ABOUT MIKE Date of Birth: May 13th Place of Birth: Clearwater, FL Current Residence: Los Angeles, CA Trains: Gold's Gym - Venice, CA Contest Weight: Heavyweight! Height/Weight: 5' 6" Off Season Weight: 260lbs Years Training: Since 1990 Occupation: IFBB Pro Bodybuilder/Own Personal Training Business Nationality: Greek-American What kind of child were you growing up? Let's just say I was overactive. My mother said that when I was little she had to put me on a leash so that I wouldn't run away. I was always getting my hand into something. What sports did you compete in? My mother decided to put me in gymnastics when she couldn't take my hyperactivity anymore. She probably thought it was that or have me break my neck at home. I used to ride in the back seat of the car on my head. That stunt drove my mom nuts. When I was in third grade I stayed after school one day and lied to the school gymnastics coach to get into gymnastics. I told her my mother had signed all the papers and said it was okay for me to join. About this time I think my mother gave up and enrolled me. That turned out to be a good move because by the time I was in college I was competing all over the nation as a nationally ranked platform and power tumbler. I even competed out of the country for the US. Gymnastics made me very disciplined and even led to many other opportunities that I wouldn't have had otherwise, such as cheerleading. What led you into bodybuilding? I have always loved competition. When I find something I like I really focus on it and try my hardest to be the best. First I became a nationally ranked gymnast, and then I won two national championships in cheerleading. However, once I graduated from grad school and both of those competitive activities were behind me, I found I had a lot of extra time on my hands. I started to hit the gym more and more. After about a year a couple of my friends thought with the base I had already built I should enter a bodybuilding competition. I had never thought of stepping on stage, but another friend introduced me to David Wisdom, a nationally ranked bodybuilder, who helped me get ready for my first show. I didn't really know what to expect. I just wanted to make sure I didn't embarrass the hell out of myself. David was great and helped me tremendously. I placed third out of three guys, but I got a lot of compliments and was hooked. I had just found another outlet to compete. What are your goals in bodybuilding? Right now I'm taking it one step at a time.  Now that I have my pro card.  My next goal is to qualify for and step onstage at the Olympia in Vegas next year!  I am hoping I can make a long professional career in the sport of bodybuilding and health and fitness.  These are two different areas I would like to make a long lasting impact. Who has been your inspiration? My inspiration has mainly come from my immediate family. They have taught me so much about the person I want to be and continue to be. Their work ethic, drive and morals will always continue to push me to be the best I can. You have quickly gathered yourself a fan base. What would you like to say to your fans out there? My main message is 'Thank you!' I love pretty much everything about the fans. The fans are what makes the sport. It takes a lot from someone to come up and say hi and start a conversation and each person deserves respect. I live by the motto, "Treat each person the way you would like to be treated.' It's just great watching the enthusiasm and the support these people hold for their athletes. It's only right to give it back to them. What is the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? Most people are actually very surprised to know that I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Masters Degree. Bodybuilders are always fighting the, "dumb bodybuilder", stereotype. Anyone who lifts weights can't carry on a conversation and had two brain cells...haha Please give a quick response to some of your favorite things; Cheat food: Cheesecake and cheese! Drink: Wild Cherry Diet Pepsi Music: High Energy Techno TV show: Alias - Jennifer Gardner kicks ass! Actresses: Jennifer Gardner, Reese Witherspoon, Alyssa Milano, Halle Berry Actors: Richard Gere, Harrison Ford, Robert DeNiro Body part: Legs Exercise: Leg Press Restaurant: Todai - All you can eat sushi! Bodybuilders: Jay Cutler, Gunther Schlierkamnp, Lee Priest, Bob Paris Football Team: New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Bucs Basketball Team: Los Angeles Lakers Car: Lexus SC430 Color: Kentucky Blue What do you see yourself doing when you are finished competing? By the time I'm finished competing I hope to still have my hand in health and fitness in some way. I have chosen weight training and health and fitness as a part of my lifestyle so I want to always be involved in it in one way or another. Other than that, I would like to have my own gym by the time I'm finished competing. Are there any last words you would like to express? All I really have left to say is thank you to all the bodybuilders and friends who have helped me along the way - from the beginning when I had just stared working out till now. Without them I would have never gotten this far. Special thanks to Chris Williamson, Darryl Hicks, David Wisdom, Joe and Hella DeAngelis, Mike Piacentino, Amy Grasso, Saman Bakhtiar, Carlos Bustamante, Mark Salvato, Chris Cormier, Charles Glass, and Guy Grundy.