Leading Greats #58

Nostalgic Greats | Arnold Schwarzenegger | GOLD's Gym | Purpose & Leading Great Movements

Author

Ronnie Kinsey
April 28, 2024

Nostalgic Leading Greats

I wanted a bit of nostalgia with a sunset Friday evening.

So I stopped by GOLD’s Gym in Venice Beach, California.

I was immediately immersed in the Nostalgic Greats of bodybuilding.

It felt like Arnold Schwarzenegger might have just left this place.

As you walk up you see a large part of the gym is outdoors - and it’s busy.

Everybody there has obviously been putting in their reps consistently(!).

This gym is just a few short blocks from the Pacific Ocean.

It was around sunset, and the ocean breeze, beach essence, and active lifestyle were magnetic.

Peak Performance and the rewards of such surrounded me. 

To say this was a true back drop for nostalgia would be putting it mildly.

I was struck by how Arnold Schwarzenegger lived his purpose, and this helped fuel a leaping movement in bodybuilding.

Life is good!

Starting a Cultural Movement

There is a rich history to Gold's Gym, famously associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the rise of bodybuilding culture:

Beginning: Gold's Gym was founded in August 1965 by Joe Gold.

It started as a small gym in Venice, California, designed as a serious, no-frills training facility for bodybuilders.

First Location: The original location in Venice Beach, California, quickly became known as the "Mecca of Bodybuilding."

That soon started a bigger movement.

Size and Facilities: The original Gym was relatively modest in size but equipped with custom-made equipment crafted by Joe Gold himself.

Over time, the Gym expanded both in size, location, and the range of equipment it offered.

Growth: After its opening, Gold's Gym gained popularity rapidly, especially during the 1970s, when it became a focal point for the bodybuilding community.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's training at Gold's Gym in the early 1970s, when he was preparing for Mr. Olympia contests, contributed significantly to its fame.

The Gym was featured in the 1977 bodybuilding documentary "Pumping Iron," which showcased Schwarzenegger and cemented Gold's Gym's iconic status.

Ownership: Joe Gold sold the Gym in 1970 to a former Mr. World, and his partners in the late 1970s.

The Gym has since changed hands several times.

Today, Gold's Gym is owned by RSG Group GmbH, a global fitness and lifestyle company that acquired it in 2020.

Gold's Gym has expanded into a global franchise with locations around the world, maintaining its legacy as a pioneer in the fitness industry and a cultural landmark in the world of bodybuilding.

*Information here is based on public knowledge & internet sources.

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.

- Friedrich Nietzsche

Finding and Living Your Purpose

It is often portrayed as a grand, life-defining quest, but in essence, it's about aligning your daily actions with your deeper values and passions.

It's the compass that guides you through life's challenges and decisions, giving your actions meaning and direction.

Without a clear purpose, it's easy to drift through life feeling unfulfilled and disconnected.

Why It's Important:

  1. Motivation and Persistence: Purpose fuels perseverance, especially during tough times.

    When you know 'why' you're doing something, the 'how' becomes more bearable.

  2. Health and Well-being: Studies suggest that individuals with a strong sense of purpose tend to have reduced stress, better mental health, and longer life expectancy.

  3. Focus and Clarity: Purpose acts as a filter, helping you decide where to invest your time and energy.

    It simplifies decision-making and fosters a sense of inner calm.

What You Miss Without It:

  1. Lack of Direction: Without purpose, it's hard to set meaningful goals, and life can feel random and chaotic.

  2. Reduced Resilience: With no strong 'why,' setbacks can feel insurmountable.

  3. Missed Potential: Without a driving force, you may never fully realize or harness your abilities.

Dedication & Consistency on Purpose: Arnold Schwarzenegger, putting in the reps

The purpose of life is not to be happy.

It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

How I can HELP YOU:

1.]

^ As a Leadership Catalyst and Executive Coach, I empower Executives, Leaders, and Professionals to realize Impact for Purposeful Success in life and career.

^ As a Conscious Leader, I help you Master Real Performance and Well-being.

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2.]

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Reach out, and let’s get a strategy call on the calendar so you can get closer to what you really want in life, work, and relationships at ronniekinsey.net

Thank YOU for reading Leading Greats!

Consistently, I appreciate your time and support here!!

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Til next time - Keep it Great,

-Ronnie