Training a Full Year the ‘09 Mr. O Will Benefit “The Gift”

Finishing third in his first Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath has decided to concentrate on moving up the ladder with Sandow on his mind. The bodybuilder known as “The Gift” has decided to skip the Arnold Classic in March and utilize that time preparing for next September in Las Vegas.

While some feel that is a mistake, Heath’s high finish in 2008 gives him a ‘pass’ in having to win any other contests prior to the Olympia. He has proven his worth and if he happens to come into the Arnold not at his best, he can lose some credibility, the type that he just has been rewarded with.

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Legendary Bodybuilder Joins Us for Special Episode

Make sure to download this week’s episode of MuscleSport Radio, which included a special interview with legendary bodybuilder Bill Grant, the former Mr. America and Mr. World. Bill shares some great memories with us about being one of the early pioneers of the sport in Venice, California back in 1975. Gold’s Gym, better known as the ‘Mecca,’ and the motion picture “Pumping Iron” are just some of the topics discussed. Arnold, Vince Gironda and Joe Weider’s names also came up, so this is one show you will not want to miss.

Be sure to listen to ‘MuscleSport radio’ live every Tuesday from 3 to 4 pm (Eastern time) on www.blogtalkradio.com. Episodes can be heard live or via download on Blog Talk Radio, iTunes or MuscleSport Mag. On next week’s show, our special guest will be Boyer Coe. On 11/25/08, we will be joined by 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout.

Former Mr. America and Mr. World to Join Us on November 11

On this week’s episode of ‘MuscleSport Radio,’ we will be joined by none other than Bill Grant, the 1972 Mr. America and 1974 Mr. World. We will be covering the ‘Golden Age of Bodybuilding’ during the 1970s in California and what Bill is up to today. His ‘Old School Bodybuilding’ DVD series and his annual outdoor bodybuilding contest in Pennsylvania will be merely a sample of what will be discussed. Continue Reading »

When Bodybuilders Turn Pro…

Recently, MuscleSport Mag had the pleasure of doing a one-on-one interview with Gregg Valentino, who is a top staff writer in ‘Muscular Development’ magazine. His ‘Ramblin’ Freak’ column is just one of his contributions each month to the famous publication and is known throughout the industry as the type of writer that pulls no punches and tells it like it is – if it pisses off some people or not. (Part Two of this interview also appears in the October issue of New York Sportscene magazine.)

Being around professional and amateur bodybuilders his entire adult life, Gregg Valentino has noticed one consistency during the progression of their careers. “A guy will win an amateur contest and then turn pro,” he said. “A year later, he’s a totally different bodybuilder.”

The difference, Valentino says, is usually 20 pounds bigger and ripped. “I think it takes a lot of money to be a pro bodybuilder with all the drugs.” While that may sound shocking to some, the obvious is blatant and to have a frank conversation about the subject, denying that there is steroid use in the sport of bodybuilding is detrimental. It is there and has been for a long time.

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From the Olympia Stage to the Silver Screen

It’s not too late to catch the third installment of MuscleSport Radio, the weekly Internet podcast bringing you the best of bodybuilding, pro sports and anabolic steroids. This week’s special guest was none other than Gunter Schlierkamp, who speaks frankly about some of the frustrations he faced in bodybuilding and why he has turned to acting the past two years and not the Olympia stage. Gunter also comments on the passing of the great Ben Weider and what the entire Weider family has meant to his career.

The World Series and the bad weather effecting it is also discussed on this show, as well as the seven NFL players testing positive for the diuretic Bumetanide.

All past broadcasts are archived and can be heard via MuscleSport Mag, Blog Talk Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com) and iTunes.

Please be advised that we have already scheduled our special guest for the Tuesday, November 18 show - legendary bodybuilder Boyer Coe.

Be sure to listen live every Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 4 pm (Eastern time). Our call-in number is (347) 884-8157.

Interview of Guest Star Emy Silvagni

Ready for listening at your convenience, the second episode of ‘MuscleSport Radio’ is now available. You can access it via the player right here on our home page, through the Blog Talk Radio website (www.blogtalkradio.com)or iTunes.

The highlight of the show was our interview with Emy Silvagni, who let us in on some of her great dishes as a certified fitness chef, mainly her turkey oatmeal meatloaf! Her list of women’s bodybuilding championships and event coordination at the Mr. & Mrs. Jones Beach USA competition was also discussed, as was the sad passing of Ben Weider.

On the sports side of the show, the fantastic ALCS between Tampa Bay and Boston was reviewed, as well as a World Series preview and NFL recap.

We had some technical difficulties with our switchboard during the second half of the show and for that we sincerely apologize. A few callers were unable to connect to the show, so we hope that they call us back next week.

On our next show, IFBB pro bodybuilder Gunter Schlierkamp will be our special guest. Be sure to listen live on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 3 pm (Eastern time).

World Famous Women’s Bodybuilding Champion to Join Us on Tuesday

This week may be only our second episode of ‘MuscleSport Radio,’ but we have already lined up a few special guests to join us to talk bodybuilding and sports. On Tuesday, October 21, we will have none other than Emy Silvagni, who has numerous women’s bodybuilding titles to her name.

Be sure to listen live for a full hour starting at 3:00 pm Eastern time on Blog Talk Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com). Archived shows can also be heard anytime via Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag website and iTunes.

Silvagni has been named the 2005 Ms. New York (INBF), 2006 Ms. Long Island (NPC) and the 2007 Ms. North America (WBBG). She also was the Event Coordinator of the recent Mr. & Mrs. Jones Beach USA competition. In addition, Silvagni is a classically trained and certified NESTA Fitness Chef.

On October 28, our special guest will be IFBB pro bodybuilder Gunter Schlierkamp.

’82 Mr. Olympia Chris Dickerson Had a Great Mentor in Bill Pearl

Bodybuilding is different from many other sports. Winning a competition is a self-gratifying accomplishment, one that differs from team sports. There are no other players, coaching staff or front office to thank. But there are special people behind the scenes that are there with the athletes every step of the way, from that first workout in preparation to the night of the contest.

Chris Dickerson had someone that fit that description, and then some.

“My parents divorced when I was just a kid,” he said. “I’m one of triplets, so I never had an older brother. Bill Pearl was like a father, older brother and coach to me.”

Pearl, the legendary bodybuilder from the 1950s and ‘60s, was a mentor to a young Dickerson, who began training at the age of 23. “I emulated [Pearl] even with the big plaid shorts he wore,” said Dickerson. “He influenced me in many ways.

“Winning was for myself, but also to please him.” Continue Reading »

“Big Bad” Lucky to Finish in Fourth

Heading into the Mr. Olympia contest, the fan favorite to take the title away from Jay Cutler was none other than Dennis Wolf. The 5′11″ German had been spoken of as the most likely of the competitors to make the biggest jump from his fifth place finish in 2007.

While he did come in looking as if he trained intensely for the show, he did have enough flaws that his fourth place finish was questioned. Tony Freeman finished in fifth and appeared to be in much better condition than Wolf.

Wolf lacked in a few areas, including his hamstrings and calves. His obliques were not where they should have been, either. From some angles, he appeared to have ‘love handles.’ Definitely not a trait that you want on stage striving for the Sandow. Continue Reading »

No Contest in Taking the Sandow from Jay Cutler

Las Vegas, NV - Although a good portion of time had passed, when Dexter Jackson arrived at the after party, the newly-crowned Mr. Olympia was still at a loss for words. Arriving fashionably late dressed in a dapper dark blue suit, the man known as ‘The Blade’ was introduced and spoke briefly to the gathering as he accepted his FLEX Magazine award for ‘Bodybuilder of the Year.’

“I still can’t believe it,” he stated more than once. But believe it, because it’s true. Once the top six competitors were down to two, there was no way that Jay Cutler was going to make it three straight.

Jackson had better symmetry than the defending champion and the rumors swirling around the Orleans Hotel that Jackson was ahead after the prejudging came true. Perhaps the only disappointing thing about Jackson’s presentation Saturday night was his posing routine, which did not flow and his transitions were a bit awkward. In comparison, Cutler’s routine was sharp and regal, but it was not enough to get him a third Sandow. Continue Reading »