Digest

This episode of the podcast dives into the life and career of Bernard McFadden, a controversial figure in the world of physical culture. The episode begins with a brief introduction and then delves into McFadden's early life, highlighting his unconventional methods for promoting fitness, including extreme diets, intense workouts, and a relentless pursuit of success. The story follows McFadden's rise to regional fame as a wrestler and health guru, his move to New York City, and his attempts to gain traction in the city's competitive fitness scene. The episode explores McFadden's various business ventures, including his fitness magazine "Physical Culture," which became a success due to its use of celebrity endorsements, its appeal to both men and women, and its inclusion of titillating content. The episode also discusses McFadden's controversial methods, including his "Six Pillars of Sickness," which he believed were detrimental to health, and his bizarre invention, the "Peniscope," designed to enlarge the penis. The episode concludes by discussing McFadden's legacy, highlighting his success in the publishing industry and his eventual downfall. Despite his eccentricities, his confession-style magazines remain popular today.

Outlines

00:00:00

Bernard McFadden: A Life of Extreme Measures

This episode tells the story of Bernard McFadden, a fitness guru who rose to fame in the early 20th century with unconventional methods, but whose legacy is marked by both success and scandal. The episode explores his early life, his rise to fame, his controversial methods, and his eventual downfall.

00:00:25

McFadden's Early Life and Rise to Fame

The episode begins by introducing Bernard McFadden and his unconventional methods for promoting physical culture. It highlights his extreme diets, intense workouts, and relentless pursuit of success. The story follows McFadden's rise to regional fame as a wrestler and health guru, his move to New York City, and his attempts to gain traction in the city's competitive fitness scene.

00:33:22

McFadden's Business Ventures and Controversial Methods

The episode explores McFadden's various business ventures, including his fitness magazine "Physical Culture," which became a success due to its use of celebrity endorsements, its appeal to both men and women, and its inclusion of titillating content. The episode also discusses McFadden's controversial methods, including his "Six Pillars of Sickness," which he believed were detrimental to health, and his bizarre invention, the "Peniscope," designed to enlarge the penis.

00:53:09

McFadden's Legacy and Downfall

The episode concludes by discussing McFadden's legacy, highlighting his success in the publishing industry and his eventual downfall. Despite his eccentricities, his confession-style magazines remain popular today.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were some of Bernard McFadden's unconventional methods for promoting physical culture?

  McFadden advocated for extreme diets, intense workouts, and a relentless pursuit of success. He believed in pushing the limits of the human body and often employed methods that were considered extreme or even dangerous.

• What was Bernard McFadden's "Six Pillars of Sickness"?

  McFadden believed that corsets, white bread, over-eating, prudery, vaccination, and doctors were detrimental to health. He promoted a natural approach to fitness and wellness, often criticizing conventional medical practices.

• How did Bernard McFadden's "Physical Culture" magazine become so successful?

  The magazine's success was attributed to its use of celebrity endorsements, its appeal to both men and women, and its inclusion of titillating content. McFadden understood the power of marketing and used these strategies to attract a large readership.

• What was Bernard McFadden's ultimate goal in life?

  McFadden's ultimate goal was to promote physical culture and health to the world. He believed that a strong body and mind were essential for a fulfilling life and dedicated his life to spreading this message.

• What were some of the events included in the "Bernard's" competition?

  The competition included various events, such as races for men and women, fencing championships, wrestling bouts, and several fasting competitions.

• Why was Bernard McFadden arrested for his magazine's content?

  McFadden was arrested for circulating obscene pictures, which were posters of women who had won previous physical culture competitions. The posters were considered obscene because they depicted women in revealing outfits.

• What were some of the rules of Physical Culture City?

  Physical Culture City had strict rules, including a ban on saloons, drugstores, tobacco shops, and "prudes." McFadden believed that these rules would create a utopian society.

• What were some of the unconventional treatments offered at McFadden's sanatorium?

  McFadden's sanatorium offered unconventional treatments, such as fasting, an all-milk diet, water cures, massage, and skeletal manipulation.

• What was the "Peniscope" and what was its purpose?

  The "Peniscope" was a bizarre invention by McFadden, designed to enlarge the penis. It involved a cylindrical tube attached to a vacuum.

• What were some of McFadden's political ambitions?

  McFadden believed that physical culture reforms could win elections. He attempted to run for president and later for the Senate.

• What was McFadden's legacy?

  McFadden was a successful publisher, but his political ambitions failed, and he lost a significant amount of money. Despite his eccentricities, his confession-style magazines remain popular today.

Show Notes