the later Rocky and Rambo movies. Brad also marketed those "Ab Originals" things you put your arms through and do hanging leg raises from.

John - I lived in Venice in the summer of 1988 but went back to Boston to go to Emerson for my last 3 years of school. I think I met you in early 1991 when I came back out to LA to do my last semester and started working for the ESPN American Muscle show. I still remember shooting one of your Muscle Meal segments in Tonya Knight's kitchen, another one in the Poteat brothers' beach house. Those guys had the life!

Shit, I had no idea Shelley was a lesbian when you met her. Curious, how did you manage to get her craving the man-meat?

The Poteats!!  Remember them?  Did I ever tell you about the two Hefty lawn bags full of gear they each had?  Remeber they got arrested and then hired Charles Glass and Dan Duchaine to testify it was for personal use??  Those were the days!!

Shelley?  Let's just say she was straight curious....  All the problems aside, I really miss that girl