JIM EVANS

Inducted 2009

James (Jim) M. Evans is a 41-year veteran of the health and fitness industry and internationally recognized fitness consultant. He was born on June 15, 1945, in Riverdale, Maryland.

As a varsity wrestler and world-class powerlifter at Ohio State University (OSU) in Columbus and president of the OSU Weightlifting Club in the early 60's, Evans became exposed early on to the illicit use of anabolic steroids among athletes and became strongly opposed to them from both a health and moral perspective. Years later, when two 14-year-old youngsters, both members of one of his gyms in Minnesota, became involved with steroids, he knew that he had to take an active stand against steroids and other performance enhancing drugs.

Evans began working with the U.S. Customs Department, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Minnesota Board of Medical Examiners and the Minnesota High School League to combat steroids, and teamed with top natural athletes to speak at high schools and middle schools about the dangers of steroid use. Evans also worked with the DEA in the arrest and prosecution of persons selling illegal steroids and testified before state legislatures in support of tougher penalties and enforcement for the illegal possession and/or sale of steroids. As a result of his efforts to combat steroids, he was subjected to physical assault, threats against his family, and his gyms were vandalized, but he continued to be an outspoken critic of performance enhancing drugs.

Evans became one of the early pioneers in the natural bodybuilding movement. He founded the North American Natural Bodybuilding Association (NANBA) in Minnesota in 1984 to create an alternative for drug-free bodybuilders and formed a long and cooperative alliance with Jack O'Bleness and the American Bodybuilding Coordinating Committee (ABCC) in Los Angeles. He was a charter inductee of the ABCC Natural Bodybuilding Hall of Fame in 1984. Evans led the NANBA until 1990 establishing chapters in 17 states employing urine testing, blood testing, and polygraph to monitor the integrity of its athletes. He promoted the very first World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) pro show in March of 1989 in conjunction with the NANBA - the Pro/Am Natural Mr./Ms. Universe.

Jim has been published in dozens of magazines and newspapers over the years including Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness, Fitness & Physique, Men's Exercise, Ironman, Best Body, Exercise for Men Only, Alliance Report on Healthcare Marketing & Strategy, Successful Retirement, Strength & Health, Under the Sun, Economic Community, and many more. His editorials have appeared in the San Diego Business Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Des Moines Register, St. Paul Pioneer Press, and others. His fitness column - "Senior Health & Fitness" - is published in more than 750 markets across the country every month (since 1992), and for seven years he was host of the popular radio talk show "Forever Young" on San Diego's KCBQ 1170 AM focusing on issues of health, fitness, and quality of life for older adults.

Jim Evans (right) at 2009 Induction Ceremony