#210 – Is this Gold’s Gym Innovator the Architect of the Health and Fitness Craze in America?
This week on The Alden Report, we are joined by successful architect, author and health and fitness legend Ed Connors. Ed's life and career have been fascinating to say the least. Originally born in Omaha, Nebraska, Ed graduated from Creighton Preparatory School, as well as the University of California, Berkeley, where he received a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He was drafted into the Army and served in the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters.
After returning from the war, Ed began his architecture career and worked for several prominent firms, including Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo & Associates and the office of Charles Eames. During this time, he was involved in the design of major projects such as California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles, the Headquarters for the Port of L.A. in San Pedro, and Fox Plaza in Century City.
In 1979, Ed and two partners purchased the single Gold's Gym in Santa Monica, California. They developed specific plans and programs that allowed the company to grow from a single gym operation to a multi-faceted company engaged in product distribution and licensing. Ed opened up the first gym franchise ever with a Gold's Gym in San Francisco, and the chain grew to 704 locations in 26 countries and 46 states before he exited the company in 2004.
During his time building the Gold's Gym brand, Ed helped shape the careers of hundreds of individuals, including Ms. Olympia Cory Everson and Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. He also got several dozen athletes into professional wrestling and helped launch the careers of several TV personalities.
Today, Ed is working on his memoir entitled THE THREE MUSCLETEERS and actively pursuing the creation of a new gym model suited for the post-pandemic world.
You’re not going to miss the portion of our discussion where we debate the prevalence and effects that performance enhancing drugs have had on the industry both in its infancy and today.
Thank you very much to Ed for joining me on The Alden Report.
For more information on Ed Connors and his law firm, you can visit: https://edconnors.com/
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