I suspect, that if Peter set his mind, and workouts, to it, he could get into shape within a year or so, if he chose to.
I also suspect, that with a year's concentrated effort, no one here could match his ability to write, even if he chose to.
Peter came to America because Weider noticed the McGough writing in Pumping Press. It may be (I don't know) that at the time, Joe had never seen what Peter's appearance was. Peter has been in Weiderville several years now, Joe has seen him, and for some inexplicable reason, keeps him on the payroll.
Go figure.