To most humans, perspiring and straining for hours on end during workouts would be a sacrifice, a drudgery. But the daily training in a gym with sizeable barbells was as much a part of Rocky's routine as morning coffee and doughnuts were to ordinary people. A severely torn forearm muscle injury axed his dreams to compete for the coveted gold medal in the 1964 Olympic Games that he qualified for to represent the United States. The Rock built himself back up (including his ego) into a praiseworthy power-lifter. He was prestigiously crowned Mr. America Over 40 in 1983. In my book, Norman Rauch was a giant of a man for admitting that his numerous years of self-inflicted anabolic steroid abuse nearly cost him his life. Rauch eventually allowed his large ego to become detached (unplugged) from all the hype and glory after spending 59 death-defying days in the hospital as a bone marrow transplant recipient. From almost having to cash in his chips, this courageous man dedicated his life to Christ and spoke to kids all over the nation on the dangerous effects of steroid abuse.
About the Author: JOHN D. MOTTA originally grew up in the small unknown town of Braidwood, Illinois, until one day the word spread like wildfire (not radiation) that the Nuclear Power Plant was under construction which put the town on the map. John considered himself as just another one of the "boyz from Illinoiz" where he attended Reed-Custer High School lettering in baseball. He never had the option of telling the popular "back in the day" story about having to trudge across the railroad ties for a mile in the dead of winter to get to the one room double-story red schoolhouse...'cause he just had to hop, skip, and jump across the road and baseball diamond from home before the last outdoor rope bell rang its course. John served his country in the Viet Nam War from 1969-1972. He later received a degree from DeVry in electronics. His first published fictional book that was written was entitled: MY MOTHER the GOAT. John now resides in the great tourist town of Lake Geneva, still a minority Chicago Cubs fan sanwiched between all the die hard Brewer fans on the block. John's best gal-friend Trudy Rauch a native of this Wisconsin territory, has her famous cat Gustafer wish him the best of luck with a drum beat over the phone when he gets famished!