Jack LaLanne Godfather of Fitness 1: How to be a Champion

Jack Lalanne at 71

Jack LaLanne will always be an inspirational figure. LaLanne was the host of the longest running exercise tv show ever, The Jack LaLanne Show, for an incredible 34 years. He also performed various strength and endurance feats including the following (taken from Jack LaLanne.com):

• 1954 (age: 40)
  

  Jack swam the entire length of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA, underwater with 140 pounds of equipment, including air tanks – A world record.

• 1956 (age: 42)
  

  Jack set a world record of 1,033 push-ups in 23 minutes 50 seconds.

• 1975 (age: 61)
  

  Repeating his performance of 21 years earlier, Jack again swam the entire length of the Golden Gate Bridge, underwater and handcuffed, but this time he was shackled and towed a 1,000 pound boat.

• 1976 (age: 62)
  

  To commemorate the “Spirit of 76″ United States Bicentennial, Jack swam one mile in Long Beach Harbor. He was handcuffed and shackled, and he towed 13 boats, representing the 13 original colonies, containing a total of 76 people.

Motivational Style: How to be a Champion

LaLanne’s motivational style was what made him such an icon and gave him so much success on television and his advice still stikes a chord today. Don’t let the back and white picture put you off. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, listening to Jack always gives you a lift. Let’s start by looking at How to be a Champion.

You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know,
God has equipped you for life,
But he lets you decide what you want to be.