Job Discussion Forums

[Mchristophermsw]

Hi group.

Heres a small snapshot of me.

I have a BSW and MSW with 5 years experience at a University as a writing specialist who worked with ESL students.

I also have 4 years experience teaching Drug Education courses at community college.

I have currently been accepted into a MA-TESOL program and will be pursuing that degree while I work full-time as a Senior Social Worker for Child Protection Serives ( moneys great!!! Job sucks because it wears me out to see so much child abuse everyday).

I live in the number 1 spot for Veitnamese in America ( San Jose California ) and the culture and people are wonderful. There must be atleast 100 Pho or noodle houses in the area and I love me some Pho'.

I have always been off the beaten path as I am a National Level Bodybuilder ( I used to trian "the Rock" before he was the Rock) and as long as I have a gym to train at I am fine. In my travels, I have always kept away from the ex-pat community and submerged myself into the local community and culture( I guess thats just the social worker in me that loves culture and simplicity). But I do need a Gym, regardless how old the wieghts are.

I am considering teaching in Vietnam for the following reasons ( or maybe working at a NGO).

(1) I enjoy the Vieitnamese customs and culture.

(2) I have lived in India, West Indies and Philippines, Singapore, Mexico and I love the humid tropical weather and I have always been happier living overseas.

(3) Vietnamese girls are soooo cute ( Just kidding, scratch number #3).
(3.1) I want to enjoy teaching, eating fresh food and continue my Bodybuilding and save as much as I can.

So if anyone can give me an insight about any gyms in Veitnam, probably the major cities, it would be greatly appreciate.

Hey, its a real kicker walking around a foriegn country and watching people stare and ask you if your a professional wrestler or say they have never seen someone with such HUGE ARMS!.

But I have used this as a novalty when working with students and clients. Its a great icebreaker and attention captivator.

But the funny thing is that most people are shocked when they look at me and then find out later I have mulitiple degrees.

Hmm, ESL and Personal Trianing? Might make a good combo?

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

Maybe learning how to spell "Vietnam" might be a good start

[Mchristophermsw]

Hey wind up or whatever your name is you need to wind down and stop being so anal. Sorry about the typo but geez, Forgive me for loosing up alittle and not editing my post....

I really hope your not one of those people who have a superiority complex. As for me, I was brought up in a ghetto, was the first to get a high school education, and was taught never to look down on people because we are all the same in the eyes of GOD.

and I hope your really not one of those pencil necks in the gym ( No I am not judging but commenting on thier bad attitudes) who go to the gym and have attitude weighing all of 140 pounds soaking wet. All I can say Wind bag (sorry, I meant Wind up) I would like to see you under a 405 pound bench press or 1200 pound leg press and see what you have to say. but no worries, if I was your trianer I would just encourage you because life is too short and hard to be negative

Michael Christopher Santiago
oh, I donnu need to hide behind de false name.

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

"I would like to see you under a 405 pound bench press or 1200 pound leg press and see what you have to say."

Funniest posting I've ever read on this forum - thank you so much
I think you ought to lay off the steroids for a while...

[Mchristophermsw]

Been there done that.

Actually, I used to bench 485 and leg press 1600
for sets of 4-6 reps.

However, nowadays my 21 inch guns and 54 inch chest get by with not benching over 225 but people sware I look like I bench 500!
But after 15 years of training and competing, I should have some muscle to show for it.

The whole fountian of youth thing lays in bodybuilding lifestyle.
I am 39 and guys in their twenties cant even stand next to me.
I have a professor friend who trains is 65 and has a body of a 25 year old in condition.

Well, if ever want to take a minute off of exercising your cranium and want me to send you a workout and nutrition routine, I'll do it for free.
Hey, what a nice guy I am, I usually charge 50 USD per hour.


Heres a free bee resource, a new book called "Lifelong Fitness 2004"
The guy who wrote is 84 and my gosh, I would die to look like him at that age and to the credit of Educated Iron Brothers all over the World, this guy is a MD and Ph.d

[JosephP]

[Mr Wind-up Bird]

Anyone seen "Anchorman - The Legend of Ron Burgundy"?

[mlomker]

Bodybuilding is a hobby, just like a lot of others. I'm an IDPA competitor (handguns), studied Brazilian Ju-jitsu, flown planes, competed in archery, and lately I've been studying Mandarin.

I did a cycle once, but so what? Most bodybuilders die at a younger age than the 80-some year old that you mentioned, and I could cite many examples. They kill themselves with diuretics, more often than not. Calling bodybuilding a healthy lifestyle is a gross generalization.

I'm not sure about the gym situation in Vietnam. Most of the gyms that I've seen overseas were at fancy hotels and were oriented toward the treadmill/toning set and not the free-weight bodybuilder types. Perhaps you should invest in some Matt Furey videos?

[junkmail]

[kelpie]

Hey mate,
I lived in Hanoi for 3 years, and Ill tell you there are HEAPS of gyms there.
Forget the hotel gyms and go to the Vietnamese ones. Im not a total gym junkie, (used to me) but would go once a month.

If youre in Hanoi, check out the sports centre in Ly Quoc Su st. just a little bit up from the big church (central hanoi landmark) Its at the back of what looks like a vacant block. Cheap as chips, good way to meet people.
enjoy.

[Mchristophermsw]

Thank you for your perspective but I must say that it is questionable.

First, most people do not live until their 80. That is not a mean age in America or most countries in the world.

Additionally, most people are not informed on what bodybuilding really is.
So let me share with you what my perspective is.

First, your comments are understandable because many people are misinformed and they look at bodybuilding as a bunch of muscle up, muscle bound steriod takers that are narcisistic. While steriod use is a huge part of Professional and Amatuer bodybuilding, I personally do not advocate the use of drugs because that is conterproductive to a healthy bodybuilding lifestyle.

A bodybuilding lifestyle, is not just for the hardcore but for young and old, it strengthens muscle, combats many bone degenerating diseases as well as many diseases that have inflicted the modern world through the unhealthy fast food diets that many people part-take in. It also, acts as a combatent agianst depression ( many studies that exercise as a tool for combating depression).

Think of it this way, you are using a combination of resistant training (weight training), cardio training, proper nutrition and even cognitive technigues to "build" and maintian a healthy "body", then it is a bodybuilding lifestyle.

Thanks for your comments as they are always appreciated and from your post I have observed that you are well informed and caring individual.

Blessings
Michael

[Mchristophermsw]

Just to let any know who reads this board that my exchange between Windup and me was in all good harmless fun...Kinda like injecting a little WWF intertianment into what is often serious Q and A.

If the post affended anyone, I apoliqize.

Hey Wind-up, need that routine yet?

[malcoml]

I spent five years in serious weightlifting and can say that it is great for your health. My immune system was great, I never got sick. Then one day I couldn't bring myself to got there any more and that was 8 years ago.
You wont have a problem finding a gym in Vietnam and I'm pretty certain they even have or had a Worlds Gym there. If you into it certain medication should be available over the counter that is not on the allowed list in your home country and there is currently some positive research into the controlled use of this medication and ageing.

[m98song]

just out of curiosity, I have worked in the gym industry for a few years now. do you think perosnal training would be an outfit for money making out there?

[Mchristophermsw]

Fitness is real big industry.

You could make some extra money if your good.
But the personal training business is more free lance and no benifts.

I used to charge 50.00 US per hour in the states. Made some great cash under the table but the money/clients do not come in steady.

I am sure you can make the going rate where your at. But like I said.
Dont count on it for your livelihood but something you enjoy to make some extra cash ( usually tax free ).

Also, if you know your stuff when it comes to training and nutrition you can always capitolize on retialing some supplements, clothes etc.
There is some really great products out there that really work and I would stand behind to help others meet their goals.

Lastly, MUSCLEMAG INTERNATIONAL has a book out that covers all aspects of the gym business...alot of great information.

Good luck
and Keep PUMPIN

Michael