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Dave Draper

Dave Draper was a legend from the Golden Era. He was instrumental in popularizing the sport, helping bodybuilding move into the spotlight.

He started training before he was 10, but he wasn’t always aware of his potential in the fitness industry. He worked as a welder in a New Jersey factory during his youth.

This is his story:

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Athlete Statistics

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Accomplishments

Competitions:

• 1963 Mr. New Jersey
• 1965 IFBB Mr. America Tall Class & Overall, 1st
• 1966 IFBB Mr. Universe Tall Class & Overall, 1st
• 1967 Mr. Olympia 4th
• 1970 AAU Mr. World 3rd
• 1970 IFBB Mr. World Tall & Overall, 1st
• 1970 NABBA Mr. Universe Tall, 3rd

Films:

• 1966 Lord Love a Duck – Billy Gibbons
• 1967 Don’t Make Waves – Harry Hollard

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Biography

Born and raised in New Jersey, The Blond Bomber always had a passion for fitness growing up. He began training, performing dipping and push-ups before he reached the age of 10.

He kept a small set of weights under his bed – the more he aged, the more the set increased.

He found his back widening, and he made serious progress to his physique by 12-years-old, in 1954.

High School

By the age of 15, in 1957, Dave had grown massive for his age. Strangers began acknowledging his size, asking about his training.

At this point, he became proficient in wrestling, swimming, and gymnastics during high school. However, Dave hadn’t considered a career as a bodybuilder.

Death

In December 2021, Dave died at the age of 79. His wife Laree Draper wrote on Facebook that he had died, without giving a cause of death.

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A young Dave Draper.

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First Competition

With the encouragement of his family and friends, Dave entered his first competition in 1963 – the Mr. Jersey contest. At the age of 21, he walked away with the trophy in his debut.

It was at this point that he began to realize his potential to succeed in the industry.

Meeting Joe Weider

After graduating, Dave became a welder in a factory. However his passion for fitness was still strong – he ordered a new pair of 45-pound plates from the Weider Barbell Company.

As he collected his purchase, he bumped into the owner, Joe Weider. He impressed Joe with his huge physique and was offered a job in Santa Monica.

6 weeks later, Dave made the big decision to move to California.

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Dave training in California with Arnold.

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Bodybuilding

While working for the Weider Barbell Company, he trained with Joe during lunch breaks. It was here, in Santa Monica, California, when he gained the nickname “The Blond Bomber”.

2 years after his debut show, Dave was hungry for more. Under the guidance of his boss, he won the 1965 IFBB Mr. America in his category and overall title.

But he was just getting started.

Mr. Universe and Acting

A year later, Dave took home another trophy after winning the 1966 IFBB Mr. Universe and overall title. Riding high from his success as a competitive bodybuilder, he decided to enter the world of acting.

He appeared in two films over the next 2 years. However, he never quit his true passion and his last job as an actor was in 1967.

During this time, he won the coveted Mr. Universe competition in 1966, gaining more recognition for his physique.

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Dave training in the gym after his retirement.

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Becoming a Legend

At the age of 25, The Blond Bomber entered his biggest contest yet – the 1967 Mr. Olympia. Although he didn’t win, he placed a respectable 4th in a line-up that included the great Sergio Oliva.

Soon after, he began training at the original Gold’s Gym with the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1968. It was here that he became one of the stars of the Golden Era of bodybuilding.

Retirement

After a three year break from competing, Dave decided that 1970 was his last in the sport. He started the year strong, winning the IFBB Mr. World and coming third in the AAU Mr. World shows.

He stepped on stage for the last time towards the end of 1970, at the age of 28, at the NABBA Mr. Universe. He placed in the top 3.

Although Dave didn’t have his dream ending, he’d cemented his place among the legends of the industry.

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Training

Dave didn’t follow any specific training plan, and enjoyed mixing his workouts up – this shocked his body and forced it to grow.

Dave was known to train with full-body workouts in the gym, but never trained to failure.

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Nutrition

Dave would make sure to consume 7 meals a day to keep his body fuelled – he’d have breakfast at 7am and finish his day off at 9:30pm.

Diet Plan

Dave’s diet plan looked something like this:

• Meal 1 – Protein shake with non-fat milk, a banana, and creatine (7am)
• Meal 2 – Post workout protein shake with non-fat milk, banana and creatine (9:30am)
• Meal 3 – 8oz Hamburger with vegetables and cottage cheese (12 midday)
• Meal 4 – 8oz Hamburger with vegetables and cottage cheese (3pm)
• Meal 5 – Fruit or cottage cheese and protein shake (5pm)
• Meal 6 – Roasted chicken, green salad and rice (8pm)
• Meal 7 – Tin of tuna and 2oz cheese (9:30pm)

Supplements Stack:

• Multivitamin
• Antioxidants
• Whey Protein
• Creatine
• BCAA
• Glutamine

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Idols and Influences

Dave was around during one of the greatest era’s of bodybuilding. He was lucky enough to train with legends of the sport, and he was influences by them all throughout his career.

However, he names Steeve Reeves as his idol, believing him to be the most naturally aesthetic athlete of the sport.

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What we can learn from Dave Draper

Dave has taught us that you shouldn’t waste any time in working towards your dream. He started training before he was 10, aiming to achieve his ideal physique from an early age.

One thing we can take away from Dave’s story is that you should always make the most of your situation. He met Joe Weider and took advantage by gaining a job at his company.