Love Randy Roach…first heard him on Superhuman Radio several years ago and have to say this was an amazing interview! Everything you do is first class and truly appreciated!
I was very honoured to have him interview because he put aside the podcasts and interviews for a while. He has an excellent ability to recall and weave the facts into a resonant story. Hope to chat with him again sometime and thanks always for your kind support 🙏
TIMESTAMPS 0:45 - Motivations behind writing Muscle Smoke and Mirrors 4:30 - Verifying source authenticity 7:00 Steve Michalik Mr Universe? 9:05: Writing about Pumping Iron 10:10 George Butler’s Son’s Bodybuilding Articles 10:37 Why the nostalgia For the Golden Era 11:47 John Little’s “Wrath of the Dragon” Bruce Lee Book 13:47 Bodybuilding’s Cross Roads - Weider vs Hoffman vs Arthur Jones 17:14 “Bigger” Movie - The Joe Weider Story 17:38 Was Hoffman Really the racist and Weider the progressive “saint” ? 19:44 No Joe Weider = No Arnold? 24:00 “Arnold Lies” 26:54 Bodybuilders Drugs and Sex 29:50 Butler’s “Master Plan”? 32:00 Arnold and his Father’s Funeral 35:29 Screw Your Freedoms 36:35 The 1980 Mr Olympia Controversy 46:50 The Legacy of Mike Mentzer 49:10 The Bill Phillips 90s Era 51:11 Muscle Memory 53:15 Possible to write a history of this era? 55:15 Future Editions of Muscle Smoke and Mirrors?
Thanks so much. I love Randy's stories and commentary, so I wanted the narrative to come to life with the accompanying pics and vids. Thanks so much again for watching and supporting the channel with your comments. Really appreciate it
Feel the same way. Thanks for watching and leaving a supportive comment. Randy, John Little and myself are going to team up for a future podcast, so please check it out when it drops
Randy's Muscle, Smoke, and Mirrors books have sections about Rheo H. Blair, the REAL nutritional program most of the big guys were using until around 1979.
Randy's books are my Bibles. Would you like to see another discussion with Randy? If so, any topics you'd like me to raise with him? Thanks for your comment
A wonderfully entertaining and informative interview with the preeminent historian of both Physical Culture and Bodybuilding. I too have his first two volumes and had to pull the second one out again.Randy is very direct and his calling out of Arnold for his inauthenticities desiged to further endear him to his cult of followers. I tried to debate one after a post comparing Mentzer to Arnold in 1980 Olympia and he refused to be objective. There is no point in debating a fanboy. You tend to be drawn unconsciously to the Bodybuilders that you match in aome sense be in height or structure. Reg Park seems to thrown under the bus in the pursuit of appearing virtuous. Mentzer's words, "Arnold only does what is good for Arnold." ring loudly.
It's a fantastic collection and I recommend everyone who's interested in the history of bodybuilding to pick up a copy of all three books. Thanks for commenting
Love this interview. Randy is spot on. Both of you did a great job and you are both great for the sport of bodybuilding Leo and I would love to do something with you guys
Yes thank you again Jim. I'd be down for that now things have settled down and I have some semblance of routine back. Let me know because I want to do a vid on Leo's Program Big Beyond Belief sometime soon
Hmmm probably doesn't warrant it's own video, but a famous talk show host (think it was Clive James) who stated that "unless he can also pump height, he's definitely not 6'2
@@carvedouttastone I would broaden that to true heights of classic BB's in general. It seems every tall man was over 6ft. Arnold was probably 5'10" and compared to most BB's in the 70's he was tall. He backed up into me and stood right in front of me while talking near a booth at the 2013 Arnold Classic. I'm 5'10" and he was exactly my height. He's known to wear thick lifted shoes and has probably lost height over the years. Waller was likely 5'9" or something. Lou shorter than advertise, etc... Weider's comic book height and weights.
Joe Weider USED guys like Draper, etc. paying him under $100.00 a week to work in his warehouse while making millions on his pictures and beach fun looks.
Yes and no. A person can only be USED if they complicity consent to it. Many of these guys were also "lazy bums" as Arnold put it. They wanted to lift, tan at the beach all day, bang hotties and get paid for it. Of course, there wasn't the economic demand for this lifestyle back then, so how could they expect lucrative sponsorships for doing so? Weider also gave the guys advertising space in his mags to market their wares - but most were too lazy/dumb to use their image to their personal advantage. Long story short, if you're too dumb/lazy to take control of your own destiny, you don't get to cry when someone does it for you and pays you peanuts in return.
@@carvedouttastone I guess as young BB's they felt like little kids in a candy store to have their pics in the magazines but like most young kids they weren't investors. Arnold was the exception. I mentioned it because i saw the Draper documentary and someone said if he sued Weider he would have been a rich man! I guess like anything let the buyer beware
@@carvedouttastone Right but he got a mere pittance of what he could have received if he didn't settle, seems Weiders lawyers dragged it out as long as possible.
Many older bodybuilders were gangsters in spirit. I mean you had to be to stick a needle in yourself and juice. Rough around the edges, had no shame and arnold was a snake. In some sense its a narcissistic personality disorder. I've heard arnold had a car theft ring.
He was part of one with Paul Graham. Paul did time so Arnold could continue to stay in country. It's why Paul was one of the grooms men at Arnold's wedding
@@carvedouttastone thanks! That's why he was a perfect fit for Conan. I had the same feeling when I saw it. I never saw anyone like that. A friend of mine said when he saw it in a theater when Arnold lifted his head while pushing the wheel of pain and they saw his arms, the entire theater went "aaaaah!". I was 11. But then the whole steroid facts and the scare around them came about and it killed my aspirations to become Mr. Olympia. My dreams were crushed. I woke up to the reality of the whole thing. I remember Tom Platz talking openly about the side effects. I remember there were losers guys who were pushing it on me, telling me man, with your physique you'd really blow up, you're wasting your time. Back then older folk, our parents frowned upon bodybuilding as in they're all stupid and into themselves and you should use your brain and not your muscles. That's was the general silent generation attitude. Fast forward to now and scientists and doctors say everyone should do it. I'm originally from former Yugoslavia/Belgrade so I experienced both scenes. They were the same more less. Im back into it as a natty but I don't know if there are any natty competitions out there. Im in Vegas. Shouldn't be hard to find one.
I ordered my books from there. I re- purchased the 3rd volume again just recently. I'll let Randy know you're having an issue accessing the books. Thanks for letting me know
@@carvedouttastone thank you for your reply, your channel content is excellent and your narration and commentary is first class. I highly recommend this channel.
Every one loved Arnold from for his films and stories. But once you tube got out we got to hear a lot of truth. My personal conclusion is Arnold is scum.
Why did I hold off until now to watch this? Brilliant Shawn. Bloody loved this and such a great chat
Hey Conor, so glad you checked in and enjoyed it. Let's also do an interview with your good self soon if you have some time
Awesome interview, thanks for doing this!
You're very welcome mate and I'm looking forward to our conversation
Love Randy Roach…first heard him on Superhuman Radio several years ago and have to say this was an amazing interview! Everything you do is first class and truly appreciated!
I was very honoured to have him interview because he put aside the podcasts and interviews for a while. He has an excellent ability to recall and weave the facts into a resonant story. Hope to chat with him again sometime and thanks always for your kind support 🙏
Randy Gave Us Our History!
I remember you featuring in Randy's books. You're part of that history
TIMESTAMPS
0:45 - Motivations behind writing Muscle Smoke and Mirrors
4:30 - Verifying source authenticity
7:00 Steve Michalik Mr Universe?
9:05: Writing about Pumping Iron
10:10 George Butler’s Son’s Bodybuilding Articles
10:37 Why the nostalgia For the Golden Era
11:47 John Little’s “Wrath of the Dragon” Bruce Lee Book
13:47 Bodybuilding’s Cross Roads - Weider vs Hoffman vs Arthur Jones
17:14 “Bigger” Movie - The Joe Weider Story
17:38 Was Hoffman Really the racist and Weider the progressive “saint” ?
19:44 No Joe Weider = No Arnold?
24:00 “Arnold Lies”
26:54 Bodybuilders Drugs and Sex
29:50 Butler’s “Master Plan”?
32:00 Arnold and his Father’s Funeral
35:29 Screw Your Freedoms
36:35 The 1980 Mr Olympia Controversy
46:50 The Legacy of Mike Mentzer
49:10 The Bill Phillips 90s Era
51:11 Muscle Memory
53:15 Possible to write a history of this era?
55:15 Future Editions of Muscle Smoke and Mirrors?
Always loved Randy's books. Some of the best ever. Would love to see the new pdf/ebooks. Do it Randy!
I will.hit randy up and see if I can assist with the editing to hasten their delivery 🙏💪
Well done. Love Randy's work and would like to read anything else he has to read on the topic of bodybuilding. Keep the interviews coming Shawn!
Thanks David. Stay tuned for more ;-)
Great interview. Appreciated the edited in photos that were all subject relevant. Really added to the show.
Thanks so much. I love Randy's stories and commentary, so I wanted the narrative to come to life with the accompanying pics and vids. Thanks so much again for watching and supporting the channel with your comments. Really appreciate it
Wonderful interview. Muscle Smoke & Mirrors Vol 1 is the best book I have ever read, on any subject
Feel the same way. Thanks for watching and leaving a supportive comment. Randy, John Little and myself are going to team up for a future podcast, so please check it out when it drops
Randy's Muscle, Smoke, and Mirrors books have sections about Rheo H. Blair, the REAL nutritional program most of the big guys were using until around 1979.
Randy's books are my Bibles. Would you like to see another discussion with Randy? If so, any topics you'd like me to raise with him? Thanks for your comment
Love this guy I spoke to him several years ago his contributions to this sport are to many to name
I think I remember once seeing your interview Joe. Was that you?
He mentioned me on his podcast and talked about our conversations and my work with Leo Costa the author of Big Beyond Belief
Randy ROCKS ! you too Shawn !
Cheers Ken. Appreciate the kind comment mate!
Great podcast and interview 👏
Thanks EllieK
Great questions and interview 👏
Thanks again 🙏🙌💪
A wonderfully entertaining and informative interview with the preeminent historian of both Physical Culture and Bodybuilding. I too have his first two volumes and had to pull the second one out again.Randy is very direct and his calling out of Arnold for his inauthenticities desiged to further endear him to his cult of followers. I tried to debate one after a post comparing Mentzer to Arnold in 1980 Olympia and he refused to be objective. There is no point in debating a fanboy. You tend to be drawn unconsciously to the Bodybuilders that you match in aome sense be in height or structure. Reg Park seems to thrown under the bus in the pursuit of appearing virtuous. Mentzer's words, "Arnold only does what is good for Arnold." ring loudly.
Thanks mate for the kind supportive comment - Randy will be very happy to hear that feedback. Both really appreciate you watching
LOOKS GREAT BOOK
It's a fantastic collection and I recommend everyone who's interested in the history of bodybuilding to pick up a copy of all three books. Thanks for commenting
Love this interview. Randy is spot on. Both of you did a great job and you are both great for the sport of bodybuilding Leo and I would love to do something with you guys
Yes thank you again Jim. I'd be down for that now things have settled down and I have some semblance of routine back. Let me know because I want to do a vid on Leo's Program Big Beyond Belief sometime soon
@@carvedouttastone absolutely I will reach out to Leo today to set that up what is a good email address or contact for you?
@joebreen8818 Thanks Joe. carvedoutofstone@gmail.com is best for contacting me
35:30 Howard Stern said the same exact thing as Arnold.
Stern has lost the plot it seems. Guy's an anachronism hanging on for relevance - kind of like Arnold come to think of it
Read Dan Lurie's Book. His Side of Bodybuilding...Reveals Much.
Do you know where I can get a copy?
Ever do a video on Arnold's true height?
Hmmm probably doesn't warrant it's own video, but a famous talk show host (think it was Clive James) who stated that "unless he can also pump height, he's definitely not 6'2
@@carvedouttastone I would broaden that to true heights of classic BB's in general. It seems every tall man was over 6ft. Arnold was probably 5'10" and compared to most BB's in the 70's he was tall. He backed up into me and stood right in front of me while talking near a booth at the 2013 Arnold Classic. I'm 5'10" and he was exactly my height. He's known to wear thick lifted shoes and has probably lost height over the years. Waller was likely 5'9" or something. Lou shorter than advertise, etc... Weider's comic book height and weights.
Joe Weider USED guys like Draper, etc. paying him under $100.00 a week to work in his warehouse while making millions on his pictures and beach fun looks.
Yes and no. A person can only be USED if they complicity consent to it.
Many of these guys were also "lazy bums" as Arnold put it. They wanted to lift, tan at the beach all day, bang hotties and get paid for it. Of course, there wasn't the economic demand for this lifestyle back then, so how could they expect lucrative sponsorships for doing so?
Weider also gave the guys advertising space in his mags to market their wares - but most were too lazy/dumb to use their image to their personal advantage.
Long story short, if you're too dumb/lazy to take control of your own destiny, you don't get to cry when someone does it for you and pays you peanuts in return.
@@carvedouttastone I guess as young BB's they felt like little kids in a candy store to have their pics in the magazines but like most young kids they weren't investors. Arnold was the exception. I mentioned it because i saw the Draper documentary and someone said if he sued Weider he would have been a rich man! I guess like anything let the buyer beware
@@zxtenn Draper did sue Weider but settled out of court.
@@carvedouttastone Right but he got a mere pittance of what he could have received if he didn't settle, seems Weiders lawyers dragged it out as long as possible.
@zxtenn hmmm, that's around 130k in today's money USD prob almost 200k in Aussie dollars. Now what I'd call a pittance, but each to his own I guess
Many older bodybuilders were gangsters in spirit. I mean you had to be to stick a needle in yourself and juice. Rough around the edges, had no shame and arnold was a snake. In some sense its a narcissistic personality disorder. I've heard arnold had a car theft ring.
He was part of one with Paul Graham. Paul did time so Arnold could continue to stay in country. It's why Paul was one of the grooms men at Arnold's wedding
@@carvedouttastone thanks! That's why he was a perfect fit for Conan. I had the same feeling when I saw it. I never saw anyone like that. A friend of mine said when he saw it in a theater when Arnold lifted his head while pushing the wheel of pain and they saw his arms, the entire theater went "aaaaah!". I was 11. But then the whole steroid facts and the scare around them came about and it killed my aspirations to become Mr. Olympia. My dreams were crushed. I woke up to the reality of the whole thing. I remember Tom Platz talking openly about the side effects. I remember there were losers guys who were pushing it on me, telling me man, with your physique you'd really blow up, you're wasting your time. Back then older folk, our parents frowned upon bodybuilding as in they're all stupid and into themselves and you should use your brain and not your muscles. That's was the general silent generation attitude. Fast forward to now and scientists and doctors say everyone should do it. I'm originally from former Yugoslavia/Belgrade so I experienced both scenes. They were the same more less. Im back into it as a natty but I don't know if there are any natty competitions out there. Im in Vegas. Shouldn't be hard to find one.
Randy amazing books but your web site is a mess, can’t buy your books there!
I ordered my books from there. I re- purchased the 3rd volume again just recently. I'll let Randy know you're having an issue accessing the books. Thanks for letting me know
@@carvedouttastone thank you for your reply, your channel content is excellent and your narration and commentary is first class. I highly recommend this channel.
Every one loved Arnold from for his films and stories. But once you tube got out we got to hear a lot of truth. My personal conclusion is Arnold is scum.