Where are They Now? –The Dennis Newman Story
By
Shawn Ray
In the late 80’s a “New Breed of Bodybuilders were flourishing in the sport, then along came a Teenager from Northern California with Movie Star good looks, 6ft tall and the word Potential written all over his body. His name was Dennis Newman and he was destined for greatness until his dream and his plans were abruptly put on hold after he won the NPC Mr. California Title then earning his IFBB Pro Card as an NPC Mr. USA Overall Winner.
He would later go onto survive Two Divorces, a bout with Cancer and a Pec Tear while watching his career slip through the hands of time.
Here is his story…….
Jan 25th, 2011
SR:How old were you when you got on a bodybuilding stage and what got you up there?
DN: I was fourteen when I started and sixteen when I got on stage for the first time.
I remember seeing a picture of Samir Bannout on my sister’s wall. That got me thinking about how I wanted to be when I get older - strong and powerful looking.
I was kind of pushed into being in a contest by a guy named Wyland.
He was an ex Chargers strength coach who had recently moved up to my hometown to live with his sisters.
Wyland was the kind of guy who would help me if I was doing things wrong in the gym. I guess you can say he was my first bodybuilding mentor, and a big reason why I started bodybuilding.
SR: What contests did you win on your way up?
DN: I won my first show, the Mr. Teen Fort Ord Championship, at an army base up in Monterey, California.
My second win was the San José Teen Overall.
Then, it was the Orange County Classic Teen Overall, followed by the Mr. Teen California, and then finally the Teen USA.
That was my teen career, lol!
Then, I went back up to win the Men’s Overall at the San José Super Bowl,
In ‘92 I won the Mr. California title, and in ‘94 Mr.USA.
SR: What was it like training with pro bodybuilders before you eventually won the USA's?
DN: It was very educational, I think.
If I hadn’t trained with those guys, I wouldn’t have found what works for me as fast.
I was always trying to be a listener.
In this sport, there are a lot of wrongs and rights that people tend to throw around a lot.
SR: What kind of training did you do, intensity-wise, regarding reps and sets?
DN: Well, Shawn, just like yours. We had some great works back in the day together!
SR: Share a memory of one of your harder workout experiences you've ever had?
DN: I was at the gym, and we used to do 100’s.
That’s when you do 50, then rest for 20 seconds, then 50 more without stopping.
I would do that with four exercises on legs; I swear I was dieting.
There were many times I would pull over and puke my brains out!
SR: After winning the Mr. California in ’92 - joining the likes of Bob Paris, Mike Christian, Troy Zucolotto, Flex Wheeler, Chris Cormier, and me - what did you think the future held for you?
DN: I thought to myself, I’m the shit, and nobody was going to stand in my way, but in a humbled way, lol!
SR: Not two years later, you would win the NPC USA Championships. Before you could step on a pro stage, you were diagnosed with leukemia. What went through your mind?
DN: At first, I thought hurry up and get me well, so I can go back to the life I worked so hard to achieve.
When they told me to take a year to try and survive this, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Mentally and emotionally, there were times I had breakdowns.
SR: Being forced to recover, watch, and reflect ,what did you learn about yourself?
DN: I learned that life can be taken away very easily, and that your should live your life to the fullest, and not sweat the little things.
SR: How did you view the sport and people in it from the sidelines?
DN: I loved the sport from a winning aspect, but it’s hard from the sidelines.
You wonder where would I be right now?
It’s always fun to see familiar faces throughout the years and see people following their dreams. It’s inspiring.
SR: If you could go back and do it all over again, what would you concentrate on a little bit more?
DN: Having a back-up plan.
At that early stage, I didn’t anticipate a thing like that happening to me, and I had put all my eggs in one basket.
SR: You eventually recovered and got back on stage. You even placed sixth at the Pro Ironman in Redondo Beach, California. What was that experience like for you?
DN: It was ok.
I like to be the favorite coming into the contest. That’s what I was used to.
Coming back from my cancer felt good; I just wanted to be at my best, and I wasn’t .
I’m too hard on myself I guess.
SR: Before all was said and done, you had torn your pec, missed out on lucrative sponsorship deals, all but disappeared from the magazines, and ultimately wound up back home in northern California. What did you do all those years after you left the stage?
DN: I always had personal training to fall back on, but I struggled with who I was.
I was really confused on what to do.
It was hard to come to grips with having your dream torn out from under you, but I managed.
SR: Now you’re healthy, training clients in Southern California, and bulked up to 260 pounds plus. Any chance you'll get on the stage one more time?
DN: You know, I was thinking of competing one last time, just to get in the shape that I was in when I was younger.
But that’s still yet to be seen, lol!
SR: What parting words of wisdom do you have for young guys coming up the game? What could you share to ease their growing pains?
DN: If you want to do this as a job, make sure you do your homework on the marketing side of the sport.
You’re a product, and you need to sell yourself! Do lots of photo shoots!
SR: You have the last words to your family and fans…
DN: Thank you, all, for supporting me through those tough years and making me feel loved. God bless you all!
Whatever your dream is, go for it!
Thank you, “Inhuman” Dennis Newman, for your time.
SRay