PULLING HIMSELF UP BY HIS BOOTSTRAPS

Muscular Development , March 1988

By Art Zeller. Property of Strength & Health Publishing Company.

Twenty-five years ago the consensus quintessential Adonis of the American bodybuilding scene was unquestionably Dave Draper. For the benefit of those too young to have seen the "Blond Bomber" at his zenith, he had it all - a towering superstructure of unbelievably muscle mass, a super V shape and loads of physical charisma. In short, Dave's physique epitomized what everyone thought the ultimate body should look like back then.

However, those among you at least baby boom age will recall that the 1960s were exceedingly troubled times throughout our entire land, and that much of this general tumult spilled over into the personal lives of the "children" of the era. Unfortunately, Dave was among the casualties. Not long after the dawning of the 1970s, he dropped from the muscle scene altogether, and shortly thereafter rumors began (and continued) circulating to the effect that he was caught in the throes of monumental turmoil. As I came to find out from his own mouth, the prevailing talk about his personal miseries was more fact than fiction, for at one point he literally stood in the shadows of death.

Hence, I was stunned this past Labor Day when big Dave walked into the World Gym here in Santa Monica looking better than he's looked in years. Particularly surprising was the amazing degree or muscularity he sported. It was apparent that this bodybuilding legend had affected a miraculous comeback, and I just had to quiz him about it.

But before getting into details, should you think my assessment of his rebound is viewed through nostalgic "rose-colored" glasses, be advised that he still possesses this quiet-but-commanding presence that far exceeds anything an anachronistic bodybuilding relic could muster. As a matter of fact, because it was a holiday the gym was packed and all eyes immediately trained on Draper as he came in and started working out. And I might add that he kept their curiosity peaked as he remained a conspicuous focal point throughout the duration of his vigorous blitzing. As a matter of fact, more than a couple of people approached him for an autograph... and he obliged.

Even more heartwarming was Dave's relaxed, easy demeanor. Despite his once being known as the "Gentle Giant," during the latter part of his heyday, especially, he was habitually tense and uptight. Ironically, part of this inward upheaval was caused by the very thing that gave him notoriety. "When I trained for competition in the late 60s and early 70s, it was drudgery, commitment and no joy. Toward the end of my competitive years, in particular, training was disappointing because it took on a completely different style from the Muscle Beach days. "You also have to realize that when I started training back in the mid-1950s (in New Jersey), it was because I wanted to pursue an individual sport.

You see, I was put in school at a very young age, so my classmates were always a year or two older than I. Plus, I had two older brothers, who were good brothers, but I was always involved with kids who were a little ahead of me physically. So, when they wanted to go play baseball or stickball, I would instead put together a set of weights and work out as this gave me a chance to excel individually - as well as offering me an outlet for physical expression to overcome my insecurities about constantly being around more mature kids.

"Also, when I had the prominence in the 60s, weight training didn't have the good name that it does today. The lean, hard body wasn't in style... or even approved of. But now there is great attention and appreciation given to it. And if you think in terms of monetary gain and careers to be made, avenues now exist. But perhaps the greatest advancement is that today a bodybuilder can walk the streets without having people constantly muttering things about him."

Of course, the comparatively recent infusion of dollars into even mainstream sports like football and baseball is often a source of envy and anger to former participants whose involvement predates the bonanza. Hence, I queried Dave as to whether he experienced twinges of similar regrets? "I can't deny that the feeling doesn't come over me. But it's so subtle and I can't entertain it for very long because I'm so pleased that I'm part of the history of the sport.

"Sure, I'm disappointed about some things: I haven't made any money at all. I gained a lot of prominence and that's invaluable. But as far as monetary gains, it was kind of a minimum wage job with me all those years. However, as far as current happenings go, it's just perfect timing to be able to cruise back into the sport with a new dimension, my prominence still intact and another image."

However, before we can truly appreciate or celebrate Dave's renewed and vibrant image, honesty demands that the tragic, self-destructive perception that's hounded him in the past be brought out into the open. There's no way of sugarcoating it, like the overwhelming majority of substance abuser, his life was a living hell - although at times he was much closer to death itself "Going on four years ago, I came down with a disease called congestive heart failure, which effects your major internal organs - heart, liver, kidneys, respiratory systems, etc. The entire body goes into failure. In my case, this disease was the result of alcohol abuse. Over a period of 20 years or so, I had become an alcoholic.

"Doctors (at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California) did not expect me to live. There were four days where those machines they attach to you were barely getting feedback from my heart, and they prepared my wife and child for my death. Frankly, this ending was viewed as a blessing because they informed my immediate family that if I did live, I would be bedridden or, at best, confined to a wheelchair."

So apparently the pressure Dave felt of having to train, or having a specific purpose for training, led him to escape through alcohol. But being this far gone, it's miraculous that he was able to recover. "Even though I consumed large amounts of alcohol and other drugs which were quite common throughout the 60s and 70s, I think I was able to survive because of my genetics, body chemistry and the foundation of good health I had logged through bodybuilding.

"I must also say that I'm a Christian, believing in Creation and God through Jesus Christ, and I'm convinced there was some purpose to my ordeal. If nothing else, to have me come to understand what it is to be an alcoholic near death, and to show me the strength and grace of God in sparing my life."

Among his fellowman, though, Dave had one particularly devoted "guardian angel" who stuck with him through the toughest of times and was extremely instrumental in getting him on the road to recovery. "I've known Carlin Venus since I first came to California 23 years ago, and he's been a terrific friend - inviting me into the Super Spectrim gang about three years ago, just at the time I was falling into my illness. Carlin provided money out of his own pocket to see that I could keep bread on the table.

"Furthermore, he would somehow find me regardless of where I was - sometimes I would be in the hospital in Phoenix, in San Francisco or in Kansas. Carlin would give me a credit card knowing that I wouldn't abuse it, or he would send me some cash, knowing that it was desperately needed. He's really been an inspirational person to me."

Understand that Venus made these magnanimous gestures without thought of personal gain. "Carlin is a strong Christian person and was hopeful that I would live. There never was a contract signed; he just wanted to help me. But more than that he provided an awful lot of comfort over the phone when times were really "blue." Incidentally, Dave also credits two World Gym fixtures - Joe Gold and Zabo Koszewski - for standing behind him when he was down and out... and doing it for no other reason than they were his friends.

The good news is that Dave's future is once again looking bright. For starters, training is fun once more. "I can create enthusiasm with each workout, which is interesting after all these years."

On top of that, there's the "new dimension" he alluded to earlier, which should permit Dave to finally capitalize on his name in the sport. "I have my own company I'm developing, along with Laree Baker, called 'On Target with Dave Draper.' We started this little project about nine months ago, and one of my primary objectives is to write a book about instinctive training - tentatively titled Getting Serious - that can be immediately made available to the public. Then, we are looking at several more all-encompassing books involving dietary and supplementation information, pictures and the like."

Another thing in his favor is that Dave doesn't have all his "eggs in one basket," so to speak. "I'm involved with several companies that I help promote. Actually, I'm more than an endorser, being part of the development teams of the companies. I'm with Super Spectrim, naturally, and I also work with Harry Jenkins, who started European Health Spas 25 years ago with Jack Lalanne and currently owns Serious Lifting Systems in Santa Cruz. This concern offers very handsome and durable equipment for major gym facilities. Their line has been used at both Pro Muscle Bodybuilding Camps thus far."

Moving on to non-bodybuilding notes of interest about Dave, few people are aware that he is tremendously talented in the area of crafting artistic, custom-made furniture. So, in effect, he always has a trade to fall back on. However, a shoulder/arm injury prevalent among woodworkers - a kind of occupational hazard - has taken him away from this specialty temporarily. Nevertheless, he still has a desire to express his creativity through this forum once the impairment heals.

I've known Dave Draper since his early days in bodybuilding, and I have always considered him a friend. Of course, knowing that a friend is suffering incomprehensible physical and emotional pain, and yet you can't do a thing about it, is a sad, sad feeling. That's why it gave me the utmost pleasure to find the "real" Dave Draper walk into the World Gym this past Labor Day. To see firsthand his placidness, his self-acceptance and to finally be at peace with the world, was extremely satisfying. And, yes, I have to admit that it was tremendously gratifying to see people in the gym react to him once again just like they did 25 years ago.