Retired pastor pursues lifelong dream

Published 7:00 am Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Lake Forest Park resident and retired Lutheran pastor, Paul Stone, 71, is a self processed work-out addict who as a child, dreamed about being a bodybuilder. For the last six years, his dream has become a reality.

“I find it to be just a heck of a lot of fun,” said Stone, who began competing in bodybuilding competitions when he was 65 years old. “If I don’t go (to the gym) I don’t feel as good … I get all stiff. Working out causes a natural high.”

Frequenting 24-Hour Fitness on Ballinger Way Northeast in Shoreline five or six times a week, Stone consistently trains and most recently placed second in the masters over 70 category at the 2007 NPC Emerald Cup Bodybuilding Fitness and Figure Expo in Bellevue on April 21.

“It was a very intense day,” Stone said about this year’s Emerald Cup competition which was also the 25th anniversary of the two-day event produced by Brad and Elaine Craig. He and four other finalists in the over 70 category, including first-place recipient, James Miller from Burnaby, Calif., performed individual routines in addition to being judged in a variety of separate poses meant to feature specific areas of the body.

“My brother calls it a beauty contest,” Stone said with a laugh. “I guess you have to say it is except it’s athletic and good and healthy.”

Stone is a familiar presence at 24-Hour Fitness, having trained with several of the gym’s staff who know first-hand what it means to be a competitive bodybuilder.

Andy Machle, fitness manager at 24-Hour Fitness on Ballinger Way, said he trained Stone when they were both competing in the 2003 Emerald Cup.

“I coached him on how to pose and put together a routine,” Machle said. “He’s used the same routine with a couple of different variations the last couple of years and ever since then we have kept in touch.”

Stone was also the pastor at Machle’s wedding in June 2005.

“It was a little bit of a themed wedding because he said a marriage is like working out,” Machle said. “Sometimes it gets tough but if you stick through it it pays off.”

Although Machle has not worked directly with Stone recently, he said Stone is well known by the late afternoon crowd at the gym and is an inspiration to everyone.

“It’s’ inspiring to know you can be in your 70s and arguably be in the best shape of your life,” Machle said.

Stone said his physician would agree that he is physically healthy, adding that he was told he’s 70 going on 35 years old, and maintaining a body fat level of 10 percent or less and a weight similar to when he was in college. He hopes he can encourage “older people to work out and just be in shape,” and has received a large amount of feedback from younger people.

“I think most people approach health clubs like they do an amputation,” Stone said. “People join and then very little ever actually go.”

After his successful showing at the Emerald Cup, Stone is now turning his attention toward the Washington Ironman competition in October – an event where he placed second in the over 60 category last year.

Because advance preparation for any bodybuilding event is important, Stone follows a strict diet, eating “clean foods” or those with minimal carbohydrates. He also places an emphasis on complex carbs like wheat or oatmeal and food that is high in protein such as chicken and fish. Any cheating in his diet consists of “ice cream sometimes but never McDonald’s.”

In the days prior to an event Stone won’t consume any water to make his veins much more visible so they may possibly intimidate and beat the competition. He is also adamant about never using steroids to enhance his performance.

“Bodybuilding is an art, a sport and a science,” he said.