Stan Johnson
First, let me thank Copa Lifestyle Magazine's Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Rodney Branche. It's an honor to be featured in your magazine.
I also want to say thank you to the INBA/ PNBA and the entire Kakos family for their tireless efforts in making Natural Bodybuilding something we can all love and enjoy as well as giving natural athletes a platform to perform. Being a part of Team USA has given me the chance to meet so many great people and athletes from around the world. We are all family here.
I also want to say thank you to the INBA/ PNBA and the entire Kakos family for their tireless efforts in making Natural Bodybuilding something we can all love and enjoy as well as giving natural athletes a platform to perform. Being a part of Team USA has given me the chance to meet so many great people and athletes from around the world. We are all family here.
Copa: Where are you from?
Stan: I was born in Canton, Ohio, the Football Hall of Fame city. My parents moved to Orange County, California when I was about 5. Although I still remember the cold winters. So much fun playing in the snow. (for about 10 minutes anyway.)
Stan: I was born in Canton, Ohio, the Football Hall of Fame city. My parents moved to Orange County, California when I was about 5. Although I still remember the cold winters. So much fun playing in the snow. (for about 10 minutes anyway.)
Copa: Where did you attend school?
Stan: I attended high school in Santa Ana. But after high school, I didn't have a lot of direction like a lot of kids. I hung out with kids who didn't have much direction either. That's how it is until you find yourself.
I'd always wanted to join the Air Force and serve my country but circumstances prevented that. And I was always fascinated with F-15 fighter jets. Even to this day. I did miss going to college and the whole College experience. College does teach you discipline. Something I had to learn. But I did. Not everyone successfully went to college. Whether you need a college degree or not is the subject of a lot of debate nowadays but I'm sure it's nice to have that degree on your wall.
Stan: I attended high school in Santa Ana. But after high school, I didn't have a lot of direction like a lot of kids. I hung out with kids who didn't have much direction either. That's how it is until you find yourself.
I'd always wanted to join the Air Force and serve my country but circumstances prevented that. And I was always fascinated with F-15 fighter jets. Even to this day. I did miss going to college and the whole College experience. College does teach you discipline. Something I had to learn. But I did. Not everyone successfully went to college. Whether you need a college degree or not is the subject of a lot of debate nowadays but I'm sure it's nice to have that degree on your wall.
Copa: Who were the two people in your life who encouraged you the most.
Stan: Other than my mother and father I would have to say my junior high school football coach rates right up there. When I was 13 he saw a fat kid in gym class who he thought would make a good offensive or defensive lineman. By the way, most football coaches think that when they see a fat kid. He asked me to come out for the team.I said no thanks. He said if I didn't like it I could quit. So to get him off my back my plan was to join for 2 weeks and then quit. I didn't know the first two weeks is what they call hell week. Hey, I was 13. I was tricked. Every day for 2 weeks he yelled at us "A winner never quits and a quitter never wins". So of course now I can't quit. I don't want to be labeled a quitter. It was so incredibly hard I never thought I would make it through the season. I ended up playing not just that season but the entire 4 years of high school. I just did not want to go back to PE it was way too easy. They basically taught you how much the human body can take. wthout killing you. Coaches would be fired if they coached like that today. Honestly, I think they watched too much Vince Lombardi film. Our coach played Impossible Dream in the locker room.
Nothing was harder than high school football. But you run through the fire and come out the other side. Also the smog was so bad it was illegal to practice but we still did.
The other person I have to say was my martial arts instructor. Master Tino Tuiolesega brought the art over from Samoa. He was another disciplinarian but he brought out the best in us. I eventually earned a black belt. Again not quitting can take you a long way.
As far as anyone else I'd have to say motivational speakers. Les Brown, Tony Robbins I even went to listen to Lou Holtz. I even go back as far as listening to Earl Nightingale and Napoleon Hill. You want to be motivated put that on while you do your errands. A lot of people don't listen to motivational speakers because they are unmotivated to even do that. There's a lot of them just pick your favorite.
Stan: Other than my mother and father I would have to say my junior high school football coach rates right up there. When I was 13 he saw a fat kid in gym class who he thought would make a good offensive or defensive lineman. By the way, most football coaches think that when they see a fat kid. He asked me to come out for the team.I said no thanks. He said if I didn't like it I could quit. So to get him off my back my plan was to join for 2 weeks and then quit. I didn't know the first two weeks is what they call hell week. Hey, I was 13. I was tricked. Every day for 2 weeks he yelled at us "A winner never quits and a quitter never wins". So of course now I can't quit. I don't want to be labeled a quitter. It was so incredibly hard I never thought I would make it through the season. I ended up playing not just that season but the entire 4 years of high school. I just did not want to go back to PE it was way too easy. They basically taught you how much the human body can take. wthout killing you. Coaches would be fired if they coached like that today. Honestly, I think they watched too much Vince Lombardi film. Our coach played Impossible Dream in the locker room.
Nothing was harder than high school football. But you run through the fire and come out the other side. Also the smog was so bad it was illegal to practice but we still did.
The other person I have to say was my martial arts instructor. Master Tino Tuiolesega brought the art over from Samoa. He was another disciplinarian but he brought out the best in us. I eventually earned a black belt. Again not quitting can take you a long way.
As far as anyone else I'd have to say motivational speakers. Les Brown, Tony Robbins I even went to listen to Lou Holtz. I even go back as far as listening to Earl Nightingale and Napoleon Hill. You want to be motivated put that on while you do your errands. A lot of people don't listen to motivational speakers because they are unmotivated to even do that. There's a lot of them just pick your favorite.
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Copa: How long have you been a realtor and how do you like the industry.
Stan: Quite honestly, the only thing I knew I ever wanted to be from a young age was a real estate investor. I remember all the gurus on TV back in the day so I would go see them in person and just be around other like-minded people I got my real estate license about 7 years ago. The industry is constantly changing especially after the 2008 meltdown but life is not what happens to you as much as how you react to it. If anyone reading this is looking for someone to help with the real estate needs and you have questions you can reach out to me. I've always owned income property myself so a tenant pays your mortgage. I could always sleep at night because I knew the tenant was paying my mortgage. The key is finding the right tenant. Don't just put someone in there because you're desperate. And their credit score has to be over 700. Because if they don't pay their bills they're not going to pay me either at some point. |
Copa: At what time did you become interested in fitness competitions.
Stan: Ooh that's a good question. Once my junior high school football coach taught me discipline and how much your body can take nothing else was harder than high school football for a long time But after I got my black belt in karate and my instructor retired I started going to the gym to just lift some weights and get a good workout. My gym was having a bodybuilding competition and I went to watch a friend compete as I sat in the audience I loved the ambiance of the crowd, the music the lights, the perfect tan, and everyone striving for perfection. I loved all of it and I knew I wanted to be a part of it from that moment. And I looked at my division and I thought it looked a little weakling thought if I came in at my best maybe I could do okay.
So I decided to enter one. In my first show, I took second to last. I thought I had given a good effort but I really didn't know how much effort I had to give to place in the top three. Even though my buddy dropped out 4 weeks before the competition. I just had that "a winner never quits" attitude. So I did another one and another one. Lo and behold I'm still doing them. Lol. Actually a friend of mine from high school, his daughter was competing in a Muscle Mania competition in Las Vegas in 2016. We went to go see her and I remember walking through the Golden Nugget hotel to her event. That fired me up to get back onstage. I had kinda retired from competition but I found a great organization and I've been with them ever since. Most of my Awards I have won since 2018. It's such a fun Journey when it all comes together.
Stan: Ooh that's a good question. Once my junior high school football coach taught me discipline and how much your body can take nothing else was harder than high school football for a long time But after I got my black belt in karate and my instructor retired I started going to the gym to just lift some weights and get a good workout. My gym was having a bodybuilding competition and I went to watch a friend compete as I sat in the audience I loved the ambiance of the crowd, the music the lights, the perfect tan, and everyone striving for perfection. I loved all of it and I knew I wanted to be a part of it from that moment. And I looked at my division and I thought it looked a little weakling thought if I came in at my best maybe I could do okay.
So I decided to enter one. In my first show, I took second to last. I thought I had given a good effort but I really didn't know how much effort I had to give to place in the top three. Even though my buddy dropped out 4 weeks before the competition. I just had that "a winner never quits" attitude. So I did another one and another one. Lo and behold I'm still doing them. Lol. Actually a friend of mine from high school, his daughter was competing in a Muscle Mania competition in Las Vegas in 2016. We went to go see her and I remember walking through the Golden Nugget hotel to her event. That fired me up to get back onstage. I had kinda retired from competition but I found a great organization and I've been with them ever since. Most of my Awards I have won since 2018. It's such a fun Journey when it all comes together.
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Copa: How many categories have you participated in and how many awards have you won.
Stan: I try to do 4 categories.
Ultra Masters and Grandmaster Men's Physique and
Ultra Masters and Grandmasters Men's Sports Model.
When I was younger I would do one category but as I've gotten older I qualified for more categories. It's a lot of work to do one category and go home empty-handed because you never know who's going to be there. Besides the INBA I've also competed in the AAU and Muscle Mania organizations.
I probably have around 50 Awards by now.
Including
11 Natural Olympia Gold medals
2 Silver medals and
1 Bronze
as well as
4 World Cup trophies.
And a bunch of AAU Awards.
The World Cup is always one week before the Natural Olympia so I try to do both.
I love competition. I love being called an athlete and Champ. I've never liked the term ex athlete.
Now it's so much about meeting and talking with the other athletes from different countries. This is why I go back every year. When I'm walking through the Golden Nugget in My Team USA uniform, on my way to the Grand Ballroom where the event is held, It's really a special feeling.
Stan: I try to do 4 categories.
Ultra Masters and Grandmaster Men's Physique and
Ultra Masters and Grandmasters Men's Sports Model.
When I was younger I would do one category but as I've gotten older I qualified for more categories. It's a lot of work to do one category and go home empty-handed because you never know who's going to be there. Besides the INBA I've also competed in the AAU and Muscle Mania organizations.
I probably have around 50 Awards by now.
Including
11 Natural Olympia Gold medals
2 Silver medals and
1 Bronze
as well as
4 World Cup trophies.
And a bunch of AAU Awards.
The World Cup is always one week before the Natural Olympia so I try to do both.
I love competition. I love being called an athlete and Champ. I've never liked the term ex athlete.
Now it's so much about meeting and talking with the other athletes from different countries. This is why I go back every year. When I'm walking through the Golden Nugget in My Team USA uniform, on my way to the Grand Ballroom where the event is held, It's really a special feeling.
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Copa: Do you enjoy any particular Hobbies?
Stan: As I mentioned earlier martial arts it's a love of mine. So I try to get to the UFC Gym whenever I can. I actually have a great picture of Dana White and myself. I found him to be a really nice guy, not the asshole that people say he. He was really really cool to me.
I would like to take up golf and skydiving. I'm not ready for shuffleboard.
Stan: As I mentioned earlier martial arts it's a love of mine. So I try to get to the UFC Gym whenever I can. I actually have a great picture of Dana White and myself. I found him to be a really nice guy, not the asshole that people say he. He was really really cool to me.
I would like to take up golf and skydiving. I'm not ready for shuffleboard.
Copa: How would you describe your personal style?
Stan: Anything but boastfull and arrogant. I just pretty loving life right now. I just have a feeling of well-being and am very thankful.
I get to do what I love. I drive a car that only 1,500 a year are made for the entire world. I couldn't be more appreciative and as I've gotten older I realize something. A couple of bad breaks and a couple poor decisions and that could have been me. I try to carry myself with style and with class. I try to represent myself and my organization with class. I have respect for women. I don't like talking about politics or religion. That's the quickest way to lose a friendship.
Stan: Anything but boastfull and arrogant. I just pretty loving life right now. I just have a feeling of well-being and am very thankful.
I get to do what I love. I drive a car that only 1,500 a year are made for the entire world. I couldn't be more appreciative and as I've gotten older I realize something. A couple of bad breaks and a couple poor decisions and that could have been me. I try to carry myself with style and with class. I try to represent myself and my organization with class. I have respect for women. I don't like talking about politics or religion. That's the quickest way to lose a friendship.
Copa: What does the future hold for Stan Johnson and his wide world of fitness?
Stan: Well, I haven't had a drink since 2018. Right before the pandemic hit and I don't miss it. It almost always leads to trouble. Most of the trouble anyone's ever had was alcohol-related. I just hated the way I felt the next day. And of course, the chaos and foolishness that came with it.
I hope to keep inspiring people young and all over the world.
I had a photo shoot recently and it included a music video showing us arriving to shoot. It came out great I have a link here for you to check out. Way cool!
As far as my wide world of fitness? I hope to keep inspiring people, competing, and continuing to work on the things that will make me a better person.
Stan: Well, I haven't had a drink since 2018. Right before the pandemic hit and I don't miss it. It almost always leads to trouble. Most of the trouble anyone's ever had was alcohol-related. I just hated the way I felt the next day. And of course, the chaos and foolishness that came with it.
I hope to keep inspiring people young and all over the world.
I had a photo shoot recently and it included a music video showing us arriving to shoot. It came out great I have a link here for you to check out. Way cool!
As far as my wide world of fitness? I hope to keep inspiring people, competing, and continuing to work on the things that will make me a better person.
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