49 Comments

This was such an interesting story. Just like your stories about the world of magic, this world of body-building is unfamiliar to me, and so, it was interesting to read about some of the inner workings of it.

I was also very interested to learn that — “tomatoes contain enough salt that eating one can add enough water to bloat your muscles...” — I had no idea tomatoes had so much salt in them!

The Arny story was also pretty rough - how horrible that was.

And I really enjoyed the way you rounded the story out by touching on the way bodybuilding helped you realise the capabilities of mind and body.

Thanks Charlotte

Expand full comment

tomatoes contain enough salt that eating one can add enough water to bloat your muscles...

I'm wondering if it is with or without the seeds.

Expand full comment

🤷‍♀️

Expand full comment

Having grown up in a gym, I can only agree with this. My parents had a gym for 28 years and my father is still fit as a fiddle at the age of 73. I'm 45 now and working out is as much a part of my routine as brushing my teeth or taking a shower. What a great story!

Expand full comment

Keep it up! Congratulations! It never hurt Jack Lalanne! He was fit as a fiddle until he passed away. 💪

Expand full comment

A true inspiration as well.

Expand full comment

Your stories are quite interesting - I missed this part of the '70s and '80s. So, it was nice to read about your exploits.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Keith! It was a Hollywood fitness era, for sure. It is gone now! The old weed or headquarters in Canoga Park is now empty and for sale. However, it may have sold recently.

Expand full comment

What a fascinating piece, and so well told. Thanks for sharing that.

Expand full comment

🤗 Thank you! I appreciate you took the time to read and comment on it!

Expand full comment

Very fun, positive message. I can't believe you placed so well after only 3 months of training!

Cheers

Expand full comment

Thank you! I think I only did well because those days were the very beginning of women’s bodybuilding. The sport was filled with women who were athletes from other competitive sports. A lot of gymnasts!

Expand full comment

Charlotte, that was a great blog. You reminded of so many of the things I went through during my younger days. I also got into body building, we started young with home made barbells and dumb bells. then on to sports and the gyms. Eventually working out at Bill Pearls gym in Pasadena. I'm going to stop here, if I don't I'll fill up this blog with lots of memories. I always thought you looked like a smaller version of Cory Everson, very symmetrical. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us. All of these blogs together could make a great book.

Expand full comment

Great work and history 👍🌺 I do care about by body figure, don't remember how was that in 80 ties and 90 ties but it's a something new for me 💓

Time flies...

Expand full comment

Thank you! Maintenance of a healthy body takes work! But it’s good work. For me I feel wonderful and happy when I eat well and exercise! Blessings to you! 🌸🌼💖

Expand full comment

I have not. I just looked it up and see three different movies from 79 83 and 03. I'll see if any are on my TV apps. Thanx

Expand full comment

The first one - 79 👏

Expand full comment

WoW! That took me back many years. I watched it and I vaguely remember some of it. 🙌

Expand full comment

What an inspiring journey. Thanks for sharing your story.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for taking time to read it! That happened in another lifetime, Lol! 🤗🌸

Expand full comment

Sharing the love :)

Expand full comment

🥰🥰🥰

Expand full comment

Thank you! I need to start moving again myself! Lol! Turn Seinfeld off for awhile! Thank you! Have a blessed day! 🙏♥️🤗

Expand full comment

Glad you enjoyed it. He is one of my favorites here. Smart and not smug.

Expand full comment

👍👍👍

Expand full comment

Aloha ! Happy Caturday !

Expand full comment

Thank you and back at you! 🌺🌺🌺 And I appreciate you shared my post! 🤗

Expand full comment

Wow! Thanks for sharing your story and your amazing pictures. I really enjoyed reading this post. As a former ballet dancer, I get the whole idea of mind over body and have always had a deep appreciation for independent, competitive sports. Thanks again for the fascinating read!

Expand full comment

Thank you Amanda! I too started as dancer! Dancing in some ways led me into my life of magic! Blessings to you! 🤗

Expand full comment

That’s so cool! I feel like dancing led me to writing, since we were always telling stories on stage. I bet performing magic is much the same. Have a great weekend, Charlotte! 😊✨

Expand full comment

As performing artists of dance and magic our storytelling is mostly silent. So it’s great to express ourselves by writing. Have a magical weekend! 🪄✨🥰

Expand full comment

That’s an exciting backstory! Thanks for sharing

Expand full comment

What a wonderful glimpse into origin stories. I geek out over sport medicine and am constantly intrigued with the mind body connection, as well as how that shows up in what we consider “identity” as we evolve. Or, you summed it up real well, confidence in “you” as you, not what someone else prefers “you” to be.

Thanks for sharing your story! I appreciate the lessons you shared. Want the best, gotta master the basics.

Take care this fall and have some fun!!

Expand full comment

Ben, awwwww! 🤗 Thank you so much. It t warms my heart to read your warms. True confidence comes from the inside out. 🤗💖

Expand full comment

Good morning Charlotte. What an awesome read. Thank you for sharing those wonderful memories and pictures. You are what I call a Stallioness! Amazing pictures. You actually took me back in time as well. I used to tell everyone I was a cross between Arnold Schwarzenegger and David Lee Roth. I used to get the Muscle Fitness mag and do Arnold's work out routine. In those days I had the long thick mane of hairs. I still do but not so thick. I was a drummer in a hair band of the 80s- 90s. Ending up being a Roady for McCarthy when he did his World tour. Then Roadied for VH with Sammy, STP, Alice in Chains, Motley Crue and Sting. I recorded a couple CDs but never made it like the boys. Either way, I had an Awesome time. Sounds like you were well in the mix of some big names as well. The memories of those past days puts a smile on my face as I'm sure it does for you as well. I basically lived for the day and had no clue to what was going on in this highly corrupt world. I'd take those days again vs where we stand today. What an evil shit show we live in. I learned I don't like not participate in politics. It's hard not hear a little about what's going on but for the most part I take care of my own little sandbox, live with Christ Holy Spirit within and do my part to help those less fortunate. I have been molded by God through life and have become an entirely different person as to who I once was. I am So grateful for who I am today and Extremely grateful to still be alive. Only God knows how many times He saved my life. It's nice being able to reflect back and smile at what we once had and who we were than. That's what made us and brought us to where we are today.

You truly look amazing in those pictures Charlotte. I believe we are fortunate to have lived in this time we have. God created us for this time and I am Oh So Thankful. Please have a wonderful day Charlotte and keep that lovely smile upon your beautiful face. God has blessed you! 🙏❤️

Expand full comment

I really appreciate your support SJF! Thank you! Your kind words motivate me! Have a blessed magical day! ✨💖✨

Expand full comment

Thank you dear, shall do! 💓💫

Expand full comment

BTW, I love the name Stallioness! 😃♥️🤗

Expand full comment

Awesome! From the looks of you in those pictures, you definitely deserve the Title Stallioness. I took on the name Stallion some 30+ yrs ago. Not a bad ego boost. My friends definitely knew what it meant when I said "Stallionize" that... Pretty sure I'm also the one who came up with "Stallion Style". SS. I smile and chuckle when friends would tell me how they had done something Stallion Style or they Stallionized something. My brothers use the term with their sons.

Thought I'd elaborate a little bit on how these terms came about. I figured a woman can't be a Stallion but can definitely be a Stallioness. 🥰

Expand full comment

One of my favorite, if not my favorite film is Black Stallion. Have you seen it?

Expand full comment

The sound track music from Black Stallion is beautiful 🤗

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4STNQQBkWE

Expand full comment

You have some great stories to tell! I hope to read in detail your time spent with Paul!!! ♥️♥️♥️

Expand full comment

After some thinking, I have decided it is probably best I not relay my time working for Paul and leave his Image as most believe. He definitely had the Largest set up of any band I'd done. His stage took 7 days to build and 3 days to tare down. I actually just lucked into working for him through a friend. At that time I was 27 and tough as nails and Stallionizing everything and became one of Paul's lead guys. I learned the blue prints almost immediately and being me, took charge. His stage and guys all were all from London. They took a liking to me and let me run one side of his stage tower. Out of 80 guys, only 3 of us would do the top build ending at 120 ft in the air. I never told anyone how much I hated heights and being up there that high. I was actually glad when the tour was over. No stage ever compared to Paul's. My two favorite guys to work for was Sammy Hagar when he was with Van Halen and Sting. Both really nice guys who weren't full of themself.

Today, I vary rarely listen to music. For decades I was the guy with the massive home stereo set ups and vehicle sound systems so crazy loud. There was no system I couldn't configure and set up. Sometimes I'll listen to Jeremy Camp or George Michaels or my own CDs. I'm done with Rock and Roll and heavy metal. I've moved on. I'd rather listen to a Christian show. Never would I have imagined I I'd be the guy I am today, but I like who I've become and I thank My Great Lord Jesus Christ for saving me molding me through time. I've taken the hits from family and friends but I don't mind at all. I had an awesome ride and now I'm glad to alive and Saved. I've also done some writing, you may be able to tell. I'm on a couple other Substacks and sometimes I type a couple chapters as well. I'm not on any other platforms and probably wouldn't be on this one either if it wasn't for Dr. Ana Mihalcea. Have a blessed and happy day Charlotte 🙏🥰 and share your beautiful smile.

Expand full comment