*** Members' Intreview with BIGDOWNUNDER ***

This week member BIGDOWNUNDER has kindly agreed to be interviewed by you.

Please use this topic to ask him any questions about  lifestyle, training, diet and progress,  - or anything else - though please, nothing too personal or invasive.

Please bear with him and give him time to reply , there is a time difference!

BIGDOWNUNDER, thanks for agreeing to take part in this interview.

1) Can you give us a brief rundown of how you got into working out and how long you've been training?

2) What are your top cutting and bulking tips?

3) What is your day job?

4) Have you always lived in Australia?

Good choice.

1) Do you know many ockers?

2) Why do kangaroos always stink of dung?

3) Is there anything you miss about England?

4) What are you best ever lifts ever, you were pretty tonk at once stage!

5) You mentioned in another thread you would like to set a nursing agency up with your missus if you become rich. Did she nurse in England before Aus (can't remember if she is British) and if so how did she find the change? My other half is a nurse and found nursing in Aus pretty crazy!

1) Can you give us a brief rundown of how you got into working out and how long you've been training?
G'day and thanks for this opportunity- I have been training just over 18yrs with no layoffs. I used to work in a Butchers shop part time whilst I was at college-this guy I used to go to school with who was a competitive BB used to come in a buy all his meat so we got talking and he said his current training partner had just changed jobs so was unable to train and asked would I like to train-so I jumped at the chance.
I had always been into Martial Arts from being 10yrs old studying Shotokan Karate 2yrs, Wing Chun 1yr and finally settling with Ninjutsu in Manchester Sensei Dave Evans, after about 8yrs of MA I was constantly suffering injuries and was advised to try weights by my Chiropractor and this coincided with being offered to train with my old school mate. I have never felt the urge to compete but have always enjoyed going to shows and the buzz that these events used to bring.

2) What are your top cutting and bulking tips?
I was always a skinny kid so from day one of lifting weights I ate what ever I could get my hands on-of course as I have gotten older in order to stay relativley lean more care was needed. I never even considered dieting until I had bulked for about 6yrs-the trouble with most BB today is they want everything now! to be huge, ripped and all in 3mnths!. My body responds pretty well as soon as I reduce my carb intake-and even when dieting I don't count the calories.
My tip is to concentrate on one thing at a time if your going to bulk set your timeframe out on a calendar and the same with dieting. Don't keep jumping on the scales. Its not rocket science.

3) What is your day job?
I am a Supply Chain Manager for a large Cosmetics company-my role is office based and can change from week to week depending on what department is under performing. I really enjoy my job as there is very little actual work to be done just degrees of responsibility. Only downer is I recently moved out of the city and up the coast so I now commute everyday.

4) Have you always lived in Australia?
No-I came over in 2000 for the Olympics with my GF just to have a look around and maybe backpack for a while, we had a holiday for 3mnths then she was offered sponsorship by the Mater Hospital in Sydney-she is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology-she teachers student nurses. So we both jumped at the chance.
So we got married at the end of 2001 and now 2 children-Josh whos 2 and Lydia who is 4 going on 18!.
 

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

You come across as a nice guy and very family orientated so I am looking forward to this interview.

My question is what are the pros and cons of living in Aus compared to the UK?

Cardifflads journal - feel free to explore and add your two pennies

Irish Beast


Good choice.
Cheers mate how are you now your back in Blighty?

1) Do you know many ockers?
 
I don't really-theres a few at work mostly Asians

2) Why do kangaroos always stink of dung?
 
Your not cooking em right!

3) Is there anything you miss about England?
 
Ton's mate-Family(my family not the Mrs), Sarcasm and taking the p*ss, some foods-spit and sawdust gyms and mostly contacts!-I ever need anything I have to buy it!!!

4) What are you best ever lifts ever, you were pretty tonk at once stage!
 
Never ever done single lifts-deadlifted 400lb for 8reps-squatted 500lb for 8reps benched about 350 for 6reps all these lifts were done within a full workout.
5) You mentioned in another thread you would like to set a nursing agency up with your missus if you become rich. Did she nurse in England before Aus (can't remember if she is British) and if so how did she find the change? My other half is a nurse and found nursing in Aus pretty crazy!
 
I was just shooting form the hip-Mrs is good at what she does-and I know theres mahooosive money to be made from helping UK nurses get work in Aus.
My Mrs is English and she thinks the Nursing is not upto UK standards-thats whay she will only work in Private Hospitals in Aus.

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

Cardifflad


You come across as a nice guy and very family orientated so I am looking forward to this interview.

My question is what are the pros and cons of living in Aus compared to the UK?

Hi mate,
 
You are right mate-My family in Aus is everything to me, the main reason we are out here is for the lifestyle we can offer to the kids-something that we never had as kids.
People under estimate the power of waking up with the Sun shining!-your whole mindset changes.  I do miss the UK because I am Engilsh and always will be-but things were getting me down and I'd had enough of the rat race and needed a new start.
 
Aus isn't for everyone-its just as fckin hard to make a go here as in the UK-but you have none of past to keep creeping up and smacking you in the face. A clean start to do the right thing.  Australians will give you a hand but only if your serious.
 
 
 
 
 

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

OK, so you mentioned a better lifestyle. Can you say how your quality of life is different/ better to what it was in the UK. Anything in particular that really stands out (obviously other than the weather)?

You say you miss the UK. What specific things do you miss the most?

Have you ever tied a kangaroo down sport?

When i visited Australia in 2008 in August/September two things surprised me; the 'blokeyness' of the place, and the level of racism bubbling under the surface.

What has been your experience of these two things?

Have you ever had any serious training related injuries?

Awesome pic, but Tony you're not doing yourself many favours posting up tips on preventing the gag reflex and then a picture of a guy touching his toes - Ak

BIGDOWNUNDER


4) Have you always lived in Australia?
No-I came over in 2000 for the Olympics with my GF just to have a look around and maybe backpack for a while, we had a holiday for 3mnths then she was offered sponsorship by the Mater Hospital in Sydney-she is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology-she teachers student nurses. So we both jumped at the chance.
So we got married at the end of 2001 and now 2 children-Josh whos 2 and Lydia who is 4 going on 18!.
 

Would you recommend Auz as the place to re-locate, in 5-10 years i hope to just leave england maybe sooner as i have a business idea which will take Auz by storm. Is it the place to be? Are the people nice?

Also do you really see people walking around with corks dangling off strings on their hat?

Am I correct in assuming your the same guy from the Doggpound?

I am Ripper... Tearer... Slasher... Gouger. I am the Teeth in the Darkness, the Talons in the Night. Mine is Strength... and Lust... and Power!

Thanks for doing the interview this week!

One quick question:
Are you really big downunder, or at least, does your partner tell you you are?

James Collier
MT Co-Owner & Event Promoter
Like us on Facebook:

badladmark


OK, so you mentioned a better lifestyle. Can you say how your quality of life is different/ better to what it was in the UK. Anything in particular that really stands out (obviously other than the weather)?

You say you miss the UK. What specific things do you miss the most?

Hi,
 
well apart from the weather!-Australians will give you a fare go at anything if your serious, something that I findlacking in the UK.  I spent 28yrs of my life in England and one thing is British love to is knock you down as sooner give you a hand up.
I don't think it was always this way and I'm sure things will change here,  Australia is such a new country in so many ways. I always felt a sense of having to fit in to a particular label something I'm sure you can appreciate.
 
I could never afford the things I have in Aus back in the UK without continuing down an illegal route.  My kids will go to private school, I live walking distance to the beach, 5mins to a huge shopping mall, 7yr old 4 bedroom house with a pool-2 cars and the only thing that keeps me awake at night is the wildlife not some inconsiderate chav!.
One of the best explanations I have read about Aus is 'Its America 25yrs ago" before it started to go all pear shaped.
cheers

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

essex_chris


Have you ever tied a kangaroo down sport?

When i visited Australia in 2008 in August/September two things surprised me; the 'blokeyness' of the place, and the level of racism bubbling under the surface.

What has been your experience of these two things?

Have you ever had any serious training related injuries?

 

I've tickled a Joey! does that count.
 
Australia is like any place with it's different characters-There are a lot of Blokey blokes and as I said in a previous reply Australia is quite a new country so I think there experiencing what we did in the 70's in England-a large influx of immigrants.
A lot of the older Australians are very racist and its something I do have a problem with at work.
 
I have never had any serious training injuries just the odd niggles as I get older-I have always been a big candidate for warming up properly- 1 or 2 sets of 30 plus reps slow and controlled.
 
Cheers

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

Blue_Lagoon3000

BIGDOWNUNDER


4) Have you always lived in Australia?
No-I came over in 2000 for the Olympics with my GF just to have a look around and maybe backpack for a while, we had a holiday for 3mnths then she was offered sponsorship by the Mater Hospital in Sydney-she is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Oncology-she teachers student nurses. So we both jumped at the chance.
So we got married at the end of 2001 and now 2 children-Josh whos 2 and Lydia who is 4 going on 18!.

Would you recommend Auz as the place to re-locate, in 5-10 years i hope to just leave england maybe sooner as i have a business idea which will take Auz by storm. Is it the place to be? Are the people nice?

Also do you really see people walking around with corks dangling off strings on their hat?

I would highly recommend it-but my only advice is come out here and travel round to see if you will like it.  If you have lived in a major city in the UK and try to settle in most small towns in Aus you will feel like you just stepped off the deck of the 'Starship Enterprise' onto rowing boat!-things tend to move a lot slower in Aus-people priories are to go surfing and do as little work as possible-If your streetwise and now your sh*t you'll do well.  I have never had an argument with an Aussie in 9yrs-Irish, English, Italian yes!
 
And I'm struggling to type with these corks getting in my eyes!

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

Valhalla


Am I correct in assuming your the same guy from the Doggpound?

Hi,
I have been a member of the Doggpond for quite a while but not under this username-haven't been on in years started to get  abit to self loving.
 
All hail Dante

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

James


Thanks for doing the interview this week!

One quick question:
Are you really big downunder, or at least, does your partner tell you you are?

Thanks for asking me to do the Interview-Now James your just trying to turn this into another Badladmark thread aren't you!!-I know sex sells but come on!
 
In answer to this (my Mrs won't be reading it) I'm hung like a Grand national winner!

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

The grand national hasn't been won by a horse with a cock for about seventy years. Would you care to reconsider that last answer ?

As far as I know, forgiveness is for the benefit of the person doing the forgiving, not the one being forgiven

Hey bro you mentioned previously that u packed in AAS when u had kids. Was that the sole reason, or were u looking to come off anyway & used the kids as a motivating factor.
 
You are still in good nick judging from that hulk dad photo, but do u ever miss the AAS at all??

Lets start buildin' some hurtin' bombs 

Fat Pete


The grand national hasn't been won by a horse with a cock for about seventy years. Would you care to reconsider that last answer ?

Maybe thats what I was angling at

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

Quagmire


Hey bro you mentioned previously that u packed in AAS when u had kids. Was that the sole reason, or were u looking to come off anyway & used the kids as a motivating factor.
 
You are still in good nick judging from that hulk dad photo, but do u ever miss the AAS at all??

Good question-Yes having kids was the main reason it was also financial.  At home I would get as much gear as I needed for free some of my less reputable friends were dealers and I'm talking regular trips over to Greece and coming back with 3 or 4 suitcases full weekly-so over in Aus with no contacts I was paying top dollar.
-the Mrs had to drag me kicking and screaming off them!-I dabbled with AAS for about 8 to 10 yrs, and its not until your completley clean do you realize how much they really effect you-probably psychologically more than physically.
I love training Naturally now it poses its own challenges-and from the base physique I had gained over the years from hard training and gear use its pretty easy to maintain a above average physique.
 
Cheers

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

Hi mate,
How is bodybuilding regarded in Aus ?

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.   Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad"

 

BIGDOWNUNDER

Quagmire


Hey bro you mentioned previously that u packed in AAS when u had kids. Was that the sole reason, or were u looking to come off anyway & used the kids as a motivating factor.
 
You are still in good nick judging from that hulk dad photo, but do u ever miss the AAS at all??

Good question-Yes having kids was the main reason it was also financial.  At home I would get as much gear as I needed for free some of my less reputable friends were dealers and I'm talking regular trips over to Greece and coming back with 3 or 4 suitcases full weekly-so over in Aus with no contacts I was paying top dollar.
-the Mrs had to drag me kicking and screaming off them!-I dabbled with AAS for about 8 to 10 yrs, and its not until your completley clean do you realize how much they really effect you-probably psychologically more than physically.
I love training Naturally now it poses its own challenges-and from the base physique I had gained over the years from hard training and gear use its pretty easy to maintain a above average physique.
 
Cheers

Thanks man. How long u been off now. If u could get them free again would u be tempted to go again?

Lets start buildin' some hurtin' bombs 

johnny bravo


Hi mate,
How is bodybuilding regarded in Aus ?

Hi,
I was surprised actually how big the whole gym thing is out here-On pretty much every corner theres a gym of some sort.  Its probably to do with the outdoors lifestyle here.
Competitive BB is probably about the same as home-but fitness I would say is more of a way of life.  At anytime of day you will see people running, cycling or with PT's doing sprints or boot camp.  I find that older people 40+ tend to look a lot fitter-don't get me wrong though theres still plenty of fatties(not that theres anything wrong with that).
 
Cheers

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

Quagmire


[

Thanks man. How long u been off now. If u could get them free again would u be tempted to go again?

 
I have been clean for just over 5yrs-my daughter is 4 and a half and I was off for about 6mnths before my wife fell pregnant.
I don't think I would actually-its a bit like been there done that.
You soon learn AAS are great tool used properly-but you have to stop some time!
They are a bit like a Circus mirror as long as you know you look the way you do because your on them your fine-as soon as you lose sight of reality they become like any other drug.
AAS should be a very small part of your arsenal for achieving the result your after.
Cheers
 

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

BIGDOWNUNDER

johnny bravo


Hi mate,
How is bodybuilding regarded in Aus ?

Hi,
I was surprised actually how big the whole gym thing is out here-On pretty much every corner theres a gym of some sort. Its probably to do with the outdoors lifestyle here.
Competitive BB is probably about the same as home-but fitness I would say is more of a way of life. At anytime of day you will see people running, cycling or with PT's doing sprints or boot camp. I find that older people 40+ tend to look a lot fitter-don't get me wrong though theres still plenty of fatties(not that theres anything wrong with that).

Cheers

Seinfeld quote!

Which leads me to my question - what's comedy like over there mate?

Similar tastes to ours in the UK, or much different?

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbIGhfbrlj0
 
 

[

Seinfeld quote!

Which leads me to my question - what's comedy like over there mate?

Similar tastes to ours in the UK, or much different?

Hi Drab
 
I'd say very similar to ours-Aussies get Sarcasm/taking the p*ss-but aren't forthcoming at using it.  I pretty much will laugh at anything how ever bad taste-I think humor can bridge all races as long as people know thats the way you are.
Taking the P*ss and sarcasm is my Management style at work which so far has worked-but theres nothing more annoying than somebody who loves to take the P*ss but can't take it back!
Aussies take there sport VERY VERY serious-so when ever England win anything they become very quiet.
 
There is an old Australian TV show called 'Hey Hey its Saturday' where live acts come on do a turn the they are voted off if there crap-I think the winner obviously wins some prize(like a live version of the X Factor but anything goes).
  The last couple of weeks theres been a reunion show on and Harry Conic Junior has been a guest judge-Well! these five white Aussie guys come on dressed as the Jackson 5-they all have there faces painted black like the 'Black and White minstrels' apart from Michael who has his face painted white!.  Harry Conic Junior goes mad and starts saying its the most racist thing he has ever seen and threatens to walk of the show!-I pissed my self laughing!. Only Australians would get away with this. It was a bit like in the '70s' we had TV show like 'Love thy Neighbor' but they still try and get away with it.
cheers

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

What do you actually do for a living out there? Is it similar to what you did in the UK? Did you have a job offered prior to you leaving the UK? and how ofetn do you return to see family etc?

Does your Mrs train too?

Cheers

It's finally arrived....PM Neb for swaps!

Just read the thread (sort of) and realise you have answered my first question...apologies!.

It's finally arrived....PM Neb for swaps!

Neb


What do you actually do for a living out there? Is it similar to what you did in the UK? Did you have a job offered prior to you leaving the UK? and how often do you return to see family etc?

Does your Mrs train too?

Cheers

 
Hi Neb,
I am 1 of 4 Supply Chain Managers at a large Cosmetics company in Sydney-I started off as a Logistics Manager at the same company working in the Shipping Dept-the the offer came up to move into my current role mainly looking after Customer Service and all Correspondence including the company website(haven't got the slightest clue about I.T.!).
I have been with this company since Feb 2004-I had a couple of crappy jobs in Aus-Boat Building was the worse-cutting fibreglass in 110 degree heat no thanks!.
I've been lucky because the Mrs has always had as much work as she needed-the health system is the same in Aus as in the UK-under funded.
 
I used to be Logistics Manager for Hotpoint UK back in the mid 90's-so my experience was transferable to this role.  We both had no jobs set up in Aus before we arrived-didn't really plan on staying that long to tell the truth.  I last returned home in 2003  and stayed in Singapore on the way back-its just to expensive for the whole family to keep going back-so I pay for my mum and sisters to come out now and again.
 
I would like to come home for the Olympics in 2012-that would be an awsome time.
 
My wife used to train with me back in the UK for nearly 2 yrs-she got into fantastic shape and was pretty strong-then when she had the kids she dropped down to training just a couple of days per week-she likes Yoga and pilates at the moment.
 
Cheers

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

Thanks mate

Touching on the Aussie healthcare system?

I did a thread over on UGM asking questions about various other countries' healthcare systems and if anyone has a similar (free) system to the UK.

Can you explain how the Oz system works?....I believe you have to pay initially, then claim it back? or am I wrong?

In short, whatever the system there, do you rate it above the NHS?

Cheers

It's finally arrived....PM Neb for swaps!

Hey Neb,

Its called Medicare and you pay and you claim a percentage back, if its something simple like a check up at the doctor Medicare will cover it all-but if you have an x ray then you may only get 75% of the total cost back.  I think it pretty good-with my wife working within the Health System we very rarely had to pay at all-but saying that we have gone Private since the kids have been born.
We pay around 100 pounds per month for Private Health Cover for the whole family -this includes Dental.

Cheers

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

Q - Whats your favourite Aussie Lager?
Q - Do you have a drive through off licence near you?
Q - Have you ever been on the turbo boat in Sydney harbour? After about 12 pints that was a pretty crazy experience!

Irish Beast


Q - Whats your favorite Aussie Lager?
Q - Do you have a drive through off licence near you?
Q - Have you ever been on the turbo boat in Sydney harbor? After about 12 pints that was a pretty crazy experience!

I don't drink much mate-although I do like an Aussie wheat beer called James Squire 'Golden Ale' and I'll be having a couple of those whist watching 'Angels and Demons' tonight. We have about 10 drive through 'Bottle 'os near us- I was driving through Dan Murphys last week to get a case of beer for a BBq and the young lad who works there says "Hi Josh" to my 2 yr old son WTF!!-I said how do you know my son? he says your wife comes through now and again!!-Touch of the Marge Simpson's if you ask me drinking in the day.
 
I would love to go on one of those Speed boats when I can get the kids looked after.  Nearest I've been to that is driving a 500BHP Holden Malloo ute upto Queensland with 50,000 cold and flu tablets in the back!!!-thats another story
 
Cheers
 

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

BIGDOWNUNDER

johnny bravo


Hi mate,
How is bodybuilding regarded in Aus ?

Hi,
I was surprised actually how big the whole gym thing is out here-On pretty much every corner theres a gym of some sort.  Its probably to do with the outdoors lifestyle here.
Competitive BB is probably about the same as home-but fitness I would say is more of a way of life.  At anytime of day you will see people running, cycling or with PT's doing sprints or boot camp.  I find that older people 40+ tend to look a lot fitter-don't get me wrong though theres still plenty of fatties(not that theres anything wrong with that).
 
Cheers

 
Dorian gets little or no recognition in this country outside bodybuilding circles, dispite the fact that he's the most sucessful British B/builder of all time. Also same can probably be said for Terry Holands or Jamie Reeves not to mention other strength sport athletes.
 
Would the average man in the street be aware of who Lee Priest is ?

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.   Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad"

 

Is Roo-Killing something that the Auzies actually do in their spare time?

I had a mate who was over from Auz and he said the kids/teenagers used to run through the bush with machetes chasing after kangaroos and chopping them, thats terrible

Is it true?

Now you are resident in Oz, where do you go on holiday?

Liquid Sun Rayz.co.uk

 

 

Haha good question.

Presumably he pays a couple of grand to fly across the globe and go for a rainy holiday at a campsite in Merther Tidville (speeling? )

Everything is upside down in Australia after all

Awesome pic, but Tony you're not doing yourself many favours posting up tips on preventing the gag reflex and then a picture of a guy touching his toes - Ak

johnny bravo

BIGDOWNUNDER

johnny bravo


Hi mate,
How is bodybuilding regarded in Aus ?

Hi,
I was surprised actually how big the whole gym thing is out here-On pretty much every corner theres a gym of some sort.  Its probably to do with the outdoors lifestyle here.
Competitive BB is probably about the same as home-but fitness I would say is more of a way of life.  At anytime of day you will see people running, cycling or with PT's doing sprints or boot camp.  I find that older people 40+ tend to look a lot fitter-don't get me wrong though theres still plenty of fatties(not that theres anything wrong with that).
 
Cheers

 
Dorian gets little or no recognition in this country outside bodybuilding circles, dispite the fact that he's the most sucessful British B/builder of all time. Also same can probably be said for Terry Holands or Jamie Reeves not to mention other strength sport athletes.
 
Would the average man in the street be aware of who Lee Priest is ?

Probaly not-BB is still a sub culture as in the UK-but Dorian is a legend in BB what ever country you are in-Australian BB speak of Dorian as we would-absolute legend.

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

Hazel


Now you are resident in Oz, where do you go on holiday?

Hi Hazel,
 
That is a good question-most Aussies go to Bali-just like we would go to Spain in the UK. Fiji is also a popular destination-Anywhere in Asia is cheap to travel to from this end of the world.  We head up to Byron Bay at the end of the month for 10 days-its a hippy/anything goes kind of place-most traveling Movie stars/rock stars stay there for that kind of attitude and its on 40mins drive to the theme parks for the kids. 
 
I was listening to Pink being interviewed on the radio a while back and she said when she stayed in Byron Bay she stopped a young Surfer on the Beach to ask for directions-Instead of being starstruck he said-sorry luv can't stop and chat surfs up!.

How dare you queston my heritage!! theirs a bottle of HP sauce in my fridge.

hugh jackman or russell crowe?

neighbours or home and away?

Are most of the Islanders massive naturally.