Meet Joseph E Weider - A Champion of Achievement

by George F Jowett

MANY years ago, I wrote, at the request of the late Alan Clavert, an article entitled, "The Cradle of Strong Men", which appeared in the pages of the old "Strength" magazine. It told the story of Canada, as the Mecca of strength, where, in those far off days, Canada produced more virile strong men per population than elsewhere in the world. Here the drama of strength was enacted with a constant enthusiasm as manifest in such heroes as Louis Cyr, and his brother Peter. In Horace Barre, DeCarrie, Cabana, and a host of others. Since those days, the wave of enthusiasm spread across the United States receiving its impetus from the old American Continental Weight Lifters Association, which made the sport of weight lifting what it is today on this continent. It seems natural that this organization should have had its inception in Montreal, where I first created the idea, built it, and brought it to the U.S.A. many years ago, also at the request of the late Alan Calvet. Today, the U.S.A., and for many years past, has equalized the drama of strength by the numerous, splendid examples of powerful physical manhood it has produced, and will keep on producing. Nonetheless, the deep souled passion for strength has never waned in the rugged land north of the Border, and, true to its tradition, once every so often it produces one man of outstanding caliber whose physical assets provide more driving force to lead others onto the higher path which leads to physical perfection.

Sometimes, it is the vast physical power of the man alone that inspires, but this only lasts a decade to be superseded by some other giant of strength. Of great importance, both by and large, is the man who combines the genius of mind and body into the story, for he not merely leaves a story when his day is done, but in passing through builds a monument that remains for the posterity of body builders, and strength fans, comparable to the Torch of The Statue of Liberty, to ever keep the public mindful of its duty to its health, and such body building practices that help to make a nation greater in the art of a cleaner, healthier, finer way of life. Such examples are extremely rare. And only too often when they do occur they appear nondescript.

Again, Canada has come to the fore with one who is destined to add another glorious chapter in the saga of strongmanism, by the influence he is spreading over the world by force of character, impartialism, and an intelligent mind that more than harmonizes with his powerful body, and the vast strength it contains. I know him personally. I have known Joe Weider since the day when what he now is was but a wishful dream - a longing - a craving. I have watched it crystallize into a reality, progressively asserting his strong determination to succeed, as he climbed step by step to his goal.

His victory, which I truly believe is but the beginning of many, has only begun. That he will climb to stellar heights to institute new precedents into body building and strongmanism, is a foregone conclusion in my mind. Joe's battle is earnest. It was made all the more difficult by the many difficult obstacles that beset his path, but it always seems that those who number among the "have nots" in the beginning are those with the greatest courage, and an unswerving determination which just cannot be beat.

I cannot help but admire him for the intelligent manner in which he first approached his aim, and the wisdom of his reasoning that has guided him through the few years in which he has been engaged in this work.

He began twelve years ago at the age of thirteen, when he was but a gangling wisp of a lad, standing 5 ft. 6 inches, and weighing but 110 lbs. he was fleet of foot carrying off all championship honors at school in running, but he had no strength. He use to write and tell me he was the target, and butt of all his mates who took a delight in asserting their superior strength over his weakness. Somewhere, he had heard how boxers carefully developed their solar plexus in order to better absorb punishment. He had been punched around so much he got the idea he should do the same, though it is unlikely he then knew what, and where his solar plexus was. nevertheless, in his own immature way he placed his foot on the first rung of the ladder which was to mold his body and mind to self assertion, and a leadership in service to mankind.

Born of hard working parents, Joe hardly ever knew the feel of money to spend on himself. By running errands he accumulated his first dollar which he immediately mailed to me for a set of my books. Reminiscently, he relates how he devoured every word I had written, and pondered over every exercise with surprising meditation for one so young, in order to know how best to apply the instruction for his physical betterment. This was his first coherent step. Assiduously, he applied himself to exercise with an almost frantic passion to make his muscles grow strong. Rather shy of his position, he kept his practices secret from his family, and his friends until he was sure of himself. he could not afford any of the body building apparatus for which his heart yearned, and in their stead he practised with a pair of old fly wheels he had found in a junk yard. Finally, he induced a local blacksmith to make him a crude set of barbells. With these, and other impromptu methods he began his serious assault against the chains of physical weakness that had held him in subjection so long among his comrades.

His physical deficiency had reacted on him psychologically, as it invariably does, causing him to avoid companionship, which deprived him of friends. But as I look back upon his life I feel it was more his intellectual viewpoint at that time. I have no hesitation in saying that Joe Weider, at that immature age was intellectually more advanced for his years than the average youth. Such being the case, he came to a quicker realization of his physical handicap, and the derogatory position it placed him among his playmates. He became psychologically inverted, and yet, while this appeared to isolate him more from his friends, it proved to be the impetus to drive him to his goal, once he was fully cognizant of his true status. If other youth could so diagnose their physical condition from an intelligent position they would more readily overcome their handicaps.

Results came rather quickly to him, and at the age of fifteen we see him no longer pushed around but doing the pushing around. He found a wonderful glory in the new born strength that had crept into his tissues night by night from those secret practices, and delighted his companions by lifting them overhead, and performing such feats of strength that held them in awe. Fondly, they nicknamed him "Tarzan", and with the taste of these thrilling experiences his ambitions became further accelerated. Somehow, and somewhere, he determined he would obtain the money to buy a real set of barbells. Spurred by this urge he wrote to me asking if I would trust him for a set, as he was unable to pay cash. His appeal was so earnest I could not refuse, and in this way Joe received his first barbell set which to him was his seventh heaven of delight. He paid for this bells the hard way, working odd hours after school as a messenger, and doing any odd jobs he could cajole out of his neighbors that would give him a nickle. These he enviously saved until he had the full sum of the barbell set. That payment was a banner day in his life, achieving for him his most prideful possession.

How proud he was to write me that letter with its enclosed money order. Such is the happiness of spontaneous, unadulterated youth when it is fired with a clean worthy ambition.

From now on his progress became purposeful and definite. He knew where he was going. he had the answer, and nothing was going to stop him.

He was already the local champion, admired by a host of companions. The tables now were turned. Joe was king of his local domain, and to his credit it can be said he never once used his new gained strength to avenge any former bullying. He played the game square.

He reputation rapidly grew beyond his local environment, finally coming to the ears of the Harvey Hill Weight-Lifting Club. Immediately, Harvey Hill sent Eugene Tremblay to check up on this local Hercules of only fifteen years. Tremblay was surprised how easily Joe was able to military press more than his own bodyweight. At 140 lbs., he pressed with ease 145 lbs. Young as he was, Joe was induced to enter his first contest in the lightweight division, in which he won second place. Later on, while still but fifteen years of age, he performed before Donat Plourde, who was one of Montreal's best informed judges of strength, and promoter of strong men. On this occasion, Joe performed the following feat at 145 lbs.: A Two Hands Continental Jerk of 225 lbs. The next year, at sixteen years of age, he Continental Jerked the splendid poundage of 225 lbs., at 150 lbs. bodyweight. This same year he won the Montreal City Championship, and was runner up in the Provincial Championship.

What a transformation in such a short space of time! What a splendid achievement! What an inspiration to you who are discouraged, and you who are in despair because of your physical inferiority. Joe's example is one that shows everyone of you how to win your battle for health and strength. As you read on you will be greatly fired with his valorous battle.

In 1938, when he was nineteen years of age, he had reached a stripped bodyweight of 165 lbs., and was able at anytime to crowd the existing records in his bodyweight class with these splendid demonstrations of his dynamic strength. Two Hands Military Press, 224 lbs. Two Hands Snatch, 220 lbs. Two Hands Clean and Jerk, 285 lbs. Two Hands Continental Jerk, 300 lbs. He lifts with the ease of the master athlete. His Snatches are hair trigger timed, and his Clean and Jerks are truly a symphony of flexible movement. Even in his Presses, he shows no evidence of undue strain so common with many lifters who suspend their breathing under the stress of the feat. he has acquired a technique in all his feats that shows an intelligent understanding, and control of the physiological factors involved under vigorous physical assault. This is part of the secret of his success. In his body building practices, and in his feats, he proves the effectiveness of reasoning out the functioning process of the mobile muscles relative to organic capacity. Both body building, and weight lifting operate under the power of supply and demand. The principle is never by-passed by the clear thinking athlete. He knows the demand required of his muscles, and correctly estimates the natural supply of energy he is organically capable of safely asserting. In this manner he avoids any un-necessary physical strain even when demonstrating his power at the most vigorous stage. Joe is a master in this field of though, reasoning before - never after.

Early in his career he recognized the important feature that body building comes first in building the arch-type physique. He fully understood the principle I have ever taught, that your body is the incumbent reservoir for your potential power, and the better you build it up first the greater will be your capacity for strength.

Joe, to my mid, and without any attempt of back slapping, is a fine example of the pre-thinking, reasoning body builder. His muscular size-power has moved on proportionately as he grew in body weight, but, he first developed his muscular proportions so that the strength he sought would be suitably housed. There is no stricture or bunchiness to his muscles as occurs where the principle is reversed. Now his mind took on a new thirst. he became imbued with the desire to tell the world the miracles of muscle building. in this he had a pre-reasoned plan, which will remain the monument to his fine work in leading others by unbiased, clear instruction, to the same goal of achievement he has won. He resolved that the best way to do this was to become a publisher. Again he wrote me of his aspiration which again was to face numerous handicaps. he started out with the princely sum of seven dollars, and the faith of a printer that he would win out. Much correspondence flowed between us. Certainly I was willing to guide him. I have never turned anyone down, always believing some day my help would reach one who would fill the great need in this particular field. The disappointments I have experienced in those who have failed, or become later ego exalted with small success, was all taken in my stride. I knew the law of percentages must prevail, and in Joe Weider I staked my faith that here was one who would carry on faithfully, free of bias, partiality, egotism and swell headedness, the torch which other worthy leaders whose day was over, or near over, had so grandly held aloft. I pointed out the struggles he would be called upon to endure. These he accepted as courageously as he had accepted his battle to win physical success. he has never faltered since he began. The time demand in this work is enormous, even without a financial handicap, and it is natural that this work would be a great drain on his time, demanding a sacrifice of his athletic activities. In 1943, he made his last competitive appearance. he stole time out to enter the Mr. Montreal Contest, which he lost by the skin of his teeth to his own pupil, Marshall Grenuck, by a bare half a point. This loss was one of his greatest victories as pointed out by the greatest philosophers who assert that the greatest reward of a teacher is to see his pupil exceed him. In a similar example Socrates' cup of gratitude was over filled as he saw his pupil Plato reach a height of achievement which time has never displaced.

Joe never forsook his body building practices even though he has been obliged to forego his weight lifting activities in your service. Let us look at him today at the age of 25. Physically, he is a sight to warm the hearts of the gods, even as he warmed my heart when he visited me at my home, Trelawny Manor, a couple of weeks ago. Height 5 feet 11 inches. Weight 196 lbs. Chest normal 47. Expanded 49. Waist 33. Neck 17. Biceps 16½. Forearm straight, 12¾. Thighs 25. Calf 16½. Truly, inspiring proportions, best of all, endowed with a vitalic strength, and resilient endurance that knows not the meaning of fatigue. His whole physique is streamlined with elastic, liquid moving muscle, the shapeliness of which would dazzle the eyes of the ancient Greek sculptors.

There is no doubt in my mind if Joe had been able to train steadfastly in weigh lifting he would be the reigning heavyweight champion. His impromptu lifts right now encroach on the records strongly, but his sacrifice has been your gain. His seven dollar capital with the first mimeographed copy of Y.P. has grown, through his untiring perseverance to be the most outstanding body building publication today, both in quality and in principle. from careful study and observation he has featured the right appeal which is evidenced by the meteoric rise of Y.P. within its short lift to vastly surpass the circulation of any other similar publication. So great did the sales become that it soon became apparent another magazine was needed to fully cover a specific need in the field of muscle building. To meet this demand, Joe began publication of "Muscle Power". This magazine was an immediate success, now crowding Y.P. in equal circulation, read by numerous thousands all over the English reading world. The quality of picturization, and the editorial matter is unequalled. Once again this great success shows the fruits of pre-reasoning and intelligent direction, and understanding readership service, and psychology. Joe has worked like a giant to accomplish this dual achievement, but his greatest merit lies in his understanding of honest principles, which above all else calls for honesty and loyalty to all those who read the pages of Y.P. and M.P. for helpful instruction. he has proven himself to be free of bias, prejudice, and above envy and partiality. no person with a helpful story to tell is denied space in these pages. the photo of any body builder or weight lifter, regardless of whose pupil he may be, is never refused the right to be displayed for the inspiration of its readers. Neither are the pages relegated exclusively to Weider pupils or friends, and never has the compromise been offered on the grounds that your picture will be shown , or your story boosted if you are willing to say you are a Weider pupil, or follower. indiscriminately, every one is treated alike in these truly democratic pages of instructive helpfulness. There is no price, and never was. No one can buy his way into its columns. In this manner Weider has performed a courageous, and meritorious service to his subscribers. Never once has he taken his entitled right to extol his own story, or feats in these pages. Unselfishly, he has leaned over backwards so that others may have this pleasure to inspire them to reach to higher goals. He absolutely refuses any writer to use space to defame others to satisfy their own malicious envy, and jealousy. Knocking he rightfully leaves to the knockers who have so much to hide in themselves, which invariably ensnares, and engulfs them in the evil of their own slime. The record proves the principle of his intelligent policy by the circulation of his periodicals, any one of which surpass by thousands the highest mark in this similar field.

This story is not written for the adulation of Joseph Weider. It is written at the request of his multitude of readers who seek a closer picture, and acquaintance of the man at the helm. For this job it was generally requested that I write his story for all to read. for quite a while Joe hesitated, then the demand became so insistent he rather shyly asked if I would do the story. To me it is a pleasure, if for not other reason that I believe in giving credit where merit is due. Joe gave me no instructions, no notes, no points to feature, because he knows I know him perhaps better than anyone else.

Nothing in the world would induce me to write a story on anyone who did not rightfully deserve my best effort. Where I have referred to his association with me is not to seek any credit whatsoever in the magnificent task that Joe has accomplished. Full well I know from many years of experience that one can from the store of his vast experience be the soundest counsellor, and instructor, but if the receiving party lacks the mental balance, the courage and the aggressive spirit, all wisdom is of no avail. All the credit belongs to Joe. He alone had the spirit to accept the titanic task. He alone supermounted all the obstacles of adversity that hampered his beginnings. His alone is the glory of the achievement. If I have done anything through my past counsel to help him achieve, I am happy in the thought and amply rewarded in it. It is in such asplendid characters as the Joe Weiders, that I am grateful for my profession, and the great many years I have been servicing the public from its pioneer stages to date, in the passion for greater strength, the desirability to secure a magnificent body, and the will to incorporate intelligence with body building to assert the mental and physical balance. in all honesty I can say that Joe is one of the best outstanding examples in achievement. He is this because he has lived through the throes and anguish of physical weakness, and knows the sweat and toil involved with strict determination to succeed. He is this because he has won his laurels the hard way. he is this because he applied the same masterful, intelligent, broadminded progressive policy to his publishing ventures. he is this because he diligently sought out the most capable writers to magnify his editorial policy. And in passing, may I say to all of these fine spirited writers, that their splendid contributions have positively helped make both Y.P. and M.P. the most popular and instructive publications in the field. If my thoughts should extend, and dwell a little longer with Earle E. Liederman, it is no reflection on the other writers, but an affectionate weakness that lingers with an old friendship, who has been my comrade in this field the longest of any other man. To you all I trust you will continue to back up Joe, and his splendid publications, always with the best that is in you. To you army of readers, may I trust you will remain loyal to Joe, and his work so that these splendid publications may expand more and more every month, over a vaster reading field. Now you know him as he is, you realize that he is one who by his own self determination has risen from the ranks in which you are now, to be of inestimable service to you, and thousands wherever our language is read. What his finally goal may be I cannot say. He writes to me, and talks with me at my home of his ambitions. i see him aflame with a contagious enthusiasm planning greater things for the instructive benefit of all body builders, and strength fans. His record proves that which he sets out for he will succeed in performing. He has a keen mind, and an eager energy. He never forgets. he tells me he can repeat many of my editorials off by heart, and has every letter I ever wrote him. Surely, this is in itself a wonderful tribute, and shows a zest that gets down to fundamentals. however, it can never be a one sided service. you too must do your part in standing by the one who has, and will, unfailingly stand by your. In conclusion, let me say, that my heart and admiration go out to this worthy young battler. Already he has taken his place among the great in our field of enterprise in building monuments of intelligent direction, and perhaps above all else, in making a monument of example of his own body, so that when you read his works you will know that in Joe Weider, lives a man in mind, body and deed who is a leader after your own heart who tops the field in body building publications - today.

Joe Weider's mind is always active, always reaching out to new fields of endeavor, and we feel assured that his other publishing ventures will meet with the same great success that has attended his efforts in the field of body building.