Zero‘s Heroes l Kirk Lawrence #38

In today’s episode, we talk with Kirk Lawrence, the bestselling author of Zero’s Heroes, the 1981 true story of when personal trainer Kirk Lawrence was hired by San Francisco 49ers tight end, Charle Young. Their backgrounds were like night and day, but for six months their training became legendary in the Niners organization. Charle’s results included leading a Niners team that went from “Laughable Losers to Super Bowl XVI Champions.” Fresno, CA, then gave him The Key to the City. 

Kirk’s own transformation fueled his fitness career success. His story takes you from when he ran away as a teenager in the dead of night to where he meets Joanie Greggains and makes an impact on morning television. Kirk continued as a consultant to San Quentin prison, coaching fitness students around the world with IDEA, leading the 10,000 person Dole Cup tournament in Japan, being hired by UCSF Medical School to lead a 2 year study on women, exercise and preventing osteoporosis, and training America’s public school students with Raisin Youth Fitness, endorsed by Arnold Schwarzenegger and the then 1991 President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. 

Everyone wants to feel like a hero. But grit, persistence and determination alone make the difference. No matter what the situation, Kirk went on a coaching quest to be his best.

His enduring message is to stick to the fight when you’re the hardest hit, it’s when things seem the worst- 

Rest, but Don’t Quit!

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Kirk grew up, like many children today, in a family that started out like a dream and ended in a divorce. His parent’s divorce took place in January of 1965. He was stuck in a toxic environment, and as he got older, the question he needed to answer was how anyone could rise above the constant, toxic, negative divorce stress.

He learned from tremendous instructors in Kenpo, Yoga, Wing Chun, weight training with Vince Gironda and Frank Zane, as well from the dance, ballet, and movement instructors at the American Conservatory Theater. He was a graduate of the famous bodybuilding camp, Zane Haven, in Palm Springs, California. These coaches helped Kirk make an impact on physical education and fitness training for men, women, and children. 

1975              Black Belt, Chinese Kenpo        

1979              1st Personal Training Client

1980              Marine World Conditioning

1981                NFL Personal 

                         Trainer/Flexibility Coach

1983                Morning Stretch TV

                         Show, Music Coordinator

1984                Personal Fitness

                         Specialist, Cooper Institute

1984                Men’s National

                          Aerobics Champion (FitAerobics)

1984                Group Exercise

                          Leadership, Cooper Institute

1985                California Department of Corrections

                        San Quentin Prison

1986-1990      Continuing Education

                          Provider, ACE

1989                Osteoporosis Exercise

                          Research, Fitness Director

University of California,

San Francisco (UCSF)

    Co-developed with

    Nancy Lawrence,

    Fitness Coordinator

1990-1993      Physical Education

                        San Mateo/Foster City

                          School District

1991-1992      “Raisin Youth Fitness”

                        Endorsed by Arnold Schwarzenegger,               

                          Chairman

                          PCPFS, Co-developed with Nancy Lawrence

Today Kirk lives happily in Indianapolis, Indiana with Dianna, their three kids, and dog, Roscoe. Their best days lie ahead. He works as a courier for FedEx Express in Indianapolis, enjoying the teamwork and dedication to the FedEx “Purple Promise.”

You can find more about Kirk on his website at:  zeroonceheroforever.com