He was orphaned at a young age, grew up working as a farm hand, and quickly realized all the benefits his body was experiencing from the rigorous daily labor. In his early twenties he was selling an exercise device at the World’s Fair when he caught a glimpse of strongman Eugene Sandow’s strength and posing routine. He was captivated by the perfect lighting glancing off his sinewy muscles. Shortly afterwards he rented out two small studios in New York. To make ends meet he became the world’s first legitimate personal trainer by coaching actors and others to their ideal physique. It was around this time he changed his name from Bernard Mcfadden to Bernarr Macfadden since it reminded him of a lion’s roar and his new last name was much more masculine and authoritative.

Some of his accolades in adulthood include:

-Creating a raw food health community outside New York.

-Discovering Angelo Siciliano AKA Charles Atlas.

-Hosting Britain’s Most Perfect Woman Contest and marrying the winner.

-Opening inexpensive health food restaurants during the Great Depression.

-Publishing the magazine Physical Culture which ran from 1899 to 1949 and currently holds the record for longest running health and fitness publication.

Bernarr’s recommendations for a healthy lifestyle would be to Fast (Bernarr did every Monday) & walk at least three miles a day. (Bernarr would occasionally go twenty miles barefoot while commuting to work) He was also against prudery and believed in the importance of intercourse for all around great health. (Bernarr had nine children)

Check out BernarrMacfadden.com for more insight. You can also read Bernarr’s best work, Vitality Supreme for a taste of his writing and Mark Adams entertaining and informative biography Mr. America:How Muscular Millionaire Bernarr Macfadden Transformed the Nation Through Sex, Salad, and the Ultimate Starvation Diet. An excellent resurrection of the enigmatic fitness legend, Bernarr Macfadden.