I met Terry Todd in York, Pa, in September 1965. He read a few articles I had composed for Strength and Health magazine. He returned them the next day saying they might suit Weider magazines. Back then I didn't think much of Joe and his exaggerating editorials so that was the end of any aspirations I had to write full time for those magazines. Looking back what was I thinking?
I met John Grimek and had an interview with him since he edited MD. He wasn't interested in my articles, either. He also refused to let me take a photo of him.
I trained in the York gym for about a week. I saw Bill March do a strict press with 374 pounds. Damn, that was impressive. Bill hung around the gym so would talk to us. He bet me Grimek's calves were over 17 1/2 but I didn't accept the challenge. Would have been worth it to see what John's calves measured.
While I was in York, Larry Scott won the first Mr Olympia in New York. I missed an historic occasion because Larry was almost a demigod that night. "Larry, Larry, Larry...!" they chanted long after the contest was over. Grimek told us that Larry's name was already engraved on the trophy that was presented! We didn't know what to believe.
I told Bob Hoffman he looked fat. That was a big mistake. He stopped and gathered all the guys around him who were training in the York gym. Next he took his sports Jacket, tie and shirt off. He still had a white singlet on. He inhaled deeply then slowly exhaled a lot of air. Must have lasted at least 20s seconds. We were all amazed. Then he got one of the guys to feel his abs when he did a vacuum. The next day John Terpak, who was a manager there, came up to me and told me not to criticize Bob again or I wouldn't be allowed to train in their gym. I saw Jules Bacon in the local supermarket and he had heard about the episode and told me not to think anything of it. Jules was a Mr America in 1943 I think.
Bob delighted in relating old stories from the good old days. He included how much of a stud he was with the ladies. He figured he might have lifted more in weight lifting had he not been so active the night before! Quite amusing if you were there.
Terry was one of the few people associated with the iron game who earned a PhD degree. I think it was in literature.
