by Cathy Lynn Debes, Core Personal Fitness Inc.
November 21, 2002

I had the wonderful opportunity today of having a heart to heart interview with what the world has known as the Biggest Mass Muscle Man on the Planet. Vic Richards, well known for his Rebel like attitude towards the professional field of body building has all but disappeared in the last 4 years and myself and fans alike will be happy to know Vic Richards is large and in charge and diverting his energy to a more serene, goal enriched life. Please join me in what proved to be a very endearing, fun, and enlightening session with the Mystery Man.

Cathy: So Vic thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me. I must say you have intrigued men and women alike over the years and there are many of us who really respected what you were about then and would like to know what you have become now. For those that haven’t read your past interviews or know exactly where you are coming from can you give us a brief overview of how you started.

Vic: Well, I really never intended to become a body builder it sort of came about by accident. As a youth in high school and university I always was athletic, in sports such as football, soccer and wrestling. I went to the University of Southern California where I studied in psychology and business. I have always even as a 12 and 13 year old boy had extreme natural muscle size and definition and just started in my garage lifting a few weights. The more I lifted the more I grew and it became apparent to me that I had a gift and an opportunity that I was not going to waste. Its like a great skater, with awesome hand eye coordination passing up an opportunity to be a pro hockey player.

C: Yes, but in your case you chose not to be what is perceived as a competitive bodybuilder, why is that?

V: Well there are a lot of reasons. First and foremost bodybuilding to me is holistic, it’s what you build from within not from the outside. I would have to thank my parents for instilling in me through their faith and ethics, not to compromise my character or convictions for any man, organization or following. Even though my parents both of strong moral character and educational prowess wanted to see me in the medical field, and did not approve of my choice in profession, still supported my choice in how I went about handling my career. Health and fitness became my life and I worked very hard to achieve what I have. "Nothing to die for, nothing to live for." Many people want the hope of going to heaven but are too afraid to die to get there. Don’t take this wrong, what I’m saying is, all the critics, jealous whore mongers, and sceptics have not worked hard enough to get to this stage so they cannot understand therefore they cannot appreciate.

C: Well just these few minutes talking you seem very well grounded, but let me be direct in asking you what you think your best attributes are both in the physical and mental?

V: Physically I think the natural god given shape of my muscle and genetic make - up have been a large part of my size also my ability for muscle to heal itself at rapid speed. I’ll explain this in a bit. Mentally I believe I am a positive thinker, yes a thinker who loves to study the human mind. I am not a pessimist nor am I an optimist, I am a realist.

C: Speaking of your size, in the body building world, there are those that would like to use the term "Freak of Nature" is there any scientific truth to that statement. After all you are 5'10" and now almost 350lbs even after taking a break from the media and public life. However I hear you continued with sports like Jiujitsu and Grappling.

V: Being termed a Freak of Nature is considered a compliment in my field, thank you. Well like I mentioned earlier I was going to explain why my body heals itself so quickly. There is a story when I was very young and in grade school, the teachers used to complain I was too hyper and aggressive, and my father being a cardiologist had me tested, probed and checked and turns out where the majority of men have a XY chromosome pattern I have a XYY pattern.

You are looking, like WHAT, that means my body produces more testosterone than an average male. That translates to faster muscle growth and continual muscle growth. Hey its not what the doctor prescribed, its what god gave me, so I have made the most of it, that’s what an intelligent man would do. All too often we humans as a whole never fully utilize our natural gifts. However my whole point is, the sport of body building has taken advantage of what could be truly a respected sport worldwide. In reality it has demoralized great athletes.

C: Well that puts a whole new spin on some of my stereotypes of body builders. These pictures of you as a 12-14 year old boy are unbelievable. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it for myself. Here you are, barely out of pull-ups, lol, and your body would put grown athletic men to shame. This is wild.

V: Hey its who I am, I’ve just improved what my parents and god gave me that’s all.

C: I’ll say.... Vic you are now in your 30's, what does body building and fitness mean to you at this stage of your life?

V: "It’s a lifestyle, the meaning hasn’t changed, the intensity maybe. For me it is a very healing sport, it’s about growth, commitment, spirituality. When it becomes competitive with so many egos flying around, you lose yourself, your attention focus’s away from your core self and into a corrupt public eye. I’ve never minced words with how I feel the IFBB has whored its athletes and I choose to stay out of it. Even in the presence of adequate physical light and healthy physical eye sight, the establishment has taught us how to perceive what we see, this is why we must teach ourselves to see or perceive accurately. I seek peace, harmony and tranquility. I meditate regularly, listen to soothing music and try not to let anger or aggression enter my life, if there is a need for anger I at least try to think and meditate before a course of action. I guess that comes with experience and age too.

C: Vic Richards are you happy?

V: I am content.

C: What would make you truly happy?

V: If this world was rid of all hate, hostility, prejudice, racism, bigotry, hypocrisy and jealousy. I am a thinker by nature and if I can even create this change within my own mind then I can say I am truly happy. I am a rebel, I seek my own happiness no one can give it to me but myself. Unlike the rest, maybe I’m guilty to have chosen to be the captain of my own vessel.

C: You know on that note of jealousy and hate, you are aware that there are internet sites out there that are using your name as portals to pornography sites, and fan obsessed sites.?

V: Yes I have become aware of them, in the past it has angered me but I have learned that where there is jealousy there are lies. I cannot control what people are going to write or superimpose but I can let it roll off like water on a ducks back.

C: Well one site in particular made me laugh, under "The Incredible Hulk" headline. First of all if anyone really dissects those supposed nude shots of you, there are two in particular where the exact same head shot of you, same angle, same imposing veins bulging in your head, like you just lifted a heavy weight, have different angled body shots. Not too mention 3 photos have your head but the bodies are almost like a drawing or computer graphic rendering, like a heroic cartoon character. Oh and there is the one of you lying on the floor with chains, with your legs kind of drawn to the side. I can see your thighs as you are sitting here, not to mention the photos lined here on the coffee table, those are pipsqueak thighs compared to your real ones. LOL. Hey don’t fret it, they even have your birth date and place of birth wrong. So to hell with them.

V: Thanks Cathy, you are a very observant women. Those that hate the truth will seek to avoid it and will fight tooth and nail to discredit it and possibly even try to destroy the messenger of truth. I don’t put any negative energy into these lies, I have gotten used to lies over the years and I just choose to distance myself from them. I am one of few who never compromises my principals especially where competing and this field is concerned. Just like these sites, so too the IFBB has brought such a negative spin to the sport it literally has prostituted these athletes to support their bad habits, like drugs, prostitution, extreme showy displays, like jumping out of birthday cakes, or wrestling alligators. God, have some dignity. Vic Richards will not be spoon fed or kiss ass to get into the competitive arena. I’ve worked too hard over the years and am too intelligent to discredit my success that I have accomplished. So for any of those vulnerab le believers out there who think I would pose nude on any site not to mention such amateur ones, have far too much time on their hands.

C: Well spoken I must say. I think I need to learn your meditative techniques. What do you charge for a 30 minute session? LOL.

V: Wow we have been talking a long time already, I have a few minutes left before I have to go, I have a consultation with a client.

C: Ok, but really quick, you say consultation, what is it you are doing now?

V: Pursuing my business goals, sharing in raising my children who I love with all my heart, I engage in a lot of guest seminars outside of the body building field, like well known youth foundations for orphans and kids with drug problems. Most of my consultations in fitness and nutrition are with well known athletes, entertainers and musicians.

C: Your business being Rebel Nutrition?

V: Yes, I knew I had to bring to the market a pure, clean product at the most competitive price.

Products like whey protein, creatine, glocosamine, thermogenic energy boosters, meal replacements, blood sugar levelers, which is in the works, also fat and carb blockers. My product ingredients are of the purest form, and I have always believed in the best supplements for myself and in turn for others. As a young kid I was so disillusioned by products that were full of additives and sugars, like cake mix that only put on fat that I decided in later life to use my knowledge to create a business for future success.

C: How can one get all these products?

V: You can email me from my site www.VicRichards.com or order on line.

C: Have you ever considered writing a book or producing a video for your fans?

V: I am working on my journal right now which will in time be translated into a book and video about my life and experiences in bodybuilding. During this journey my fans will be part of this process which will be a way of including my loyal fans into my world, and to really know who Vic Richards is. This will also be my way of thanking all my fans, for supporting me and Rebel Nutrition over the years. I believe by supporting Rebel Nutrition we can change the face of bodybuilding for the better. This journal will include photos and philosophy's of my early and later years in bodybuilding, including never before seen photos.

C: Ok I’ll try to wrap this up but I could talk with you for hours. What are your long term goals?

V: Fitness and health will always be a part of my life, you just don’t lose that, but on a personal note spending as much time as possible with my kids, building my business to where I can make a difference in the sport and go beyond contentment to that allusive place called euphoria. I believe paradise is not a destination it’s a state of mind. I truly believe I've been blessed with loyal fans and friends and love Vic Richards unconditionally, fans for life, and for this I want to say thank you.

C: Thank you Vic, I really enjoyed our time, promise me you will grant me an interview in the future.

V: No problem, thank you.

Final Note:

Vic Richards lives a tranquil life. He is a gentle giant, kind, soft spoken, straight forward athlete with a heart of gold. A man of such size who admits his favorite CD’s are Enya and Bob Marley, fine choices, who meditates by candlelight and lives his talk, he walks his born convictions and values and attributes it all to the strength of his family and desire to always improve. Tune in to future interviews about Vic Richards experiences with the IFBB officials and what Vic Richards thinks of today’s bodybuilding trends.