Many years ago around 1999 during a regular day of training is when I first met Maurice Clay. I had just finished training a client and we were chatting in the free weight section of the Maryland Parkway Las Vegas Athletic Club. From around the corner a huge man was walking by. He is about 6 feet tall, has huge shoulders, a massive chest and big arms that were as big (or bigger) then my legs. He had an intimidating presence to me and just seemed to wandering around the gym unsure of what he was doing. I was intrigued by him for some reason but nothing came of it at the time. He continued to walk around and I went about my business.
Days went by and I continued to regularly see Maurice at the gym by himself. I wasn’t always the best judge of character when I was in my late twenties and Maurice wasn’t someone I would have normally approached freely, largely due to my insecurities at the time. But I had a gut feeling about him. One thing I am good at because of my profession and understanding of genetics and body types is that I can tell if someone has the physical capacity to have an outstanding physique. Maurice was easily one of those people. He was blessed with a big frame and naturally large muscles. All he needed was the right knowledge and strength of character to carry that out.

Maurice Clay before
A week or so after my initial sighting of Maurice I made up my mind that I wanted to approach him to offer my guidance and tell him about his amazing potential. I had my doubts though. I was nervous that he may not give a damn about what I had to say, he may think I want something from him, or he may think I have some nerve to suggest what a grown man should do. But something in me felt compelled to approach him, after all I really only had good intentions and wanted to help.
The next day I again saw Maurice and fortunately I had the time between clients to speak with him. So I did. I walked up to him and politely introduced myself. He said that he had seen me around working with people. I came right out and said it. “Maurice, the reason why I wanted to speak with you was to tell you that from my perspective as a trainer, I can see that if you got really serious with your diet and workouts that you could have one of the best bodies in the gym.”
I couldn’t believe his response.
He said “You puny little white boy, you got some nerve telling me that.”
Ok, I’m kidding. Here is what he said. “You really mean that Paul?” I then went on to tell him why, regarding his genetics and body type and such. This led to Maurice and I chatting regularly about how he could change his diet and I offered suggestions about cardio that he needed to stick to. Maurice completely shattered my initial thoughts about him. He is a very gentle and kind man and very complimentary and appreciative.
Not soon after I had met with Maurice I had made a decision (not a very bright one) to move to Seattle and open a record store. This is a very long and entertaining part of my life that I would have to write lengthy blog post about, but not right now. I left Vegas, packed up all my stuff and moved to the northwest.
Needless to say as you can see by my presence here in Vegas, I came back. The record store was a bust and I fell on my rear end financially. I moved back to Vegas 8 months later and got back into training.

Maurice Clay after
One day while back at the LVAC I was sitting at the Juice Bar taking a break. At least a full year had passed since I had trained anyone at the LVAC. Suddenly a large, very ripped and muscular man approached me and asks me how I’m doing. I said “I’m fine thanks, but I’m sorry but have we met before?” “It’s me Paul…Maurice!” I was completely floored. He looked like a different person. He said that the day I first approached him he went home and looked in the mirror and made a life changing decision. He said that my words that day had a massive impact on him and he decided to change his life. He was thanking me up and down for going up to him and for all of the advice I had given him. He was so thankful and appreciative even though he’s the one who did all the work. Maurice lost 100 pounds in a year.
What an awesome feeling that was for me at the time. This is what makes my career so fulfilling is that hopefully something I do or say can impact a person to make a life long commitment to his or her health and fitness. Maurice still looks this good today even in his 40’s. The after picture below is one that I personally took when I helped Maurice prepare for his first body building show many years ago. Tuns out Maurice had the character and discipline to stick with it. I am still so very proud to this day. Maurice is the inspiration for my first before and after shoot for the LVAC magazine. I don’t take the credit though…that all goes to him.
written by Paul Rosenberg
\\ tags: before and after, fat loss, fitness trainer, Paul Rosenberg, real results, ripped, testimonial