Craig Monson - Exclusive Interview Part II

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While researching our first book, Jailhouse Strong, we wanted to leave no stone unturned. We talked with the former Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates (who started lifting while incarcerated), an outlaw motorcycle club president, gang leaders, old time prize fighters, and a legendary British hard man. During this exhaustive process of discovery, one name came up again and again…Craig Monson.
His name was echoed with a hushed reverence. A member of an LA street gang during the 1960s called the Avenues, which would influence the founding of the infamous Crips, Big Monson spent time in the California state prison in Tracy and at San Quentin. He was said to dwarf his lifting partner, the notorious Stanley “Tookie” Williams. It was rumored that he was doing back arms (triceps extensions) with 315 and that he could easily rep out well over 500 pounds on the bench press.
During a number of our visits with a cofounder of the Crips, Angelo “Barefoot Pookie” White, we tried to locate Monson. Alongside “Barefoot Pookie,” we drove across South Central Los Angeles. But, it was to no avail. Word on the street was conflicted. We heard that he was hiding out, still locked up, or maybe no longer alive.
Not of the temperament to be easily dissuaded or discouraged, we finally found Craig Monson. And we found that the truth was greater than the legend.
At an unassuming gym in sunny Southern California, we interviewed Craig. He shared the grand saga of his life. A cultured man who enjoys European travel and was an accomplished artist, Craig speaks with passion and intelligence about his incredible journey from early backyard lifting alongside fellow gang members to becoming an international bodybuilding sensation who brought audiences to a point of collective fervor and trained alongside Danny Trejo and Arnold Schwarzenegger during the heyday of Muscle Beach in Venice, California.
Join us as Craig Monson shares his transformation from inner city obscurity to the status of living legend. Along the way, he provides a candid description of the workouts, substances, people, and lessons that impacted this incredible life story.

[@jemalrankin9177]

It's like talking to my grandpa ! He gets sidetracked sometimes , but when you live a full life at that age , it happens . Luv it !!

[@jailhousestrong]

Such a great guy!

[@Robby_SouthFlorida]

So true. I enjoy listening to his bodybuilding stories. I wish I learned about him sooner. He's such as inspiration.

[@brianpope4735]

I met Craig in the mid 80's in Venice, Ca. I've been training in gyms since I was 14, I'm 54 now.. I spent a year in Santa Monica and trained at Golds in Venice and World Gym in Santa Monica. I was in the thick of the bodybuilding heyday in the 80's and I can say without question Craig Monson was the most impressive bodybuilder I ever saw. And I saw everyone over the years. He was absolutely massive. He was so much bigger than everyone else it was incredible. The only guy that came close to him was Victor Richards. But Craig was much taller and just gigantic. His videos and pictures don't do him justice at all. Everything about him was big. If god made the perfect man for bodybuilding it was him. I met him many times down in Venice and he was mind boggling.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

Who had bigger arms, Craig Monson or Bill Pettis???

[@jamie.777]

And a 32 inch waist, the man was a Greek God.

[@DIESELMAN8V92]

I pray and hope to meet Mr Monson someday, I respect everything about this man God bless you big Craig Monson

[@fender1000100]

He wasn't bigger than Greg Kovacs. Kovacs was a MONSTER. 6 4" 340lbs contest shape. 25 inch arms. 70 inch chest etc.

[@themoshigh]

I respect the honesty. I love the bodybuilding stories but I respect the OGs who keep it 100 and tell us the whole story drugs and all.

[@jailhousestrong]

class act!

[@game2vin]

Man I watched all parts 6 times already!!Got a little upset when part 2 and 3 were down!!!This stuff is pure history!!!

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks Chad!

[@game2vin]

No Josh Thank You! and please please please do more of these!!!!!! I'd would have paid for this interview!

[@hkincade76]

You nailed this interview brother. I knew that you would find him. We have to get Big Jack now.... Great job sir

[@MrYodeezy]

Chad Bailey I have forgotten how many times Ive watched this. I wonder if he's still there... i worked at Sprouts on LaBrea and Willoughby and realized its right up the street from there.

[@mrdelrio5466]

This brother has a great spirit! He is just telling his truth, without sticking his chess out about it Awesome story.

[@jailhousestrong]

YES

[@rextangledangle8232]

I’ve been hearing about this guy my whole life and I’m 44 yrs old. He is a legend as a Gangster 1st..... and 2nd as a body builder. I have always been told he was a real warrior when it came to combat. He’s the original Black Super Hero Of Los Angeles. I’m glad to see he’s alive and well and also able to document his own story with you guys.

[@jailhousestrong]

He is a great guy! Living legend

[@malcolmbattle7530]

Rextangle Dangle Yeah im sure. Homie big as hell couldn't nobody do nun with him.

[@swappedoutZ71]

I always hear he was gangster but seems he doesnt talk on that part much. Not that i doubt him, but im curious to know what gangster shit he did

[@uneverknow8154]

@@swappedoutZ71 nothing like you could call today gangsta. He founded a group in favour to unite people and fight against distruction. Gangster in first because of politics. You could prove your name because how good you was in fist fight, today millenium gangsta of how much people you killed, kidnapped, trapped.

[@MrFuchew]

@@swappedoutZ71 he's founder of the avenues. Looked up to by tookie founder of the crips

[@andyfoster6754]

What an intelligent and articulate man.Absolute lifting royalty.Thank you for the interviews.

[@MrFuchew]

This needs to be a movie

[@Theycallmekenney]

A true legend from LA! The original black superman...one of the few gangsters who found something positive to do.

[@jailhousestrong]

He is a great man!

[@mrnobody2523]

One of the few people who slapped Raymond Washington!

[@stevesolomon1807]

I can listen to Big Craig all day long!

[@bigharp0949]

I’m enjoying all of these OG’s stories

[@hoggdatsouth]

I can listen to craig monsoon talk all day.

[@jailhousestrong]

YES

[@papichefitup]

This guy still looks huge

[@jailhousestrong]

66 years old!

[@QueenAnitaSoul]

Really ?

[@SunkaTanka]

@Aaron Dukes He just said his weight and age in the first video

[@CobraR1993]

Wow. Best candid interview on KZbin! And the open and honest info on steroids is great. Wow. Craig knew everybody, and I'm surprised Craig knew Dr Robert Kerr. Dr. Kerr sure made a name for himself, Dr. Kerr was also the supplier to many Olympic athletes not only in the United States but also in Canada during the 1980s. Dr. Kerr use to treat Angella Issajenko (455lbs squat), a Canaidian sprinter from the Mazda Optimist Club. The Mazda Optimist Club was the training camp of Ben Johnson, 9.79 100m sprinter. Anyway, to those who are curious Dr. Kerr wrote a book on steroids. It's called Anabolic Steroids With Athletes.

[@jailhousestrong]

Apparently Dr. Kerr has a poster of a very FAMOUS SPRINTER that has since crusaded against steroids.

[@jailhousestrong]

as in hanging in his office because he was a patient

[@archilonshadowheart7]

practical use of anabolic steroid sin athletes, actually, people always debated doses i talked about, but Kerr, was there, he wrote them in his bok, tonnes of guys doing 500mg of dbol and 250mg of anavar. the only nutty stuff in there was the 15 bottles of dbol and the 40 anadrol tabs.

[@samu-eljackson4211]

He mentioned John Brown. If that's the one with the sons that play football that guy had some of the best abs ever.

[@blackw369]

Man I love to hear these old players just talk. Josh you are great for just letting him go on and on . I love it. thank you

[@jailhousestrong]

Thank you!

[@scottcameron4890]

MAN CRAIG STILL LOOKS BIG AND STILL VASCULAR IN THE ARMS...GOD BLESS YOU MY BROTHER CRAIG!!

[@jailhousestrong]

YES!

[@mthenry66]

Pure gold, Europe, Arnold, Danny Trejo

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks Michael!

[@BarriorsTv]

Man yall gotta start putting out more footage of these og's like, big jack doing examples, craig monsoon doing examples, tyrus hughes showing what he did!!.... We be waiting on that.... I think Ct fletcher supposed to try to interview monsoon to that would be epic... anyway bring these guys back in... Where is tyrus we don't see enough of him....

[@jailhousestrong]

Appreciate the feedback!!!!!

[@bjpruitt7768]

Thanks for this video Josh for those of us that were more fans of this sport more than any other hearing this history is priceless i was telling Al this at the gym when we were talking about other legends like Charles Glass we need more of this thanks once again!!!

[@CarlosOrtiz-no2ij]

Wow tremendous interview l learn a lot thank mr monson

[@powerfulfocus779]

He was doing hair at 250 pounds lmao 😂😆😁

[@johndo8792]

I hear nobody complained about the haircut.

[@jwat3217]

John Do 😂😂😂

[@krlm2280]

Even if he fucked my haircut up original crip turned bodybuilder one of the best of his era I'm letting him know this cut is tight i expect the same next time 😂

[@Crisis-xw3wg]

@@krlm2280 😂😂

[@krlm2280]

@@Crisis-xw3wg 😂😂

[@tottenhambulldogs9444]

Great interview, this guy is a beast

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks Ewan!

[@jamie.777]

I love listening to this Man! Europe absolutely loved him!!

[@adamsumar9671]

Absolutely brilliant ! What a character .

[@Levelupdigital]

what a cool dude ! respect Mr. Monson you are a True Legend, amazing interview btw !

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks!

[@JoelP1961]

How have I missed this! Love this stuff!

[@Roadrider19119]

Damn! This is great stuff.

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks

[@therealsyxx]

I would love to talk to this man. He's the dad I imagined I had.

[@tomodonnell3]

looks like a black version of billy 'superstar' graham, with a similar physique! seems incredible guy though, respect to big craig!

[@jailhousestrong]

Such a nice guy and looks amazing at 66!

[@tomodonnell3]

yeah i'd feel blessed to be alive at 66 let alone look like that!

[@BlockBallerRecords]

tomodonnell3 With all hes been through he was the Original Avenue

[@louisswarts843]

Top interview. Great

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks

[@jwat3217]

Legendary interview 🐐

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks!

[@UniversalMind-10]

Pure honest brotha!

[@uptownsamcv]

LMAO @ " look at this place, it's a laboratory "

[@ginoferrara3778]

Good interview

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks

[@wakeup3987]

You are a great entertainer Craig. Funny to listen to and interesting ;) Mats.

[@jailhousestrong]

Craig is the man

[@wakeup3987]

He sure is. @@jailhousestrong

[@robertfields54]

Watching from Ireland, great stuff, how could you not enjoy. IT makes you think , and makes you laugh,All the good stuff together.... Thanks for posting.... ROBERT.....

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks

[@JoseRamos-kd9ig]

This guy is great!💪👍

[@jailhousestrong]

BOOM!

[@unedited2716]

Dam big time bed time story s with the monster big Craig INSPIRATIONAL amen

[@paconone]

21” forearms, That’s a bit of a stretch, A monster regardless.

[@scottmckee8783]

Love this guy

[@jailhousestrong]

YES!!!

[@SkywalkerPaul]

Gangsta Avenues OG Craig Monson 💯

[@5thRep]

OG said he was doing hair lol i pray he meant cutting hair

[@makeaway4554]

Yea he might have been a booty warrior.

[@a.c.6475]

Hmm!......If it was the late 70's to mid 80's he was probably doing California Curl/Jeri Curls, back then it took about 3 or 4 hours to get a fresh curl!

[@willwebb1934]

Is there a part 4 coming?

[@krlm2280]

Even if he fucked my haircut up original crip turned bodybuilder one of the best of his era I'm letting him know this cut is tight i expect the same next time 😂

[@yannicat123]

Great interview. Heard him also interviewed by C. T. Fletcher. Very colorful personality. almost makes me want to juice. But nah...

[@jailhousestrong]

LOL

[@jabmalassie]

He should have had Wilt Chamberlains's role

[@samu-eljackson4211]

Conan the Destroyer? Yea that would've been epic.

[@Jugizzman10]

He worked out with Arnold an Tookie an then Arnold had Tookie put to sleep!! That would make a great movie

[@bigbubba4184]

@Mark Richardson Why? He was convicted with overwhelming evidence , about 5 people who told on him and he even killed the people with his shotgun that is registered in his name. He was known in LA for binge smoking pcp and having violent outbursts, why give him clemency? He killed those people

[@Boostlifelex]

lost box so did hundreds of others that he never put to death...it was much more than executing a so called convicted killer it was an effort to not only destroy a rival that made him look silly on the beach who happened to be black and better looking which makes all white folks mad but tookie was a leader for the black community regardless of crime and whites especially white people that understand politics don’t like that and when it comes down to it they will not allow it. They (the United States gov) will never ever allow a black man from the black community to be a influential leader in American society period. So in the end it wouldn’t even matter if tookie killed folks or stole somebody’s pizza he would have gotten put to death for the political reasons I stated ...tookie was nominated for Nobel piece prize twice and Arnold wasn’t until after tookie died so he was living in his rivals shadow forever...if you were in Arnold’s shoes and you being a damn immigrant you would kill tookie with the help of our government too just to have personal shine in your life so you can tell your younger generations of whites how you continued the conquering agenda of the white man world wide... again I’ll repeat no black man from the black community will ever be an influence in this country without being first murdered by the United States gov FACTS...Obama wasn’t from the community *mic drop

[@oxmidnightox]

Damn fuc'n wit Venice Og had a bunch of followers way before social media....Thats right a muscles car guy 💯💯💯

[@discernment8963]

Dr.Walter Jacott MD, & Dr.Robert Kerr

[@californiacavemandastardly6538]

I over dosed on the 50's. I got real sick. Dumbass me went up to three.

[@joec354]

Big craig , anyone know his rough training routine ?

[@leave-it-outuk3432]

The day i lifted 220kg i done back first!! 💪🏿🙌🏿👊🏿

[@eld8494]

Craig , did you know Jimel Sampson Barnes ?

[@uncclelocc]

EL 'D ain't no Samson

[@chairmanoftheboard11]

Jimel raised him, taught him how to fight and workout. He’s his OG.

[@theballq]

@@chairmanoftheboard11 lol good one

[@chairmanoftheboard11]

theballq 😂😂😂😂

[@ThaRealERAQ]

the incredible hulk doing hair smh he's probably crushed a few skulls doing that

[@libanmaxamedmaxamed6604]

Legend as somali all of us we ain't that skinny common lol

[@kingbillajr]

Did he say somalis are skinny or something? Lol

[@SUPREME-ri8wt]

I did a long stretch in prison and the most push ups I did was 1300 in a hour I'm 40 now I was in my 20 then!!!!

[@jailhousestrong]

Impressive!

[@gurnblanston5000]

Why so few? :))

[@mr-junebugg74]

💪🏾💪🏾

[@tremaynewilliams1977]

Damn,,he said you look like you're from Somalia 😂😂😂😂

[@clinteastwood9840]

I found it interesting abt how doctors had clinics to give them pills and shots. How does that even work lol

[@jailhousestrong]

People are going to do it anyways AT least under doc supervision and tax revenue comes out of it

[@Rite3man]

How tall is Mr Monson?

[@jailhousestrong]

I would say 6'1, maybe slightly taller

[@gangsterpsychologist941]

Josh Bryant he's 6'2

[@archilonshadowheart7]

Ct said he got his arms up to 25, is that true or were they the more often quoted 23.8?

[@ryandees5158]

I think back in his younger days he was listed 6ft3 but he has definitely lost height by now.

[@zenbodybuilder]

John Brown used to eat Dolly Madison powdered sugar doughnuts before he pumped up...

[@jstine7671]

He said he had to leave his black friends alone , to stay out of trouble 🤮 elaborate for (US) .

[@ricogonzalez7508]

If he was white yellow or blue he could say the same thing it's about getting out of the environment and influence

[@dm7744]

Do you know he’s a south central La street legend? He damn near a direct influence to the start of the crips

[@hushai5154]

The guy must of had bullet proof shoulders doing 500 plus pounds with that ultra wide grip.

[@nikekortez1541]

HE NEEDS A STAUTE AT WEIGHT LANE CALL CRAIG MUNSON LANE VENICE MR.LA GYM

[@gangsterpsychologist941]

Josh do you have any footage of Big Jack

[@jailhousestrong]

All that we have is up sir

[@dominiqueheron9967]

i heard about Big Jack

[@Drvenjola]

what was his training routine, i want to get that biiig!!!

[@sosolinhasnba2k24]

How tall was He?

[@bigbaba4542]

He is very tall, something like 6'3'' at least.

[@shaunalex2345]

@47:30 is so real

[@Johnnie5213]

👍👍

[@jailhousestrong]

Thanks

[@dunoduno2073]

39:36

[@rnicholson219]

Genetics saved you from the adverse effects of steroid usage.

[@champbullard8116]

49:15 to 49:35

[@archilonshadowheart7]

you think thats bad i threw in a pound of canned springwater tuna with 1.25L or a quart and a half of orange juice and blended that and slammed it.

[@jailhousestrong]

BAD ASS

[@bigbaba4542]

when you take his feats of strength, doing 25 reps with 400, and calculate his one rep max it would be 730 pounds which would be the world record at the time. I think he is exaggerating a little bit here

[@milo_croton]

most of those aren't accurate. Like larry wheels did 405x20 or so which equates to around 1000lbs max bench

[@hkincade76]

👍👍

[@jailhousestrong]

Fun

[@hkincade76]

Hey Josh....did you get one with Mike Christian yet?....by the way, you are doing an excellent job brother...peace and blessings