A Conversation with
Master's AAU Mr. America and multiple title winner, Frank Capallupo.
By Dr. Michael Dusa
MD: Hi Frank. Its a
pleasure to be speaking with you. I remember you and your success in
bodybuilding way back since my start in the game back in 1975.
FC: Michael, it's an
honor to share my thoughts and stories with everyone.
MD: So, how did it
all begin for you?
FC: Well, I was born
in the Bronx, New York, and lived there until I was 10 years old when my
parents decided to move to Chicago. I grew up on the North West side of the
windy city, and, generally, there were not a lot of gyms around at this time. I
was a good all-around athlete-I played peewee football and high school football
and ran track. I was very fast. At the age of ten I won a bronze medal in the
Junior Olympics in Phoenix in the 25 yard breast stroke. The swimming really
helped me get a great starft on my upper body strength. But when high school
years approached, I was all about foot ball and track. I played for Foreman on
the north west side of Chicago. We had a lot of success as a team.
Teaching exercise to children at the age of 19 |
MD: So, you were born
in 1946. Your high school years took place in the early 60's. Was the training
with weights encouraged as a high school athlete?
FC: Well, my true
love and passion was the weights. When my friend and I were 12 years old, he
got a 110 pound weight set for his birthday. We'd lift together, two or three
times per week. We didn't have a bench so essentially we'd just perform
presses, curls, rows...the basics. My arms grew...his didn't (laughs)!
My father signed a
waiver for me to join the YMCA when I was 13 years old. You had to be a bit
older but they let me join. There were some big bodybuilder's training there. I
remember the first time I walked in...I walked up to a fixed, 90-pound barbell
and just pressed it eight or nine times. A guy approached me, asked me my name,
and said, "You are strong!" This fellow ended up teaching me Olympic
lifting. His name was Clyde Emrich and he actually won a bronze medal in
Olympic lifting in the 1956 Olympics. Interestingly, he went on to become the
Chicago Bear's strength and conditioning coach for about 30 years.
MD: Wow! Talk about
being trained by the best right out of the gate...
FC: Yes, I was . I
developed a great physique training under him. But, Clyde was strictly Olympic
lifting. On my own I did curls, presses, benching. He didn't want to know about
that! At the age of 18 I was a trained Olympic lifter in the 148 pound class,
and I did a 265 pound clean and jerk overhead. I was the junior state champion.
MD: Very impressive.
You had the knack. When did bodybuilding competition enter your consideration?
FC: At the age of 15
and a half I started out in small, local shows. At 16 I did the AAU teenaged
Mr. America. There is an interesting story regarding this show that is
generally unknown to most. Jerry Daniels won the show, and the great Harold
Poole took second. I got 12th but that's another story. In those days, shows
were run differently than today. The prejudging was done with the judges
sitting at a table in a backroom...no audience. They'd just talk to us using
our names, tell us where to stand and which way to turn. Understand this...the
points were not only given for physique...you were interviewed and were
required to document or demonstrate athletic talent. They didn't want you to
only be a musclehead...you had to be in high school, a graduate or in college.
Frank taking second to Boyer Coe at the AAU Teen Mr. America in 1966 |
Well, Harold Poole
had a tremendous physique. And yes, it's true, he had somewhat of a hard time
articulating himself due to a pronounced stutter. Another thing...he was two
hours late for the morning event...this did not earn him any favor with the
powers that be. He was marked down for this. You know, the color of his skin
may have kept him back...Bob Hoffman who was in control at the time wanted the
"All-American Boy," on the cover of his magazine, and Poole didn't really
fit the prototype according to Hoffman.
Harold went into an
absolute rage at the announcement of his second spot. We had the top 12
onstage, including me. Poole was holding his runner-up award in his hand,
looking blankly at Jerry Daniels. He proceeded to smash it on the floor into
countless pieces. Part of the exploding shards caught the bottom of my leg and
drew blood. Poole menacingly approached the judges table and proceeded to hurl
expletive "F-bombs" at them, yelling "racism," and what
not. Listen, physique wise, Poole may have indeed been superior to Daniels. But
remember what I said...this was one of merely several components necessary to
emerge victorious. You were interviewed, you had to have athletic
achievements...
MD: Were Hoffman and
John Grimek present at these shows?
FC: Oh yes, both were
there.
MD: So you were only
16 in that show...difficult to defeat kids three years older....in that span
and at that age there is a huge, natural hormonal difference that would be
difficult for you being so young to surmount.
With Bob Gadja at the 1965 Mr. Illinois contest |
FC: Yes. From
1963-1966, I was winning several open Chicago-area shows. The mythical Sergio
Oliva was counted among my good friends. In the Mr. Chicagoland show, Sergio
won, a guy named Henry Vega took second, and I was third. And you know, all the
guys were at least ten years older than me! I remember that day especially
because both Sergio and I were entered in the Olympic lifting event as well as
the bodybuilding show. We performed the lifts during the day, and the
bodybuilding show was held late, late at night. That's how it was then,
especially with Hoffman, who preferred lifting to bodybuilding. I remember
being utterly exhausted.
1966 AAU Teen Mr. America |
MD: Tell me more
about your days training at the YMCA...
FC: The Chicago YMCA
was great times for me. There was Sergio Oliva, Bob Gajda, who of course won
the AAU America, and Bill Seno. There was the Division Street Ymca, the Irving
Park YMCA and of course the famous Duncan YMCA. Bob was director and when he
was moved to the Duncan all the bodybuilders left the other two and followed
him. I myself was the youth director for the YMCA in 1966.
One funny story that
pops into my head now was during the Mr. Chicago...now, Sergio LOVED to pump
up. He'd pump up for a full hour! He'd just get bigger and bigger before our
eyes. He had a long sleeved shirt on, the cuffs were buttoned, he was sweating
profusely. Suddenly we were asked to line up and file on stage. Sergio could
not get his shirt off!. "Frank, help me...I can't get this off!" I
joked with him, "You will be disqualified if I don't help you
(laughs)." I helped him. He made it out on stage. He won.
MD: Awesome. Funny!
That's what I'm talking about!
FC: There was an
awesome, non-reproduce-able energy at the Duncan. I was training for the teen
America, Sergio and Bob were training for the senior America. Sergio was quite
a riddle. He'd eat meat, rice, potatos, beans, all in copious quantities. He
was not scientific at all. (laughs)Two weeks prior to a show...he'd eat a large
pizza!
You know, as far as
Arnold goes, well, you know he suffered defeat to Sergio at the 1969 Olympia.
But Arnold came back in 1970 to beat him because Arnold got much more defined.
I'll tell you this...Sergio would have NEVER been defeated if he ever got serious
about his diet. He had great genetics. At 198 pounds he could clean and jerk
over 300 pounds. He'd had it tough. He defected here from Cuba as a member of
their Pan American Games team. He was a really, really nice guy.
Jack Lalanne, an early influence for Frank |
MD: Frank, did you
have any other influences early on?
FC: Oh yes. Jack
Lalanne. He was ALL about health. He espoused taking care of yourself so you
wouldn't end up ambulating with the use of a walker as you'd get on in years.
That's what it was all about to him. He walked the walk. I do recall seeing him
on TV when I was very young and thinking he was small. That opinion changed
with time. He was remarkably developed. I have emulated him somewhat, I feel.
At my current age of 68, I take absolutely no medications for anything. Not
even blood pressure. My weight when I graduated high school was 148. Today, I
am 149-150. I work very hard though, and have been consistent over time, which
I know is key. You do lose muscle mass over time. Thank goodness for muscle
memory.
MD: Yeah. My muscles
have amnesia, it seems (laughs). So I understand you butted heads with the
legendary Amazing Boyer Coe?
Runner up to Boyer Coe at the 1966 AAU Teen Mr. America |
FC: Yes. I didn't do
the teen America in 64 or 65. My father was a baker and I worked with him and
concentrated on school. I said in 66, let me do this. Its my last chance. The
York crew was there...Steve Stanko was the head judge. The show was held in
West Patterson New Jersey, and I took a Greyhound bus there and stayed in, of
course, the local YMCA (laughs). Imagine it. I'm an Italian kid...working in a
bakery and dieting. There was temptation. Norman Zale was my friend and
nutritionist and he wrote for Iron Man Magazine. He steered me away from white
flour, sugars, heavy creams. Bob Gajda told me when dieting for a show, the
best thing to do was look at the ingredients of anything I was eating. The
first thing on the label should be protein, the second should be fat, then
carbs being the lowest concentration of the three. I'd get cut for a show
eating eggs, cheese and steak, some fruits and vegetables. That would be it.
Boyer won the show,
and he was tremendous. However, Stanko told me, "You are amazing, you are
natural, and we did have some judges who had placed you ahead of Boyer."
It was a great experience.
MD: So at these times
bodybuilding was not really embraced like it is now...well...it's not really
embraced anymore now, either...but that's another story. How did you deal with
any of the naysayers you may have encountered?
FC: You know we didn't have all the form-fitting stuff these guys climb into today. Yes, we may wear a
tight t-shirt once in awhile, and people would stop and stare. My wife of 37
years, who passed away 8 years ago, Linda, well, there's a story there that may
answer your question. I picked her up for our first date-a trip to the beach at
Lake Michigan. We sat on a blanket on the beach, and after a bit I suggested we
take a dip in the water. I stood up and pulled off my sweat shirt, and she
looked up at me and said, "Oh, no! You are not one of THOSE...everyone is
staring at you!" She was shy and told me to go in first and she'd follow
me (laughs). She got used to me though. In fact, she was always my biggest
supporter, she was very understanding and prepared all my meals for me. She'd
cook me two big turkeys each week, and there was my readily-available protein.
MD: You also served
in the Marine Corps.
FC: Yes. I was
attending college part time and working at the YMCA part time, I was classified
as 1-A...which meant I was a prime candidate for the draft. Each day, I'd
arrive home from school or work and my father would look at me and say,
"Nothing in the mail today." Well I was so nervous about getting
drafted that I couldn't sleep. I said the heck with it and went to the
recruiting station and joined up. They loved me...I cruised through the
physical tests. I ended up as a platoon sergeant for 81 mm mortars in Chuli,
Viet Nam. I served 13 months, and I recall I thought I'd lose Linda because she
was away at college and I was thousands of miles away. I tell you...she wrote
me one letter a day, every day I was away, for 13 months! She didn't meet anyone
else, I got her a ring at the PX and proposed when I got home. She accepted.
MD: Viet Nam. Wow. I
thank you for your service sir. We are indebted to you and those like you
forever. Wonderful woman, Linda. You are blessed.
FC: Thank you
Michael. When I returned home, bodybuilding was now secondary for me...I had a
whole, new mindset. My primary concern was to be the best provider for my
family. I am very fortunate in my career that I started with a company, Lawson
Products, on the bottom level of entry. I rose to vice president/ general
manager. This was a 500 million dollar company. My wife was so very
understanding when I was moved to New Jersey for 8 years, and then to Dallas
for another 15 years. I was with them for nearly four decades.
Frank at age 60 |
MD: Its always great
to hear of successful bodybuilders extending their success to other arenas,
such as career, family and business. It doesn't always happen that way.
FC: I know. I retired
six years ago. Life is just too short. I stay busy though, and of course I have
always trained...never had any gaps from the gym. My son started lifting with
me when he was 13 years old in our garage. He ended up turning out to be a
fine, natural, title-winning bodybuilder. He's also a surgical nurse and quite
successful. Of note is my son, Jon, was a great high school wrestler. The Tom
Cruise movie, "Born on the Fourth of July," had wrestling scenes in
the beginning. They used my son as one of the wrestlers and he did get a bit of
screen time in the movie. I have a photo of he and Tom Cruise standing
together. My daughter, who has given me two grandchildren, holds an executive
position at Microsoft. My kids didn't disappoint, I am very proud of my family.
MD: You know, I put
up a pic of you yesterday announcing this article's impending release. You
quickly got over 100 "Likes." You are quite the popular bodybuilder.
I think you are especially known for maintaining so much success, consistently,
over time, seemingly laughing all the way at the aging process.
FC: Well lifting
weights is the greatest way to preserve your youth. Its easier if you started
out young, of course. There are many factors to consider for one getting on in
years. You must get a physical. Are you on medication? What kind of shape are
you in? You have to have a plan. Its never too late, but its also important not
to let your ego take over your sensibilities. Gorge the muscles with
blood...the pump equates to growth. Adopt a good, sensible diet. There are no secrets.
MD: Interesting what
you say about the pump leading to growth. The same thing Frank Zane says.
Winning the Masters AAU Mr America in 1991 |
FC: Listen, as a
rule, I do about 15-20 reps for biceps. 10 reps is the lowest I go for any
exercise. I go for the pump! Sometimes a bit lower in reps, but not often. Of
course, I am super strict, I do complete range of motion, and I visualize the
muscle or muscle group that I am working. I've never been injured in all my
years lifting weights. I must be doing something right.
MD: Your best
bodybuilding win?
FC: The 1991 Master's
AAU Mr. America. Bob Gruskin, a famous photographer and a personal friend of
mine, told me about a month before the event at a guest posing I was performing
that I was more ripped than Frank Zane at that point. Of course, I'm not sure
this was true, but the message was delivered. He strongly suggested I enter the
Master's America. I did, and it's history...I won overall.
At the 1991 AAU Mr. America with Joe DeAngelis |
MD: My opinion is
that was the best you ever looked...and you were 45 years old! As the years
bore on, did you change your training or food as you evolved as a bodybuilder?
FC: Thanks Michael. I
added variety to my workouts, and still do so to this day. As you know as you
age recuperation time is lengthened, and the seemingly invincible veneer of youth disappears. A pulled muscle at 50 takes two weeks to repair, at 25 maybe
a few days.
Currently, I train 2
days on, one day off. Legs and back done Monday, Chest, Shoulders and arms on
Tuesday. Wednesday off. And so on. This is my cycle of training and for me its
proven to be ideal. I don't go overboard on my diet. I eat eggs, cottage
cheese, chicken and turkey as my foundation foods. I don't get into this modern
nonsense of eating repeatedly every couple of hours for six to eight meals a
day...who the heck can do that? I mean, c'mon. You see these folks carrying
their gallon water jugs everywhere they go. In the gym? Are you here to train,
or to take a never-ending piss? (we both laugh here and i agree) You didn't see
me, Sergio, Bob, Bill Seno or Arnold with a water jug. We went to the water
fountain! Of course, we didn't weigh 300 pounds.
Frank being announced first place at the 2010 INBA Natural Olympia (Masters +60) |
MD: So, pro
bodybuilding now...?
FC: The IFBB is
serving as the destruction of bodybuilding. It is now a freak show. You know,
when I was a kid, I saw Charles Atlas. I said, "I can do that." Now,
you see these 300 pounds behemoths...it's just not obtainable. It's unreal. I
don't quite get all this "Beast Mode" stuff I hear. Look, I can shoot
a basketball through a hoop., but I am 5'3". I can't play on a team...I
know this. All Italians like to sing, and I do. Am I good? No. So I keep it in
the shower. These giants of today intimate that you can look like them if you
eat such and such protein powder. That's utter nonsense. I've been all natural
for life. With these guys now its a whole different ball game. Jay Cutler?
Ronnie Coleman? You CANNOT look like that in two years. Yet, the kids, they
think they can. The first thing they ask you is about the drugs. Dorian Yates
without drugs? He'd get 10th, 12th in the AAU America. With the
chemicals...he's Mr. Olympia six times! We've gotta steer youth in the right
direction. This is not being done.
MD: Frank, any
closing words?
FC: I always know
this: Focus on the Body, the Mind, and the Spirit. There is a real life to be
had beyond bodybuilding. For these kids who actually entertain the notion of
getting a "Pro Card" as a bodybuilder, I'd urge them to think twice.
This is a rare, if non existent thing, to live off bodybuilding winnings. Don't
let this endeavor be your primary focus. Remember, in the 60's, five or even
six bodybuilders would be living in one, efficiency apartment, they'd be broke
and eating every last bit of tuna out of a can. That's no life.
MD: Wise words Frank,
and from a man who has done it all, and done it well and with aplomb. I thank
you very much for your time and words, my friend.
FC: Thank you
Michael. I'll leave you with this: "Let's all keep pumping."
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I have known Frank since we were teens in Chicago...we competed together in AAU meets. He is the real deal, and his words are worth 10,000 times more than the effin' internet gurus and drug monkeys who infest the web with their BS. Chemical clowns. End of rant. Notice Frank's total life without BBing being at the center of his every thought and word...a loving family, a good career. Way to go. Congrats, Frankie!
ReplyDeleteThanx for the great conversation...
ReplyDelete