Well here it is again, that time of the month that I hate the most, the dreaded Editorial. As usual I am stuck for ideas, but I guess if I start hanging shit on Al Reidie then the ideas will start following…not to mention how much better I will feel for it.

NEIL GARDNER

Firstly I’d like to thank every one who has recently stopped me at bodybuilding shows or gyms to tell me how much they are enjoying reading this magazine. It’s great to hear positive feedback from the people who the magazine was created for. According to most of you the magazine is getting better and better with each issue so a big thanks to everyone for your kind comments. This is a very special issue for me because I f nally get to feature the ‘MonstaDwarf’ himself, Neil Gardner on the cover. Neil was going to be on the very f rst issue of HCAM but we wanted to give ourselves a chance of selling a few magaziness so we have held off until now. Seriously though, poor old Neil has had to put up with my threats of starting a fair dinkum Aussie bodybuilding magazine for years. I used to drive him nuts about it at my old gym whilst he was training so it feels great to be able do a proper feature on him. Due to the length of Neil’s article we have had to omit ‘Aussie Archives’ for this issue, but then again Neil probably qualif es for that too! Well done on your cover mate, sorry it took so long.

AUSSIE PRO-SHOW

The Australian bodybuilding year started off with a bang with Tony Doherty's 10th Pro show kicking off the season in great style. In a brand new ‘State-of-the-Art’ theatre and a line-up of f fteen competitors, this was one of the best shows ever! Kai Greene took out the title for the second year in a row and did it with ease. He was far too good for the other competitors and beat former Mr Olympia Dexter Jackson for the victory. Adopted Aussie Mike Kefalianos was in the shape of his life and came within a bees-dick of placing third and receiving an invitation to this year’s Mr Olympia. He was pipped at the post by the ‘Next Big Thing’ in Pro bodybuilding, Roelly Winklaar. Roelly is a genetic freak and appears destine for bodybuilding greatness. HCAM did an exclusive photoshoot with him only a week before he was contracted to an overseas publication. Rob Czempinski was the lucky photographer to be assigned the job of taking Roelly’s last ever photoshoot as a free-agent. Rob was the most excited person on the planet to get the opportunity and he took some amazing photos, proving that it is indeed possible to take quality photos whilst you have half a mongrel in your pants! Great work Rob, no doubt my work as the ‘bounce-bitch’ would have helped immeasurably. Roelly wasn’t the only Pro that we shot over the weekend. We also got Wong Hong, Michael Kingsnorth, Dan Hill and Rusty Jeffers.

INTRODUCING

Gun photographer Gary Phillips did a shoot with Lee Priest who is on the comeback trail. Lee looked massive and will give the rest of the Pro’s something to think about when he returns to the stage. He also launched his own line of supplements at this show and the feedback so far has been nothing but positive with free samples going like hot cakes! Lee’s long-time mate and training partner Andy Cunningham is managing the business for Lee which will allow Lee to focus on his comeback to the Pro stage. Of course Andy is no slouch himself having won a Pro card some eighteen years ago. He too is on the comeback trail and has his sights set on competing at the end of the year. It is pretty much folklore that Andy is considered by many as Australia’s hardest training bodybuilder and we are all looking forward to his comeback.

PROFILE

Queensland Figure champion Stefanie Williams is one of our hottest properties and she is our featured ‘Profi le’ for this issue. Stef has a body that crosses all federations and one look at Dallas Olsen’s great photos will tell you why. Shape is everything when it comes to being a successful Figure competitor and Stef’s shape is text-book with not a muscle out of place. She was a lot of fun to interview and is very goal orientated. Stefanie sets herself goals and then goes about achieving them. Nothing is left to chance or good luck. For any up-and-coming Figure competitors out there have a look at Stefanie’s wonderful photos and the sensible way that she goes about her business. You could do a lot worse that to use her as a role model. Speaking of hot and sexy bodies, they don’t come any sexier than South Australian superstar Nick Jones. Nick is renowned for his movie-star good looks and perfectly proportioned physique. Like Stefanie, Nick doesn’t have a muscle out of place and the way he presents himself onstage is simply breathtaking. Nick has paid attention to the f ner details and has not set out with the goal of just getting massive f rst then f xing up the mess later. Nick has gone to great lengths to ensure that he has built a physique based on balance and symmetry, not bulk. Pay attention people, Nick won the All States, Australasian and Elite titles in three consecutive weeks at a body-weight of only 80kgs. It doesn’t take a sledgehammer to crack an egg. Nick can give most competitors a 20kg head-start and still towel their arses. It’s with great pleasure that we present him as this issue’s 'Muscle Art' feature. A big thanks to our ‘arty’ photographer Rob Czempinski who took the photos, they are simply amazing. 'Muscle Art' and Nick Jones…say no more.

We believe that our regular HCAM columnists are the best in Australia with most of them either current or former bodybuilding champions and as usual they have supplied us with some great reading for this issue.

REGULAR FEATURES

Regular HCAM contributor Gary Lewer gives us his view on diuretics in his column ‘A Walk on the Darkside’. Gary doesn’t hold back on his thoughts about diuretics and this is one article that I would encourage every bodybuilder to read. Diuretics are both dangerous and unnecessary and if you are considering using them then I would strongly encourage you not to. Bodybuilding is only a sport, it’s not worth killing yourself over but that is exactly what you are risking when you experiment with diuretics - possible death! Don’t think it can’t happen to you. Sandra Jose is another one of our regular contributors and in this issue she covers post comp depression and how to avoid it in her regular ‘Pink Bits’ column. Even though this topic is in our ‘girly’ column, post comp depression is something that affects both male and female bodybuilders. Read how Sandy avoids it with some careful planning. Once again, don’t think it can’t happen to you. ‘The Spinal Column’ sees our ever eccentric physiotherapist Andrew Lock completing his article on knee injuries and squatting and he even offers us his insight into one of the all-time great post-workout meals which I’m sure will add inches to your physique. Words of wisdom from someone with a far greater intellect than most of us mere mortals. Fabulous stuff Mr Lock! There must be something in the water at the HCAM off ce because even Al Readie has come up with an article worth reading for a change in his controversial page entitled ‘According to Al’. I can think of a number of people who would do well to have a read of this. It’s time for some of you to pull your heads from out of your arses and although we won’t let him ‘name names’, (and trust me, he wants to), Al gives all those who complain about copping a bit of criticism a nice old serve. Nice work mate, we will keep you on for another issue. Lastly our cover-boy for this issue and regular contributor Neil ‘MonstaDwarf’ Gardner writes an article on the value of a good old-fashioned handshake in his ‘Monsta’s Lair’ column. I knew if I waited long enough Neil would write something that I could relate to and understand. Well said mate and beautifully timed I might add.

CONCLUSION

Well that’s it from me, you can now get stuck into the magazine and read it from cover-to-cover ten times then complain to me that you want another issue tomorrow. Once again my sincere thanks for all the positive feedback about HCAM. This magazine is built and fuelled by passion and every single contributor and advertiser featured in HCAM loves Australian bodybuilding. It’s great to meet so many of you out there who are passionate about the sport too. Thanks again to each and every one of you. Until next time, train hard and keep smiling.

Craig Lucas.
Editor.