Titus Talks

by Craig Titus
Craig Titus

This column does not represent the opinions or views of IronMagazine, it’s advertisers or affiliates. Craig’s column is unedited and for entertainment purposes only, read at your own risk.

The Notion of professional Bodybuilding would ever be accepted as an Olympic event… Seriously?

That some day IFBB Pros would some how be competing in the Olympics…seriously? The IOC (International Olympic Committee) would suddenly have a total disregard for the law…Seriously? Are you kidding me?

Let me point out a few things about professional bodybuilding and the fitness industry in general. If you’re an IFBB professional Bodybuilder, you are immersed in and surrounded by illegal activity, period! You see, using anabolic steroids, HGH, EPO and Plasma expanders without a prescription is a felony. If you purchase, trade, transport or sell anabolic steroids, HGH, EPO, and plasma expanders, you’re breaking the law all felonies.

When you pull your 3cc syringe out, with it’s 1 inch gauge needle and inject 200mg of test mixed with 100mg of Primobolan, you’re breaking the law, it’s a felony! Not to mention if you have a box of syringes without a prescription that’s also against the law, sorry. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against using steroids or HGH, and I’m certainly not bashing bodybuilding, I’m just pointing out the facts, the fact is if you’re a IFBB Pro Bodybuilder, you’re basally breaking the law all the time, and in the eyes of the masses, that makes you a criminal. Now I’ve always been a advocate of steroids, and I’ve never had a problem using them, nor did I give a shit about the laws surrounding their use, problem is the International Olympic Committee frowning greatly against athletic enhancing drugs and any athletes who choose to use them, period. You see, to be a Olympic Athletes is something honorable and magnificent and legitimate and natural athlete’s who use steroids do not possess any of those attributes. That’s not what I think, that’s precisely what the authorities running the IOC think. Of course we’re all aware of track athletes and power lifters and others using anabolics to compete in the Olympics, but only a few actually get caught and the ones that don’t make millions on cereal boxes. Problem is, pro bodybuilding is literally comprised of people breaking the law every day using, transporting, welling and purchasing steroids. You can’t make that statement in regard to any other sport. If you look at the men who compete in the Mr. Olympia, you can honestly say every one of those competitors are using anabolic steroids, period. There’s no other sport where you can point out literally every athlete and say their using steroids…in pro bodybuilding you can believe, or know with out a shadow of doubt, all athletes have used, purchased, sold, or transported anabolics, which is a felony!! The IOC is abundantly abundantly aware of the illegal drug activity surrounding the fitness industry…believe that. Then there’s the argument that natural bodybuilding, that is bodybuilding, that is bodybuilders who compete without steroids or HGH would be a perfect fit for the Olympic games. LMFAO! Well people, that’s not bodybuilding, now is it, that’s what you call man’s physique. I have an idea, let’s suggest to the IOC to introduce a professional Bikini sport. OMG that’s friggin funny!! I don’t know about you, but I for one had no interest watching a bunch of guys built like swimmers battling in a pose down…nor does anyone else for that matter, including the IOC. And if anyone was interested in natural bodybuilding, then no one would be spending money on steroids and competing in the IFBB…but that’s not the case, is it? Want, I have an idea. Right after the men’s 100 meter butterfly, have them get back onto their starting blocks, and pose down…you see, Bodybuilding in the Olympics. Let me also point out that bodybuilders aren’t the only ones who condone using steroids, oh no. In reality anyone who signs a pro bodybuilder to a endorsement contract condones steroids use, anyone who photograph’s pro bodybuilders and then sells those photo’s to magazines condone steroid use, the executives who own and run bodybuilding magazines also condone steroid use, women who date or marry pro bodybuilders except and condone steroid use, promoters who promote NPC and IFBB bodybuilding events and competitions condone steroid use, judges who judge the shows condone Anabolic use, I condone the use of steroids, I could go on and on. The problem is, the IOC does not condone the use of steroids and will not ever get involved with a industry immersed in illegal drug activity, period?

So Pro Bodybuilding becoming an Olympic Sport…Seriously, Are you kidding me?


How important are performance enhancing drugs in professional Bodybuilding? Can these drugs(steroids) aid in building physiques with poor genetics?

Ah, the age old question that never seems to fade away. It never fades away because bodybuilders, especially those elite athletes placing in the top five on a regular basis, rarely it ever want to disclose exactly what steroids they’re using and never inform others as to actual dosages. Let me start by saying not only are performance enhancing drugs EXTREMELY important in professional bodybuilding, but their absolutely essential to become a pro and necessary to maintain professional status. Fact is you cannot be a IFBB Professional Bodybuilder without using anabolic steroids and other performance drugs, period. That’s not a debatable statement, it’s not for argument, it’s a fact. You see pros down play the actual usage and importance of steroids and HGH and drens of other drugs…they have to, using these drugs is against the law. Not to mention all these ass kissin politically correct sheep who rarely tell the truth or say what they’re really thinking…makes me sick! Can these drugs aid in building physiques, more specifically champion bodybuilders who have subpar genetics? You’re god damn right they can! Let me point out you’re chances of becoming Mr. Olympia using steroids while processing poor genetics is very slim with the excepting Doriane Yates and Jay Cutler. Let me point out you’re chances of becoming Mr. Olympia using steroids while processing poor genetics is very slim, with the exception of Doriane Yates and Jay Cutler, but you certainly can be a Champion Bodybuilder with subpar genetics using inordinate amounts of steroids along with a impeccable work ethic and tenacity. Although it athlete’s desire to be a pro bodybuilder in essential to achieve their goal, steroids are equally essential. Let’s assume two athlete’s are equal in regard to work ethic, dedication to a strict diet and using all the same supplements, the athlete using the optimal combination of steroids, in dosage that are effective for his or her genetic make-up, will achieve a far superior physique regardless of subpar genetics. The proof is in the teach record of past and present pro bodybuilders. For example, Gunter Schlierkamp by know means processed the classic V-Taper, small joints, round muscle bellies nor did he have a small waist, but he was without a doub5t a champion bodybuilder. Gunter wasn’t genetically born a pro bodybuilder with terrible genetics, molded and constructed himself into a champion using incredible work ethic and heavy dosages of athletic enhancing drugs. Jay Cutler doesn’t have the V-Taper nor a small waist, but he does have a work ethic and dedication that’s second to no one…one to mention he’s one of the most proficient athletic enhancing drug users in the sport today just as three of the most prolific bodybuilders in the Hall of Fame, Kevin Levrone, Flex Wheeler, and Shawn Ray, were back in the glory days Champion Bodybuilders are certainly not born, they’re built…branch warren, Markus Ruhl, Dennis James, Nasser El Sonbaty, King Kamali, Orville Burke, Bob Cicherillo, and so many more currently competing in the IFBB were not born Champion bodybuilders, and certainly do not posses superior genetics. In fact, most have huge square waistlines, no V-Taper and nor natural talent or superior genetics. They do however have desire, hunger work ethic and access to the necessary drugs to build massive shoulders, giving the illusion of a small waist, to build so much muscle and become so massive that it makes up for any genetic downfalls…like Jay Cutler and Branch Warren…both of which are incredible specimens!! So you see, you can be politically correct it you want, or down play steroid use preserving your ego or because the drugs are illegal. Bottom line, Steroids don’t make a slight difference nor are they a finishing touch, athletic enhancing drugs are the difference and without them, all you champion bodybuilders do not exist!! Then there’s the age old analogy that no matter what you put on a Volkswagen…ground kit, fancy rims, spoiler, tinted windows, etc. it will never be a Ferrari, well guess what? If you have two Volkswagens and you install a supercharger with nitros not, that Volkswagen is winning the race…and some times, even a Ferrari take second to the Wagon!! And Lastly, to Shawn Ray the reason you never won the Mr. Olympia Title has nothing to do with judging criteria at that time, it’s only because you were a little biddy guy! You looked like a pimple on the asses of the other competitors…you need to use more drugs, maybe then you’re far superior genetics would’ve been rewarded!! Stop whining already.

If you have a question for Craig Titus please send an email via our contact form.

Craig Titus

Craig Michael Titus was born in Wyandotte, Michigan on Jan 14, 1967. The eldest of Michael and Sandra Titus’ three children. In high school, Craig wrestled for his school team at 132lbs. After graduation, decided to put on some muscle via weight training. When Craig graduated from high school he was 5’6″ and 140lbs. By the age of 21, he was 5’9″ and 185lbs. Once he started weight training and seeing results, he was hooked. Craig’s first bodybuilding show was the 1988 Houston Bodybuilding Championships in which he won the Men’s Open middleweight class and the overall title.

Competitive Record

2002 Mr. Olympia – 11th
2002 Night of Champions XIV – 5th
2002 Southwest Pro – 7th
2001 British Grand Prix – 9th
2001 Mr. Olympia – 12th
2001 Arnold Classic – 6th
2001 SAN FRANCISCO GRAND PRIX – 2nd
2001 IRONMAN PRO INVITATIONAL – 5th
2000 Toronto Pro – 1st
2000 Arnold Classic – 10th
2000 Night of Champions – 11th
2000 Ironman Pro Invitational – 8th
1996 NPC USA Championships — 1st Heavyweight and Overall
1995 NPC USA Championships — 2nd Heavyweight
1994 NPC National Championships — 2nd Heavyweight
1994 NPC USA Championships — 2nd Heavyweight
1993 NPC USA Championships — 4th Heavyweight
1991 NPC Ironman/Ironmaiden — Overall
1990 NPC Tournament of Champions — 3rd Heavyweight
1990 NPC Western Cup — Overall
1989 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships — Overall
1988 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships — 1st, Middleweight and Overall

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