"Mike" is November’s Rx Muscle Member of the Month!
So, Mike, what's yo
ur story?
I'm many things Curt, the lil engine that could, a squirrel trying to get a nut, a dog waiting to have his day, a Barbie girl in a Barbie world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyhrYis509A
(Barbie Girl by Aqua)
Your "Location" on the forums is listed as Wherever I may roam...
Where are some of the most interesting places you've roamed, brother?
Mostly in Canada, I've worked in over a dozen different cities, as well I've visited Florida while playing baseball. Of course, the highlight was my trip to Hawaii earlier this year. It is the most incredible place on Earth.
Never been to Hawaii. Where did you stay?
At the Hawaii Hilton, Honolulu... just an amazing hotel village resort.
Fantastic!
When have you been most satisfied in your life?
It hasn't happened yet.
Who is your role model, and why?
I have a few.
Martin Luther King for his ability to believe in something so passionately he dedicated his life towards it.
Mark Messier. Possibly the greatest leader in sports.
Ricky Henderson. Not because he may be the greatest 5 tool player of all time, but the fact he would tell you how great he was while he was doing it.
Arnold. A man that set so many unrealistic goals for himself, yet always found a way to make them happen.
In your one journal, you mentioned being heavily involved in sports, including baseball, rugby, soccer and track and field. You were a sprinter, 100m, 110m hurdles, long jump and 4x100 relay athlete?
I loved track and field growing up. I came from a small school so I was able to enter so many events. The 100m was my favorite event. I wanted to be the fastest man in the world. I used to study sprinters technique to get better starts, and those skills were so transferable to the other sports I played.
What position did you play in baseball, soccer and rugby?
In baseball I was a catcher predominantly. I loved having control of the game. Baseball is such a chess match. Soccer I only played 1 year but enjoyed it. I was the one responsible to irritate and hound the other team's best strikers. Rugby was a blast, I started as a hooker and then was moved to the wing once the coaches saw my speed. Scoring was great but sprinting down behind the line to line up the ball carrier and fuckin crush him was amazing!
And... Y U NO Play FOOTBALL???
I went out to one practice. I was a starter in everything I played and at this practice -- before even hitting the field -- I was told I could be the 3rd string RB and play some punt coverage. I decided I was already playing enough sports. lol
“The story of 2012 should be an interesting one filled with ups and downs, near misses, trips, jobs lost and found, illnesses, triumphs.” – Mike
Mike, with that quote in mind, would you share:
One up?
I would say now would be "up". New job, new place, making good progress in the gym. 2013 will be my most productive year to date.
One down?
Probably how I left my previous employer. It was a pretty ugly, ending just months after celebrating my Manager of the Year award in Hawaii.
One near-miss?
Well, in February, I actually got a blood infection. My friend who is a nurse rushed me to emergency where I was bagged with antibiotics and fluids over night. I couldn't consume solid food for almost 2 weeks and lost almost 20 lbs. I was told after the fact I was dangerously close to being septic and could have died.
One trip? (Like I have to ask!)
Mother fuckin Hawaii!!!!!! Absolutely stunning!!!! The most amazing week of my life.
Nothing like drinking a Starbuck's bold coffee with Kahlua in it, smoking a cigar on a beautiful beach at 6 a.m., and it's 80 degrees.
Sounds incredible.
And, speaking of incredible, how goes your "Incredible Journey of Training, Drugs, Sex and All-around Debauchery"?
(Be sure to visit Mike @ http://forums.rxmuscle.com/showthread.php?116487-Mike-s-Incredible-Journey-of-Training-Drugs-Sex-and-All-around-Debauchery
The journey has had many twists and turns, but right now I'm on a good run. Learning every day on how to make adjustments to keep pushing forward, and there is an amazing bunch in the training journal and contest prep section that I enjoy interacting and learning from and with. I am hoping it will culminate in competing in my first show late next year.
Would you expand on that? We're sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it's been for you, what did you achieve?
The plan would be to step on stage in the fall. It would be a culmination of all the effort given, the obstacles overcome, the exceeded expectations and the proving of many wrong.
Shifting gears from the pleasant to the unpleasant, I'm interested to learn more about Celiac disease.
(Visit http://glutenfreemuscle.blogspot.ca for several blogs by Mike!)
Man, I need to get back to that blog. lol I guess I will now. It's basically an autoimmune disease. When I consume gluten it causes an inflammatory response to my intestines. It causes major stomach distention. I look like I'm either pregnant or a pro bodybuilder.
It also causes damage to the villi in my intestines which are responsible for absorbing nutrients. So, daily, I load up on the vitamins. Honestly, eating properly, making most of your food at home, keeps me pretty healthy. The bodybuilding type lifestyle has been a good template to follow to stay feeling good.
How were you diagnosed with Celiac disease?
It's a simple blood test to see if you have the antibodies in your system, they also do a scope to look for intestinal damage.
Beer, soy sauce, ice cream and ketchup... how do you protect yourself from hidden gluten?
Knowledge and preparation is key. I have this app called glutencheck. It has almost every ingredient known, so I can read the ingredients on most things.
What's your advice to someone considering a gluten-free diet?
The only benefit for anyone to be on a gluten-free diet is if they are Celiac or have a gluten allergy. It's not trendy or cool to do. It will not help you lose weight, most of the processed gluten free replacements actually are more calorie dense. If you have no issues with gluten why spend more money and eat higher calorie, shittier tasting, gluten-free replacements?
Eating gluten-free i
s actually pretty simple once you break it down. If there is anything that may have any wheat products in it, it will have gluten. Everything you buy should have an ingredient list. I will simply Google right on the spot to see if something is gluten free. If there is any doubt, I don't eat it. If I'm at a restaurant and I'm not confident what they have hasn't come into contact with gluten, I don't eat it. I use an app called "glutencheck" which is very helpful translating some exotic ingredients for me.
The best way to start is to keep it simple. I was lucky to have the nutrition knowledge I do, since a bodybuilding-structured diet is a very simple way to structure this plan.
Start with fresh meats, fish, rice, vegetables, eggs, and nuts. Sound familiar? None of these natural foods have gluten.
The cool trendiness of the diet has spurred many organic, hippie, tree-lovin motherfuckers to add it to their menus. I have been to a few small Mexican restaurants here and have enjoyed wonderful, safe meals.
This change is a way of life, so it can't be taken lightly, if you need to do it, be vigilant and you will start to feel better. If you don't, fuck off and put the last loaf of gluten-free bread down, cause I may want a fuckin sandwich! ;-)
lol
2010 saw you celebrating your 35th birthday and it also saw you in Columbus, Ohio for the Arnold Sports Festival!
What was your favorite event?
I enjoyed most of it. I had fun at the expo. I met Dave, John, Jeff, they were all really nice and chatted for a minute. Derek couldn't be bothered which made me laugh.
And what camera were you using at the Arnold?
I don't remember the make of it, but I think the model was "POS".
Saw The Big Sexy giving you some good-natured ribbing...
I'm not sure how you miss him there, but I managed to! lolol Maybe I'll make it to the 2014, and we can hug it out.
You turned 38 on June 18th. Skipping over your 39th, are you looking forward to (or dreading) The Big 4-Oh!?
Shhhhh! Okay, come close. I will share my credo as far as age, but keep it quiet ;)
"It's not how old you are, it's how old you date."
I've been in my 20's for a long time and have no plan on leaving them.
Mike, what was growing up like for you -- more Little House on the Prairie or The Wire? Metropolis or Gotham City? Emerald City or Raccoon City?
The look of Little House, but the atmosphere of Hell's Kitchen. I have no idea what the heck you're talking about during the rest of that question...
Uh, just the two extremes. Metropolis is pristine while Gotham City is a slum? Never mind.
(slinks off to read comic books)
Brothers, sisters?
One of each. Ten and 13 years older, both married and I have three nephews.
Do you have a close family unit?
Both parents have passed. The rest of us still talk during the holidays.
So, I've heard rumors you lost your virginity at age seven. Any truth to that? (dials number for Children and Youth Services)
Actually, I was 12, she was 15 and my babysitter. I'd love to give a story of how I closed that deal, but she wanted to try the things she saw in the pornos she found in the house. I was just along for the ride. ;)
What's your position on drugs in the sport, specifically bodybuilding for the professionals but also for the gym rat/upstanding citizen?
If I'm paying hundreds of dollars to watch pro sports I want these people to be the most elite people on Earth. If PED's allow a great player to return quicker from injury faster then I'm all for it.
For bodybuilding, how can you turn back the clock and change things? Eventually, MPD and WPD will be the mainstays and the freaks will be nothing but folklore.
For us 9-5 schleps, fuck it, take the stuff, but for the love of God be somewhat educated in what you're doing before you start pinning.
Single never married or happily divorced, what has the relationship trajectory of one "Mike" been to this point?
Single, never married. Almost engaged once in my early 20's. I'm happily enjoying the different chapters in this thing we call life.
Any opinions on the supplement industry? (But please be kind, we have sponsors to think of and if you say one negative thing about Vanilla Peanut Butter Isolyze, I swear to God I'm coming over there!)
I read this and Stone Cold Steve Austin's entrance song started playing in my head...
(insert Stone Cold's entrance song/YouTube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXSn1cPz9eg
There are a few useful things available. Whey protein is a great alternative to get pure protein in you. (VPB Iso is very tasty, send samples.)
I believe and need to supplement vitamins and minerals due to my celiac. I enjoy using a pre workout here and there cause I like the buzz of stimulants. But to be frank, anything that says it can mimic drug-like results is simply a 347% waste of time.
I don't mean pro-hormones because they are drugs (which I believe should only be sold grouped together with the needed support/recovery supps), but the concoctions of herbs and spices pawning themselves off as if they are going to give me test-like results.
Just like in any other marketing plan, if you appeal to people's insecurities and offer them a secret way to not work as hard as the next guy or gal, they will eat it up.
And that's the bottom liiiiiine, cause M-Rods says so!
Mike, what's your greatest strength?
Well, I'm a hard worker and a quick learner… Oh, this isn’t a job interview… But, really, it’s my ability to realize there is no such thing as a problem, only opportunities.
There is a solution to anything that comes up in life. The less time you spend whining and complaining about it, the quicker you can overcome it and move on.
And your greatest weakness?
My ability to justify procrastination.
haHA :-D Awesome! (adds answer to résumé)
Sometimes I can find fantastic ways to sabotage different things, from training to nutrition to relationships.
How did you learn about Rx Muscle?
Really, reeeeeeally? Well, I joined on the first weekend it started back in February 2009. Almost a thousand people joined that weekend. Something about two guys getting fucked over at their old employer or something like that.
What's your favorite part of the forums?
The Pi… ummmmm the training journals of course ;) A solid group of people there at various stages of their own journeys, and I'm glad to share and learn from them.
Blue collar Radio has been a nice addition as well.
http://rxmuscle.com/2013-01-11-01-57-36/blue-collar-muscle/
How would you improve the forums?
I'm not gonna be one of those naive members and say
less ads. Grow up, people… money makes the world go round. The format seems to works and there is a little something for everyone here.
From a business standpoint, I would spread my eggs over many baskets. Some people that may or may not have been here before had a lot of responsibility and amount of projects. Having duties/projects spread out more will avoid a major disturbance if someone goes or needs to go.
Having a larger amount of players is a great way to reach more people, thus more things get done, get covered, are worked and focused on, thus more ways to generate revenue.
Canada could use some love. I have love to give. There is money to make up here – someone just has to go get it!
Who are the heavy hitters in your neck of the Canadian woods? Make Rx Muscle Canada happen, brother!
If anytime in this interview you ask me what the worst question is, this is in the lead. ;) RxMuscle Canada... I'm up for the challenge.
What's your superpower, or what's your spirit animal… or what is the worst question I’ve asked during this interview?
(Derik Farnsworth would totally go with Wolverine’s healing factor or his Adamantium claws. Just sayin.)
My superpower? Making anyone feel good about themselves.
Spirit animal? What in the blue hell is a spirit animal?
Worst question? It's a tight race. lol
Favorite drink (for cheat meal purposes, of course)?
Non-alcoholic would be a milkshake or cream soda. If we're talking liquor I'm a simple man, just give me some whisky neat, with a few drops of ginger ale.
Your choice -- most amazing... or most disappointing sexual encounter? (I'm betting heavyiron would say something like, "Pics for bonus points." Wait, that might be more of a GREENMACHINE23 quote.)
Well, It was my 30th birthday after a really fun time at dinner and a live comedy show. Me and my girlfriend get home and I'm ready for birthday sex (did I mention she was 19?). I was taking my clothes off as I walked towards the bedroom. She tells me she had to run out to get something. I was, like, "Baby, it can wait, bring your lovin over here." She insisted it was important... it's part of my present.
In my head I was getting pissed off, but she put so much work into that day I just smiled and "jokingly" told her to hurry up. She had me get ready in bed for her to come back. She gets back about 10 minutes later and, trust me, I'm ready to go! lolol
I had to close my eyes (I'm thinking it was another sexy lil outfit which she always looked amazing in). She climbs up on the end of the bed, but it seems odd like a lot of movement.
Then she tells me to open my eyes on the count of 3.................................... there she was with a girl from her class that I met a few weeks before and she caught me checking out.
Gadzooks!
#greatestbirthdayever
I have pics from various times but nobody wants to see pics that my dick is involved in... as well in Muscle Central! lol
Good point. lol
Uh... no pun intended there.
Thank you, Mike, for allowing the members of Rx Muscle to get to know you a little better. Best wishes on achieving your goals this year and here's to more amazing birthdays to come!
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