World Physique

Interviewed by Tammy Renee'
Photos by: NorCalBodz

WP:  Hey, Dino! It's great to have you here today. Let's begin with you telling our readers a little about yourself.

DR: I grew up in a steel town in West Virginia. As a kid I was always chubby. I was one of those guys in “husky” pants. That all changed after my freshman year in high school--I lost a lot of weight and became very skinny. I lifted a little in high school because I wanted to have a bigger look. I use to dream of being big, like Lee Labrada, Bob Paris or Frank Zane. I am now 40 years old, 210 pounds and living in Columbus, Ohio, home of the Arnold Classic.

WP: Oh yeah, Frank Zane is one of my all time favorites. You have really changed since high school. You have a great physique now! What was it that made you know without a doubt that you wanted to go into bodybuilding?

DR: I have always admired the bodybuilding physique and wanted to look like that. I also really like living a healthy lifestyle. I never smoked and I stopped drinking during college. My body could never tolerate it. I like being in a medical profession, so that I can use my knowledge to attain my goals of building muscle and burning fat. I now like being able to help people with their goals.

WP: How long have you been lifting?

DR: I really caught the bug when I finished college in 1991 (gosh, that sounds so long ago) when I did not have the time constraints of college and interning. I have been at it pretty much ever since. I even enjoy finding new gyms when I travel. One of my favorites was in Stockholm, Sweden called the Pro Gym. I competed last year in the Ohio and Great Lakes Bodybuilding competitions as a heavyweight and in the masters division. I took three trophies home.

WP: Three trophies?! Wow! That's great! What are your best lifts?

DR: I would have to say incline dumbbells, skull crushers and the leg press. These areas have really responded to increased weight and focus. I have been doing heavy leg presses pretty much from the beginning and they have been one of the foundations of developing my legs. I love doing triceps. They have developed a great horseshoe. It may be genetics, but they have become quite striated. Incline dumbbells became one of my favorites, since I do not do inclines with the bar very well. It has been drilled in my head that inclines are of upmost importance for developing a well-rounded upper chest. I have actually won a couple “best chest” contests.

WP: True! So true! Do you have any advice to people that wish to build more mass and more cut?

DR: I believe in making sure that you are eating enough, but in smaller meals. By doing this, you get your calories in, but keeps your metabolism up so that you are able to become more cut. You must pay the price and go to the gym. Do not expect to see results unless you work for it. I strive to tell that to everyone that asks me for a quick-fix pill to get to them to lose weight. There is no magic in it. It is just hard work but very well worth it! You definitely should take the right supplements, too. Glutamine is very important, since it is the most abundant amino acid in muscle. I also take a daily multivitamin.

WP: Great advice! You mentioned about eating in smaller meals. What do you eat in a normal day?

DR:   For my first meal and my last meals, I have 10 egg whites plus two whole eggs. I eat Cream of Rice in the morning with the eggs. I have tuna and brown rice for my second meal, chicken and brown rice or a sweet potato for the third. The fourth meal is a protein shake with oatmeal added. After my workout I have another protein shake plus 7 low sodium rice cakes. I then have another chicken breast and a large salad, followed by my last egg meal. Oh, I forgot an essential thing--I eat vegetables with at least two of my meals too. Broccoli is my favorite! People think I am crazy because of how much chicken I eat.

WP: That's a lot of clean food! Since you eat so clean, do you allow yourself a cheat day?

DR: Actually I do. Since I have been doing more photo shoots lately, there are not as many, but I have at least one a week. I think it helps me from appearing too flat. I love brownies and pizza. And carrot cake is another welcome friend.

WP: I love pizza, too! Being in photo shoots a lot, you do have to be very careful on what you eat. I'm sure you also take supplements to enhance your look for photo shoots. What supplements do you take?

DR: Other than the protein shakes and the supplements mentioned before, I drink a nitrous oxide pre-workout drink such as Super Pump or NOxplode. Sometime I will take a fat-burner like Hydroxycut Hardcore, especially if I am getting ready for a shoot or competition.

WP: I actually picked up a bottle just the other day of Hydroxycut Hardcore. I sure thought about buying it. I guess I should go back and just try it. You've came along way in this industry. Could you tell me a story of how you have gotten where you are today?

DR: I started competing after my first year of lifting. Since then, I have competed a few more times. I wanted to branch out into modeling since I had been working really hard on my body and wanted to see where I could take it. I did a little modeling so far. I was noticed by Gary from NorCalBodz, a great company that has offered lots of encouragement.

WP: You made a great choice! Gary is very respected! Do you have anyone else you can thank for helping you get where you are?

DR: I have to thank my training partner for being really patient and helping me with all of the super strict eating and dealing with my not being there when I travel for photo shoots. He offers encouragement in the German language while he is spotting me—that certainly gets the Arnold groove going. I have also worked with a trainer, Jack, who has helped me a lot, in addition to becoming a good friend along the way. It has been great having them in my corner for the support.

WP: Where do you want to be in 5 years?

DR: Bigger. Occupying more muscular space upon this planet. I hope to be competing in more contests, still enjoying a healthy lifestyle and getting to help more people. Since I also have a license in Hawaii in my field of business, it would be great to get to live there some time in the future. There is nothing like Maui.

WP: You look great! How do you keep the physique you have? What is the hardest thing for you to face when it comes to keeping your physique?

DR: I have great mental focus when it comes to achieving a goal. I work really hard. Enjoy the food that is in front of you. If it doesn’t taste good, don’t eat it. People are impressed that I can resist junk food. You can usually always find something healthy to eat. Sometimes you may have to ask for the restaurant to make the food healthier for you. Just ask for the dressing or sauce on the side. Some of that stuff is just worthless calories. The hardest thing sometimes is where I work. I watch people at work eating cookies and cakes and pies. Man, it can be hard. As I said before, there is always some healthy alternatives.

WP: You have a lot of dedication! That is what makes a 'star'! Tell me about your future projects. Have any in sight?

DR: I am trying to get into some fitness magazines and doing some underwear modeling as well. I just started working with Gary at NorCalBodz. It was my first visit this weekend (April ’09), but I am already doing an interview with you. How cool is that? I really enjoy working with Gary. He’s totally professional. He’s made me feel really comfortable, and I look forward to collaborating more with NorCalBodz. I definitely see future endeavors with him. Just like diet and dedication, who knows where it can lead for me with hard work on both of our parts? One of the things I have learned in the modeling industry is to be patient as sooner or later a “no” will turn into a “yes”.

WP:  Gary has just became a Photographer for us about 4 months ago and so far, he has really done us proud. He treats his models like he does his Model Managment business and his Photography business; with passion. What gets you up in the morning?

DR: My alarm clock. Just kidding - hahaha. Right now I love how my diet is making my abs pop out. Whether it be getting bigger, being able to see better striations when I am dieting or seeing my abs are coming in just right--it is fun to see what you can accomplish. Another day to get bigger.

WP: Ha-ha! How funny! When I asked that question, I started laughing because I was thinking to myself, "I wonder what he's going to say." Then a memory came back to me where I was interviewing someone and he said, "The alarm clock wakes me up, Tammy! Don't it you?" When he said that, I laughed so hard I was crying. Then you just about said the same thing! Ha-ha! How cool is that? How do you approach a challenge?

DR: Head on and if I do not know all of the answers, I have no problem asking for help. I like to be able to help others when they need it, too. I think that it is fun challenging yourself with something new, whether it is getting up on stage wearing a scrap of fabric to compete for the first time or just trying something new. I am going to go on a zip line in a couple weeks and you don’t know how excited I am for it.

WP:  How do you create balance in your life?

DR: I definitely work hard at both my job and bodybuilding, but it is great to have some downtime to just relax and travel or even watch a little television. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is one of my favorite shows, along with “Amazing Race” and “Family Guy.” Sometimes it’s the little things that can get me through.

WP:  Okay, I have to ask this questions for all of your Fans out there so, bare with me! Are you married, dating, or do you have kids?

DR: I have a significant other that I have been with for over 6 years. I actually am one of those people that met someone online. I have a big family. I have 3 sisters, 8 nephews and nieces, 2 great-nieces and 1 great-nephew. It is a lot of fun to be around my family. We love to play games and it can get quite competitive.

WP: I actually hear that a lot of people are meeting online. I think it's sort of romantic. Wow! That is a big family! More love to give and receive. Who had the most impact on you growing up?

DR: My dad is definitely well disciplined and showed me how to work hard for my goals. He is very outgoing and you can see that he is well liked by the friends he has kept throughout his life. It is definitely something great to admire and I am very lucky to have him for a dad.

WP: Your dad must be very proud of you! What is your workout regimen?

DR: I lift 5 days a week. I usually do one body part a day. The order of my routine is back, chest, legs, shoulders, and then arms. I usually do 3 or 4 exercises per body part. I start with a warm-up set, then I do 4 working sets of 8 to 12 reps. I try to get at least 5 or 6 cardio days in there also. I usually do the cardio after my lifting to burn more fat. I do incline walking on the treadmill for 30 to 40 minutes. I am usually in the gym at least one and one-half to two hours.

WP: Have you played in sports before?

DR: I played a lot of baseball when I was younger. I wrestled in high school. I have played in several volleyball leagues. It helps with the aerobic part of my routine as well.

WP: Anything you would like to see change in the bodybuilding world?

DR: I really like the friendships that can be made in the gym. I do not like the people that go around with attitudes like they are better than everyone or people who take up space at the gym by not working out (i.e., sitting on a machine doing nada!).

WP: Yeah, that is so annoying! Any shout outs?

DR: I definitely would not be where I am without the help of my work-out partner, Scott. He knows how to keep me on track regarding my eating habits. Also, he will push me the right way so that I can reach my goals. I wouldn’t be where I am without his help. I want to thank Gary from Norcalbodz. He has been awesome to work with and has encouraged me tremendously. I would have never gotten in your magazine without his help. I am looking forward to our working together to see what I can still achieve, even at the age of 40. He is definitely well-focused on the models and wants to see them succeed. The photo shoots have been going really well and he shows you what you are doing right and what you need to work on. He gets almost as excited as I do about how the shots are turning out. It’s amazing how many contacts he has!

WP: What is the funniest story that has happened to you while working out?

DR: I have forgotten my gym shoes and worked out in dress shoes. I think that this happens to everyone once in a while. And yes, I even had the black dress socks on, too. What a look! Once when I walked off the stage of an underwear show, I ran right into a beam. I put a nice gash in my head. It wasn’t funny at the time, but now I can look back on it and laugh. No, I am not a blonde. Thank goodness it has healed.

WP: Ha-ha! I can see you working out with no shoes and shorts on! I haven't done that one yet but, don't give up! I've done some crazy things in my life! What is the proudest moment of your life?

DR: I would have to say getting my college degree. My parents were so proud of me that day and I credit them for making sacrifices to help me with that goal. I have been blessed with a great, loving family.

WP: Isn't it great to make your parents proud? What are your interests outside of bodybuilding?

DR: I really like to play video games. I am a master at MarioKart and Soul Caliber. I enjoy going to the movies. I love all things Disney. I love to cook. I am particularly good with baking. I am told that I have a pathological need to bake in times of stress. I know it is not always great to have around, but I do make one of the best oatmeal chocolate chips cookies that you will ever taste. I do like trying new things also. One of my favorites was snuba diving in Hawaii. It is a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving.

WP: Ha-ha! You need to teach me! My grown children think I'm not cool because I have no idea how to play games. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

DR: To be honest, I can get very defensive. I have tried to be a better person both socially and professionally. I am getting better at it, but it is still something that I have to work on or at least, think before I speak! I like to try to be the best person I can be, outside and inside.

WP: Okay, I know we are both pretty busy so I am cutting this interview short. Is there anything else you would like to add?

DR: I would like to thank you for taking the time to interview me. This has been a dream come true for me. I would really like to thank Gary again for all of the help he has given me so far and for all of our future projects. Look for me on Norcalbodz.com!

WP: You have been a pleasure to interview! Thank you for your time and good luck in your future bodybuilding endeavors!