Ernie Taylor
Armed and Dangerous!

Interview by Giles Thomas

Ernie Taylor is without doubt one of Britain’s most successful professional bodybuilders ever. Coming from relative obscurity, he took his pro card in 1995 at Wembley conference centre in the EFBB British Championships in what was one of the toughest ever heavyweight line-ups ever seen of 20 huge muscle monsters. What then followed for Birmingham’s largest armed resident was a rollercoaster eight-year IFBB professional career with an eighth place finish at the 1998 Mr Olympia contest as perhaps his most notable result. An unfortunate motorbike accident brought his run as a top IFBB professional to a close, sadly, but Ernie still remains a prominent figure on the UK bodybuilding scene as a mentor, spokesperson and all round nice guy of the sport.

Giles: Hi Ernie, good to catch up with you as always mate.
Ernie: You too fella.
Giles: Right, let’s go back to 1995. That was the very first ever British I had been to, I was there as a consultant for GQ magazine and was sat next to photographer Kevin Horton, and I shall never forget how the crowd went crazy when all you 20 heavyweights filed onto the stage. Immediately I picked out you, Jamo Nezzar and Shaun Davis as standouts. However, wasn’t your British appearance not even properly planned? I remember hearing that Kerry Kayes encouraged you at the last minute to do one of the qualifiers didn’t he?
Ernie: It was actually the first British that I had ever been to as well [laughs]. Yep it was about four weeks prior to the British champions when Kerry Kayes and JD Dowadu talked me in to dieting for the British to earn my pro card. I competed and won the overall in the heavyweight class at the last qualifier, which was one week before the EFBB British Championships. That was a cool year for me.
Giles: So, were you dieting at the time before the qualifier for anything in particular?
Ernie: No, Giles, I did not have any plans to compete that year as funds were too low to diet, but I managed to hit the nail on the head with a four week diet.
Giles: Wow, so I guess being at the British wasn’t exactly planned well in advance then, huh?
Ernie: Not at all, Giles, it wasn’t.
Giles: Were you shocked when you won?
Ernie: Yes, I was, and with the first and only call-out I did not think I had won.
Giles: Do you remember what you weighed for the British when you won that year?
Ernie: Yes, I was only around 16 stones 11lb (235lb).
Giles: Only? [laughs] You took a year off then debuted professionally in 1997 at the 1997 Night of Champions taking a very impressive third beating such established names as Gunther Schlierkamp and Mike Matarazzo. Going into the show where did you expect to place realistically?
Ernie: Yep, that was my first pro show and I remember it as if it was only yesterday. There were three rows of around 46 competitors on stage and I was on the back row stood behind six-foot-plus Günter Schlierkamp… did I feel lost or what? But all of a sudden my name was called up with Chris Cormier’s, and if I am allowed to say, “shone like a star”, that I did… but not enough as I did not win. But, nevertheless, third place was very impressive at the Night of the Champions for my pro debut.
Giles: I always wondered why you never competed in the 1997 Mr Olympia. Taking third at the NOC had qualified you (top five qualify for the ‘O’), so why didn’t you do it or was only one Temple Gym member allowed to do the Olympia per year? [laughs]
Ernie: [Laughs] Giles, my lower half was very weak and I needed time to bring my legs up for the Mr O, it may have been a mistake at the time but you live and learn.
Giles: 1998 came and you did the NOC in New York again and took fifth, again, qualifying for the Olympia. With Dorian now retired and you now newly and fully classed as Britain’s number one bodybuilder, did you feel more confident as a pro now that you had certainly proved that the third place at the NOC the year before was definitely not a fluke?
Ernie: Never ever did I think it was fluked, especially with 46 heavy duty pro’s standing along side of me. I believe that when Dorian retired I became Britain’s number one it was just added pressure, but as you know, Giles, I held it down quite well.
Giles: The 1998 Olympia was looming, what were you hoping for in your Olympia debut?
Ernie: To be quite honest Giles, I was just amazed at the time that I managed to compete at THE MR OLYMPIA… this is a show that I had read about in Flex magazine in my early teen years, so I guess what I am saying is that it was a dream come true just to be at the 1998 Mr Olympia.
Giles: As the judging finished did you think that you might be in the running for a coveted top ten placing?
Ernie: Yes I did, from the callouts.
Giles: Around this time you were seriously in demand all over the UK and the globe for guest posings, as you were always big and always in shape. Do you have any most memorable experiences you like to share from them maybe?
Ernie: The most memorable moment, Giles, was when I did the splits at a guest spot in Hawaii and also Brazil and my testicle fell out of my pants… not nice! [laughs]
Giles: Oh well, I guess it showed you got balls, eh mate? [laughs] In 1999 you came sixth in the NOC again and thirtenth at the Olympia also asserting Ronnie Coleman’s dominance as the world’s number one. With the physiques progressively getting bigger and bigger did you feel pressure to keep up with this trend or keep to a more shapely physique like Flex Wheeler’s?
Ernie: It was pressure at the time Giles, it was a case of get much bigger and get an distended stomach or keep the flowing wide shoulders and small waist physique such as Flex Wheeler. As you know Giles, the bodybuilding world is fazing out the distended stomach look, the monster look, the big giant cumbersome look, and they’re now looking for a more pleasing, smaller look, such as Dexter Jackson.
Giles: You’ve always spoken so highly of Kerry Kayes and accredited him for such major help and for his support during your pro career. What can you say about Kerry for what he has done for you all those years?
Ernie: Kerry Kayes… well, where do I start? Kerry has always believed in me, he knows my diet inside out and he knows how fast I can drop weight or gain it when carbing up, plus he is an excellent second eye. And he is very honest, especially if you’re too fat to compete or too skinny, or if you believed you should have placed higher and you did not, he is the one that would burst your overgrown bubble; he is a reality check.
Giles: What would you say was your all time best condition in IFBB pro competition?
Ernie: I would say my overall best was when I placed second to Mr Olympia Jay Cutler in 2003 at the British Grand Prix, and even better condition again at the 2003 second Grand Prix in Holland next to the winner Jay Cutler.
Giles: You looked incredible at that show Ernie, the boos that erupted when you were announced second were deafening at the British Grand Prix… you were 100% in better condition than Cutler. Even at your absolute biggest you always seemed to retain your lines and small waist. How did you manage this and why do you think that the pro’s nowadays cannot seem to do the same?
Ernie: Flora margarine for men Giles, [laughs] just kidding, I believe that it was a little bit of genetics and a somewhat clean diet, buddy. Also Giles, other pros such as Mr O Dexter Jackson do stay in very good shape all year round. Even Phil Heath and Troy Alves for example, I believe, are in good shape yearly.
Giles: I think the 2001 British Grand Prix in Manchester was one of your all time best appearances, you came fifth, but to be honest I had you first or second. Levrone, who won, just didn’t look as good as I’d ever seen him. Where do you think you should have placed that day?
Ernie: Totally agree with you Giles. Even the crowd thought that I had myself either first or second but I was, unfortunately, still serving my dues.
Giles: I hear ya, mate! I’d say that for competing abroad you looked your best at the 2002 Pro Ironman where you came third, you were massive and complete, then came the 2002 Mr Olympia, your last Olympia appearance, did you think that this would be your last ever showing at the ‘O’?
Ernie: That was a good showing at the Ironman. I actually treated it as I would a guest spot and felt more relaxed, hence why I probably did so well, as I would feel more relaxed on home ground and I would do better when competing at the British or European shows. I guess the flight and time difference played havoc with my physique. The 2003 Mr Olympia was my last Olympia where I placed tenth and I probably should have been around seventh. I had qualified and was getting ready for the 2004 Mr Olympia when I had a motorcycle accident. Even in 2006 I was still living on the hope that I could return back to the stage and pick up where I left off.
Giles: It seemed that at the other IFBB shows, aside from the Olympia I mean, you were never marked down for your triceps, which were unbelievably huge and which drew constant accusation for synthol use and implants… I always thought that was crazy, but when it came to the Olympia you always came under fire for your tri’s. Why do you think that was mate?
Ernie: I have no idea Giles. First it was implants, and when I stated that I was available for x-rays and tests it moved to synthol, which I would never use. I had huge triceps from day one, but I guess this did not stop anyone who did not know me moaning. I was gifted with a freaky body part and made good use of it even though I stopped training triceps for a year, they did eventually get smaller or, should I say, my shoulders and biceps caught up. I eventually got my foot in the door.
Giles: I’ve always stated that the best posers in the IFBB in the last ten years were Kevin Levrone, Vince Taylor and you. You seemed to be able to pose to any kind of music, which I think is the true mark of a great bodybuilding poser. Were you self taught or did you draw your influences and posing style from any other pro’s in particular?
Ernie: Giles I think it’s something to do with if you can dance, you can pose… that is basically all it was. Pick a tune and if you can dance to it then you can pose to it.
Giles: What do you feel was you best posing routine, at what show would you say?
Ernie: I believe it have to be the 2003 Mr Olympia.
Giles: In 2003, your last year in the IFBB, you chose to just do the Grand Prix circuit and took a career best finish of second place to Jay Cutler. As I mentioned before, I’ll always remember the boos when you weren’t announced as the winner. You were slightly smaller and tighter that day but super-ripped and along with Jordan’s Mustafa Mohammed just one of the best guys up there that day. Were you gutted at not beating Cutler, who had taken second place at the Olympia for the second time just a couple of weeks previously?
Ernie: Giles, I know that even if I had beaten Jay hands down it would not be possible to come from tenth place at the Mr Olympia, to beat the runner-up of the Mr Olympia, so I was cool with second spot even though the crowd did boo because I did not win on home soil. Believe me, I was happy.
Giles: The next year you had your bike accident.
Ernie: I sustained a rotator cuff tear, a pec tear, a tricep tear and I also severely damaged my elbow, which was all on my right side.
Giles: Sh*t, that was a serious crash then. Was it hard after the accident to make the decision to retire?
Ernie: I had no choice but to retire Giles, after doing a diet to see exactly how I would appear on stage after numerous surgeries.
Giles: You still guest posed a little after the crash though didn’t you?
Ernie: I did try once but it was not the same, as the crowd was silent all through the guest spot. And as you know, Giles, I like to entertain and bring the house down, and being half the man I once was that is no longer possible.
Giles: Any regrets?
Ernie: Yes, of course, Giles, I regret riding my bike that one Sunday to Wales.
Giles: If you hadn’t have had the accident and had carried on competing, how much further up the ladder do you think you could have got?
Ernie: Well, the awesome Dexter Jackson is now Mr Olympia and big congratulations to him. I do believe I would be well up at the top by now, my friend.
Giles: Let’s talk about diet. Could you give us your typical pre-contest diet please?
Ernie: Contest diet would go somewhat like this…
Meal 1: 200g porridge oats with 2 scoops of Pro-Peptide
Meal 2: 350g salmon, 200g sweet potato
Meal 3: Two scoops of Pro-Peptide
Meal 4: 300g chicken, 100g white rice, mixed veg
Meal 5: Two scoops of Pro-Peptide
Meal 6: 20oz fillet steak with mixed salad/veg
Giles: What about supplementation? What were your essentials during your pro career?
Ernie: Pro-Vital was the only am and pm supplements that I would use, along with CNP’s Pro GF and Pro Glutamine, which is all that I believe that I needed.
Giles: I’ve heard lots of times that you are or were taking up a career in cage fighting. Is this true?
Ernie: I have trained in Muay Thai boxing for many years and did a little Jujitsu, but with the injuries that I have incurred no, this would not be possible.  
Giles: So how is life nowadays for you? Are you happy and content with things?
Ernie: Life is life, Giles, it always can be better, but you just get on with it and do not let things get you down. Even though I have had my share of ups and downs I’m good and I am getting on with things, I am healthy and I have an awesome partner called Leila and we are to be married in late 2009.
Giles: That’s great news mate. I met her with you before, a very classy lady, you’ve done well! I always heard that you were pretty strong and that you followed the HIT style of training similar to Dorian. What sort of poundages did you shift at your biggest?
Ernie: Strong like an ox, I was Giles [smiles]. I could do around 185lb incline dumbbell press and 170lb dumbbell shoulder press, squat six plates a side for reps and slow dumbbell curl 110lb for reps, and after all that get piles and blood shot in my eyes.
Giles: Lovely! [laughs] I’ve got to ask, have you ever measured your guns?
Ernie: I have never ever measured them, Giles, as I had a complex about getting them smaller. Maybe before I became pro in 1995 I did and they were around the 25” mark I think.
Giles: Holy moley, that is large! Do you still train at Temple Gym?
Ernie: Yes, I still do train at Temple Gym now owned by Simon Fan.
Giles: Do you still follow the sport closely and do you still stay in touch with your fellow pro’s?
Ernie: I do still follow the sport, but as I am not competing I do not get to see or speak to the boys, unless I go out to the Olympia to work on the CNP booth.
Giles: Who were you closest with out of the IFBB pros?
Ernie: I got pretty much with all the guys, but I was close to Dorian (Doz), Chris Cormier, Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, Dennis James, Orville Burke and Victor Martinez. Ronnie and Flex are also pretty cool, and many of the others.
Giles: What did you think of this year’s Olympia? Were you pleased Dexter won?
Ernie: Awesome, yes, very pleased for Dexter, as this now changes the sport to a different look.
Giles: Who do you think will be the next Mr Olympia and when do you see that happening?
Ernie: Maybe Phil Heath in 2010 or 2011. If Dexter can pack on a little bit more tissue then he will stay number one for a lot longer, however Phil is knocking at the door hard, and not forgetting Victor Martinez if he makes a full recovery.
Giles: Do you think Dexter will win again or is his Olympia win a one-off do you think?
Ernie: He shall win again.
Giles: Interesting. Have you heard about this Euro-Olympia next October in Germany? Are you going to catch up with your old pals like Ronnie, Cutler, etc?
Ernie: Yes, I may well be catching up with the boys.
Giles: Who else do you think in Britain has potential to follow in the footsteps of physiques such as yours, Dorian’s and Clairmonte’s, etc?
Ernie: Zack Khan, if he can get his head around the dieting.
Giles: Do you miss competing?
Ernie: Very much.
Giles: Who was better in your opinion, Dorian or Ronnie?
Ernie: They were both very good, but I preferred Ronnie’s physique at his first four Mr Olympia’s… so Ronnie, for me.
Giles: What do you think of this new 202 class?
Ernie: I think it is very good, as the shorter guys get a chance get a piece of the cake.
Giles: What would you say were amongst your most memorable moments competing as a pro?
Ernie: Gaining my pro card in 1995 and competing in my first pro show at the Night of the Champions (New York) in 1997.
Giles: Your worst?
Ernie: Don’t have one.
Giles: What would you say was the most valuable thing you’ve learnt in your years as a pro?
Ernie: Persistence in training and competing will bring great rewards.
Giles: If you could go back to the start, what, if anything, would you do differently?
Ernie: I would give myself a little more recuperation time.
Giles: What was the better show to compete in for you, the Arnold or the Olympia?
Ernie: Olympia.
Giles: Do you think the sport, especially at a pro level, can be improved in any way?
Ernie: Yes, very much, especially now we have a totally different physique winning the Mr Olympia. The average Joe who reads a bodybuilding magazine will now believe that one day he can be a Mr Olympia when he looks at today’s bodybuilding. But when big Ronnie was Mr Olympia even his competition did not think they could beat him, so what do you think the average Joe was thinking? [far too big and freaky] So there is still hope for the sport.
Giles: So what’s in the future for you now then Ernie? More kids? Any business plans?
Ernie: Getting married soon to my Leila, and as for kids I think we shall enjoy life a little first. Business plans, I hope to qualify as a physiotherapist.
Giles: That’s great Ernie, thanks for your time and good luck with the future mate.
Ernie: Cheers Giles, take good care of yourself.

To contact Ernie Taylor write to ET@erniet.flyer.co.uk.

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