Danny Hester talks what it was like training Jean-Claude Van Damme and the celebs that visited Gold’s Gym in the 90s.
Beyond being the first ever Classic Physique Olympia champion, Danny Hester is also an occasional celebrity trainer. One celebrity that he has trained consistently over the years is Jean-Claude Van Damme. A legendary mixed martial artist and action movie star – most notable for his iconic roles in the 80s. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Danny Hester tells stories from training Jean-Claude Van Damme.
In between training for competitions, Danny Hester also spends his time training a select number of celebrities. One of the celebrities he has trained longest through the years is Jean-Claude Van Damme – best known for the iconic films Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Double Impact. Van Damme was a mixed martial artist and action star that changed the game in the 80s. Known for performing his own stunts and bringing a visceral feeling to the fight scenes in his films, he has been an enduring action movie icon through to today. His latest hit was playing the villain in The Expendables 2 alongside other icons such as Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, and Jet Li to name a few.
While Danny Hester mostly focuses on fitness and strength training with Van Damme – he also occasionally spars with him. If there’s one thing Hester learned quickly is that Van Damme doesn’t pull his punches. In our interview with Danny Hester, he tells a few funny stories on what it was like to train with such a masterful martial artist and he also touches upon the party lifestyle that Van Damme still keeps up to this day. Hester feels blessed that he doesn’t have an addicting personality, because when he went out to party with Jean-Claude Van Damme, they partied hard.
Danny Hester also details what it was like to train at Gold’s Gym in the 90s and the laundry list of celebrities that would visit including Keanu Reeves, Kobe Bryant, and Dennis Hopper. Hester even had a chance to hang out with Dennis Hopper – who was also quite the partier in his heyday. Gold’s Gym is very different in comparison, so it’s nice to hear stories from a time that feels more legendary and true to the title of The Mecca Of Bodybuilding.
Check out the full GI Exclusive interview segment with Danny Hester above!
*Header image courtesy of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Instagram
