Tony Pearson recounts sleeping on the streets of Los Angeles before making his big break in bodybuilding
In this clip, Tony Pearson reflects back on his move to Los Angeles where he dove head first into becoming a bodybuilder. But his transition to the west coast wasn’t easy. Tony found himself homeless with his back against the wall… until an act of kindness held him over until his big bodybuilding break. You can watch the clip above!
California has long been the mecca of bodybuilding – in large part due to the existence of Gold’s Gym in Venice, CA. The warm weather and sunny beaches made for a perfect combination to train and show off incredible physiques in the bodybuilding world. Tony Pearson knew if he wanted to take his bodybuilding dreams seriously – he would have to move out there.
But moving from the south out to the west with very little money proved to be a challenge. Tony Pearson couldn’t simply wait until he had enough savings to make the trip. If he did, he may have never actually earned enough to make the trip. He had to take a risk. A Hail Mary putting everything on the line for his one big chance.
So Tony Pearson booked a one way ticket with his friend to Los Angeles. He didn’t have a job lined up. And he didn’t have enough money to make the trip back.
Sleeping On The Streets Of Los Angeles
Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, Tony Pearson’s friend got cold feet. He left California and made his way home. Tony couldn’t make that choice. He was now stuck on the west coast. Without a friend by his side – he was truly alone.
That early period of time was challenging for Tony Pearson. He struggled to find work and had nowhere to live. He ultimately found the back parking lot of a church. It seemed secluded and safe enough for him to live there. He would then spend his days looking for work at employment offices and nights sleeping behind the church.
He was also able to gain entrance into Muscle Beach. A famous outdoor bodybuilding gym where day passes were very cheap. It was the one expense he was able to maintain in order to keep his bodybuilding dream alive. Eventually, this would lead him to meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger and give him a door into the pro bodybuilding world. But that’s another story.
An Act of Kindness
Tony Pearson recounts a specific memory from his time living homeless in Los Angeles. He was told of a job via the employment office. At the same time, another individual at the office was informed and they both raced to earn the job. Tony arrived second – and lost the position to the other individual.
At this moment, Tony Pearson had no money left to his name. He didn’t know how he was going to eat or what he would do moving forward. Out of answers, Tony broke down into tears at the business where he was just denied a job.
It was a this moment that the business owner saw Tony Pearson and recognized his troubles. The man wrote out a check for fifty dollars and handed it to Tony. He said, “May God bless you.”
Looking back, Tony Pearson believes that the 50 dollars he was given, that one act of kindness, is the only reason he is able to stand here today as a legendary bodybuilder. Without it, who knows where he would be. Perhaps hitchhiking back to his hometown defeated. Certainly, he wouldn’t have become the 80s icon known as the “Michael Jackson of Bodybuilding.”
That very act of kindness changed Tony Pearson’s life. It’s a reminder of how little actions to some can be enormous to others. It’s also an evocative insight into the journey Tony took, overcoming hurdle after hurdle, to become a bodybuilding star.
DRIVEN: The Tony Pearson Story Synopsis
Tony Pearson was once called the “Michael Jackson of Bodybuilding” due to his appearance and incredible posing routines. He became an icon that helped define professional bodybuilding in the 1980s.
Now Tony enters his final competition at the age of 63 while also recalling the harrowing child abuse that led to his inner, and ultimately outer, strength. DRIVEN shows how a person can rise above their situation and be stronger physically, mentally and spiritually… simply by picking up a weight.
How To Watch
DRIVEN: The Tony Pearson Story is available now on all major digital platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play, VUDU, and Vimeo on Demand. You can watch the film today right here or by clicking the banner below.
