03/25/2022
Louie Simmons just passed away. Most of you may not know the name, but he is pivotal to Strength Beyond and my life journey. If it were not for him Strength Beyond would not exist in it’s current form and perhaps wouldn't exist at all. Almost 30 years ago, give or take, Louie was publishing articles in Strength, health, fitness publications. He was not famous at the time. I was a confused, stupid, fat teenager that didn't understand what he was talking about. I called the number attached to his articles and he promptly answered. He got frustrated trying to explain and answering my questions so he asked where I lived....Turns out 5 hours away as I'm in Kalamazoo and he's in Columbus. He said "just come down, I'll show you". And my reality has never been the same. He is the reason Strength Beyond looks like it does, and perhaps even exists at all. I am at the helm of a multi million dollar company, have seen hundreds, if not thousands of people change their lives, and it's likely that if Mr. Simmons didn't exist none of this would have happened. I've been calling him once a month or so just to chat, and he always was vibrant and lucid. I didn't expect him to leave so soon. I don't think our community has any concept of what they just lost. Goodbye Mr. Simmons. Hopefully I live my life with a fraction of the impact and toughness that you lived yours.
