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 injury that almost ended his career and his many variations of the Heavy Duty system that he created from Arthur Jone's initial teachings. At the end of the podcast, host John Hansen reads the article "High Sets, Low Sets" which is an interview with Mike Mentzer conducted by writer Rick Wayne for the January, 1978 issue of Muscle Builder magazine. 

Time Stamps:

4:20 - John's Competitions this year

8:15 - Start of interview with John Little

11:00 - The decline of Mike Mentzer

12:30 - The current popularity of Mentzer

19:40 - Going against the grain

25:00 - Why John wrote this book

30:30 - Mike Mentzer's destiny to be a bodybuilder

37:00 - Mike Mentzer's shoulder injury

44:15 - Mike's need for knowledge 

46:50 - Why Mike didn't train after he stopped competing

49:35 - John reads the article "High Sets, Low Sets" written by Rick Wayne for the January, 1978 issue of Muscle Builder magazine. 

Links:

John's Online Training and Nutrition Programs

Become a Bodybuilding Legends Member

Bodybuilding Legends website

John's YouTube Channel

Mike Mentzer: American Odysseus on Amazon

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 the article "My Olympia Comeback" written by Arnold Schwarzenegger for the February, 1981 issue of Muscle & Fitness Magazine.

Time Stamps:

1:40 - John's Contest Prep

5:20 - Upcoming interviews for the Podcast

6:35 - Emails to the Podcast

9:05 - Contest Prep Video Series

9:54 - Interview with Mike Sapp

12:00 - Meeting Bill Pearl

16:30 - Training at Gold's Gym in the '70's

30:15 - Meeting Arnold

42:45 - Training at World's Gym in 1980

47:15 - Mike's collection of gym shirts

49:45 - Vince's Gym

51:30 - Breakfast with Arnold

57:50 - Working out with Reg Park

1:00:35 - Going to the first Arnold Classic

1:35:00 - John reads the article "My Olympia Comeback" written by Arnold Schwarzenegger for the February, 1981 issue of Muscle & Fitness magazine.

Links:

Become a Patreon Member

John Hansen Workout and Diet Programs

John's YouTube Channel

Bodybuilding Legends website

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 did steroid use begin. At the end of the podcast, host John Hansen reads two articles from Muscle Builder magazine including "Where Were You When Larry Scott Was King?" written by Jack Neary from the September, 1979 issue of Muscle Builder and "Vancouver Comes Up Diamonds" written by Bill Reynolds from the April, 1980 issue of Muscle Builder.

Time Stamps:

2:00 - Pittsburgh and New York Pro Shows

5:20 - Emails to the Podcast

19:08 - Carlos Cassana Interview, Part Two

19:53 - How the general public views Bodybuilding

26:00 - Is Natural Bodybuilding healthy?

31:09 - Carlos's opinion of Bodybuilding

38:45 - The longevity of Bodybuilders

46:46 - When did steroid use begin?

59:58 - John reads the article "Where Were You When Larry Scott Was King?" written by Jack Neary from the September, 1979 issue of Muscle Builder Magazine.

1:14:09 - John reads the article "Vancouver Comes Up Diamonds" written by Bill Reynolds from the April, 1980 issue of Muscle Builder Magazine.

Links:

Become a Patreon Member

Golden Era Bookworm YouTube Channel

John Hansen Fitness website

John Hansen YouTube Channel

Bodybuilding Legends website

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 period in Bodybuilding history. Carlos also talks about the effects of anabolic steroids on the body and how the drugs changed the sport of of bodybuilding from each era. At the end of the podcast, host John Hansen reads an excerpt from the book Bodybuilding: Tracing the Evolution of the Ultimate Physique written by Gordon LaVelle. 

Time Stamps:

3:14 - The Pittsburgh Pro Championship

4:17 - John's Contest Prep

5:30 - Start of interview with Carlos Cassana from the Golden Era Bookworm YouTube channel

6:10 - How Carlos became interested in bodybuilding

12:15 - Why Carlos started his YouTube channel

14:40 - The role of steroids in Bodybuilding

17:30 - Does blood work reveal the effects of steroids?

25:00 - What effects do growth hormone and steroids have on the body?

30:45 - The different eras of bodybuilding history

36:00 - The beginning of bodybuilding competitions

37:45 - Why the Golden Era of Bodybuilding is the best

47:10 - Host John Hansen reads an excerpt from the book Bodybuilding: Tracing the Evolution of the Ultimate Physique written by Gordon LaVelle.

Links:

Become a Patreon Member

 Golden Era Bookworm YouTube Channel

John Hansen Fitness website

John Hansen YouTube

Bodybuilding Legends website

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, John reads the article "Dorian the Devastator" written by Rosemary Hallum from the March, 1995 issue of MuscleMag International magazine.

Time Stamps:

3:10 - Starting the diet

4:52 - John Little's book about Mike Mentzer

5:55 - Emails to the Podcast

7:55 - Bodybuilding: Tracing the Evolution of the Ultimate Physique book

15:30 - Start of interview with Jerry Brainum, Part Two

19:00 - Kevin Levrone at the 1994 Mr. Olympia

20:25 - Paul Dillett, 4th place at the 1994 Mr. Olympia

23:00 - Porter Cottrell, 5th place at the 1994 Mr. Olympia

23:30 - Chris Cormier in his first Mr. Olympia

24:20 - Nasser at the 1994 Mr. Olympia

26:00 - Charles Clairmonte at the 1994 Mr. Olympia

27:05 - The deep line-up at the 1994 Mr. Olympia

28:45 - The most overlooked bodybuilder at the 1994 Mr. Olympia

30:18 - The European Grand Prix contests 

33:30 - Training the abs

40:30 - The danger of diuretics

41:50 - The movie "Magazine Dreams"

53:15 - The inspiration of Steve Reeves

1:01:40 - John reads the article "Dorian the Devastator" written by Rosemary Hallum for the March, 1995 issue of MuscleMag International magazine.

Links:

Jerry's newsletter Applied Metabolics

Become a Patreon Member

John Hansen's Workout and Nutrition Programs

Bodybuilding Legends website

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 and Kevin Levrone. At the end of the interview, John reads two articles. The first article is the contest report of the 1960 AAU Mr. America won by Red Lerille. This article comes from the August, 1960 issue of IronMan Magazine. The second article 

Time Stamps:

3:44 - Emails to the podcast

6:00 - Start of the interview with Jerry Brainum

7:15 - Tribute to Lloyd "Red" Lerille, 1960 Mr. America

12:35 - Tribute to Pat Neve, 1974 Mr. USA

24:35 - Robby Robinson death rumors

27:30 - Jerry in "Death Race 2000"

33:00 - Review of the 1994 Mr. Olympia

51:55 - John reads the 1960 AAU Mr. America contest report written by Peary Rader from the August, 1960 issue of IronMan Magazine.

1:08:12 - John reads the article "How Pat Neve is Training for the Mr. America" written by Bill Reynolds from the July, 1976 issue of IronMan Magazine.

Links:

Jerry's Newsletter - Applied Metabolics

Become a Patreon Member

John Hansen Workout and Nutrition Programs

Bodybuilding Legends website

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 end of the interview, host John Hansen reads the article "The 1976 IFBB World Championships, Mr. Universe report" written by Jack Neary for the February, 1977 issue of Muscle Builder magazine. 

Time Stamps:

2:07 - John's review of the movie "Magazine Dreams"

4:40 - Bodybuilding: Tracing the Evolution of the Ultimate Physique

8:50 - Beginning of Jack Neary Interview, Part Two

9:00 - When Jack got banned by the IFBB

17:40 - Robby Robinson's personality

21:55 - When Jack first saw Lee Haney

23:10 - How hard did Robby train?

25:22 - Jack's impression of Kal Szkalak

35:30 - Why did Arnold enter the 1980 Mr. Olympia?

39:10 - Frank Zane's Mr. Olympia reign

41:45 - The Golden Age of Bodybuilding compared to today

48:40 - When Jack got deported from the United States

59:40 - John Hansen reads the article "1976 IFBB World Bodybuilding Championships Mr. Universe report" written by Jack Neary from the February, 1977 issue of Muscle Builder magazine. 

Links:

Become a Patreon Member

John's Online Workout and Nutrition Programs

Bodybuilding Legends Website

Bodybuilding Legends on Instagram

Bodybuilding Legends on Facebook

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 Robby Robinson in the late 1970's. At the end of the interview, host John Hansen reads the article "The Heat is On" written by Jack Neary for the November, 1976 issue of Muscle Builder magazine. 

Time Stamps:

4:50 - Emails to the Podcast

8:10 - Start of interview with Jack Neary, Part One

9:25 - The popularity of Mike Mentzer

28:50 - The backstage meeting at the 1980 Olympia

34:45 - Jack's thoughts on the 1980 Mr. Olympia

49:15 - Franco winning the 1981 Olympia

52:15 - Jack's friendship with Robby Robinson

1:03:00 - John Hansen reads the article "The Heat Is On" written by Jack Neary for the November, 1976 issue of Muscle Builder magazine.

Links:

Become a Patreon Member

John's Online Workout and Diet Programs

Bodybuilding Legends Website

Bodybuilding Legends on Instagram

Bodybuilding Legends on Facebook

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 late 1970's. 

Time Stamps:

1:00 - The passing of Red Lerille

2:15 - The rumor of Robby Robinson's death

4:00 - Upcoming Jack Neary interview

8:00 - 2025 Arnold Classic review

9:05 - Emails to the Podcast

13:15 - John reads the article "How I Became a Mr. America" written by Peary Rader for the August, 1960 issue of IronMan Magazine.

23:10 - John reads the article "The 1976 American Bodybuilding Championship" written by Jack Neary for the January, 1977 issue of Muscle Builder magazine.

37:05 - John reads the article "In Two Years, I'll Reach the Top" written by Jack Neary for the December, 1976 issue of Muscle Builder magazine.

50:16 - John reads the article "The Thinking Man's Bodybuilder" written by Jack Neary for the October, 1979 issue of Muscle Builder magazine.

1:13:50 - John reads the article "He Paid His Dues, Now He's Being Paid Back" written by Jack Neary for the September, 1979 issue of Muscle Builder magazine. 

Links:

Become a Patreon Member for the Podcast

John Hansen Workout and Nutrition Programs

Bodybuilding Legends Show website

Bodybuilding Legends Podcast on Instagram

Bodybuilding Legends Podcast on Facebook

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 contest was judged in the individual rounds. Kevin and Shawn also talk about the direction the sport of bodybuilding took in the 1990's when size was the major factor in winning the Mr. Olympia. At the end of the interview, host John Hansen reads the article "Shadow of a Doubt" written by Peter McGough for the January, 1995 issue of Flex Magazine. 

Time Stamps:

2:36 - Preview of the 2025 Arnold Classic

4:30 - Start of interview with Kevin Levrone and Shawn Ray

6:45 - Kevin talks about his Mr. Olympia prep for 1994

8:45 - Shawn talks about his prep for the 1994 Olympia 

14:00 - Dorian's torn bicep in 1994

24:40 - "Dorian was the enemy"

27:00 - The Three Rounds of Prejudging

37:15 - How important is the Posing Round?

43:00 - Flex Wheeler's absence at the 1994 Olympia

45:00 - Kevin talks about his pec tear in 1993

50:45 - Was 1994 a pivotal year in Bodybuilding?

1:10:30 - John reads the article "A Shadow of a Doubt" written by Peter McGough for the January, 1995 issue of Flex Magazine. 

Links:

Patreon Membership for the Podcast

John Hansen Online Training and Nutrition Programs

Kevin Levrone Supplements

Bodybuilding Legends website