Maintenance Phase: Richard Simmons Episode Summary

Release Date: October 25, 2024

Hosts: Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes
Podcast Description: Debunking the junk science behind health fads, wellness scams, and nonsensical nutrition advice.

Introduction

In the October 25, 2024 episode of Maintenance Phase, hosts Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes delve deep into the life and legacy of the beloved fitness guru Richard Simmons. Moving beyond his exuberant public persona, the hosts explore the more complex and often tragic aspects of Simmons's life, drawing from his memoir Still Hungry After All These Years and various interviews.

Early Impressions and Public Persona

The episode begins with Michael Hobbes sharing his initial perception of Richard Simmons:
“All I know about Richard Simmons is like, sad things, like melancholy things...” [00:11]

Aubrey Gordon counters this by highlighting how Simmons was often perceived as a "manic pixie dream gay" figure, despite his never publicly addressing his sexual orientation. The hosts emphasize the contrast between the vibrant, high-energy Simmons seen on TV and the more vulnerable individual revealed through personal accounts.

Family Background and Childhood Struggles

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Simmons's upbringing in New Orleans:

• Parentage and Early Trauma: Richard Simmons, born Milton Teagle Simmons, faced a tumultuous childhood. His father, Leonard Simmons Sr., a former professional emcee, displayed volatile behavior, including burning family photo albums when Simmons's mother, Shirley May Simmons, announced her pregnancy. Aubrey shares a poignant excerpt from the memoir:
  “My father made all the decisions in his house... Shirley quickly went out into the yard, picked up a stick, and poked through the fire. She managed to salvage some of the photos.” [11:56]

• Religious Upbringing: Raised Catholic, Simmons attended Catholic school despite his parents' non-practicing stance. This cultural Catholicism instilled a sense of shame and conflict within him, particularly around his emerging identity:
  “I think it was weird that he and his brother went to Catholic school...Why do we go to Mass but you don't go to Mass?” [17:03]

• Struggles with Weight and Bullying: From a young age, Simmons grappled with his weight, facing harsh diets enforced by his parents and relentless bullying at school. Aubrey recounts Simmons's first Weight Watchers experience, marked by public shaming:
  “I knew from past experience that the system and reward and punishment probably wasn't going to work for me.” [34:43]

Escaping to Italy and Brief Acting Career

Seeking an escape from his troubled home life, Simmons moved to Italy to pursue his passion for art. During his time abroad, he made a cameo in Federico Fellini's Satyricon and engaged in various acting roles, including quirky commercials:

• Unexpected Opportunities: Aubrey reveals how Simmons stumbled into acting:
  “He thought he was going to be cast for his personality, but ended up doing minor roles like a dancing meatball in commercials.” [37:03]

• Cameo Appearances: The hosts discuss Simmons's brief and often unrecognizable roles, highlighting the stark contrast between his Italian persona and his later American image.

The Turning Point: Opening Slimming Clubs

Upon returning to the United States, Simmons faced continued struggles with his weight and self-image. A pivotal moment occurred when he received a hurtful note:
“Richard, you're very funny, but fat people die young. Please don't die, dude.” [40:34]

This catalyzed his decision to create a supportive environment for others facing similar challenges. Despite initial setbacks, including being rejected from Gilda's exercise classes due to his gender, Simmons persevered:

• Founding Slimming Clubs: Inspired by his own battles, Simmons launched his first gym, initially named the Anatomy Asylum. The gym emphasized inclusivity, welcoming both gay men and fat women, two demographics often marginalized in fitness spaces:
  “The gym takes off and it becomes a chain...where people like you can lose weight, look good, and feel great.” [59:17]

• Building the Empire: Through relentless energy and an empathetic approach, Simmons's fitness empire grew into 72 clubs across 13 cities. His message was clear:
  “You don’t have to look like you already go to the gym to belong there.” [56:10]

Personal Struggles and Internal Conflicts

Despite his outward positivity, Simmons grappled with deep-seated personal issues:

• Eating Disorders: His memoir reveals Simmons engaged in extreme weight loss methods during his youth, including severe caloric restriction and diet pill abuse. Aubrey highlights the dangerous path Simmons took:
  “He was just straight up wild, unchecked, happily embraced anorexia.” [42:45]

• Isolation and Lack of Reciprocal Relationships: Simmons often felt isolated, unable to form meaningful, reciprocal relationships. Michael notes:
  “He has this feeling that he can’t form relationships with people that aren't around, kind of rescuing them or being a support for them.” [35:19]

Reflection and Legacy

In reflecting on Simmons's journey, both hosts express a mix of empathy and sadness:

• Cultural Oversight: Aubrey admits feeling embarrassed that such a prominent figure was largely misunderstood and that the culture at large failed to acknowledge his deeper struggles:
  “It made me sad that I had to go back and read this book from 25 years ago to hear from anyone, anywhere that he actually had a really rough time growing up.” [60:28]

• Unfulfilled Potential: There's a sense of loss over the person Simmons might have been had he received the support he needed during his formative years.

Notable Quotes

1. Michael Hobbs on Simmons's TV Persona:
   “People who act like this oftentimes are covering up for something.” [06:30]

2. Aubrey Gordon on Family Dynamics:
   “The way Simmons and his brother were treated by their parents created a storm cloud over his upbringing.” [14:15]

3. Richard’s Turning Point Note:
   “Richard, you're very funny, but fat people die young. Please don't die, dude.” [40:34]

4. Hosts on Slimming Clubs' Inclusivity:
   “You don’t have to look like you already go to the gym to belong there.” [56:10]

Conclusion

This episode of Maintenance Phase presents a multifaceted portrait of Richard Simmons, challenging the simplistic view of him as merely a cheerful fitness icon. Through detailed exploration of his early life, personal struggles, and the creation of his fitness empire, Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes shed light on the complexities behind Simmons's enduring legacy. The hosts leave listeners with a profound understanding of the man behind the persona, urging a more compassionate and nuanced appreciation of public figures.

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