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I'll Chop their F**&^% Head Off! |
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Written by Craig Titus
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Wednesday, 25 April 2007 |
Hey, Craig, I'm just curious about a rumor. An old buddy (who is very close to turning pro) once told me you carry a large knife in your gym bag while you train. He said it's to protect you from those "fucking assholes who think they're bad ass. I'll show them who's bad ass when I chop their fucking heads off!" He might have exaggerated, but what's the truth? Keep up the good entertainment, samurai!
Let me first say I'm laughing pretty hard right now! The truth is that about three or four years ago when I was living in Venice Beach, Calif., I got into a physical altercation at the California Championships with a light heavyweight Ultimate Fighting champion- Gil something, I forget his name exactly. The altercation ended with him on the concrete and me driving away in my car.
Needless to say, the guy's ego was severely damaged and after that I started getting phone calls at the gym from this guy and his buddies saying that there was going to be a group of seven or eight Ultimate Fighting athletes coming up to Venice Gold's to see me out in the parking lot. I just got one of my hunting knives and kept it in my bag and simply told the gentleman on the phone, "You come up to the gym, you're gonna have a little bit of a problem."
I carried it in my gym bag for a little over a year because I honestly thought these guys were nuts enough to try to jump me when I was either coming to, or leaving from, the gym. I never intended on using the knife, but every person has the right to defend himself and when you've got six or seven guys who fight for a living coming after you, there's no way you can keep from getting hurt. I felt safer with a little bit of protection in my bag. That's all it was, and I think it's funny you heard about it.
A SWEET OFF-SEASON
First off, man, I think you're better than King Kamali! My question is this: I'm planning to bulk up pretty soon and I was wondering if you would give me some tips on setting up my arms, back and chest workout. Oh, and by the way, Brandy Dahl said, "Hi"!
Let me first say thanks for asking me for advice on how to bulk up your chest. Over the years, I've heard some remarks that my chest was lacking compared to the rest of my physique and I appreciate that you've noticed how I brought my chest up to match the rest. I've worked very hard to bring my chest up so it would not be weak.
If you're bulking up this off-season and you want tips about your chest, back and shoulders, my theories are the same for all body groups. I do blood volume training. I do heavy weights for 16 sets and do a lot of reps. Now, when I say a lot of reps, I mean in the 12 to 20 rep range. My routine for my arms is very simple. I do 16 sets for bi's and 16 sets for tri's. When I work on my chest, I do 16 sets and just to make sure, I get both the upper and lower pecs by doing incline, decline and flat presses. For my back, I do a lot of bent-over rows, a lot of dumbbell rows and a lot of seated rows. I keep it very heavy and basic for 16 sets. Just like that, Titus style.
During the off-season, you can train whichever way you want, either lower reps and lower sets, or, like I train, higher reps and sets, but still heavy. It works either way, but you will have to take in enough calories. You have to have enough protein to both heal and build muscle. I suggest 1.5 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight. You also have to have enough carbohydrate intake to drive you through your workout and start the healing process to allow the protein to work. If your intake isn't high enough, you're not going to bulk up. The key is to eat enough calories to cover your training. Make sure your core can take you high enough to bulk up. If you're eating as much as you can and you find it's not enough calories and you're not gaining weight, then I suggest you take in simple sugars in the form of Gatorade, Coca-Cola or other sugars of that nature, because the simple sugar is still a carbohydrate, it's still a calorie. That will add to your overall diet and will definitely put some size on you. Guys are afraid of simple sugars, but believe me brother, they work wonders.
Oh, before I forget, say hi back to Brandy Dahl! And girl, you better not host another opposing party!
TITUS TRUMP
Congrats on all your successes both on and off the stage, bro! I don't know how you find the time! I have a question about your picture being on the Xenadrine ads. I'm curious as to how you have two endorsement contracts with supplement companies who are obviously competing against each other.
That's a very good question and I have a simple explanation. Basically, Pinnacle is the primary company I'm signed with. After I signed with Pinnacle, they bought Cytodyne, the company that makes Xenadrine. At that time, Pinnacle didn't really have a fat burner they were marketing, so to speak, so they asked me to sign a contract to endorse Xenadrine even though I was contracted to endorse Pinnacle Juiced Protein and Juiced Creatine at the same time. I have two contracts, but they're actually with the same company.
The funny thing is that I've been using Xenadrine for years, way before Pinnacle ever bought Cytodyne. So, the whole situation has worked out really well.
GLYCO GROWTH
I'm getting really frustrated with my abs and chest. I'm 6-2, 215 pounds and I have decent definition in my arms, back and legs, but despite my best efforts, my chest and abs look like shit. I've been back in the gym for four months now and I've lost around six to eight inches through the hips and waist and gained three inches in the chest. I just don't notice any definition changes in my abs and chest. I've stuck to my diet perfectly- I never cheat. I have three eggs and a glass of milk for breakfast, MRP two hours later, then every two hours I switch back and forth between tuna sandwiches and MRPs, so I can get 325 grams of protein, 165 carb grams and 45 grams of fat. I'm also consuming about a gallon and a half of water every day. What the hell can I do? Do you think it's my diet?
This is an easy one. It's definitely your diet because 165 grams of carbs is not enough to keep your muscle bellies full. Your protein intake is high enough to build muscle, but when you're building the muscle, you want to keep your muscles full and that requires glycogen. You may have a bigger chest than you realize, it's just that you're under-eating on your carbs. I suggest adding at least another 600 grams of carbs to your diet a day. If your appetite can't handle that much extra, then go ahead and drink it in the form of simple sugars. The 325 grams of protein is good, but 165 grams of carbs is absolutely nothing. That's like two meals for me! Definitely, your diet is the culprit, because it sounds like your training's going good and you are training hard. If you weigh 210, I'd recommend 400 grams of protein, because I go two grams per pound. So, 325 will probably do the trick for you, if you're using a high-quality protein supplement, such as Pinnacle's Juiced Protein. Most guys just go with a gram and a half, but I use two because I figure if I need it, it's already there, and what I don't use will be processed out whenever I take a piss.
BATHROOM BLISS
Craig, I need your advice. A while back, I banged this chick in the bathroom at a local club. Yeah, I was totally wasted. Yeah, she was a total skank. Yeah, I fucked up, please don't get all on my case about it. I just need your help, man to man. How do I get rid of crabs? This is my first STD and I've fucked over 30 women in my 25 years. I am freaking out. Have you ever had crabs or an STD? And will the crab medicine screw up my physique by holding water or something?
Hey, bro, first of all, we're not going to dabble into my sexual escapades, past or present! We're just gonna leave that alone. What I will tell you first is to get your ass to the doctor, ASA-motherfuckin'-P. Okay?
You tell me you have crabs; well, you've got to get rid of them. Second, make sure you get in touch with the girl and at least have the dignity and the courtesy to notify her that you caught this from her so she can get rid of it, too. Third, and most importantly, my friend, don't screw girls in public restrooms! That's absolutely disgusting, bro!
Okay, you were drunk, you fucked up, you told me not to get on your case, but if I didn't get on your case I wouldn't exactly be much of a fuckin' role model for you. I'm telling you right now, your first rule of thumb is, don't screw a strange girl who's willing to screw you in the john at a club! You do that, nine times out of 10 you're gonna catch something. Get your ass to the doctor and get rid of the shit. I'm not gonna get on your case anymore, but don't ask me about my sexual escapades- that's just waaay too personal!
TOXIC A-BOMB?
I have heard that mixing Anadrol-50 and hGH can be very dangerous. Is this true? If so, why?
To you and all my other fans out there, I have to say that I'm not very comfortable answering questions about anabolics in a national magazine. I'm uncomfortable because it is a federal offense, and it's a choice people have to make for themselves. If you make the wrong choice, you're gonna suffer for it. I would just rather not discuss it in this forum. However, I will take this opportunity just to say that no, that's not true. It's not dangerous to mix those two products together. Just make sure you take it easy on the Anadrol, because bodybuilders know that it's one of the most toxic drugs on the liver. Be cool on that. I wouldn't suggest more than 100 milligrams a day.
Okay, now, guys, anybody who's reading this and for further issues of Muscular Development, let's keep the drug questions to a minimum. I'm here to help you where it really counts, and that's in nutrition and training. Anybody in the gym can say they'll put you on a cycle, but you really should focus on the training and nutrition. Just about any athletic enhancing drug you do is going to enhance your look and make you grow if you're doing everything else right.
JACKING OFF
This is a question only you and MD would tackle, ‘cause I'm askin' about masturbation and bodybuilding. Does it take anything away from your muscles' ability to rebuild if you visit Rosy Palms after a hard workout? I think most guys get that testosterone high and this seems like a great release, but am I releasing the stuff I need for muscle growth? Does sex have the same effect?
Dude, all I can tell you is that if sex had a negative impact on bodybuilding, then I would weigh 110 pounds. That's all I'm gonna say!
TITUS IS TOO SEXY
My friends and I think you're one of the sexiest bodybuilders in the world, if not the sexiest! We started reading MD again because you are now in the mag every month. Is it hard staying married to Kelly Ryan with all the female fans throwing themselves at you? (Love, Sandra)
Thank you for you and your girlfriends thinking that way about me. I'm very flattered and it really feels good to hear that once in a while! To answer your question, is it hard to stay married to my wife, Kelly Ryan? Absolutely not. Kelly is my absolute best friend. She is my heart. Without Kelly, I don't exist. Besides, my wife is the most beautiful woman in the world, so why would I want anyone else! She's the best thing that's ever happened to me and to be honest, there is no jealousy in my marriage. I have more fun with my wife than when I'm not with her. I don't act any differently when my wife's there or if she's not there.
As a matter of fact, because my wife and I are so secure with our marriage and due to the fact that I don't have to act any different when she's with me, a lot of people have gotten the wrong impression of us. You see, I can dance with other women and sometimes I tend to flirt a little too much, but Kelly's cool with that. People see this and assume all kinds of things. I'm going to cool my ways down a little when we're in public; I don't think it's fair to my wife that I give people the wrong impression. We have a great marriage, a great friendship, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
CT'S PARTY PROMO TRAIN
Hey, Craig! I attended your Olympia after-party. The party was so much fun and I've never seen so many fitness girls in one place. How many parties do you throw a year? Do you give any of the party proceeds to charity? I wasn't going to go to the Arnold Classic, but if you're throwing a party, my friends and I are going to make the trip from Michigan.
That is so cool that you and your friends would come to the Arnold Classic just because I'm throwing a party! I dearly appreciate that from the bottom of my heart. That's really awesome. Here's the way it works: My company, Emperor Enterprises, is a subsidiary of Emperor Entertainment, which throws the parties. Emperor Entertainment is now officially throwing the Olympia after party, the Night of Champions after-party, the Physique Columbus after-party (which is the party following the Arnold Classic) and I've just been asked to throw the San Francisco Grand Prix after-party.
I'll be throwing four or five IFBB pro parties a year. Right now, I'm in negotiations with Wayne DeMilia and the IFBB to try to come up with some kind of sanction so that these are official parties that can't be copycatted or have opposing parties. These copycat parties cause problems for my official ones.
To answer your question, yes, I am throwing a party at the Arnold Classic. It's at the Promo West Pavilion at 405 Neal Avenue. It's the same venue as last year. We are flying in DJs from Las Vegas who spun at the Olympia party because we were so happy with the job they did at that event. We are expecting a maximum capacity of 3,000 people this year. It's gonna be one of the biggest and best parties of all. This venue is extremely big and it leaves a lot of room for us to make it very nice for the fans.
So far, I have Kelly Ryan, myself, Chris Cormier, Dexter Jackson, Julie Palmer, Jamie Franklin, Christina Lindley, Davana Medina, Mari Kudla, Terri Mooney, Amy Fadhli and Lori Vanaman hosting. If you want to see some gorgeous fitness and figure girls, this party is the one to come to! We have a lot of sponsors involved and it's gonna be huge, so make sure you make it to the party. You can get your tickets at www.wantickets.com and if you buy your tickets between December 15, 2003 and January 30, 2004, they're only $15 apiece. After January 30, they'll go up to 20 bucks.
If you come to my parties, what you're gonna see are all the most beautiful fitness women in the world. You're also gonna see most of the pros in the industry, because they get in free at the party and it's all about the pros. I'm gonna try to get a pose-up on the stage with a couple of the athletes doing the show this year, because I'm doing the Arnold Classic. It's gonna be a big bash.
I want to continue to keep the fans, officials and athletes loyal to my parties and my parties alone. In other words, don't host other parties, don't go to other parties, and just come to Emperor Entertainment's parties. Through your support, we're gonna donate money back into the IFBB and the athletes in the form of awards, and Kelly and I want to give out two endorsement contracts to athletes that are in need of sponsorship!
I can do this as long as people are being loyal to my parties. If I have copycat promoters who try to copy my party, like the one I did here in Vegas at Bikini's, then it causes me to lose money and I can't afford to give back to the athletes or the IFBB. So, to everybody out there reading this, remain loyal! The parties are for you guys. Kelly and I work really, really hard to make these parties the best you can go to. If you come to our parties, we can give money back to the IFBB, give money back to the athletes in the form of awards and cash prizes and then it's good for everybody.
Man, you gotta come to the Arnold Classic, as the show itself is gonna be awesome, including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and all the media buzz from him being there. You'll have a blast at the show and then come have another blast at my party!
Long-term, our goal is to throw five parties a year. The Arnold Classic, the Olympia, the Night of Champions, the San Francisco and either the USA or the Nationals. A few of my friends and fans have asked why I don't throw a party in Miami. I think there are too many clubs and too much competition in Miami. They don't need my business because they already do enough of their own. The same thing is true for Atlanta. But next year, the Nationals are in Dallas again, so I'm going to throw an after-party there for sure. Hopefully, I can get the Milk Bar again.
I guarantee you, if you come to Columbus you will be at one of the best parties you've ever been to in your entire life! I want you guys to come, so approach me at the party and remind me you're the one that wrote in this question. We can hang out and I'll buy you a drink.
MD EXCLUSIVE!
CRAIG TITUS/ GNC & NATIONALS CONTEST REWIND
GNC SHOW OF STRENGTH
When it came to the judging on the GNC Show, I gave it a standing ovation. I thought the judging was absolutely perfect. Dexter Jackson was rock hard, granite, grainy, full, round, his presentation was excellent and he was fuckin' awesome! I would say he was slightly better than in the Olympia, even a little fuller, which made him look incredible. I knew when he walked on the stage that he was either gonna win, or it would be between him and Jay.
Jay was off and I think he knew it. He'd just done the Olympia and the Tour. That puts Jay at his fourth or fifth consecutive show and he was tired. He was a little flat in his back, but Jay still looks awesome even when he's off.
Third place went to Kevin Levrone. Personally, I would have given third to Dennis James instead of the fourth place he received. Dennis had a bad stomach virus for a day or so before the show, so his stomach was sticking out slightly. I think maybe the judges counted off for that- not too much, but enough to get marked down a spot. I still would have put him in third, because Kevin was really good, but he was a smaller version of himself. Kevin wasn't even near the size he used to be, and that cost him his placing, although he still was in good condition.
Fifth went to Günter Schlierkamp. Honestly, I would have put Darrem Charles in fifth, because he was fuckin' great. He had a V-taper and was separated as hell. Darrem was really good. And I would have given sixth to Chris Cormier. Chris was off, a little flat, but not off enough to stay out of the top six. And then I would have had Günter seventh. But overall, the judging was really good. Dexter, Jay, Kevin, Dennis, Günter and Darrem all placed. The show was excellent, especially the night show. They had a sold-out crowd. The expo was really good, too, and Atlanta's the perfect place for it. From what I understand, they're gonna have the GNC pro show there again next year.
I think the GNC Show of Strength is going to grow into a very big show. It might even move into the third place spot. The fact still remains that the GNC falls after the Olympia and most people spend their money to come to the Olympia. That's always gonna have a little bit of a negative impact, but at the same time, it was a very well-run show and they had a sold-out crowd. If the powers that be were to switch the GNC Show of Strength so that it happens a few weeks prior to the Olympia, it would be excellent for everyone. Then the athletes could use the GNC as a warm up for the Olympia and more importantly, the big names would go over to Europe for the Grand Prix, making it better for those promoters, too. The bodybuilders would now have the attitude that they can pick up some extra cash without having to stay in top condition for the big money because the GNC is already over with before the Olympia.
I'm really not that surprised that Dexter beat Jay this time around. Not at all. Like I said, Jay was a little off and Dexter was right on the money, so it made Dexter look that much better. You cannot take anything away from Dexter Jackson right now. The guy was just as good as he could be and that's saying a lot for an athlete. He was awesome. It's just that Jay was a little bit off and his back was a little flat and didn't have any depth to it, so it cost him the title. But let's not forget, Jay took second in the Olympia and then won every show overseas.
You know, I can't help but think of Dexter as a top-three athlete. He did, in fact, take third in the Olympia. Of course, you're always gonna have guys saying that some strong guys weren't in the show, but who's to say Dexter wouldn't have beaten Shawn Ray or Flex Wheeler or Markus Ruhl? Dexter was right on the fuckin' money. You can't get much better than that. I definitely consider him at least in the top five of the world, that's for damn sure.
NPC NATIONALS REWIND
Mat Duvall
Congratulations to Mat Duvall on the NPC Nationals. Kelly and I are really happy for him, because it's been a long road. I kept telling him it would happen and I'm sure he's happy to know that his perseverance and tenacity paid off and now he got his pro card. I know MuscleTech must be happy. It will really be nice to see him on the pro stage. The guy's really worked hard and he deserves it.
Kris Dim
It's really hard to say how guys like Kris Dim will do as a pro because the guy's a little shorter than others, but he does have a fantastic physique. He's got huge arms and a small waist. Honestly, I think Kris Dim will do better than Richard Jones right now. I look at the cover of Flex and I see Richard Jones as the next guy to be Mr. Olympia? Quite honestly, as nice as Richard Jones is, and even though his genetics are un-fuckin'-believable, he's gonna need two or three years of putting on some serious size before he's any kind of threat on the pro scene.
My point is, I see somebody like Kris Dim doing pretty good, but it's really hard to say because he's shorter than most pros. I don't know if he's going to get lost up there or not. A good example is Jason Arntz. He looked really good as an amateur, but he got totally lost as a pro.
ARNOLD CLASSIC UPDATE
I'm working with Chad Nicholls for the Arnold Classic. Kelly is working with him too, as he also works with women. We're gonna stay with Chad for the remainder of our careers, of which I've got about five years left and Kelly has three. We're very confident with Chad. He's a good friend of ours and we really believe in what he does. I think he's a genius, and with Chad in my corner, a lot of guys are gonna be hating me at the Arnold. That's for sure. Anybody who beat me at the NOC is not gonna beat me at the Arnold Classic. That ain't happening.
I'm really excited about training for the Arnold because it's gonna be like training camp. I just eat, sleep and train, and I only go out for groceries and tanning. I also start shooting my third video in December. It's gonna be filmed as a DVD. I'll be filmed training for the Arnold Classic right in my home gym, which has finally been completed. I was getting a little frustrated because I've been waiting on 60-75-pound dumbbells for about eight weeks now from an endorsement I worked out with a local company here in Vegas. They simply just didn't come through. So two weeks ago, my buddy, Dennis Cuhna, hooked me up with GP Industries. I ordered the dumbbells and they arrived yesterday. From what I understand, GP Industries also made some 200-pound dumbbells for Ronnie Coleman. I'm not just saying this because I have the dumbbells, either. The truth is, these are the nicest dumbbells I've ever seen! Believe me, I've been in the sport a long time and these are the Ferrari of dumbbells. Just go to www.GPINDINC.com and see for yourself.
In this sport, I've found that a lot of guys get a little bit of cosmetic surgery but they try to hide what they've had done, and then a bunch of rumors get started. Well, I'm not going to lie to you, I had some surgery done. Anybody who's seen me in the past knows that when I did my front lat spread, I had a crease of skin underneath my pec. It's been very annoying over the years. So, I went to Dr. Julio Garcia here in Vegas. He's the doctor who fixed Evander Holyfield's ear after Mike Tyson bit it off. I had two inches of skin removed from each pectoral region. Now the skin is very tight and there are no creases or lines underneath my pec when I do my front lat spread. At the same time I had that done, I also had my bellybutton stitched, because I had developed a slight hernia above my bellybutton that was starting to stick out.
It's really not that big a procedure, except the healing process was a bit of a pain. It took a few weeks to heal. The hardest part was that I had two drainage tubes in my chest for a couple of days and it was very, very painful when they removed them. I'm really looking forward to getting back to training, because the skin of my chest is tight, tight, tight now and it's going to make a big difference in a couple of my poses. Before, the judges wanted to know what that skin crease under my chest was, because it didn't look right. I'm so glad it's gone now. I think that a lot of the other guys could use skin tucks too, especially on their lower backs. Dr. Garcia is the best, period. If you want anything done, call his office at (702) 870-0058 and tell him Craig Titus referred you.
My training's going really well. I went up to 281 just before the Olympia, then I dropped down to 270 for a photo shoot I had to do for Pinnacle. I achieved everything I wanted to achieve in my off-season and by skipping the Olympia. I hit 280 and had my surgery done. Now, obviously, I'm down in weight because I'm just lying on the couch waiting to heal up. On December 10, I start training for the Arnold Classic and the only two people that I'm concerning myself with when I'm in the gym are Dexter Jackson and Dennis James. Those are the guys I want to be compared to, and those are the guys that I want to beat, period! I'm not concerned with any other names. Dexter and Dennis are the two that I'm using to fire me up for my training. And both of them are very good friends of mine. Dexter is actually hosting my after-party at the Arnold Classic.
I had heard that Dexter was going to take 2004 off, but now he's doing the Arnold. Of course, I would have liked to see Dexter sit out the Arnold for obvious reasons. But, by the same token, I'm glad Dexter is doing the Arnold because I want to see what happens when I'm at my all-time best and very high up in weight. I'm gonna be very heavy, very full and round. I want to see what I can do against somebody like Dexter.
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