Gene X Hwang, founder of Orange Photography, just published his review of Steroid Nation by Shaun Assael, about the recent history of the anabolic steroid subculture. The book, in large part, is a biography of steroid guru Dan Duchaine who Assael identifies as one of the “founding fathers of the steroid movement.” Most people who came in contact with Duchaine have interesting stories to tell. Gene comments on his experiences with Dan at various bodybuilding shows (“Steroid Nation review,” July 16).
I had met Dan through a friend and former Ms. Olympia , Andrulla Blanchette, and we would see each other at shows.
In one of my earlier reports he let me use some of his commentary (1996 NPC Nationals). It was also Dan who first exposed me to GHB and I didn’t realize how much he was responsible for that drugs popularity. I knew he was the ˜guru’ but he never treated me in a way that made me feel like he was someone important and he did impart one piece of advice I later used.
While Dan Duchaine was known for dispensing anabolic steroid advice, he offered Gene some useful advice that wasn’t (directly) related to anabolic steroids.
Having been in prison, he said: You find out who your real friends are when you go to prison. I later recalled that advice when Dave Palumbo had to serve time. I sent a few photos and reports on contests happening to Dave and got some letters back. It’s kind of neat to get mail from prison I guess?
With regard to the book Steroid Nation as a whole, Gene feels it provides an interesting perspective particularly for those working in the bodybuilding and fitness industry.
Anyhow the book overall is a good recap of what affect steroids have had in our society and when you are close to so much of it, it’s even more interesting. The book might go into more detail than someone outside the industry would care for, but when you are inside, it’s nice to see how others perceive things.
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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