Follow your dream

Flex, August, 2003 by Joe Weider

Follow your bliss. You may have heard that saying. It means that you shouldn't endlessly worry about what career to choose. Simply do what you love, and the money and other rewards of life will come to you.

In a way, it's the story of my life. I began doing what I love more than 60 years ago, and I have been rewarded abundantly in many different ways. When I began publishing my first newsletter, I didn't think about how much money I'd have in the bank after six decades. I just loved bodybuilding and wanted to share my passion with the rest of the world. Now, I'm happy to say, bodybuilders the world over are sharing in the rewards of following their bliss.

Of course, it wasn't always this way. Many years ago, when Dave Draper, the Blond Bomber, first moved to Southern California, he met George Eiferman, one of the greatest physique champs of all time and famous in his day. I remember Dave telling me how surprised he was that George was driving an old jalopy that barely ran. In fact, it broke down before the two of them got to their destination. "Shouldn't he have a nice car?" Dave asked. "I mean, he's George Eiferman!"

George Eiferman was George Eiferman because he had a deep passion for bodybuilding. He loved training and the bodybuilding lifestyle, and although he was widely photographed and was even part of Mae West's entourage for a time, he lived modestly. He, like all the legends of the sport--including the Bomber--trained for the sheer joy of it. They followed their bliss.

I'm proud to say that an elite pro bodybuilder no longer has to worry about whether his car will break down on the way to the gym. Our sport has grown tremendously over the years, and now, thanks to endorsements and contracts, a professional bodybuilder can be just that.

Recently, three more gifted athletes were added to the Weider stable. Markus Ruhl, Troy Alves and Timea Majorova are now part of our family, and I'd like to welcome them. They join a group of more than 20 great bodybuilders and fitness stars under contract with Weider.

I'm proud to give back to the sport and to help support these athletes. But I'm even more grateful that the industry has grown so much that bodybuilders can now earn a good living doing what they love to do.

These days, George Eiferman would be driving Dave Draper around in a much nicer car. And I know where they'd be going, too. They'd be following their bliss. I recommend you do the same.