It’s sad… a bit of an elegy.   But also filled with hope.  It’s about my son.  Tyler. 

More.  Later.  

Be well, 

Dan

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When I hesitated her co-host Kevin Klein suggested she take her top off and perhaps that would assist me in guessing her age.  How her being topless – was supposed to help me guess her age was beyond me.  What were they thinking – that breasts were like trees – and you could count the rings around the nipple and tell its age? 

Well, I figured I didn’t really matter because there was no way she was taking her top off.   But no sooner had the words left Kevin’s mouth when Andrea proceeded to whip off her top.  The next thing I know she’s sitting across from me topless.  And all I could think was:  I’m in so much trouble – my girlfriend has Sirius radio. 

When I still didn’t take a stab at her age, Kevin suggested she go and jump on the mini-trampoline, as a way to help me along.   Before I could say, "That’s not necessary," Andrea was bouncing up and down on the trampoline egging me on to guess her age.   (Btw -This made it really difficult to count the rings)   After a while Andrea tired and sat back down and told me she wasn’t putting her top back on until I guessed her age.  Hmm.  Difficult proposition. What’s a guy to do?  I stammered, stuttered and then sucked in a deep breath and calmly said, "Twenty six."   Her face went blank, then one brow went up in curiosity.  She told me I was right, then asked me how I knew.  I smiled and said, "I counted the rings."   Andrea was quite impressed.  I didn’t have the heart to tell her, I looked her up on IMDB before I came on the show and already knew her age. 

On a more serious, but not less fun note, I want to give a shout out to two of my favorite radio shows — Up All Night with Jason Smith on ESPN Radio.  He’s a witty guy, who I always get a kick out of and am glad to go on with.  We’ll probably next rap when my San Jose State Spartans play the USC Trojans on Sept 5th.  I’ll be talking smack and cheering on my Spartans – even though they probably don’t have a chance. 

The other program Day-Break USA radio with Scott West.  Scott show is always fast-paced and fun filled and full of insight.  Check out both of their shows!

Be well,

Dan "Nitro" Clark

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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

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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

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     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

February the 9th 2009 is the official publication of my Memoir – GLADIATOR: A True Story of ‘Roids, Rage and Redemption.  There’s a couple of things you need to know about the book.  First of all, you need to know that I wrote the book.  There was no co-writer or ghost writer.  It was important to me that the words flowed from me straight to the page, in my voice, as a way authenticate the experience.  That being said, if it sucks… there is no one to blame but me, but that is a risk I take gladly.

Secondly, I didn’t write this book to “Pimp My Roid.”  If you’re looking for me to incriminate and throw people under the bus don’t read Gladiator.  Go read Jose Canseco’s book “Juiced.”  He throws everyone under the bus. But if you’re fascinated by an “insider” look or… What was it like to be a Gladiator? This book will be a revelation. There are parts (steroids) that are gut-wrenching, others that are gut-busting funny, and still others that are horrifying.  But most of all the book will be honest.  I felt the only way for me to really do justice to the subject matter was to really dig deep and open the vein.  So expect an powerful, honest, cathartic, frank, highly charged, emotional, experience.  It’ll be like a train wreck.  You won’t be able to look away!

Thirdly, the book is about so much more than Gladiators, and even though I take you on a dark journey in the book, my hope is that my humanity shines through. 

Lastly, I invite you to read a small excerpt of the book.  I really think you’ll be stunned. Thanks!

Read an excerpt now…