Critical Bench: Tell the Critical Bench readers about yourself.....interests, location, age, profession etc.

I’m a Sagittarius and like long romantic walks on the beach and working towards world peace… lol!

But seriously, I just turned 42 in December and I’m a direct marketing strategist and copywriter. I also write articles and books about one of my passions, bodybuilding. That’s why I started the site at www.drugfreebodybuilding.com back in 1997.

Remember the movie, “Doc Hollywood” with Michael J. Fox? Well, I live in the town where that movie was filmed. It’s quiet and there is plenty of space for my dog, Donner, to run and play.

Critical Bench: How did you get the nickname Doberman Dan?

Ha ha ha! I wrote an article for drugfreebodybuilding.com a few years ago talking about a fight between my Doberman and a big bulky Rottweiler. My Doberman won. So I wrote an article explaining how I had become a “Rottweiler” from bulking up and I wanted to lean out and become sleek and muscular like my Doberman.

I just checked and for whatever reason that article hasn’t been posted on my site. I have no idea why. It was one of my favorites, but it's up on your site so people can read it here:

http://www.criticalbench.com/mass_muscle.htm.

Critical Bench: How long have you been working out?

Wow… a long time I guess. I started when I was a skinny 16 year old and I’m 42 now.

Critical Bench: Tell us a little bit about your training philosophy. Do you train for looks, strength, size, or for other reasons?

Mostly for vanity! Lol Health, too of course but I want to look good and feel good about myself.

I was a small skinny kid and got teased a lot because of it. That’s really why I took up weight training… to help improve my self image. AND kick all the kids’ asses who made fun of me when I was small! (I’m just kidding. I never really kicked their asses.)

Critical Bench: I've heard some rave reviews about your ebook "Hyper Growth Muscle Mass Training". What makes this program unique?

I think people like it because it’s a fun program to do and you don’t have to train to failure. In fact, if you DO train to failure, the Hyper Growth Muscle Mass system won’t work for you. Nothing works for everybody and it’s always best to change up your training routine when you start going stale. Guys and gals who have been doing high intensity “train to failure” types of programs can switch to the Hyper Growth system when they stop making gains on the high intensity stuff and start making gains again… by training with LESS intensity. I think that appeals to our lazy side! lol

Critical Bench: Makes sense. I guess you could call it pleateau breaking program. You're known as a drug free bodybuilding expert. Why did you chose the drug free path?

Bodybuilding is not supposed to be just about getting big and strong… it supposed to be about building health, too. At least the old timers of the iron game were interested in building better health. I just feel that it is healthier to build your body without drugs.

Critical Bench: What's the deal with Hyper Gain the supplement? I heard people have gained 15 pounds in eight weeks using it. Is this true?

My friend, Rick Gray sells Hyper Gain at his site at:

www.anabolicsecrets.com/hypergain.htm. I helped Rick get started in this business and write most of the copy for his products.

Hyper Gain is a really effective product. We’ve received hundreds of unsolicited testimonials from Hyper Gain users who have regularly gained 10 to 15 pounds of muscle in 8 weeks using Hyper Gain in conjunction with proper training and nutrition.

I personally use it and have been very happy with the results. It works better than creatine monohydrate and without all the creatine side effects like bloating, stomach problems, diarreah, etc.

Critical Bench: Do you recommend any other supplements?

I’m a big believer in protein supplements and meal replacement products. I like to eat 3 whole food meals a day and 3 protein/MRP drinks per day.

I also believe in taking a multi vitamin/mineral supplement as “insurance” against deficiencies.

I also never go to the gym without Nitrobol to take post workout.

Critical Bench: How important is diet? Do you adhere to a strict diet?

Diet is EXTREMELY important. In 90% of cases, diet is the reason many bodybuilders have a hard time gaining muscle. I’ve written a lot of articles about it.

I don’t follow a really strict diet unless I’m leaning out for something. I usually eat plenty of clean foods like chicken, turkey, beef, eggs, salads, green veggies, oatmeal, fresh fruits, etc. But I still indulge in a little junk food every now and then. I want to enjoy my food and not be miserable on some kind of Spartan diet all the time.

Critical Bench: Since we're friends and all, what do you say you offer the Critical Bench readers a free eReport like your 31 Days to Bigger Arms pdf?

I don’t think they deserve it. Ha ha ha.. I’m only joking. I’d be glad to give your subscribers that report. Help yourself.

http://www.criticalbench.com/pdf/31dayarms.PDF

Critical Bench: Aside from the Iron Game, you're a musician and play in a band. How has that been treating you lately?

That is really my main passion. I wanted to do that for a living but unfortunately the pay doesn’t support my bad habits of sleeping indoors and eating!

I’ve actually been devoting a lot of time to my musical projects lately. I play with a funk/R&B/ “rough-neck jazz” band called Gruvtherapy. Our site is at www.gruvtherapy.com. There are some song samples and videos there.

I’m also recording a solo project of some of my own compositions. I hope to have it finished before the end of this year. It’s a labor of love. I invited some pretty big name musicians to play on it and have gotten positive answers from quite a few. I’m pretty excited about it.

Critical Bench: Who are your role models in the Iron Game and why? Who influenced you growing up, or motivated you to start bodybuilding?

Arnold (of course), Franco Columbu, Larry Scott and all the guys from the “golden age” of bodybuilding. Those were the guys who inspired me. They had such classic “Greek god-like” physiques that were attainable for guys like me. Nowadays the guys are so cartoon-like freakish it just de-motivates me. The physiques that the current crop of bodybuilders have is simply unattainable for most guys.

Critical Bench: You've been published in numerous bodybuilding magazine. What's your favorite article that made it to print?

Hmmmmm…. Probably an article published in Bob Kennedy’s magazine, “Reps!” I can’t recall the title of the article but I wrote it with a real “smart ass” kind of tone. I thought for sure Bob would edit out all the smart ass stuff… but he published it word for word!

Critical Bench: Any advice for the newbies getting involved in the sport?

Yes. DO NOT follow the advice from the champs in the magazines. It doesn’t apply to you. They are genetic freaks and taking massive amounts of drugs.

Get on a good basic program, work really hard but don’t over-train and eat a lot of good food.

The plan that I recommend for beginners is explained in detail in my eBook at:

www.anabolicsecrets.com/asdownload.htm

You can make some BIG gains in 8 weeks with this program. And best of all, it’s available at no charge.

Critical Bench: Thanks for the interview Dan...best of luck with your workouts, web sites and music.

Thanks, Mike. It was my pleasure. Check out some of my bodybuilding articles here
http://www.criticalbench.com/Doberman_Dan.htm

Return to the Athlete Interviews