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Biography
My first year in high school was my turning point. I began to apply myself in school and joined the wrestling team, but I sustained an injury to my right knee that same year. I had to have surgery. The rehabilitation process was painful and involved a weight training program, but I soon realized that I was a natural at weight training and so did my coach. In a way, I'm thankful for that injury because it introduced me to my forte in life. One day my high school coach, Mr. Camp,
decided to take me to a "real gym." George Turner's gym located
in the suburb Clayton, Missouri. After just one day, the owner of the
gym asked me to come to his office immediately. I remember thinking,
"What have I done wrong.?" I gingerly entered the office only
to discover that Mr. Turner was about to make me an offer I couldn't
refuse. "You've got potential After six months with George and graduation nearing, I announced to my coach that I was moving to California to fulfill my lifelong dream. After receiving Mr. Turner's blessing, I was off to seek my fame and fortune in the Golden State. I arrived in Los Angeles on a one-way bus ticket with just two pairs of jeans, $75 in my pocket, and a heart filled with optimism and self-confidence. I headed straight to the Mecca of bodybuilding, Venice Beach. Barely two months after my arrival, I decided to enter the Mr. Venice Beach bodybuilding competition. I won that contest! In order to support myself, I worked as a bouncer for major concerts for which Los Angeles is never in short supply. Along with my buddies, legendary bodybuilders Bill Grant and Kent Koehn, I experienced the star-studded lifestyle of Hollywood working security for headliners like Kiss and Rod Stewart as well as The People's Choice Awards. I had close encounters with celebrities like John Wayne and Robert Conrad. My bodybuilding career began to take flight as I worked my way through the amateur competitive ranks in 1978 winning Mr. Los Angeles, Jr. Mr. USA, Jr. Mr. America, and finally, the frosting on the cake, Mr. America. My hard work didn't go unnoticed even by the world's most famous bodybuilder, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who featured me in his first "Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding." My profound thank you Arnold! Then, in 1979 I traveled to Europe winning the Mr. World and the pro Mr. Olympus titles. Following in the footsteps of my mentor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, I captured the Mr. Universe title in London the following year.
I have made guest appearances on "Good Morning America", "NBC Sportsworld", and "Soul Train", and dabbled in show business appearing on Empty Nest and Man from Atlantis. I'm still waiting on that big call! I also competed in the now defunct World Bodybuilding Federation's shows launched by wrestling mogul Vince McMahon. I currently live in Las Vegas where I am a personal trainer and nutritional consultant to the stars both in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. My goal is to show by example, that the best lifestyle is a natural one and that after a 19-year competitive career, I'm still in the game. I remain in peak physical condition, and I have no intention of ever being less than in perfect health. I'm an advocate of good health and fitness, and I am always looking for new avenues to get my message out there to the younger generation and to encourage them to follow their dreams. "Always keep your goal in sight. Stay focused no matter what the obstacles, because there will always be challenges along the way no matter what you pursue. But if you are persistent, have a positive attitude, and surround yourself with positive people, you will achieve your ultimate dream." Home | Career | Photo Gallery | Diet | Training | Guestbook | Links |
I
was born in Memphis, Tennessee but grew up in St. Louis, Missouri with my sister
Carolyn and great aunt. Like a lot of kids, I wasn't focused and
goofed off in school—not realizing the importance of making school
academics a priority. I spent most of my time daydreaming. I would
daydream of living in California, sitting on the beach in the warm sun,
and becoming a star. My interest in anything wasn't peaked until
I met Muhammad Ali speaking at a high school when I was about 14 years
old. He was my first role model and inspiration. To me,
he was the epitome of athleticism.
kid. I think I can make you a champion." Considering at
the time I only weighed about 140 pounds soaking wet. Turner's
words came as quite a surprise. But sure enough, over the next few months
I packed on twenty pounds of muscle. This fledgling bodybuilder was
now displaying physical attributes that was going to make me that star.
I was totally hooked on bodybuilding!
After
conquering the individual aspect of competition, the more dramatic style
of couples competition appealed to my artistic side. Combining
my stage charisma with the dance of two finely tuned physiques worked
well to my advantage. In an unprecedented winning streak, I garnered
six world mixed-pairs titles with different partners in 1982 and '83
(Shelley Gruwell), '84 (Carla Dunlap), '85 (Tina Plakinger), '86 (Juliette
Bergmann), and '88 (Carla Dunlap).