Phone Interview with Steve Reeves, PT 4 By Tony DeFrancisco

Me: So Steve, tell me what motivated you to start weight training?

SR: A friend of mine at school. I noticed he suddenly looked larger with muscles. I was curious so asked what was going on. He told me he started lifting weights and was growing like a weed.

I was tall but thin and had to wear a back brace. I wanted to build myself up so joined him for a workout after school one day. Once I experienced the "pump" I was sold. I looked in the mirror he had in his home and though My God, I'm getting bigger already. This sure works fast. Of course he told me that the pump was temporary but over time I would gain.

Then I noticed a magazine with John Grimek on the cover. I could not believe the mass he had. I knew then that I wanted to be a bodybuilder. Little did I know at that time that I would be competing against the great one only a few years later.

Reeves said that John Grimek was his first hero in bodybuilding and seeing him on the cover of strength & health inspired him.

Then I looked inside the magazine and saw another picture of Grimek doing a back pose holding a spear. I thoguht to myself, I bet he doesn't have to wear a back brace.

Another picture of Grimek that inspired the young Reeves.

Me: So Grimek inspired you too. He was one of my heroes when I started although my biggest hero was you Steve.

SR: You trying to score points with me? (laughing)

Me: No Seriously. I saw you in one of your first movies, "Goliath & The Barbarians" I was only about 9 years old at the time. But I remember thinking I would do anything to look that guy. He is incredible. I am sure you know Steve that you inspired millions.

SR: Joe Weider told me the bulk of mail he recieved from 1958 to 1965 was fan mail for me and that so many said that they were inspired by my movies. I am flattered that I played a role in motivating them to a healthy lifestyle.

Me: Did you make fast gains or were you a slow gainer?

Reeves after training for a short time. The potential was evident.

SR: Surprisingly to me, I grew like a weed. I was young and at point in time where the hormones were flowing and was in a growth mode. To me I seemed to be gaining very quickly. I was happily surprised.

The first Reeves movie that I saw which inspired me. Thank you Mr. Reeves.

Reeves in Goliath and The Barbarians, circa 1960

Me: So when did you start competing bodybuilding events"

SR: In 1946. I won the Mr Pacific Coast in Oregon. I didn't tell anyone other than Ed Yarick, my training partner and my mother that I was entering this competition. When I came back to the gym on Monday, the guys asked where I was over the weekend. I showed them my trophies. Then I said, someday I will be Mr. America. At that time, that was the highest title in the world.

Me: And from there? Where did you compete next?

SR: I won Mr. Western America in 1947, and then later that year won the Mr. America title.

Me: I have to ask you Steve and don't take this the wrong way. Some people over the years said you were very lucky to win the Mr. America that it was very controversial and you only won by 1/2 pt.

SR: Oh yes. I was actually in a tie with Eric Pederson. He was a very good bodybuilder and had just won the prestigious Mr. California title. Back then winning Mr. California was like one stepping stone away from winning Mr. America.

Pederson was very blocky. He was built like Grimek, only much more muscular. He had big arms. Sort of like a 1940s version of Larry Scott, only without the aesthetics.

The judges had us deadlocked in a tie, but then one judge noticed that Pederson had a pimple so on that awarded the title to me.

I knew I was in trouble when some of the judges referring to Pederson said, "He is built like Grimek" Back then Grimek was God in the bodybuilding world and in the AAU they were all led to believe that he was invincible. The judges back in those days, got their certifications to judge bodybuilding events at AAU National weightlifting competitions and they adored Grimek.

While I was happy to win, I didn't like winning based on a pimple. I felt that I was much better than Pederson and truth be told, I competed against Pederson 4 times, winning three times with Pederson coming in second and in our final encounter, the 1948 Mr Usa, which was like the Mr. Olympia contest of it's time, I came in 2nd to Clancy Ross, Pederson came in fourth.

Me: I hear you created quite a stir at the Mr. America even that year.

SR: Yeah, I was walking along the beach and people were staring at me. One lady crashed her car looking at me. I was uncomfortable with this. Couldn't understand what they saw so unusual in me.

Me: You're kidding right? With looks like yours and a physique like that, you were surprised that people were staring? They must have thought Zeus sent a greek god down to earth.

SR: Laughing. A greek god? Hardly.

Me: You are too modest.

Reeves stopped crowds simply by walking along the beach

Onlookers seeing Reeves pose for these pictures must have though that a greek god had descended from Mt. Olympus. Reeves has been called the best looking and best build man of all time. I agree.

Above, Reeves vs Eric Pederson for the 1947 AAU Mr. America. Only 1/2 pt separated these two. AAU judging was wierd back in those days. Pederson was very good, but not even close to Reeves.

Reeves winning the 1947 AAU Mr. America with 1946 AAU Mr. America and a very pretty girl.

Reeves shows a nice lat spread at the AAU Mr. America in 1947 while pretty girls look on smiling. Great symmetry. Incredible legs.

The girls loved Reeves.

1946 AAU Mr. America with the then new AAU Mr. America Steve Reeves.

More in pt 5