"Simplicity of character is the most natural result of profound thought."
-Chinese Proverb
Having eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman on Heavy Muscle Radio tonight was indeed an honor. However, the impact it had on me didn't occur until after I listened to the show. It made me feel good to listen to the Big Nasty feel at home with Dave and me, just shooting the shit about bodybuilding. I couldn't really tell during the taping, but afterward it was readily apparent that Ronnie was unimpressed with how many people might be listening; he was just happy to be here. And even though I was listening to us, I was still drawn in. I think Dave and I will always attract a star-studded line up for HMR, but it was this show with Ronnie that I'll cherish in my mind for a long, long, time.
Why is that? Well, I'm of the mindset that there is genius in simplicity. I had an art teacher once who introduced me to the idea that less is more . . . exercise restraint . . . use as little as possible to say a lot. Ultimately, it shaped my current minimalist mindset, and it enabled me to appreciate the true good nature of simplicity. A good example of simplicity in art was flawlessly executed by Bob Marley. Marley was a country boy, a simple kind'a guy who, even at the peak of his fame in Jamaica, would visit his girlfriend on foot and bring her mangos. We love his songs because they're simple and they say a lot. The idea is real and it's big and you get it. In that vain, Ronnie Coleman is the Bob Marley of bodybuilding - minus the weed.
A great example of Ronnie's simple genius that makes you laugh can be found in his response to Dave's story of the time he'd eaten at the Outback Steakhouse with Ronnie and Ronnie ordered two entrees-- steak and chicken. Ronnie simply commented, "That's cuz one ain't enough." How can you not laugh at that? It's funny because it's true. Simple, but true.
The same goes for his lifting and his bodybuilding. "It's a hobby of mine," he always says among his list of famous phrases. "I normally get about 12 reps when I squat 600, but that day I got like 15. It was probably because Lou Ferrigno was spotting me." The more Ronnie talked, the more comfortable he got and when he discussed the simple truths, we couldn't help but feel a lot of love for this man - and we laughed our asses off. Can you imagine an 8-time Mr. Olympia saying that he'd be happy doing another show . . . just to do it? He likes dieting! He loves competing! How can you not just love Ronnie Coleman?
The show is up... go listen!
HEAVY MUSCLE RADIO: RONNIE COLEMAN
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