Mark how did you get into bodybuilding? Was it through sports or just love of the gym?
I always enjoyed lifting weights. I bought my first bench from my junior high science teacher. Here is his competition record:
John Burkholder
1975
Mr America - AAU, Short, 8th
Junior Mr USA - AAU, 3rd
1976
Mr America - IFBB, Short, 4th
1977
Mr USA - IFBB, LightWeight, 1st
1978
Mr International - IFBB, LightWeight, 3rd
North American Championships - IFBB, Short, 2nd
1979
Mr International - IFBB, MiddleWeight, 8th
1980
Mr America - AAU, LightWeight, 2nd
Then my cousin married a bodybuilder who gave me John Parillo's Nutrition Manual and let me come to Alaska and train with him for a week when I was 17.
My true love was soccer, but living is the US the glory was in football. So I played both until I severely sprained my ankle playing football and was unable to play soccer either. I ended up in the gym. Never had plans on being a pro, just enjoyed lifting weights.