Neal Grossman

Birth date February 19, 1948
Birthplace Bronx, NY
Current Residence Baltimore, MD
Marital Status Married to Ruth for 25 years. We have four great sons.
Height 5'2"
Contest Weight 127 lbs.
Off-season Weight 132 lbs.

First Bodybuilding Contest
Nov 1999 The Baltimore Natural.

Best Contest Placing
2001 INBF Naturalmania-Grandmasters- Which qualified me for my Master's Pro status in the WNBF

Role Models in Bodybuilding/Fitness
John Puskarich, Matt Shepley and Dave Grogan. These are people who live and practice the sport. They are true students of bodybuilding. They go out of their way to share this love and knowledge with anyone who is interested in learning about natural bodybuilding. These are people who set high standards of excellence for themselves and always strive to exceed these high standards. What more could a person expect from a role model in bodybuilding?

Bodybuilders/Fitness Competitors who physiques I most admire
Chris Dickerson, Frank Zane, Kenny Hall and of course Arnold.

Bodybuilders/Fitness Competitors whose personalities I most admire
Dexter Jackson, Matt Duvall, Dave Grogan/Monica Brandt

Highlight(s) of Career
2002 Nation's Capital Musclemania. Being in the posedown for the overall title with my friend and trainer, John Puskarich.

Biggest Disappointment(s) of Career
None

Best Body part
Calves

Worst Body part
Back

Favorite Exercise
Any exercise that I am doing to reach my training goals.

Least Favorite Exercise
Any exercise I that I am not motivated to reach a specific outcome.

Traits I admire most in others
Integrity, persistence, and the ability for a person to see the best in others.

Traits I admire most in yourself
Persistence, integrity

Favorite Movies
Aliens , Back to the Future, Trading Places, Marx Brothers Movies, Nottinghill, Thomas Crown Affair (The remake with Pierce Brosnan), Forbidden Planet, Predator, True Lies

Favorite Group
Jethro Tull, Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac

Favorite Writer
Isaac Asimov, Stephen King, John Grisham, Orson Scott Card, Robert Heinlein, Piers Anthony

Favorite Food
Blueberry pancakes, spaghetti & meatballs, pizza, steak,

Favorite Cheat Day Treats
Peanut butter on garlic matzo

Favorite Automobile
My car. Although, sometimes I like to drive my wife's Minivan. They both have air conditioning, power windows, nice sound system and are paid in full. (I do have a soft spot for the first car I bought. It was a 1976 280Z -my dental school graduation present to myself.)

Idea of a Perfect Vacation
First class accommodations at warm weather location near the ocean with great beaches for relaxing. Of course there must also be other activities to choose from. Movies, miniature golf, gym, water park and last but not least outlet stores for my wife to enjoy. The children have their own rooms at this Fantasy Island Resort.

Favorite TV Program
A&E's Mystery-Especially Inspector Poirot

Long Term Bodybuilding Ambitions
To keep improving in and learning about as many aspects of the sport as possible. Perhaps someday to be good enough to win an overall title.

What I like most about Bodybuilding?
That it is a 24/7 commitment with so many details to consider. The actual competition is the finish line of a long race.

What I dislike most about Bodybuilding?
Height classes, weight classes in competitions that don't have a real bantamweight classes.

Advice I would give other competitors
Always compete against yourself. You are your own best competition. Also, avoid pump room judging. The competition is on the stage and consists of "quarter turns" and mandatory poses. You can't see the comparisons until you get the tape. Finally, it is okay to feel upset about placing lower than you thought you should. Let yourself feel bad for about ten minutes, then turn that feeling into motivation to look even better next time out.