Deezel Muscle

Client Appreciation — Tony “The Tank” 💪

I first met Tony almost 30 years ago at Gold’s Gym, where I worked for 15 years before eventually opening Deezelmuscle.

When I made the move and started Deezelmuscle, Tony was one of the very first people to come with me. We were training partners for those first few years, and somewhere along the way, a training partner became a lifelong friend.

I’ll never forget going out to support “The Tank” when he competed at Junior Nationals in 2013, and Tony returned that same support when I competed at Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh around that same time.

That pretty much sums up who Tony is.

He’s loyal. He’s encouraging. He’s always uplifting the people around him. He’s the kind of guy everybody likes having in the gym, and he can always make you laugh.

When you own a gym long enough, you realize the best part isn’t the equipment or even the accomplishments—it’s the relationships you build along the way.

Tony, I’m proud to call you a friend, proud to have you at Deezelmuscle, and grateful that you’ve been part of this journey from the beginning.

Almost 30 years later and The Tank is still going strong. 💪 Tanks wearing the newest DM swag coming in this week in Black, Red, Green and Blue..

Much love, brother. ❤️

INSPIRED BY LONDON. BUILT FOR DEEZELMUSCLE. 🇬🇧➡️🇺🇸

Yesterday marked 11 years since I signed the lease on Deezelmuscle. Hard to believe it’s been 11 years since I took that leap and started building what we have today.

So the timing seemed pretty fitting to do something a little special.

This summer, I had the opportunity to visit Muscleworks Gym in Bethnal Green, London—a badass, old-school bodybuilding gym with decades of history and a long list of champions who have walked through those doors.

I loved everything about it. The equipment. The atmosphere. The history. And especially their classic “Home of Champions” identity.

It stuck with me.

But when I came home, I started thinking about what Home of Champions really means.

Yes, we’ve been fortunate to have some incredible competitors and champions train at Deezelmuscle. I’m damn proud of that.

But I’m just as proud of the hundreds of people who walk through our doors every day and simply do the work.

The person getting ready for a bodybuilding show. The person trying to lose 50 pounds. The 60-year-old refusing to slow down. The beginner who was intimidated to walk through our doors but keeps coming back.

They’re all champions to me.

So, with the blessing of the owner of Muscleworks, I took some inspiration from that legendary London gym and collaborated on our own DEEZELMUSCLE — HOME OF CHAMPIONS shirt.

And with yesterday marking 11 years since I signed that original lease, I can’t think of a better time to release it.

134 shirts are on the way.

Simple. Old school. All-white print. Nothing on the back. Just a shirt that represents where some of the inspiration came from—and, more importantly, the people who have made Deezelmuscle what it is today.

DEEZELMUSCLE
HOME OF CHAMPIONS
TEMPE, ARIZONA • EST. 2015

A little inspiration from London.

Eleven years of Deezelmuscle behind it. 👊🏻

THROWBACK — MR. ARIZONA 1999

That’s me on the left at about 176 pounds, fresh off winning the middleweights. Standing next to me is a guy I’ve always called the Godfather of Arizona Bodybuilding — Rusty Jeffers.

Rusty is five years older than me, but when I was coming up in my early 20s, he was someone I looked up to. He’d already been competing since the ’70s, winning three Teenage Mr. Arizona titles, and he took the time to teach me a few things along the way—including helping me with my posing before my first guest posing appearance.

I’ll admit, I thought he was a bit of a hard ass back then 😂. But looking back, I appreciate it even more.

In this picture Rusty was probably 210–215 pounds, and standing next to him lit a fire under me. After this show, I made up my mind: the next time I stepped on the Mr. Arizona stage, I was coming back to win the whole thing.

Two years later, in 2001, I came back at 198¼ pounds, won the light-heavyweights and then the Mr. Arizona Overall.

That’s one of the things I love about bodybuilding. Sometimes seeing someone ahead of you doesn’t discourage you—it shows you what’s possible.

And all these years later, Rusty is still doing exactly that. This past weekend, he won the Over-60 World Championship.

That’s longevity. That’s passion. And that’s a hell of an example.

Rusty doesn’t live in Arizona anymore, but I still have a signed picture of him hanging in Deezel Muscle.

Some people leave more than trophies behind. They leave an impact.

Much respect to a true legend of our sport. 💪

Throw back- Mark the Shark 2020 days away from becoming an IFBB Pro . This guy doesn’t miss a beat. It’s been a pleasure seeing him put in work at Deezelmuscle. He’s a professor by trade and hardcore bodybuilder. And days away from marrying his best friend. Thanks for all the positivity and inspiration and encouragement you have brought along the way.
Wishing you and Rena all the best ♥️💪🏼

MOTIVATION MONDAY 👊🏻

This is Rob.

Besides me, this guy has more check-ins at Deezelmuscle than anyone in our history. Years of simply showing up and doing the work.

And when Rob isn’t in here training, he’s a professor at ASU. He’s become part of the fabric of this place — everybody knows him, everybody likes him, and I’ve loved watching what all that consistency has built.

Oh yeah… Rob is 60 years old.

I caught him on his way out the door and had him hit a quick front double bicep before he leaves for the North American Championships in Pittsburgh.

As he was walking out he said to me, “Man, I don’t think I’m gonna be able to do this anymore. I’m exhausted.”

And I get it. But here’s the thing…

When you’re in THIS kind of shape, you’re going to be exhausted. I don’t care if you’re 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60. This level of conditioning is HARD.

And at 60 years old, Rob is taking it to another level. He looks better than I’ve ever seen him, and I couldn’t be more proud of the guy.

We’ve had some pretty special things happening around Deezelmuscle lately, and who knows… we might be welcoming another new pro very soon. 💪🏻

But whatever happens on that stage, Rob already represents exactly what Motivation Monday is supposed to mean:

Keep showing up. Keep putting in the work. Keep pushing what you thought your limits were. And NEVER let your age tell you what you’re capable of.

Go get ’em, Rob.
The whole Deezelmuscle family is behind you. 👊🏻🔥

KeepShowingUp

2005 Orange County — Light Heavyweight Champion 🏆

Looking at this picture takes me right back to the grind.

Not just the night onstage when everything comes together — but the months nobody sees.

The meals when you’re not hungry / off season. The cardio when you’re exhausted. Training when your energy is gone. Going to bed hungry. Saying no when everyone else is saying yes. Waking up the next morning and doing it all over again.

There’s something about preparing for a bodybuilding show that changes you in ways that have very little to do with your physique.

You learn what discipline actually means.
You learn that feelings don’t have to dictate your actions.
You learn how much more you have in you when your mind is telling you you’re done.

And maybe most importantly, you learn to trust yourself — because you made a commitment and kept it when nobody was watching.

So when I see the competitors grinding through prep right now, I have a tremendous amount of respect for you.

Whether you win your class, place last, or never bring home a trophy, if you truly embrace the grind, you won’t walk away the same person who started it.

The physique eventually changes. The trophies collect dust.

But the person you become earning them stays with you.

Salute to everyone in the trenches right now. 👊🏻

Keep grinding. It’s doing more for you than you realize.

Train hard and stop for a second to smell the flowers 🙏🏼💪🏼

Wow… what a blessing and what a great fit she has been.

I’ve always believed that anyone who works or trains people at Deezelmuscle has to bring more than knowledge and experience. They have to add to the vibe. This place has a culture—a feeling—and the people representing it matter.

Lori absolutely gets that.

She lives the part, loves training, brings great energy into the gym, genuinely cares about people, and represents exactly what I want Deezelmuscle to be about.

More than anything, she’s just a truly wonderful person. It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know her and working alongside her this past year.

Thank you for everything you bring to Deezelmuscle, Lori. We’re lucky to have you.

Happy 1 year! Here’s to many more. ❤️💪