08/04/2024
I sometimes tell stories about my time in California training at Golds Gym. I often think some of the guys look at me as if I'm full of s**t or some kind of name dropper. I was never much for Bulls**t and never dropped a name, I didn't meet, or know. I never brought a camera, asked for an autograph and we didn't have cell phones. I simply wasn't there for that. I moved to California to Become a Bodybuilder and would stop at nothing. I would have ate the Dirt and Drank the Rain Water if I thought it would make me better.
Well here's a story for you Ronnie of why I chose Golds over Worlds Gym I was a 19 year old kid, got in my truck that barely made it around the block and drove 3000 miles to Santa Monica California to fulfill my Dream of becoming the Next Arnold. I had just enough money in my pocket to get there. My truck broke down in the Rocky's and got a flat tire in Arizona in the Virgin Canyon with a semi on my tail. I made it but that Nissan Truck never ran again. On Foot, My first stop was Worlds Gym, Joe Gold met me at the door and escorted me around the Gym. I was in awe. What a Great guy Joe was. He introduced me to all the guys. Samir, Roger Callard, Ali Malla, and then Arnold my Idol. I got to shake everyone's hand and Joe gave me a free day pass to workout. I couldn't believe how quiet it was.I trained chest and was doing Dumbell Presses on a flat bench touching the weights together. Joe came over and said "We don't do that in here" as if I was doing something wrong. I didn't know what he was referring to and I asked "Don't do what" He said we don't touch the weights together, and then said don't worry we'll teach you. Later in the workout I met Bob Paris, He was HUGE and I'm not getting into detail but he made me very uncomfortable.
The next day I went to Golds Gym Venice. You could hear the weights clanging from a block away. I got inside, Kent Kuhn was at the desk and let me workout. The Music was blasting and it was LOUD, I can't remember what I trained but I do remember thinking, This, This! is where I want to be. My first paycheck before buying food I went to Golds and got a gym membership. I would train there everyday sometimes twice a day for the next 15 years. This me in 1983, A Young Pup with David Paul The Barbarian in front of Golds Gym Venice.
