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Doris J. Barrilleaux - 2011 NFHOF Inductee 

Nicknamed: “The First Lady of Bodybuilding" 

Born:  August 11, 1931

Hometown:  Riverview, Florida 

Doris is a true pioneer in women’s bodybuilding and has often been referred to as “The First Lady of Bodybuilding.”  An outstanding competitor in her own right she, perhaps more than any other person in the history of the Iron Game, made national and international women’s physique competition a reality. Even while she was competing, she devoted her endless energy in organizing and promoting women’s bodybuilding competitions, wherever and whenever she could, eventually in virtually every state of the union. Moreover, despite having invested so much of her life’s energy in getting women’s bodybuilding under way, Doris had the courage to take a stand against the drugs she believed would ruin the sport she had worked so hard to build. 

She walked away from a coveted leadership position with a major bodybuilding organization as a protest of the movement of drugs into the world of women’s bodybuilding.  However, she did continue her career as one of bodybuilding’s top photographers and donated her massive collection of women’s bodybuilding memorabilia to the Todd-McLean Library. 


Jim Everroad - 2011 NFHOF Inductee 

Born: November 6, 1943

Hometown:  Columbus, Indiana

Website:  www.flattenyourstomach.com 

A frail child, Jim began learning the effects and values of exercise at age six.  His brother, Bill, began his early training in running, calisthenics and various sports.  Such training continued under many excellent coaches, including Duane Barrows and Max Andress at Columbus H.S. (Indiana). 

At Indiana University, Jim lettered on the amazing I.U. Swimming team under legendary coach, James E. (Doc) Counsilman.  Hobie Billingsley, “the world’s greatest diving coach,” tutored him to an AAU National Junior Diving Championship.  Jim also lettered in Gymnastics under Dr. Otto Ryser.  His trampoline coach, Arthur J. Canning, helped him win the L G. Balfour award for gymnastics. 

The values of exercise eventually turned his interests toward fitness.  His first venture into the field of fitness was his book How to Flatten Your Stomach.  It sold 2,000,000 copies world-wide, going to #1 on every best-seller list. 

Three media tours included radio, TV, and newspaper interviews in each of 10 major U.S. and Canadian cities.  Tom Brokaw interviewed Jim on the Today Show and both he and Jack LaLanne appeared together on the TV show Omelet, interviewed by Hugh Downs. 

Jim’s Belly Burner commercial played consistently on various network and cable channels for a year, selling 100,000 units.  His jump rope program, the Lope Rope, was featured on the cover of Family Circle magazine.  His programs appeared repeatedly as cover features in Family Circle, Reader’s Digest, and other major periodicals.  Jim wants to help people make exercise a pleasant, productive part of their lifestyles.


Cathe Friedrich - 2011 NFHOF Inductee 

Born: July 20, 1964

Hometown:  Glassboro, New Jersey

Website:  www.Cathe.com 

Before there was Zumba, Tae Bo, Spinning or even Step Aerobics, fitness video pioneer Cathe Friedrich recognized the need to provide a simple, flexible, affordable and motivating way for Americans to exercise and stay fit. Nearly thirty years and over 170 DVDs later, thousands of people have credited Cathe Friedrich for helping them to transform their bodies and their lives with her videos and TV appearances. 

Cathe is often credited with being the first to bring advanced fitness videos to the home exerciser and helped shatter the theory that only celebrities could star in fitness videos. As a certified Group Fitness Instructor, Cathe has taught thousands of classes at her New Jersey health club and has helped to train many of today’s top instructors. 

As a leading innovator in the home exercise video industry, in 1988 she founded Step N Motion Videos and in 1989, created one of the first ‘step’ aerobic videos. Cathe continues to produce fun, intense, and challenging workouts for all body types and fitness levels. Her award-winning workouts have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fox Business News and more! 

Always on the cutting edge, Cathe recognized the power of the internet and was the first to sell fitness videos online nearly 14 years ago. Today, Cathe.com is one of the largest and most visited fitness websites and Cathe’s pioneering work in this area has inspired other instructors to market and promote their own fitness videos in a similar fashion.

Cathe is the mother of two boys: Eric and Kyle.

Cathe a huge following of fitness fanatics, nick-named "Cathletes."  Cathe has said this about them, “they are a crazy, fun-loving bunch.   I can't imagine my life without this amazing group of people!”



Lee Haney - 2011 NFHOF Inductee 

Born:  November 11, 1959

Hometown:  Atlanta, Georgia

Website:  www.LeeHaney.com 

Lee Haney is one of the greatest bodybuilders in history winning eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles.  Now retired from bodybuilding, Lee is an educator and trainer and works with many world-class athletes.  “8-time Mr. Olympia” 

To Lee, success is more about fulfillment than trophies or titles, so in 1994, he and his wife, Shirley, purchased a forty acre farm near their home and created the Haney Harvest House, a non-profit retreat facility for children of all races, creeds, and nationalities.  "I wanted to be able to give something back.  I've been so fortunate to have a lot of good things come my way, and it all comes from values I learned from growing up." 

Lee's popularity and respected position within his field have provided him with a lengthy list of awards and recognition including Proclamations from three cities and distinguished acknowledgments from The President's Council on Physical Fitness, The United States Sports Academy and The International Federation of Body Building.  President Bill Clinton appointed Lee, Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in 1999. 

A devoted Christian, Lee has his own program on the Trinity Broadcasting Network called "TotaLee Fit with Lee Haney," where he is usually joined by famous Christian sportsmen and on occasion his wife.  On the show he teaches the importance of both physical and spiritual growth and one of his more famous quotes is that we should "train to stimulate not annihilate."  Lee and Shirley have two children and reside in Fayette County, Georgia.


Bill Kazmier - 2011 NFHOF Inductee 

Nicknamed:  “The World's Strongest Man”

Born: December 30, 1953

Hometown: Auburn, Alabama 

Standing at 6’3 and ranging from 321-350 lbs, it is no wonder that Bill Kazmaier held the title of World’s Strongest Man three years in a row.  Kazmaier, born December 30, 1953 in Burlington, Wisconsin, is a powerlifter and strongman. 

Kaz, as he is more affectionately known, decided to leave school and pursue his dream of becoming the top powerlifter in the world. This did not take long. By 1979, at the young age of 25, he did so by winning the American Powerlifting Championships and the IPF World Championships in the superheavyweight class. 

Some of Kaz’s other notable accomplishments include: 

The first human to bench press over 660 lbs.; he held the world record at 661 lbs. for many years.

The first man to lift all five McGlashen Stones in competition.

He still has the IPF and USPF Senior American record total in powerlifting (2425 lbs.), set in 1981 in Columbus, Georgia.

In the 1978 national championships in the 125+ kg class in Dayton, Ohio, he squatted 865 lbs., benched 622 lbs., and deadlifted 804 lbs., amassing a total of 2292 lbs.

Kaz has competed in six World’s Strongest Man (WSM) contests, and from 1980-1982 won the competitions handsomely. After dominating the events, he became the first man to win the WSM title three times in a row. Although he is no longer competing, he is still active in the sport and has since appeared on ESPN as a commentator for the WSM broadcasts.

Passionate about his partnerships with the YMCA and Star Trac, Kaz is heavily involved with the YMCA’s “Secrets to Success” and “Active America” programs.  He travels the country promoting a platform that encourages the youth of America to stay active with their local YMCA. 


Lenda Murray - 2011 NFHOF Inductee

Nicknamed:  “Greatest Female Bodybuilder Ever”

Born:  February 22, 1962 

Hometown: Playa Del Rey, California

Website:  www.LendaMurrayBodybuilding.com

Lenda is the world’s most successful female bodybuilder to date, having won the Ms Olympia title 8-times. Lenda was born in 1962 in Detriot, Michigan.  At Henry Forld High School, Murray was both a record-holding sprinter and varsity cheerleader. She went on to attend Western Michigan University, earning a degree in political science. Lenda took to the bodybuilding stage in 1985. She rose quickly through the ranks, soon winning contests at the state and regional levels. In 1989, she earned her professional status at the IFBB North American Championships and soon became a regular presence in bodybuilding magazines.

On November 24, 1990, Lenda became Ms. Olympia, a title she would hold for most of the following decade. She has been featured in such mass-market publications as Sports Illustrated, Ebony, Mademoiselle, and Vanity Fair and her physique has become the standard against which professional female bodybuilders are now judged – an hourglass figure, with broad shoulders tapering into a V-shaped torso mirrored by a proportionally-developed lower body.

Lenda has done color commentary for bodybuilding events on ESPN and is a successful contest promoter and host of the Annual NPC Lenda Murray Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Championships in Norfolk, Virginia.  Her wealth of experience in athletics and entertainment makes her a worthy vessel to promote the event, giving athletes recognition for getting into the best shape of their lives. 

Lenda currently lives in Playa Del Rey, California with her husband Urel McGill. She volunteers her time working with substance abuse; is the owner of Operation Boot Camp; and is the Vice President of Private Trainers Association. 


Joseph Pilates - 2011 NFHOF Inductee 

Born: December 9, 1883 - Died:  October 9, 1967

Hometown: New York, NY 

German born Joseph H. Pilates was living in England, working as a circus performer and boxer, when he was placed in concentration camp in England at the outbreak of WWI.  While in camp, he began to develop the floor exercises that evolved into what we now know as the “Pilates Mat Work.” 

Joseph developed his work from a strong personal experience in fitness.  On his way to developing the Pilates Method, he studied anatomy and developed himself as a bodybuilder, a wrestler, gymnast, boxer, skier and diver. 

In 1925, he immigrated to America, where he met his wife Clara.  They went on to establish their Pilates studio in New York City (1926-1966), training thousands of clients and inventing much of the Pilates equipment found in studios today. 

Joseph Pilates passed away in 1967. He had maintained a fit physique throughout his life and there are many photos that show that he was in remarkable physical condition well into his older years.  


Mark Rothstein - 2011 NFHOF Inductee 

Nickname: “The Rock” 

Born:  February 6, 1959

Website:  www.worldofropejumping.com

Mark Rothstein… Elected into the National Fitness Hall of Fame (2011), Mark has established two World Record for endurance rope jumping of more than 22 hours and 36 hours. Since the 1980’s, Mark has toured the United States and abroad performing more than 12,000 live shows to more than 6,000,000 people. The inspirational theme of Mark’s work and the legacy which he nurtures each day is to exemplify impeccable integrity; stay fit through consistent exercise and work each day to build a virtuous life. 

Two Million Miles with his Jump Rope… Mark created a grass roots fitness program in 1981 (World of Rope Jumping) by integrating his skill set as a performing pro-athlete, educator, entertainer and role model. Always and today, Mark’s powerful performances are based on his electrifying rope jumping exhibitions and building positive character. Along his journey now more than 30 years- Mark has personally driven to each and every show by criss-crossing the highways, bi-ways and rural routes of America… now more than 2,000,000 miles! 

Guinness World Records… Inspired by Jack LaLanne, Mark established his first world record (1989) by rope jumping continuously for more than 22 hours. He followed with his second world record (1990) for rope jumping continuously more than 36 hours. During Mark’s 36 hour rope jumping marathon he completed more than 259,000 revolutions with his jump rope. 

Everlasting Tour… Mark’s annual tour presently consists of 175 days on America's roads, personally driving 55,000 miles to perform more than 350 inspirational seminars and shows. 

Endearment… Mark shall forever cherish the personal telephone calls from Mr. La Lanne congratulating him on each of his World Records, as well as the hand-written letter from Mrs. LaLanne in which she congratulates Mark -and thanks him- for dedicating his National Fitness Hall of Fame Induction to the memory of Jack.




2011 NFHOF Induction Ceremony



The 2011 National Fitness Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony a Huge Success!

March 5, 2011 - Columbus, Ohio 

A crowd of over 175,000 fitness & bodybuilding fans packed the Columbus Convention Center last weekend for a very special event. The 2011 National Fitness Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony which is typically held in Addison, Illinois, was moved to Columbus, Ohio in conjunction with the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival Weekend.

Friends, family members and fans traveled in from all across the country to welcome in the Hall of Fame Class of 2011.  The inductees in attendance included the following professionals:  Doris J. Barrilleaux – Jim Everroad –  Cathe Friedrich –  Lee Haney –  Bill Kazmaier –  Lenda Murray –  Mark Rothstein.  (The late Joseph Pilates was also inducted). 

This year’s Master of Ceremony, Dr. Bob Goldman (a 2006 HOF Inductee) presented two special awards.  The 2011 “Lifetime Achievement Award” was given to 2009 HOF Inductee, Jim Lorimer and the distinguished “Fitness Spokesperson of the Century” Award was presented former governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger who has devoted most of his life promoting fitness.

The National Fitness Hall of Fame’s founder and executive director, John Figarelli had this to say. “This was a tremendous opportunity for us to reach out to a huge audience and catapult our status as a top educational institution.  All of the feedback that I have received concerning this year’s event has been positive and uplifting.”

One attendee, Erica had this to say about the event.  “Wow!!!  What an awesome event!!!  I am still thinking about how much fun I had meeting all of the inductees!!!  This is an event that I will never forget!  You and your staff did an excellent job of organizing and pulling it all together!!”

Sue was also equally impressed, saying, “First, let me extend a HUGE thank-you for the fabulous weekend and the opportunity to be there!  It will be a weekend I will not forget.  I had the privilege of meeting extraordinary people who have contributed so much to so many!

Each recipient of the NFHOF Class of 2011 was so kind, humble and approachable!  The atmosphere you provided enabled all of the inductees, their family and friends to mingle and chat and thoroughly enjoy the induction ceremony!”

Thanks to our volunteers for helping to pull this all together: The Figarelli family, Donald, Julia, Don Jr., Fatima, Isabelle & Nicholas and our to our sponsors; Total Gym Company, Egglands Best, and Dr. Bob Goldman.




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John, I first want to thank you for one of the most memorable high lights of my life.  I am humbled by the entire experience. I want to thanks you for and Dr. Bob for making this event one that remembers the efforts shown by those within our industry.”
 

Thanks again and God bless you, Lee Haney – 2011 HOF Inductee


Dear John,

First let me say it was nice meeting you and I have much appreciation for the hard work and loyalty you demonstrate to this event (The National Fitness Hall of Fame).As a personal friend of Mark Rothstein I want you to know what a dedicated and loyal inductee the Hall of Fame has in Mark.  As you have learned in just a short time Mark is a humble and loyal person and he demonstrates this in his work ethic and personal commitments.  My wife and I enjoyed the event and the people we met are great contacts/friends I hope forever. 

The Friday night "Meet and Greet" was a great opportunity to interact and meet not only the inductees but their family and friends.  Saturday’s event was exciting in the fact that the room was filled with a number of individuals that had dedicated their life to motivating, promoting, and informing our country about the benefits of Health and Fitness, a message that is so important to both the young and elderly.

John your hard work is appreciated and the new members of the National Fitness Hall of Fame will be great additions to the field of Fitness. Continue to tap these sources to promote the message. 

Sincerely, Pete and Janet Santora


“It was a great time indeed!...


John, induction into The NFHOF – Class of 2011 – is a great honor.  Beyond the honor, you have created a beautiful association of fitness professionals and enthusiasts – An association which has the feel of an extended family.  Thank you so much.  You are to be commended for your vision and work.”

Your friend, Jim Everroad, 2011 HOF Inductee




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