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,

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,

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. 

Well, recently I had the pleasure of going into Shout Factory studios with Raye Hollit (Zap) and Jim Starr (Laser) to do commentary for the release of American Gladiators Season One.

The three of us spent the better part of the day watching episodes, laughing our asses off, and reminiscing about the good times. It's hard to believe how fast time has gone. It seemed like it was just yesterday when we were sporting our spandex, mullets and attitudes.  

I encourage all to go and get the AMERICAN GLADIATORS SEASON 1 DVD – there's a "BUY NOW" button on my home page www.DanNitroClark.com  

I'm sure it will unearth a lot of great memories! 

Wish the USC Trojans luck this year.  Michael Horton (Gemini) son's both play football for them.  

Spoke to Malibu not too long ago.  He's still hanging in the biz.  Sabre (Lynne Williams) now works with his brother-in-law D.L. Hughley.  Ice (Lori Fettrick) is my bud on FB and Twitter.  She's killin' in the Real Estate Market in the San Fernando Valley. Jazz (Victoria Gay) lives in Houston – still doing great as strong and dedicated as ever to training. 

The next thing people want to know is "What I look like now?"  

It was a rough journey coming clean off steroids. 'Roids certainly did a number on my body, but over the last few years I've done countless hours or research and experimentation and discovered  a lot of great supplements and superfoods that have helped build my body back.  

I used to want to be the biggest, strongest guy in the gym.  Now, I'm content with being the "healthiest."  

This little distinction has made all the difference.

To satisfy those who are curious, here's a recent photo of me in Turks and Caicos at the Gansevoort hotel.

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 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!