Сообщение изменено: koelner (20 December 2009 - 02:44)
Добро пожаловать на ЖЕЛЕЗНЫЙ ФАКТОР!
Рекомендуем Вам зарегистрироваться, чтобы получить полный доступ к форуму. После регистрации Вам будет разрешено создавать топики, писать сообщения, загружать и просматривать фотографии, оценивать посты других форумчан, управлять собственным профилем на форуме и многое другое. Личные сообщения доступны после 50 оставленных на форуме сообщений . Полный доступ к разделу "Химия" так же доступен после 50 сообщений. Если у Вас уже есть аккаунт, войдите здесь, либо зарегистрируйтесь!
Рекомендуем Вам зарегистрироваться, чтобы получить полный доступ к форуму. После регистрации Вам будет разрешено создавать топики, писать сообщения, загружать и просматривать фотографии, оценивать посты других форумчан, управлять собственным профилем на форуме и многое другое. Личные сообщения доступны после 50 оставленных на форуме сообщений . Полный доступ к разделу "Химия" так же доступен после 50 сообщений. Если у Вас уже есть аккаунт, войдите здесь, либо зарегистрируйтесь!
Родни Ст.Клауд / Rodney St.Cloud
Автор темы:
Koelner
, Sep 03 2007 04:49
#7
Отправлено 01 April 2008 - 09:32
Rodney St. Cloud, 29/03: http://fr.youtube.co...?v=_vxsFtLafZo
Gustavo Badell, 30/03: http://fr.youtube.co...?v=GEUYzL9mqfU
Gustavo Badell, 30/03: http://fr.youtube.co...?v=GEUYzL9mqfU
#9
Отправлено 23 August 2009 - 12:20
Rodney St.Cloud
Дата рождения:3 декабря 1974
Соревновательный вес:104 кг.
Профессия:стриптизер
Соревнования: Year Competition Placing
1992 NPC New York Metro Championships Teen, 1st
1993 NPC Teen Nationals Middleweight, 3rd
1996 NPC Atlantic States Championships Light Heavyweight, 3rd
1996 NPC Junior Nationals Light Heavyweight, 6th
1997 NPC Atlantic States Championships Lightweight, 1st
1998 NPC Atlantic States Championships Heavyweight, 1st
1998 NPC Junior Nationals Heavyweight, 1st
1998 NPC Nationals Heavyweight, 5th
1999 NPC Nationals Light Heavyweight, 1st
1999 NPC USA Championships Light Heavyweight, 1st
2000 IFBB Night of Champions Did Not Place
2000 IFBB Toronto Pro Invitational 14th
2001 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational 10th
2001 IFBB Night of Champions Did Not Place
2001 IFBB Toronto Pro Invitational 15th
2003 IFBB Grand Prix England 9th
2003 IFBB Grand Prix Holland 9th
2003 IFBB Grand Prix Hungary 2nd
2003 IFBB Grand Prix Russia 5th
2003 IFBB Night of Champions 10th
2003 Mr. Olympia 12th
2003 IFBB GNC Show of Strength Pro Championship 12th
2004 IFBB Florida Pro Xtreme Challenge 16th
2004 IFBB Hungarian Pro Invitational 7th
2004 IFBB Night of Champions 16th
2006 IFBB Olympia-16th
2006 IFBB Atlantic City Pro-3rd
2006 IFBB Europa Super Show-12th
2006 IFBB New York Pro-8th
2006 IFBB Shawn Ray Colorado Pro-6th
2006 IFBB Iron Man Pro
Официальный сайт:http://www.rodneystcloud.com/
//
//
Дата рождения:3 декабря 1974
Соревновательный вес:104 кг.
Профессия:стриптизер
Соревнования: Year Competition Placing
1992 NPC New York Metro Championships Teen, 1st
1993 NPC Teen Nationals Middleweight, 3rd
1996 NPC Atlantic States Championships Light Heavyweight, 3rd
1996 NPC Junior Nationals Light Heavyweight, 6th
1997 NPC Atlantic States Championships Lightweight, 1st
1998 NPC Atlantic States Championships Heavyweight, 1st
1998 NPC Junior Nationals Heavyweight, 1st
1998 NPC Nationals Heavyweight, 5th
1999 NPC Nationals Light Heavyweight, 1st
1999 NPC USA Championships Light Heavyweight, 1st
2000 IFBB Night of Champions Did Not Place
2000 IFBB Toronto Pro Invitational 14th
2001 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational 10th
2001 IFBB Night of Champions Did Not Place
2001 IFBB Toronto Pro Invitational 15th
2003 IFBB Grand Prix England 9th
2003 IFBB Grand Prix Holland 9th
2003 IFBB Grand Prix Hungary 2nd
2003 IFBB Grand Prix Russia 5th
2003 IFBB Night of Champions 10th
2003 Mr. Olympia 12th
2003 IFBB GNC Show of Strength Pro Championship 12th
2004 IFBB Florida Pro Xtreme Challenge 16th
2004 IFBB Hungarian Pro Invitational 7th
2004 IFBB Night of Champions 16th
2006 IFBB Olympia-16th
2006 IFBB Atlantic City Pro-3rd
2006 IFBB Europa Super Show-12th
2006 IFBB New York Pro-8th
2006 IFBB Shawn Ray Colorado Pro-6th
2006 IFBB Iron Man Pro
Официальный сайт:http://www.rodneystcloud.com/
//
//
#13
Отправлено 25 September 2009 - 02:16
Interview with professional bodybuilder
Rodney St Cloud
By Giles Thomas
Little has been seen of resident and born and bred New Yorker Rodney St
Cloud on the contest circuit lately. Despite a flourishing IFBB, then
PDI and UPBF professional bodybuilding career which included two Mr
Olympia qualifications and appearances culminating with an impressive
11th place in 2003 in Vegas, Rodney has seemingly foregone competing
for a much more lucrative vocation. You see for many years, even when
he was climbing the IFBB professional ranks, Rodney has done something
for a living which has made him far more money than even if he was one
of the top ten earners in the pro ranks. Rodney - or ‘Hot Rod’ as he is
perhaps better known is an exotic dancer, or ‘stripper’ to the layman.
Not only this but Rodney has given up any immediate return to the
competitive stage to pursue not just his own dancing but has even
started up his own agency called ‘Strippers in the Hood’. Having
organised and been involved in the British Night of Champions (2006)
and Norwegian UPBF competitions (2007 onwards) as well as Rodney’s 2007
UK seminar and guest posing tour, (which went down a storm over here)
Rodney seemed like a natural choice to interview as this guy has some
fantastic stories to tell and all for Bodyfitness…
Giles – Rodney, awesome to speak to you again mate, how is life treating you nowadays?
Rodney – Hey Giles, life is challenging but great.
Giles – Right, I’d like to talk about your bodybuilding career first.
I’ve not mentioned this to you before mate but I’ve seen you on that
American chat programme ‘Maury’ on T.V. where they brought on a lady
from your school days that you fancied who hadn’t seen you since when
you were skinny and kind of geeky looking. Obviously she was shocked
when she saw you now and the theme was “you didn’t fancy me then, do
you fancy me now” and was obviously a great publicity stunt for your
dancing as you got the chance to come on in the programme wearing very
little. When did you start training and was it just to get girls at
that point or for some other reason?
Rodney – I started training when I was 14-15 years old. My reason for
training was only to pack on more mass so that I could compete for the
high school bodybuilding competition. It wasn’t for the birds! (laughs)
Giles – (Laughs) So, what happened with that girl from school, did you give her
a good seeing too at long last? (laughs)
Rodney - Well the girl had a boyfriend at the time so I could not
really show her how much bigger I got from high-school! Wink, wink!
Giles – You grew up in the famous Bronx of New York, what was that
like?
Rodney – I’m sure you heard about the “Boogie Down Bronx”? I must say
that it was rough at times and if you were weak someone would
definitely test you. I never was tested by the kids in school because I
was always in the gym and everyone knew that I was strong. I also had a
crew that I hung out with and they knew that we were not weak so no one
ever tested us.
Giles – When did you start competing Rodney? I know you were a good
teenage and junior competitor, can you tell us about those early days
and what you won and who you beat?
Rodney – I started competing when I was 15 years old. The titles I won
were 1989 The Teen Mr. Stevenson H.S, 1990 Teen Mr. Elmo, 1992 Eastern
Grand Prix, 1993 Teen Rich Gaspari, and 1993 3rd Middle Weight Teen
Nationals
Giles – Where did you train and live in those days? With family?
Rodney – I lived with mommy and daddy in the “Boogie Down Bronx”.
Giles – Who did you have in those days to look up to, did you have a
mentor or someone who took you under your wing at all or were you
purely self driven and self guided?
Rodney – I had the muscle magazines, and back then they used to show
bodybuilding competitions on ESPN call “American Muscle” and on MSG
called “Musclesport USA” I fell in love with the sport and was
motivated and driven to turn pro.
Giles – When did you join the fire service, I think I remember you
saying it was just after 9/11, I heard that after that awful day for
New York that applications to the fire service and police force and
ambulance service in New York went through the roof, did 9/11 factor in
this career move?
Rodney –No, I decided to take the test to become a Firefighter in
1998. One of my friends suggested that I take the test because it would
work great with my bodybuilding lifestyle. Ironically it’s because of
bodybuilding lifestyle that got me canned from the F.D.N.Y.! (laughs)
Giles – Do you remember 9/11? Where were you on that day mate?
Rodney –I was working as a personal trainer in Manhattan close to
ground zero. I was actually taking a nap in between clients. When I
woke up the receptionist told me that a plane hit the World Trade
Center buildings.
Giles – Do you think New York has ever really recovered from that day?
Rodney – NYC will never recover from that day.
Giles – How long were you a fireman for?
Rodney – 3 years.
Giles – Did bodybuilding and being a fireman go well together would you
say?
Rodney –Not really. Technically it should have because you should be in
great shape, but because you work, clean, eat and sleep in a fire house
with other men, and none of them understand or live the lifestyle of a
bodybuilder they don’t want to hear about diet food or even training twice
a day.
Giles – You turned pro at the 1999 NPC Nationals and earned your pro
card as a light-heavy, you were on a roll due to winning the same class
at the USA’s, who did you go up against in the overall title?
Rodney – I went up against “Marvelous Melvin Anthony” and Garrett
Downing.
Giles – Did you always plan to turn pro; was that your main ambition
from the start almost?
Rodney – Oh yes, I would walk to the gym dreaming about it. I would say
to myself when you turn pro Rodney you will have one of the best bodies
in the whole entire world!
Giles – You’ve told me you’re pretty close with a lot of the top New
York bodybuilders, which one’s and why?
Rodney – Orville Burke, Kevin English, Victor Martinez and Kai L.Greene
to name a few
Giles – Have you any idea how Orville Burke is lately?
Rodney – No I haven’t.
Giles – Who do you train with nowadays? Any promising guys for the
future?
Rodney – No, I am training with a buddy that I have been training with
for about 12-13 years.
Giles – Do you still train at Bev Francis’ gym?
Rodney – No.
Giles – You’ve not competed since 2007 when you came 5th at the UPBF
Battle of Giants, you’re clearly still very much a bodybuilder, do you
miss competing?
Rodney – Of course I do, it’s in my blood.
Giles – Even though your pro career was going pretty well for you with
two Olympia appearances and some very respectable contest placings over
your years in the IFBB, what made you decide to jump ship and hop over
the PDI (which folded sadly after 2 contests due to Wayne Demilia’s ill
health) and then the UPBF?
Rodney – I decided to jump because the I.F.B.B. was giving me a hard
time because I was in the adult entertainer business and to add
insult to injury I was not making any money with the I.F.B.B. So when
I heard about Wayne starting the new federation I thought hey, I had
nothing to lose.
Giles – Do you think you’ll ever go back to the IFBB Rodney or are they
maybe a bit funny about your business exploits?
Rodney – I always think about competing in the I.F.B.B. again but then I
think about the business reasons and I can’t justify it financially.
Giles – During your time in the IFBB you successfully climbed the
ladder and I think the breakthrough year for you was 2003 right? You
made top ten at the 2003 New York Night of Champions beating such names
as Ronnie Rockell, Toney Freeman and fellow New Yorker Craig Richardson
then went on to place 2nd in the Hungarian Grand Prix to winner Pavol
Jablonicky and ahead of Art Atwood, Milos Sarcev and Mustafa Mohammed
for example. I had seen your name crop up at contests before but I
think it’s fair to say that in 2003 you took another leap forward in
your pro career. By taking 2nd in Hungary you had qualified for the Mr
Olympia, how did that feel to know you’d accomplished all that in that
year over the past years? Plus, what did you do so differently to improve over the previous year - 2002?
Rodney –Yes, That’s correct. When I placed 10th at the Night Of Champions and then 1 week later I placed 2nd at the Hungarian Grand Prix, I was in total shock because it was a big jump from 10th to 2nd in a week. Some were even saying that I could have won the show. That was a huge thing for me because Pavol Jablonicky just placed 2nd to
Victor Martinez at the N.O.C. so that mean that I could have been second at the N.O.C. I think that was when I first realized that if I had just competed in the United States I would have never qualified for the Olympia that year even if I deserved it. So that’s when I realized the importance of competing abroad in front of different judges.
Giles – So, then came the Olympia and you came a fantastic 12th place,
just one spot away from the top ten and qualifying for the following
year’s Olympia, what was that experience like? I loved seeing in the
show video when you were announced as placing 12th, you looked really
happy! Great posing routine by the way.
Rodney – Thank you, I was so happy because the Olympia is what all competitive bodybuilders strive towards.
Giles - You then went on the European Grand Prix including the British
Grand Prix, was that a good experience for you? Was that your first
time in the UK and what did you think of us British fans mate?
Rodney – Yes I also competed in the European Grand Prix. That was the
first time in England, Amsterdam, and Russia. I had so much fun out
there with Johnny Jackson and Troy Alves. I will never forget that
experience.
Giles – So, the next two years came and your best placing was a very
strong 3rd place showing at the Atlantic City Pro, that was a hell of a
line-up in that contest, again you qualified for the Olympia, you also
did the Europa, Colorado pro, have you always agreed with your placing
and take it on the chin or have you felt wronged ever in contests?
Rodney –I never really disputed the placing because I always felt that
I was never at my best at any of the shows due to the fact that I had a
medical condition called irretraceable hiccups. With this condition I
always get the hiccups even when I sleep. So when I am in the water
depletion stage of my diet if I get the hiccups I need to drink
something so that the hiccups can stop and it also interferes with my
eating. So I know that if I did not have this condition I would be
able to come in at 100% instead of 50% or 75%. I’ve had this condition
since 2002. So when I did place high I never had a problem with
it even if I calculated that I should have placed higher or even won the
show.
Giles – It was around this time that you started your other
non-bodybuilding website Rodney, how did the IFBB take to that?
Rodney –Well they really never directly told me they had a problem with
it but I have never picked up a company to sponsor me even though most
of the competitors that I beat had sponsors, plus I qualified for and
competed in the Mr. Olympia twice. So I guess that’s the way I think they
expressed that they had a problem with me.
Giles – Before we go into that subject in greater depth, let’s talk
about your bodybuilding approach, what sort of typical training split do you follow mate?
Rodney –I train 5 days a week Monday through to Friday, twice a day. I train
my body parts during the day and I do my abs and cardio at night. That
spilt is when I am preparing for a competition or when trying to get in shape
for a video shoot.
Giles – Are you a high volume or a more heavy duty style trainer?
Rodney – I combine the both. For example, first I’ll do my heavy duty
exercise then my high reps and supersets with isolation exercise. For
example, Ill superset for chest, dips and pec decks for 20 reps each
exercise but first I will start with bench and max out with that
exercise.
Giles – For your job you need to stay in good shape all year round, how
do you manage that all year to stay lean n’ mean?
Rodney –First I have to admit I have good genetics for staying lean
plus I continue to train extremely intense and hard. Then my diet is
still pretty good. Then you add the fact that I am dancing every
weekend and picking up the women, that’s cardio! (laughs)
Giles – Could you give us an average day’s eating for you as you
are now?
Rodney – Off season I’ll eat whatever I want but I always make sure that
I have some chicken breast or a steak, without sodium, with it. For
example if I had some Chinese food I’ll have some fried rice and have a
steak or chicken breast with it.
Giles – So, if you decided to compete in say 10 or 12 weeks what
changes would you make to your diet and training?
Rodney – I’ll just eliminate the junk food and restrict my carb intake
to basic things like baked potatoes, or steamed white rice and off course keep my sodium low.
Giles – What about cardio?
Rodney – I’ll do interval training for 30mins on the treadmill or
bicycle. For example if I am doing the seated stationary bike I’ll do a
5 min warm up then I’ll increase the level to 10 and speed up to 100rpm
for 20mins. Then I’ll cool down for 5 minutes.
Giles – What weight do you compete at and what are you weighing
presently?
Rodney – I usually compete at 240lbs and I am currently 245lbs.
Giles – What would you say are your physique’s strengths?
Rodney – My symmetry is my strength.
Giles – Do you use a lot of supplements especially with you being such
a busy guy? Which ones?
Rodney –Actually I never really used any supplements for the exception
on protein drinks or the illegal ones, (laughs). So, when I am preparing for
a show I make sure to take my food with me or and I will prepare 2-3
protein drinks and take it with me as well.
Giles – What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment during
your bodybuilding career thus far?
Rodney – Of course competing in the Mr. Olympia is one of my great
accomplishments but what I am very proud of is that I was able to
compete at the Olympia without a sponsor and with my own money. Just
imagine if a company was smart enough to sponsor me, I would have not
only won the show but I would have made that company a lot of money too!
Giles – Being so busy all the time how do you manage to balance
everything in your life?
Rodney – I try to keep my life as simple as possible. For example I am
not in a relationship so I don’t have to share my time with no one,
except my son Kaden Tyler Horrell-St. Cloud. He actually keeps me
focused because when I start think about going out and hooking up with
a girl, I remember that I am a father and I take that very seriously.
Giles – Right, let’s talk about your chicken dipping (stripping!), how
did that all begin for you?
Rodney – This started when I was 21 years old.
Giles – What about your website?
Rodney –I started my web site www.RODNEYSTCLOUD.com in 2003 then
www.RODNEYSTCLOUDFITNESS.com in 2007 and now www.StrippersInTheHood.com in 2008.
Giles – You’ve told me before that some nights on the weekend for
example you’ll have two sometimes three gigs in a night, how on earth
do you manage?
Rodney – It’s pretty simple because each gig is only 30-45mins long and
the parties are located less than an hour away from each other.
Giles – Tell me about you’re dancing, what does that entail, is it mainly
hen nights and ladies birthday parties?
Rodney – It can be for any type of party like bridal parties, baby
showers, divorce parties, one on ones, and also the clubs.
Giles – Have you ever had any errr, close shaves with over-excited
women?
Rodney –All the time!!! That is what makes the parties so exciting! (smiles)
Giles – I’ve heard of some guys getting clawed at and literally
attacked by women when they’re dancing for women, why is that do you
think, mob mentality or just sex starved women who’ve never seen
anything quite like you before?
Rodney – A little bit of both I guess. Actually that’s funny that you bring that
up because that’s one of the reasons that I started the new web site
www.StrippersInTheHood.com so people can see how wild it gets at the
male revue shows.
Giles – Do you set yourself rules and professional guidelines when
working at this Rodney?
Rodney – No matter how beautiful the woman is or how hot, nasty and
crazy it gets I absolutely cannot have sex with them.
Giles – Well that sucks! So, tell us about your new agency, how’s that all going mate?
Rodney – It’s going well. Actually is not an agency it is more of an
online reality show where you can see the dancers do an up-close and
personal interview as well as a solo performance and last but not least
watch the stripper perform live and watch how the ladies act. You also
can contact the dancer thru email and book him to dance for an event.
Giles – You also said you’re doing adult movies too, I bet that’s fun!
All those sexy ladies!
Rodney – Yes I have started doing adult movies for my web site
www.RODNEYSTCLOUD.com because I have always wanted to know how it feels
to be in porn. I must tell you that it is not what you think. Although
it’s fun to have a beautiful girl, or two, or three (laughs) to yourself, but
when you have a camera up your ass and you have to perform for the
camera within a certain time frame let me tell you something you start
to feel a little nervous even if you have the girl, or girls of your
dreams in front of you. Other than that I think I am representing
bodybuilders and helping us look good.
Giles – You’re a trooper aren’t you! Hard life you have. I take it then that you’re single at the moment mate? I’d think it would be a tad difficult to maintain a relationship whilst doing all that?
Rodney –Yes I am single.
Giles – So, if you wanted to return to the competitive stage, would the
IFBB say no due to your movies and agency?
Rodney –I don’t know, but I have to say that I just came back from the
Arnold Classic, where my boy Kai Greene competed and won, and it felt
so good to see that I still have fans that want to see me back on
stage. Plus I think if I competed and came in fantastic shape that it
would bring some controversy to bodybuilding and that sells tickets.
Giles – So, would it be say UPBF and Nabba pro’s if you returned to
competing so you could carry on with your business with no hassle?
Rodney –Yes, because unfortunately you cannot make any real money
competing as a top level pro bodybuilder, plus I am doing fine in the
sex business and I’m having fun.
Giles – Do you still train with the same level of motivation and hunger
knowing that there isn’t a contest laying ahead to get ready for?
Rodney –I am currently training like an animal because I want to be the
best body and the only pro bodybuilder in porn.
Giles – In Norway in 2007 you were raving about the gains of your good
mate Kai Greene who, after winning the Arnold is just about the hottest
property in the IFBB right now along with guy’s like Heath and Wolf.
Are you still close with Kai and pleased for his success, he does seem
like a cool guy?
Rodney – He is what you would say “Mint”.
Giles – Did you ever envisage that he would get this far in the sport?
Rodney –Yes I did, because he was training naturally even after he turned
pro so it was easy to calculate that when he started taking anything
that he would explode. Now look at the next Mr. Olympia - Kai Greene!
Giles – Do you really think he could ever win the Olympia next after Dexter?
Rodney –After all the politics, it’s his to win or lose.
Giles – Any funny experiences that you and Kai have shared?
Rodney –Tons! (laughs)
Giles – Do you think Dexter will win again, who’s your pick for the
next Mr ‘O’ and when do you see that happening?
Rodney –Not really, but they may give him one more. I know that he is
the most unpopular Mr. Olympia ever! (laughs)
Giles – Where do you see Cutler placing this year?
Rodney –Very, very, very high and he deserves it. He is a real cool
dude Jay.
Giles – You also used to be very close with Dexter Jackson, how did you
know him in those early days?
Rodney – Through another friend, we were introduced because he knew of a
doctor that could remove the gyno from my chest for $500.
Giles – On the pro scene generally, you’ve talked already about the
fellow New York pros, who else did you get on with especially well?
Whose cool, whose not?
Rodney – Kevin English and Desmond Miller.
Giles – Who are your all time favourite physiques and why?
Rodney –Both Francis Benfatto and Mohammed Benaziza.
Giles – You’ve really established yourself in bodybuilding as one of
the sport’s greatest and most creative ever posers Rodney. When you
came over for the 2007 UK mini-tour, which was a blast by the way, you’re
posing routine at the Nabba show was just amazing, I mean, could you
ever imagine Jay Cutler coming on stage with big feathery wings and a
white mask and ghetto cap like you did? It was one of the most
incredible routines and things generally that I’ve ever seen, all 1300
people there went nuts for it! So, what would you say makes you so
creative with your posing?
Rodney –I am an artist by heart and with the experience from exotic
dancing, hip hop and bodybuilding. I put all of those influences
together and you get a creative posing routine with a touch of fantasy.
Giles – You did a guest spot with Kai Greene at the Pro Ironman one
year didn’t you? That was pretty cool! Shame you’re not back in the
IFBB as you could then do another with Kai maybe, can you stand on your
head like he can though? (laughs)
Rodney – I will never forget that night. It should have made the
I.F.B.B take notice that the sport needs to be more entertaining. Yes
on my web site www.RODNEYSTCLOUDFITNESS.com you can download videos of
me practicing with Kai Greene. He is amazing to watch pose.
Giles – I think a highlight for me on your UK tour that we went on was
your debates with my good lady Faye, you were picking subjects and then
having it out which was funny as hell whenever I think about it mate
(laughs) oh and her face when you got the Sunday Sport out in the car,
she soon made a peace offering with about ten bars of chocolate which
you seemed to enjoy!
Rodney – (laughs) I do remember our debates. I tell you that it’s those
experiences that make me miss being in the sport of bodybuilding. The
friends you make, the camaraderie and the drive to be the best you can be
is what makes bodybuilding so unique and beautiful.
Giles – Well, I still get asked about when you’re coming back to the UK
by the fans Rodney, you made such a good impression with everyone you
met, the kids loved you especially. Is that you think due to you having
a young son Kaden that you were so good with them?
Rodney – Absolutely, also I remember being a kid and wishing that I had
someone to guide me through the sport of bodybuilding. So that’s why I
make it a point to be there the way I wish someone was there for me in
bodybuilding.
Giles – So, what are your plans for this next year, keep building the
agency and keep on expanding your portfolio of work and projects?
Rodney –Yes, but don’t count me out from competing I am only 35 years old
and can come back at any given time, god willing.
Giles – How’s your son Kaden, Rodney? He good?
Rodney –Kaden is 4 going on 5 years old. He is doing good thanks Giles.
Giles – Right, I think we can leave it here, to be honest, I’ve still
got loads more questions to ask you so I think we’ll need to do a
second part very soon! Thanks for the time Rodney.
Rodney – Thank you Giles and also to Bodyfitness, it’s a great mag.
To contact Rodney or see his websites, go to –
www.RODNEYSTCLOUD.com
www.StrippersInTheHood.com
www.RODNEYSTCLOUDFITNESS.com
For more of Giles' interviews and photograph's go to - www.uk-muscle.com
Rodney St Cloud
By Giles Thomas
Little has been seen of resident and born and bred New Yorker Rodney St
Cloud on the contest circuit lately. Despite a flourishing IFBB, then
PDI and UPBF professional bodybuilding career which included two Mr
Olympia qualifications and appearances culminating with an impressive
11th place in 2003 in Vegas, Rodney has seemingly foregone competing
for a much more lucrative vocation. You see for many years, even when
he was climbing the IFBB professional ranks, Rodney has done something
for a living which has made him far more money than even if he was one
of the top ten earners in the pro ranks. Rodney - or ‘Hot Rod’ as he is
perhaps better known is an exotic dancer, or ‘stripper’ to the layman.
Not only this but Rodney has given up any immediate return to the
competitive stage to pursue not just his own dancing but has even
started up his own agency called ‘Strippers in the Hood’. Having
organised and been involved in the British Night of Champions (2006)
and Norwegian UPBF competitions (2007 onwards) as well as Rodney’s 2007
UK seminar and guest posing tour, (which went down a storm over here)
Rodney seemed like a natural choice to interview as this guy has some
fantastic stories to tell and all for Bodyfitness…
Giles – Rodney, awesome to speak to you again mate, how is life treating you nowadays?
Rodney – Hey Giles, life is challenging but great.
Giles – Right, I’d like to talk about your bodybuilding career first.
I’ve not mentioned this to you before mate but I’ve seen you on that
American chat programme ‘Maury’ on T.V. where they brought on a lady
from your school days that you fancied who hadn’t seen you since when
you were skinny and kind of geeky looking. Obviously she was shocked
when she saw you now and the theme was “you didn’t fancy me then, do
you fancy me now” and was obviously a great publicity stunt for your
dancing as you got the chance to come on in the programme wearing very
little. When did you start training and was it just to get girls at
that point or for some other reason?
Rodney – I started training when I was 14-15 years old. My reason for
training was only to pack on more mass so that I could compete for the
high school bodybuilding competition. It wasn’t for the birds! (laughs)
Giles – (Laughs) So, what happened with that girl from school, did you give her
a good seeing too at long last? (laughs)
Rodney - Well the girl had a boyfriend at the time so I could not
really show her how much bigger I got from high-school! Wink, wink!
Giles – You grew up in the famous Bronx of New York, what was that
like?
Rodney – I’m sure you heard about the “Boogie Down Bronx”? I must say
that it was rough at times and if you were weak someone would
definitely test you. I never was tested by the kids in school because I
was always in the gym and everyone knew that I was strong. I also had a
crew that I hung out with and they knew that we were not weak so no one
ever tested us.
Giles – When did you start competing Rodney? I know you were a good
teenage and junior competitor, can you tell us about those early days
and what you won and who you beat?
Rodney – I started competing when I was 15 years old. The titles I won
were 1989 The Teen Mr. Stevenson H.S, 1990 Teen Mr. Elmo, 1992 Eastern
Grand Prix, 1993 Teen Rich Gaspari, and 1993 3rd Middle Weight Teen
Nationals
Giles – Where did you train and live in those days? With family?
Rodney – I lived with mommy and daddy in the “Boogie Down Bronx”.
Giles – Who did you have in those days to look up to, did you have a
mentor or someone who took you under your wing at all or were you
purely self driven and self guided?
Rodney – I had the muscle magazines, and back then they used to show
bodybuilding competitions on ESPN call “American Muscle” and on MSG
called “Musclesport USA” I fell in love with the sport and was
motivated and driven to turn pro.
Giles – When did you join the fire service, I think I remember you
saying it was just after 9/11, I heard that after that awful day for
New York that applications to the fire service and police force and
ambulance service in New York went through the roof, did 9/11 factor in
this career move?
Rodney –No, I decided to take the test to become a Firefighter in
1998. One of my friends suggested that I take the test because it would
work great with my bodybuilding lifestyle. Ironically it’s because of
bodybuilding lifestyle that got me canned from the F.D.N.Y.! (laughs)
Giles – Do you remember 9/11? Where were you on that day mate?
Rodney –I was working as a personal trainer in Manhattan close to
ground zero. I was actually taking a nap in between clients. When I
woke up the receptionist told me that a plane hit the World Trade
Center buildings.
Giles – Do you think New York has ever really recovered from that day?
Rodney – NYC will never recover from that day.
Giles – How long were you a fireman for?
Rodney – 3 years.
Giles – Did bodybuilding and being a fireman go well together would you
say?
Rodney –Not really. Technically it should have because you should be in
great shape, but because you work, clean, eat and sleep in a fire house
with other men, and none of them understand or live the lifestyle of a
bodybuilder they don’t want to hear about diet food or even training twice
a day.
Giles – You turned pro at the 1999 NPC Nationals and earned your pro
card as a light-heavy, you were on a roll due to winning the same class
at the USA’s, who did you go up against in the overall title?
Rodney – I went up against “Marvelous Melvin Anthony” and Garrett
Downing.
Giles – Did you always plan to turn pro; was that your main ambition
from the start almost?
Rodney – Oh yes, I would walk to the gym dreaming about it. I would say
to myself when you turn pro Rodney you will have one of the best bodies
in the whole entire world!
Giles – You’ve told me you’re pretty close with a lot of the top New
York bodybuilders, which one’s and why?
Rodney – Orville Burke, Kevin English, Victor Martinez and Kai L.Greene
to name a few
Giles – Have you any idea how Orville Burke is lately?
Rodney – No I haven’t.
Giles – Who do you train with nowadays? Any promising guys for the
future?
Rodney – No, I am training with a buddy that I have been training with
for about 12-13 years.
Giles – Do you still train at Bev Francis’ gym?
Rodney – No.
Giles – You’ve not competed since 2007 when you came 5th at the UPBF
Battle of Giants, you’re clearly still very much a bodybuilder, do you
miss competing?
Rodney – Of course I do, it’s in my blood.
Giles – Even though your pro career was going pretty well for you with
two Olympia appearances and some very respectable contest placings over
your years in the IFBB, what made you decide to jump ship and hop over
the PDI (which folded sadly after 2 contests due to Wayne Demilia’s ill
health) and then the UPBF?
Rodney – I decided to jump because the I.F.B.B. was giving me a hard
time because I was in the adult entertainer business and to add
insult to injury I was not making any money with the I.F.B.B. So when
I heard about Wayne starting the new federation I thought hey, I had
nothing to lose.
Giles – Do you think you’ll ever go back to the IFBB Rodney or are they
maybe a bit funny about your business exploits?
Rodney – I always think about competing in the I.F.B.B. again but then I
think about the business reasons and I can’t justify it financially.
Giles – During your time in the IFBB you successfully climbed the
ladder and I think the breakthrough year for you was 2003 right? You
made top ten at the 2003 New York Night of Champions beating such names
as Ronnie Rockell, Toney Freeman and fellow New Yorker Craig Richardson
then went on to place 2nd in the Hungarian Grand Prix to winner Pavol
Jablonicky and ahead of Art Atwood, Milos Sarcev and Mustafa Mohammed
for example. I had seen your name crop up at contests before but I
think it’s fair to say that in 2003 you took another leap forward in
your pro career. By taking 2nd in Hungary you had qualified for the Mr
Olympia, how did that feel to know you’d accomplished all that in that
year over the past years? Plus, what did you do so differently to improve over the previous year - 2002?
Rodney –Yes, That’s correct. When I placed 10th at the Night Of Champions and then 1 week later I placed 2nd at the Hungarian Grand Prix, I was in total shock because it was a big jump from 10th to 2nd in a week. Some were even saying that I could have won the show. That was a huge thing for me because Pavol Jablonicky just placed 2nd to
Victor Martinez at the N.O.C. so that mean that I could have been second at the N.O.C. I think that was when I first realized that if I had just competed in the United States I would have never qualified for the Olympia that year even if I deserved it. So that’s when I realized the importance of competing abroad in front of different judges.
Giles – So, then came the Olympia and you came a fantastic 12th place,
just one spot away from the top ten and qualifying for the following
year’s Olympia, what was that experience like? I loved seeing in the
show video when you were announced as placing 12th, you looked really
happy! Great posing routine by the way.
Rodney – Thank you, I was so happy because the Olympia is what all competitive bodybuilders strive towards.
Giles - You then went on the European Grand Prix including the British
Grand Prix, was that a good experience for you? Was that your first
time in the UK and what did you think of us British fans mate?
Rodney – Yes I also competed in the European Grand Prix. That was the
first time in England, Amsterdam, and Russia. I had so much fun out
there with Johnny Jackson and Troy Alves. I will never forget that
experience.
Giles – So, the next two years came and your best placing was a very
strong 3rd place showing at the Atlantic City Pro, that was a hell of a
line-up in that contest, again you qualified for the Olympia, you also
did the Europa, Colorado pro, have you always agreed with your placing
and take it on the chin or have you felt wronged ever in contests?
Rodney –I never really disputed the placing because I always felt that
I was never at my best at any of the shows due to the fact that I had a
medical condition called irretraceable hiccups. With this condition I
always get the hiccups even when I sleep. So when I am in the water
depletion stage of my diet if I get the hiccups I need to drink
something so that the hiccups can stop and it also interferes with my
eating. So I know that if I did not have this condition I would be
able to come in at 100% instead of 50% or 75%. I’ve had this condition
since 2002. So when I did place high I never had a problem with
it even if I calculated that I should have placed higher or even won the
show.
Giles – It was around this time that you started your other
non-bodybuilding website Rodney, how did the IFBB take to that?
Rodney –Well they really never directly told me they had a problem with
it but I have never picked up a company to sponsor me even though most
of the competitors that I beat had sponsors, plus I qualified for and
competed in the Mr. Olympia twice. So I guess that’s the way I think they
expressed that they had a problem with me.
Giles – Before we go into that subject in greater depth, let’s talk
about your bodybuilding approach, what sort of typical training split do you follow mate?
Rodney –I train 5 days a week Monday through to Friday, twice a day. I train
my body parts during the day and I do my abs and cardio at night. That
spilt is when I am preparing for a competition or when trying to get in shape
for a video shoot.
Giles – Are you a high volume or a more heavy duty style trainer?
Rodney – I combine the both. For example, first I’ll do my heavy duty
exercise then my high reps and supersets with isolation exercise. For
example, Ill superset for chest, dips and pec decks for 20 reps each
exercise but first I will start with bench and max out with that
exercise.
Giles – For your job you need to stay in good shape all year round, how
do you manage that all year to stay lean n’ mean?
Rodney –First I have to admit I have good genetics for staying lean
plus I continue to train extremely intense and hard. Then my diet is
still pretty good. Then you add the fact that I am dancing every
weekend and picking up the women, that’s cardio! (laughs)
Giles – Could you give us an average day’s eating for you as you
are now?
Rodney – Off season I’ll eat whatever I want but I always make sure that
I have some chicken breast or a steak, without sodium, with it. For
example if I had some Chinese food I’ll have some fried rice and have a
steak or chicken breast with it.
Giles – So, if you decided to compete in say 10 or 12 weeks what
changes would you make to your diet and training?
Rodney – I’ll just eliminate the junk food and restrict my carb intake
to basic things like baked potatoes, or steamed white rice and off course keep my sodium low.
Giles – What about cardio?
Rodney – I’ll do interval training for 30mins on the treadmill or
bicycle. For example if I am doing the seated stationary bike I’ll do a
5 min warm up then I’ll increase the level to 10 and speed up to 100rpm
for 20mins. Then I’ll cool down for 5 minutes.
Giles – What weight do you compete at and what are you weighing
presently?
Rodney – I usually compete at 240lbs and I am currently 245lbs.
Giles – What would you say are your physique’s strengths?
Rodney – My symmetry is my strength.
Giles – Do you use a lot of supplements especially with you being such
a busy guy? Which ones?
Rodney –Actually I never really used any supplements for the exception
on protein drinks or the illegal ones, (laughs). So, when I am preparing for
a show I make sure to take my food with me or and I will prepare 2-3
protein drinks and take it with me as well.
Giles – What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment during
your bodybuilding career thus far?
Rodney – Of course competing in the Mr. Olympia is one of my great
accomplishments but what I am very proud of is that I was able to
compete at the Olympia without a sponsor and with my own money. Just
imagine if a company was smart enough to sponsor me, I would have not
only won the show but I would have made that company a lot of money too!
Giles – Being so busy all the time how do you manage to balance
everything in your life?
Rodney – I try to keep my life as simple as possible. For example I am
not in a relationship so I don’t have to share my time with no one,
except my son Kaden Tyler Horrell-St. Cloud. He actually keeps me
focused because when I start think about going out and hooking up with
a girl, I remember that I am a father and I take that very seriously.
Giles – Right, let’s talk about your chicken dipping (stripping!), how
did that all begin for you?
Rodney – This started when I was 21 years old.
Giles – What about your website?
Rodney –I started my web site www.RODNEYSTCLOUD.com in 2003 then
www.RODNEYSTCLOUDFITNESS.com in 2007 and now www.StrippersInTheHood.com in 2008.
Giles – You’ve told me before that some nights on the weekend for
example you’ll have two sometimes three gigs in a night, how on earth
do you manage?
Rodney – It’s pretty simple because each gig is only 30-45mins long and
the parties are located less than an hour away from each other.
Giles – Tell me about you’re dancing, what does that entail, is it mainly
hen nights and ladies birthday parties?
Rodney – It can be for any type of party like bridal parties, baby
showers, divorce parties, one on ones, and also the clubs.
Giles – Have you ever had any errr, close shaves with over-excited
women?
Rodney –All the time!!! That is what makes the parties so exciting! (smiles)
Giles – I’ve heard of some guys getting clawed at and literally
attacked by women when they’re dancing for women, why is that do you
think, mob mentality or just sex starved women who’ve never seen
anything quite like you before?
Rodney – A little bit of both I guess. Actually that’s funny that you bring that
up because that’s one of the reasons that I started the new web site
www.StrippersInTheHood.com so people can see how wild it gets at the
male revue shows.
Giles – Do you set yourself rules and professional guidelines when
working at this Rodney?
Rodney – No matter how beautiful the woman is or how hot, nasty and
crazy it gets I absolutely cannot have sex with them.
Giles – Well that sucks! So, tell us about your new agency, how’s that all going mate?
Rodney – It’s going well. Actually is not an agency it is more of an
online reality show where you can see the dancers do an up-close and
personal interview as well as a solo performance and last but not least
watch the stripper perform live and watch how the ladies act. You also
can contact the dancer thru email and book him to dance for an event.
Giles – You also said you’re doing adult movies too, I bet that’s fun!
All those sexy ladies!
Rodney – Yes I have started doing adult movies for my web site
www.RODNEYSTCLOUD.com because I have always wanted to know how it feels
to be in porn. I must tell you that it is not what you think. Although
it’s fun to have a beautiful girl, or two, or three (laughs) to yourself, but
when you have a camera up your ass and you have to perform for the
camera within a certain time frame let me tell you something you start
to feel a little nervous even if you have the girl, or girls of your
dreams in front of you. Other than that I think I am representing
bodybuilders and helping us look good.
Giles – You’re a trooper aren’t you! Hard life you have. I take it then that you’re single at the moment mate? I’d think it would be a tad difficult to maintain a relationship whilst doing all that?
Rodney –Yes I am single.
Giles – So, if you wanted to return to the competitive stage, would the
IFBB say no due to your movies and agency?
Rodney –I don’t know, but I have to say that I just came back from the
Arnold Classic, where my boy Kai Greene competed and won, and it felt
so good to see that I still have fans that want to see me back on
stage. Plus I think if I competed and came in fantastic shape that it
would bring some controversy to bodybuilding and that sells tickets.
Giles – So, would it be say UPBF and Nabba pro’s if you returned to
competing so you could carry on with your business with no hassle?
Rodney –Yes, because unfortunately you cannot make any real money
competing as a top level pro bodybuilder, plus I am doing fine in the
sex business and I’m having fun.
Giles – Do you still train with the same level of motivation and hunger
knowing that there isn’t a contest laying ahead to get ready for?
Rodney –I am currently training like an animal because I want to be the
best body and the only pro bodybuilder in porn.
Giles – In Norway in 2007 you were raving about the gains of your good
mate Kai Greene who, after winning the Arnold is just about the hottest
property in the IFBB right now along with guy’s like Heath and Wolf.
Are you still close with Kai and pleased for his success, he does seem
like a cool guy?
Rodney – He is what you would say “Mint”.
Giles – Did you ever envisage that he would get this far in the sport?
Rodney –Yes I did, because he was training naturally even after he turned
pro so it was easy to calculate that when he started taking anything
that he would explode. Now look at the next Mr. Olympia - Kai Greene!
Giles – Do you really think he could ever win the Olympia next after Dexter?
Rodney –After all the politics, it’s his to win or lose.
Giles – Any funny experiences that you and Kai have shared?
Rodney –Tons! (laughs)
Giles – Do you think Dexter will win again, who’s your pick for the
next Mr ‘O’ and when do you see that happening?
Rodney –Not really, but they may give him one more. I know that he is
the most unpopular Mr. Olympia ever! (laughs)
Giles – Where do you see Cutler placing this year?
Rodney –Very, very, very high and he deserves it. He is a real cool
dude Jay.
Giles – You also used to be very close with Dexter Jackson, how did you
know him in those early days?
Rodney – Through another friend, we were introduced because he knew of a
doctor that could remove the gyno from my chest for $500.
Giles – On the pro scene generally, you’ve talked already about the
fellow New York pros, who else did you get on with especially well?
Whose cool, whose not?
Rodney – Kevin English and Desmond Miller.
Giles – Who are your all time favourite physiques and why?
Rodney –Both Francis Benfatto and Mohammed Benaziza.
Giles – You’ve really established yourself in bodybuilding as one of
the sport’s greatest and most creative ever posers Rodney. When you
came over for the 2007 UK mini-tour, which was a blast by the way, you’re
posing routine at the Nabba show was just amazing, I mean, could you
ever imagine Jay Cutler coming on stage with big feathery wings and a
white mask and ghetto cap like you did? It was one of the most
incredible routines and things generally that I’ve ever seen, all 1300
people there went nuts for it! So, what would you say makes you so
creative with your posing?
Rodney –I am an artist by heart and with the experience from exotic
dancing, hip hop and bodybuilding. I put all of those influences
together and you get a creative posing routine with a touch of fantasy.
Giles – You did a guest spot with Kai Greene at the Pro Ironman one
year didn’t you? That was pretty cool! Shame you’re not back in the
IFBB as you could then do another with Kai maybe, can you stand on your
head like he can though? (laughs)
Rodney – I will never forget that night. It should have made the
I.F.B.B take notice that the sport needs to be more entertaining. Yes
on my web site www.RODNEYSTCLOUDFITNESS.com you can download videos of
me practicing with Kai Greene. He is amazing to watch pose.
Giles – I think a highlight for me on your UK tour that we went on was
your debates with my good lady Faye, you were picking subjects and then
having it out which was funny as hell whenever I think about it mate
(laughs) oh and her face when you got the Sunday Sport out in the car,
she soon made a peace offering with about ten bars of chocolate which
you seemed to enjoy!
Rodney – (laughs) I do remember our debates. I tell you that it’s those
experiences that make me miss being in the sport of bodybuilding. The
friends you make, the camaraderie and the drive to be the best you can be
is what makes bodybuilding so unique and beautiful.
Giles – Well, I still get asked about when you’re coming back to the UK
by the fans Rodney, you made such a good impression with everyone you
met, the kids loved you especially. Is that you think due to you having
a young son Kaden that you were so good with them?
Rodney – Absolutely, also I remember being a kid and wishing that I had
someone to guide me through the sport of bodybuilding. So that’s why I
make it a point to be there the way I wish someone was there for me in
bodybuilding.
Giles – So, what are your plans for this next year, keep building the
agency and keep on expanding your portfolio of work and projects?
Rodney –Yes, but don’t count me out from competing I am only 35 years old
and can come back at any given time, god willing.
Giles – How’s your son Kaden, Rodney? He good?
Rodney –Kaden is 4 going on 5 years old. He is doing good thanks Giles.
Giles – Right, I think we can leave it here, to be honest, I’ve still
got loads more questions to ask you so I think we’ll need to do a
second part very soon! Thanks for the time Rodney.
Rodney – Thank you Giles and also to Bodyfitness, it’s a great mag.
To contact Rodney or see his websites, go to –
www.RODNEYSTCLOUD.com
www.StrippersInTheHood.com
www.RODNEYSTCLOUDFITNESS.com
For more of Giles' interviews and photograph's go to - www.uk-muscle.com
0 посетителей читают эту тему
0 пользователей, 0 гостей, 0 скрытых
Вход
Регистрация








Наверх

































































