06-30-08 06:27 PM - Post#457809    

Just received this piece of iron history in the mail from Steve Michalik. Will translate Steve's text as excerpts are placed.

This diary begins with the first week of training in his quest to become Mr. America. At the time Steve was 18, skinny, and most told him he would have no chance of winning. As we know he won the title in '72, just as he had envisaged he eventually would. I captures perfectly the mindset of a champion. Enjoy.

first page:

"Starting quest for Mr. America. Basic 3 year plan in place. Good luck to me. Will not stop until I win. Nothing else matters."

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 06:37 PM - Post#457810    

First page oulining training program. Will send the first week of Steve's diary and some concluding notes about his USA, Jnr America and Mr. America contests. Note the 245 pound bench press.

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 06:48 PM - Post#457815    

3

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 06:57 PM - Post#457816    

4

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 07:06 PM - Post#457819    

5

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 07:12 PM - Post#457821    

6

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 07:22 PM - Post#457825    

7


Text: "Tore back muscle doing barbell curls. Finished training anyway, which accounts for weight reduction and sets."

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

06-30-08 07:22 PM - Post#457827    

Very interesting, thanks for sharing this.

Looks like he was doing a two day routine: Legs & Torso, then arms.

And judging by those numbers he was far ahead of most of the general public with genetics for bodybuilding and strength - still ahead of today's teenagers in fact.

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 07:35 PM - Post#457836    

8

Text: "changed gyms, going into Brooklyn. Meet Jules Levine owner. Great guy. We are training on new Nautilus machines. Very, very tough. Get pump. This is for me."

Page two

"Training with Lyle Alzado and Lou Ferrigno. We beat each other up. It's great. Jules is great. Getting ready for Jr USA. Feels good."

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 07:54 PM - Post#457843    

9

Text:
Year: 1971; Steve is 21.

"200 + bodyweight. Very good shape. Entering Mr. Jr USA. If successful will try seniors.

2nd place Jr Mr. USA

Won Mr. USA on Aug 28

3rd place Mr. World"


Page two:

"Starting my 1972 Mr. A diet and training. Must be lots of leg work. Try to get super cut + maintain size. Training on Nautilus. Must do calves every day. Must do waist every other day. Training 4 days a week. Mon - Wed - Fri - Sat - (mon, wed, fri on Nautilus, sat conventional)

Sat: shrugs - deadlifts - hack squats - calves - abdominals - forearms

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 08:06 PM - Post#457848    

Here we can see Steve piecing togehter the beginnings of his Atomic Fitness/Intensity/Insanit y bodybuilding theory.

Text:

"Using idea from uncle John to increase speed, and decrease time to create more force on muscle."

Page two:

Training very intense. Love it. Intensity training making big difference in my body. On target for Mr. America."

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 08:17 PM - Post#457851    

Possibly the first documentation where Steve mentions Intensity/Insanity. The date is: 1 Feburary 1969.

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 08:20 PM - Post#457853    

Text for previous post:

"Experimenting with new training method - i call Intensity Insanity. Don't know why. Just sounds good."

Page two:

Date: 2/4/69

"Very tough. Training almost impossible to do. Love it. See great possibilities."

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 08:34 PM - Post#457857    

Text:

"a little dissapointed in Jr USA. Should have won. Do not want to compete in Mr. World. Am not ready. But AAU insists I go."

Page two:

"Putting it all together. Going for Mr. America in Detriot. Very confident. But suspicious of Pete Grymkowski and the AAU."

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

Re: Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
06-30-08 08:45 PM - Post#457861    

Text:

Page two

"Guess what. I won Mr. America June 1972."

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

06-30-08 08:54 PM - Post#457862    

Keep them coming, this is great.

06-30-08 08:58 PM - Post#457864    

Hey John. That is it for now. But will post some rare Steve photos in due course along with more from the Steve Michalik treasure trove.

David

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

06-30-08 08:59 PM - Post#457865    

That's great stuff, Dave. Thanks to Steve for sharing and you for scanning and posting.

06-30-08 09:17 PM - Post#457871    

Really, REALLY enjoyed this. It's fantastic. You can bet it's bookmarked. A special thanks to you and Steve, both. :)

Have Bucket. Will Travel... R.I.P. Kris. "If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat."

06-30-08 09:48 PM - Post#457880    

My pleasure,

Will search for some more gems

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

07-01-08 02:11 AM - Post#457923    

Was he only doing 1 set per exercise or was that only his top weight for reps listed for each exercise?

My Art Website My Old School Strength Forum

Mighty Steve Michalik's 1968 training diary
07-01-08 05:59 AM - Post#457939    

• gracecurt Said:

Thanks david they were facinating , but is this the same guy who was on tv recently with that idiot who pumps oil in his arms cant remember his name now , steve on this program claimed he got cancer from using steroids and nearly died!

"Never rub another man's rubarb!" Jack nicholson aka "The joker" (After knocking bruce wayne -Batman sparko..)

07-01-08 10:11 AM - Post#458032    

Sean, that's right. I believe it goes something like this. After winning the USA and America, He became heavily addicted to roids and then speed, as well. Sadly, it got way out of hand and he even collapsed on stage. At this point, he quit using and experienced all of the horrible side effects commonly related. Today, he spends his time training seniors and speaking to teens about the dangers of steroid use.

P.S. I'd also like to note that before this unfortunate battle, he had a very, very inspiring one. Even more so than his journey to Mr. America. 1975, he is on top of the amateur world, and expected to really give Arnold a go at the Olympia. The bodybuilding world was really a-buzz about Michalik. Then, tragically, he had a brutal car accident and it absolutely crushed his spine, paralyzing him from the waist down. Doctors told him he would never walk again. He refused to believe this. Every night, very early in the morning, he and his 8 year old brother would head out to the car, where Steve would man the steering wheel, and his brother would be below controlling the brake and gas pedals. All the way to a friend's gym, where his brother would help Steve drag himself from exercise to exercise. I'm not sure on an exact time period, but it wasn't long before Steve was sporting thick thighs, tiny waist, and the upper body of Captain America. At the Gran Prix contest, he surprised everyone when he stepped onto stage as the last competitor. Arnold was shocked and said, "It's Steve Michalik, the phantom bodybuiilder!" I think Steve placed 4th which qualified him for further contests. So, I've shared the good and the bad. All in all, a very good life story from a man who had the will to be a true champion.

Have Bucket. Will Travel... R.I.P. Kris. "If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat."

07-01-08 01:28 PM - Post#458146    

• gracecurt Said:

Wow awesome stuff man! I like your sig quote too, Mustaine is the man.

Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.

07-01-08 04:54 PM - Post#458197    

Steve Michalik

07-01-08 05:08 PM - Post#458203    

Steve had an enormous waist/chest differential.

His training and nutritional practices always seemed a bit driven to me. He was rumored to have done (and ingested) some pretty odd stuff in his quest for the ultimate physique. He nearly lost his marriage and his life...good to see that he's achieved some balance, now.

Wicked

"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in." "Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6

07-01-08 07:29 PM - Post#458249    

• Wicked Willie Said:

Yes you are correct. I admire him a lot but as Steve himself has has stated the things he took caused many health problems and almost destroyed his life. It is very good to see him in a better way. http://www.midwestchristianbodybuild ing.com/michalikint2.htm

07-01-08 07:35 PM - Post#458253    

His old trainin buddy Defendis wrote a multiple edition series article about him on Bodybuilding.com. This is a website I don't like much, but the articles from Defendis pertaining to Steve were entertaining. Steve's intensity was absolutely extreme. I've become very impressed with Steve's physique. He looked great. I wish it hadn't led to unfortunate things for him. God has a path for all of us, though, and I think Steve feels the same way.

Have Bucket. Will Travel... R.I.P. Kris. "If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat."

07-01-08 08:22 PM - Post#458266    

Classic stuff David!! Thanks for posting!

"You can take a ride through this life if you want, but you can't take the edge off the knife" Ironeagle Army Training IroneagleFitness Videos IronEagleFitness FB page

07-02-08 05:31 PM - Post#458576    

No problem at all guys, see what else I can dig out. Steve recently sent me a couple of large packages of background information on his life. The more I read about him the more it becomes apparent that his is one of the great bodybuilding success stories, in more ways than one. Glad you enjoyed the diary, a priceless piece of boybuilding history.

David

"The Bible and several other self help or enlightenment books cite the Seven Deadly Sins. They are: pride, greed, lust, envy, wrath, sloth, and gluttony. That pretty much covers everything that we do, that is sinful... or fun for that matter.” Dave Mustaine

07-02-08 07:10 PM - Post#458592    

Agreed. A priceless piece of bodybuilding history. I'm lovin' it. Thanks for sharin'

Have Bucket. Will Travel... R.I.P. Kris. "If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat."

07-02-08 07:44 PM - Post#458598    

Great interview on that midwest christian bodybuilding site

The speed of life has accelerated
beyond our spiritual and mental capacity to handle it.

Very good interview on that site.
Thanks for posting those training notes!

Life's too short to worry about longevity.