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 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 then my body when I was young — because eventually your body will fail you — but the life you build around will only continue to grow.  I really hope he understands me.    It took my a lot of 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.   That 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. 

Be Brilliant,

Dan Clark

Technorati Tags: Dan Clark, Nitro, Dan Nitro Clark, American Gladiators, Steroids, Roids, Should I take steroids, Gladiators, Gladiator a true story of roids,

New Orleans seemed full of life and vibrant.  There were still plenty of signs of Katrina’s devastation, but there was also a skip in the step of the people and the streets at night were alive.  I somehow ended up in the world famous Pat O’Brien’s drinking hurricanes at the end of the night.  I didn’t get hurt though.  It was one and done.  Now that is wisdom.   Or maybe it’s simply that I don’t like sweet drinks.  Give it to me hard on the rocks or give me wine or give me death.  Okay, being a little dramatic… but New Orleans does that to a guy.  However, as I pulled away from New Orleans, a wave of guilty washed over me.  I felt guilty that I didn’t do anything to help.  It’s weird how everything seems just like a story on the news until you live, eat, drink, and breath it.  

I wish I would’ve done something to help.  Does anyone else feel that way?

Galveston Island, Texas was the next stop.   It reminded me a bit of Rosarita Beach, Mexico.  A strip of hotels on a spit of land with brown mucky-water.  The saving grace of the beach town — were the people with their Texas-twang and Southern friendliness.  

From there we went on to San Antonio to do the “Great Day San Antonio” show  on the CBS affiliate.  They were the bomb.  The two female hosts, Bridget and Eileen read the book, gushed effusively about it, and were just fantastic.   I wonder if I would’ve said the same thing if they didn’t absolutely love the book?  LOL.  Here’s Great Day San Antonio Video.  It’s one of my favs from the entire tour.   

I also was able to give a shout out on air to my ex-in-laws.  Is that how you write it?  Ex -in-laws?  The marriage wasn’t so good — but the in-laws were always fantastic to me.  I miss them.  It’s sad that we also divorce the family when we divorce the spouse.  Sometimes the family is the best part. 

From San Antonio it was on to El Paso for a little publicity, the on to Tucson for a touch more, and as said earlier, I’m now in Sedona.   It’s absolutely stunning here!!!

Before I head off, I have to give a shout out to my favorite local producer in Los Angeles, Janet at KTLA 5.  She is a rockstar!

~ Dan

"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,

I know one of the topics will be the Miss America gay marriage controversy.

~ Dan

Also a shout out to the Ron and Don radio show in Seattle for having me on air with them and publicizing the book event.  Peace be with you guys.  

Off to sleep and onto Orcas Island Washington for a little R&R.

Also, I did my first TV interview via satellite Thursday for a late night FOX show called "Red Eye" with Greg Gutfield. Satellite is a tricky thing.  I’m surprised most people, even those with a little media experience, just don’t incinerate right there on the sound stage.  Here’s how it’s set up.   I’m sitting on a stage at FOX in Los Angeles with an artillery of lights blasting my retinas — in the midst of them is one camera man.  That’s it.  Just him and I and — oh yeah — a really cute make up girl.   In my ear is a mic where I can hear the show live while it’s being filmed in NY.  It’s a round table comedy – news format, so there’s 4 people talking and jiving about the events of the day.  To me it sounds like I’m talking to a bud on the cell phone in the middle of a crowded airport.   In the face of the camera — the one that is point right at me –the one that I need to look into while doing the interview — is the live video feed of the show.  So basically you look into the camera and respond to the questions of the interviewer.  The only trick is there’s a THREE SECOND DELAY from what you’re hearing in your ear and seeing.  

Does that make sense?  

You are hearing the question 3 seconds before you see him actually ask you the question in the camera.   It’s freakin’ confusing.  Because you have to respond to the question in your ear when he asks it — not when you see him asking you it in the camera.  So, you’re actually answering the question in real time from what you’re hearing (and you can barely hear it because of all the static and poor feed)… while you’re watching him still ask you the question.   Finally , I had them turn the picture off in the camera, so essentially I was looking into a blank camera, pretending I was talking to someone, while answering the questions.   That being said, he was funny, and I think it went pretty damn good, even though all we talked about was steroids, and I didn’t get to go into depth on the book at all.  But I did work up a good sweat with nerves and adrenaline rushing full speed.   

Be Brilliant!

Dan Clark

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