Now, raise your hand if you have tried to conquer that fear. 

If your hand isn't raised, it should be.  Now is the time to pick your biggest fear and kick it to the curb, beat it to a pulp, and slap into submission. 

Riding a bull was one of my greatest fears.  The very thought of scared the crap out me.  Not anymore.

I faced my fear and jumped on the back of 2000 pounds of bucking, twisting, fury. This act of bravery, stupidity, or whatever you want to call it… helped me become an author. 

How?

Because it was a building block. When you, pardon my French, kick the frigging ass of your biggest fear, everything else after becomes a cake-walk in comparison. 

You've have earned that certain "je ne sais quoi."  It's called confidence.   

Think about it: 

After you've swam with the sharks – is it really that hard to make a cold call? 

After you've jumped out of a plane – how tough is it to ask that cute girl or guy in the next cubicle out?   

After you've run a 100 mile marathon – is it really that rough to spend the weekend with the in-laws?

The fact is, these things all become easier because you are now an individual who's slain the dragon, stormed the castle, climbed your mountain that couldn't be climbed.

Writing a book was something that I never dreamed I could do. Either was riding a bull.  But once I rode that bull writing my book "Gladiator – A True Story of Roids, Rage and Redemption" didn't seem so impossible.  

And it sure as heck hurt a lot less!

This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time.  

Don't get stuck standing still. Take action. Do something. Kick the crap out of one of your fears and see where it leads you. 

Be brilliant!

Dan Clark

Btw — love to hear stories of people conquering their fears and the person they became because of it. 

Technorati Tags: Dan Clark, Dan Clark Nitro, Dan Clark Gladiator, Nitro American Gladiator, Bull Riding, Ty Murray Bull Riding, Celebrity Bull Riding, Conquer your fears, How to conquer your fears, American Gladiator, how to build self confidence

Do you remember your best run? I think we all have one that stands above all others. I had mine last week.

It wasn’t about distance. It wasn’t about time. It wasn’t about speed.

 It was about place. The Grand Piton of St. Lucia.

This run was through a sleepy little village island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean called “Fonds Gens Libre” which means “valley of the free people.”  The name of the village hints at its history.  It is where the native runaway slaves (Neg Mawons) and the black freedoms fighter first settled during the slave wars in 1748.

The run started on the outskirts of my fabulous hotel the Jalousie Plantation. Within minutes I disappeared into a lush rain forest and was lost amongst giant ferns and massive bursts of green vegetation.  

I charged through a clearing, ran down a long dirt road past an ancient cacao plantation through magnificent stands of cocoa, banana, and coconut.  As I entered Fonds Gens Libre and raced past the small wooden shacks the speckled the hillside my heart pumped so hard in my chest I could literally hear the battle cries of the ghost of the Neg Mawons. 

I thought about their battles.  The blood spilled for freedom.  And it made me think about our freedoms.  Our great country.  The things we take for granted. 

It made me think about this last year.  The triumphs… the failures… the dreams and the losses.  

I came to an impossibly steep incline – and charged up it for all I was worth.  My heart rattled against my ribs and my lungs burst, then finally hacking, spitting, grunting – I reached the top of the hill.  There I stopped, took a deep breath in, and looked at the valley that spilled into view below me. 

Baptized by the fire and the adrenaline that only a hard run can bring, I'm filled with the desire to be a better man. A better father. A better brother, son, companion and friend.   

And that’s what  a great run is. 

It’s a stage to get to a better part of ourselves.  To hear our inner voice.  To open up that hallowed place within us that allows us to connect with God, Allah, nature, the universe or whatever you may call it.

It’s a place I yearn to return to again and again. 

It’s the reason I run. 

Be Brilliant!

Dan Clark

Btw — this is a shot of the hotel. It's on the beach at the base of the mountains known as the Pitons. 

Technorati Tags: best runs, St. Lucia, Fonds Gens Libre, Piton St. Lucia, best running trails, best places to run, the reason I run, Jalousie Plantation, Dan Clark, Dan Nitro Clark, American Gladiator Nitro, American Gladiators, Pitons, Dan Clark Gladiator, Grand piton, best runs, great runs jogging

  Why are some people healthy, happy, and fit and others are not?  It's simple. There are those who "do" and those who "do not."  It's pretty clear which category the fit people belong in and which those who struggle with obesity fall in.  But the more importantly: Why and how are some people able to stick with programs and others are not?   

Personally, I've been training all of my life and HAVE managed to "stick with it" for over 30 years. What's the secret?  Well, instead of giving you a Top 10 List — which we've all read countless times – I thought it'd be more effective to share with you a "real-life experience" that will illuminate what I think is the absolute best way to stick with any exercise program. 

It started a few months ago when a very good friend of mine (we'll call him Dave) begged me to help him lose weight and start some type of exercise routine.  I hemmed and hawed and was reluctant to because I didn't know how serious he was, but also because I was seriously over-extended and didn't have time to help him. I had just started writing 2 books and was in the beginning of creating a program called "Ten Thousand Pounds" which is my and my partners take on tackling childhood obesity in America.  But Dave wouldn't give up.  He relentlessly hounded me to help him, and it's literally impossible for me to turn down someone (especially a friend) who wants to better their lives by becoming more healthy and fit.

I finally agreed to meet him at the boxing gym a couple days a week at 6:30am — even though it is the absolute "worst time" of the day for me — because I get my most productive writing done in the morning between 6:30am and 1pm.  Normally, I cherish and guard that time with a religious fervor. But I figured if I could make an impact on his life, it'd be worth it. 

Dave started off like gangbusters. In the first month we banged it out and he got GREAT results. He lost 25 pounds, his cardio increased, and he dropped 6 inches from his waist! Now, that's what I'm talking about!! It was a big sacrifice but I felt for me it was time well spent. I am helping him change his life!!!

Then a funny thing happened during the second month. 

Dave's enthusiasm started to wane and he dropped from 4 times a week down to 2 times. I did everything a workout/accountability partner should.  I motivated, inspired, castigated, pleaded – whatever it took to get him to the gym; nevertheless, he didn't even show up for our first workout of our third month. When I pressed him as to why — he came up with the normal laundry list of excuses: Tired, had a meeting, it's hard, was out late the night before, and the classic: "you like it, it's easy for you."

What Dave doesn't realize is that I have all the SAME excuses as he does:  I'm tired, I've got a meeting, I don't have time, I don't want to, I was out late the night before.  

The difference is fit and healthy people ACT in SPITE of their excuses.  

Does that make sense? 

If there's one thing that I can share with you that has made all the difference in my life, it's the simple secret of ACTING IN SPITE OF YOUR EXCUSES.  Be a person of ACTION and learn to IGNORE that voice that tells you: it's too hard, I'm tired, I don't want to; and LEARN to take ACTION in SPITE of it. 

If you do this one simple thing, if you learn to act in spite of your excuses, I promise you it will make all the difference in your life.  I know it has in my life.  

Now go and be brilliant!

Dan Clark

Btw – that's me below not listening to all the excuses, and jumping on the back of crazy damn bull and riding it.  In this case, I probably should've listened, because I quickly discovered getting off the bull HURT a lot more than getting on it! 

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!

 Me on the set of ESPN hosting ESPN’s Gladiator Marathon! 

"Nitro is Coming for You!"

 Photo Shoot for FLAUNT magazine.  WTF!  I don’t even know what to say about these two pics??

I don’t care what anyone says — I think Jessica Simpson is hot!

Dan and Jessica Simpson backstage:

Kid Rock was awesome!!  I just got done asking him to BOX!

Kid Rock & Dan Clark backstage:

I had the Matt & Amy Roloff of "Little People Big World" over my house for a party.  I know, I know from Kid Rock to "Little People Big World."  But it’s one of my fav shows and my gf produces it!

Bull Riding!  What the hell is wrong with me?  Never again.  Well, unless they offer me a lot of $$$!

Dan Nitro Clark on Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding

The alternate cover of my book "Gladiator – A True Story of Roids, Rage and Redemption" I wished they used.   If you haven’t got it yet… you can still pick  it up here:  

Gladiator – A True Story of Roids, Rage and Redemption.    If you do read it, circle back and give me your feedback.  I’d love to hear from you!

Lastly, I leave you with an "old school" picture of me as a junior in 1980 at Saddleback High school in Santa Ana, California.  "Man, did I think I was too cool for school!"

Every enjoy the last weekend of summer!  

Be well!

Dan Clark

BTW — Everyone ask me about supplements and products I love.  I’m still on the Sun Warrior Protein powder kick.  It’s a little bit pricey but worth it as I haven’t found anything better!  It’s organic, from brown rice (makes the Asian side of me happy) and has the highest assimilation rate of any protein on the market!!!

Technorati Tags: Dan Clark, Nitro, American Gladiators, Sun Warrior protein, Jessica Simpson, Kid Rock, Gladiator A True Story of, Little People Big World, Matt Roloff, Amy Roloff, Saddleback High School, Espn, Flaunt magazine, TLC, Dan Nitro Clark

    In light of what’s happened in sports recently with Manny, A-Rod, David Oritz, Marion Jones and countless others, no truer words have ever been spoken.  But before your enthusiasm for sports gets smothered under the weight of syringes, roids and positive tests, let’s chat a little bit about sports-figure heroes.  I know a little about this subject.  I was a hero to millions of kids and teens.  I played Nitro on the original American Gladiators for seven years.  In our hey day we had tens of millions of viewers each week and in some markets out drew pro football. I understand what A-Rod, Manny Ramirez and others are going through.  As an athlete and entertainer you’re being consumed and swallowed by the beast of American Consumerism.  You’re a hero who the fans project their thrills, dreams and insatiable demands – and you’re willing to do anything to satisfy them – including taking steroids. 

    Back in the 90’s during the American Gladiators live tour I remember walking out onto the floor of Madison Square Garden and 15,000 fans slammed to their feet and chanted my name.  My heart pumped so hard, I could literally feel myself touch each and everyone of the fans.  I wasn’t “young and stupid” and “didn’t know” what I was taking.  I was intoxicated with the adulation and adoration and would’ve done anything to fulfill my obligation to entertain.  I would’ve ripped my heart out of my chest and held it out, still pulsating in my hands, if that’s what the fans demanded.

   But I also remember knowing deep inside I was giving pieces of my body away, paying for my success with a pound of flesh.  But this Faustian bargain isn’t something athletes want to deal with. We don’t want to know.  We’re in the business of denial and self-abuse.  Our body is a commodity, our mode of trade.  We’re used to pain.  We’re taught: “Don’t quit. Don’t give into the pain.”  So when we get the inclination something is wrong, we do not give in, we do not quit.  

    But I know times are different now.  Steroid use, once a dirty little secret confined to locker rooms, sports medicine clinics and gyms, has now erupted into a national controversy and spilled into our daily lives.  Their harmful side effects are no secret either.  But still right now I’m sure there’s still tens of millions kids and teenagers out there contemplating the steroid issue.  Do I need to take them?  Are they safe?  Can I make it if I don’t take steroids? 

    How do we educate and save the future generation of A-Rod and Manny, hopefuls?  The hardest part about this conversation is that everyone who takes steroid, will not become addicted, get horrible side effects or die.  That’s the simple truth.  But many will.  I know I did.

    I was a guy who always thought I could handle taking steroids.  But in truth, the drug handled me, easily and completely.  At my peak, I was six feet two, 260 pounds.  Muscles stretched and defined by red, white, and blue spandex.  I loomed as if I blocked out the sun.  That was everyone else’s perception of me.  But I was never big enough or strong enough for myself.  I reached a point where contentment and fulfillment were impossible.  I learned that steroids were a hopeless reach for happiness and could never fill what I was missing inside.

    And maybe that’s what I’m getting at here.  It’s not A-Rods, Bonds, Manny’s or Ortiz’s fault.  It’s not my fault.  It’s not your fault.  It’s our fault.  Everyone is culpable.  No one can look the other way.  We’ve become a nation obsessed with a winner take all mentality, where every effort is marked down at the end as a win or a loss, where second place means nothing.   What is it about the very fabric of us as a nation that’s led us here?  Why are we so intoxicated with winning?  I guess the real question is: What are we missing inside?

    I knew when I won, I was somebody.  When I didn’t, I was invisible.

    So how do we fix something that is broken at the very core or our existence?

    I can tell you what changed for me.

    I learned the business of building a life.  I learned to make my son, my family, and the bright shining smiles of my nieces and nephews more important than the roar of the crowd. I learned how to get love and adulation from those closest to me.  I learned how to fill what was missing inside.

    How important is this distinction?

    It means everything.

    I’ve been clean for over seven years, and finally feel like I’m walking toward a place I want to go. 

Be well,

Dan “Nitro” Clark

Btw — one of the best protein powders I’ve tried is Sun Warrior protein.  It’s natural, raw and organic and has the highest assimilation rates of any protein on the market.  Here’s an interview I did with the owners of the company.  Sun Warrior protein interview.

Technorati Tags: David Ortiz, Big Papi, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriquez, Steroids, Baseball, Roids, Dan Clark, Nitro, Gladiators, American Gladiators, Book, memoir, Dan Nitro Clark, Heroes,

I say he's young – young to me, but he's not a kid.  I believe he's in his late 20's.  Not that I'm old like father time.  Hell, I just had my 45 birthday… but I'm wise in years of experience.  I've seen a lot in my life.  

Well, this friend of mine — we'll call him "Rick" — has been asking me a lot about steroids.  He's obsessed with them and what he thinks they will do for him and how they will change his life.  Just recently he said, "I'd love to be able to bench 500 pounds and scream and throw it on the rack, like you did when you were Nitro on "American Gladiators."  

The kid's a smart kid… he read my memoir Gladiator – A True Story of Roids, Rage and Redemption a few times.  So, I'm stunned my stance against steroids isn't crystal clear him.

I have to say, it feels odd now to be admired for being a Hercules who hoisted up heavy weights.  But at the time it meant everything.  I realize now it means nothing.  But what's different?  What's changed? And how do I share this with my young friend?  The best I could come up with is:  

I wish I would've spent more time building a life back when I was young — because eventually your body will fail you — it will grow old — but the life you build around will only continue to grow and blossom. 

I really hope he understands me.  It took me too many years to realize that: 

Steroids and drugs are a hopeless reach for happiness.  Because you'll never be big enough or strong enough or high enough to fill what is missing inside.  Eventually you'll have to learn the process of building a life, and realize that the honey, the reward, comes from putting your nose to the grindstone and walking toward a place you want to go.   

I dedicated my book to:

My son, my family, and that bright shining smile of nieces and nephews that became more important than the roar of the crowd.  

This distinction has made all the difference.   Even though he wasn't asking me for advice, I say this to my young friend: 

Build your life from the inside out.  Know that your enough.  And realize that where ever you go, there you will be. 

"If you only read one book… this year, this has to be it!" 

Here’s the full review in The Week Magazine or on the Daily Beast website.  I’m a little star struck that he’d pick Gladiator, but I honestly think the book is deserving of these kind words.  When I started writing the book — I wanted it to be an candid, frank look at a life — and have it be an illumination of the fragility of the human condition.  

I wasn’t interested in doing a tell-all.  I am interested in the art of story telling.  I’m glad I didn’t take the easy route and incriminate people — but instead bled on the page — exposed the inner machinations of my soul — and let light and life into places that were once dark.  

If you haven’t read Chuck’s books yet… you don’t know what your missing.  He’s one of the finest testosterone-driven authors we have.  The book "Fight Club" is so much better than the movie.   Go to his site now ChuckPalahnuik.net and check him out.    I’m most curious if women find him appealing?  Let me know. Also just got back from Florida.  

Did the morning show in Orlando on Fox, as well as, the morning show in Tampa on CBS.  My favorite radio station there is SportsChix on the AM Dial! Lastly, I know a lot of people have been asking for me to put up video of all the TV interviews.   It’s on my to do list when I get back from my Book Tour / Road Trip at the end of next week! 

Be Brilliant!  

Dan Clark

Technorati Tags: Chuck Palahnuik, Daily Beast, Choke, Week Magazine, Fight Club, Dan Nitro Clark, Nitro, Roids, Memoir, Best book, Gladiator, Dan Clark, Nitro, Book Club, American Gladiators, Gladiator A True Story of Roids,

But I do have to admit it's been a Herculean task to actually get a review.  Because of the cutback at paper and the shrinkage of the book section — they just don't do that many reviews anymore — especially on books with a guy in spandex on the cover.  

They think they know the story.  I guess the adage is true, don't judge a book by it's cover.  

This guy from the paper, Peter Larsen, actually read the book, and buzzed me up and took a moment to look inside.  I'm glad he did.  

Media has become cheap and sensationalistic today.  Not this guy.  While everyone else led with Man-Boobs and steroids, he led with man behind the story. That would humbly be me. The article starts…  

Dan Clark stands on the deck of his modern, glass-infused Hollywood Hills home, bruised storm clouds moving fast through the Cahuenga Pass below. His smile is quick and his eyes flash as he tells his story. Yet you sense weariness, too as he describes his life. Or lives.

The story of Dan Clark – you know him as Nitro, one of the ripped bad boy stars of the original "American Gladiators" TV series – is one of many different lives, each a creation of Clark's demons, drive and desire. Clark, it turns out, is the ultimate self-made man, shedding skins like a snake, recreating himself (figuratively and literally) over and over in his 44 years.

He was a preschooler who bawled when his parents split, and then made himself into a boy who would not cry. He was a 10-year-old devastated by guilt and grief after witnessing the accidental electrocution of his older brother, who turned himself into someone who would not – could not – feel.

He was a chubby teen who, in the early 1980s, transformed himself into a football star at Saddleback High School, building his body even bigger after discovering steroids at Santa Ana College.

And, later, he was a washed-up would-be NFL player who created a new persona as Nitro, the bad-ass TV Gladiator who'd gladly knock you on yours, on or off camera.

And now Clark is this: the fading celebrity, who abused himself and everyone around him for years – with drugs and sex and brawls and such – remakes himself once more, writing a memoir to tell (and sell) his story everywhere he can, like a prophet warning others off the self-destructive path he'd followed…

You can read the rest of the OC article here.  

Access Hollywood interview was another story.  40 minute interview chopped to 15 seconds and one question about the side effects of steroids.  And Billy Bush was to cool fro school.  But at least they hooked a brotha up and showed the cover.   Off to dinner at the famous Spago in Beverly Hills.  Been there a few times.  But this is the first time I'm actually going there for dinner!

Please enjoy!

Dan Clark

Btw — if you still haven't gotten a copy of the book I know Amazon has GLADIATOR on sale in the bargain book area for $10 so now is a great time to get it just in time for Xmas!  Just click the link above – ignore the $20 price and go down to the box where it has the "bargain" price!

Technorati Tags: Dan Clark, Nitro, Dan Nitro Clark, American Gladiator, Dan Nitro, Steroids, Access Hollywood, Orange County Register, Saddleback High School, American Gladiators where are they now, American Gladiators, Gladiator book, Gladiator A True Story review,