My Bodybuilding Inspirations
Kenny Waller, Lou Ferrigno, Joe Weider, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Photo from joeweider.com
I was in the middle of my cardio workout the other day and I started thinking about inspiration. I know, just the thought of me inspires you to work out every day… but I, too, need inspiration in my life. When I started bodybuilding, my inspirations were the heavyweight body builders of the day as well as people like Joe Gold, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. These were guys who came from nothing, overcame a lot of adversity and created their own success stories.
Joe Gold
Joe Gold was known as the Father of Bodybuilding and helped start the trend of fitness as a way of life. He was a bodybuilder and founder of Gold’s Gyms and World Gyms. He also designed many of the first and second generation weigh machines you see in most gyms these days. He was an inspiration to many, including me. I had the great fortune of working out at his gyms and receiving many tips from him on improving my form and getting better definition. He was a decorated veteran of two wars, even after having been wounded.
Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno is probably best known as “The Hulk” from the 70’s TV series “The Incredible Hulk” and star of “Pumping Iron” the definitive body building documentary. He was a multiple Mr. Universe and Mr. America winner as well as a Mr. Olympia and Mr. Olympia – Masters contender. All of this was accomplished even though he has 85% hearing loss in both ears. I bump into him all the time and he looks competition ready even today.
Arnold Schwarzenegger – every bodybuilder’s idol
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger. Well, who doesn’t know him? Mr. Universe. Mr. Olympia. Conan the Barbarian. The Terminator. Governor of California. Need I say more? He came to the US from Austria with an incredible physique and not much in the way of English skills. He went on to become the most famous bodybuilder of all time, but didn’t stop there. He worked out hard, studied hard, received a college degree, started acting and hasn’t stopped and somewhere along the way also ran for Governor of California. But what many people don’t know is that he’s also an incredibly respected businessman with tons of investments and real estate.
Each one of these people represents someone who started with nothing and created his, or her, own destiny. I think about that every day. As a former Mr. America myself, it took a lot of inspiration to become competition ready and squash my fellow competitors. I ate egg whites and chicken breasts when I really wanted a Fatburger. When I needed inspiration I watched “Pumping Iron” to push myself just that extra little bit, which made all of the difference.
What inspires you? Who do you look up to when you need to go run that extra mile or lift one more rep? Do you stop or do you keep on going because you want that extra something to give you the edge over everyone else? I work hard every day to inspire my clients to achieve the best shape and best health possible. Isn’t it time you had the inspiration you need to get in the best shape of your life? Contact me today, you won’t regret it.
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