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| Steroids and Teens an interview with Steve Michalik We appreciate Steve taking time out of his very busy schedule to answer our questions on this topic. Next month we will post the second of this four part series. In addition, next month Mr. Michalik will be featured as our Christian Bodybuilder of the Month and we are including the forward from his upcoming book, Atomic Fitness |
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MCBB - Your stand on steroids is well known these days; you have spoken in front of Senate committees, as well as several published interviews. For those who do not know, what are your credentials and experiences to speak out on this topic? MICHALIK - I have a vast education in chemistry, biology, physiology, as well as 25 years experience in the field of psychology and the study of human behavior. Of course, it is well documented that after I won the Mr. USA and Mr. America titles, I fell into the trap of anabolic steroid use. As my muscles grew larger, my spirit shrunk until one day, I was nothing but a meat body robot carrying out actions and deeds on a purely biochemical level. I fell to the lowest levels a being could reach. Until one day, I was saved by a friend who had the Word. So, as you can see, I have been there and back, seen it all, done it all. Nothing, my friends, can duplicate pure experience - good and bad. MCBB - There are a lot of people out there who need more information regarding steroid abuse, parents of teens included. Teen steroid use is on the rise in both sexes and I shudder to think of the ramifications of the long-term abuse. Do you see the "it will never happen to me" mentality that is common among teens? MICHALIK - Unfortunately, wisdom is a rare commodity among adults and almost non-existent with the young. They are so easily brain washed and mentally implanted daily by Madison Ave. and Hollywood. The young live for today and have little self worth, no sense of the creator, and little hope of change. MCBB - What do you see in the gyms today compared to 10, 20 even 30 years ago? How has the use of steroids escalated? MICHALIK - In the golden age of bodybuilding, from the fifties to the early eighties, bodybuilders competed to win on the basis of who could be champion in the purest regard to symmetry, proportion, beauty. The size of muscles didn't matter as much as the title of being Mr. something and who could achieve physical perfection winning that title. Bodybuilders took pride in hard work, not hard drugs. It was an exciting era. This, of course, has all changed. Size has taken preference over beauty. Degradation has replaced integrity. Drugs have all but wiped out hard, intense training. MCBB - Is there ever a "safe" amount of steroids a teen can use? MICHALIK - No! MCBB - If an individual stops using steroids, are there still possible health problems they should anticipate? MICHALIK - Anytime you mess with the endocrine system, you set in motion changes that last forever - you set in motion cellular changes that can manifest themselves 10 - 20 years later. MCBB - Like all drug use, there are symptoms of usage. What are some of the symptoms that a parent can look for to tell if their teenage boy is on steroids? MICHALIK - No one grows muscle fast. It is a long process (that's what makes it so interesting to do). So if you notice vast changes in size or strength, along with a change in the texture of the skin(larger pores, acne), also aggressive behavior, a change in ones viewpoint, toward degradation, sexual aggressiveness, loss of spirituality. The spirit dwells with God, the body swell with the devil. Steroids are a body enhancing drug and it chokes the life out of the spirit. Look for bold attributes like ego, pride, selfishness, animal emotions and behaviors. MCBB - What are some of the illnesses that these teen boys can anticipate if they do not stop using steroids ? MICHALIK - Cancer, infertility, heart, and artery problems - mental disorders - a life of superficial and false sense of self - loss of reason and communication with the Creator. MCBB - Now, I know that this question might be shocking to some, but it is happening: What are some of the symptoms of use in girls? MICHALIK - Loss of hair, enlarged Adams apple, unsightly growth of the female sex organ, change in voice, skin and hair growth. Incidentally, any gal having sex with a guy on steroids will get these same effects from his body fluids. MCBB - What are some of the illnesses that these teen girls can anticipate? MICHALIK - Changes in menstrual cycle, sometimes for life, including painful periods, lack of or much more severe cramping, fertility problems. By the way, any side effects of steroids in woman are permanent. MCBB - If a teen, female or male, is looking to increase strength or size, what do you suggest? MICHALIK - Learn to train with intensity. Understand the principles of force. Educate yourself on how and why muscles grow. The answers are out there - look. Seek and you shall find. MCBB - What is it like physically to have to wean off of these drugs ? MICHALIK - It takes a lot to wean off steroids. They have such an incredible effect upon the ego of an individual. You feel impervious to pain. Your sexual sensitivity is heightened. Your muscles swell and your strength soars. But then you want to stop and all your joints hurt. You get weak and your muscles go flat. Your ability to perform sex is greatly, if not totally, reduced. You get depressed because you now have a huge loss in your life all because you artificially produced a biochemical body. MCBB - What about mentally? MICHALIK - Here's the addiction. You know deep down in your soul that this stuff is going to kill you, but you can't live with the huge loss, so you take a blind eye and go back on the stuff. Only a crude awakening will get these individuals ethics in. Believe me - I know. MCBB - Can Steroids be classified as a physical or mental addiction? MICHALIK - The problem of anabolic steroids is not the drug itself, nor is it with the individual who takes them. Let me explain. Man was designed to seek perfection in body and soul. This God given drive propels him to create wonderful, as well as destructive things. MCBB - What is your opinion of "pro-hormones"? MICHALIK - It is our gift of free will that God has granted us. The depicting of scripture in statues and paintings display Godly beauty and perfection. Man cannot be faulted for trying to emulate God in mind and body. The problem is that steroids work and damn good too. Problem two is that basic training doesn't provide significant results. The solution is to come up with a method of training that duplicates what steroids can do. Do this and you have solved the problem. I have done that. I have, with the grace of God, developed with His help, a training program guaranteed to work. It's based on physics, which of course is one of the little gifts God has given man - science, you know. It will all be spelled out in my new book, Atomic Fitness, this will change the course of training forever! May all the gifts God grants be yours throughout your entire life. -Steve |
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Steve Michalik * Mr. USA 1971 * Mr. Apollo 1971 * Mr. America 1972 * Mr. Universe 1975 * Appeared in Pumping Iron II: The Women in 1985 Mr. Michalik is Director of Personal Training at Powerhouse Gym, Farmingdale, NY For more information regarding personal training, books, video tapes and other merchandise, email steve at: steve@mramericas.com |
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Need a treatment referral? Call 1-800-662-HELP or visit findtreatment.samhsa.gov Steroid Abuse Brief Description: Human-made substances related to male sex hormones. Some athletes abuse anabolic steroids to enhance performance. Abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to serious health problems, some of which are irreversible. Effects: Major side effects can include liver tumors and cancer, jaundice, high blood pressure, kidney tumors, severe acne, and trembling. In males, side effects may include shrinking of the testicles and breast development. In females, side effects may include growth of facial hair, menstrual changes, and deepened voice. In teenagers, growth may be halted prematurely and permanently. Statistics and Trends: In NIDA's 2004 Monitoring the Future study, 3.4% of high school seniors reported using steroids at least once. Source: NIDA Infofacts: High School and Youth Trends. Teen Drug & Substance Abuse |
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