Don Long

How did you get into bodybuilding?
When I was dancing in clubs I would compete for the best chest award, I was always running into guys who were bodybuilders. They would say come check out some bodybuilding shows and eventually that’s what I did. I checked out some bodybuilding shows and decided to do one myself. I did my first contest in 1991 and began training for it in 1989.
 
In late 1999, you retired from professional bodybuilding why?
It was due to health issues at the time. (Note: Don was diagnosed with kidney failure. In 2002 he underwent a kidney transplant; his sister donated her kidney that Don needed).
 
After your diagnosis did you continue to train?
The one thing I knew I had to do was to stay in the gym. When it first happened I was definitely in denial. Even though they said I would be on dialyses I still went right back to the gym and stayed in the gym. I thought I was going to be able to compete back then. This happened in October and I was planning on competing in the Arnold Classic in March. Once I saw that my body wasn’t producing what it needed to and it was making it worse so that’s when I decided to retire. I still never stopped training unless I was sick. At that time I was in and out of the hospital with blood pressure and the kidney issue itself. There was a lot of re-learning my body but If I wasn’t sick I was in the gym.
 
How did you get back into contest shape for the 2006 Atlantic City Pro?
I was already working out pretty steadily; my body was starting to react to my training that year. Once I decided to do the show I really just turned the cap around and gave it 110% making no mistakes, training was rigorous and diet was 100% to the T. I knew I couldn’t make any mistakes not that I did anyway I just put that game hat back on and my body came just as well as I could do. That is from the hard and relentless training and not missing a beat. I was very organized when it comes to my meals, training, sleeping and supplements.
 
Do you think you are done competing?
I do like to think I am done competing, but I would like to emphasize I never say never; my body may get another second wind and you just never know. I never like to say never, I honestly never thought I would be able to do it this time but it was always in the back of my mind that I would like too. I don’t have any plans. I won’t put my body in jeopardy; I’ll keep training and looking great in the off season.
 
How is your training now compared to before?
In the past I was very very aggressive and animalistic back in the day but what I have done now is I know my body and with being older I know how I can progress without killing myself and without killing my body. I know my limits. Every day is quick and intense and I use my maturity that I already have as my body responds that way.
 
How is your diet now compared to before?
Ever since I’ve been on dialyses I have been on a 6 meals a day schedule. From 1999 to now it’s hasn’t changed a lot, the food has not changed much and the meals have changed here and there. Ever since the show my diet has been pin point accurate and very clean and little more precise of what I need. I am able to eat a little more protein, not as much as I used to but enough to keep my muscles reacting.
 
How have your supplements now compared to before?
Now a days there are even more supplements then were out when I was coming up in my prime. I really take advantage of all of the supplements out now. There are certain things I cannot take, but I take advantage of all of things I can to better my body and keep it as natural as possible. I take advantage of great supplements like Satur8 Nitric Oxide, the great proteins from ISS like Pro M3, Micellar Matrix and Whey Matrix. I also take Complete BCAA Power for my Branch Chain Amino Acid needs. For snacks I will eat OhYeah! Wafers, the OhYeah! Bar or the OhYeah! Natural Bar. I cannot over eat with dialyses, there is only a certain amount of potassium I can have a day so if can get nutrients from supplements that don’t carry potassium I try to do that.
 
Do you cycle you supplements?
I don’t stay on anything forever. Everything is always on a 8-10 week spread and take a break for 3-4 weeks. Always rotate on and off and take breaks.
 
What is your most memorable moment in your bodybuilding career?
Winning at the nationals is up there. In my 1st pro show I placed 3rd behind Flex Wheeler and Ronnie Coleman. That’s always a highlight for me as it set the tone for letting people know who I was and that I was a great bodybuilder. Of course Ronnie Coleman was Mr. Olympia and Flex could have been Mr. Olympia. It’s let me know where I stood if I hadn’t got sick.
 
What advice would you give to someone looking to compete?
Analyze, do your reading and understand what it takes to compete. Understand where you want to go with it. If you’re doing it for a hobby then you probably will not have to be as meticulous as someone trying to become a pro. When you have your sights on becoming a pro then you have to make a decision; it’s all about bodybuilding; eating, sleeping and training until you reach your goal. You always try to make time for just like any other sport or job you have to be dedicated. You have to eating right all day and all year, not just for a show. You have to put yourself on a 1-track mind for those few years that it takes you to get there. Then you get to a point where you can relax a little bit, once I turned pro I was able to understand my body much better. It was total perfection until I made it.
 
What do you enjoy outside of bodybuilding?
I enjoy spending time with my friends but I love animals. I love my dogs. I like training dogs and anything with dogs and animals. I have 3 dogs Roxy (Rottweiler), Brandy (German Sheppard) and Caesar (Beagle). I also enjoy the normal activates like going to the movies. Being around my dogs gives me energy and I enjoy being around my sister. On Sundays we go have dinner together and have a day for the family.
 
Will you be making any appearances coming up?
I’ll be making several appearances coming up for ISS. I will be at the Nationals, Junior Nationals, The USA’s, The Shawn Ray Classic, The Europa Super Show and The Mr. Olympia. I will be at the Emerald Cup as well as some local bodybuilding shows in Missouri and North Carolina.
 
What can fans expect from Don Long in the future?
I plan to do more videos, and I would like to write a book on my life story. I constantly do photo shoots and you will always see me in the best shape possible, I thrive on that. If I cannot compete any more I want to be representing the sport in a good way. I would like to be a good role model to up and coming people and pass on my philosophies about being very strict and disciplined. Sometimes people come up with the wrong crowd so to speak where they only get serious around contest time. I would like to get the word out that bodybuilding is about discipline year round and that’s where the true champions come from.
 
I have also been helping athletes get ready for contests as I enjoy helping people reaching their goals. I help some athletes just by talking with and giving them the motivation, inspiration and keeping them on the right track. I enjoy being a counselor for them.
 
How can fans get a hold of you?
They can e-mail me at Don@donlongnutrition.com.
 
Do you have any final thoughts?
I would like to thank ISS for the opportunity to work with them. I would like to that MD and Flex magazine for the help they have given me to help put me out there. I would also like to thank my fans for all of your support.