‘I had to put on four coats of green paint, standing there in my green underwear for three and a half hours with my arms out in crucifixion pose’
I grew up in a tough Brooklyn neighbourhood. I had 80% hearing loss, due to an ear infection I picked up just after I was born, as well as a severe speech impediment. I had to wear a hearing aid and rely heavily on lip-reading. Kids called me “Deaf Louis” and I became extremely introverted. Comic books such as Superman and The Hulk helped me escape. They gave me the sense of wellbeing I needed. My father rejected me because I was not the perfect son, so I fantasised about being like The Hulk and that’s what led to bodybuilding.
