User:Jllandon/tom-terwilliger

= Tom Terwilliger = From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Early Life
Thomas Terwilliger (born January 12,1959 in Brooklyn, NY) is a former national bodybuilding champion, Mr. America, 'Fox Sports Net' TV Host, and a successful fitness entrepreneur. He is the youngest of six children and has an identical twin brother, Michael. Classified as dyslexic and hyperactive, Tom was placed into a "special education" program. He began fighting with his fists and quickly inherited the nickname of "Bully Killer!" From there, Tom's oldest brother, Ray, was a NYC policy officer and a martial arts instructor. By the age of 15, Tom and his younger brother trained and learned Kung Fu where he achieved the level of black belt. It was then he found his passion for bodybuilding when he saw a picture of Arnold Schwarzenegger and entered his first teen competition placing 3rd out of seven.

Tom wound up in a group of outlaw bikers for about five years before he found a desire to improve which propelled him into high gear focusing soley on bodybuilding.

Career
Tom worked his way up the bodybuilder division, under Tony Pandolfo's guidance, winning several local, regional and national championship titles. By the age of 19, Tom conquered the teen division of Mr. Southern USA, top in light-heavyweight class at the Junior USA Championships, and 2nd in light-heavy class at Nationals.

At the 1986 Nationals, Tom won the light-heavyweight class at age 27. Terwilliger became one of the most dynamic posers in bodybuilding with his charismatic charm and looks.

Terwilliger has trained celebrities such as: Regis Philbin, Cindy Crawford, Eddie Murphy, Gregory Hines, Ted Lange, Howard Stern and others.

Awards

 * 1984 Junior USA Light Heavyweight1st
 * 1984 National Bodybuilding Championship Light Heavyweight 3rd
 * 1985 National Bodybuilding Championship Light Heavyweight 2nd
 * 1986 National Bodybuilding Championship Light Heavyweight 1st
 * Title of Mr. America
 * Earned Pro Card
 * 1987 IFBB Night of Champions 10th
 * 1989 IFBB Night of Champions 7th
 * 1989 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro 3rd
 * Mr. Olympia 1989 & 1991
 * 1991 IFBB Night of Champions 6th
 * 1991 IFBB Niagara Falls Pro 3rd
 * Tom was the recipient of the Health Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award
 * 2001 Telly Award

On The Screen
1987-2003 MuscleSport USA host and co-producer. The longest running fitness show on T.V.

1985-1990 appeared on various commercials: Hershey's Kiss, Fed-Ex, Kellogg's Oat Baked Cereal, General Goods Soft Swirl Ice Cream and Clairol Body Building Hair Formula

1988 Billy Joel's music video as a lifeguard

1990 Problem Child uncredited bodybuilder in picture

2001-2002 Deviant Vixens I & II actor

Post-Bodybuilding Career
Professional speaker, radio talk show personality, TV show host, entrepreneur and author; Tom is a media expert. He is an international speaker and ambassador for fitness and healthy living, traveling across North America, Europe and Asia. His inspiring story of coming from a group of outlaw bikers to becoming a National Bodybuilding Champion (Mr. America) has inspired others to reach their own limitless potential.

1987 he opened his own gym in New York.

In 1992, he had a mountain bike accent when he then retired from his bodybuilding career. From there, Tom began coaching, and mentoring through writing two of his bestselling books. He also created the Max Mindset video coaching series. Tom now is an ambassador for fitness and healthy living and does public speaking appearances.

1999, he and his wife, Dawn (Mrs. Metropolitan 2009) opened Definitions Denver an exclusive personal training studio in Denver, CO.

2006, IDEA Fitness Journal nominated Tom for outstanding member of the month in June of 2006, where they asked him to contribute articles for publication.

Books

 * "7 Rules of Achievement" (ISBN: 978-1600377372)
 * "Why SMART Goals Maybe Dumb"
 * E-book "Winning the Inner Game of Confidence"