Why Did The News Media Lose Interest So Quickly In The Death Of Bodybuilding Cosmetic Surgeon Bruce Nadler And His Wife Terri?

There was no follow-up on this story.

From ThinkSteroids.com Feb. 8, 2008:

The Los Angeles Police Department discovered former bodybuilding cosmetic surgeon Bruce Nadler, MD and his wife dead as the result of gunshot wounds on Monday, February 4, 2008. Authorities believe it is an apparent murder-suicide perpetrated by Bruce Nadler.

Bruce Nadler called himself the “world’s strongest plastic surgeon.” He was probably the best known cosmetic surgeon catering to amateur and professional bodybuilders. He had performed over 700 gynecomastia surgeries in his career; “gyno” is a side effect of anabolic steroid use when antiaromatase and/or estrogen antagonists are not use concurrently.

After retiring from the practice of medicine in August 2005, Dr. Nadler wrote the “The Nip Tuck Workout: Exercise through the Eyes of a Plastic Surgeon” and subsequently moved with his wife to Los Angeles to reinvent himself in a new career as personal trainer with the opening of Nip Tuck Fitness LA in Beverly Hills.

Retired plastic surgeon and certified personal trainer Bruce J. Nadler M.D. has brought his Plastic Synergy training system to Los Angeles. As stated in his book, “The Nip Tuck Workout – Exercise through the Eyes of a Plastic Surgeon,” Dr. Nadler has created an exercise program based on the plastic surgical principles of proportion and symmetry. It combines careful analysis with an individualized exercise prescription.

Bruce Nadler, MD retired after the New York State Board of Professional Medical Conduct charged him with 29 specifications of professional misconduct in thirteen patients according to public records. Rather than fight the charges, Nadler submitted and consent agreement and voluntarily relinquished his medical license.

The specifications of professional misconduct were primarily related to prescribing a variety of anabolic steroids, growth hormone and ancillary medications used by bodybuilders including Saizen, Serostim, Genotropin, Androgel, Depo Testosterone, Delatestryl, Deca Durabolin, testosterone cypionate, testosterone enanthate, Nolvadex, Proscar, Clomid, tamoxifen, Arimidex, Finasteride and Viagra. In each case, he was accused of the following:

  • Failure to obtain and/or note an adequate and complete medical history and/or history of current complaint from patient.
  • Failure to perform and/or note a complete and appropriate physical examination of patient.
  • Failure to obtain and/or note appropriate and medically indicated laboratory studies on patient including: prolactin, TSH, LH, hepatic and renal function, and assays for estrogen levels and HCG.
  • Failure to properly diagnose patient’s condition and/or rule out underlying disorders.
  • Inappropriately and without medical idnication and/or justification, prescribing and/or maintaining patient on various medications.
  • Failure to maintain a medical record for patient in accordance with accepted medical standards which accurately reflects his care and treatment of the patient.

Bruce Nadler’s beliefs regarding anabolic steroids and bodybuilding were controversial for physician. He explained his own steroid use and his willingness to prescribe steroids and growth hormone to his patients in an interview with Testosterone Nation:

I’m my own test laboratory in that respect because, in the last two years, I’ve been taking 6 to 8 IUs a week of growth hormone, and I alternate between 200 mg a week of deca and 200 mg of testosterone cypionate the next week. Instead of going super physiological, I believe in just going to maximum natural levels to that of a man in his twenties. In this way, there are no side effects.

Nadler was also critical of the steroid hysteria in the U.S. and the political posturing surrounding anabolic steroids:

I’ve always felt that politicians always have to make the majority of the electorate think that they’re doing something? So they inconvenience a small, unimportant group, like bodybuilders. They have no idea what they’re talking about. Somebody hands them a speech, and they go! They took something that could have been done safely and sent it to the black market and all of the inherent dangers that go along with dealing with that element. Will they ever be legal again? I hope so.

Feb. 2, 2008

The LAT reports: "Park La Brea: A white man and a white woman, approximately in their 60s, were found dead inside their home at 200 S. Detroit St. in the Park La Brea area at about 11:23 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. Officers with LAPD’s Wilshire Division responded to reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers discovered the man and woman
dead from gunshot wounds, said Officer Mike Lopez of LAPD’s media relations office. The woman was found inside the bathroom and the man inside the bedroom, he said. Paramedics declared both victims dead at the scene. Detectives have not determine the cause of the shooting, Lopez said."

I hear that it was a murder-suicide. There was a note… Apparently the man was an avid gun collector and also suffered from depression. His wife’s maiden name is Tomashevsky. I was told the note said that he was seeing a therapist and the therapist wanted to commit him. I believe he used to be a plastic surgeon. The couple’s son lives on the same street.

In its latest issue, the Jewish Journal calls Detroit the holiest street in Los Angeles. The column is titled "Rebbe Road."

Joe emails:

– The patient was depressed. – He is a gun collector. – There was reason for hospitalization (the note states that.) And… The patient was free to go home? and then kills his wife and himself? There are clear guidelines in cases like this – It is called Tarasoff: In memory of a woman by that name who was murdered by her husband. The therapist knew it may happen and did nothing to prevent it. The law states that any time a therapist knows of a case that:

1. The patient is might be dangerous to himself or others

2. The therapist has learned of a plan and a means (gun, knife). The therapist must break confidentiality and immediately inform police and follow up with a written report. The patient is admitted to the hospital for observation, even against their will. This is called 5150 (Britney Spears was hospitalized both times on it.)

From CBS, Feb. 4, 2008:

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — On Monday, authorities identified a husband and wife who died in an apparent murder-suicide in the Park La Brea area of Los Angeles.

Bruce and Terri Nadler, both 61, died on Saturday of gunshot wounds that
authorities believe were inflicted by Bruce, said Craig Harvey of the
coroner’s office.

Officers were sent to the 200 block of South Detroit Street on a "shots
fired" call about 11:25 a.m. Saturday, and found the bodies
in their home, the Los Angeles Police Department reported.

Homicide investigators believe they’ve also found the weapon used in the
killings, but have not established a motive.

A source says: "Their family is Orthodox. Their kid is (I think he is black hat)… I know all the cousins and the wife’s (who was killed) brother is. I don’t know exactly how religious the husband and wife were – but definitely an overall Jewish family in the community. The funeral was today."

The friends and family of Dr. Bruce Nadler say the writing was on the wall. He used to be a big doctor. He started spiraling downhill. He lost his medical license. He closed his practice. His wife Terri never indicated he was dangerous.

The Nadlers left behind a high-functioning autistic son (about 30 yo) who works at Ralphs. They need someone/some organization to help out with him. That’s the biggest concern right now of the family.

Kate Coe writes Feb. 6, 2008:

In a true-life Nip/Tuck episode, Bruce and Terri Nadler were found dead of gunshot wounds in an apparent murder/suicide, earlier this week. The bodybuilding boards are all abuzz.

Dr. Nadler had been a noted cosmetic surgeon in New York, but had lost his license awhile back. He’d written a book called The Nip/Tuck Workout, and was quite the media guy. He’d become a
trainer
, after leaving New York.

WSJ writes on Elitefitness: "He is a terrible doctor. Not board certified. Been on probation with the state of NY and lots of malpractice. I will post more on this soon. I personally would not let him operate on my dog."

According to the New York State Department of Health State Board for
Professional Misconduct
:

BRUCE NADLER, M.D., the Respondent, was authorized to practice medicine
in New York State on or about August 2, 1972, by the issuance of license
number 113153 by the New York State Education Department.

Between 1990 and 1996, Bruce Nadler, Respondent performed elective
cosmetic surgical procedures including breast reduction, breast augmentation,
augmentation mammoplasty, abdominoplasty, liposuction, calf augmentation,
on nine patients whose identities are set forth in Appendix%“. In Respondents
medical record pertaining to each of these procedures he failed to enter
Operative Reports and also failed to adequately document physical examination
and/or preoperative testing and/or laboratory reports.

Dr.
Nadler liked to bill himself as "the world’s strongest plastic surgeon
."

Devoto
posts to MuscleMayhem.com
: "This guy was THE Dr. for all bodybuilders
who in the 90’s would fly from all over to get their gyno removed by him."

Beta posts to
MuscleMayhem.com
: "whoa i remember this guy….he lost his license
for prescribing hormones….looks like his life took a big downward turn…what
a dick to take it out on someone else."

It sounds like Dr. Nadler may have been into testosterone supplements
and steroids, which may have given him ‘roid rage.

Here’s
an interview from a bodybuilder website called "Testosterone Nation"
:

The End of Genetic Limitations
An Interview With Dr. Bruce Nadler
By Garrison Kane 

Bruce Nadler is one of a kind. Dr. Nadler (or "Nads," as he
is affectionately known) is the premier bodybuilding "constructionist."
Yeah, I just made that word up, but since the good doctor doesn’t fall
into any traditional category, it seems as apt as any. You see, Nads’
background, prior to receiving his medical degree in 1971, was that of
a competitive bodybuilder and a sculptor. This makes him, unlike most
plastic surgeons, supremely suited towards understanding what the ideal
muscular body should and could look like.

I met up with Dr. Nadler at his Park Avenue office in New York City.
No one in his office bothered to give me a second look, but then again,
why should they? This is a place frequented by some of the world’s best
professional bodybuilders, a place where they travel to get those "finishing
touches" that can make the difference between winning a big show
or placing out of the money.

To some, the idea of cosmetic surgery may seem a little radical or,
at the very least, unnatural. Yet, as Bruce puts it, "There’s nothing
at all natural about bodybuilding." You gotta’ admit, lifting weights,
taking supplements and/or drugs, eating every three hours, and even
removing body hair is not exactly "nature’s plan." But the
very essence of bodybuilding is to look extraordinary. This is where
Bruce Nadler comes in. He is the next and newest step toward physical
perfection.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to wake up one day and
find your genetic flaws erased, wonder no more. It’s now a reality.
And Bruce Nadler is the man who can do it.

T: What was it that made you decide to specialize in surgical body sculpting
for bodybuilders?

BN: I became interested in bodybuilding as a teenager, as many young
men do, but what I really wanted was to be a sculptor. The weightlifting
went from being an athletic endeavor to a more artistic pursuit. My
mom told me that if being an artist was to be my profession, the only
money I’d make would be after I’m dead! When I started studying medicine,
it seemed like a natural progression to combine all of the talents,
and that naturally led to plastic surgery. At the time, it was mostly
reconstructive surgery, but little by little, the cosmetic applications
started to capture the public’s imagination.

T: Do you still compete as a bodybuilder?

BN: I haven’t competed in a while because I can’t force myself to diet.
But last year, I won the overall masters in the Tri States. The fact
that I do compete helps me to have an understanding of what a bodybuilder
would want, whereas they may go to someone else and the doctor will
say, "I don’t see anything wrong." It’s a matter of knowing
the degree of perfection that a bodybuilder would be looking for.

For instance, one of the more popular procedures that I do is "ab
etching." The theory is to bring out the muscularity by removing
the fat in between the muscles, which is different from ab sculpting
where they leave blocks of fat to look like muscles. The problem with
"sculpting" is that, as soon as you twist your body, it looks
very unnatural. If you have some level of muscularity, I can "increase
your inheritance," so to speak, by enhancing your natural genetic
potential. This procedure can be used anywhere on the body. I can give
you more separation in the deltoids, cleaner lines in the biceps. Anything.
And that’s something a typical plastic surgeon may not do.

T: Speaking of going past one’s genetic potential, I understand that
you will prescribe steroid therapy to someone who is eligible for testosterone
replacement?

BN: I’m my own test laboratory in that respect because, in the last
two years, I’ve been taking 6 to 8 IUs a week of growth hormone, and
I alternate between 200 mg a week of deca and 200 mg of testosterone
cypionate the next week. Instead of going super physiological, I believe
in just going to maximum natural levels to that of a man in his twenties.
In this way, there are no side effects.

T: Would staying on exogenous GH, non-stop, lower endogenous levels
of GH?

BN: Probably, but I compare it to being a diabetic. You just accept
it as a lifestyle. The same thing applies to testosterone therapy. If
you need it, you just stay on it. I’ll be 52 years old this month, and
I noticed at about age 45 a certain decline in strength. I also started
gaining fat more easily. I hadn’t done steroids before that point, but
since I started using them in the past two years, I’ve put on about
25 pounds of mass. My body fat stays at about 9% even though I don’t
watch my diet at all, unlike in the past when, no matter how well I
ate, I would still get fat. I also heal more quickly from injuries.

T: Why do you think that there is still such a hysteria concerning
steroids in this country?

BN: I’ve always felt that politicians always have to make the majority
of the electorate think that they’re doing something?so they inconvenience
a small, unimportant group, like bodybuilders. They have no idea what
they’re talking about. Somebody hands them a speech, and they go! They
took something that could have been done safely and sent it to the black
market and all of the inherent dangers that go along with dealing with
that element. Will they ever be legal again? I hope so.

T: We’re working on it! Maybe it can slip through in the life extension
field.

BN: Well, life extension, or "youth extension," is getting
very popular, and more and more drugs are becoming readily available.

T: What do you think of the current crop of natural growth hormone
releasers?

BN: Major drug companies have a lot of money invested in the research
of these things, and it looks as if the GH secretagogues are of very
little value. Some are known to show elevation, but it’s negligible.
Even then, there is a receptor shutdown after about two months.

T: I’m surprised that they worked at all.

BN: It’s very hit and miss. The spike is also too short in duration
to make any difference. As far as the sublingual sprays, some of them
do contain real growth hormone, but it’s one four-hundredth of an IU!
I’d like to see some blood tests that show any elevation from that!

T: What is the price for a month’s supply of GH?

BN: I make arrangements with the pharmacies to sell the GH to patients
for exactly the price that I would pay for it?about ten dollars an IU.

T: That’s a pretty good price! I get the feeling that you are going
to get a lot of calls once this article is published.

BN: When the Japanese version comes out, it will be even cheaper. I
believe that within a few years, GH replacement will be as commonplace
as cough medicine. I should add that this is not recommended for young
people. If you already have a high level and take in additional GH,
it isn’t of much benefit, and that’s when you get all of the side effects,
like acromegaly. You also run the risk of diabetes and accelerated tumor
growth. Remember, you’re not going to look good just by what you inject
or swallow. You have to work out, eat right, and supplement.

Some people think that we’re fooling with nature, but I feel that growing
old is a disease process and should be fought. Nature has no need for
you after you pass the age of procreation. We are here to proliferate
the species?no other reason. So when you can no longer reproduce, you
have to be killed off to make room for the next generation. That’s why
it starts to decline so rapidly after 40. But I want to go down kicking
and screaming. It’s a philosophy.

T: What are your thoughts on steroid use by younger men?

BN: If they are cycled just to get an occasional "boost,"
it can be done safely. There are good steroids and bad steroids. I should
state that, in order for me to prescribe steroids, the patient must
prove to be hypogonadal. I don’t prescribe any oral steroids. I mostly
recommend deca.

T: And the brand available at pharmacies is Steris?

BN: Steris has closed down!

T: Oh, no!!!

BN: Yeah, now it’s only Organon…at three times the cost.

T: Have you had any surgery done on yourself?

BN: Yes, I had liposuction. I started getting jealous of my patients!
There was that last bit of fat lapping over my belt that just wouldn’t
go away, so I had it done, and it hasn’t been back. Liposuction is the
only real spot reducer. I haven’t had work done on my face, but when
the time comes, I’ll probably get a lift.

T: What is your most common surgical procedure?

BN: I think that I’ve set a record for doing more gynocomastia surgery
than anyone else. Over 700 cases! Breast implants would have to be second.

T: I knew a woman who had perfect C-cup breasts, and she had them enlarged
to the point where they looked like Tupperware bowls. Would you ever
dissuade someone from having cosmetic surgery?

BN: It’s important to have long talks with the patient and know what
they really want. I get some bizarre requests. You learn not to make
judgements. I write for a trade magazine for strippers [Extreme], and
I can tell you that some of those women know that the bigger the breasts,
the more in demand they become. They make money by looking freaky.

T: I guess that, like beauty, deformity is in the eye of the beholder.

BN: Absolutely. And as far as turning people away, yes. For example,
I won’t do lipo on fat people. I’d recommend that they first clean up
their diet and start an exercise program. Then, when I do the work,
it will look better and the fat won’t come back. It’s also better to
work on the problem before it gets too bad. I always say that the best
compliment is when someone sees a patient of mine and thinks that they
look great, but they don’t know why. The best job is one that isn’t
too obvious.

T: I understand that you have a new procedure for calf implants?

BN: Yes, I use a soft solid silastic implant (the texture of
muscle) that can be shaped any way you want. Round, diamond…it can’t
break or leak. It’s slipped into the fascial compartment over the heads
of the gastrocnemius, so it stays within the muscle confines. Most implants
being used, like the ones that Lou Ferrigno had to have removed, are
just placed under the skin. Calf size is determined genetically by the
length of the tendons. If you have short tendons, then all you have
to do is walk, and your calves will grow.

I use a similar technique with the pec implant. It’s inserted between
the pec major and the pec minor. It pushes the pec forward so that,
when you flex, what shows is your own muscle. You also don’t get that
lower pec droop found in other pec implants.

T: Could pec implants affect flexibility?

BN: They shouldn’t. If a surgeon doesn’t know what a perfect pec should
look like, the results can be a disaster. I just worked on a professional
baseball player who was born without a pectoral muscle. He is now doing
commercials without his shirt on.

T: What are the prices for the other various procedures?

BN: The total cost of most liposuction, including office visits, anesthesia,
everything, is about $5,100. Implants can cost $5,000-$7,000.

T: I guess I’m stuck with my skinny calves after all. Any new techniques
on the horizon?

BN: There are new things all of the time. Some things, like ultrasonic
liposuction, I’m not a big proponent of. Lasers should be used only
by laser specialists. Sometimes people fall so in love with technology
that they feel a need to use it in spite of its effectiveness.

I think that, in the future, there will be doctors who are "enhancement
specialists." They will deal with all aspects of youth extension,
performance enhancement, and body alteration. It will include all forms
of surgery, drugs, and hormone therapy.

T: Doc, it sounds as if you’re doing some of that fascinating work
already. You look incredible, especially for someone your age.

BN: I feel like a man twenty years younger.

T: One last hypothetical question. What do you think would happen if
you stopped taking the GH, testosterone, and deca durabolin?

BN: [Thinks for a moment] Well, I guess I’d turn into an old man!

In 1959, a story by Charles Beaumont entitled "Number 12 Looks
Just like You" (later made into an episode of "The Twilight
Zone") spoke of a futuristic society that eliminated many of the
world’s woes by putting people through a "transformation"
that would make them young and beautiful. Today, we’re getting close
to living in that brave new world.

I think it’s fair to say that most people would choose to be as attractive
as possible. Like anything else, cosmetic enhancement can be taken too
far (e.g. Michael Jackson). It’s not meant to be a cure-all. But it’s
an option; in some cases, the only option.

After talking to Dr. Nadler, I felt much more at ease about surgery
as a method of improving one’s appearance. The idea of steroid and GH
therapy also sounds enticing. I think it’s safe to assume that I may
be making another call on the doctor, soon. Very soon.

If you wish to contact "The Liposuctionator," you may do
so by either calling 1-800-445-0505 or visiting his website at www.drnadler.com.

Here
are some more articles about Nadler, including this one
:

www.taekwondotimes.com/portal/

[Cached]

Published on: 4/10/2007   Last Visited:
4/26/2007

Retired plastic surgeon and certified personal trainer Bruce
J. Nadler
M.D. has brought his Plastic
Synergy training system to Los Angeles. As stated in his
book, "The Nip Tuck Workout – Exercise through the Eyes of a Plastic
Surgeon," Dr. Nadler has created an exercise
program based on the plastic surgical principles of proportion and symmetry.
It combines careful analysis with an individualized exercise prescription.

LOS ANGELES, April 10 /PRNewswire/ –

Retiring after 28 years of practicing plastic surgery in NYC, Dr.
Nadler
, a former competitive body builder, ASCM
certified personal fitness trainer and himself a baby boomer, developed
a regimen that is safe, efficient and effective. Instead of settling for
a minimally acceptable goal of fitness, he optimizes
each person’s physical potential.

His background in plastic surgery, bodybuilding
and martial arts (black belt in Shotokan karate) has allowed him to combine
the best of many disciplines to create his system.


Dr. Nadler has re-located to Los Angeles after
successfully training several top New York City celebrities. He
is now affiliated with The Scandinavian Health Experience.

Here are archived pages of his websites DrNadler.com
and MDFitnesspts.com.
Here’s
how he describes himself
:

I am the only M.D. specializing in Aesthetic Personal Fitness
Training. No one else has my background of cosmetic plastic surgery,anti-aging
medicine and exercise experience.

* World renowned cosmetic plastic surgeon and personal trainer for almost
3 decades specializing in body sculpture and anti-aging, now retired from
surgery
* Certified personal trainer- American College of Sports Medicine, the
most difficult certification to obtain
* Black belt- Shotokan karate
* Body building and female figure judge- National Physique Committee
* Author of "The Nip Tuck Workout"
* Creator of the "Plastic Synergy" workout system

The media has recognized my knowledge and ability.

I have appeared on:

* The View
* MTV
* VH-1
* The Discovery Channel
* CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox News.

I have been featured in:

* New York Magazine
* The New York Times
* Wall Street Journal
* New York Post
* Newsday
* Vogue
* Cosmopolitan
* Maxim
* Penthouse
* Muscular Development
* Muscle and Fitness
* Ironman

[After a topless picture of himself flexing his muscles, Dr. Nadler says:]
"Not too bad for a 60 year old It’s really me! I’ll take my shirt
off on request.. I know how to maximize your potential."

Here’s a
disturbing interview with Dr. Nadler from DietDetective.com
:

Dr. Bruce Nadler was a well known Plastic Surgeon who practiced
for 28 years and specialized in surgical body sculpting. He is now a personal
fitness trainer certified by both the American College of Sports Medicine
and the International Sports Sciences Association. He a competitive body
builder, winning titles in Master’s Level competitions, as well
as a National Physique Committee bodybuilding and figure competition judge.
This extensive background in the human form gives Dr. Nadler a special
understanding and insight into what a body should look like and how to
obtain it.

Name: 
Bruce Nadler, M.D.

Birthday: 1/29/1947

Location: New York

Q: Tell us how you got to where
you are now.

A: After practicing plastic surgery for
28 years, I retired and started a person training business, Nip Tuck
Fitness NYC.

Q: Define and discuss failure.

A: Failure is the inability to see alternative
answers to your problems. 

Q: Is there anything about yourself
that you’ve changed your mind about in the last 20 years?

A: I thought I couldn’t find something
that would give me the same satisfaction as performing plastic surgery. 
Becoming a personal trainer has changed that.  I can use the experience
and knowledge I possess to maximize my new endeavor.

Q: What’s the next major item
on your "to-do" list?

A: The next major item is to start work
on my next book called “Operation Boomerang, Returning Baby Boomers
to Fitness."  It will deal with safe and effective methods
for Baby Boomers to achieve the benefits of exercise.  Being a
Baby Boomer myself, give additional insight into the project.

Q: Define individual responsibility
and how you react to adverse situations.

A: Individual responsibility is opting
out from our current society of victims.  Too many people claim
the results of their own stupidity are caused by others.  Then
they try to sue them.

Adverse situations are challenges. 
I had rheumatic fever as a child and then another heart infection during
my surgical residency.  Instead of accepting a compromised life
style, I refused to be limited just because I have two damaged heart
valves.  I learned to compensate and do any activity I want.

Q: When do you have time to think
about your mistakes, mishaps, achievements, and minor victories; in
other words, do you have any reflective time for yourself of your career?

A: These are all lessons that should teach
rather than be ignored.  I certainly have had my share of each
of the categories.  They constantly hover in the background to
provide a measure to evaluate any potentially new activity.

Q: What is your most influential
story, fiction or nonfiction, from a film, book, magazine, newspaper
or parable? Explain its impact on your life? What’s you’re favorite
saying?

A: The most influential writing in my
life is the poem “Invictus" by William Ernest Henley.

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the
scroll,

I am the master of my fate;

I am the captain of my soul.

This poem sums up my feelings about adversity.

Q: Was there a defining moment
in your life when you made a decision that changed the course of the
rest of your life forever?

A: Marrying my wife Terri gave the perfect
complement to my personality.  I found an equal who made me
much more than I could have been alone.

Q: What’s the most bodacious chance
you’ve ever taken?

A: Life has been a series of chances. 
Every time I refused to be compromised, I took a big chance.  When
I decided, as a plastic surgeon, to concentrate on surgery for the physically
fit, I was told there was no market.  I proved that wrong. 
When I announced my retirement to pursue personal training, I was also
told I wouldn’t be happy.  Time will tell.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve
learned about yourself? What’s the biggest lesson you haven’t learned?

A: The most important quality to be successful
is to able to bounce back from adversity.  Try to have a life boat,
a “Plan B," in mind just in case.

I haven’t learned how to be in two
places at the same time.

Q: What keeps you going (your
motivation)?

A: My motivation is to push to envelop
as far as I can.  There are four main principles that motivate
a person, fear, pleasure, pain and recognition.  One must learn
to conquer or ignore fear.  One must learn to avoid endure pain. 
One must not be satisfied with pleasure alone.  Accomplish these
feats and recognition will come.

Q: On those days when you’re not
motivated to work out, but you know you have to, what’s the one thought
that gets you going?

A: I have an image to maintain. 

Q: If you had to choose a specific
song or band to get you psyched for your workout, what would it be?

A: Metallica

Q: If you could eat one forbidden
food whenever you wanted without gaining weight, what would it be?

A: That would be a toss-up between dark
chocolate and blue cheese.

Q: What dessert do you dream about?

A: A dark chocolate soufflé with
fresh whipped cream.

Q: If there were one healthy food
item (something you love) that you had to eat every day, what would
it be?

A: Low fat, low carbohydrate chocolate
brownies.

Q: What is the one food or meal
you always eat before an event? What about before training?

A: A hydrolyzed whey protein/ carbohydrate
shake.

Q: What’s the best book
about health that you’ve read?

A: My book “The Nip Tuck Workout."

Q: What are your two favorite
health magazines?

The Journal of the ACSM and the internet
magazine T-Nation.

Q: What do you consider the world’s
most perfect food? Please be specific and try not to answer with a category
but rather with a specific food item: for example, not “whole
grain" but “raisin bran cereal"?

A: Plain Yogurt

Q: Do you have any sports superstitions
or rituals?

No

Q: How do you take total control
of your mind and body to achieve the focus you need during pivotal sports
moments?

A: Zen Meditation.  I’ve spent
15 years involved in martial arts.  It’s given me the ability
to hyper-focus.

Q: What do you think is the best
training location in the world?

A: La Jolla, California

Q: What do you do to reduce stress/relax/center
your mind? Do you participate in an organized relaxation activity such
as yoga, meditation or tai chi?

A: Total concentration on the mind-body-breathing
connection during weight training serves as a moving meditation.

Q: Are there healthy restaurants
that you enjoy and would recommend?

A: Josephina’s Restaurant in Manhattan.

About Luke Ford

I've written five books (see Amazon.com). My work has been covered in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and on 60 Minutes. I teach Alexander Technique in Beverly Hills (Alexander90210.com).
This entry was posted in Los Angeles. Bookmark the permalink.