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Interview With Steve Gould
Q. Can you give us some background about yourself?
A. I have a fairly extensive athletic background from grade school, through high school and into college. My sport of focus was basketball. I taught and coached varsity basketball and track at the high school level for many years. I have also been involved in the martial arts for over 30 years earning a 5th dan in Okinawan karate; an instructorship in kali, JKD, shoot wrestling and Thai boxing, as well as a blue belt in Brazilian jujitsu.
Q. What got you started in fitness?
A. My start in fitness came from my own early days of trial and error training to help me become a better athlete.
Q. What is it about fitness that you love so much?
A. Fitness to me is a positive means to the end of living one's life fully.
Q. What adversities have you had to overcome?
A. My biggest adversity as a youth was a very skinny body. That is why I asked for and received a 110 lb. set of weights for Christmas of my freshman year in high school. I had no serious injuries until I was out of school and training and competing in martial arts and continuing in competitve baketball. I have worked through a frozen ankle, 2 separated shoulders, and an L-4 disc injury among others. I am currently injury and pain free do in the most part to my own fitness regimine.
Q. What are your favorite and least favorite exercises?
A. By far my favorite exercises involve kettlebells. Next would be body weight exercises. Except for squats I have discarded most barbell exercises because of the lack of freeom of movement they offer. Although I did a lot of running in my younger days, running now would be at the top of my list of least favorite exercises.
Q. What are your tips for the beginner, intermediate and advanced?
A. For a beginner learn to be patient and "walk before you run." Also, get a good coach\instructor to ensure proper and safe exercise performance.
An intermediate should have a firm knowledge of various exercise mechanics and protocols but still follow prescribed programs.
Advanced means take all your knowledge and experience and fit it to your needs and goals.
Q. Where do you stand on the use of steroids and supplements?
A. Steroids is a personal choice. Short term gains can be outweighed by long term consequences. There is greater satisfaction to be gained from hard and intellegent work and proper nutrition.
Supplements can be an important adjunct to one's training. With the plethora of products on the market, I would advice someone wishing to start supplimentation to keep it simple - protein and possibly creatine and glutamine.
Q. What are your future goals?
A. My future goals are personally to keep training and advancing in knowledge. Professionally, I perform several seminars a year and will continue doing so as well as to personal train (mostly athletes).
Q. What is the toughest part about fitness for you?
A. The toughest part as a fitness trainer is to find ways to keep each person's motivation up for the long term. Almost anyone can stay motivated for s weeks. Finding ways to keep them motivated for 6 years and longer is the real work of a personal trainer.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to say?
A. Make fitness enjoyable and part of your life. Too many people who come into my facility have waited far to long to get started. They can and will make progress, but they are having to dig out of a deep hole so to speak.
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