Muscles, Sex, Money, & Fame

By Jim Bennett

Bernarr Macfadden (1868 - 1955), internationally famous during his lifetime but almost unknown today, called the "Father of Physical Culture," nicknamed "Body Love" Macfadden by Time magazine, was a flamboyant personality, true visionary, millionaire publisher, and life-long advocate of physical fitness, natural food, outdoor exercise, and the natural treatment of disease. He inspired millions of people around the world to live healthful and vigorous lives. He was branded a "kook" and a charlatan by many, was arrested on obscenity charges, denounced by the medical establishment, and campaigned tirelessly against "pill-pushers," processed foods, and prudery. This is a comprehensive biography of the man and his crusade for better health. Loaded with photographs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365556890

Jim Bennett

Jim Bennett is a Xamarin MYP, Microsoft MVP, and Senior Cloud Developer Advocate at Microsoft, specializing in Xamarin mobile apps. He's a frequent speaker at events all around the world, including Xamarin user groups and Xamarin and Microsoft conferences. He regularly blogs about Xamarin development at https://jimbobbennett.io.

Book preview

Title Page

Muscles, Sex, Money, and Fame

(Originally titled Mighty Macfadden)

The Incredible True Story of a Man

and His Obsessions

Bernarr Macfadden

Bodybuilder, Health Advocate,

Proponent of Healthy Sex,

Pulp Magazine Publisher, Resort Owner,

Multi-Millionaire, and Tireless Self-Promoter

Jim Bennett

From the editor…

I have been collecting Macfadden materials since 1980 when I first discovered a well-worn copy of Health - Beauty - Sexuality at a used book sale. I was hooked. Since that day I have amassed an extensive collection of Macfadden materials—perhaps one of the most complete collections in the world.

Some years ago I decided to create a web site that presents a pictorial biography of Macfadden. I relied upon the eight published biographies (three of which Macfadden commissioned himself) together with a doctorial dissertation plus many of Macfadden's books, ephemera, copies of Physical Culture Magazine, and numerous newspaper and magazine articles.

I have interviewed and/or corresponded with innumerable individuals including: researchers, authors, people who knew Macfadden, and members of his family.

Recently I realized that the web site, because of the vast amount of material there (all accessed by links), has become somewhat of a challenge to navigate in its entirety. The result is this ebook—a compilation of all the information from my web site, plus some additional materials that are not on the site. I compiled this into the book which you now hold in your hands. I do hope you like what you see.

If you would like additional information, please contact me by e-mail.

Jim Bennett [e-mail]

The photograph on the cover was taken when Macfadden was 67 years old.

Copyright Jim Bennett, Riverflow Press,

2016

ISBN 978-1-365-55689-0

INTRODUCTION

Some of the amazing cover illustrations of magazines that Macfadden published during his long and illustrious career.

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Bernarr Macfadden (1868 - 1955), internationally famous during his lifetime but nearly forgotten today, called the Father of Physical Culture, nicknamed Body Love Macfadden by Time magazine, was a flamboyant personality, visionary, millionaire publisher, and life-long advocate of physical fitness, natural food, outdoor exercise, and the natural treatment of disease. He inspired millions of people around the world to live healthful and vigorous lives. He was branded a kook and a charlatan by many, was arrested on obscenity charges, denounced by the medical establishment, and campaigned tirelessly against pill-pushers, processed foods, and prudery.

The photograph above shows Macfadden when he was about 65!

EARLY YEARS

The story of Bernarr Macfadden's early years is about a sickly and weak child, who was orphaned, overcame great adversity and gained robust health, a muscular physique, and amazing strength.

Born Bernard Adolphus McFadden on August 16, 1868 in Mill Spring, Missouri, his childhood was anything but

easy. His father was an abusive alcoholic and his mother was a melancholy woman in very poor health. By the time he was just 11 years

old, both his parents had died, he had no real family, had lived with one and then another uncaring relative, had spent a year in an orphanage, and was essentially on his own in a cruel and unloving world.

He was a skinny and sickly child who was frequently ill and recovered slowly. When he was 7 or 8, he was vaccinated by a medically unsound method and almost died. This incident was the beginning of his distrust of doctors.

As a child he overheard a relative talking about him and saying that he was so weak and unhealthy that it wouldn't be long before he

died just like his mother had. Hearing this death notice was a turning point for Macfadden. He was determined to do whatever it took to become strong and healthy.

When he was 11, he was placed with a farmer who was looking for someone to do all his work. The boy quickly and proudly learned to do a man's portion of the labor. It was here, working outdoors doing all the jobs around the farm (including heavy work such as plowing, slaughtering pigs, and cutting down trees), that he began to grow strong and healthy. To him it was a miracle to see his body grow and become

strong and healthy. He worked on the farm for two years, after which he found work as an office boy and for two years advanced in office work. The problem was that he was losing the strength he had gained. By sixteen, he was starting to look and feel sickly again. He described himself as a physical wreck (see photo on a previous page.)

He preferred a job which required physical activity outdoors. He felt stifled working indoors; he felt like his muscles atrophied without strenuous activity out in the fresh air. All these experiences helped shape his ideas about health and fitness.

Macfadden on the left, working as a delivery boy for an uncle's grocery store Notice the self-assured and even cocky pose!

Exercise and Natural Methods

He bought his first set of dumbbells and began a daily exercise routine which he continued all his life. Walking was one of his favorite forms of exercise, and he walked 3-6 miles each day.

Early in life, he developed a strong aversion to tobacco and alcohol and all kinds of medications.

In order to improve his health and overcome a multitude of ailments, he tried natural methods on himself. He began to recognize that the body has the ability to heal itself if given the proper conditions. The experience he acquired in healing himself and from observations such as how animals do not eat

when they are ill became the foundation of his philosophy of health.

He was not tall - only 5ft - 6 and weighed around 145 lbs., but he developed powerful upper body muscles, a strong chest, and incredible stamina and energy. In addition to physical strength, he also developed a forceful and take-charge personality, unshakeable self-confidence, mental tenacity and determination. Those who met him for the first time were usually shocked to see how short he was. Because of his muscular appearance, he always looked taller in photographs than he actually was.

A Young Man With Ambition

Still in