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I remember meeting Mr Hepburn at his shop in Vancouver back in the early 90s; he was 68 years old at the time. Seemed like a real gentleman. He told me he still squatted 600 lbs every day in his workouts, and that it hurt like hell, but he still did it. He also told me he could fabricate any sort of gym equipment for me if I wanted. I never took him up on it though, as I was perpetually broke in those days. I count it a real honor to have had the opportunity to meet him.
I did too ... Milk and egg protein in a plastic bag with a little paper label in it that said "carob" on it cause that was the flavor. It didn't mix up very well but it worked. I remember his shop which had his home made equipment in it and he was bench pressing when I came in and even at what looked to be 50 plus years old he was bench pressing 405 for reps.
"My 87-year-old dad's friend, Doug, showcased his strength in a Vancouver gym back in 1950 when my dad was 13. While my dad was doing squats with one plate, Doug, impressively, put his head down and lifted my dad along with the weight. Another BC Hall of Fame member and Olympian wrestler, Nick Muhammad, also worked out at the same gym. Weighing 160lbs, Nick could easily pin Doug over and over by breaking his grips with sheer power. The strongman versus grappler rivalry is as old as time.
