In this Escape Your Limits Podcast episode, Matthew Januszek welcomes legendary bodybuilder and coach **Rick Valente**, best known as the co‑host of ESPN’s *BodyShaping*. Valente’s story is one of resilience and transformation.
Born and raised in Connecticut, he found an early passion for fitness and sports amid a challenging upbringing surrounded by drugs. Determined to build a bodybuilder’s physique, he made the life‑changing decision to move to California in the early 1980s to train at the iconic Gold’s Gym. His dedication paid off when he won Mr. Los Angeles and placed second in Mr. California. A serious pectoral injury in 1987 shifted his focus from competing to coaching and personal training.
Valente shares timeless fitness wisdom, personal growth advice and behind‑the‑scenes stories of training alongside legends like **Arnold Schwarzenegger** and **Gregory Hines**. Key points covered in this conversation include:
- Overcoming a troubled upbringing through sports and training.
- The pivotal decision to move to California and train at Gold’s Gym.
- The energy and culture of Gold’s Gym in the 1980s.
- Training with legends and the community spirit of old‑school bodybuilding.
- The art of posing and the aesthetics of bodybuilding.
- Reflections on training methods and how they’ve evolved over the years.
- Hosting the hit fitness TV show “BodyShaping” and its influence on fitness culture.
- Dealing with family tragedies, retirement boredom and finding renewed passion.
Listen to the full episode of Escape Your Limits featuring Rick Valente here: https://escapefitness.libsyn.com/ep-339-from-grit-to-glory-rick-valentes-journey-from-400-to-golds-gym-icon
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