Big Ron Partlow
Ron Partlow has been a hardcore bodybuilder at heart for over 30 years. Heart is what it takes to keep grinding it out after 10 runner ups at pro qualifiers through his competitive days as an amateur bodybuilder. Ron is, through his own in the trenches experiences, consistency, and how he holds this sport to a higher standard, the epitome of what makes bodybuilding great. GASP: Mutant on a Mission is in its 5th season now. Where did the idea come from for this show? Ron: I was in LA with Rich Piana watching No Borders with Anthony Bordain (a food focused reality show that highlights, food, people and culture). I said, holy shit; We already visit all the best gyms in the world. Why don't we do the same thing but with gyms and all the gym culture in different parts of the world. 6 months after having this epiphany we went to Bodypower in the UK. We started the series with Dino's gym. You will never meet anyone like Dino, he is literally the NICEST guy you could meet. Upon arrival to kick start this whole Mutant on a Mission episode 1, Dino's has techno music playing. Dino himself comes and gives me a big hug and then turns to his son and says (in classy proper english tone), "Ron is here," then immediately proceeds to switch the music to AC/DC. The general format of the show is to tour the gym with the gym owner. Some gyms have a better story/history than equipment. Some have crazy awesome equipment, story AND atmosphere.' Dino definitely had all the above given the fact that his passion heavily complimented the gym's story having sold his house and slept on the floor for a while to be able to open the place. GASP:How has the show and producing it evolved? Ron: Before, we really had to sell the idea to get the owners to participate. Now gyms message me. I guess now I feel like I am not alone in my passion to see awesome gyms! Some guys dont have an emotional connection to their home gym, but I always connected the gym that I personally train at with being my "HOME." People who really love their gym I feel have something in common with me. Now I am a gym owner (West Coast Iron) so I take it even more personal. I joke with my partners saying, "I want someone to move, just uproot where they currently live and are established and move just to be able to train at my gym." We created a place where this has happened... several times over.