Sad topic today.
Last month, a legend of the chiropractic profession passed away, Dr. Franco Columbu.
Franco is perhaps best-known as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best friend and training partner. But he himself was no slouch. A champion bodybuilder in his own right, and twice Mr. Olympia winner, he also competed in the first ever World’s Strongest Man competition in 1977 and got 5th.
Watch him help with a little parking “situation” in this iconic short clip from Pumping Iron:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hnPwR3QcCU&feature=youtu.be
Of course, he was a fellow chiropractor too.
What I and many of my colleagues are grateful for today is the amount of attention and credibility he brought to the profession. Not the least of which was a BIG vote of confidence from his very high profile best friend, who actively promotes chiropractic at all his fitness events.
Here’s The Governator himself:
“Whenever I had a little problem with my body, I always ran to one of my dear friends [Franco Columbo, D.C.], he was always right there with the adjustments. This is how I found out the best way of going, is to use chiropractors, not only after injuries, but also before injury. I depend on chiropractic and so does my whole family. That’s what chiropractors do; take care of people like no other kind of healer.”
Dr. Columbu got his degree back in 1977 and also published several books on nutrition and fitness. He continued to practice almost up until present day in Los Angeles. His influence on both the bodybuilding and chiropractic communities will be missed.
If you’re curious, Arnold posted a touching tribute to his friend on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1y_SfRA68f/?utm_source=ig_embed
I’m not gonna lie…you may want to have some tissues handy.
BUT…it’s beautiful and worth reading.
Friendships like this (54 years!) are increasingly rare these days.
Franco died swimming off the coast of his native Sardinia when he was suddenly struck by a heart attack and drowned. He was 78.
Thank you, Dr. Columbu.
R.I.P.
Dr. Josh
