I have decided to start a special category for that small minority of Fitness Trainer's that have left
our profession with a certain taint. I call it the FITNESS TRAINER HALL OF SHAME !
(Publisher's Note: The names have been abbreviated so that I don't wind up pummeled by a 35 pound Olympic weightlifting bar!)
Craig T. was a world class bodybuilder. He was a USA Professional champion and competed in the Mr. Olympia, the Super Bowl of bodybuilding competitions. He was a Personal Fitness Trainer to some celebrities. One of his clients was a guitarist for the world's foremost heavy metal band.
(hint: they were a 'motley crew' of musicians) He was married to Kelly R., a world class competitor in women's physique contests. Craig T. was a constant feature in muscle magazines. He was under contract to sports supplement companies.
Craig T. had that California beach look with blonde hair often tied back in a ponytail.
He had muscles like a Greek god. He had the facial features of a movie star. The man reeked of charisma from every pore. He was my favorite bodybuilder of that era. He looked more natural and aesthetic than the current crop of juiced up, sinew popping, vein bulging, mega monstrosities of pro bodybuilding.
Craig T. seemed to be the epitome of success in bodybuilding, Fitness Training, business, and life!
Unfortunately, there was also evidence of some troubling character traits.
- Craig T. had a reputation for being a sore loser. He once walked off the stage in protest after finishing only second in a bodybuilding pro qualifier.
- Craig T. was known to go into an angry tirade towards the judges if his wife, Kelly R., was the recipient of a less than expected contest result.
- He had a reputation as a 'bad boy' with a hot temper, a fast decadent lifestyle and a roaming eye as a serial womanizer.
- In 1995 Craig T. was arrested for dealing ecstasy, a party drug.
- In 1997 he broke probation and was arresting for possession and use of steroids. He did jail time for that.
- He supplied steroids and human growth hormone to his heavy metal rocker client. He even gave the injections.
- I doubt that it was any secret that our golden maned Greek god was also pumping his own body with questionable enhancement products.
They were caught and were charged with murder! Apparently one or both of them killed M.J. and then they tried to cover up the crime. The motive was unclear. Rumors flew of a methamphetamine and booze fueled love triangle that finally went bad. Another theory was a jealous Kelly killing M.J. because she suspected an affair between the assistant and Craig. Other rumors involve M.J. stealing from her hosts and when they confronted her it turned ugly.
Craig's version was that he was breaking up a fight between the two women but not knowing his own strength ended up killing the unfortunate assistant. They were confused and fearful due to the methamphetamine use and not helped by the possible hormonal mood swings caused by anabolic steroid abuse.
There's more! Supposedly contract hit men were contacted about killing witnesses before the trial! Eventually Craig and Kelly both pled guilty to some lesser charges as follows:
Craig T. : 2nd degree murder
Kidnapping
Arson
Eligible for parole in 2026
Kelly R. : Arson
Battery with a deadly weapon leading to bodily harm
Denied parole in 2011. Next eligible for parole in 2015
(Kelly's mother died of a heart attack while Kelly was awaiting trial)
There are those that would have liked to see the death penalty for such a heinous crime. Then there are the more forgiving types that would like to see a paroled and rehabilitated Craig T. competing in Master Bodybuilding competitions in 2027.
Was Craig T. a bad person or was he a victim of the effects of drugs and anger. There may be an argument for this. I worked as a bouncer in some of Edmonton's less reputable bars and observed this:
It should also be noted that professional bodybuilding is not about health and fitness! It is an extreme lifestyle rife with chemical enhancement and extreme dieting.
You may buy into the theory that Craig T. was under the control of demonic substances and unresolved anger management issues. Nevertheless, he is still an example of how the profession of Fitness Trainer can be painted with a taint of sleaze. Supplying drugs to clients is a dangerous game! Being involved in a horrific killing is as bad as it gets!
Craig T. falls far short of the ideal Fitness Trainer role model. His potential was swallowed up by
excessive vice and poor judgement.
The end result is a seat in the Fitness Training Hall of Shame!
Until Next Time,...Keep Fit
Little Bobby Strong
There are those that would have liked to see the death penalty for such a heinous crime. Then there are the more forgiving types that would like to see a paroled and rehabilitated Craig T. competing in Master Bodybuilding competitions in 2027.
Was Craig T. a bad person or was he a victim of the effects of drugs and anger. There may be an argument for this. I worked as a bouncer in some of Edmonton's less reputable bars and observed this:
- Booze in enough quantity can turn the nicest person into an annoying boor
- Street drugs can turn the same person into an out-of control hooligan
- Booze, and street drugs can turn this person into a violent devil.
- Throw steroids into the mix and you can have a pumped up Anti-Christ.
It should also be noted that professional bodybuilding is not about health and fitness! It is an extreme lifestyle rife with chemical enhancement and extreme dieting.
You may buy into the theory that Craig T. was under the control of demonic substances and unresolved anger management issues. Nevertheless, he is still an example of how the profession of Fitness Trainer can be painted with a taint of sleaze. Supplying drugs to clients is a dangerous game! Being involved in a horrific killing is as bad as it gets!
Craig T. falls far short of the ideal Fitness Trainer role model. His potential was swallowed up by
 |
| An infamous Fitness Trainer - A celebrity rock star client Administer some questionable substances Add a life of excessive debauchery Throw in a gruesome death = A seat of honor in the Fitness Training Hall of Shame !!!! |
The end result is a seat in the Fitness Training Hall of Shame!
Until Next Time,...Keep Fit
Little Bobby Strong
