Scott I appreciate where you are coming from on the rotten underbelly of the bb industry. You are right to call alot of it out but lets not lose sight of the good bits that exist too. I bet we have both gained lots of happiness and more from our interest in BB. It has been a passion of mine my whole life and has given me something to focus on, something to allow me to both exercise and exorcise anxieties and bad feelings, etc. From what I gather you where a very strong man and had some amazing lifts. That must have boosted you and still now make you proud and happy to remember? I know there is lots of shit but some real good stuff as well. I for one would love to hear you talk about the good things as you see them as well as the bad.
Well, thank you for the kind words but truth be told, I was never that strong on anything except leg work. As for bodybuilding, I really liked it. Even competed a few times but realized early on that I did NOT have what it took to be good, let alone great. Even in the 70s, LOL!
Yes, the top champions of the 70s took steroids. But they also ceased for several months at a time. I cannot recall but think it was Robby
Robinson who told me that they stopped because they had no clue how continuous use would affect them and besides, back then there was a "season" for competition. Why take them year 'round for no reason other than your ego? But then I also recall he was the first champion to try and "stay in contest shape year 'round". That didn't work out too well for him and he laid claim to some congenital heart problem to explain why he became ill one time.
Maybe he was telling the truth on that, but kinda I doubt it. But he was kind toward me as were others at the original Gold's Gym. Ken Waller was a hoot. Franco too. The Mentzers and Viator and everyone that I met were great to a skinny young man who looked up to them as demi-gods.
Joe Gold was too. I met him at his World Gym and he was just a gentleman. Never a harsh word and always smiling.
