The Way to Live in Health and Strength

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For my birthday this year, I purchased one of my favorite books, The Way to Live in Health and Strength (affiliate link) by Georg Hackenschmidt.  Georg Hackenschmidt set many weightlifitng world records before focusing on professional wrestling.  Hackenschmidt would win the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship in 1901. Hackenschmidt would reign as undefeated World Champion for 7 years until losing his

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William Muldoon and His Health Farm

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William Muldoon, a former New York City detective, won the World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship by defeating Thiebaud Bauer.  Muldoon reigned for ten years before retiring as champion.  After retiring, he began to make a living as a personal trainer. Muldoon trained many wrestlers but really came to prominence after getting a woefully out of shape John L. Sullivan fit for

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William Muldoon, Physical Culture Legend

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I first read about William Muldoon in a biography of John L. Sullivan, the last bare knuckle heavyweight champion.  Sullivan ushered in gloved boxing by refusing to take part in any more bare knuckle bouts. The last major bare knuckle bout was fought by Sullivan against Jake Kilrain in 1889.  Odds were against Sullivan, a binge drinker indulging heavily between bouts.  He was

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A Tale of Two Turnvereine Halls

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The fate of much of St. Louis’ historic buildings prove the old real estate adage.  It’s all about location, location, location.  If the building is in the South St. Louis, it has a better chance of being saved than a building on the North Side.  The same could be said for buildings located in the center of the city except

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Hackenschmidt Tours St. Louis in 1905

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The May 9, 1905 edition of the St. Louis Republic’s sport section contained a story about an upcoming match between local wrestler George Baptiste and the touring World Wrestling Champion, George Hackenschmidt.  The paper did not give Baptiste a chance against Hackenschmidt, who just beat Tom Jenkins for the World Championship.  If the editor knew “Hack’s” condition at the time, he may have

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Hack and What It Takes To Be Great

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George Hackenschmidt (1877-1968) was a world record holding weightlifter and World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion before wrestling was prearranged and lifters were using steroids.  Hackenschmidt achieved a level of greatness due to several factors. He achieved a high level of physical fitness.  His physical condition allowed him to be the most successful wrestler of his era.  A few wrestlers may have been

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