Andre Begin
Andre Begin (born April 11, 1937) is a Canadian bodybuilder, college professor, fitness consultant, herbalist, and advocate of holistic health and lifestyle. Begin has been a consultant to celebrities, top athletes, champion bodybuilders and members of the royal family. He is the co-founder of the Canadian Bodybuilding Federation (CBBF) and was the director of the Weider certification program for weight training as well as the director for clinical research for Weider supplements.
Begin is also an international spokesman on the power of the mind, focused weight training and longevity. He has written many books and articles on life-extension and holistic health, and has traveled the world giving seminars on the subject. Begin continues to be a prominent figure in the health and fitness world while consistently training 6 days a week for 2 hours a day at the age of 73.
Early life
Born in Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A, son of Spanish descendant Claire Bordura (28 April, 1924-October 1980) and Romeo Begin (28 June 1884-May 1981), an Apache Native American who died at the age of 97. Andre had two brothers and one sister and grew up in Montreal, Canada after moving from the United States at the age of 4. His Native American grandfather taught him AbOUT meditation, respect of nature and how to use herbs to cure and strengthen the body. His grandfather lived until the age of 101 years old. Begin had a good relationship with his mother, and kept in touch with her until she died of cancer at the age of 56.
Begin grew up in a primarily Jewish neighbourhood and learned Yiddish before English and French. At the age of 14 Andre decided to pick up his first set of weights.
Bodybuilding career
Begin gained worldwide esteem for his success as a bodybuilder, as well as his phenomenal feats of strength. In 1968 Begin benched (309 kg/680 1bs.) beating strongman Pat Casey’s bench press record of (279.5kg/615 1bs.). Andre at the same time was curling 113kg(250 1bs.) and 81kg( 180 1bs.) with each arm. Begin began his bodybuilding at the age of 14. He trained at the Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA) gym where he caught the attention of Joe Weider, co-founder of the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB). This brought Andre closer to the body building world which was the beginning of his association with Mr. Ben Weider. Begin went on to win several bodybuilding titles such as Mr. Canada 1959,1960,1965,1970, Mr. Montreal in 1962, Mr. Quebec 1963,Mr. Muscle Builder in 1966, and placed 3rd in Mr. Universe in 1966. Begin was featured in muscle magazines such Flex, Men’s Fitness, and Muscle & Fitness(formerly Muscle Builder Magazine). In the late 1960’s incorporated gymnastics it into his workouts. He was first introduced to gymnastics and acrobats by former NWA World Heavyweight Championship wrestler Edouard Carpentier.
Fitness and health career
After success as a world class bodybuilder and skillful gymnast, Begin began experimenting with different methods of training. Some of his most effective training methods were his “Back to Basics” and “Stick to Fitness” systems. Andre believed very much in using the power of the mind to build the most impressive results. His work as a motivator and instructor of fitness allowed him to be recognized as an international consultant on fitness and health. Many articles in the late 60’s and early 70’s featured Andre Begin ,“Mr. Canada”, as an advocate of natural herbs such as Ginsengwhich he attributed to body development and impressive strength. In the late 60’s Begin began to work with trouble youths offering them an alternative through the right mind set and weight training. He traveled across Canada visiting penitentiaries and performing demonstrations on weight training and fitness. Begin believed that helping people with their health was one of the greatest gifts that could be shared. In 1971 he was brought toJohn Abbott College in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec to create and implement a weight training and fitness course for students to learn. He also established guidelines on how to form courses on training top professional athletes for universities and colleges across Canada. Throughout his teaching career, Begin remained affiliated with the Weider Corporation. He served as the assistant general secretary to the IFBB International congress from 1970 to 19761. He was appointed Director of clinical research of Weider supplements by Ben Weider in 1987 as well as the Director of the Weider Certification for weight training.