More than anything this gift will ease the eternal chatter in ones brain and ease up on the straightjacket of consciousness for a few seconds. 

What is this thing? 

It's a book.  Humbly, my book:  Gladiator – A True Story of Roids, Rage and Redemption.

My powers of persuasion are not great. Instead I share with you  what others other are saying about this last minute stock-stuffer:

These 3 books pointed me in the right direction. 

The first book Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz was the beginning of a new belief system for me.  This book is one of the very first books on "creative visualization."  It taught me to see a better future for myself that I never thought was possible or could even exist.  My dad’s friend, a hypnotherapist, recommended the book when I was in the ninth grade.  My life was a mess.  I was on the verge of dropping out of school.  I had very few friends and had just quit the football team because I wasn’t getting ANY playing time. 

After reading Psycho-Cybernetics how dramatic was the change?

In one year I went from a quitter to MVP of my team.  That’s right.  I did a COMPLETE 360 by doing one simple thing on a daily basis.  I VISUALIZED.  I imagined in vivid detail the things I wanted to accomplish.  It was that simple. I did this and my life changed.

I saw it. I believed it. I made it happen.  

Since then, I’ve continued to visualize on a daily basis with great success.  I encourage all to get Psycho-Cybernetics, practice what it says, and begin to create the life you’ve always wanted.  If I can do it, any one can!

The second book that really helped shape my life was Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins. This powerful book picked up right where Psycho-Cybernetics left off and gave me an introduction into NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) which taught me to manage my emotional states through my physicality and many other tools too numerous to list.  It really helped me take charge of my life and create a life that was worth living.  If haven’t read Tony Robbins and think of him only as the giant, excitable guy from the informercials — you don’t know what you’re missing. Read this book.  It will change your life. 

The last book I want to share with you is The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman.  This book is one of the first in a long line of books that helped me make the transition from athlete to human being.  It helped me identify, connect and get in touch with the spiritual part of myself.   It taught me to lead with my heart and intellect instead of fist and the threat of violence.  It taught me how to find love and adulation in those closest to me instead of the roar of the crowd. (I highly recommend this book to young men who are open to having a spiritual experience)

There have been so many more books that have helped shape and better my life and continue to do so every day.  I’m eternally grateful to all the authors for the their blood, sweat and tears, and their wisdom.  I hope one day to enter the Pantheon of writers who change, impact, and empower peoples lives.  My humble attempt is Gladiator – A True Story of Roids, Rage and Redemption.  

Click on any of the links and it will take you to the books Amazon page.  If you do read any of the books, circle back, I’d love to hear your thoughts.  I hope you enjoy. And pay it forward!

The first thing you need to know about Tyra is that she works her tail off and has a great, hard working staff. It’s her vision, but they make it happen.  A special shout-out to exec producer John Redmann.  The next thing you need to do is be ready and bring your "A" game ’cause it all happens fast. I got the call from Tyra’s staff asking me if I would be interested in coming on the show on a Friday to talk about my memoir "Gladiator – A True Story of ‘Roids, Rage and Redemption."  Then Saturday I did the pre-interview.  

Monday I’m on a plane from Los Angeles to New York. Tuesday I’m on the Tyra Banks show.  The reason the pre-interview you is because the want to make sure you’re lively and great on the phone — meaning you will make a great guest.  The pre-interview was new experience for me.  Most of the talk shows I’ve done were for the American Gladiators.  There have been numerous — from Good Morning American to the Tonight Show — and I simply showed up on set and talked about Gladiators — talked about being Nitro.  

Being on as an author was definitely new territory.  I knew I couldn’t go on and be that cocky-guy who lead with his fist — but I also wanted to be exciting, interesting with a touch of salaciousness.  The pre-interview went on for nearly 90 minutes.  Even though I knew I was going to be on the show, I was a tad bit nervous, thinking I was going to screw it up somehow.  I guess the biggest thing is being true to yourself and your message and not pushing or forcing to try and be something you’re not, so they’ll think you’re great. 

I arrived in New York late Monday night for my appearance the next day.  I won’t bore you with my nightly rituals, except to say — I called my girlfriend, told her I missed her, then drifted off to sleep.   My publicists and I arrived at the studio in the early afternoon and were immediately buffeted into a dressing room.   No sooner had I put my bag down, when a bouncy producer walked in and handed me my script and asked me if I wanted to run through it once.  Huh?  Remember that pre-interview?   Well, they take all of the good stuff, put it into a question answer format, and basically hand you an outline of the show.  This is what Tyra is going to ask you.  This is how you’re going to respond, or at least did in the pre-interview.  Hint- hint.  Wink-wink.  

Bouncy, cute producer tells me she’s going to be Tyra and I’m going to be me, and wants to run through it once to see how it plays. Alrighty, then.  We go through it once and I’m disappointed because all the questions are geared around sensationalizing the side-effects of steroids.   I’m more then disappointed, I’m disheartened.  Because I know my memoir goes miles deeper and at the heart of it, it’s about: identity, love, family, addiction and survivorship told through the prism of celebrity. I also know that to connect and really resonate with Tyra’s female audience I had to find a way to work in the "human" side of the story into my segments. I had to let her audience know this book was an emotional journey — about a little boy whose parents we’re divorced when he was 5 years old and who was crying inconsolably until a man told him "big boys don’t cry."   That boy took those words to heart and didn’t cry when he was ten years old — and his older brother die in his arms — then spent the rest of the life trying to become whole again, trying be human, trying to feel.

Yes, this journey involved drugs,women, celebrity — but I also knew even at the darkest points my humanity shined through in my life and on the page.  Suddenly a producer popped in — whisked me down the hallway to the stage area — all I can think about is how to get the story I want tell across while still satisfying the producer’s needs. Now, I’m standing behind a curtain at the back of the stage while they are doing my introduction and it’s really something.  "Most famous Gladiator, huge hunk, every women’s fantasy."  I feel myself swell up with pride until — the announcers says — "Who grew breast from steroids.  Welcome Dan Nitro Clark!"   The stage manager pulled back the curtain and tells me to "Go, Go!"  I stumbled on stage feeling awkward as hell, not sure whether to smile and wave, or hang my head down in shame and embarrassment.   I kinda did both.  I think.  You’ll have to watch my entrance and let me know. 

So, I’m sitting next to Tyra, still a little thrown by the introduction — being in front a live audience staring, by having three cameras targeted toward at me like canons.   But now, I’m more determined then ever to tell the story I want to tell and not get caught up in this whirlwind of sensationalism about steroids.  I make up my mind right then and there that no matter what she asks me — I’m going to answer her question then start talking about "human" aspect of the journey.  Tyra asks me the first question, "When did you start taking steroids?" I give her the one sentence answer and dive into, "But what I really want to talk about is how we stereotype boys and girls at a young age."  

I could see Tyra look at me a little funny.  I keep going and tell the story about my parents being divorced, being inconsolable, the words big boys don’t cry, and how it affected me.  I tell her about my brother dying in my arms, and how I didn’t cry.  I tell her about how I spent the rest of my life building this huge body, all to protect that kid inside.   And I’m talking FAST.  Really fast, just trying to get the story out.  And I’m aware that I’m talking hyper-fast which makes me even talk faster!  I keep thinking at any moment they are going to "Gong me" and stop shooting and tell me to get the hell back to the script.  As the words keep spilling out of my mouth, I see Tyra keep eyes shoot down to her script then back at me with a glare that says, "What the hell are you talking about?"   I now realize I’ve been talking non-stop for close to a few minutes when Tyra suddenly looks at me and says: "Oh my God, how did your brother die?"  Her question is sincere and her eyes are full of compassion.  I take a deep breath in and tell her the story. Then we took the interview from there moment by moment.  

Kudos to Tyra for letting me have that moment and being such a pro that she knew a better story when she heard it, and for trusting herself and me to go with it.   That being said, I haven’t seen the show as of writing this.  It airs today, Thursday the 16th of April. For all I know… they could introduce me "Nitro — the man who grew boobs" and cut the rest! As for the producers?  They all rock!  And we all slugged back margarita’s later that night in a little Mexican bar in the meat packing district.   And yes, I bought.  How could I not?  After all they told me it was one of the best segments of the year!  Let me know what you think after watching it. 

Be brilliant!

Dan "Nitro" Clark

Technorati Tags: Tyra, Tyra Banks, What’s it like being on Tyra, Emmy, talk show guest, Dan Clark, Nitro, Dan Nitro Clark, Gladiator, American Gladiator, Memoir, book, author, tv show, What it’s like being on a talk show, Dan Clark, Nitro, tv show guest,

                                                                            -AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS 

Growing up I always believed writing books was something "smart people" did.  Augusten is one of those "smart people."  If you haven't read Augusten's books yet, don't walk, run to the book store!  (Do people still go to the book store? Or is it Amazon only?)

 Either way, if you love a good memoir, his books are about as good as it gets.  Running with Scissors was also made into a film with the same name that starred Gwenyth Paltrow.  

Here's his website info:  Augusten.com  

Check him out. BTW — I don't consider myself one of the "smart people," just someone who is determined and someone who hasn't let the noise of other's opinions drown out what I know is possible. 

Be brilliant!

Dan "Nitro" Clark

Technorati Tags: Augusten Burroughs, Running with Scissors, Dan Clark, American Gladiators, Nitro, Dan Nitro Clark, Steroids, Gladiator a True story of Roids, memoir

     I thought these themes would resonate with readers because I always knew the Gladiator audience was more sophisticated then the wrestling audience. I also believed if I made the book extremely personal and candid and made sure not matter how dark the journey got — that my humanity shined through — I would reach beyond the core audience and into readers who'd never watched Gladiators — but love a great story. By the feedback and reviews, I humbly think I've succeeded. Here is the INITIAL COVER the publisher came up with:  

    Again, the book is an extremely candid look at a life — that was pretty freakin' wild, astonishing, and at times heartbreaking — and I wanted the cover to reflect that. So as cool this cover was with the burnt edges, it just didn't do it for me. The SECOND COVER was intriguing:

   I loved the colors on this cover, the large font, the ominous feel. But at the end of the day, it didn't feel like it was the appropriate cover for a Memoir.  It felt like it was written by a reporter or someone not associated with the show, so I asked the publisher to keep trying.  

   This COVER is my FAVORITE and the one I fought to use. I lost the battle.  First off, I'd change the color of the font to red. But what I love about this cover is the juxtaposing of the images of "Current Me" and "Nitro" on the front. You get to see the "journey" in a snapshot. The journey from Gladiator to the man I am today. I think that's interesting and more appropriate for the book. Especially with the female readers. And, thank God, there's been a lot.

Here's the COVER THEY USED. I like it, but really believe the cover above is the best one.

That being said, I'm most appreciative of the people at Simon and Schuster — they've done a great job. Plus, there's always PAPERBACK!  

What do you think? Love to hear your feedback.

Be brilliant!

Dan "Nitro" Clark

DanNitroClark.com

Technorati Tags: Gladiators, Choosing a book cover, American Gladiator, Dan Clark, Nitro, Dan Nitro Clark, Simon and Schuster, memoir, best books, Gladiators, how to chose a book cover, writer, author

When I read a book it’s always about the “take-away” experience.  Meaning – what useful information can I learn by reading the book.  It doesn’t have to be about making me a better person — it’s often a reflection or a clue to who I am — or sometimes it’s just a great freakin’ ride that’s exhilarating and makes your heart pump.  Other times books take me into a new world, show me things I didn’t  know before.   There’s so many reasons to read. 

I believe m y book Gladiator: A True Story of ‘Roids, Rage and Redemption fulfills many of the criteria above.   Yes, it’s an honest look at steroids, both the great and the horrific.  But most of all it’s…   Well, I tell you why my friend thinks people should read the book:

Because it is, at its heart, a coming-of-age story.  It is an honest and compelling look at what it means to be a man learning how to be a father when his own father let him down.

Because it is a story about survival—emotional survival and physical survival and spiritual survival.  It is a journey of self-discovery that’s filtered through the prism of celebrity. 

Because it is a riveting read that has a conscience at its core—a call to arms that should galvanize parents and alert them to the dangers of steroids, even at the high school level of sports. 

Because it is a “triumph of the human spirit” story, a real life saga—as the title suggests—of ‘roids, rage and redemption.  It’s about forgiveness and hope and the will to change when life is not working.

And finally, because it is a book that captures emotion in the raw—a book that will make you cry and a book that will make you laugh.  But more than anything, it is a book that will make you feel.

And yep, you got it.  She’s a female.  I ecstatic that women are loving and getting this book as much as the males are.  It’s been the most surprising and unexpected thing about the entire book!

It starts like this…

Alex Rodriguez came clean this week, but there’s still some dirty business going on. It’s a little tough for me to swallow A-Rod saying, “To be quite honest I don’t know exactly what substance I was guilty of using…” The same way he was lying when 15 months ago he told CBS’s Katie Couric that he never used performance-enhancing drugs.

Alex is the highest paid player in baseball. His body is his business. At his level, I’m sure everything he does is microscopically analyzed. His swing, his workouts, his diet — to mold him into most perfect baseball machine ever. As a steroid abuser for 20 years, I can assure you he knew exactly what he was taking. Each and every time I took a steroid, I always knew EXACTLY what I was taking. In reality I became my very own science project. Here’s what I know…  

To read the rest click here…  and it will take you to the post.   Please comment if you like. 

Also Inside Edition ran a piece on me and the book.  I was surprised about how much they cut it and how they cut it.  But again, I guess I’ve been doing this long enough and should never be surprised.  Overall, people tell me it was a good piece and effective of getting the message across.

    When he wasn’t bashing the brains of weekend warriors with a giant Q-tip or laying vicious hits on spandex-wearing guys in Powerball, Dan Clark—“Nitro” of the original American Gladiators—was slamming needles into his glutes. The former San Jose State linebacker and reality TV megastar abused steroids for more than 2 decades to build his formidable frame.

Clark details his steroid use, rise to fame, terrifying bouts of ‘roid rage, and his life after the drugs—including relapses and daily pains—in his frank new book, Gladiator. MensHealth.com got an early look at the manuscript, and the chance to ask Nitro some questions about steroids, their lasting effects, and his workouts today.

Did 20 radio interviews back to back this morning starting at 5 AM.  For the most part I feel great, but I’m going to get a little rest and wait for my segment "INSIDE EDITION" tonight.

 Be well!

Dan "Nitro" Clark

Technorati Tags: Men’s Health, Steroid, Nitro, Dan Clark, Steroids questions, American Gladiators, Gladiator a True Story of, Inside edition, Dan Nitro Clark, San Jose State, memoir, book, Book Soup