Mike Chapman is a wrestling historian and the author of 32 books as well as a motivational speaker. Mike was in the newspaper industry for over 35 years and is the founder of the International Wrestling Institute and Museum (National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum) as well as the museum executive director until he retired in 2009.  On this episode, we talk with Mike about his growing up in Iowa, his time in the U.S. Navy, his close friendships with Lou Thesz, Vern Gagne, Danny Hodge and much more!

You can find out more about Mike Chapman at his website:

https://www.mike-chapman.com/

Help support the podcast! You can make contributions or purchase items at:

Contribution: www.anchor.fm/brian-ferguson3 and click the support button

Teespring Store: https://bumps-thumps-2.creator-spring.com/

You can follow Bumps & Thumps on the following social media platforms:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnQG8G8GE0eTHmzIzTBnZ8Q

Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Brianferguson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BumpsThumps

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumps_n_thumps/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bumps_thumps

Parler: https://parler.com/brinshe2003