Episode 74 with Dr Marwan Chahayed: Hollywood as a tool for personal growth

Welcome back to California Life Podcast. Today we are again with the one and only Dr. C, uh, in the headquarters of MLC Health Group. Thank you. Dr. C, thanks again for having us at your headquarters, and, um, I know you just won another tournament. You probably have more gold in in your vault than the US Treasury. I don't

know about that, but thank you. Yes, I, uh, yes, I have a few. I appreciate that.

Well, quite a few, quite a few. Um, before we, um, discuss the topic which I wanted to talk with you today, uh, could you please share with us about the, the tournament, the experience, and, uh, What's coming up next?

Excellent. First of all, thank you for having me on the show as always. I mean, you're

always,

always a pleasure and fun, uh, doing a show with you.

Thank you.

Um, well, last weekend I did a tournament called Ultimate Warrior, uh, bodybuilding and fitness show in Anaheim, California, and I won first place in my class and I won the second place in the overall. Uh, it was a really nice and fun tournament because everybody, uh, in the tournament was in phenomenal shape, really good shape. So it was really impressive to see that. See, that made the tournament more challenging, and, um, it was more forward to look, uh, toward the USA Bodybuilding Championship next month. That's what I'm aiming for mainly. So this show was a— if you can say it's a warm-up show.

Right. Well, you definitely warmed up really well. It's like, what, 3% body fat?

I was at a little bit under 5%.

Well, it's a little bit above 3. Why the second place? Was the Chuck Norris competing?

No. Actually, the person who won— oh no, in my class I won first place. I won the gold. But the second place, which means the overall, the person who's gonna win the whole bodybuilding tournament, Excluding the men's physique, classic physique, other classes. So the bodybuilding section was— I won the overall, the second place. And the gentleman who won was a 24-year-old kid.

Okay, okay.

So, but he deserved it. He looked good.

So you just, you, you let him live?

Yeah, for now.

So, uh, this is the warm-up. The next month you have another big show. And where does it lead you to? What is the next step, stage in your competing career?

I mean, it's been rough. I mean, as you know, I've been competing since 1994, exactly 30 years, and it was an amazing experience. It's been an amazing experience throughout these years. It was definitely a challenge, a challenge with myself first. The reason why I say that, to— when I say I challenge myself to know that I can do it, I can go through the journey and dieting and lifting 7 days a week, twice a day. So, but it's been fun throughout the years. And the next step is uncertain at this point. As you know, 30 years competing is, It takes a toll on your body, you know, and your career as a doctor, you know, and I've been quite busy. And also now, as you know, I'm spending a lot of time with my twins, the 24-year-old twins, and both going to medical school. So I've been by their side trying to push them and assist them in many ways. So I've been busy with that as well. But bodybuilding is in my blood, as you know, and it keeps me going. Young, keeps me alive, and gives me a reason to go and work out and train hard on a daily basis.

Well, yeah, it definitely builds character, and you could see from the perfection of your shape how you take it seriously, detailed, and it's driven, it's disciplined. I haven't seen you taking carbs ever, only keto bread maybe.

Keto bread, that's it. So for the past 2 months, it's been all keto for The viewers, some viewers don't know what keto is. Keto varies. It's a diet for weight loss, for fat loss. Regular keto diet or general keto diet includes just the protein and veggies. It excludes carbohydrates in many forms. The bodybuilding keto changes a little bit because it's— If I may say, a little bit healthier. So, people who are not in competition mode, they do keto, they eat any type of protein. For instance, bacon, greasy protein, pork, this. My diet primarily consists of clean protein. Right. So, chicken, lean beef, Lean turkey, eggs, protein shakes, and eggs in general. Of course, I said eggs. So, no bacon, no processed food, which is very important. The processed food, nobody should eat processed food anyway because of all the additives, the nitrate that's in there, it's extremely harmful to the human being.

Right. Bodybuilding aside, you've succeeded in bodybuilding many, many times. You've succeeded obviously as a great dad and as a person, as a great doctor. And today what I wanted to specifically focus on, you are in love with arts, you're in love with music, and you play different Musical instruments. Bodybuilding is also a sort of art, not just a sport, because it's not just who runs faster.

True.

It's like sculpting.

Very meticulous. And yeah, sculpting.

Now you are great at acting.

Thank

you. How do you think, looking back at everything that you've worked on, you're still working on, you've achieved, and you're still achieving— acting, music, singing, How did that part of you impact on your development as a person, as a doctor?

So that's an amazing question. I believe in diversity. I believe in you're given one shot in life, you know, and so you got to make the best of it. As you know, if you have the ability to do whatever you can do, whatever your interest is, Please do it, you know. Don't wait or don't procrastinate. I'll do it one day. Just do it, you know. And it's not necessarily cost money, but it costs your time and effort, you know. So every aspect of that that you spoke about, like whether music or singing and bodybuilding and diving and whatnot, so all made me a better person and made me— open my eyes to the world in a different way and appreciate life in many ways. Appreciate God's creation, appreciate nature, appreciate people in general. So the more I take on different hobbies, different interests, the better person I become for me. And that reflects on my family and friends and loved ones. Mm-hmm. 'Cause I get to teach them as well. For instance, I took on scuba diving in 1991. So I've been diving all over the world, and when my twins became 14, I pushed them to get their certification, and they did. And they— at first they were reluctant. Oh no, no, we're scared of the ocean diving, this, that. And I pushed them. Watch, you're gonna thank me one day. Now they beg me, please take us diving.

I believe so. I was fortunate to To observe how you communicate with your kids, amazing twins. Peter, I believe, is going to be another great doctor, and well, Ms. Petra is the best. I hope Ms. Petra is watching this, or you could transfer my compliments.

I'm sure she'll be watching, and I will tell her as well. Thank you.

I've watched her interview for your documentary a gazillion times, and whenever He would invite me over, we would, you know, have a little talk, and it was always a very nice, healthy, and a smart vibe. I've seen people around the world, I've seen quite a few people here, but that's probably the unique vibe that I've felt. Peter is way more reserved.

Correct.

I just feel that he's reserved and he's just, he wants his space and that's it.

True.

But with Miss Petra, it was different, and obviously that's your investment.

True.

You mentioned that arts in general, firstly, they make you as a better person in different ways, and then this contributes to whatever else you do. What instruments did you play, do you play, and how do you feel them? They're all different. Is there a preference?

Yes, as you know, I love music in general and different genres, But a few years back, I took on guitar because I love guitar. I mean, the sound of it, it's the string instruments in general, it really gets my attention. But I wasn't that good at it, even though I took courses in college and I practiced, but I didn't get into it deeply. So years forward, I gave up my guitar to Petra because she said, I think I'd like to learn. She's self-taught. she started playing and singing with an amazing voice.

Yeah, I saw that.

Really blessed. And then she started asking, I would like an electric guitar. And wow, so, and now she plays really well, mind-boggling. And I took on the drums, I started playing drums. I love drums because, as you know, my Middle Eastern background, So the drums is—

And when you play the drums, I saw that you are quite dancey.

Yeah.

Your body moves the whole thing.

You're— I mean, you, you are— you're feeling the beat, and so your muscles and your fingertips and everything is—

Isn't it backwards? Your vibe gives the beat.

Yeah.

That's, that's how I felt when I saw you playing. It's not like you're— and then the body follows.

It's so true. It's so true. So the drum is, uh, I mean, it's an amazing instrument. I love it. And my brother plays much better drum than I do. Then I, a few years forward, I fell in love with the cello, as you know. I mean, the sound of the cello is just—

It's magical indeed.

It's so true.

Yeah,

it can make you laugh, cry, and as you notice in like most movies and intros, Game of Thrones to be exact, that's what really got my interest. I mean, the intro for Game of Thrones is incredible, like I feel it wakes up all my senses. I feel my skin, my bones, my soul, like, and I start smiling also. I start tearing. Like, this is incredibly beautiful. So I got a cello. Right. And until now, I'm taking lessons. I'm learning mainly right now classicals. Bach, and even folk music, and I play and I really enjoy. I just, and I practice on a daily basis and several times a day. So sometimes I'm with the kids, I'm teaching, or maybe doing a little bit of cooking or whatever I'm doing at home, and I take a break and go play cello.

Right.

Practice. So, and so that cello, if I might say, it's my favorite instrument so far.

Right. What do you plan to do? What is your goal with all the instruments, with the cello? Are we expecting a concert sometime soon?

You never know. I mean, Petra plays the guitar, as you know. Peter is taking on the drums, and then I play the— and she sings, I sing, but she's got amazing voice. So, and I play the shows. We might just do a small concert, the 3 of us, maybe for Christmas special, who knows. That'll be great. That'll be

That's really great. Well, I'll make sure to film that. We have to—

Absolutely.

We have to document that because, um, remember when we filmed the documentary, you told me that, uh, you were doing little stand-ups?

Yes.

Comedic pieces?

Correct.

And you had a cassette, VHS or something, and that was lost.

That was like— I tried to retrieve that somehow. It's there somewhere. It's not— it's misplaced, not lost. It's in the house. Uh, fortunately, unfortunately, we have a big home, so It's gonna be in one of those crevice corners.

Well, God bless, let it, uh, let it be found.

Yes.

So we can, uh, digitalize it.

Oh, that'd be amazing.

And yeah, yeah, and keep it. Uh, we do have that capacity. I did digitalize a lot of fights for Mr. Kung Le. Wow. So now we can preserve what he had on.

I love it.

And we'll do the same thing. But now with, with these podcasts, with your documentary, we have it digital, so it's like It's not gonna go anywhere. It will be kept for your— it'll be kept for your family. So back to music. You've expressed your love from one instrument to another and then how you also engaged your family. Let's talk about acting. You've done quite a few projects.

Thanks to you.

Well, thanks to you.

You got me into it.

Well, because you have everything in it. You know, it's just like I could feel it, and I think it's just a loss to not show it to the world. Um, how acting— how do you feel acting, how it impacts you, and then how you take it into the world for the family, for your work, for yourself as a person?

Yeah, as you know, I love acting. I mean, you— I really— I, I owe it to you. Uh, you got me into— and you inspired me in many ways, and I If you remember, one time I asked you, is it okay if I take acting lessons? And you said, why? You are a natural. Don't waste your money. Just keep acting. I said, okay, that's— I'll do it. So, so as you know, we've done several projects from TV series with Mr. Danny Trejo and, and some other Whatnot. I said podcasts, other projects, you know, commercials and whatnot. And I enjoy, I really enjoy, I enjoy being behind the camera or in front of the camera, in front of the camera, that is. And I like to play different roles. So I know that I know me, you know, I'm the person I am. I think I'm a decent person, but I like to play various roles. So to Um, like emulate the really big actors. I'm not close to Mr. Robert De Niro or Al Pacino, but I love their acting. I think they're phenomenal. But, uh, and they play different roles, as you know, from, from comedy to, uh, villain to, uh, drama, you name it. And so, uh, I'm still learning. My feet— I barely got my feet wet into acting, and I really want to take it to a different level. I mean, keep acting, maybe do, um, the action, action movie. I think it would be amazing, maybe with the big star, you know, I'll be his sidekick, or who knows, whatever you recommend. Well,

I would recommend some stars to be your sidekicks. And, uh, thank

you.

You've, uh, well, you've done, uh, Your role perfectly well in, in My American Family. You've opened up so many sides in front of the camera. Then with the kids, an educational show, as a judge and mentor in the talent show, many other things. And then we just filmed a trailer for an upcoming— Movie. Action feature where your character is a lawyer, but has a feel of James Bond.

Yeah.

Which we call James Secretan, which is the actual real name. So you play these different characters, you play these roles, you give off these emotions. How does this impact you, if it impacts you?

It definitely impacts me in many ways. I feel like I'm I'm ascending to a different level where I'm not just being average, you know, for me, I mean. Yeah. So acting has always been a dream of mine, you know, a dream from— one of my dreams to act and be in front of the camera and So it opens up my senses, opens up my interests more and more. Like I said, I would like to do an action movie, maybe a drama. A comedy I can do for sure. I love comedy, and I think I'd be okay with it, you know, or good, good, good at it. But definitely I would like to do more Adventure role or definitely action role, and I think that'll be interesting. I'll take it to a different level.

I definitely think that you'll be great at drama as well as you are at comedy. You know, with acting, we just need to figure out some triggers.

Yes.

And I know perfectly well a trigger. We go to a restaurant and I illegally pay for the meal. I got you into a drama and the villain, and the villain Mode, I just have to run, run really fast

because I arm wrestle every night.

Oh yeah, yeah, no, I run, I run.

And by the way, this gentleman is very strong. I mean, he's, he's, he doesn't consider himself a bodybuilder, but he can lift, he can outlift me, and I've been, I've been lifting for 40 years. Oh shoot, I just told my age almost.

Well, you're 41, right?

Uh, 43.

Well, sorry about that.

Plus tax, but

right. Well, you're too kind. Obviously I'm nowhere near what you lift, and, you know, it's absolutely different levels. But taking all of these things that you've mentioned that acting brings to you, opens up new senses, how do you think you, you can take it and utilize it in your medical practice?

Very good. Actually, yeah, that's probably clarified the question a little bit better. I always I always love to teach. I always like to be an educator. So I'm constantly researching, looking up new innovations, especially in the medical field. So when I discover something, I would like to teach it. I like to share it with friends, family, and whoever, anybody who's watching, because I don't believe I'm selfish when it comes to education. Right. I like to share everything, all the— any knowledge that I know. I'd like to share. So acting, coming from an acting, a small acting career, I think I'll be able to express better maybe and relate to the public that what I've learned and what I'm about to teach. I can be in front of 50,000 people and I'm not nervous. So that's a plus for me, you know what I'm saying? Of course. So I'm not camera shy anymore. So when I'm comfortable being an actor, I'm comfortable in front of big crowds. And, and that's my goal, is when I'm done— I don't think I'll ever retire. My patients will never let me retire. So a semi-retirement, if I may say. And, and the, uh, the other part of semi-retirement would be teaching. It could be just through social media or seminars or whatnot. And I already started on a small scale, but I think, like, acting definitely will, will catapult me into a different level when it comes to teaching in front of a big group.

Well, that's fantastic. Also, you mentioned to me when you have little kids, you play with them, you put a red nose, you play with the hand. It's kind of part of acting as well.

True.

And I would assume, please correct me if I'm wrong, when you have a patient coming, the patient is in distress, you would try approaches from different sides.

True.

Also sort of acting to let them relax. Break the ice. Yes, yes, all of these things. Well, that's a fantastic side. I've kept watching And I had so many questions I wanted to, you know, to ask you about this side because it's really important to see how it impacts you. And I know, you know, Jocelyn and Ian and the other kids who we worked with, acting as a drill, as a craft, helped them to deal with their own bugs inside. Yes. Because when you're learning and working on someone's character, you kind of dive in your own.

That's right.

And fix something that is bothering you.

100% true.

And more open.

Yes.

Better in communications. You know, right now, communications, networking, sales, building a rapport, it's, it's very important. So, um, for you guys, uh, just remember that acting is not just because you want to act, but if you want to be a doctor, Or maybe a dentist who is not exactly fully doctor. Hello, Dr.

Shawn. Hey.

I love, by the way, I love the little game that you have with the joint. You smoke in the gym. Pretend to be, right? Pretend. Yeah, that's fun.

Yeah. When we work out at the gym with his clients, when we work out on a daily basis, we try to have fun. So, working out cannot be just focused on doing weights and leaving, you know. Because part of it's camaraderie, you know, like sharing fun moments and laughter in between sets, as long as we don't waste too much time. So the downtime, which is what we call the rest time between sets, could be humorous. And I don't know if I want to get into it, but it's extremely funny. And Victor got to experience it and laugh with us. So

Yeah, it was fun also when keep it quiet when you have only one plate.

Oh yeah, that's a lot. It's a lot of fun. It's a lot of fun. So so what he's trying to say when we lift on a day there were the heavy day. The person who is able to only one plate, let's say on the bench. So everybody got one plate, and there's somebody who can do three plates. Three plates on the bar, and they scream. People's attention and we all crack up, you know.

Right. And how heavy are the plates?

Uh, 45 pounds each plate.

Each plate, right. Uh,

yeah, yeah, 315. 3 plates each side, 315.

Right, right. 3 45s or 3 15s?

3— no, yeah, 3 45s on each side.

Right, okay.

Plus the bar.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Dr. C, um, my last question for Today, I don't want to distract you from the patients. Last year you judged Miss California, and that was probably, if not the first year, maybe one of the rarest years when the winner was active and actually did something. Yeah. You know, Nicoletta is great, she's done great. They're running another tournament another competition, whatever it's called, pageant, uh, this year. Um, what would be your wish advice to the contestants, uh, which hopefully could help them win?

Absolutely. I mean, the first thing is you have to, uh, get, uh, you have to get the crowd involved like in every tournament. So, uh, you cannot be self-absorbed, uh, that if you're talking or posing. So you have to address, you have to get all the people, including the judges, to like you on stage. Right. So if, let's say, you're a beauty contestant, a pageant contestant, or a bodybuilder, whatever, so you get the crowd involved. Maybe a little bit of humor or really interesting questions. And when they ask you, elaborate on your answers. You know, it doesn't have to be yes or no. So you can add a little bit of humor or be very specific and also take your time with the question, with understanding the question and answers. And so, and keep the smile on. That's huge. So people look for a smile. They don't want to look for somebody who's serious or is bored or scared or nervous. The smile is the key. And address everybody with a smile, right and left The same with the judges. I learned after 30 years of competing in bodybuilding. So when I'm on stage, I have fun. And you gotta have fun no matter what, whether win, lose, you gotta have fun. You work hard to, to be on stage, and not everybody can get up on stage. I'm saying not everybody can compete, not because they don't have the ability. It takes a special person to be on stage and do that, and because they put in the hard work. Mm-hmm. You have to show the audience and the judges that you have been enjoying this. This is your moment to shine. So take your time, address with your smile and vision the crowd and the judges, and make it interesting. You know, use examples, use inferences. You know, so I think that would be extremely helpful for you. Keep your posture erect and show that you ooze confidence. And that's what I think that will add some points to your scores.

Well, Dr. C, thank you very much. With all that said, I do wish to see you competing for Mr. Olympia, and I do wish you to win Mr. Olympia, and so much. And then probably you will motivate Arnold to get back into trainings and get back in shape. I think that he's following your competitive career, and he's he's pretty jealous.

I'm sure I will. We'll definitely would shake the stick a little bit. Well, actually, I get to meet him personally, as you know. Yeah, such an interesting individual. Very. I mean, he he is. He's been my inspiration and to a lot of people, so is Mr. Lou Ferrigno. I met him personally as well. Right. So, being— I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get into it, but I had the pleasure and the honor to meet a lot of Mr. Olympias, Mr. Universe, several of them, whether in my practice or outside in the arena outside, you know, being involved in bodybuilding and the fitness industry. So I had a pleasure to meet several of them and learn from them. And until now, I actually communicate with them via social media, just get their feedback, their 2 cents.

Who was the most pleasant to communicate? Let's not touch those who were not pleasant. Who was the most pleasant to communicate in your experience?

Arnold.

Arnold? Yeah. What about Frank Zane?

Frank Zane too. Yeah, I forgot about that. So Frank Zane is such a nice guy. Very humble gentleman. And he gave me— I was competing in San Diego in a really good show, and this gentleman taps me on my back. He said, sir, you look really good. I mean, your musculature, your everything looks really good. You should do well. As one little advice. I said, yes. I had no idea who was talking to me at that time because I was consumed with preps before I got up on stage. Thank you, sir. And he said, just stay erect, your posture, and your smile. You have a nice smile. So that's what I learned also. So then he left. Then one of my friends said, do you know who was just giving you a compliment? Who's that guy? Mr. Frank Zinn. Oh my God, I was in awe actually. I mean, Frank Zinn is definitely— he was one of my heroes. And so I left the weights and I ran to him and said, Mr. Zane, I didn't recognize you, I'm sorry. Oh, thank you, it's such an honor, thank you for the compliment. He said, don't worry about it, nothing, you know, but, but you'll do well. Actually, I did really well, I placed first place. So I think I heard him in the crowd say, see, I told you.

Yeah, yeah, one of my, one of my favorite moments about Mr. Frank Zane is when he was asked during One of the interviews about his favorite moment, and he mentioned that beating Arnold at I think Mr. Universe.

Mr. Universe, correct.

And then Arnold got a little upset, and he he went back to compete at Mr. Olympia. But um, I'll be honest with you, I didn't look up to Arnold. I'm looking up to you, and definitely Mr. Frank Zane stands right next to you.

Okay.

I have exactly the same experience which you just described. Very humble, very knowledgeable. He's a

Yes.

And that makes a lot of sense.

Yes.

Well, in any case, I know you have patience, sir. Thank you again for your time, for having us here for tea. I'm sure that my muscle and my testosterone will skyrocket. Absolutely, especially with tea. Thank you so much. I'll make sure to share your advice to the contestants this year and let the best win, and we'll be looking forward to Seeing you again soon, and hopefully, fingers crossed, we will start recording a special Dr. B's show for Dr. C.

Excellent. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you, audience, and stay healthy and all the love.