"Muscle Bound: A Psionic Corps mystery" is now available on Amazon!

My latest entry in my Psionic Corps mystery series, Muscle Bound, is now available on Amazon.com!

Blurb:

A triple homicide in a suburb of Salt Lake City seems to be an open-and-shut case, but the suspect is a close friend of Utah Psionic Officer Joshua Chambers. Although it appears obvious that personal trainer Pryce Nolton murdered three people in a fit of 'roid rage, Josh realizes not all is as it seems. Using his paranormal abilities, Josh finds discrepancies in the case against Pryce, but are they enough to exonerate his friend and keep him from the death penalty?

Happy birthday, Mr. Olympia Frank Zane!

Frank Zane, born June 28, 1942 in Kingston, Pennsylvania, is a three-time Mr. Olympia.  He was one of my inspirations during my dream days. He began bodybuilding as a teenager and received a Bachelor of Science.  He taught mathematics and chemistry while continuing his bodybuilding.

He won his IFBB Mr. Olympia titles 1977-1979.  Frank is one of only three men to have beaten Arnold Schwarzenegger in a bodybuilding contest. 

Celebrating Pride Month - Bob Paris, gay bodybuilder

Bob Paris, born December 14, 1959, is one of the first bodybuilders to come out as gay while he was at the peak of his competitive career.  He began competing in California and won Mr. Los Angeles in 1981 and in 1982 he won Mr. Southern California and the California Muscle Classic in Pasadena.  He won two more title in 1983.  He posed for Mr. Olympia in 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989 and 1991 but never got higher than 7th.  But in 1983 he won the IFBB World Championship Mr. Universe and professional qualifier in the Heavyweight Class and Overall!

In July 1989, he came out in an issue of Ironman.  His career suffered afterwards, losing about 80% of bookings and endorsements.   He and his partner at the time Rod Jackson co-authored a book, which I read, Straight from the Heart, in which Bob talks about struggling with his career and being gay. 

Paris retired from bodybuilding in 1991.  Since coming out, he has been a vocal advocate for gay marriage and gay rights.  He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with his husband Brian LeFurgey.

In 2006, Flex Magazine ranked him as the most aesthetic athlete in the history of bodybuilding.

Reg Park, bodybuilder/actor born 1928

Reg Park, born June 7, 1922 in Leeds, England, was a bodybuilder and actor, but also Arnold Schwarzenegger's idol and mentor.  He entered his first Mr. Britain contest in 1946 (coming in 4th) but won the title in 1949.  After that, he went to the U.S. and met publisher Joe Weider, who began to feature Park prominently in his Muscle & Fitness magazine.

Park came in second to Steve Reeves (another bodybuilder/actor) in 1950 for the inaugural Mr. Universe in London.  He broke the American monopoly on bodybuilding titles by winning Mr. Universe in 1951, 1958 and 1965.  He was edged out of the title in 1970 by Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

In the 1960s, he starred in five Italian 'sword and sandals' movies as Hercules (4) and one as Samson.  He met Arnold in the 1960s when the Austrian was training in London.  Park became Arnold's idol, mentor, and close friend.  He encouraged Arnold to appear in Hercules in New York in 1970.

Park was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 1999.

He passed away at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa from melanoma in 2007.

Celebrating Pride Month - Jim Morris, first gay bodybuilder

Jim Morris, born August 31, 1935, won Mr. America in 1973, becoming the first openly gay person and the oldest person (at 37) to win the title.  He had been bodybuilding and competing for 18 years and had been winning titles since 1959, but Mr. America was the biggest. 

But when he went on stage, the crowd booed instead of cheering.  To add insult to injury, bodybuilding magazines refused to put him on the covers nor even mention his name.  He used this experience to fuel his drive and work to overturn stereotypes.

He was Elton John's personal bodyguard for 15 years. 

In 1996, he came out of retirement and placed 1st at the Mr. Olympia Masters, for contestants over 60. 

He passed away in 2016.  Some of the records he set still stand.





https://www.riseofthevegan.com/blog/jim-morris-a-tribute-to-the-vegan-legend

Celebrating Black History Month - Chris Dickerson, first black gay Mr. Olympia

Chris Dickerson, born in New York City, is a former bodybuilder.  He is the first black, first openly gay and oldest (43) Mr. Olympia, which he won in 1982.

He was inducted into the International Federation of Bodybuilding Hall of Fame in 2000.  Although retired since 1994, he still trains and conducts seminars.

Happy birthday, Rachel McLish, first Ms. Olympia!

Rachel McLish, born June 21, 1955, paved the way for female bodybuilding in the 1980's.  She won the first ever Ms. Olympia competition and the first US BodyBuilding Championship.  She and Cory Everson served as inspiration (along with Lou Ferrigno, Lee Labrada, Rich Gaspari,  Bob Paris, Mike Matarazzo, etc.) during my "bodybuilding" days.

Still beautiful!