JOE MACK
Joe Mack was known as the mayor of Venice Muscle Beach throughout the 1980's. He was the captain of the greatest and most dedicated crew in Muscle Beach History called the Hogs. Joe Mack worked out every weekend at Venice Muscle Beach for decades, rain, sleet, or shine. Joe started working out at Venice in 1975. He started this Hog movement by his relentless dedication, and we all wanted some of that. In 1985, Joe Mack and Danny Trejo, who is now a Hollywood actor with many movies to his credit, worked out together for years. Joe stood at 5'8 185 pounds and could bench press 455 pounds. He was relentless when it came to driving some iron. Joe Mack had gotten ill with cancer and his weightlifting career sadly came to an end. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 67, leaving behind his son Maurice Mack, his Queen Shelly, granddaughter Casandra known as CJ and grandson Diego Mack. This is the family of a true Legend. The Mayor of Muscle Beach, Joe Mack.
DANNY TREJO
"MACHETE"
Danny Trejo, an Original Hog from Venice Muscle Beach. Danny lived a block away from The Pit, he worked out consistently. Danny was and still is a good genuine brother. One of my most fondest memories of Danny was seeing him pulling his son Danny boy in a little red wagon. There were always friends who watched Danny boy while Danny Sr worked out. Danny is a dedicated father to his kids who are now grown of course. Danny started doing movies back in the 80s and went on to build a successful career in Hollywood. By this time, Joe Mack had gotten ill and the Hogs went their separate ways. We all watched Danny become famous in the movies. Continued blessings to my brother. I’m proud that we were a part of The Greatest crew in Muscle Beach history together, The Hogs.
CRAIG MONSON
He was the ultimate bodybuilder, his physique was top level then and now. He was so far ahead of his time, he didn't receive the accolades he deserved. When I had the honor to work out along side him, he stood at 6'1 275 pounds ripped in the early 80s. I believe, if he would have had the sponsors like the top bodybuilders, he very well could have had the most Mr Olympia titles. He was also one of the strongest men of his time. He played with 500 pounds on the bench press. I saw Craig skull crush 315 pounds for about 6 to 7 reps. We had a shorter bar that was 35 pounds, so he added 5 pounds to each side with three plates on each side with somebody holding his legs down. I have never seen or heard of anyone else that was able to do this. I will never forget that because 315 pounds was my bench press and he could skull crush more then I could bench press. Craig was the most awesome man I have ever seen. I was a member at Golds Gym in Venice for a number of years, I did not see anyone come close to Craig.
Donald P Williams Jr.
I'm Donald P Williams Jr and this is my story. I started lifting weights when I was 8 yrs old, my grandmother bought me a set of Sears and Roebuck plastic cement weights for my 8th birthday. We were a poor family that did not have a car. My grandmother, my younger brothers, and I caught the bus everywhere we went. I am mentioning this because I must have wanted those weights awfully bad for my grandmother to purchase them. Thank you so much grandma, I love you dearly. At that time, my favorite television program was Jack Lalane, he exercised daily. I wanted to be built, that's what we called it back then. Growing up in poverty, physical activity is what you did, sports of all kinds. I loved the challenge of lifting weights. When I was 19 yrs old, I met my good brother Charles Chapman, he brought me to Venice Muscle Beach to work out in the pit. He introduced me to Joe Mack and Rufus aka Raw Dog. These brothers were serious about driving iron and took me under their wing, this was the summer of 1981. I was the smallest and youngest guy there. I have never been the biggest or the strongest or best looking but I am one of the most dedicated. I work out 6 days a week for a minimum of 2 ½ hours and I still love it. I would like to encourage people of all ages to go to the gym and invest in yourself, it will pay you well in health and fitness, self-esteem, and confidence.
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Big Wes
Big Wes was the strongest man in the 1980's. I witnessed Big Wes bench press 635 pounds for 5 reps.That's six 45 pound plates and a 25 on each side. He was working on seven plates which was unheard of at the time. Big Wes used to come down on occasion as well as Craig Monson. When these two men came to the Pit, it was a show you couldn't find anywhere. Big Wes was the strongest man you ever seen and Craig Monson was the biggest and most buffed man you ever seen. These two awesome brothers drew the biggest crowd of spectators to ever gather around the Pit. One summer in the early 80s, Big Wes brought a young man to train with us, he played football at UNLV, his name was Suge Knight, and Suge trained with us for a few years. Big Wes and Suge Knight became bodyguards for the entertainers. That's when rap music exploded, they were at the forefront of the movement .Suge Knight went on to become the founder of Death Row Records and was very successful. Big Wes and Suge Knight were Original Hogs of Venice Muscle Beach, The Greatest Crew in Muscle Beach history. Big Wes passed away in 2020. Rest in Peace my good brother.
CHARLES CHAPMAN
Charles Chapman was the brother who brought me to Venice Muscle Beach. He stood over 6 ft tall, buffed and very chiseled, a really good brother. I am forever grateful to Charles; he opened a whole new world of health and fitness to me. Thank you very much Charles.
TONY MATHEWS
This is my childhood buddy Tony, we met when I was 14 and he was 13. When he came to the Pit we were in our early 20’s. He and I worked out together into our ladder 50’s. He worked himself up to an impressive bench press of 455 pounds. Tony didn’t look like he was that strong, but he could outlift some big guys. Tony, Joe Mack and I worked out 350 days in one year, we tried for 365 but we did well. Hog style
Donny Boy
Donny Boy is Craig Monson’s childhood workout partner since they were teenager’s. Donny Boy started going to Venice Beach in 1966. Donny Boy and Craig were the first in our crew to enter the pit. To this day, Donny Boy is the most dedicated Original Hog at Venice Muscle Beach. Donny Boy is 74 years old and still driving iron every Sunday at Muscle Beach. That's 58 years of dedication and counting. That’s a true Hog
Raw Dog
Rufus aka Raw Dog and Joe Mack were workout buddies from way back. Raw Dog and Joe were my mentor’s, they taught me that a Hog never quits or gives up, you drive that iron until you have nothing left , that’s a true Hog. Raw Dog was the brother who brought the music . He had a boom box that was so large you had to be buffed to carry it around. Thank you Raw Dog for making a Hog out of me. Truly a good brother who loved to chase that iron.
Slim
This is Slim, we called him that because he was built like a basketball player but Slim did not come to Venice Beach to play basketball, he came to drive some iron, week after week, Hog style.
Frankie
Frankie, another good brother who joined the Hog crew and worked out with us for years until we disbanded, a true Hog.
GQ
Joe aka GQ was Charles Chapman’s tight partner. Joe is another Original Hog from the eighties and still buffs at Muscle Beach on Sundays and still driving iron at 67 years old. A true Hog
Travis
Travis was our videographer but he could drive some iron, very dedicated with a slim build you wouldn’t think he was that strong. If it wasn’t for Travis we would not have this extraordinary footage that we are now sharing with the world. Thank you Travis for the great memories my good brother.
Paul
Paul was a real cool brother, he and Bruce were workout partners, together they looked like they were the Miami Vice of weightlifting, very stylish. Hog style
Bruce
Brother Bruce. If I had to describe Bruce, I would say he was the Italian Stallion, strong as hell. He worked his bench press to over 500 pounds. He was so cool with his sunglasses and always wearing sporty gear, very good guy, but don’t mess with him, you’d be liable to get head-butted. Lol
James Mack
James Mack was Joe Mack`s younger brother, was also a dedicated Hog he worked out all the way into his 60`s until he passed in 2021. Rest in peace my brother
Young Will
This is young Will , the youngest Hog in the crew. I had lots of respect for Will he remind me of myself , he was a teenager when he started and hungry for that Iron.
