Augusten Burroughs & Chuck Palahnuik on “Gladiator”

Posted in Book on February 17th by Dan.

One of my favorite writers Augusten Burroughs of "Running With Scissors" fame had this to say about my book Gladiator – A True Story of Roids, Rage and Redemption.   

“Dan Clark possesses the emotional honesty, humility and depth together with the innate literary talent and stylistic sensibility to execute this memoir with stunning eloquence and power. His lean, muscular prose never wavers off course as it leads us through his unspeakable loss, overwhelming success and ultimately into a kind of acceptance and redemption. As readers, we are fortunate that not all talented writers march automatically through grad school and into publication; some first become comics and undertakers and whalers and American Gladiators.” 

                                                                            -AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS 

I'm pretty stunned and honored to say the least.  I've been a fan of his from day one. 

Another one of my favorite writer's Chuck Palahnuik, "Fight Club" and "Choke" author said this about Gladiator:

"Clark played the character “Nitro” on the television series American Gladiators, and if you read only one book on vacation this year, this has to be it. After a dark childhood, steroids launch the author into a new life as a national celebrity built from mountains of chemically enhanced muscle. The dream falls apart as he sprouts breasts he can’t conceal inside his skimpy spandex costume, then suffers high colonics in order to pass mandatory drug tests. Of course, there’s redemption, but not before a ton of laughs

                                                                               – CHUCK PALAHNIUK

Only Chuck could would find this book a ton of laughs.  But the recommendation of "if you read only one book on vacation this year, this has to be it" is fantastic.  I'll take it. 

A funny story.  I remember when I finished the book and my editor at Simon and Schuster, Brant Rumble said, "I love your lean, sparse style."  

My response, "Damn it. I used all the big words I know."  

He also said my book was "fucking triumphant."  

Hard words to live up to.  

Hard words to believe.

I still struggle with it.  But maybe… just maybe… it's not so bad. 

Dan Clark

Dan Clark Nitro American Gladiators

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How Riding a Bucking Bull Helped Me Become an Author

Posted in Inspiration on January 26th by Dan.

Raise you hand if you have a fear.

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. 

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Last Minute Christmas Gift!

Posted in Book on December 22nd by Dan.

Looking for a last minute Christmas gift?  I've got something that will make a PERFECT stocking-stuffer and has zero calories.  It's even kind of heavy.  One could perhaps lift it over and over again and blast a few calories.  

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:

"This book is triumphant!"
              - ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

"Nitro's respective is a ripping good read!"
              - SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

"If you read one book one vacation this year, this has to be it!"
               – CHUCK PALAHNUIK (Fight Club)

"Inspiring, courageous and compelling.  I cried four times."
               – KAREN LUTZ (Legally Blonde, The Ugly Truth.)

“Dan Clark possesses the emotional honesty, humility and depth together with the innate literary talent and stylistic sensibility to execute this memoir with stunning eloquence and power. His lean, muscular prose never wavers off course as it leads us through his unspeakable loss, overwhelming success and ultimately into a kind of acceptance and redemption. As readers, we are fortunate that not all talented writers march automatically through grad school and into publication; some first become comics and undertakers and whalers and American Gladiators.”      
              -AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS (Running With Scissors)

Hopefully the words of others will entice you to pull the trigger and grab the book.  I think you'll be surprised and pretty stunned by it.  It's so not what you expect! 

And in the spirit of Christmas — if you really can't afford the book (Amazon has it on sale) email me and I'll SEND you one.  It's meant to be a GIFT.  And I truly mean that!

Have a Merry Christmas! Stay safe!!  And thank you for the support and friendship and good times this past year!!!  

Dan Clark

Dan Clark NItro