Articles Bios & Interviews Another Day Another Dollar: An Exclusive Interview with Lloyd Dollar
Another Day Another Dollar: An Exclusive Interview with Lloyd Dollar
As the old saying goes, hard work pays dividends. At the 2012 NPC Na
tional Championships Lloyd Dollar earned his pro card, culminating his years of hard work. Those familiar with the national bodybuilding scene knew that when it came to Lloyd, it wasn’t a matter of if he would turn pro, just a matter of when. One look at Lloyd’s physique and even the casual fan could see that Lloyd had all the tools, his stars just hadn’t aligned yet. Find out how one of bodybuilding’s newest pros pushed himself to the next level, and when we can plan to see him compete next.
Q.) Before we talk about you earning your pro card at Nationals, let's talk a bit about your history. Where did your interest in weight training come from?
A.) I started the love for iron (or back then it was cement… lol) when I was 10 years old. I begged my mother for a weight set. I knew I wanted to build my body into something special. I was always known as the kid with muscles. I set all my high school and college weightlifting records. I was always really strong.
Q.) After high school you went on to attend Union College in Kentucky on a football scholarship. How did your athletic background prepare you for the demands of being a bodybuilder?
A.) I was always a disciplined athlete. I didn’t drink or smoke. I always lived healthy. I always got up one hour early before two-a-days. I would do pushups and take my supplements, I was a leader on the team and I had to set an example. Teammates who doubted my commitment understand now. After college and NFL workouts, I was ready for bodybuilding. When I find myself going through a long callout, when the judges want to see what we are made of, I just think to myself you wore a helmet and pads in 100 degree weather. I can do this all day!
Q.) How did you first become interested in competitive bodybuilding?
A.) Once I decided to stop chasing football I said to myself, I need a competitive challenge. I have always been crazy about bodybuilding, even in college, when football was over it seemed natural to start competing.
Q.) What made you ultimately decided that you wanted to step onstage?
A.) I found myself training like crazy after football, but I didn’t have anything to train for. I had to train for a goal. I am a very competitive person, the bodybuilding stage was calling me.
Q.) Your first experience at the national level came back in 2003 at the USA Championships where you ended up taking 11th in your class. What did you take away from your first national level competition? At that point, did you think becoming a pro was a possibility for you?
A.) My first experience at a National show was awesome. I competed against a very competitive light heavy class. In my line up there were a lot of future pros, and each guy went on to do well in the pro ranks. Guys like Mark Dugdale, Mike Ergas, Richard Jones, and Chris Dim to name a few. To place well with that line up, I felt with a little work that I could do well. Lord and behold, I didn’t know it would take so long.
Q.) Following the 2003 USA Championships we didn't see you compete at a national level show until 2008. Why, after five years, did you decide you wanted to give the national level shows another run?
A.) I did compete, but I just didn’t do as well. I tried to move up into the heavyweight class and things didn’t go so well for me.
Q.) Let's fast forward to 2011 where you take 3rd in a stacked heavyweight class behind Kevin Jordan and Justin Compton. Did placing well in this show help boost your confidence and give you some additional motivation heading into your offseason?
A.) I was really fired up after that show. I really thought I was going to win. I felt like I only got beat by one guy. (Kevin Jordan) I feel Kevin only beat me because of those freaky glutes. I didn’t really notice Justin Compton. I was more focused on Akim Williams. I went back home and trained my ass off! I must’ve trained too hard because I came in as a light heavy. I still felt like my size shape and condition could’ve won, things just didn’t work out that way.
Q.) Let's talk about 2012 Nationals. You earned your pro card by taking 2nd in the heavyweight class to Justin Compton. Describe the feeling of finally becoming a pro after a roller coaster ride through the NPC.
A.) I still can’t explain the feeling. I was, and still am shocked. I feel like I totally deserve it, but I know Rob Youells was a strong favorite. I can tell you this, now that I’m a pro I will not disappoint. I have
big goals and I will not stop until they are complete.
Q.) Given the fact that you battled your way to the top and took the long road to your pro card, do you think it gave you a greater appreciation of the moment, since it wasn't something that came easy to you?
A.) Given the fact that it took so long I can promise I won’t waste this opportunity.
Q.) You worked with Fakhri Mubarak leading up to that show. What types of strategies or techniques did you use during your prep that ultimately led to you earn your pro card?
A.) Fak and I learned a lot about my body after the 2012 USAs. The show wasn’t my best placing, but that show changed my life. Fak learned the right way to fill me up and dry me out. The big picture is that I can't carb deplete or sodium deplete. I can’t give away too much :)
Q.) Other than Fakhri, who would you say has influenced the philosophies behind your diet and training?
A.) I have worked with a few good coaches like Hany Rambod, Darrem Charles, and Deke Warner to name a few. I learned a lot from each, they’re all great guys. Fak and I just fit well together, like fish to water.
Q.) What's the best piece of advice that someone's given you?
A.) Once Troy Alves told me bodybuilding is a marathon, not a sprint. He also told me sometimes when you think you’re ready for the pro ranks you get there and realize that the time is right.
Q.) If you could go back in time to 2003 and give advice to a younger version of yourself, who's just starting his bodybuilding journey, what would it be?
A.) I would tell myself to find Fak sooner.
Q.) Do you plan on competing in 2013?
A.) Yes, my first show will be the Tampa PBW, then Da
llas the week after.
Q.) Are there any people you'd like to thank for helping you reach this point?
A.) Yes, I would like to thank God first for being with me on this journey. I would also like to thank my wife Jill, and Fakhri for all their help. I would also like to thank X2X clothing for their sponsorship, along with ATP EXTREME, one of my sponsors whose product will take your workouts to the next level. Also, I’d like to Rx Muscle for taking the time to do this interview.
Q.) If people would like to reach you for training or guest posing how can they get in contact with you?
A.) They can reach me at IFBB Pro Lloyd Dollar on Facebook, or email me at [email protected]
Now that he’s earned his pro card Lloyd is hungry to show the world that he has what it takes to be one of the top athletes in the sport. With a strong team in place, and an even stronger work ethic, the sky is the limit for what Lloyd can achieve.
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