Bill Pearl

Bill Pearl is considered one of the pioneers of modern bodybuilding.  He was named the 20th Century’s Best Built Man, has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame, and has served as a coach or mentor to dozens of bodybuilding champions. Bill coached Apollo astronauts in the 1960s and was the first bodybuilder to write bodybuilding training manuals. His book Getting Stronger has sold more than 350,000 copies in the United States alone. He won the Mr. Universe contest on five separate occasions. The fifth and final time he won it after coming out of retirement. Bill is famous for his 3 a.m. workouts at his home gym in Oregon, which are open to all.  At 80 years old, Bill still continues to train with his wife Judy every morning from 3:30 to 7 am.

From the very beginning of Sri Chinmoy’s weightlifting career in 1985, Bill gave him tremendous encouragement. The two established a very close friendship and communicated regularly during Sri Chinmoy’s most intense years of training.

“What Sri Chinmoy has done in his weightlifting is an absolute miracle. He is a man of unique strength, a spiritual man exemplifying mind over matter. He is not merely lifting a dumbbell – he is trying to lift the attitude of the world.” – Bill Pearl