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Jack LaLanneLegendary American trainer, specialist in fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle
Date of Birth: 26.09.1914
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Jack LaLanne
- Becoming a Legend
- Entrepreneurship and Inventions
- Television and Writing Career
- Legacy
Biography of Jack LaLanne
Early Life and InspirationJack LaLanne, also known as the "Godfather of Fitness," was a legendary American trainer, fitness expert, nutritionist, and motivator. He was born in San Francisco, California, to parents Jennie and Jean LaLanne, who immigrated to the United States from Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France. He had an older brother named Norman, who nicknamed him François Jack. Despite his initial love for sugary and unhealthy foods, Jack's life took a turn when he discovered the works of renowned nutrition specialist Paul Bragg at the age of 15. This encounter greatly influenced Jack, leading him to focus on proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
Becoming a Legend
After studying Henry Gray's "Anatomy of the Human Body," Jack decided to pursue bodybuilding. He became known for his exceptional physical strength and charisma, which propelled him to success in the bodybuilding world. Jack's dedication to proper nutrition became a central aspect of his training courses, as he recognized the detrimental effects of poorly prepared food on average Americans' health. Jack himself embraced vegetarianism, occasionally including fish in his diet.
Entrepreneurship and Inventions
After completing high school, Jack enrolled in Oakland Chiropractic College in San Francisco. With a doctorate degree in hand, he opened a gym in Oakland, which he later equipped with a range of his own invention of exercise machines. Many of Jack's inventions eventually became standard equipment in reputable gyms, including his creation of the first prototype of the Smith machine. Jack's gym welcomed both men and women, a rarity at the time, and he later proved that female bodybuilders did not have to become overly muscular.
Television and Writing Career
Jack's empire continued to expand, with over 200 fitness salons and gyms by the 1980s. He eventually sold his entire network to "Bally," but he remained dedicated to bodybuilding until his death. Jack educated television viewers about living a healthy lifestyle for 34 years through his show, "The Jack LaLanne Show," which set a record for the longest-running sports show. The show first aired on a subsidiary of ABC called KGO-TV in 1951, and by 1959, it was popular nationwide. Jack also authored several successful books, with his last one published in 2009 when he was 95 years old.
Legacy
Despite his advanced age, Jack continued his intense workouts every morning, joking that he was not going to die because it would ruin his reputation. However, even someone as healthy as Jack could not cheat death indefinitely. In 2009, at the age of 94, he underwent heart valve surgery, and he passed away on January 23, 2011, due to respiratory failure caused by pneumonia. Jack LaLanne's legacy lives on as he revolutionized the fitness industry and motivated countless individuals to prioritize their health and well-being. He was honored with a place in the California Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
