This website is devoted to the Legends of Bodybuilding from the 1960's to the 1990's. Featuring extensive interviews with the Bodybuilding Stars from the Golden Age of the sport, the Bodybuilding Legends Show reveals the history of the sport of Bodybuilding through the careers of it's most legendary stars. Learn about the competitions, the emotions and the motivations of the best bodybuilders in the world. Each interview is full of video clips and photographs from the legendary competitions as…
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Tim Belknap, 1981 Mr. America, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part One of his interview, Tim talks about why he started weight training to be a bodybuilder, the challenges he faced with being a diabetic, his rise to the top of the amateur level and winning the Mr. America title in 1981 over his rival, Lance Dreher. At the end of the interview, host John Hansen…
Jerry Brainum is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast to talk about the recent Arnold Schwarzenegger Interview featured on this podcast. Jerry and host John Hansen go over all five parts of the Arnold Interview in detail where Jerry offers his thoughts on the topics that Arnold covered. After the interview with Jerry, John reads the article "Arnold Schwarzenegger…
In his fifth and final part of his interview with the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about the publicity surrounding the book and movie "Pumping Iron" and how bodybuilding began to be accepted into the general public and into Hollywood in the late 1970's. Arnold also talks about the controversy involved in the 1980 Mr. Olympia which he won after a 5 year layoff. Arnold…
Arnold Schwarzenegger is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part Four of his interview, Arnold talks about not being allowed to compete in the 1971 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe against Bill Pearl and Sergio, winning the 1971 Mr. Olympia unopposed, winning a close battle with Sergio at the 1972 Mr. Olympia, having knee surgery after injuring his knee during a guest posing…
Arnold Schwarzenegger, 7x Mr. Olympia and 5x Mr. Universe, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part Three of his interview, Arnold talks about meeting Sergio Oliva in 1968 and then training with him at the Duncan YMCA in 1969. Arnold also talks about competing against Sergio at the 1969 Mr. Olympia on the same night he won the 1969 IFBB Mr. Universe contest. Arnold…
Arnold Schwarzenegger, 7x Mr. Olympia and 5x Mr. Universe, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part Two of his interview, Arnold talks about winning his first Mr. Universe title in 1967 at 20 years old. Arnold also talks about the training he did to bulk up his physique, winning his second NABBA Mr. Universe title in 1968 and then competing in his first contest in…
Arnold Schwarzenegger, 7x Mr. Olympia and the undisputed King of Bodybuilding, is the guest on this special episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part One of his interview, Arnold talks about his first competitions in Austria as a teenager, winning the Best Built Man in Europe - Junior Division at 18 years old, moving to Munich, Germany in 1966, competing in his first NABBA Mr. Universe…
Former Muscle & Fitness and IronMan Magazine writer Jerry Brainum joins John Hansen to review the year 1975 in Bodybuilding for the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part One of their interview, Jerry and John talk about the 1975 AAU Mr. America won by Dale Adrian and featuring the national debut of Robby Robinson. Jerry and John also talk about the 1975 NABBA Mr. Universe won by Boyer Coe…
Jon Jon Park, son of 3x Mr. Universe Reg Park, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. Jon Jon talks about meeting Arnold for the first time in 1967 when he was a guest of his father's in South Africa, the many business interests owned by Reg Park and his memories of his dad competing in the NABBA Mr. Universe contest. Links: Become a Patreon Member Bodybuilding Legends…
Jon Jon Park, the son of Reg Park, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. Jon Jon talks about growing up in England and South Africa with his father Reg Park and his mother Mareon. He also talks about when Arnold came to South Africa to train with his father after winning the 1967 NABBA Mr. Universe, how Reg met his wife Mareon and the many businesses that his father…
Jerry Brainum is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast to review the year 1965. Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the major competitions from this year including the AAU Mr. America, the NABBA Mr. Universe and the IFBB Mr. America, Mr. Universe and the first Mr. Olympia. At the end of the podcast, John reads an article from the February, 1966 issue of IronMan Magazine…
Rick Valente is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. Rick is the author of his new book, My Life's Ride, and he talks about his life journey from growing up in Conneticut, moving to Florida and then finally relocating to Southern California. Rick also talks about training at Gold's Gym during the Golden Age of Bodybuilding and all the famous and influential people he met…
Bob Birdsong, 1974 IFBB Mr. America winner, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. Bob was one of the best bodybuilders during the Golden Age and he trained at the original Gold's Gym in the early 1970's alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbu and Kent Kuehn. Bob made a comeback to competition in the early 1980's and placed very high in the IFBB professional…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, author John Little talks about his new book Mike Mentzer: American Odysseus. In Part Two of his interview, John talks about Mike Mentzer's physique progress in regards to his genetics vs his Heavy Duty training style. John also talks about Mike's challenge of competing in the Frank Zane era, his weight for the 1980 Olympia Time Stamps: 2:23 -…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, author John Little talks about his new book Mike Mentzer: American Odysseus . In Part One of his interview, John talks about the reason he wanted to write a biography about his friend Mike Mentzer to fully explain his life and tragic ending. John also talks about Mike's early years in Bodybuilding including training as a teenager, his shoulder…
Mike Sapp, who trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger during the summer of 1980 right before the Mr. Olympia contest, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. Mike talks about when he started training, his time working out at Gold's Gym in the late 1970's and, of course, his time training with Arnold during the summer of 1980. At the end of the podcast, host John Hansen reads…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, Carlos Cassana from the YouTube channel Golden Era Bookworm, is the guest. In Part Two of his interview, Carlos talks with John about a variety of topics including how the general public looks at Bodybuilding, how healthy is natural bodybuildiing, Carlos's opinion of bodybuilding, the longevity of bodybuilders from the different eras and when…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, Carlos Cassana, from the popular YouTube page Golden Era Bookworm, is the guest to talk about his passion for Bodybuilding. In Part One of his interview, Carlos talks about how he became interested in Bodybuilding as a young man, his fascination with the early bodybuilders from the Bronze and Silver Eras and why the Golden Era was the greatest…
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness, Flex and IronMan Magazine, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast to discuss the 1994 Mr. Olympia contest. In Part Two of his interview, Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the results from the 1994 Mr. Olympia and the Grand Prix contests that took place in the weeks following the Olympia. At the end of the interview,…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, Jerry Brainum is the guest to review the 1994 Mr. Olympia contest. In Part One of their interview, Jerry and host John Hansen first talk about the recent passings of bodybuilders Lloyd "Red" Lerille and Pat Neve. Jerry and John also begin their discussion of the 1994 Mr. Olympia contest in which Dorian Yates won his third title over Shawn Ray…
Jack Neary, one of bodybuilding's greatest writers to cover the sport, joins the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast for Part Two of his interview. In this interview, Jack talks about when he was suspended from the IFBB for a contest article he wrote. He also talks more about Robby Robinson and Kal Szkalak and he gives his thoughts on why Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest. At the…
Jack Neary, one of the best writers to ever write for Joe Weider's Muscle Builder magazine, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part One of his interview, Jack talks about his friendship with Mike Mentzer as well as his thoughts about the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest including the backstage argument with Mentzer and Arnold. Jack also talks about his relationship with…
On. this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, host John Hansen talks about the passing of Lloyd "Red" Lerille, 1960 AAU Mr. America, who passed away on March 14, 2025. John reads an article about Red when he won the 1960 Mr. America contest from IronMan Magazine. John also reads a series of articles written by Jack Neary, one of the best writers to work for Muscle Builder Magazine in the…
Bodybuilding legends Kevin Levrone and Shawn Ray are the guests on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast to review the 1994 Mr. Olympia contest. Shawn was in second place at the Mr. Olympia in 1994 while Kevin took third place that year. Both Kevin and Shawn talk about their condition at the contest, the controversial win by Dorian Yates who was competing with a torn bicep and how the…
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness, Flex and IronMan Magazine, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast to continue the end of the year reviews for the year 1994 in Bodybuilding. In Part Two of their interview, Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the professional bodybuilding contests from 1994 including the Arnold Classic, Night of the Champions, IronMan…
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness, Flex and IronMan Magazine, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast to continue their end of the year Reviews for the year 1994 in Bodybuilding. In Part One of their interview, Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the top amateur competitions from 1994 including the NPC USA which was won by Dennis Newman, the 1994 North…
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness and IronMan Magazine, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast to continue the Review of the year 1984 in Bodybuilding. In Part Three of his interview, Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the 1984 Mr. Olympia contest in which Lee Haney won his first Mr. Olympia title and Sergio Oliva made a comeback to the IFBB after 12…
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness, Flex and IronMan Magazine , is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast for the annual Year in Review show. On this episode, Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the year 1984 in Bodybuilding. In Part Two of their interview, Jerry and John discuss the 1984 NPC Nationals won by Mike Christian and the 1984 IFBB Mr. Universe…
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness, Flex and IronMan Magazine , is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast for the annual Year in Review show. On this episode, Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the year 1984 in Bodybuilding. In Part One of their interview, Jerry and John talk about the 1984 AAU Mr. America contest won by Joe Meeko and the 1984 NABBA Mr.…
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness and IronMan Magazine , is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast for the annual Year in Review show. On this episode, Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the year 1974 in Bodybuilding. In Part Two of their interview, Jerry and John discuss the 1974 Mr. Olympia contest in which Arnold Schwarzenegger won his fifth Mr. Olympia…
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness magazine and IronMan Magazine , is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. Jerry joins host John Hansen to review the Year 1974 in Bodybuilding. In Part One of their discussion, Jerry and John talk about the 1974 AAU Mr. America contest won by Ron Thompson, the 1974 NABBA Mr. Universe contest which was won by Roy Duval…
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness magazine, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. On this episode, Jerry and John talk about the year 1964 in Bodybuilding for their annual End of the Year Review. Jerry and John review the major competitons of 1964 including the 1964 AAU Mr. America contest won by Val Vasilieff, the 1964 NABBA Mr Universe won by John…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, host John Hansen reads a series of articles from Dan Lurie's Muscle Training Illustrated magazine. Included in the articles read is an article about a young Lou Ferrigno, Lance Dreher after he won the 1981 IFBB Mr. Universe, an interview with Rachel McLish after she won her second Ms. Olympia title in 1982, a profile on Phil Williams after his…
Mike Torchia, 1976 Teenage Mr. America and 1977 Collegiate Mr. America, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. Mike talks about how he started bodybuilding as a teenager and transformed his body from a fat kid to a bodybuilding champion, eventually winning the Teenage Mr. America and the Collegiate Mr. America. Mike also shares his story of traveling to California as a…
Sean Paul Jenkins, 1985 NPC USA and IFBB World Games Middleweight winner, is the guest this week on the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part Two of his interview, Sean talks about the art of posing, returning to competition in 2010, competing in his first Mr. Olympia, competing in Mixed Pairs competitions and starting a career as a chiropractor. At the end of the Podcast, host John Hansen reads…
Sean Paul Jenkins, Middleweight Champion of the 1985 NPC USA and IFBB World Games, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. On Part One of his interview, Sean Paul talks about how he started bodybuilding after incurring an injury playing football and his early experiences competing in the sport. Sean also talks about competing in the 1985 NPC USA Championships and then…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, host John Hansen reads four articles from Muscle & Fitness magazine circa 1987. Included in the articles read on this episode are "The First Great Strongman" about the life of Eugene Sandow written by David Chapman, "Eyewitness to History" about the 1987 Night of the Champions contest report written by Ben Pesta, "The Psychology of a Competitor"…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, former Muscle and Fitness writer Jerry Brainum is the guest to talk about the 2024 Mr. Olympia contest. In Part Two of his interview, Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the top competitors in the contest. They also talk about the Classic Physique Olympia and the retirement of Chris Bumstead. At the end of the interview, John reads the 1985…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, former Muscle and Fitness writer Jerry Brainum, is the guest to talk about the recent 2024 Mr. Olympia contest. In Part One of the interview, Jerry and host John Hansen review the biggest competition of the year. They analyze all the top contestants and talk about their strengths and weaknesses and what they should do to improve for next year.…
Victor Terra, 1983 AAU Teenage Mr. America and NPC Teenage USA, NABBA Amateur and Pro Mr. Universe and the Short Class winner of the 1985 AAU Mr. America, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part Two of his interview, Victor talks about competing and winning the 1985 AAU Jr. Mr. America and Mr. America competitions and his experience competing at the NABBA Mr.…
Victor Terra, 1983 Teenage Mr. America and Teenage Mr. USA, NABBA Mr. Universe and Pro Mr. Universe and Short Class Winner at the 1985 AAU Mr. America, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. In Part One of his interview, Victor explains how he started bodybuilding and meeting his mentor Bob Gruskin. Victor also talks about his succes competing in the Teenage Bodybuilding…
Bob Cicherillo, 2000 NPC USA Champion and the "Voice of Bodybuilding", is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast to talk about his long career in bodybuilding. Bob began competing at only 13 years old in his hometown of Rochester, New York. He won the 1987 NPC Junior Nationals and battled his way to the top through the competitive ranks of the NPC until he finally got his…
Dan Solomon, the President of the Mr. Olympia competition, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. Dan talks about the events that will take place for the 60th Mr. Olympia competition which will take place in Las Vegas on October 10-13, 2024. Dan gives the details on the new venue for the Mr. Olympia and what goes into putting on the biggest bodybuilding competition in…
Nicolas Chemla, author of the new book Mister America , is the guest on the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast for Part Two of his interview. Mister America is a novel about the life of bodybuilder Mike Mentzer. Originally published in France in 2019, Mister America has now been translated to English and is available in the United States. In Part Two of his interview, Nicolas talks about Mike's trip to…
Nicolas Chemla, author of the book Mister America , is the guest of this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast. Mister America is a novel about the life of bodybuilder Mike Mentzer. Originally published in France in 2019, Mister America is now available in the United States and translated to English. In Part One of his interview, Nicolas talks about why he decided to write the book about…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, host John Hansen reads four selected articles from the bodybuilding magazines during the 1970's-1980's era. These articles include a report of the 1977 NABBA Mr. Universe, Lee Haney's article after winning his first Mr. Olympia title, Frank Zane's thoughts about retiring from bodybuilding competition and an interview with Rick Wayne from 1987.…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, guest Jerry Brainum joins John Hansen for Part Three of their interview about the history of the Mr. Olympia contest. On this episode, Jerry and John talk about the Lee Haney Era (1984-1991) in which Lee Haney set the record for most Mr. Olympia wins. They also discuss the Mass Monster Era which started when Dorian Yates was winning the Mr.…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, guest Jerry Brainum joins John Hansen for Part Two of his discussion about the History of the Mr. Olympia contest. On this episode, Jerry and John talk about the Columbus Years (1976-1979) when Arnold and Jim Lorimer promoted the Mr. Olympia in Columbus, Ohio. They also discuss the Controversial Years (1980-1981), the two most controversial Mr.…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, guest Jerry Brainum joins John Hansen for a discussion about the History of the Mr. Olympia contest. This year will mark the 60th Mr. Olympia so Jerry and John go all the way back to the first Mr. Olympia contest and talk about the different eras of the biggest bodybuilding contest in the world. In Part One of their discussion, Jerry and John…
On this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, host John Hansen reads three contest reports about the 1984 NPC Nationals. This great competition was won by Mike Christian in the heavyweight class and overall with Rich Gaspari taking first place in the light heavyweight class. John reads the contest reports from Flex Magazine, Muscle & Fitness and IronMan Magazine. Also included in this…
