Dr. Finance Live Podcast Episode 58 - Ed Connors Interview - ex-Gold's Gym Owner - Fitness Pioneer

(Originally aired 5/5/22): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muyHnJi2aKA

This is Episode 58 of the Dr. Finance® Live Podcast hosted by Dr. Anthony M. Criniti IV (aka “Dr. Finance®”). Dr. Criniti interviewed Edward Connors, ex-Gold's Gym owner, successful businessman, mentor, author, architect, and fitness pioneer.

On February 28, 1979, Ed Connors, along with two partners purchased the single Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica, California. Before exiting the company in 2004, Ed would see the chain grow to 704 locations in 26 countries and 46 states.

While building the Gold’s Gym brand, Ed Connors was involved in helping shape the careers of hundreds of individuals, including Ms. Olympia Cory Everson and Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. He got several dozen athletes into professional wrestling, including Sting, the Ultimate Warrior, and John Cena, and TV personalities like Evan Marriott (Joe Millionaire), and Joey Gloor (MTV’s I USED TO BE FAT ).

0:00 - 39:17 - Podcast welcome and Ed's story
39:18 - 43:28 - Overview of book; THE THREE MUSCLETEERS; Mike Alden; Foreword by John Cena
43:29 - 50:21 - Who was Joe Gold and what role did he play in the history of Gold’s gym?
50:22 - 51:33 - Who was better: World’s Gym or Gold’s Gym during the beginning of your reign?
51:34 - 1:02:25 - Who was Joe Weider and what role did he play in the history of body building?
1:02:26 - 1:06:05 - What is Venice Beach like and what is its significance to bodybuilding?
1:06:06 - 1:10:02 - What was other gym’s like before Gold’s Gym? Jack LaLanne, spas and dirty gyms
1:10:03 - 1:16:47 - Who were some of the celebrity figures that you have worked alongside in your career? Jay Cutler, Vince McMahon
1:16:48 - 1:18:54 - What was the relationship between Gold’s Gym and Arnold Schwarzenegger during your reign?
1:18:55 - 1:28:36 - Why was an architect attracted to the fitness and wrestling world?
1:28:37 - 1:31:41 - What role did you play in scouting for professional wrestling (John Cena, Ultimate Warrior, Sting)?
1:31:42 - 1:34:24 - Why do you think modern bodybuilding was never invented before the mid-20th century?
1:34:25 - 1:41:24 - Why did many of the bodybuilders use steroids?
1:41:25 - 1:42:40 - What is the future of the gym industry in a post Covid 19 pandemic world?
1:42:41 - 1:45:21 - What role did money play in the expansion of the fitness industry and all of its related industries (ie, Reebok and clothing)?
1:45:22 - 1:49:44 - Why did you decide to step out from behind the scenes as a power house for a corporate brand to becoming a personal brand so late in life?
1:49:45 - 1:52:13 - From your experience in the fitness industry working with some of the biggest fitness gurus, is it possible for humans to live forever? Should they want to?
1:52:14 - 1:52:40 - What are three of your best tips for living a long and healthy life?
1:52:41 - 1:54:25 - Can 1 book change the world?
1:54:26 - 1:55:25 - What role has networking played in your life?
1:55:26 - 1:56:24 - Is mentoring important? Who are some of your mentors?
1:56:25 - 1:58:56 - What are your favorite financial books? Wall Street Journal
1:58:57 - 1:59:34 - Do we need money to survive?
1:59:35 - 2:00:15 - Is finance necessary for everyone?
2:00:16 - 2:10:11 - How important is having a purpose in business? What is your purpose? Warren Buffett
2:10:12 - 2:14:51 - What would you like to accomplish in the next 10 years or so?
2:14:52 - 2:15:25 - What would you like to be your legacy to this world?
2:15:26 - 2:25:37 - Wrap up thoughts and Outro

Dr. Anthony M. Criniti IV (aka “Dr. Finance®”) is the world's leading financial scientist and survivalist. A fifth generation native of Philadelphia, Dr. Criniti is a former finance professor at several universities, a former financial planner, an active investor in diverse marketplaces, an explorer, an international keynote speaker, and has traveled around the world studying various aspects of finance. He is an award winning author of three #1 international best-selling finance books: The Necessity of Finance (2013), The Most Important Lessons in Economics and Finance (2014), and The Survival of the Richest (2016). As a prolific writer, he also frequently contributes articles to Entrepreneur, Medium, and Thrive Global. Dr. Criniti has started a grassroots movement that is changing the way that we think about economics and finance.

For more information about Doctor Finance, please visit https://DrFinance.Info.

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