mackdaddy567 is the July 2016 Rx Muscle Member of the Month!

[Curt James]

mackdaddy567 is the July 2016 Rx Muscle Member of the Month!

Kirk Ireland aka mackdaddy567 is an Rx Muscle OG, a member since 2009! Bodybuilding is in his blood as you’ll find out in this interview. Let’s learn more about this dyed-in-the-wool bodybuilder and fan!

How were you introduced to the weights?

My parents actually started, owned and operated, a number of gyms in the late 80’s and 90’s.

mack-two.jpg
Kirk's mother and father with Marjo Selin who competed in multiple Ms. Olympia competitions between 1982 and 1989.

My father also competed a dozen or so times throughout the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. And on top of that my parents were close to Marjo Selin (a top female bodybuilder in the 80’s) and her husband Hannu.

marjoandhannu.jpg
Marjo Selin and Hannu Selin are owners of REPS Fitness on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Learn more @ http://www.repsfitness.com/ and on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/REPS-Wailea...s-113409886865

Marjo actually finished up her prep for the 89 Olympia at their World Gym in San Francisco (where I’m from) and the Loma Prieta earthquake happened during her prep. Haha when I saw them we had a few good laughs about that.

Very cool!

So I came into it through osmosis. I grew up in gyms, and eventually I was tired of being skinny fat and I started training at around age 14 and fell in love with bodybuilding. Initially through my dad I was introduced to the golden era physiques of the 70's. I can remember reading Arnold’s encyclopedia, his pamphlets my dad bought in the 70’s, and watching Pumping Iron when I was young teen.

mack-edcorney.jpg
Kirk's father on stage in 1990!

When I was about 16 I got a huge stack of MD mags from a guy at my gym and that exposed me to modern bodybuilding. MD actually exposed me to Palumbo and Romano and I can remember watching a 60 second video of a workout tip of the week on MD’s site with Dave showing the viewers how to squat wide stance, and pulling out his quad after and I was like Holy Shit!

davesquats.jpg
Dave completing an Olympic style squat

What is your favorite part of the iron game – strongman, bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Bikini, etc.?

Bodybuilding, 212, Women’s Bodybuilding, and Women’s Physique. Not really too into Classic Bodybuilding. The weight classes are too low, but I like Arash Rahbar. He has a great physique. Nothing looks "Jimmyed up".

What's your favorite thing about bodybuilding?

It’s really is my passion in life. But to sum it up briefly I will say that my life philosophy is to be a little better every day than my last. Just in a general sense. As a parent to my animals, in my profession, as a son, everything, just a bit better, and to me that is the heart and soul of bodybuilding. It can be constructive, and I choose to work hard to be a little better every day and bodybuilding is the physical manifestation of that. While I’ve never competed I attend pro shows and support the sport. I love it.

mack-three.jpg
Kirk's parents at their World Gym with Rich Gaspari!

What's your least favorite thing about bodybuilding?

Men’s bodybuilding judging this year… rushing too many divisions in one day, not having guys come out numerically to execute their mandatories. That’s upsetting. I plan to attend the Golden State Pro in a few weeks and I am really hoping that doesn’t happen there. These guys deserve their due, which is much more than they got at the NY pro for example.

They put years into this, sacrifice so much, and deserve a fair shot at judging. I’d like to see them come out numerically, have the head judge call out each mandatory pose, see them in groups of 4 numerically, then see callouts. Also I'm not a fan of the SEO, and all these guys with "Jimmyed up" arms, delts, traps, etc. There is a sort of plastic look the muscles take on, they don't move quite right, and you can spot it, and I'm really not a fan.

What is your goal so far as the weights go?

I really admire someone who can utilize a particular movement and recruit a lot of muscle activation from that exercise. So many guys simply move weight. But not too many actually can use the targeted muscles to lift it. To apply that movement as a tool to specifically target a particular muscle group.

With squats for example, when I can see the legs taking almost the entire load, to me that is impressive more so than the number on the bar – solid reps with no momentum, no lower back recruitment, just legwork. That impresses me, and I try to come into the gym and work on that every time I train, to maximize the stimulation of the group in targeting from the movement.

Would you share your greatest experience in the sport so far?

Actually, talking with some of the great minds, and super friendly pros at shows has been awesome and is what keeps me coming back. Chris Aceto has always been awesome to interact with for example. Neil Hill was a great mind to pick. And so many others.

What has been one of your greatest disappointments?

My genetics, haha.

Ha! I've seen pics on your Instagram. You have nothing to complain about!

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A close-up of Kirk and Eugenia Ireland with Rich Gaspari

Do you have any favorite bodybuilders or strength athletes?

I have a list of guys I look up to. Delarosa, Cisternino, Evan, Dallas, Shelby, Meadows, the list goes on. But Dallas, man, that guy, he may be top 6 this year. He is going to be a great pro! He is going to demolish Chicago this week. I admire all of the work he and Janson have been putting in. Training hard and heavy, eye of the tiger all year. It’s very inspirational to me!

Who is someone you look forward to meeting and perhaps picking their brain?

Chris Aceto. He is the Yoda of this sport. A wealth of knowledge. Also guys like Dave Palumbo, Shelby Starnes. Great minds of our sport.

How’s your training going?

Well, I train 5 days a week or so. I do it out of passion and am continuing to progress so I am happy.

What’s the craziest workout program you’ve followed?

When I first started, my buddy Aaron and I used to overtrain like crazy. Forty sets for chest for example. Lol we were nuts. Eight sets of flat bench, 8 sets of inclines, dips, cable flyes, dumbbell presses, dumbbell flyes. Way, way, way too much.

What has been the most effective workout you’ve followed?

I enjoy training Dorian Style. One max effort set after completing some warm ups. Seem to work best for me.

What Supplement Company or brand does it right?

Species, really. I know that sounds incredibly kiss ass, but I mostly use that line. Fiberlyze, V-Mineralyze, Isolyze, Nitrolyze, and most recently Arthrolyze, are all staples in my program.

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Favorite TV show?

60 minutes.

What are three things you couldn't live without?

Bodybuilding, my animals, and my loved ones.

How did you learn about Rx Muscle Forums?

I followed Dave from MD. I came here in 09 and I can remember falling in love with the content, Iron Asylum videos, contest coverage, HMR, the old Q and A on the boards, everything. And now the TV shows and radio! They get me through my week.

What’s your favorite part of Rx Muscle Forums?

Being able to see the opinions of others and to chat about the sport we all love. In my civilian life there are very few people I know who even know what bodybuilding is besides Arnold.

What would you do to improve the site and the forums in particular?

I'd like to see more interaction from pros on the forums. Guys like Delarosa for example I see posting on MD. I don't get that. These guys come on for Live With but won't be a part of the community. It's not like Blechman is going to give him a new contract because he is posting on the boards. Not to call him out. I like Jon a lot. I've just seen him giving updates on the MD board and I don't get why.

Do you have a favorite movie?

Shawshank Redemption, Black Hawk Down, so many great ones! I can't choose.

What’s your occupation?

I am a recruiter, working mostly in the creative realm, marketing, etc.

What currently drives you nuts?

The presidential election this year.

What motivates you?

As kiss ass as this will sound, the RX coverage. When I commute home I listen to HMR, watch and even re-watch Live With episodes. The one with Jay and Aceto for example. I've listened to /seen them a dozen times. While doing dishes, cardio, whatever. Keeps me focused and calms me in a way.

I'll also watch training videos of crazy preps, like Jay in 09, Kai for the 2010 Olympia, Coleman in 03, most recently Dallas for this Chicago Pro. I also have a bunch of the BFTO DVDs. I'll even watch passionate interviews on Rx like Shelby when he won his pro card.

Yes, a fantastic interview!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJW2v6XRt6Y

Another one of my favorite interviews is with Dave and Jason Huh. Incredible. Can’t believe that was 2010.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8w9KxX7TkU

What else?

Wrap up videos, great call out videos like the 2014 Arnold where Rhoden and Wolf were duking it out and Chris is yelling at Rhoden throughout the whole call out. That passion for bodybuilding can be seen in all of the content mentioned above and it fuels mine when I see it.

What are your hobbies?

Bodybuilding, business related projects, spending time with close friends, taking my dogs to the park. But bodybuilding is my main hobby.

Do you have any pets?

Yup, two dogs and a cat. You can see them, my lifts, and life in general on Instagram. @kirkireland. Come visit my page!

Awesome! Follow Kirk on IG @ https://www.instagram.com/kirkireland/?hl=en

Thank you for sharing a little about yourself, Kirk. And thanks also for being a longtime contributor to Rx Muscle Forums. I’m glad you’re here!

[The Solution]

Congrats Mac!!

[huge285]

Congrats Mac! Great great interview!!!

[Sunnyday]

Congrats on MOTM!

Great interview!

[Rocco1943]

Good choice. Nice guy. Congrats

[Mac]

Congratulations. Wish my mom and dad were into bodybuilding like yours were.

Marjo was one of my favorites back in the day!! Excellent interview.

[cook]

Congratulations. Wish my mom and dad were into bodybuilding like yours were.

Marjo was one of my favorites back in the day!! Excellent interview.

Yeah me too.My parents looked at me like I was nuts.Congrats on motm

[davidcua]

Congratz Mack !

[mackdaddy567]

Thank you for the kind words everyone!

I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to tell my story to the RX community! Bodybuilding is my passion, and Rxmuscle and the community of followers behind it, fuels that passion in my heart for the sport.

Not too many people in my everyday life are aware with the sport at all and RX provides such an amazing outlet for us all to come together and to appreciate this sport we all love.

Thank you Curt for reaching out to me and to Dave for creating this community to begin with. I'm humbled.

More to come soon!

- Kirk

[Big Will Mitchell]

Congrats Kirk,
The most humblest bright person I know. So happy you are the member of the month. Well deserved with all the strict, honest, truth, you speak brother. I don't have to ask him to stay true because if you knew him in person he is one to speak it with thought and constructive feedback. There does need to be more time for judging.They need to respect the years of hard work and give everyone on stage a chance to be seen. Well done. Happy for you man. See you at the gym. Oh the only thing i disagree in the interview is that he said he had shitty genes, man if you could see this dudes quads, lats, broad shoulders, tight waist. I think he should compete someday. Amazing genes. Always humble and always strong and true, that is my bud Kirk Ireland Jr.

[Big Will Mitchell]

Kirk Ireland Jr.

I mean Kirk Ireland, he is not a Jr. I got to get it right. Sorry bud, I keep forgetting.

[Kaotic]

Awesome interview, congrats on motm!

[mackdaddy567]

Another awesome video of JoJ's "comeback" last year.

[black-elephant]

Awesome... Congratulations.

[Curt James]

Thank you for taking part as the Rx Muscle Member of the Month, Kirk. Looking forward to hearing more from you!

Check out the August MOTM interview here!