Mike Sapp, Arnold's Training Partner in 1980
Bodybuilding Legends Show
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...
info_outline
Carlos from Golden Era Bookworm, Part Two
Bodybuilding Legends Show
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...
info_outline
Carlos from Golden Era BookWorm, Part One
Bodybuilding Legends Show
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,...
info_outline
1994 Mr. Olympia Review, Part Two with Jerry Brainum
Bodybuilding Legends Show
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...
info_outline
1994 Mr. Olympia Review - Part One with Jerry Brainum
Bodybuilding Legends Show
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...
info_outline
Jack Neary Interview, Part Two
Bodybuilding Legends Show
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. ...
info_outline
Jack Neary Interview, Part One
Bodybuilding Legends Show
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. ...
info_outline
Red Lerille RIP, Jack Neary articles
Bodybuilding Legends Show
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...
info_outline
Kevin Levrone and Shawn Ray review the 1994 Mr. Olympia
Bodybuilding Legends Show
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...
info_outline
1994 In Review, Part Two with Jerry Brainum
Bodybuilding Legends Show
Jerry Brainum, former writer for Muscle & Fitness, Flex and IronMan Magazine, is the guest on this episode of the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast to continue the end of the year reviews for the year 1994 in Bodybuilding. In Part Two of their interview, Jerry and host John Hansen talk about the professional bodybuilding contests from 1994 including the Arnold Classic, Night of the Champions, IronMan Pro Invitational, San Jose Pro, Chicago Pro and others. At the end of the interview, John reads two articles from 1994 including "Bodybuilding's Blow Out - 1994 Arnold Classic report" written by...
info_outlineBodybuilding legend Mike Mentzer passed away 20 years ago on June 10th, 2001 at the age of 49. In Part Two of his interview with the Bodybuilding Legends Podcast, author John Little continues his discussion about the life and legacy of this bodybuilding legend. John talks about the pro bodybuilding career of Mentzer, including his two Mr. Olympia appearances in 1979 and 1980. John also talks about Mike's addiction to speed, how he lost everything at one point in his life and his resurrection from his addiction. At the end of the podcast, host John Hansen reads "The Thinking Man's Bodybuilder", an article about Mike Mentzer written by Jack Neary for the October, 1979 issue of Muscle Builder Magazine.
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Beginning of Podcast
3:45 - Audio book version of the Bodybuilding Heroes and Legends, Vol One book is now available (link below).
4:20 - The Orlando Europa July 2-3, 2021
8:17 - Bodybuilding Legends birthdays from last week
9:41 - Emails from last week's episode
20:43 - Start of John Little interview, part two
22:22 - The phases of high intensity training
25:53 - Comparing Arnold's 1975 training for the Mr. Olympia to the Colorado Experiment with Casey Viator
33:44 - Steroids and high volume training
34:49 - Mike Mentzer's honesty
36:43 - Mike's first pro show
38:10 - The Pittsburgh Pro
38:59 - 1979 Night of the Champions
47:54 - Frank Zane's reaction to beating Mike Mentzer at the 1979 Mr. Olympia
51:35 - Mike's intense contest prep for the 1980 Mr. Olympia
53:15 - The 1980 Mr. Olympia
54:55 - The infamous backstage meeting at the 1980 Mr. Olympia
1:00:15 - Why CBS television didn't broadcast the 1980 Mr. Olympia contest
1:03:32 - How Mike became addicted to amphetamines
1:08:00 - The way Mike was able to will himself to get better
1:19:23 - What was the cause of Mike's death?
1:36:00 - John Hansen reads the article "The Thinking Man's Bodybuilder" written by Jack Neary for the October, 1979 issue of Muscle Builder magazine.
Audio Book for Bodybuilding Heroes and Legends book