Extreme Podcast: Season 2, Episode 4 – "Perfect Square Pecs"

Host: Natalia Melman Petruzella
Release Date: August 19, 2024
Produced by: Novel for BBC Radio 4

Introduction: The Allure of the Ideal Body

The episode opens with Natalia Melman Petruzella setting the scene at the Caesar's Palace Hotel in Las Vegas, where a replica of Michelangelo's David stands as a symbol of enduring male beauty ideals. Ed Connors, co-owner of Gold's Gym, shares his perspective on the statue as he mentors a group of aspiring bodybuilders.

Ed Connors [00:29]: "It's in its own little space. I think a lot of people miss it."

Natalia introduces the theme of the episode: exploring the obsession with the perfect male physique, the rise of bodybuilding, and the dark underbelly of steroid use that fueled this cultural shift in the 1980s.

The Golden Era of Bodybuilding and Steroid Smuggling

The narrative delves into the burgeoning world of steroid smuggling led by William Dillon, Dan Duchene, and David Jenkins. Their operation not only met the escalating demand for performance-enhancing drugs but also capitalized on the evolving American dream centered around muscularity.

William Dillon [04:09]: "If you're getting 20 free suitcases a week, what do you do with all those suitcases?"

Natalia outlines how the trio's meticulous plan to manufacture, smuggle, and counterfeit steroids in Mexico became a lucrative enterprise, inadvertently sparking a nationwide steroid revolution.

William Dillon [04:41]: "I was a mechanical engineer, so I was making $70,000 a year. I left Hughes when I was making as much in a month as I was making in a year at Hughes."

Despite Dillon's discreet persona and family-oriented financial habits, the operation's scale eventually attracted law enforcement attention, setting the stage for conflict.

Shifting Body Ideals in Hollywood and Society

The episode contrasts the traditional, slimmer Hollywood leading men of the early 20th century with the emerging muscular icons of the 1980s. Natalia references Frank Capra's depiction of masculinity in "It Happened One Night" to highlight the dramatic shift in male beauty standards.

Joe Tricoli [07:58]: "I grew up as one of those kids. I would have taken him for sure. Who doesn't want to get ahead? Easy."

This section emphasizes how muscle mass transitioned from being associated with manual labor and narcissism to emblematic of health, status, and desirability, thanks in part to figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Personal Stories: Struggling with Body Image and Acceptance

The episode introduces key individuals who navigated the complex landscape of bodybuilding:

• Joe Tricoli: Grew up in a family that mocked bodybuilding, yet found solace and identity in lifting weights.

  Joe Tricoli [08:31]: "It was just love at first. Flex, I guess you want to call it."

• Sandra Blackie: A female bodybuilder who faced societal judgment and gender-based discrimination but found community and empowerment in Los Angeles.

  Sandra Blackie [12:25]: "It was like fun. It was empowering. It felt like it was who I was meant to be."

• Bob Paris (Eric Alvarez): A gay bodybuilder who used strength training both as a means of survival during the AIDS epidemic and as a way to build self-confidence amidst internalized homophobia.

  Bob Paris [18:06]: "My body started sprouting up. I started getting a lot of attention. It just made me feel good."

These narratives illustrate the personal costs and societal pressures associated with striving for the perfect physique.

The Steroid Epidemic and Its Psychological Impact

Dr. Harrison Pope's research is cited to explain the psychological drivers behind steroid use beyond mere performance enhancement. The concept of "bigorexia," a preoccupation with muscle size despite significant hypertrophy, is introduced as a key motivator for continued steroid abuse.

Eric Alvarez [21:48]: "Among the questions that we asked them was we asked them about preoccupation with body image when they were young teenagers...they continued to see themselves as too small when they looked at themselves in the mirror."

Natalia highlights how early body image issues predisposed individuals to steroid use, setting the stage for widespread dependence as societal ideals of masculinity intensified.

The Collapse of Steroid Smuggling Operations

As steroid use became more pervasive, law enforcement began to crack down on black market operations. The narrative shifts to the downfall of Dillon, Duchene, and Jenkins' smuggling empire, illustrating the inevitable clash between expanding illegal operations and regulatory authorities.

William Dillon [26:04]: "I'll just ship almost probably five, six days a week."

Events leading up to the authorities' intervention are recounted, showcasing the unsustainable nature of their illicit business amidst growing scrutiny.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the 'Perfect' Physique

The episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring impact of the 1980s bodybuilding culture. It underscores the lasting pressures and psychological ramifications of striving for an unattainable physical ideal, as experienced by individuals like Joe Tricoli and William Dillon.

Joe Tricoli [21:04]: "I realized that the drugs were just so crazy, it just wasn't feasible for me having children and to be doing that."

Natalia ties together the personal stories with broader cultural shifts, emphasizing how the pursuit of perfection in physical form can lead to profound personal and societal consequences.

Key Takeaways

• Cultural Shift: The 1980s marked a significant transformation in American body ideals, elevating muscularity as a symbol of success and desirability.

• Steroid Smuggling: The clandestine operations of Dillon, Duchene, and Jenkins played a pivotal role in meeting the explosive demand for steroids, inadvertently fueling a nationwide phenomenon.

• Personal Struggles: Individuals navigating bodybuilding faced immense societal pressures, internal conflicts, and in some cases, mental health challenges like bigorexia.

• Regulatory Response: The expansion of the steroid black market was unsustainable, leading to increased law enforcement action and eventual crackdown on illegal operations.

• Enduring Impact: The legacy of the 1980s bodybuilding culture continues to influence contemporary discussions around body image, health, and the psychological impacts of striving for physical perfection.

Notable Quotes

• Ed Connors [01:36]: "Michelangelo captures what I consider a perfectly shaped square shaped pecs, which you either have or you don't."

• Sandra Blackie [12:52]: "There a lot of lesbians in your sport? A lot of people thought we were trying to become men."

• Bob Paris [16:33]: "I thought it was negative. I thought it was homophobic."

• William Dillon [25:21]: "I was running a business. That's the only thing that I was doing."

Produced by:
Caroline Thornham – Producer
Mohamed Ahmed – Assistant Producer
Kathryn Godfrey – Editor
Daniel Kempson – Sound Design
Silverhawk AKA Cyrille Poirier – Original Music
Cherie Houston – Production Manager
Dan Clark – Commissioning Editor
Max O'Brien – Executive Producer for Novel

Host & Executive Producer:
Natalia Melman Petruzella

Next Episode Teaser:
The episode concludes with a teaser for the next installment, hinting at a high-profile kidnapping case, demonstrating the podcast's diverse storytelling range.

For more gripping stories and in-depth explorations, listen to "Extreme" on BBC Radio 4.