 |
About
As a matter of fact, he was 6’5 and 170 lbs. through high school. Jim played basketball in those days and went on to play college ball at FTU (now known as UCF) under the tutelage of Hall of Fame coach, living legend and lifetime friend, Gene “Torchy” Clark. In 1968 Jim met Henry “Milo” Steinborn, world’s strongest man at the time and champion wrestler, and began strength training under Milo’s guidance. He continued training with Milo for years to come and along the way met Arthur Jones, inventor of Nautilus and known worldwide as the man who changed the face of fitness forever. Arthur was a fitness genius and true living legend. Jim purchased a full line of Nautilus equipment from Arthur in 1973 and proceeded to open Orlando, Florida’s first fitness center, Jim Flanagan’s Nautilus Fitness Center. In 1975 Jim began working with Arthur Jones at Nautilus and remained by his side until 1987, when Arthur sold Nautilus. During that time, Jim traveled the world speaking, training and educating men and women from all walks of life in the proper methods of strength training. He worked with doctors, professional coaches and athletes, collegiate coaches and athletes, Hall of Fame coaches and athletes, Olympic athletes, Bodybuilders, movie stars, military agencies, “high up” government officials…the list goes on and on. In 1984 Jim was awarded the prestigious Pacific Air Force Fitness Award. After the sale of Nautilus in 1987, Jim assisted Arthur in developing and founding Medx Corp., a medically based company specializing in low back, neck and knee rehabilitation. In 1991 they launched a full line of exercise equipment under the Medx name, designed specifically for fitness and rehabilitation. From 1987-1996 Jim continued traveling the world, promoting and selling Medx equipment and teaching people how to strength train properly. In 1996 Medx Corp. was sold and Jim remained with the company as General Manager until 2002. In 1998 he accepted the honor of Governor’s Leadership Award presented by The Florida Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. To date, he remains an independent distributor of Medx equipment worldwide and is the driving force behind educating the general public in proven and time tested methods of effective strength training. He now offers courses and other educational products on this subject, plus does coaching on a personal level for those interested in learning how to train safely, properly and effectively. Jim has been involved with the following entities by serving in sales, education, logistics, and as a clinician: Government
Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) Professional Sports N.F.L.
Cincinatti Bengals N.B.A.
Boston Celtics Major League Baseball
Cincinnati Reds Colleges & Universities
Florida State University Corporate
Pepsico Fitness/Rehab/Wellness Centers International
Concept 10 10-Denmark U.S.A.
Nautilus Fitness Centers-Worldwide |
“Big” Jim Flanagan was born on October 14, 1946. Back then he wasn’t so “big”. |
|
 |
||||
