Most Famous Missourian You Have Never Heard Of

Bernarr MacFadden would be a multi-media mogul today. The flamboyant man led the modern fitness movement, built resorts for wellness, advocated low carb diet decades long before Dr. Adkins, built a media empire, and practically invented the bodybuilding competition.

Yet with all that going for him, he was still called a “kook”, arrested for indecency, had the medical establishment completely distance itself from him, and is largely unknown to many people today.

And to think, the “Father of Physical Culture” got his start as a sickly boy from a small town in Missouri. MacFadden might be the most famous Missourian you have never heard of.

“A practical working knowledge of how to keep well is the best form of life insurance one can possess.”
-Bernarr MacFadden

The Early Years:

Bernard Adolphus MacFadden was born in 1868 in Mill Spring, which is a small town in southeast Missouri with about 150 residents. To say he had a rough childhood would be an understatement. He was often sick and told by doctors that he would likely die at an early age. His father was abusive, his mother was constantly sick, and neither parent was alive by the time he was 12 years old.

He almost died at age 7 from the treatment he received by a doctor. That treatment made him forever distrustful of the medical field. He finally took his health into his own hands as a teen after a relative told him that just like his mother he would be dead soon.

Rise To Fame:

MacFadden gained an interest in physical labor while he was still a teenager after noticing that working at a desk or indoor job made him sluggish, weak, and lose muscle mass. He also realized that exercising and eating right helped him perform better at work and heal more quickly. During this time, a flamboyant personality was developing alongside his body. He competed in wrestling competitions and was often the crowd favorite because of his physique and flair. Fans wanted to know his secret for vitality. That gave him the realization that his mission was to teach the world how to reclaim their health.

MacFadden was about 18 when he moved to the St. Louis area and opened an exercise studio. He called himself a kinestherapist, or “teacher of physical fitness.” His slogan, “Weakness is a crime, don’t be a criminal,” got the attention of health enthusiasts, which put him on the path to stardom.

Show Me Success:

MacFadden knew that to reach more people with his message on health he had to move to a bigger city. He opened an exercise studio in New York City and soon had a large and influential clientele. Around this time, he changed his name to Bernarr, from Bernard, because it sounded stronger and more distinctive.

MacFadden gained nationwide attention when Time magazine called him “Body Love.” Oddly enough, at the same time the medical establishment was calling him a “kook.”

His claims that a proper diet and healthy living helped him improve his eyesight and regrow hair raised plenty of eyebrows. MacFadden shunned the medical establishment, ate only natural foods, walked hundreds of miles at a time, campaigned against white bread, married four times, and was flamboyant to a fault. He was even arrested on obscenity charges for some of his physical displays and writings.

Bernarr MacFadden: The Media Superstar

He ultimately published numerous books, newspapers, and magazines under his own publishing label, opened hotels and sanitariums in the name of natural health, and became a financial and business success. He even began his own bodybuilding competition in 1903 to crown the most physically fit person in America. This competition was the springboard for more famous events, including the Mr. Universe contest and Mr. Olympia.

Bernarr MacFadden was now a bona fide star. He hung out with celebrities, the rich and famous, and even presidents. His books motivated millions to strive for better health, both physical and mental. His ideas led the way for the fitness celebrities we know today. He developed entire communities devoted solely to physical health and even pioneered a form of solar energy in his healthy house. He lived to be 87 and was healthy to the very end, physically outperforming many people half his age.

Extra, Extra!

• Whole wheat bread likely stemmed from MacFadden’s efforts against white bread.
• He shocked people by urging people to wear loose clothing. He said that wearing tight-fitting garments was barbaric.
• His supporters tried to convince him to run for the governorship of Florida where he owned a health spa.
• He often fasted when he was sick because he noticed that animals do not eat when they are ill.

A deeper look at MacFadden’s life can be found here.