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INTERVIEW - Dan Fedeluk, Alive and Outspoken!
So I'm sitting here in the back of Starbucks waiting to meet the man who might be my future trainer. The man who finally agreed to complete an interview for a bodybuilding forum since his leave from the sport back in 2007, IFBB Pro Dan Fedeluk.
I had heard he was a very private person, however when I contacted him via email he surprised me by responding right away. I had seen him from a distance in the gym on occasion; his head down, earbuds in going about his business. I would wonder what he listened to for motivation, but I never felt I had the right to approach. I knew he rarely talked with people when in there - maybe a few "old school guys" but that was it. Mostly just in and out the door without a word to anybody.
When I sent the first message about the interview I also expressed an interest in hiring him. We have traded a few emails since then but he hasn't disclosed anything other than straight forward answers to my questions. I am thinking maybe to bring this topic up again when we are done the task at hand. I am also wondering to myself if it would be appropriate to ask why he is agreeing to talk with me and why now? Nope - better not, that might come across as intrusive or worse, entitled. I'm just glad I am getting the chance so many of us guys would die for. The opportunity to pick the brain of one of only a few Pro bodybuilders here in Alberta. Ya best I don’t ask, I don't know him that well. I only know what I have heard......
Dan….the super heavy pro that had a heart attack, the mass monster who won at the Canadian nationals back in 2004. The guy I watched guest pose in Saskatchewan as the devil and as a drag queen. From others random gym folks I knew a few stories - but there are always bullshit stories floating around in gyms about the PRO bodybuilders...One guy told me he was a jerk who wouldn’t answer all of his pre-contest questions....Another told me he was eccentric and a great guy... others said he was massive and intimidating - amazing to watch in the gym - but too scary to approach....I guess I am going to find out for myself who this guy is. GULP.
A text message comes through to my phone - DING! I read that he is running a tad late. This is ok - It gives me a minute to relax. Meeting bigger bodybuilders always makes me nervous - they are always the guys really focused in the gym - wonder if he's that focused in person? I dwell over what to say and what not to say as I slurp on my overpriced beverage and grab for my pen and notebook with questions. I pull out the tape recorder from my work bag and set it on the table. I bought it just last weekend so I could accurately quote him for this. My stomach growls, I’m hungry and forgot to pack my third meal. I debate whether or not I should buy a scone that has no icing on it and wolf it down before Dan arrives. I wouldn't want him to see me eating crap - he probably wouldn't take me seriously if he did. I decide starving is the better option - it is summer and I like seeing the cuts on my abs year round. The day is hot - the music in here is terrible - I should have sat outside. I am starting to become miserable..... WHY DID I FORGET MY FOOD??!! WHY DID HE PICK STARBUCKS AS THE MEETING PLACE?!?
I try to focus back on the task at hand...start to think about what I know FOR SURE to be true about him. The only thing that comes to mind is the article I had read some time back -"Dying To Compete, Dying to be Huge" By Scott Abel - the article dedicated to Dan which he had responded to. His words were very articulate, sincere and humble.
scottabel.blogspot.com/2007/01/dying-to-compete-dying-to-be-huge-dying.html
3 MINUTES GO BY....
Fedeluk has entered the building. This Starbucks is a smaller one - tiny tables and narrow walk ways, lots of displays (clearly not built for big guys like us) and of course a line up of people going in and out always in way too much of a hurry. Dan is in motion - I notice he has a slight saunter or maybe it is called a swagger – I’m not certain. Almost everybody focuses in on him. There is a little boy - maybe 6 or 7 years of age standing in the lineup with his mother. I watch him see Dan and watch his eyes grow wide and his small mouth drop in what might have been a look of bewilderment - is that really a man? (I think the kid might think). He tugs at his mother’s sleeve trying to get her to look over at Dan - clearly the boy is in awe. It gets me thinking...maybe I am witnessing where it all starts - the moment in this particular boys life where he decides he will one day become huge. Huge like Dan.
I look two tables over and to the left of me at a couple in their mid twenties snuggled side by side on a couch sharing a computer screen.
The guy is skinny and weak looking (clearly not a lifter) and is consumed in his reading. His girl has looked up and I see her smirk and whisper something to him because he then draws his attention away from the screen to take a glance at Fedeluk. Dan notices this and turns away, rolling his eyes. I'm pissed...If there is one think I can't stand it is HATERS - how dare they? Who were they to...well I don't know for sure what she said but I 'm quite certain it was rude. I felt defensive for Dan and for him being judged by them. Then I feel a little offended! She never got a smirk on her face when I walked in the door, she didn't even look up! I hated her even more - she was nauseating - she deserves that pathetic little loser. I silently judge them a bit longer and hope they choke on the espresso grains at the bottom of their fatty lattes....It is clear to me that Dan leaves an impression....A much bigger one than I do :( But here I am too...judging, shame on me. I momentarily feel guilty, and then go back to staring at them with repugnance.
He looms in closer to me on his way to the counter. I've only seen him in the gym and as big as he looks there he certainly stands out more in public. Tattoos race down both his arms, his head is shaved but not to the scalp, and he's sporting a five o'clock shadow (its noon people). He holds an assertive stance. He is dressed casually but in stylish wide leg (of course) jeans and a designer t-shirt. He's wearing designer sunglasses too, which elicits a small chuckle from within because I've heard when he's at contests he always wears his shades. It seems like every show I go to the big pros in the audience wear badass shades... His overall look definitely is one that says I'M ON VACATION. He actually is on holidays – he had told me that in the email – I was lucky enough to get the time off to drive down and meet up with him. I have heard he's a busy guy - full time job on top of training a select amount of Canada's best bodybuilding and figure competitors.
Dan gives me a quick nod to let me know he sees me. I hear him order a frappucino and a piece of chocolate chip banana cake. DAMN. I should have just bought a scone. As I wait I cannot help but give him the up and down - I think what any bodybuilder, gym rat, strong guy might think to himself at this moment....COULD I TAKE HIM? The immediate conclusion - Nope, no way - the guy is a beast. He's at least 275 and even though his arms are covered in art I can tell they've gotta be at least 23 inches - WAY BIGGER than I'll ever be. He still has that PRO look. Large and in charge - the dominant one- that's not fair! The guy doesn't even compete anymore! He arrives at my table, casually parks down across from me and sincerely apologizes for being late. I see that he is wearing no competition rings, and has no earrings - just has a very solid looking big silver chain wrapped around his gigantic neck (note to self - buy a big chain). I say no problem and hope that I sound laid back. Now as I've already said - I'm nervous, my hands are sweating a bit and I don't want to make eye contact, but OF COURSE I have to.... SHOW NO FEAR right?!? I make the connection and suddenly am relieved - I don't feel intimidated at all - he doesn't stare down on me - just offers a friendly smile and raises his Versace glasses up to his forehead. Now his voice...well it is a bit of a surprise...Just based on the looks of him I figure it’s gonna be deep and loud - maybe even booming through the place. It isn't - it's actually rather soft and a bit mumbled. Maybe he is just being quiet because we are in a small area and he doesn't want to draw attention (UHHH too late). OK – enough bullshit better start....
Act cool.....think of an icebreaker.....
JO - So Dan - how were your holidays - do anything fun?
DF - They were really great actually - I got engaged to the woman of my dreams.
JO - Wow - that's great congratulations! So how did you do it?
DF - Do what? (Looking at me like I've over stepped my bounds already)
JO - Get engaged - did you have it planned out?
DF – The only thing I planned on was asking. The details are private. (smile & wink)
JO - (feels dumb for asking for details) oh yeah, well right on - so is it gonna be a big wedding?
DF - Be some big dudes there, (smile). As numbers go; maybe 30 – 40; neither of us have a lot of family. Both of our parents are dead. Just close friends, some clowns and a bouncy castle.
JO - (bouncy castle - whaaa? He is unexpectedly humorous. This is going to be easy)
Ah well - smaller weddings are cheaper anyways.....well congrats to you and the lucky lady. (DROPS TOPIC)
JO - Well thanks for coming out to do this interview - I think a lot of people are interested in knowing about you - but just might not know what to ask or how to approach you. Do people tell you that you are intimidating to meet?
DF - Hey man I came for the free coffee, by the way you owe the clerk $7.35 and don't forget to tip. (Smiles).
(I get up to go and pay the Starbucks chic feeling stupid for not having met him at the counter when he arrived.)
DF - Well there’s not much to know but I can make some shit up if that helps. (chuckles) Intimidating? Yes I've heard that many times over the years. And unapproachable, all fair assessments. Are you intimidated?
JO -No.
Dan puffs up his lower lip and shrugs – I'm thinking YES! He took my bluff!
JO - I apologize if this gets lengthy, but I'm going to have to start right from the beginning. What got you started in Bodybuilding - were you always an athlete or were you just a regular gym guy?
DF – Yes I was very involved in sports as a youngster. I played hockey from diapers until I was 17, little league baseball through adolescence and some midget football. In school I played volleyball and did track. Believe it or not there was a time when this body could move down a sprint track pretty good.
JO - How long have you been into bodybuilding and who influenced you when you were involved in the competitive side of the sport?
DF - I started bodybuilding in the womb. When I popped out I pressed the doctor over my head for 10 reps, no belt! Then I nailed a few mandatory poses for the nurses. The delivery room went crazy!
I laugh, we have a comedian and I think this is going to be a long one
I first picked up weights at 15 or 16 while still involved in sports. It was all about the guns back then. The idea to compete came in my senior year of school. I had given up on hockey due to a knee injury and I had no interest in the politics of team sports anymore. I wanted something all for myself. Probably had something to do with being an only child?
My induction was through a friend who had done a school competition the year before and convinced me to give it a try. I had 8 months to get ready for my 1st show, the ‘88 Manitoba High School Championships. I wound up winning and was hooked from then on. It was kind of cool as I was one of a very few teens in the city doing this. It really separated me from all my peers who were still into team sports. That’s how I knew this was to be my future.
My earliest influences were hometown boys; a big monster named Mark Heintz (later a Mr. Manitoba and Mr. Canada) and Reid Schindle (5 time Mr. Canada). Pretty much any guy that was bigger than me in the gym in some way influenced me. (smiles) I was very fortunate to train at such an early age in a hardcore gym with such big name players in the game there. It was very cool just to be among these giants. I remember my mom taking me when I was 10 to the Mr. Manitoba contest held annually with a fair called the Red River Exhibition. Mark Heintz won that year and I told her that I wanted to be Mr. Manitoba one day.
JO - What is your competition history?
DF -1988 – High School Championships (1st); 1993 Manitoba Provincials (1st in light heavies and Over All); 2000 Alberta Provincials (1st in Heavies); 2003 CBBF Nationals (5th in light Heavies); 2004 (1st in super heavies and Over All); then the feather in my cap; a 2007 Playground Showdown - ages 3 and up. Of course I took 1st in all categories except the Lady Bing trophy; who the **** has a sportsman like award at a bodybuilding show. Some 5 year old girl who brought freezes for all the competitors won that award. Suck Ass! That was just plain old bribery. (Big smile)
I think about the things I knew that made him stand out as a competitor…he had only made 2 trips to the nationals before turning PRO
JO - What was it that allowed you to make such great improvements between your 2003-2004 competitive years?
DF – Well (pauses), actually it was my twin brother that showed up in 2004. His name is Earl. (Smiles)
It's funny you ask. I’ve seen many comments on boards about this very topic. People are idiots some times. What they don’t know they just make up. Guess its human nature. If you go by the prevailing rumors I consumed a kilogram of pharmaceuticals. Hell I think I read one time I had muscle implants put in or drank Bull semen. (Crinkles nose and shakes head in disgust)
The real deal is in 2003 I started dieting at 16 weeks out around 287 lbs. At 4 weeks out I was 238 lbs. I had a National judge I highly respect look at me. She said I should easily win the heavies if I could even make it down that low. She even asked why I was taking diuretics so far out from the show. I was pretty ready that far out. If I had to guess I’d say I was sitting at 7 – 8% body fat. Then disaster struck and I got sick. It’s a long convoluted story so I'll skip the finite details and just say my Cortisol levels went through the roof and in extremely high levels for those that don’t know it will destroy muscles. It began eating away my lean body tissue. I was losing multiple pounds per day. One night I dropped 12. Fast forward to the show; Scott, my coach was at a loss for words, I hadn't been close to this weight since I competed in '93 and I felt like I was ready to drop dead and nobody could explain to me what was happening. However being the stubborn dumbass 'builder that I am I decided against good advice not to drop out of the show but instead drop my morning weight of 207 lbs to qualify as a Light Heavy. Having seen the Heavy Weights I wasn’t prepared for that kind of slaughtering so I reluctantly took a chance, hoping my skeleton like condition would count for something. It looked like I had zero fat on me but that’s also about how much muscle I was holding.
The turnaround came months after the show. It had taken quite a bit of time to get healthy again. During which I had numerous blood tests done and seen a few specialists until we discovered it was the Cortisol levels in my body. Prior to a real diagnosis our best guess was an adrenal problem. I took the loss to heart knowing it wasn't by lack of effort but a failure of the mind. So I cut my losses short and decided I wasn't going to compete anymore. However as time passed I couldn’t shake the feeling of unrest and the complete humiliation I experienced that show. So in November of 2003 decided that I was going to redeem myself worth and give it another shot. I couldn’t let my worst effort be my last effort. I simply told myself there would be no focus on placement this time just on giving my best effort and getting on the stage in the best possible condition that I could. I certainly couldn’t do worse. I remember telling Scott in a conversation that even as shitty as I looked I knew that had I shown up in 2003 the way we had planned (around 224 lbs) I would have walked over the competition. That Included another one of Scott's clients who I was so envious of; Kevin Smith. Sounds arrogant I know but I knew it to be true and was not willing to go out on such a negative experience. I’ll be the first to admit the toughest task we have as competitors is taming the ego. Six years out of the sport and I still struggle with it.
JO - Sounds like you have done your time in the sport and had some highs and lows - Mind if I ask what your worst memory and best memory might be?
DF – Just told you about my worst memory. Had a few bad ones but that was by far the worst? Ironically it taught me my greatest lesson in the sport.
My best memory I guess was 2004, it was surreal. Second to that was the guest posing I did in 2006 at the Alberta Provincials. I really wanted to do something no one else had done before. I’m pretty sure the mission was accomplished.
JO - So how about this PRO card? Is it possible to see it and/or get a picture of it for the readers of CBB - we don't see it in the pictures when someone is winner - do you get it later on?
DF – First off it’s a Pro Qualified Card but yeah absolutely, come by my house, you can go through the boxes under the stairs in the basement. The card may or may not be in there with the trophies. (Laughs)
The card itself is a joke. It’s just that…a card; much like an old library card. A wallet sized blue piece of matte paper with the IFBB logo on it, I think Joe Weider’s name is on it too for some reason. It lists status as competitor. Your name is printed in pen I think, if not then it was definitely with a typewriter. No shit! The kick in the ass though is it cost me $250 + $3. The 3 bucks was to get it laminated on my own, as it didn’t come that way.
JO - So it's not even laminated for you? Why not keep it and the trophies on display in your house?
DF - Honestly I think I threw it out. After I quit the sport I had no use for it. I can get another one any year I want, for another $250. That is if they haven’t raised the price of admission. (Laughs)
JO- So you don’t display your trophies?
DF - Nope, never have. I really don’t like trophies. They remind me of knick knacks in someone’s’ grandma’s house. They clutter & collect dust. When I moved from Sherwood Park to Calgary I tried to leave them behind but my fiancée wouldn’t let me.
JO - Well nobody likes dust..... So after the heart attack death did you not want to keep the stuff - was it like bad memories or something?
DF– uh no, nothing like that, I just never liked trophies. I think to display them is pretentious. But that's just me. That's how I'd look at it as a visitor in my house; besides Nicole keeps a pretty clean house. Hers are neatly arranged in her dressing room but those are cool. They look like little bronze Barbies with muscles. Not that I like Barbies or anything like that. Some people are proud of theirs, Me, I just don’t give a shit.
And for the record it wasn’t a heart attack.
I am feeling stupid for being inaccurate
JO - Ok then – I thought I had read on the bodybuilding boards that it was a heart attack – if it wasn’t – what was it that happened to you?
DF - Yeah I know, I’ve heard it or read it all before. The last time I spoke about this was on the Scott Abel Blog you mentioned, I had also said at that time that I did not have all the answers and there were more chapters to unfold before the story could be told.
He puts his thumb and forefinger to chin and squeezes it a bit like a philosopher might do…it looks as though he's searching for a way to explain it to me
DF - Ok, I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t think you were going to ask me about this…and admittedly I felt by agreeing to this Interview I would now have a chance to set the record straight; on my terms and in my words. So sorry to all the Haters and Rumor Mongers out there, their time line for shit spewing on the death of Dan Fedeluk has come to an end. Realistically though, there will still be misinterpretations or criticisms or even more lies told for nothing else than that is what some people feel the need to do.
Here's an applicable quote, tell me who said it. “People love it when you lose, they love dirty laundry.”
JO – (I draw a total blank) - Ummm I have no idea Dan.
Dan just smiles and does not give me the answer, I guess I will have to google it later
DF - So, final chapter…I was diagnosed with an irregular heart beat or what is commonly known as an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is electrical in nature, meaning your heart can race very fast or beat very slow. A heart attack or what’s known as myocardial infarction on the other hand is due to a blockage and an interruption of the blood supply to the heart. Usually this causes heart cells to die. What I had was a condition called Ventricular Fibrillations causing irregular and erratic heart beats followed by pauses or momentary stoppages hence the heart couldn't pump the blood out and through the body fast enough. The last time I was admitted I had a super V-Tac with a heart rate of 225. This required defibrillation. This is where I like to say Dan checked out from life for 4 ½ minutes. That’s how long CPR was applied before I came around and stabilized. Does that make sense, no? Well it won’t to most and that’s cool, it’s just trivia now for those that feel the need to know. Heart arrhythmias can happen to healthy hearts; people can be born with them like I was, and they may not show up until later on in life.
Looking back there were signs before I ever got heavily involved in bodybuilding. I noticed symptoms in adolescence but I was treated for everything from asthma to chronic fatigue. My chest would get heavy and my breathing would be laborious. It never really interfered with my sports or way of life and on more than one occasion I was told I was just a big kid and got winded easy,
So there it is! I was treated on two separate occasions with a procedure called heart ablation surgery, the first being considered by the doctor as a success – but the condition continued and I was hospitalized again. The second surgery considered by the same doctors as not a success - solved the problem. When I left the hospital I was told I would never lift weights again, possibly be equipped with a pacemaker down the road and to learn to get comfortable as an armchair quarter back - that's about as much involvement in sports that I should expect to have. They really lay the scare tactics on you, for good reason of course. But eight months later I had my last check up and my cardiologist's words were "Miraculous, I have never seen this before. It was as though nothing ever happened." He said if another doctor were to run blood work down the road there would be no indication that I had ever had a problem.
A team of the best cardiologists in Alberta and a group of grad students from the U of A who chose to do their thesis on me concluded AAS were not the reason my heart failed. They speculated it may have been a contributing factor but medical science was unable to prove it. And believe me when I say they tried hard to make their case. Now I am in no way minimizing the dangers of the bodybuilding supplement lifestyle and remain by my very first words that I alone am accountable for what happened to me. The sport is taxing on the body and the stress we put ourselves through is unlike any other; that’s physical, mental, nutritional, and hormonal. It all adds up and unfortunately in my case my body said enough was enough. It was injured to start with and I unwittingly made it worse.
My advice to others from based on my own experiences is be smart and get regular checkups and find a coach you can trust who is going to provide you with honest, realistic and experienced advice and will keep your health as their primary concern. Don’t learn the sport through faceless Internet gurus. Even if they claim to have the knowledge and say the things you want to hear. Those are the worst kind of supporters. I just hate reading about posters offering stack information to people they have never met. There is a whole bundle of individualized facets that have to be considered before one even considers taking AAS. If you can’t sit down and look the person in the eye whom you are entrusting your health with, are you doing yourself a good service? I say no. Would you trust a doctor you never saw and only spoke with you over the Internet, not knowing his real identity but only knowing him by his avatar; a half naked chick with her tits bouncing up and down & smoking a fat cigar? Do you know what I’m saying?
So that’s really all I have to say on that. At last count close to a million people in the U.S. a year are admitted to the hospital and treated for arrhythmias. Educate yourself before you spew dog crap on various boards and look like a fool.
JO - Well not being a doctor that does not mean much to me other than to say that is some scary shit you went through. Is it great to be alive or what?
DF – (laughs) I’ll choose living over dying any day. The one and only time I visited the other side it was way too hot and this creepy little man that looked like Sadaam Hussein kept yelling at me, “STOKE THE FIRE, STOKE THE FIRE!”
JO – So let’s pretend that you did die in the emergency room that day back in 2007. Who would be best to have spoken the truth about you as a bodybuilder and person at your funeral?
DF- As a bodybuilder Scott Abel. I love the man and all that he has done for me. Nobody in the sport has been as supportive or has said as kind words about me as he has and that means the world to me. He made me a better person not just a better bodybuilder. When a person who you admire so much returns that admiration it is a great feeling.
As a person, at that time, it would have been my oldest friend who is not in the sport. She is a Social Worker on the meanest streets in Vancouver. And she will remain anonymous.
If I died tomorrow Nicole would fill that spot. For no other reason than the girls got some mad standup comedy skills. She’d have the place rolling in the aisles….What are soul mates for if they can't make fun of you. (Smiles)
JO - So shall I presume you are not planning on ever competing as a PRO now? Do you think you will guest pose again? Why or why not?
DF – those days are long gone. No passion for it anymore. I said the day the passion wore off would be the day I gave it up.
My retirement has less to do with my prior health issues and more to do with me wanting to enjoy a real life now; a more relaxed one. I'm getting married, expanding the family; fingers crossed and hopefully upgrading to a larger house next spring. I would rather spend my money on that than competing. I achieved my ultimate goal in the sport so there's nothing left for me to prove.
JO – The reason I asked about your guest posing has to do with my days back in Saskatchewan. I saw you guest pose there in 2006…..Now I can see how you would want to be a badass devil and all - but what on earth inspired you to pose in drag?
DF - I think strong, large powerful bodybuilder women rock. They work twice as hard as the men and only earn half the respect. Plus I like wearing skirts and boas from time to time.
JO – I blink twice and gulp.......Yeah, that's what I figured.
I have no idea if he is serious or not about the skirt part – it all sounded sincere!
JO – So if it’s cool with you can we talk training? For a retired competitor you still hold a ton of size - can you share any secrets, regimentation, or training philosophies that you use on yourself and clients?
DF – I train 3 – 4 days a week. I look the way I do because I know what I’m doing. That’s all! Its 22 years of experience and knowing what your body needs to grow in the most efficient manner. I don’t waste time in the gym. I say this to a lot of people. "We all have the same tools to work with; we lift the same equipment, we all eat the same food, for the most part, we all have access to various forms of information out there so how do some of us make it to the top? It's what you do with those tools that count.” Aside from genetics, and I place a minor degree of success on genetics what is different is when an athlete in any sport is able to learn their body, pay attention to what it is asking and provide it with the right answers. Only then will it work for you the way you want to.
With regards to my clients, each one is approached individually. I am a big believer in high volume training and it is used with many of them but it is not my only application. To quote my respected friend Mr. Dan Dufresne, “it all works and none of it works.” Man I hope I got that right. (laughs) My philosophy for instruction has remained the same since I won in 2004. IMPROVE ON YESTERDAY. I encourage my athletes to not look too far down the road. Doing so draws attention away from what's right In front of you; the obstacles in the way. Bodybuilding is a here and now sport; we live in the moment all the way up to stage time. So each day must be taken one at a time. You win those 24 hours then tomorrow do it again. If he or she focuses on the entire 16 week diet, or whether they are going to be big enough or conditioned enough, or will they lose that last bit of water, or who else is going to be in their class, or all the other what ifs they will stress themselves out. I have firsthand experience on what stress can and will do….remember the Cortisol? Stress has the ability to defeat the mind, body and spirit. The benefit of hiring a trainer allows you to relinquish those worries. That is our responsibility; it comes with the position of coach.
JO - At one point - didn't you have a clothing line? What happened with that?
DF - Yes, Fortis Athletic Wear; gave a lot of it away, but there are still many pieces available at BETTER BODIES in Red Deer Alberta. Mainly cool looking and very comfortable yoga type pieces for women.
JO - So all in all - How has bodybuilding influenced you both positively and negatively? What were your personal rewards and defeats?
DF – Personal rewards have been a deeper understanding of who I am as a person, the realization of a child hood dream, passing my knowledge and experiences on to others and never taking life for granted again would all be positive effects. On the negative side of things I’ve always taken things too personal. Also my feelings towards the sport have dramatically changed. I really dislike what I see at shows now and refuse to go on most boards. I used to love this sub culture but it has become so polluted with bad attitudes, bad energies, selfishness, greed, haters and an overall lack of RESPECT. A good example of this is a client I had last year. Actually we were friends and had some business dealings together. He approached me in June of 2009 to train him for a provincial show the next year. He went on to tell me how his training partner of 5 years, who had himself won the same show he planned to do, was of no help to him anymore. He wouldn't show up for work outs and more importantly his methods were out dated and he wasn't making any gains from them. He also said the person who dieted him for his last show, which he won, told him he didn't have what it took to do higher level shows. That coach is also an IFBB pro. He was also really unhappy with the way he was dieted down and said his coach wouldn't listen to his suggestions and he felt he was getting a cookie cutter diet. I won't go as far as saying he was whining about these people but he was very clear that he did not want to work with them anymore. His words were, "to be the best you have to work with the best." As a close friend I was more than happy to help him. So we began with his program and said we would worry about compensation later. So I managed to add close to 25 pounds to his frame in about 8 months and he said he had never felt happier with how he was developing than he was working with me. He was following my work outs and I had supplied him with an individualized diet that his body really responded to. I was absolutely certain he would not only win his upcoming show but do so in a convincing manner. Then about 14 - 16 weeks away from the show he claimed he had a family crisis that wouldn't allow him to compete. Around that time we had stopped doing business together as well. So I told him he would only need 10 - 12 weeks to get in stage shape so if he changed his mind to give me a call. I never heard from him again. Surprisingly I seen he won the show he wasn't planning on entering. At pre judging Nicole and I bumped into his wife who obviously was also a good friend of ours. She surprised us when she said he was competing and went on to say how just that morning the two of them were talking about how he owed so much to me and he wouldn't have made it there without me and asking me to help him this last year was the best decision he ever made. Actually this is what she said to Nicole, I never stayed long enough. So we took our seats and were handed a show program and wouldn't you know it the first page I opened to was an athlete’s profile on whom else but this guy. It asked the basic who, what, when, where and why's. Nowhere in the article did it mention me but instead he went on to thank the very people he told me were no longer useful to him. I had to laugh because I realized I was taken for a real ride. That was quickly replaced with anger. Not at being left out on his list of acknowledgments but on what I considered to be the ultimate display of disrespect I had ever faced by a client; worse by a friend. One who we spent weekends with, and stayed at each others house. It really left a bad taste in my mouth for how unappreciative people can be when it comes to this sport. I've discussed at length when and how clients show a lack of respect to their trainers with others I respect and it never amazes me how low they will sink. As a result I have made it a standard procedure to include three contracts potential clients must sign prior to starting with me; a personal contract and a confidentiality and non disclosure form. Even now I am still learning lessons.
