"I think I'm next in line, so I'm trying to live life to the fullest," Tom Platz senses his time is coming

Tom Platz is a legendary bodybuilder from the golden era who is always up to date on what's going on in bodybuilding. This Detroit native began his career in the 1970s. His training programs and work ethic have influenced generations of athletes. After moving to California and making a strong impression at the famous Gold's Gym, Platz won the Mr. Universe title and his pro card at the 1978 World Amateur Championships.

Revered for his lower-body strength, Platz made a name for himself in the IFBB Pro League in the 1970s and '80s, gracing the prestigious Olympia stage eight times. Tom shared battles with legends such as seven-time Olympia winner Arnold Schwarzenegger and eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney.

In a recent video, Platz revealed that after Ed Corny's death, he suspects his time may soon be coming. Although Tom is still "only" 67 years old, I realize that his best days are behind him, but he still doesn't stop living life to the fullest.

"Ed Corny has died and I think I'm next. We all die and we all live, but I think few people live enough.

Ed Corny

Subsequently, Platz revealed that he took up bodybuilding because of Bill Pearl. He educated Tom on how to compete and led him to become a professional before there were pro cards.

"Bill Pearl had a huge impact on me as a young man and a young bodybuilder. Bill had a huge impact on all of us, especially me, and raised me to be a professional bodybuilder before they started handing out pro cards," Platz said.

At the same time, Tom said how important Pearl was to him

"A lot of people think bodybuilding is just about winning the Olympia, but it's not . It's about so much more than just having a good body and showing off, and these gentlemen (like Bill Pearl) really showed us how it works."

In the video below you can watch the full interview, in which Tom also criticizes the current situation regarding the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia, which he then talks about:

" I think that Olympia has lost its identity and that the Arnold Classic has lost its reputation.