Meet Fitness Pro Mike Foster

The Big Back Blog Interview, Part 1

FBB (Friend of Big Back) Mike Foster is one of the most multifaceted people we know. His facets include bodybuilder, English teacher, spokesperson and bartender, and Mike is a widely known and well respected member of the professional fitness community. As a fitness spokesperson he has represented Ergopharm and Sylvester Stallone’s Instone. He has also represented Big Back Lifting Grips (www.BigBackGrips.com) at Muscle Beach Venice on many occasions. The very hetero Mike is also a part time bartender at Hamburger Mary’s, a popular gay bar and restaurant in West Hollywood, California.

Now 36 and living in Los Angeles, Mike is originally from Monroe, Michigan, on “glorious Lake Erie” and taught English for nine years in Carleton, Michigan. His “closing act” on an episode of The Bachelorette (www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uxHVveXlTk) became the most famous YouTube clip that show ever produced. And at 6’6” and 250 lbs, with a handsome smile and constant flow of charm and humor, he is easy to spot in any crowd and always fun to talk with.

Big Back Grips: Tell us about being on The Bachelorette. First, how did you find your way on to the show?

Mike Foster: I had never actually seen either “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette,” but my parents watched the shows and I remembered them talking about it. A friend of mine from college (Mount Union College in Ohio) e-mailed me that they were auditioning people in Cleveland.  It just so happened I was scheduled to work a bodybuilding show on behalf of Sly Stallone’s Instone brand in Cleveland that weekend.  On a whim I sent in an application, never expecting to hear back. But ABC called and asked me to come early and meet with the production staff.  I suppose the rest is cheesy reality television history….

BBG: How could reality TV be cheesy? Was it fun?  How far did you get?

MF: How could trying to date a girl in front of 24 other guys, cameras, production staff and America watching not be cheesy? I did have an absolute blast. It was like being in a fraternity house except I didn’t have to get up for class in the morning.  I just had to wake up to the sound of more shenanigans. I was on three episodes total. The Men Tell All was my favorite episode because afterward we got to go out in L.A. and not have cameras following us.  I was never in L.A. before the show and now I am so I suppose that worked out for the best.  But the L.A. bars with those “bachelors” got a little wild.

BBG: Do you regret not being “the chosen one”? Would you have considered marrying someone you met on a reality show?

MF: I don’t regret anything about that show.  It was exactly what I thought it would be; a good experience. I don’t think I would not consider marrying someone from a reality show.  In my opinion love can be found anywhere at any time.

BBG: Would ever do another reality show if it came up?

MF: I did. Ugh!

CHECK BACK SOON FOR THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW