Former Mr. USA and Bodybuilding Hall of Famer Is Still Able to Maintain an Unbelievable Physique at 65

John DeFendis, the former Mr. USA, is a man of grit and perseverance. He is well-known among gym-going Floridians, as a leading fitness coach. DeFendis entered the bodybuilding arena with a dream to achieve the Mr. USA title, back in 1978. He realized his goal only after 10 years of determination and struggle as he claimed the Mr. USA title in 1988. After four decades in the bodybuilding arena, the 65-year-old is today defying aging norms and lifting weights similar to his younger self.

DeFendis was first acquainted with lifting weights when his father gave him a Dan Lurie barbell when he was just 10 years old. But the fitness magazines played their part to influence a 13-year-old boy to take up training seriously.

An inspired DeFendis charted his own journey

DeFendis was inspired by Dave Draper after reading an article on him and resolved to claim the Mr. USA title one day. A 17-year-old DeFendis then met Steve Michalik, and his life changed forever. Training with the latter whom Defendis considers his mentor was the most tortuous, yet fulfilling part of his life. “The most exciting moments and the moments that I will remember most though are the monumental moments in the gym – the “survive or be killed” moments that I spent training with the great Champion, Steve Michalik,” says DeFendis being grateful for all the efforts that made him what he is today.

The iconic bodybuilder is not limiting his capacity for his age. He trains regularly and at the age of 65, he still flaunts his huge bicep. DeFendis still includes pullovers in his workout regime and has been practicing them for over 53 years. He believes pullovers help him retain his upper body shape. “The years that he brutalized me and educated me and instilled in me the will that I would need to succeed in bodybuilding as well as in life,” he told Bodybuilding.com, recalling his rigorous training session with Steve Michalik.

Read More: 65-Year-Old Ripped Fitness Coach Shares Her Anti-Aging Secret

John DeFendis is Florida’s most famous Fitness Guru

The former Mr. USA also helps people realize their fitness goals. He collaborated with his mentor Steve Michalik to develop an ‘intensity or insanity’ workout regime that helps his clients to pursue fitness goals more seriously.  His authority was cemented in 2007, when he was inducted into the WBBG Hall of Fame, along with other bodybuilding icons like Harold Poole and Samir Bannout.

Watch the story here: 28-year-old “Planning to be a Barrister” ditches her Law degree to pursue “True Passion, Bodybuilding

If that was not enough to crystalize his reputation, DeFendis was awarded Florida’s Personal Trainer of the Year Award successively for 9 years from 2010 to 2019. Suffice it to say, DeFendis has thrived by passing on his years of subject matter expertise to the upcoming generation of bodybuilders. Have you found John Defendis’s story inspirational? Let us know in the comments below!