William Muldoon and His Health Farm

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 wrestlers but really came to prominence after getting a woefully out of shape John L. Sullivan fit for his title tilt with Jake Kilraine. Sullivan defeated Kilraine making Muldoon famous for his training methods. William Muldoon primarily trained individuals before opening his health farm, Olympia in 1900.

Olympia was Muldoon’s West Chester County farm. It was the first health spa frequented by the rich and famous. President Theodore Roosevelt sent his Secretary of State Elihu Root to Muldoon for a regimen to restore Root’s health.

One of the other politicians, who sought treatment at Olympia, was former U.S. Ambassador to Britain, Joseph H. Choate. The September 15, 1906, edition of Goodwin’s Weekly out of Salt Lake City, Utah describes the regimen that Choate experienced.

On Choate’s first night, everyone went to bed at 9:30 p.m., which was the typical bedtime at Olympia. The housekeeper began to knock on certain doors at 6 a.m. She did not knock on Choate’s door, but he figured that he was up, so he dressed and went down to breakfast.

Muldoon bellowed at him, “Did I knock on your door?”  When Choate protested that he was not tired, Muldoon sent him back to bed until Muldoon called for him at 7 a.m. Choate then went through a series of hard exercises with a medicine ball before breakfast. He then had to ride a horse and take a long walk up a hill. Keep in mind that Choate was 74 years old at the time.

On the same evening, Choate cleaned his plate except for his potatoes. He asked for more beef. Muldoon said that Choate could have seconds once he ate his potatoes. When Choate said that he did not like potatoes, Muldoon replied, “Then no more beef.”  Choate finished his potatoes.

Choate quickly adapted to the routine and within the first week, Choate felt his strength return. Choate found the medicine ball exercises getting easier. Even at 74, Choate could now run up the hill instead of just walking up it.

After six weeks, Choate felt that he was healthy enough to go back to work. Muldoon’s regimen improved Choate’s complexion and endurance. Muldoon agreed. “You are in pretty good shape now.”  Choate ruefully remarked, “I should be.”  While Choate may not have “enjoyed” the treatment, it restored Choate’s health, which is why he came to Olympia.

While Muldoon’s methods were harsh, it was his way of dealing with the challenge for most life coaches, whether it is health, career, or personal development. The person seeking help knows they need to make changes but do not want to give up whatever psychological comfort they received from the bad habit. Most people with bad eating habits know they should not eat junk food every day, but they do not want to stop. Muldoon’s harsh method was effective in overcoming his client’s resistance.

Muldoon trained people in physical culture until the end of his life at age 81 on June 3, 1933. Muldoon’s work helped sick and unhealthy people. If you are facing the same challenge as Ambassador Choate, you may need a personal trainer to get your health journey kicked off in the right direction. I have not needed a personal trainer, but I know it helped other people in my family get their health journey kick started.

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