This Is Bodybuilding

Northern Ireland's Tony Mount won back to back Pro Universe titles in 2015 and 2016. This interview was recorded the day before the 2017 Universe, where he was unseated from the Pro Universe throne. Softly spoken, and free from egotism, Tony was one of the champions who let his physique do the talking on stage.

Nigel Gordon-Rae is the best dressed man in bodybuilding. The incomparable compere is the host of the NABBA Universe each year, and is a world class gentleman. We had the chance to chat briefly about his history with bodybuilding, how he prepares for the biggest event of the year, and how he avoids getting tan on his dinner suits. 

If you don't know Monica Brant, then are you even a fan of bodybuilding? In the 1990's she was the face of the IFBB fitness division, winning the 1998 Ms Fitness Olympia. More than decade later she won two WBFF Pro World Figure titles. I was fortunate enough to catch up with her in England the day before the NABBA Universe. Beyond the world of bodybuilding and fitness, Monica is an avid horse rider and loves to spend time with her family. 

Johanna Mountfort is a professional figure competitor, multiple time national and international champion and a busy mum juggling family, work and training. For many, she epitomises the true ideal of a competitor, both in her dedication and in her physique. Listen as Johanna gives a unique insight into her history as a ballet dancer and her lifelong journey to the bodybuilding stage.

Sammy Ioannidis dishes the dirt on his experience competing through the 1980's right up until his comeback in the 2000's. After he hung up his posing trunks he put his energy into helping up and coming competitors. He's traveled the world competing and along the way he's made plenty of friends and gathered some great stories. 

Vance Ang is well known as arguably Australia's best bodybuilding journalist. He's interviewed, and occasionally offended, just about everyone in the industry, but you can't help but love him. We had a great chat about bodybuilding, wrestling, and how to offence Johnny Jackson with a belt buckle. Unfortunately, the recording stopped before we got the chance to wrap up the conversation properly. Part 2 of this chat is still planned, four years later.

Maria McCarter was a longtime promoter of bodybuilding competitions before she decided she needed a change of pace. She packed it all in and moved to the country to raise chickens. Special guest appearance by Maria's rooster who needed to get something off his beak.

Robert Borgonha is the true essence of the giant killer. At around 67kg he stood toe to toe with guys 100kg+ and walked away Pro Mr Universe. Proving that bodybuilding is a marathon, not a sprint, Robert had been training and competing for more than ten years before he turned pro. We sat down to talk about life, competing, and why mindset matters more than the number of the scales. 

Cheryl Frost is one of Australia's best figure competitors, having won World and Universe titles. We sat down in Bendigo of all places the night after a competition to talk about life and bodybuilding. Cheryl is a coach, a trainer, and an all around delight. Once we got going we couldn't stop talking. 

Davin Sgargetta and Daniel Hedger are two of the nicest guys in bodybuilding, probably because they're not bodybuilders. Both of them have worked for major international bodybuilding publications, and even gave yours truly a go a writing for Australian Iron Man Magazine. This is of course back when print media was a thing, and we all still watched free to air TV. Today they work in digital media, but when this interview was recorded they were both at Hook Media in Melbourne. 

Wesley Newell is a WFF Pro Mr World, top trainer, former chef and is also known to many as that bloke who delivered the Brownlow medals that year and looked absolutely jacked. 

Graeme Lancefield has seen it all in bodybuilding. Over a career that spans six decades, he's competed at the top amateur levels including in the IFBB and NABBA. He's coached competitors from their first show through to multiple professional wins, and been a promoter and administrator since the early 2000's. He also happens to be my father.