Adversity motivates

In the period known as THE GOLDEN ERA OF BODYBUILDING,  such names  as John Grimek, Steve Reeves, Floyd Paige, George Eiferman, Reg Park, Alan Stephan and Jack Lalanne were household names among bodybuilders the world over. Clarence (Clancy) Ross had the special distinction of being known as the enviable  “ King Of Bodybuilders “.  Strength and perseverance were the hallmark for Mr. Ross who was referred to by writer-biographer David Gentle as "An inspiration to us all." Among his titles were: Mr. America, Mr. USA, and Mr. Universe.  Clarence Ross is considered a true ambassador of bodybuilding.  Ben Weider, the Iron Hand of Diplomacy, recognized around the world, Founder and Honorary Life President of the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness, recalls that Clarence Ross was always anxious to help others and to do whatever he could to make the sport more interesting.  He was gracious winner and a gentleman when the numbers did not add up in his favour. His philosophy was that “Life is so much more worth living when a person is strong and healthy.  Building good health and developing a muscular body is the world's most fascinating hobby; it is one you never tire of and one which brings you both success and happiness in life”.  Joe Weider, the rock upon which the Weider Barbell and Publishing empire was founded and which brought about worldwide interest in the development of bodybuilding, once described Clarence Ross as, "Sincere, intelligent and always willing to lend a fellow bodybuilder a helping hand, Clancy has given prestige to weight training and has helped lift the sport to a higher place."

The above accomplishments did not come easy.  Born in Oakland, California, Clarence Ross became an orphan at an early age and spent his youth in orphanages and foster homes. Despite this unfortunate beginning, he managed, at age seventeen, to start building a solid and proud future for himself. He decided it was time to build up his small frame and to add muscle. When the United States went to war following the bombing at Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was assigned the duty of weight training instructor.  It was here, in Las Vegas where he was stationed, that he met the man who was to be most instrumental in his accomplishing his drive to top physical development.   Leo Stern, a veteran bodybuilder, had developed more advanced training methods and was a strong influence in the development of a heavier, more muscular, Clarence Ross.

It is at this point that mentioning his influence on me might be appropriate. Having just purchased my first weight training set, the result of seven days a week delivering newspapers in my home town, I was able to order from Joe and Ben Weider that beautiful Weider “Championship” bodybuilding outfit for the-then wallet- breaking price of forty-eight dollars ($48.00). I ordered the 340 pounds of promise which came with a basic training course, included in the cost.

As a reward for my tenacity in acquiring the funds to make the above purchase, my father rewarded me, in 1947, with a visit to the Monument National in Montreal and the Mr. Canada contest.  Still a bit of a skeptic, my dad, like every member of the audience, was flabbergasted when Clarence Ross was announced and took his place at the posing platform.  When he struck his first pose the auditorium came alive with a deafening and spontaneous round of applause mixed with the AAHHHHS of a delighted audience.  When we returned home, my father, a hobby-carpenter, began to build my necessary benches and devised a storage area in the family kitchen where I could store the equipment.  He became my spotter and training partner.

You could become exhausted just reading the program of exercises that were part of the Clarence Ross personal development program.  David Gentle, in his tribute to Mr. Ross, outlines some of his physical achievements.

Strength and perseverance were the hallmark of Clarence Ross.  These were regular accomplishments … overhead press 315 lbs, multi-reps: Squats with 450 lbs – 10 reps:  bench-presses: 385 lbs – 10 reps, and repeated curls with 200 pounds of resistance.  These, Mr. Ross did without additives. Other than protein powder and a well-balanced food menu, plus the consumption of copious amounts of milk, Mr. Ross never touched the additives then available but, instead, prided himself on the consumption of well balanced, healthy, meals.

The competition was fierce in those days.  Some of the great names remain as inspiration to young bodybuilders today.  It is only right.  Such great champions should never be forgotten.

Clarence Ross has shown, in many ways, that adversity can be a great motivator. An image,  recognized worldwide by any kid who has read a comic book, the Charles Atlas bully kicking sand in the face of a skinny kid on the beach has been the motivating force for thousands of young boys who identified with this character.  Many of my friends who took up weight training did so because they were made aware that there was a way out,  physical exercise. The current trends for obesity in most countries could be reversed in many ways if weight training was made part of a physical health program.  Certainly, there are many forms of exercise, and all, done in moderation, would be a great contributor to the development of healthy children.  The story of how so many bodybuilders, like Mr. Ross, overcame their physical shortcomings to become champions in their field of endeavour can be adapted to any and all sports.  The solutions are twofold,  nutrition and exercise. Simplistic though it may seem, the message has to reach today's kids who daily abuse their own bodies through lack of these two major elements.

It is by following the example of major athletes, targeting to be the best they can be, will there be the beginning of a reversal to a healthier, happier and more productive life. There is a potential champion in all of us. It all begins with the single-minded dedication to an ideal such as exemplified by the great Champions like Clarence Ross.

Many of the greats went into motion pictures. They were, at first, used as extras decorating movie sets and carrying voluptuous queens. Clarence Ross was one of the first to break that mold and enjoy a brief stint as somewhat of a thespian.  Hollywood had signed him for various short subjects.  I most remember him for his role as the piano mover trying to please Joe McDoakes in the Pete Smith Specialties.  Although his superb physique was well displayed in this short feature film, Mr. Ross never took to acting. Others followed in his  footsteps.  You will recall “Hercules” played by both Steve Reeves and Reg Park and among others films “Conan the Barbarian” played by Multi Mr. Olympia Champion and now Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to name a few.

After a long life of training and competition Clarence Ross became a writer with the Weider publications and other magazines, Gym owner and Manager and a successful businessman.  He still follows a daily training regimen.

Born in 1923, Clarence Ross now lives in quiet retirement in Conta Costra County, California.  He must never be forgotten by the thousands he has inspired and for his great personal successes. Clarence Ross truly has earned a place in bodybuilding history as THE KING OF BODYBUILDERS.