By 1996, Bill Jones had accomplished everything possible in the bodybuilding world, from reaching the heights locally in the Mr Northwest competition to conquering the world after winning Mr Universe.
After such a successful career, stepping away from competition was never going to be easy. Even after everything he’s achieved, Bill still misses the thrill of competing, the ups and downs of training, and the pride of winning titles.
Thirty years after reaching his pinnacle as Mr Universe, Bill remains nostalgic about his bodybuilding career.
He said: “Of course, I miss it. It was my life. When I woke up in the morning, my first thought was about training today, and when I went to bed, my last thought was about training tomorrow. I think it was this drive that won me the trophies.”
Although his career was marked by success, Bill’s journey hasn’t been without its difficulties.
At 25, he was in the midst of a career in deep-sea diving, travelling the world to inspect oil rigs. However, during a job in the Arabian Gulf, his ship was hit by a missile. Some of his friends were killed and badly injured. Bill suffered burst eardrums, resulting in the end of his career at sea and kick-starting his life as a bodybuilder.
Today, Bill runs the gym in Kensington (Gym 21) that he once trained in. The previous owner and Bill’s coach, Vic Burdett, was the first person to recognise his potential as a body builder.
Bill said: “Vic told me you’ve got this unique shape. You’ve got a waist like a girl and a big ribcage. We could take this somewhere.”
Sadly, Vic passed away before Bill gained the Mr Universe title, but it was Vic’s mantra that he still carries to this day.
Bill said: “The most important thing he ever told me in my career was don’t let your head be the biggest muscle you grow.”
Decades after his passing, Vic’s positivity still resonates with Bill. He can escape from the longing for competition thanks to the foundations of the gym his old coach left for him.
He said: “I love the gym environment. When I go downstairs and I see somebody training, it fills me with joy. I love being able to provide a place for others that gave me my career and brought me so much relief over the years.”
