Chris “The Real Deal” Cormier – A True Venice Bodybuilding Original. Article by Jill Rudison.
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Happy New Year Venecians! Another year is amongst us, as well as New Year’s resolutions to get back into the gym, lose the holiday spare tire and get back into shape. With that in mind, I wanted to write about my dear friend and mentor, IFBB Pro, and Venice local, Chris Cormier. Chris recently began taking on and training clients at Gold’s Gym Venice, and is now experiencing the transition from student to teacher. Back on the scene with a small army of up-and-coming BB talent, Cormier looks ahead to a bright future and talks about how Venice has set the backdrop for so much of his past…
Where are you from originally and how long have you been in Venice?
I’m born and raised Palm Springs, CA and I starting coming to Venice back in 1984. I first came out here to get a t-shirt, a BB magazine, to watch the big guys on the beach lift heavy weights and wear my army parachute pants. They used to sell those pants on the beach back then. I used to come out about once a month to check out the scene and always had dreams of competing. In 1985 I competed in the Mr. Teenage Palm Springs show and got 4th place. I came back to the stage in 1986 to win first place and that really got me motivated.
In 1987 I started coming to Venice more often to train for the Mr. Teenage California show. I’d crash in Hollywood and commute to Venice every day to train at Gold’s – go to Muscle Beach to eat and lay out and rest – then I’d go back to Gold’s to train again and then back to Hollywood to sleep. Did that every day for the last few weeks leading up to the show.
Why do you BB?
I’ve had an intense connection with my body since I was 8 or 9. I began rolling my stomach and flexing my hamstrings before I was 10, for no reason other than I could do it. When it came time to compete, I was heavily influenced by my HS Math teacher, Kathy Lauria ,who one day looked at me and said that I had good genetics. Apparently her BF was a BB who trained at Gold’s Venice and she offered him up to train me. I took her up on it, and a few weeks later I was in the gym training with him. He gave me a huge stack of BB magazines and assigned me to the “homework” of reading them. Up late at night with a flashlight under the covers reading magazines, learning the history, the game players, the scene, etc.
Did you ever train at Muscle Beach?
A few times… just to say I “did it”. I’m not really an exhibitionist and I always felt like I was on display in a zoo when I would train there, so I didn’t do it that often.
How long have you been training at Gold’s Gym?
Since 1987 – 24 years. Whoa.
Tell us a great Gold’s Gym story.
Back in the day when you would walk through the doors, you would always hear the electricity, as in an electric sound, a buzzing. It was distinctive. Now remember, this was when there was 10, 15, 20 Pros training there daily, so maybe it was just the scene. Mike Quinn was training there one day doing bent-over rows doing 465lbs for 4 reps, and one day he dropped the weight and screamed a scream so loud and vulgar I nearly dropped my own weight. I had never seen anyone so pumped up like that to where crazy energy like that physically escaped and come out of their body through their mouth.
Take us on a sentimental journey and tell us about the Venice Beach bodybuilding scene. Past and Present.
I always felt like Venice was my second home – I always wanted to live here, be here, be immersed in the scene, etc. When I die, I want my ashes spread here.
In the past there were a lot of characters here. Craig Titus, my brother Rob Cormier (who used to train and even competed a few times), just like, a bigger community of people. There were ALWAYS competitions every weekend in CA somewhere – Norcal, SoCal, mid-Cal, etc. – and the energy was different. It wasn’t just a few competitors, but everyone competing it seemed. And the people – the Barbarian Brothers; curling 150lb dumbbells and doing 6 plates, Big Victor Richards, who was larger than life, Rich Gaspari, Lee Haney; the people were so much more animated and just seemed surreal. You also have to keep in mind that this was way before the internet and we had to actually wait by the mailbox for the paper magazines to come, and then you’d see the people in the magazines live and in person at the gym which was super surreal. Joe Weider was very much involved in the sport and would come to Gold’s occasionally and I loved being able to work with him at the gym back in that era. Looking back, it was essentially the “golden era” of modern BB.
Who from Venice has had an influence on you and why?
Robbie Robinson moved to Venice before I did and he trained at the original Gold’s with Arnold and everyone, so he already had legendary status in my eyes when I met him when I was 21. He had a really great look and I was just wowed out. He was my training partner and a good friend to me and we took a lot of walks through Venice that consisted on talking about the sport, our lives, the BB business, old war stories, etc.. Gary Straydum was my training partner in 1991 and he taught me his version of intensity and how to be a good pro, training on the road, his ups and downs, and was just a great mentor to me. He busted my ass too. Guy was a workhorse.
How has Venice as a city had an impact on the world of BB?
Everyone wants to come HERE. Everyone wants to see the MB “pit” and Gold’s and just see where it all started. It’s still one of the biggest, yet still underground scenes out there. We started BB here.
What do you think of Muscle Beach now? What would you like to see happen?
I think Joe Wheatley is doing a great job with the VB Muscle Contest shows and preserving Muscle Beach and its history. I’d like to see more guys with more good solid physiques come back to Muscle Beach to train. You know…actually give the tourists something to look at! I think that the city should offer the Pros a small stipend to came out and train and just meet and greet and drum up interest in the scene there. I’d love to see more serious BB training there – if not for the people, strictly for the tourism factor.
Would you be bummed if Gold’s closed down in Venice? Thoughts?
Of course I’d be bummed! Gold’s is a HUGE part of Venice and its BB history.
It’d be like closing down a “college” or “university” – it’s such a staple and institution. It’d be a shame. But now that it’s corporately owned, they don’t change out the machines like they used to, they added televisions (which they never had), the addition of the foo-foo gym background music, the removal of the 2nd posing room – times done changed.
Do you think Muscle Beach will ever have a “heyday” again?
Maybe. It seems the interest is still there. The subculture will always be there, but I hope to see more mainstream people get involved with the addition of the categories of physique & bikini, which will just generate more interest in the sport. I hope to be around to see it happen.
How was Muscle Beach an influence on you?
I just loved every aspect of Venice. The food, the boardwalk, the diverse people that it attracted from around the world – it just showed every level of person around – all walking right past Muscle Beach.
You’re making a comeback (yay!) and now training at Gold’s. What’s that like for you as a teacher now? How does that feel?
I like it. I love it. It’s stressful at times because I want everyone to do well and have the best results, but I enjoy watching the metamorphisis occur right before my eyes.
Rumor has it that you’re also thinking of competing again. What’s up?
I don’t feel great about the way my career “ended” just because I felt I had a lot more to give. With the horrific injuries I sustained, almost dying a few times, etc., it made it an uphill battle. I’d like to try and compete in the Masters Show in Miami next year and just get up on that stage one more time. It would really mean a lot to me. I’ve competed more than anyone in the sport (record setting pace for shows and pose-downs, etc.) and I’d really like to give it another shot. But I want to see real legends up there competing alongside with me – that would be fun.
Do you specialize in an area of training?
The mind-body connection, great form and rep control, precise targeted training.
Tell us about training NPC competitors. What’s that like? Any up-and-comers you’re training now?
Stressful! Just kidding. Sometimes. I like it cause I know what I’m doing, I’ve been a competitor in those shoes, I know what it feels like and what the rollercoaster is like. Ultimately, I go on that ride with my clients. I think I get more nervouse than they do at times. It’s a lot of emotions, mood swings, training, bad days, good days – it’s alot.
Currently I’m training a few National-level competitors – Jill Rudison and Brad Rowe – both of whom I will predict will turn pro in 2012. Lenyn Nunez, the current reigning Mr. California, and Earl Moore, both of whom I’m expecting to see great things from next year.
Can anyone train to be a competitor? How long does prepping for a show take?
Yes, of course! Anyone can train to be a competitor IF they commit to it and say “I wanna see how good I can be for ME”. Can everyone be a champion? No. But anyone can be a competitor. Average time it takes to prep a show is 16-20 weeks, if one is in average good shape upon starting. There’s a huge balancing act involved and it takes time. The last thing you want to do is to rush and then not meet the goals you wanted to hit.
What are some of the publications and sites you write for where people can read more?
Flex Magazine will be featuring the “Cormier’s Corner” where I will be accessing the top physiques vying for the Arnold Classic title.
What’s an insider training tip you can share with us?
Learn to FEEL the muscle through the movement instead of just making the movement with the weights. The mind-body connection.
What’s the biggest misconception about you personally? Besides being not dead via internet.
I hear that I’m in two different places at the same time – ie. I’m at a club in NY when in reality I’m training in California. I must have an evil twin.
What is your favorite “diet” food? Any secret eats you want to share?
I like 10 egg whites and 1 cup of white rice. Cook the rice first in a rice cooker, put the cooked rice in a pot first and then cook the egg whites on top of it and mix it up. Season to taste an add protein, if you’d like. Scramble it as it cooks. It makes a nice big meal and flavors the egg whites nicely.
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Venice Questions
Describe Venice in 5 words:
Diverse, happy, laid-back, must-see, the belly of California-culture
What is your favorite Venice eatery?
Whole Foods Venice
Where’s the best spot in Venice to buy nutritional supplements?
Max Muscle on Lincoln & Rose
Describe your idea of a perfect day in the neighborhood.
A good day of training, followed by a trip to the beach, sunny skies and that unmistakable smell of the Venice Boardwalk. Call me nostalgic.
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Contact
To train with one of Venice’s true bodybuilding originals, Chris “the Real Deal” Cormier, contact him one of many ways:
Email: cormierenterprise@yahoo.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Real-Deal-Cormier-Fan-Page/103053579738861?ref=ts&sk=wall
Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/chriscormier1
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KC: Who would you say your musical influences are?
V.P. Beer of the week: Big Bear Black Stout.
