Before we go any further, the unnamed ‘TMZ Staff’ member who put this crap up on their website (http://www.tmz.com/2010/05/22/mr-olympia-jay-cutler-muscle-photo/#comments) didn’t even have the balls to do it under their name. In less than 24 hours, there has been an accumulation of seven pages of reader’s comments, one as feeble as the last.

One of the ‘geniuses’ even broke ground by writing that this was an obvious case of steroid abuse! Wow, thanks for clearing that up, jdohe! Of course there was the regular comments about getting back your balls, half a man in certain areas, it will all turn to flab when he stops exercising and even one happy-ass TMZ junkie calling bodybuilding ‘professional weightlifting.’

Let me make one thing perfectly clear – when an overwhelming amount of folks are all throwing barbs at someone with muscles to be proud of all resort to hiding behind a screen name and anonyminity, they are showing obvious jealousy and their small-man complex shines through. And to assume that steroids were the only factor in Cutler becoming a three-time Sandow winner also shows how the uneducated public thinks. I suppose that the 20 minutes on the treadmill a few times a month gives them enough credibility in the gym to look sideways at someone who really trains like a man.

They say that bodybuilders don’t have balls (literally) when it is in fact they who are ballless.

This is why the mainstream will never accept bodybuilding as a sport and lifestyle. They refuse to give it the time to learn about it enough where they see what is really about. You know what I say? Let them sit on their fat asses and make comments like this. We have the last laugh. And if they ever come out of their hiding spot and say it to someone’s face, they’ll just end up getting their asses kicked in.

Photo by Francisco Pillari

His “Ramblin’ Freak” column in Muscular Development magazine only gives the reader a taste of what Valentino is really like, but behind that persona lives a man who differs greatly from the facade seen every month. Behind the tree trunk-size arms and funny jokes lives a very intelligent man who appreciates every day he has after what he went through. And make no mistake about it, Valentino does not try to pass the buck. He freely admits that there is no one to blame for his troubles than himself and put his private life out in the open in his new book, “Death, Drugs and Muscle” (2010, ECW Press).

Nathan Jendrick, a certified fitness trainer and sports-performance consultant, co-authored the book with Valentino.

The reader is brought into a world that included drug dealing, but not the ‘common’ type. Valentino – once a very promising natural bodybuilder – began selling anabolic steroids to put food on the table for his wife and young son. After a while, he began using large amounts of the drugs. He was leading a double life – father and husband during the day and the big dealer at night.

His worlds collided and he eventually went through a divorce, leaving behind not only his wife but also a son and daughter. More troubles followed and it almost sounds ridiculous to say that having loaded guns put to his head on multiple occasions were the least of them. Valentino lost not only his mother but also his beloved girlfriend and found himself sitting in a jail cell wearing an orange jumpsuit.

As all of this was going on, the heaviest weight on Valentino’s shoulders was that he had let down his father, a man who he respects more than anyone and still lives with to this day. His parents raised him the proper way and Valentino stresses that they had absolutely nothing to do with his straying.

After being released from prison, Valentino turned his life around and has successfully picked up the pieces that were once his shattered dreams. The one thing that he has been unable to fix is the relationship with his son, who is now a young man. Valentino cannot say enough apologies to him, but it has not brought him back.

Learning what makes Valentino tick is quite an interesting and amusing ride, and he did include some favorite stories at the end of the book that his fans will rejoice in hearing again, but this time in full detail. Even in a serious platform, Valentino’s sende of humor never wavers and that is one of his special qualities.

Five stars? If there was a 50 star rating, it still wouldn’t be enough for this book.

MuscleSport Mag would also like to thank Gregg for including the cover of our inaugural issue in which he was featured on in the color photo section.

To order “Death, Drugs and Muscle” on Amazon.com, just go to www.greggvalentino.net or use the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1550229214?ie=UTF8&tag=a0bc5b-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1550229214

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“Cops are afraid of this steroid because it can make people so crazy they can flip a car,” he said regarding oxymetholone, commonly known as anadrol. This particular form that was recovered in the raid was from Iran, so who knows if the government knows something we don’t? Maybe Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had a batch of these cooked up right next to the nuclear power plant.

Seriously, folks. It is remarks like that which cause more good than bad. Anyone who has ever used A-50 knows it’s got a nice kick to it, but doing Superman-type feats of strength like overturning an automobile is pretty outlandish, if I should say so myself.

Franco may have been able to lift a car in “Pumping Iron,” but flipping it is another story. You know some inexperienced 20-something year-old is going to read that and say to himself, “I gotta get me some of those!”

Hey, Sheriff – what type of car were you referring to? One of those new Smart Cars that look like they came out of the Tonka factory or a ‘real’ one that weighs over 2,000 pounds?

How long before the mainstream media picks up on that statement and paints a picture of a juiced-up maniac running around like The Incredible Hulk flipping cars over like pancakes? Even when someone like Sheriff Andy Taylor over there tries to give himself credibility by making a big bust, he loses some of it with nonsensical statements. But the 6 o’clock news anchors won’t know any difference and polarize a remark like that.

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com and all episodes are archived on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes.

Please feel free to join us and give us your opinion, ask Lanny a question or make a comment. Our call-in number is 347-884-8157.

UPCOMING GUESTS

June 2 – Authors of “American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens & the Rise of Steroids in America’s Pastime”

June 9 – Bodybuilding legend Steve Michalik

June 16 – Former WWF and UFC star Dan “The Beast” Severn

June 23 – Former pro bodybuilder Tom Terwilliger

What the report did state was that Rodriguez had tested positive for Primobolan and testosterone. Fast forward to today’s Bronx Bombers mini-circus that was held under a tent (literally) and even though he didn’t acknowledge seeing the report, A-Rod says that he used injectible Primo, which he mistakenly said was called ‘Boli” or “Bali.” There was not one question concerning the testosterone. I’ll get back to this in a little while.

Rodriguez also brings a mysterious “cousin” into the picture and said that it was he who was his source, purchasing the steroids “over the counter in the Dominican Republic.” Here is where not knowing a thing about steroids showed once again. Throughout Latin America, steroids can be purchased at any “Pharmacia” as easy as a box of condoms. Even if you need to get a prescription, one can be had very easily. Still having trouble? Just pick up veterinary steroids “for your dog.”

By A-Rod telling a group of middle-aged, wide-waisted reporters that it was an over the counter, he is trying to semi-legitimize it.

Casper the friendly cousin and Rodriguez used these steroids for three years and, according to what he said today, used them only “two times a month.” Later on, he said it may have been “even once or three times a month.” He said that he wasn’t really sure of what he was taking (“I didn’t think that they were steroids“) and that “all these years I didn’t know that I did anything that was wrong,” but later on said, “We knew we weren’t taking tic tacs.”

Out of the many problems that we should have with this is that Rodriguez claims that he shot up so infrequently that he isn’t even sure if he benefited from it, only admitting that he felt more energy from it.

By using both Primo and test, A-Rod was stacking steroids and please don’t try to tell us that you had no idea what you were doing. That is as lame as Andy Pettitte saying he used HGH “only once.” If you are at the level that you’re stacking, you have graduated to a different level of steroid use.

The mere fact that A-Rod admitted to two other years different from the 2003 positive tests indicates that there is something still yet to come out. It would seem that A-Rod dabbled in 2001 and took it to another level two years later using a strong and expensive drug in Primo and stacking it with the granddaddy of them all, test.

Primo is a good cutting agent and stacking it with a mass builder such as test makes for a strong cycle. Using small amounts of Primo, such as “twice a month,” will not benefit the user too much, thus the seed A-Rod planted today. Injecting 350 mgs every other day is common and the stack with test propionate or enanthate is recommended.

Hardly the stuff of “amateur hour,” as A-Rod said he and his cousin went through.

Photo by Bill Menzel

Once it is all said and done, an old saying may need to be modified. With a federal grand jury commencing in Washington, D.C. to investigate if Roger Clemens lied under oath when testifying in front of Congress last year, it would seem as if the deck is stacked against the Rocket. “You can indict a ham sandwich in front of a grand jury” may need to be modified with ‘Clemens’ replacing that old lunchtime favorite.

Depending on what side of the fence you stand on, it is still being viewed by the majority that Clemens did in fact use steroids. All the denying by him has been almost comical and the testimony of Kirk Radomski and Brian McNamee will in all likelihood sink Clemens.

Even if the same evidence that we have heard a hundred times is presented, that should still be enough for an open-minded and objective group of people to make a determination. There is the possibility that something new will come up and we will have to wait and see on that one.

If Clemens does find himself indicted and behind the eight ball, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Butler, who is presenting the case for the prosecution, can treat himself to a Clemens on rye afterwards.

Nothing is forever, not even grisly, 39-year-old quarterbacks that still have enough youthful exuberance to challenge a second grader. When Brett Favre ‘un-retired’ over the summer and forced his way out of Green Bay, even he had to realize that he had one, maybe two years left in his right arm.

When the Jets made the trade for Favre in August, it came with no promises. That was the gamble that general manager had to make. To have the opportunity to bring in one of the best quarterbacks of all time – even a slower version – was too hard to pass up. The team had spent a ton of money in the offseason to upgrade the offensive line and entire defense, so to put all his eggs in one basket was not the most drastic of decisions.

Buy Steroids Online – http://www.steroid-club.com/Index.asp?RefId=39

With the Jets currently in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East at 9-5, it would appear that everything is in place to continue the dream. Perhaps that is why Favre decided to remind everyone that he is not going to be sporting the green and white forever.

“It very well could be my last. It could be my last three games or four games,” said Favre, obviously considering possible playoff games with only two left on the regular season schedule.

For a man that could not see himself standing before reporters talking about football at this stage a year ago, he isn’t discounting anything. “If you would have asked me last year before the (NFC) Championship game, I would have said you need to quit drinking,” Favre joked. “I know what’s possibly ahead for us, but I have no idea what’s possibly ahead for me.”

What lies directly ahead for the Jets are the 3-11 Seattle Seahawks, who play host to Gang Green on Sunday. For a team that controls their own destiny, it would behoove the Jets to snap their west coast hex (0-3 so far this season) and put themselves in a position to clinch a playoff berth at home the following weekend versus the surprising Dolphins, who are a part of that trifecta leading the division along with the Patriots.

Whatever the next two weeks hold for the Jets, Favre knows that it isn’t all on his shoulders. “One guy, I know this for a fact, doesn’t make or break a team,” he said. “I made a commitment that they were not hinging their season on me. They had already made a lot of acquisitions. I knew full well that once I signed here that that didn’t put us in the Super Bowl.”

Maybe not, but for an organization and their fans that have been through the likes of the Mud Bowl, a Mark Gastineau late hit, Browning Nagle and so much ‘less’ over the past 40 years, hearing a statement like that – regardless of how much it really makes sense – is a tough pill to swallow.

But it will pale in comparison to a scenario where former Jet Chad Pennington comes into the Meadowlands in Week 17 and lead Miami to the postseason while knocking out the Jets, who hold a press conference shortly thereafter announcing that Favre is really hanging ‘em up this time.

We will have a very special guest this week on MuscleSport Radio, one that you have most likely read much of his work without even realizing it. Anthony Roberts, in addition to authoring three books, has had his steroid profiles and opinion on the subject published in numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, Sports Illustrated and Steroid.com.

His first book, “Anabolic Steroids: Ultimate Research Guide” has been one of the best reference logs, which Roberts followed up with an eBook entitled “Beyond Steroids.” His latest, “Generation S,” is forthcoming and will include some very controversial and interesting topics that we will cover in the interview.

This week’s show can be heard live on Tuesday, December 2 at 3 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, we will have as our guest Jim Morris, who has been bodybuilding and training individuals for over 50 years.

TIRATRICOL (T3)
Manufacturer: Genesis Meds

Although not technically an ‘anabolic steroid’, Tiratricol (T3) is one of the many forms of thyroid medication used by bodybuilders during the pre-contest phase of their training regime.
A naturally occurring metabolite of the endogenous (produced inside the body) hormone triodothyronine (T3), when used properly this drug has very significant fat burning properties. It is also one of the most effective and safe fat burning drugs available.

Tiratricol has proven to be exceptional for burning off excess body fat without the need to turn to extreme dieting methods – which can lead to long-term metabolic harm.

T3 IN THE BODY

In order to utilize any thyroid medication to its fullest potential we need to first understand the way natural T3 functions in the body.

Thyroid hormones are the metabolic regulators in the body. When the level of T3 is high the metabolism is speeded up. This allows calories to be burned faster and the uptake of nutrients by the body to be increased. Supplemental T3 increases your body’s energy demands and allows you to burn fat at a greatly accelerated rate. However, it should also be noted that when it comes to obtaining fuel for this increase in metabolism your body might begin to turn to muscle tissue for fuel. With this in mind, it is usually recommended that when taking thyroid medication it is best to include an anti-catabolic substance to prevent muscle loss. For competitive bodybuilders this would mean that T3 use be accompanied by the use of non-aromatizing steroids such as stanozolol (Winstrol), Trenbolone and Primobolan. Using T3 along with Clenbuterol is also a popular pre-contest stack since Clenbuterol is reputed to have a muscle sparing effect.

Another popular way of effectively using T3 supplementation is to alternate its use with Clenbuterol. This usually takes the form of a cycle involving three weeks of Clen alternated with three weeks of T3. This form of cycle takes into account the fact that Clen often loses most of its benefits after a short period of time and alternating with T3 will maintain the fat burning process at a steady rate.

WHY TIRATRICOL?

With so many synthetic thyroid preparations on the market you may be asking, “Why choose Tiratricol?”

The answer is that Tiratricol is by far the safest thyroid medication currently available. A relatively mild product, Tiratricol reaches maximum effectiveness at a daily dosage of about 1mg per 50lbs of bodyweight. It exhibits a half- life of approximately 6 hours; therefore daily dosage is best divided evenly throughout the day in order to maintain steady blood levels. In addition to this it is extremely important to point out that administration of Tiratricol will not lead to an uncontrollable increase in metabolic rate like other thyroid hormones. It will only create an increase reflecting the upper range considered normal and acceptable throughout administration. This increase is not only significant but also highly effective without creating the discomfort sometimes experienced when one uses other thyroid medications.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

As is the case with any administration of exogenous (outside the body) thyroid hormone, it is strongly advised not to quit T3 use cold turkey. Daily intake should be reduced gradually in order to allow the body to resume natural hormone production as smoothly and swiftly as possible.

Although recommendations on the length of time you can safely remain on thyroid hormone vary widely (I have seen some reports of ‘safe use’ being 9-10 months a year!). It is usually considered safe to use for 15-20 weeks as long as low doses are utilized. However, an even safer option would be to keep use to 4-6 weeks in order to avoid any negative effects on natural thyroid function.

N.B. Tiratricol is manufactured by Genesis Meds and is currently available on special offer from Maxi Medicine (www.maximedicine.com)

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.

We are proud to announce that on the Tuesday, November 25 episode of MuscleSport Radio, our very special guest will be Samir Bannout, the 1983 Mr. Olympia. The show can be heard live 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 author Anthony Roberts, who has penned two important books, “Anabolic Steroids: Ultimate Research Guide,” and “Beyond Steroids.”